Effingham County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1883 (part 7 of 13)

D. E. McMULLEN, farmer, P. 0. Dexter, is a son of William McMullen, and was born April 9, 1837, in Edgar County, 111. He engaged in the trade of butchering in 1862, at Paris, Edgar Co., 111., and was married in Edgar Count3', 111., to Miss Nancj- Arbuckle, daughter of John Arbuckle, February 28, 1864. Our subject moved to Missouri in 1865, where he remained a short time, and then moved to Bond Count}-, 111., where he engaged in the milling business ; moved to Effingham County, III., in .\pril, 1869, and engaged in farming on a farm owned by I. B. Humes, in Section 11, and in 1872, rented a farm of E. H. Bishop, in Section 5, where he has followed farming as well as trading in stock since ; and has made his avocation a decided success in this count}- ; and in 1882 purchased land to the amount of 240 acres. Subject is a Democrat and takes an active part in politics ; has been elected Highwa}- Commissioner several times ; the last race, owing to a multiplicity of candidates, was conducted with the spirit of a Presedential campaign. Subject has a family of five children - Clarence A.. William E., Ora May, Lillie Leonoria, Etta Lulu. Suljject's father, William McMullen, was born in 1813, moved to Edgar County, 111., with his parents in 1S27, and was married in 1837, to Annie Wileman, daughter of Jacob Wileman. He is a farmer and lives on his farm of 120 acres, two miles south of Paris, 111., ou which he has an excellent orchard and first-class buildings, and is supplied with anything life can ask. He raised a family of five children - Annie F., wife of Thomas Laughlin, who lives in Iowa ; Elizabeth, lives in Edgar Count}-; Juliet V., wife of E. Milburn, died in 1862 ; Alcinda McMullen lives with her parents, and Daniel E., the subject of this sketch.

SOLOMON MESNARD, farmer, P. O. Watson, is a son of John Mesnard, and was born February 2, 1826, in Connecticut. He moved with his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1834, and to Effingham County, 111., in 1842. Mr. Mesnard was married in Fairfield County, Ohio, August 10, 1846, to Miss 3Iary Spitler, daughter of Henry Spitler. Jloved to Effingham County, 111., and located on a farm near Freemanton, and followed farming until 1 862, when he enlisted in the war, in Company G, One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Volunteers. Met the rebs the first time at Covington, Ky. Subject was in sixteen regular battles, of which the following are the principal engagements : Fort Donelson, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Chattanooga, Buz- zard Roost Mountain, Stephenson, Ala., Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Ga., and Franklin, Tenn. Was discharged in July, 1805, and returned home and engaged in farming. In 1868, purchased a farm of forty acres in Section 26, Jackson Township, to which he has added 120 acres, making 160, one-fourth in the bottom, and half of it under cultivation. Subject is a Democrat; has been elected Supervisor of Jackson two terms. Subject's wife died October 1 8, 1877, and he was married April 7, 1878, to Mary J. Reed, in Shelby County, 111. Mr. Mesnard has a family of seven children by his first wife, viz.; Rebecca Clum, Delila Drum, Allie Parks, John H., James A., William S., Annie A., and two by his second wife, Lela and Robert A. Subject's father, John Mesnard, was born in France March 2, 1789. Came to New York Cit}' at the age of seventeen. Was married January 6. 1811, to Miss Phebe Slocum in Connecticut. Mr. Mesnard was a cooper by profession. After a residence of several years in Connecticut he moved to New York City, where he remained until 1832, when he moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he remained until 1842, then moved to Effingham County, 111., and purchased a farnl of eighty acres in Summit Township. In 1847, he sold his farm and located in Jackson Township. He died at the residence of his son August 14, 1868, and his wife died May 13, 1860, at the age of sixtyseven.

ADDISON E. MESNARD, farmer, P. 0. Dexter, is a son of John Mesnard, and was born in 1828. Moved to Ohio in 1833 with his parents, and came to Effingham Count}-, 111., in 1841. He was married to Miss .Margaret Davidson, daughter of Samuel Davidson, about the year 1850. She died soon after. September 20, 1855, subject was married to Miss Mary Ann Mitchell. He settled on a farm of 100 acres in Section 10, Jackson Township. Subject enlisted in the service of the United States in 1862, and served about four months. Was never forwarded to the field of battle. Subject has a familv of nine children - Margaret E., wife of O. A. Mitchell ; Franklin, Electa J., Norman M., Levina Rosa, John A., Mary C., Charles Nelson and Walter.

CALVIN MITCHELL, farmer and stockraiser, P. 0. Watson, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Brown Count}', Ohio, December 2, 1816, and is a son of Ensign and Elizabeth (Calvin) Mitchell, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ohio. He was born March 3, 1787, and cast his first vote for President Madison in 1809. He was a stanch patriot and took an active part in the defense of his country', both against the Indians and in the war of 1812, in the latter of which he served as a Captain. His educational advantages, such as the country afforded at that day, were limited, but his thirst for knowledge led him to the attainment of much valuable information, thus rendering him a useful member of societ}-. In 1815, he married Miss Elizabeth Calvin, in Ohio, where he resided until 1830, when he moved to Edgar Co., 111., locating one and a fourth miles from Bloomfield, and lived there the remainder of his life. Ten children were born to him. The sons living, are Calvin Mitchell (subject) and Capt. Samuel and John Mitchell, of Edgar County, 111. In 1845, his wife died, and in 1850 he married his second wife, Mrs. Mary Riley, with whom he lived thirty-nine years, until his death, which occurred Januar}- 14, 1879, aged nearlj' ninetytwo years. He was a man of undoubted honesty, proverbially kind aud generous to his fellow-men, no one ever applying to him for assistance in vain. He was active and industrious, and a zealous Christian. One can scarcely realize and appreciate the events crowded in one life, though stretching over a period of almost a century. During Mr. Mitchell's boyhood, Washington and Adams were Presidents, and during his long life he saw the republic grow up from a feeble community into the grandest country the world has ever seen. When his countr}' needed his services, he fell into the ranks and did his duty, and when age and iutirmity compelled him to rest from his labors, he had sons to fill his place, whom he trained up to follow in his footsteps. Calvin Mitchell, the subject of this sketch, when fourteen years of age, came with his parents to Edgar County, 111., where he aided his father in opening up a farm. His education was obtained in the common schools of the country, and at the college at Franklin, Ind., which he attended from 1841 to 1844, thus obtaining a good, practical education, together with civil ens;ineering. About the year 1837, he commenced to work for himself, and spent some four j-ears in building turnpike roads in Clark County, 111., in the employ of the State. He then, after attending college, as above stated, taught school in Johnson County, Ind., until 1852, when he emigrated to Clay County, 111., where he bought 285 acres of land. This he farmed successfuUj-, devoting, at the same time, considerable attention to stock-raising. In 1856, he bought a steam mill at Georgetown (in same county), and engaged in the lumbering business. In 1857, he sold his farm in Clay County, and moved his mill to Union Township, Effingham County. The investment in this mill proved a losing one to him, and he fiuallj- traded it in 1858, for the old "Nelson farm" of 160 acres, in Jackson Township, to which he has since added eighty acres. By the most persevering industry and unswerving integrity, he has mude up the losses and liquidated the debts incurred in his mill transaction. Mr. Mitchell was married to Eliza Ann Allen, a daughter of Elijah and Christiana Allen, of Johnson County, Ind., April 13, 1845. The result of this marriage is six children, all sons and citizens of Effingham County, except Ensign S., who is a railroad man in Wisconsin. Orlando A., born in Johnson County, Ind., January 16, 1846; David 0., born in Edinburg, Ind., December 30, 1846; Ensign S., born October 17, 1848; Elijah C, born July 24, 1850; Claudius E., born October 20, 1856, and Joseph C, born December 15, 1859. Politically, Mr. Mitchell is a stanch Democrat. He was elected Surveyor of Efflngiiam County two terms, an office he filled with honor and credit. He is a man of a fine sense of honor, of a kind and liberal disposition, often subjecting himself to inconvenience to accommodate his friends. Elijah Allen, the father of Mrs. Mitchell, was born December 6, 1782, in Kentucky, and when but three years of age his father was killed by Indians. In 1803, when twenty-one years old, he went to Ohio, where he married Miss Christiana Banta, August 5, 1805. He was a Captain in the war of 1812. and also served in the Black Hawk war in 1832. In 1827, he removed to Johnson County, Ind., where he lived until 1852, when he came to Illinois and settled in Clay County, purchasing an improved form of 320 acres, upon which he died November 15, 1857, aged seventy-four years. He had twelve children, all daughters except one, David B., who was an influential citizen of Johnson Count}-, Ind., serving several terms as County Clerk and Sheriff. In 1846, he went into the Mexican war' as Captain of a companj- of volunteers. He died at Monterey, January 9, 1847, aged thirtynine 3'ears.

JOSHUA G. MITCHELL, farmer, P. 0. Effingham, is a son of Daniel S. Mitchell, and was born Januaiy 27, 1835, in Smith County, Tenn.; moved to Johnson County, Ind., with his parents in 1837, and to Effingham County, 111., in .1840. In 1856, Mr. M. taught a school in District 5, Jackson Township. He was married, ^Jlarch 19, 1857, to Susanna Clark, daughter of James D. Clark, and settled on a farm, where he still resides and follows the occupation of fiirming. Subject is a Democrat, and has been elected to the offices of Town Clerk and Assessor several terms. Has been a member of the Baptist Church since 1873. Subject has five children - James D., was born

December 13, 1857 ; Lawrence M., was born February 12, 1862; George A., was born January 22, 1864 ; Izora B., was born December 16, 1870; Pinkney B., was bora June 11, 1872. Subject's father, David S. Mitchell, was born in Smith County, Tenn., April 11, 1815. He was married to Miss Mahala Parkhurst, 5Iay 29, 1833; emigrated to Johnson County, Ind., in 1837, and to Effingham County, 111., in 1840, and settled a form three miles south of E wington, and afterward oii a piece of land in Section 10, Jackson, where he resided till his death, which occurred April 23, 1877. Mr. Mitchell was a man of sterling iutegritj-, and universall}' respected by all who knew him. He filled various offices during his lifetime - Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, etc. He held the office of Justice of the Peace twelve 3'ears. His wife, Mrs. Mahala Mitchell, was born in Smith Count}', Tenn., in 1811, and died in Jackson Township, March 15, 1874.

SOLOMON xNORRIS, former, P. O. Watson, is a son of Ziba Norris, and was born in Harrison County, Ohio, August 30, 1821. He was married, October 23, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of Thomas and Delilah Stewart, and engaged in farming his father's farm till 1851, when he moved to Jackson County, Ohio, and bought a farm of ninety acres, on which he lived about two years and sold; bought and sold several pieces of laud. In 1854, he engaged in merchandising, and at the same time farming rather extensively, at which he continued for seven j-ears, carrying a first-class stock of goods. In addition to this, he purchased a steam saw-mill, and met with fair success; out of these three enterprises, made a great deal of money. In 1861, sold his store and mill and moved onto his farm, where he remained till 1864, when he sold his farm and removed to Effingham County, 111., and located on a form in Jackson Township. In 1871, bought a farm of forty acres in Section 28, Jackson Township, and moved onto it, to which he has added eight}' acres. Mr. S. is a Democrat; has been elected to various township offices, such as Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Highways, etc. Subject has seven children - Margaret A. was born October 15, 1842, wife of James Graham, and lives in Ohio; Stewart Norris was born April 4, 1845, and was married January 21, 1870. to Miss Catharine White, daughter of Jesse White; Juda was born July 26, 1846, and was married to James H. Davidson, April 25, { 1875; Solomon was born February 5, 1852; Delila, wife of Thornton Reynolds, was born August U>, 1853; John Norris was born June 20, 1855, and was married to Miss Sarah J. Robertson, April 27, 1876; William Z. was born March 10, 1862. Subject's father, Ziba Norris, was born in New Jersey Jul}' 26, 1799; moved with his parents to Washington County, Penn., in 1812, and to Harri.son County, Ohio, in 1815. He was married, in 1820, to Miss Juda Cortwrite, daughter of John and Mary Cortwrite, in Columbiana County, Ohio. Subject was a farmer, located on a farm of 160 acres, which was settled by his father in 1815, and did not allow it to pass to strangers, where he lived till his death. He raised a family of ten children - Solomon, Mary, John, Hannah, Rebecca, William, Daniel, Elcy, Caroline and Juda A.

GEORGE W^ PARKS, farmer, P. 0. Dexter, son of Joseph Parks, was born November 24, 1842, in Clark County, Ohio. He enlisted in the war in 1861; was in the battles of Stone River, Chattanooga and Chickamauga; was wounded at Mission Ridge, and sent to Camp Denison, Ohio, where he remained about six months, and returned to his command near Resaca, and was in nearly all the battles of the campaign to Savannah. At the close of the war, returned to Butler County, Ohio. Our subject was married in January, 1867, to Miss Martha Kemp, daughter of John and Martha Kemp, in Butler County, Ohio, and took up the occupation of farming. Subject emigi'ated to Effingham County, 111., in 1871; purchased

WILLIAM J. PHILLIPS^ farmer, P. 0. Effingham, is a son of William Phillips, and was born in Missouri March 25, 1849. He moved with his parents to Franklin County, 111., in 1856, where he remained till 1864, when he enlisted in the war - Compan}' K, Forty-ninth Illinois; was forwarded to Memphis, Tenn.;was in a number of hard marches and several battles around as well as at Nashville, Tenn. His regiment being reduced b}' expiration of time, the renmant of 400 was stationed on provost duty at Paducah, Ky., thus cuttirig him off from the repeated series of battles in Sherman's campaign; was honorably discharged in 1865. Returned to his home in Franklin County, and in 1867 came to Effingham Count}', 111. Subject was married, October 25, 1871, to Jliss Mary J. Parks, daughter of Andrew J. and Sarah Parks. Subject settled on a farm of eight}' acres in Sections 11 and 12, Jackson Township, mostly bottom land. Mr. Phillips raises a fair amount of grain, corn principally; usually feeds his corn to stock, of which he keeps a good supply, especially of cattle. Subject has a family of five children, viz.: Lawrence D., was born June 1, 1874; Clarence M., was born July 16, 1875; Ella Maud, was born August 31, 1877; William R., was born September 19, 1879; Artie Earl, was born December 16, 1881. Mr. Phillips is a Republican politically. Subject's father, William Phillips, was born in July, 1821, in Franklin County, III, and was married, in 1841, to Miss Sarah Roster, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Roster; was a resident of Franklin County with the exception of four years he lived in Missouri - 1849 to 1853. Subject was a farmer, and owned a farm of eighty acres. He died at his home in Franklin County, at the age of forty, two. Mrs. Phillips' father, Andrew J. Parks was born in 1802, in North Carolina. Soon after, moved with his parents to Tennessee, and was married there in 1827 to Miss Sarah Franklin, and moved to Franklin County, 111., in the year of 1829. and to Shelby County in 1835; from there to Effingham County, in 1839, where he settled on a farm in Sections 11 and 12, Jackson Township, where he lived till 1847, when he enlisted in the Mexican war. Sailed across the Gulf to Tampico, and was in Gen. Taylor's army. After a march of about 400 miles, reached the City of Mexico. He died at Pueblo in 1848, and was buried there. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Parks, remained on the farm where she raised her family, and lived there till her death.

JOHN PORTER, farmer, P. 0. Mason, was born in Jackson Township, this county, September 13, 1839. He has lived in this county and township all his life, except eight years- He emigrated to Kansas in 1856 with his parents, and lived on a farm near West Point over the Kansas line. They lived in Linn County, Kan., at the time the John Brown raid was made. The father of our subject was called a Free-Soiler, and he saw three houses burned in sight of homo, and his father was ordered to leave, and did so, and went to Missouri and settled in Benton County, and lived there until fiiU of 1860, in which year his father moved back to this county and township, and died on January 14, 1861. He was born in 1805. Subject enlisted August 2, 1861, in Company A, Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Department of the West in Fifteenth Army Corps, under Gen. John A. Logan. Subject was in over twenty different battles. First, at Island No. 10 and New Madrid, Point Pleasant, was at siege of Corinth, and October 2 and 3, 1862, battle of Corinth, defending it against Price, Van Dorn, etc. Went from there to Scottsboro, Ala,, where they re-enlisted for three years, or during thQ war, and subject came home on thirty da5's' furlough ; on their return, the enemy was besieging Chattanooga, Tenn., and at this time the T\vent3'-sixth fought at Tunnel Hill, under Gen. Sherman, and broke through lines and pursued by forced march to Knoxville, Tenn., raising siege at Chattanooga. This was the beginning of the famous " march to the sea," and subject was in all the engagements of that march. He was wounded on the 22d of Julj-, I860, at Decatur, Ga., a niinie ball passing through his thigh, and was excused from dutj' fifty-five days. His last engagement was at Bentonville, S. C. He was mustered out Jul}' 28, 1865, at Springfield, HI. Mr. Porter's eyes were affected by exposure in army, and for eight months after his return he was almost blind. In 1866, he bought a farm in this township, and has made additions until he has 140 acres of land, seventy acres in cultivation. Married, in October 26, 1865, to Miss Nancy A. Cartwrighl, of this county, Summit Township. Have four children living - Amanda E., Mary Catharine, John N., Benjamin P. Father James Porter was born in North Carolina, and moved when seven years old to Smith County, Tenn., where he lived until about 1831. He came when a young man to this county, and made his first improvement near old Ewington, and married Miss Mary A. Parkhurst a short time after his arrival. He started improvements in several places in the county, owning land in several parts of the county where he lived. He was a Democrat, had ten children, seven still living. Subject is oldest son. Is a Democrat, and served as Collector and Assessor of Township.

HERBERT REED, minister, Dexter, is a son of Henry Reed, and was born December 1, 1841, in St. Louis, Mo. At the age of nineteen, he enlisted in the war in August, 1861, Company D, Eighth Illinois Volunteers; was in the following battles: Fort Heurj-; Fort Donelson, where he was wounded and was sent home on a furlough; at its expiration, reported back to his command at Shiloh, and was in the siege of Corinth, Port Gibson, Miss., Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill and siege of Vicksburg; was discharged August 2, 1864, and returned to his home in Jasper County, 111., and settled to farming. Subject located in Effingham County, in 1872. Was married to Mrs. Hester Angel April 10, 1875. Subject was licensed to preach by the M. E. Church (South), April 1, 1876; joined the Conference in 1880. Subject has three children - Annie Laura, Victor Lenoir and Eva J. Subject's father, Henry Reed, was born in 1806, and was married in 1834. He was a ship-carpenter, and moved to various cities to secure employment at his trade, and finally located In Green Count}^ Ky., where he died in 1847, and after his death his widow and family settled in Jasper County, 111. WILLIAM RILE Y, farmer, P. 0. EflSngham, is a sou of John Riley, and was born 1818 in Wayne Count}', N. Y. At the death of his father, which occurred when Mr. R. was quite young, he was bound out among strangers. At the age of twenty, subject engaged in farming for himself and pursued that till 1841, when he enlisted in the Florida war against the Seminole Indians, but was discharged in 1842, on account of inability for service. Subject soon after emigrated to Rock Count}-, Wis., and engaged in carpentering under William Perr}', which occupation, in connection with farming, he followed till 1853, when he was married, to Miss Roxanna James, and moved to Memphis, Tenn., and from there to Illinois in 1854. Subject lived in Ewington, and engaged in carpentering till 1859; then moved to his land in Jackson Township. Subject enlisted in the war in 1861, Company K, Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteers. At the battle of Pea Ridge, Mr. Riley was taken prisoner, but was soon after exchanged. In June, 1862, an order was issued to dischaige all invalid soldiers, consequently Mr. R. was honorably discharged. He returned home and engaged in farming; has a farm of 200 acres.

Subject has a familj' of three children - William B. Riley, was born Oct. 15, 1857; was married to Miss Emma V. Nichols, November 20, 1879, and settled on a piece of land in Section 10, Jackson Township; Ida E., and Loretta. wife of James White, Jr.

JESSE HALLEY SAID, farmer, P. 0. Dexter, is a son of Jesse and Nancy Said, and was born February- 18, 1827, in Delaware Count}-, Ohio. Subject was married December 9, 1847, to Miss Susan Thompson, daughter of William and Sarah Thompson. Her mother's maiden name was Sherman, a distant relative of Gen- Sherman. Mr. S. engaged in farming and stock droving near New York Cit}', at which he continued till 1859, when he moved to Effingham County, 111. In 1860, he was appointed enrolling officer for this couutj' ; also Deputj' JIarshal for the Sixteenth Congressional District, which position he filled until the close of the war, in 1865. After the war, he engaged in merchandising in Dexter, which he followed about six years. Then took to railroading as a contractor to supply timber for the Vandalia Railroad ; also station agent. Pursued the business until 1878, since when he has followed the avocation of a farmer. Mr. S. has been the owner of an immense amount of land in this count}-. Has sold all but sixty-two acres. Subject has a family of three children, viz.: William T., born July 26, 1849, and married to Miss Ella May Wallace, daughter of Nelson and Zilla Wallace, February 19, 1879, and has one child, Lucy Alice, born in 1880 ; Winfield, born October 2, 1852, was married to Miss Kitty McAdoo January 3, 1877 ; Nancy J., born July 15, 1857, wife of William G. Keefer. Subject's father, Jesse Said, was born 3Iarch 15, 1791; was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was taken prisoner in the battle of Winchester's defeat, at French Town, in 1813. Was taken into Canada, where he was held a prisoner for some time, and was exchanged. Subject was married in 1816 to Miss Nancy Eubanks, daughter of

Thomas Eubanks, in Clark County, Kj'., and moved to Delaware County, Ohio, in 1818, and lived there until 1859, when he moved to Effingham County, 111. Subject accumulated a large amount of land. He died in 1875, and his wife, Mrs. Nancy Said, died in 1880. Of a fnmily of twelve children, five are living, namely : Susan Loveless, Jesse H. Said, William Said, Harriet Smith and Harvey Said.

HIRAM P. SIJMONTON, farmer, P. 0. Dexter, is a sou of Theophilus Simontou, and was born in 1831. At the age of seventeen he began an apprenticeship in a printing office in Batavia, Ohio, on the Clermont Courier, an office of considerable notoriety, as it had formerly been managed by Col. Maderia, a member of the State Legislature, and afterward a member of the United States Senate. During the campaign of 1848, Mr. S., in connection with another gentleman, did the principal work of running a campaign bulletin, entitled Rouyh and Ready. After several years' work at this business, Mr. S. became dissatisfied with the printer's work, and engaged in and served an apprenticeship as a millwright and machinist. Subject was married to Miss Amelia Danbury in 1854, in Clermont County, Ohio. Continued the millwright and machinist business in Ohio and Illinois for a number of years, and worked on some very large contracts, one of which was a mill built in Lexington, McLean Co., 111., at a cost of $40,000. Mr. Simontou moved to Vandalia in 1857, bought a steam saw and grist mill, and remained there until 1862, when he sold out, moved from Vandalia to P]ffingham in 1863, bought a saw mill, and located about three miles west of Effingham. After four 3-ears' work in business there, sold his mill and purchased a farm of 138 acres in Moccasin and Summit Townships. He traded his land in Moccasin for a farm of eighty acres in Section 16, Jackson Township, and sold his land in Summit, and moved to Jackson Township in 1872. Bought a saw mill the same year and put it up in Section 16. Mr. S. has an excellent bottom farm, on which he raises a great amount of grain ; he makes forming his principal employment, running a mill at intervals of leisure. Mr. Simonton is a Democrat of a prominent character in political circles of the county. Has served four terms as Supervisor of Jackson Township. He has a family of four children, viz.: William T., Carrie B. (wife of D. O. Mitchell, and lives in Lucas Township), Henry Cla}- and Joseph C.

WILLIAM T. SIMONTON, former, P. 0. Dexter, son of Hiram P. and Amelia Simonton, was born in Clermont County, Ohio ; removed with his parents when ipiite j'oung to Faj-ette Count}', 111., afterward to Effiugham Count}-, 111. He was raised on a farm with fair facilities for educating himself, and he improved the opportunity and secured fair business qualifications. During his boyhood, he followed farming and working in his father's steam saw-mill. He takes a zealous interest in politics. He is a Democrat ; has been elected to the office of Highway Commissioner one term. He was sent as a delegate to the Democratic Congressional Convention, at Vandalia, 111., August 10, 1882. He made a number of political speeches during the fall of 1882. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. September 26, 1882, Mr. S. and Miss Mary Arizona Miller were united in marriage. He located on a farm of eighty acres in Section 3, Jackson Township, to which he has added 120 acres, making 200 acres, on which he has good improvements and dwelling. He has a fomily of two children, as follows : Winfleld S. was born August 9, 1879 ; William Clyde was born September 20, 1881.

GEORGE W. SMITH, farmer, P. 0. Watson, son of George Smith, was born August 8, 1813, in Lancaster County, Penn. He was married May 4, 1837, in Franklin County, Penn., to Miss Maria Adaire. At first he engaged in blacksmithing, which he followed for some time, and then engaged in forming, which he followed in various parts of Ohio. In 1803, removed to Effingham County, 111. He purchased a farm of 137 acres in Sees. 22 and 23. He has 100 acres in cultivation, mostly bottom, which is very fertile. He is an excellent farmer. Subject has a family of five children, namely - Calvin was Ijorn April 3, 1840. and lives in Minnesota ; Harriet M. was born August 21, 1843; Samuel H. was born March 19, 1848, and lives in Kansas ; George B., born August 8, 1850, and lives in Minnesota ; Adoniram was born January 1, 1853, and lives in Minnesota.

JONATHAN TREXLER, farmer, P. 0. Effingham, son of Jonathan Trexler, was born March 19, 1821, in Jackson County, Ohio. He was married September 3, 1844, to Miss Drucilla Foster, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Foster; located on a piece of land, 120 acres in the timber, and cleared about fifty acres. In 1852, he sold his farm in Jackson County, and emigrated to Effingham County, 111., and settled a farm of 160 acres in Section 14, Jackson Township. In 1853, he began tiie work of clearing a farm in the river bottom, and has about seventy-five acres in cultivation, mostly in the bottom ; has good buildings, a good orchard, and is in well-to-do circumstances. Subject has a family of two children living - Sarah E. was born January 7, 1848, was married to John C. Reynolds, April 1, 1871; Eveline was born May 31, 1857, and was married to Elijah C. Mitchell, November 21, 1874. Subject votes the Republican ticket, and has been a member of the Christian Church since 1847. Mr. Trexler's wife died December 1, 1866. Subject's father, Jonathan Trexler, was born in New Jersey November 14, 1791. At the age of twenty, he enlisted in the war of 1812. Was married, in 1815, in Jackson County, Ohio, to Miss Rachel Martin, and engaged in forming. In 1853, he moved to Jasper County, 111., and bought a farm in North

Muddy Township. Purchased for his children and himself probably 500 acres of land. Subject raised a family of ten children, viz.: John, Mar}', Jonathan, David, Johnson, Jackson, Catharine, Vinton, William W,, and Rachel. The father died Januury 29, 1880, jn Jasper Count}', 111.

JAMES TURNER. " That whereunto man's nature doth most aspire, which is immortality or continuance; for to this tendeth generation, and raising of houses and families; to this buildings, foundations and monuments; to this tendeth the desire of memor}-, fame and celebration, and in etfect the strength of all other human desires. We see then how for the monuments of wit and learning are more durable than the monuments of power or of the hands. For have not the verses of Homer continued twenty-five hundred j'ears or more, without the loss of a syllable or letter? during which time, infinite palaces, temples, castles, cities have been decaj'ed and demolished. But the image of men's wits remain in books, exempted from the wrong of time, and capable of perpetual renovation, neither are they fitl}- to be called images, because they generate still, and cast their seeds in the minds of others, provoking and causing infinite actions and opinions in succeeding ages. The tj'pes are as ships which pass through the vast seas of time, and make ages to participate of the wisdom, illuminations and inventions, the one of the other." - Lord Bacon.

A proper biographical historj' of the men of the world, who by their just and great lives - no matter how humble the sphere in which thej' lived and toiled - men who have molded and made possible the march of civilization, would be the book of all books for the contemtemplatiou and stud}' of men. In the olden time, it was only kings and conquerors - tyrants and brutes mostly - that the sycophancy of history deemed worthy of mention. It has been only a modern conception that he only i^ great whose life walk has been good - who has toiled for the betterment of mankind - who has made two blades of grass grow where only one grew before; in short, lie who has thought some thought or perfected some work or labor that tends to better and lift iip and perpetuate the real good and improvement of his fellowman. These are the earth's great men and benefactors - the men incomparably above and beyond wealth, titles, positions or power.

James Turner was born in Buckingham County, Va., July 29, 1799. His father was a Revolutionary soldier, who cast his fortune and his life with our forefathers, and who came out of that long and suffering struggle with only his life and liberty. When the war was over, he returned to his humble blacksmith shop and here he toiled to support and rear his family of three children. He died in 1806 after long sufferings, first, from a fall from a building where he was at work, and then from an attack of rheumatism that eventually caused his death, leaving a widow and three small children, two boys and a girl. James Turner was the youngest of these children, and was seven years of age when his father died. Upon his mother's farm he toiled unremittingly, so much so, indeed, that where there were very sparse school facilities, he was wholly deprived of even the limited advantages they could give. December 16, 181S, he was married to Elsah Pendleton, of Buckingham County, and at once commenced life for himself and wife at the age of nineteen years. For three years he was general manager and controller of different plantations upon a small salary. In 1823, he moved to Wilson County, Tenn.. taking with him his mother, wife and first born babe, where he purchased a small farm, and hired a suflScient force to run it while he worked four years at the carpenter's trade. His business was moderately prosperous here, and he accumulated some property. But he had friends and acquaintances in the new State of Illinois, among whom were Judge Broom, Ben Allen, Stephen Austin and Duke Robinson; they had all written him just and glorious accounts of this new country, and responsive to these letters in the year 1829 he came here to see for himself. While here on this visit of inspection he made up his mind to cast his fortune with his Illinois friends, and he selected the spot for his future and permanent home. Tliere was much sincere pleasure among his friends when they learned that he was soon to bring his family and to come and to be one of them. He returned to Tennessee, sold his little farm, and in November, 1830, arrived in Effingham County His equipage was a wagon and four horse team, a wife and six children, and they had made the journey of over 300 miles in about two weeks. He at once built himself a cabin on the spot where he yet resides. Tiiis was then heav^- oak timber land. While engaged in putting up his little house, he lived in a house that belonged to Stephen Austin. An instance of the scarcity of able-bodied men ut that time, is given in the fact that he had to appoint five different gatherings of house raisers before he could get force enough to put up the logs This little old cabin is still standing, and Mr. Turner takes great pride in telling over the winter's hard work and difficulties it cost him. He moved into his own house March 14, 1831, and the great old oak trees that stood so chick about his premises, he cut down and cleared away, working by the light of the moon, after hard days of toil in his blacksmith shop, or at the carpenter's bench, doing the pressingly needed work for the people of the county. Prior to his coming, men had to go to Vaudalia or Shelb3'ville for such blacksmith work as he now wrought for them. The coming of James Turner into our county was an event of the greatest importance to the people. It was not only the addition of one of the best of fiimilies, but he brought with him more of this world's goods than did any man who preceded him. His teams and wagons were a greater necessit}' to the people, as was his work in iron and wood of the greatest importance to all. Until he could raise a crop, he purchased what corn he could of the farmers, but this giving out, he was compelled to go into Edgar County, some miles beyond Paris, where he found some moldy corn. It was wretched stuflf, but tiie best and all he could find. He was accompanied by Jacob Nelson on this trip. When they secured the corn, they returned by way of Shaw's mill, but he would not grind their grain, so they continued their way to Slover's mill at the head of the Little Wabash. The trip occupied five days. Mr. Turner and Abraham Pendleton deadened the ti mber, and the first year put in seven acres of corn, but being in the bottom, the frost ruined it, but Pendleton's was on the upland and his four acres was the bread supply from the first crop. Mr. Turner's first attempt to raise wheat was in 1832. He planted four acres, and tramped it with horses, and "fanned" it by a sheet vigorously plied by two men, while another poured it in a stream standing uptin .some object. The terrible job was eventually completed, but such work determined Mr. Turner, and at once he went back to Tennessee and brought back with him a fanning mill, the first that was ever brought to the settlements. For a long time it was hauled all over the country, as it was loaned to neighbors. It was a county wind mill, and was literally worn out in the service of the people. Mr. Turner raised several crops of cotton, selecting the southern exposure of the hill side, with fair success, but the lint was short and inferior every way in quality. Finding cotton growing here a failure, he made as many as five trips to Tennessee to purchase cotton and wool, which he carried home and his wife spun and wove the clothing for the family. On one of these trips he brought with him his mother (who had again become a widow), and here she lived until her death, April 2G, 1839. In these communications back with his Tennessee home friends, he iufiuenced three different families to move here, and he furnished them transportation to come. In 1834, he was enabled to enter of the Government the eighty acres of land where he made his first improvement, and to this he added as he could, entries adjoining, until he thus owned about 500 acres. These entries lay on both sides of the Little Wabash. He then purchased of private parties until he owned about 1,000 acres. He was a successful farmer and stock-raiser, and his services as a carpenter and blacksmith were invaluable and of great convenience to all the people. In 1834, he was elected a member of the County Commissioners' Court, and served out the term faithfull}' and well, but nothing could ever induce him to accept office again. His time otherwise was too valuable to his family and the people to sacrifice it in fulfilling the duties of office. The wife, and the good mother of Mr. Turner's children, the beloved helpmeet, died October 5, 1858, having borne the following children; David, born June 21, 1822, in Virginia, a farmer near Mason; Robert W., born in Tennessee, August 21, 1823, died when twenty-one years old; James S. B., born in Tennessee, October 21, 1824:, a wealthy farmer, living in Shelby County in this State; Lorenzo H., born in Tennessee, May 14, 1826, residing in Shelby Count}', 111.; Mary Jane, born July 12, 1827, wife of Samuel Winters, of Jackson Township; John J., born October 5, 1828, died November 11, 1832; Henry, born December 28, 1830, in Effingham County, a farmer near Mason; Nathaniel, born April 14, 1832, living on the old homestead; Nancy E., born Februar}' 6, 1834, wife of Charles Kinse}-, living in San Francisco; Abram P., born February, 1836, died July 29, 1856; Wilson, born October 2, 1838, farmer, Mason Township. There are now thirty-eight grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren and one greatgreat-grandchild. On the 20th of January 1860, Mr. Turner was married the second time to Mary E. Quigley, who was spared to Iiim in his old age only until December 10, 1874, when she died leaving no children. ' Mr. Turner has been for many years an exemplary and consistent member of the Old-School Baptist Church. The first vote he ever cast for President was for General Jackson, and all his life he has been a Democrat, a patriot, a Christian, an exemplary model citizen and an honest, good man, and he has been all these in the broadest and truest sense of those terms. His long and busy life has been a priceless one to his family and of inestimable value to the people of the county. An honest man is the noblest work of God. Here is a man not only honest but full of that k-indly charity, benevolence and goodness, who never had an enemy, and over whose good name no taint or shadow has ever passed. His education was confined wholly to his own observation and experience; the books have been sealed books to him yet his strong, active mind made amends largely for this, and stored his mind with useful knowledge. A man of medium stature, blue ej-es, and although carrying eighty-three years, is erect, active and springy in his jnoveraents as are man}- men in the young prime of their manhood. Mentally and ph3-sically pure and cleanly, no base word or thought ever escaped his lips. Although a picture of a green old age - of nature's true gentleman - that wins its way to the respect and affections of all who behold it.

JAMES WHITE, farmer, P. O. Watson, is a son of Jesse White, and was born August 8, 1834, in Missouri, and moved with his parents to Effingham County, 111., in 1835. He was married, September 7, 1854, to Miss Phebe Keltner, daughter of Samuel and Susan Keltner. Subject engaged in farming a rented farm of forty acres, which he purchased of his father the following year, to which he added eighty acres making 120 acres in Section 24. In 1870, he purchased a bottom form of 160 acres in Sections 14 and 15. Mr. White raises a great deal of grain, principally corn, which he has sold owing to the demand for corn the past few j-ears. Subject has met with the raistoitune to have to pay securit}- debts exceeding SI, 000 from 1879 to 1881. Subject belongs to the Masonic fraternitj', and is a model Democrat ; has filled the office of Supervisor four terms, and held the office of School Director the remarkable time of twentj'-five years. Mr. White has a familj' of eight children living, viz.: Daniel J. was born August 24, 1855, and was married to Miss Louisa Robertson, daughter of William Robertson, February 5, 1877; Catharine L. was born Octobers, 1857, and was married to Elisha Thr.asher August 13, 187G; James A. was born November 7, 1859, and was married November 19, 1881, to Miss Loretta Riley; Branson S. was born March 6, 1861, and was married April 15, 1882, to Miss Sarah Ellen Hatcher; Isaac L. was born January 30, 1867; Charles L. was born December 31, 18G8; Van C. was born March 23, 1873; Sanford N. was born December 24, 1876; Jesse White, subject's father, was born May, 1811, in North Carolina; at the age of twenty went to Alabama, and then Tennessee, and moved to Effingham County, 111., in 1830; was married in 1831, to Miss Catharine Neavill, daughter of George and Elizabeth Neavill, and moved to Missouri in 1834, and back in 1835. In 1840, he located on 160 acres of land in Sections 23 and 24, Jackson Township, which he afterward bought; added 120 acres, making 380. Mr. White was a very strong man till 1848, when he became disabled by bone erj-sipelas, of which he died May 29, 1881. Of a family of fourteen children, ten are living - James, Mary Ann Stiffler, Elisha R., Caroline Real, Catharine Norris, Jesse, Henry and Jane (twins), Franklin, Castilia.

HARVY WILMETH, farmer, P. 0. Watson, is a son of Joseph. Wilmcth; was born in 1826, in Pickaway County, Ohio. He learned the carpenter's trade under his father during his boyhood, and at the age of twenty-one went to the town of Marion, Ohio, to work at his chosen trade. Subject was married to Miss Julia A. Monday in 1853, in Marion, Marion Co.. Ohio. He continued his trade there till 1858, when he sold out and moved to Effingham County, 111., purchased 1()0 acres of land parti v in Section 15, Jackson Township. Subject has a farm of over two hundred acres, about one hundred acres in cultivation, bottom and upland, making a desirable as well as a ver}' profitable farm, on which there are good buildings and an es;cellent orchard. Farms principally corn and wheat; usually feeds most of his corn to stock, and makes quite a specialtj^ of stock-raising. Politically, a Republican. Subject has a family of six children, viz., Carless (married Miss Eliza Ballard), Franklin, Mar3- (wife of George D. Loveless), Chester, Presley- and Bertha.

WILLIAM WILSON, farmer, P, 0. Watson, was born in Larno, Antrim Co., Ireland, April 27, 1826, son of William and Margaret (English) Wilson, who were married in 1820, in Ireland. Our subject is their only child, the mother died in 182G. The father, in after years, married Margaret McKay, by whom was born five children, all surviving aud residing in Scotland. William came to America in 1851, landing in New York City; he soon after settled at Westfield, Chautauqua Co., State of New York, remaining nearl}- two years, working on a farm owned by Asa Hall. He then came to Effingham Count}-, followed railroading for a short time, and finally settling on the farm he now owns. He served four months under the call for 75,000 men during the rebellion. Our subject married Elizabeth Le Crone July 26, 1853. Mrs. Wilson was born April 7, 1826, and unto them were born eight childroii, two of whom are living - Alfred Dennj- Wilson and Mattie Boyce Wilson, both married. The familj- were educated in the Presbyterian faith, to which the descendants still adhere. Mr. Wilson has always acted with the Democratic party, and has been elected Supervisor of his township several terms. He settled on the raw prairie, on the edge of the timber line, grubbed, cleared, and turned the high wild grass under, until he has 240 acres of farm under good cultivation. He cleared from the stump 200 acres of this land; most of his neighbors who began life with him, have passed away. Mr. Wilson notes that this countr}- for farming purposes, is superior to Ireland, or any part of the old countr}', for the reason that more of any kind of grain can be raised per acre here, with the same amount of labor used there. An additional reason that crops of Indian corn and various fruits can be raised here that cannot be produced in Irish soil, he thinks that if the discontented people of his native land would come out here, and worked the soil, as he did, instead of quarreling with their Government, it would be better for them and for Ireland. He produces one more argument in favor of this country for farming purposes over Ireland, that the sea storms threshes the grain in the fields before garnered, which causes great loss, this beingcaused l\y Ireland being surrounded by water. SAMUEL WINTER, farmer, P. 0. Mason, is a son of Benjamin Winter, and was born November 12, 1817, in Fairfield County, Ohio. Began life for himself at the aee of iourteen, worked on a farm a short time, and then served an apprenticeship to the tanner's trade till 18-10, and came to Effingham County, 111. He was married to Miss Mary J. Turner, daughter of James Turner, September 5, 1842, and settled on a piece of land in Section 32. Subject followed the tanner's trade till 1852, and then abandoned that and took up farming as a livelihood. His farm consisted at first of 200 acres of timber and prairie, part of which he has donated to his children. Subject voted the Whig ticket, after the Whigs went down, voted with the Republicans a short time, then left them and joined the Democracy. Subject was Deputy Sheriff of Effingham County, under 0. L. Kelley, 1857-58, and was elected to the office of Sheriff in 1859, and served one term. Mr. Winter has five children - Caroline, wife of Elzie Hardsock, was born August 13, 1843; James B. was born June 14, 1845; Abraham F. was born December 1, 1848; William H. was born February 5, 1851; Charles Walker was born May 16, 1853. Subject's father was born in 1790, was a farmer, owned a farm of eighty acres near Mount Vernon, Ohio, which he traded for a farm near Baltimore, Ohio, where he died August 5, 1832.

Liberty

WILLIAM ALLSOP, farmer, P. 0, Beecher City, is the second son living that was born to John Allsop and 3Iary Slater, his wife. Her uncles, Samuel and William Slater, came to the United States in 1790, and were the originators and builders of the first cottou factory in America. William, the subject of these lines, was born March 18, 1836, and came to America with his parents in 1845, and removed with them to the State in December, 1847, and has since been a resident of this count}- and township. He remained with his parents on the homestead until his marriage, which occurred

December 21, 1862, to Sarah H. Zeigler, a native of Michigan, daughter of Jacob Zeigler and Alvira Tubbs. Jacob Zeigler was born in Butler County, Ohio, and died August 13, 1882. His wife, Alvira, came from New York State. Mr. AUsop's wife died September 29, 1869, leaving two children - Charles and Lillie May. Charles was born December 17, 1863 ; Lillie M., February 23, 1866. After this he located on the farm he now owns. He was married on January 1, 1872, to Mary J. Blarshall. She was born November 21, 1838, in Monroe Countv, N. Y., daughter of Samuel

Marshall and Lucinda Gutherie. lie was born in Barron Count3-,K3-. She onClincli Ri ver,Teun. Bj- last marriage he had one child, Ida S. B., bora Jauuarj- 30, 1873. Mr. Allsop is Democratic, and a member of Southern Methodist Episcopal Church.

THOMAS ALLSOP, farmer, P. O. Beeeher City. Among the substantial and leading farmers of this township is Thomas Allsop, who was born Maj- 23, 1838, in Derbyshire, England, the fourth son of John Allsop and Mar^- Slater. The family emigrated to this country prior to the Mexican war, locating in the District of Columbia, where they lived two years, and in December, 1847, the father of Thomas came to this State with his family and located on laud in this township, which he had traded for while in the district. He owned here C50 acres, 330 acres in this township, the remainder in Shelby County. Here he settled and remained in the county until his death, which occurred Ma}- 10, 1878, at his son's in Effingham. He was born in March, 1804. His wife died March 27, 1848, born December 27, 1802. To them were born six children - Sarah, Sanuiel, John, William, Thomas, Mary. Mar}- and John are deceased. ^Mary married George Eccles ; John died in Effingham ; Sarah is the wife of Thomas D. Tennery, this township. Thomas remained with his father until he was twent3--one, then began in business for himself in 1859, locating where he now resides. Was married first time to Elizabeth Hunt, born in Manchester, England, daughter of John Hunt and Elizabeth Mapplebeck. She died April 2, 1873, leaving six children - Lizzie, John, Emma, Sarah, Martha. Lizzie resides in Moccasin Township, this county, wife of Joseph Syfert. Second wife was Sarah Getz, of Ohio, daughter of William Getz ; she died leaving one child Bertha. Last wife was Sarah Mahin, born in this county, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Powell) Mahin, he, of Ohio, she of

Tennessee. B}- last marriage two children - Clarence and Nellie. He has 200 acres in this township, IGO acres in Shelby County, and farm in Moccasin Township. He has done much toward encouraging the breeding of fine stock. Democrat, and of the Southern Methodist Church. He has put all the substantial improvements on this farm.

WILLIAM H. ANDERSON, furniture, Beeeher City. The subject of this sketch was born in Fayette County, now London Township, December IG, 1843, the fourth son of a famil}- of eight children, born to Samuel Anderson, a native of South Carolina, and left here when a young man and afterward served five years in the regular army, and about the year 1829 or 1830 came to Fayette County, where he settled and remained until his death in the year 1848. His wife was Nancy Amerman, a native of Tennessee, daughter of Stephen Amerman. To Samuel Anderson and wife were borne seven children, who lived to man and womanhood, viz. : James, Jonathan, Caroline, Stephen J., Elizabeth, William H., Emma and Matthew. William H. was but four j-ears of age when his father died ; he then went to live with his uncle, with whom he lived until his death. He was at this time thirteen years of age, when he turned out for himself and up to the fall of 18G1 he worked out by the month. October 3, 1861, he responded to the Nation's call, and enlisted in Company B, Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three j'ears and two months, receiving his discharge in December, 1864. During this time he participated in the battles of Belmont, Corinth, New 3Iadrid, siege of Nashville, Mission Ridge, siege of Knoxville, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca^ Rome, Ga., and Dallas, where he was severely- wounded in le.ft arm, ball passing through same and through the left hip and lodged in the left hip joint where the ball still lies. Upon his return from service came to Fayette, he attended school for one year after which he taught school one j'ear, then engaged in farming, continuing until 1873, after which he sold goods at Greenland one year and then farmed until 1882, at which time he came to Beecher City where he bought property in fall of 1881, and in 1882 built a business house and is now engaged in the furniture business. He was married October 3, 1867, to Hester E. Miller, born in Fayette County, daughter of William and Callista (Beck) Miller. By this marriage of Mr. Anderson six children have been born, four living, viz. : Lillie M., Callista A., Isadora and Samautha P. Deceased were Emma J. and Lizzie M., members of the Missionarj' Baptist ; also A., F. & A. M., Greenland Lodge, No. 665. Bepnblican and strong temperance man, Mr. Anderson had four brothers who served in the army. James, Jonathan, Stephen J. and Matthew. Matthew served in the Seventh Cavalry. The other four served in Company B, Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Jonathan had left arm shot oft'. James had three Augers shot off from left band.

H. L. BEECHER, merchant, Beecher City. The subject of the following sketch descended from a long line of distinguished ancestors, of various avocations, whose decisory characteristics are prominently perceivable in the portrait in this book, of him whose name heads this biograpliy. He is a native of Licking County, Ohio, and was born March 14, 1844. His parents, Lyman and Jane (Willoughbj') Beecher, were natives of Herkimer County, N. Y. The former was Ijorn March 26, 1817, and in 1836, he moved with his father's family- to Licking County, Ohio. The latter was born March 4, 1820, and blessed her consort with three children, viz.: Sarah A., born April 4, 1841. married H. B. Howe, and is living in Cleveland, Ohio; H. L.; and Julius S. born October 2, 1846, married Ella Norton, of Shawneetown, 111., and resides in Columbus, Ohio ; H. L. received such an education as the country schools and one year at college afforded. He spent the greater part of his early life as a tiller of the soil. November 4, 1869, he was married to Emma L., a daughter of ^Yesley and Charlotte (Charles) Hancock. Her father left his native State, Virginia, at the age of sixteen years, and came to Licking Count}-, Ohio, where he subsequentlj' married her mentioned above, whose ancestors were from Pennsylvania. Her parents were blessed with twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity. Four of 3Irs. B.'s brothers held that all men should be unfettered in running the race of life, hence the system of human slaverv found in them an honorable but unrelenting foe ; and when the accursed S3'stem organized a rebellion against our Government, they took up arms to uphold and sustain the just cause of their country. The j-ounger, Charles, enlisted at the age of sixteen, in the One hundred and itwentj'- sccond Ohio Volunteer Infantrj-; was in fortytwo battles during three j-ears' service. James C. was First Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Ephraim and Jesse each served three years, and the latter was captured by the rebels, and by some shrewdness he escaped. Our subject, with his wife, removed to Fairfield, Wayne Co., 111., in February, 1871, and about one year later, to Beecher Citj*, this county. They lived for awhile in the railroad depot. In June, 1872, they transferred their small amount of this world's goods to a house which the subject had prepared, Sir. B. served as depot and express agent for many j-ears at this village. In 1874, he obtained permission from the railroad companj- to put in the depot a stock of dry goods, notions, etc.; aside from this he dealt in grain, railroad ties and hoop-poles. He was commissioned Postmaster in 1874, and is the present incumbent. In the fall of 1876, he purchased property of the Jennings Brothers, and afterward improved the same. He now enjoys a large trade in the general mercantile business, the result of his own economj- and frugal dealings. His union gave him two children, viz.: Florence M., born Juue 18, 1872, and a son, born August 27, 1880, and deceased in a few daj-s. In politics, he is a consistent, intelligent and active Republican. In a word, he is an honest, truthful and capable man. both in public and in private life, ardently attached to those things which are true, good and just, hating oppression in all its forms, ever readj' to rebuke meanness wherever it shows its head. He is a member of the Congregational Church, while his wife, a ladj- of rare beauty of person, of the most amiable temper and engaging manners, of high intellectual and social attainments, is au exemplary member of the Christian organization. Mi". B. served four months in the late war. C. A. Beecher, after whom Beecher City was named, was born August 27, 1829 ; he is an uncle of our subject ; was Vice President of the company, the constructors of the Springfield & Southeastern Railroad, now the Springfield Division of the Ohio & Mississippi. Hezekiah Beecher, the great-grandfather of H. L., was born July 29, 1755, in Woodbridge, Conn. He married Philena Johnson, born in the same place October 5, 1761. The union resulted in eleven children ; Zina, the second child, was the grandfather of our subject ; was born in Woodbridge, and in 180(5 went to Herkimer County, N. Y.; in 1809, married Lucretia Sanford, born in Hamden, Conn., October 27, 1789, the result being ten children. Zina died October 24, 1865, and Lucretia died February 26, 1880. The mother of H. L. Beecher died June 8, 1868, and the father was again married to Almeda Bloomer, October 27, 1873, Rev. Lyons officiating ; they are living in Licking County, Ohio, on the farm bought bj- Zina Beecher in 1836.

GEORGE W. BROWN, grain dealer, Beecher City, was horn in Shelby County, 111., 1840, March 19, of a famil}- of twelve children, the fifth in number born to Joseph M. Brown, born 1811, August 2, in North Carolina, and removed to Tennessee with his parents when young, where he was raised to manhood. He was married in nineteenth year to Theresa N. Parks, daughter of Samuel and Phebe (Caldwell) Parks; she died aged one hundred and seven 3'ears; said to be one hundred and eighteen. Phebe was a daughter of Joseph Caldwell, one of the Revolutionary soldiers. Joseph M. afterward removed to Shelbj' Countj, this State, arriving November, 1839, and lived here for several j-ears, and served as Justice of the Peace manj" j-ears, and removed to this count}-, where he has since remained. George W. was raised at home, and at the age of seventeen began teaching in county, and continued for several years. Came to Beecher City in 1873, spring, and since remained. He learned the tinner's trade, and started the first tin shop in Altamont, and the first in this place; since 1880 has been engaged in the grain business, agent for Brownback Bros. He was married, 1860, November 1, to Jane Fortner, born in Shelby County, the daughter of Elisha and Elizabeth Carr Fortner. He has four sons - John M., Elisha, Samuel H. and William H. Was elected Justice in spring of 1881; served as Township Clerk five years previous; member of I. 0. 0. F., No. 690. Member of Universalist Church; Clerk of same. A. J. BURKE (deeeased), was born 1829, November 2, in Harrison County, Ohio, eldest son of John J. and Nanc}' (Snyder) Burke, botii natives of the Carolinas. Andrew Jackson remained in Ohio with his parents until ten years of age, when he moved with his parents to Fayette County, Ind., where he married November 3, 1850, to Mary H., born Noember 11, 1828, in Union County, Ind., the second daughter and fifth child of James and Annie (Johnson) Geary. James was a son of John Geary, of Maryland. Annie, born in Kentucky, daughter of Ezekiel Johnson. After the marriage of Mr. A. J. Burke, he settled on a part of his father's farm, and engaged in farming, and remained here until the fall of 1865, when he removed to Illinois, and settled on the edge of Shelb}- County, just across the line; here he lived three j'ears, when he moved across the line into Liberty Township, where he had built, and remained here until his death, November 10, 1877. He was a member of the Olive Branch Church, and Trustee of same, and in politics was Democratic, and a man esteemed for his good qualities of mind and heart. Surviving him are his widow and five children - Frank M., George W., John Thomas, Rachel A. and Charles; deceased are Erastus, died 1881, aged twenty-three; Ehoda E., died March 7, 1881, aged eighteen years, and Angie E., infant.

JOHN COOK, M. D., Beecher City. Of the practitioners of Materia Medica in Effingham County, none are more deserving of success than Dr. John Cook, who though young, has had a marked and a successful career, which has been fairlj' earned, as he is purely selfmade. He was born January 4, 1849, in Kent, England, son of John and Lucy (Sharp) Cook. His father was born April 22, 1821, son of John Cook, whose ancestors for three hundred years were born in the same house, which was once part of an ancient castle, in which, tradition says, that the son of Richard III was also born; under this same roof our subject first saw the light of da}-. His bo3'hood days were spent at home on the farm and attending school. He received the advantages afforded at the academ\', where he not only acquired a good English education, but a knowledge of classics, and leaving school at the age of thirteen, he engaged as clerk in a store for about six years. His father having been at one time possessed of considerable wealth, but was unfortunate, and in the changing vicissitudes of business lite, was left devoid of property, which threw our subject mainlj- upon his own resources. In the fall of 1868, he came to America, and for a time lived with his uncle in Chicago. In 1869, he came to this township, and engaged as teacher in the public schools in this township, where he continued until 1878, at which time he began reading medicine with Dr. John Wills, of this township, after which he attended two terms of lectures in the St. Louis Medical College, graduating March 4, 1880, where he took the gold medal, in nervous diseases; first prize in surger}-; second in gynecology and in fact, his record was such that he took the highest honors that had ever been awarded to any student since the establishment of the college. Immediately after his graduation, he returned to this county, and formed a copartnership with Dr. J. M. Phifer at Shumway, which lasted about one vear, when, at the earnest solicitation of friends, he was induced to locate at Beecher City, where he located in April, 1881, and has been erainentlj- successful, being favored with a liberal patronage. August 24, 1873, he married Julia E., daughter of Thomas D. Tennery; this union has been crowned b}' the birth of two daughters - Bertha A. and Sarah L. He is a member of the Universalist Church, and of Beecher City Lodge, No. 690, L 0. O. F.

CHARLES ECCLES, farmer, P. 0. Beecher Citj-, was born in Maucliester, Eug., February 5, 1834, to George Clark and Mary (Wittingham) Eccles. He was born May 13, 1803, in Strctford, Eng. She was born in Cheshire, Eiig., in 1802, and died about 1857, in this township. By trade, he is a weaver, and was overlooker or overseer in the mill of Richard Birlej- for about sixteen years. Before he came to America, he quit the mill and went into a provision store, and was in that for several j-ears, and then went into the coal business, and followed tliat for six years, and then came to America in the spring of 1849. He started with the intention of settling in Ohio, but on board the ship he formed the acquaintance of John Allsop, who told him this country was much better than Ohio, so he came on to Effing- ham County and bought fortj- acres of land, boirowing money of the school funds to pay for it. He put up a small log house, and in the fall of 1849, his family came from England to him. In his trip across, he landed at Philadelphia, but his family came to New Orleans, and came up the river to St. Louis, where he was to meet the family, but did not meet them on account of mails being so irregular, so they went out to Naples, and from Naples they went to Springfield by train, and then hired a four-horse team to bring them to Shelbyville. Mr. Eccles followed farming after coming here till a few years ago he retired from active life. By his energy, he accumulated property till he had 260 acres of land, besides personal property. Of this, he deeded eighty acres to each of his eldest sons, Thomas and Charles, and has since deeded the home-place to his youngest sou, but reserved a life interest. Mr. Eccles has been married three times; by the first wife he had five children, three sons and two daughters, only two living now - Charles and George. By his second wife, Mrs. Nancy (Askins) Eccles, he hud one son, which died young; his third wifip, Mrs. Mary (Flowers), is still living. He is a member of the Baptist Church. He has always been Democratic in politics. Our subject, Mr. Charles Eccles, spent his early life in England, attending the common schools, etc., but commenced work at an earl}- age, helping bis father with the coal business, hauling coal from pit, etc. After coming to America, he attended the common schools of this township, and worked on the farm. He remained at home with his father till he was about twent}-- two years old, and was married, April 18, 1858, in Shelby County, to Amanda Miller; she was born in Shelby County, on what was called the Baker place, to John and Sarah (Sanders) Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Eccles have five children, four girls and one boy - Emma V., Sarah Ellen, Kebecca J., Ida Florence and Charles. Mr. Eccles is Democratic in politics. He came to his

GEORGE ECCLES, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City, was born in Manchester, Eng., January 18, 1840, to George Clark Eccles. Mr. George Eccles is brother of Cliarles Eccles, whose sketch appears. Mr. Eccles' early life was the same as his brother's. In 1849, he came to America with the family. In 1854, he left home and went to live with his brother-in-law, Jarvis Cles.son, in Shelby County. He made that his home for some years, but would work out by the month with farmers around. In 186.j, he was married, in Effingham County, to Mary Allsop; she was born in England April, 1841, daughter of John and Mar}- Allsop. The}- were from Belper, Eng. They both died in this county. Our subject's wife died December 2. 1872. By this wife he has one child - Mary Lillian. In October, 1877, he was again married, in Shelby County, to Louisa Banning; she was born in Shelby County, 111., April, 1853, to William Banning ancl I]lizabeth (Barr) Banning. By this wife he has three ciiildren - Hilda Ada, Henry Wittingham and Viola D. When first married, he went onto a farm owned b}- Mr. John Allsop, in Moccasin Townsliip, and lived there till his wife's death; he then moved to his present place. His farm consists of 100 acres. He is Democratic in politics. Is a member of the I. 0. 0. P., of Beecher City. He received his education in Manchester, Eng., and the schools of this county, going to the early schools of this county. The spelling-book was tlie main book in use.

IRA C. HUBBARTT, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City. Among the leading farmers of this township is the above gentleman, who was born June 22, 1834, in Fayette Countj', Ind., the eldest son of John Hubbartt and his wife Elizabeth Hubbell. Mr. H-ubbartt came to this State with his parents in September, 1853, who settled on the edge of Shelby County, just across the EfHnghaiii line. He remained witli liis father until he attained his majority and a short time afterward, and assisted in improving the homestead. In Octolier, 1855, he married Marj' A., a native of Shelb}- County, daughter of Elijah Parkhurst. Shortly after his marriage, he moved to Fayette County, where he had purchased land. Here he engaged in farming. He remained here about five years, when he exchanged his property there for the place he now owns, and added more to the same by purchase. He located on the northeast quarter of Section 22, and has since remained and given his attention to farming. He has now 321 acres of land, 160 here, and the remainder in the adjoining count}'. He has eight children living, viz.: Charles C, Eliza J., Elisha H., Rebecca A., Ira K., Laura A., John E., Mary N. Member I. 0. 0. F., Beecher City Lodge, No. 690; Greeubacker.

W. H. JENNINGS, merchant, Beecher City. Among the leading business interests of this township is that carried on by the above-mentioned gentleman, who was born in this county in December, 1838, son of Isom Jennings, a native of Warren Countj', Tenn., who emigrated to this State in the fall of 1829. He was born in March, 1805 ; died in October, 1877. His wife was Prances Smith, a native of North Carolina, daughter of Peter Smith. William Hayden was raised on the farm; began for himself at twenty -oue at farming. Made his father's house his home until the summer of 1861, when he left home. June, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until September, 1864. During this time, he particijjated in all the engagements that his company was engaged in. Served in Pea Ridge, Stone River, Chickamauga, Resaca, and in all the battles up to Atlanta. Upon his return home, resumed farming, which he continued until 1871. That fall he came to this township and engaged in the mercantile business with J. D. Jennings & Brother, which continued four j'cars. He then sold out his interest; then returned to Fayette County and went to Holliday and resumed the mercantile business there, continuing until May, 1880, when he came to this place and set up in business with his brother Noah, who built the business house he now occupies, and continuefl together about eighteen months, when he purchased his brother's interest and has since continued alone. Building, 24x60 feet, well stocked with a general assortment of goods. Married in 1866 to Mary J. Musser, born in Knox County, Ohio, daughter of William and Blary Musser. Member of the Universalist Church. Member of the A., F. & A. M., Greenland Lodge, No. 665 ; Democrat.

T. L. D. LARIMOKE, retired farmer, P. 0. Beecher City, was born October 25, 1808, in Stokes Count}', N. C., and when a lad removed with his parents to Faj'ette County, Ind., where he lived until twenty-five years of age. His father was Thomas J. Larimore, a native of Virginia, and when a young man removed to North Carolina, where he married Nancy Wright, a daughter of John Wright, who came from Ireland and settled in North Carolina. The paternal graudsire of our subject was James Larimore, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and for manj- years afterward drew a pension. He married Katie Daniels. Thomas J. Larimore removed to Rush County, Ind., in 1815, and was a pioneer of that locality, and remained here until his death in 1852. Thomas L. D., our subject, was raised to farming, and received but a common school education, and verj- common at that. He married Mary J. Hubbard, a native of Fayette County, Ind.i where she was born January 31, 1814. Her parents were Charles Hubbard and Lillie Holland, the latter a daughter of Laban Holland and Elizabeth Hales, of English ancestry. Charles Hubbard was a native of Marj'land, his wife Lillie of Virginia. One year after Mr- Larimore's marriage he removed to Hancock,

Tnd., where he entered land and settled in the woods, remaining there ahont nineteen j-ears when he sold out and came to this State, locating in this township September 20, 1851?, where he has since lived. His first purchase was 520 acres, some of which lie entered. The piece he located on had a small cabin thereon and a few acres broken. He has now 160 acres left after dividing out among his children, of which he has eight in number, whose names are as follows : Charles T., born July 19, 1834 ; Elizabeth, born Februarj- 14, 1836 ; John L., born January C, 1840 ; Louann, born October 3, 1847; Albert, born November 3, 1849 ; Azariah, born June 3, 1852 ; Sarah C, born July 23. 1854 ; WilKam F., born August 15, 1857. Children deceased are Nancy E., Mary I. and William H. Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Holliday, resides in Fayette County ; Louann, wife of Noah Jennings : other children are residing at or near the homestead. Mr. Larimore is a member of the Universalist Church and a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson.

S. D. LORTON, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City, was born January 17, 1822, in the State of Arkansas, and came with his parents to Madison County, this State, in 1823, and the following year came to Fayette County, where he lived until 1843, when he came to this county, and has since been a resident of this township. His father's name was Henry, a native of Henrj- County, Va.; son of Robert Lorton and Tabitha Ganaway, both natives of Virginia, and removed with their family at an early day to Cumberland County, Ky., about 1813, where they remained until 1819, when they located in Green County, near White Hall ; here Robert Lorton died about 1833, in his eighty-sixth year. He served all through the Revolutionary war. Henry, the father of our subject, was the sixth son of Robert, and was, born August 4, 1799, and was raised a farmer, and while in Madison County, now Bond, about 1820, he married Sarah Carson, a native of South Carolina, daughter of James and Elizabeth (West) Carson. After the marriage of Henry Lorton, he moved to Arkansas in 1821, and the following 3-ear returned to Madison Count}'; stayed one year, and in 1824 located in Fayette County, where he purchased land and engaged in farming, and remained here until his death, which occurred October 11, 1851. His wife died September 20, 1866. He served in the Black Hawk war, and was a life-long Whig. He raised to maturity four children - Samuel D., Greenup, John and Sarah, all now living. The boys, John and Greenup, reside in Fayette County and are engaged in farming, Sarah resides in Shelby Count}-, wife of James Askins, Samuel D. being the only one of the family residing in the county. At the age of twenty he began for himself, which was in 1843. His father gave him 100 acres, upon which he located and has since remained. In 1843, March 28, he married Lucy A., born in Fayette County, 1824, December 12, daughter of Isaiah and Eliza (Reed) Nichols. He was born in Mason County, Ky., July 6, 1800; son of Thomas Nicholas and Dulcibela Berry. Eliza was born 1806, August 3, in Randolph County, this State, daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth (Doyle) Reed. After Mr. Lorton married, he located in a cabin which he built, which was burned in the spring of 1845. He then built a cabin where he now lives, in which he lived about six years, when he built a frame house, in which he lived until 1874, when he built the brick house he now occupies; has five children living - James K., Samantha, Elana J., Sarah and Henry; deceased - Julia A., who died at seventeen; other died in infancy. James K., resides in London Township, Payette County; Samantha resides in this township, wife of C. W. Larimore; Elana, wife of Harmon Buzzard, of Fayette County; Sarah and Henry, unmarried. Has 200 acres and the same amount in Fayette County. Had at one time 660 acres before dividing among his children. Democratic, and served as Collector several terms - now Assessor. Is Universalist in doctrine, and a Mason since 1856; now of Greenland Lodge, No. 665; always been a temperate man.

J. P. ROBERTSON, stock-dealer, Beecher City. The resident stock-dealer of this township is James Polk Robertson, who was born in Todd County, Ky., March 28, 1843, third son and fifth child born to Jesse B. Robertson and Harriet Key, he born in Virginia, and removed with his father, David, to Tennessee when twelve years old. In 1842, he (Jesse B.), located in Todd County, Ky., where he lived until 1861, and came to Washington County, this State, and, 1870, removed to Effingham Countj-, this State, where he died in 1876. Harriet was born in Tennessee, daughter of William Key. James P. was raised on a farm, and located in Todd County until 1878, wheu he came to Washington Countj-, this State ; remained here until February, 1880, when he came to Beecher Citj- and since remained; was in Kentuck}- during the war; in 1874-75, was selling goods in Todd County; in 1875-76, was Constable; 1877-78, was engaged in the leaf tobacco business. From there to Washington County, this State, 1878, where he engaged in farming two years. Then acted as foreman for Osgood & Kingman (railroad contractors), for twelve months. Went to the Hot Springs; stayed one year for his health, when he came here and engaged in butchering. Since August, 1882, been engaged in stock business, buying and selling cattle, sheep, hogs, etc. Married, June, 1863, to Rebecca Starks, a native of Simpson County, Ky., daughter of Aquilla Starks. Has three children - Martha J., Jesse F. and Mary S. Member of A., P. & A. M., Dayville Lodge, Ky., No. 587; of L 0. 0. F., Beecher Lodge, No. 690. He was formerly Democratic, politically, but having seen and experienced the evil effects attending the liquor traffic, he is now a Prohibitionist, in the stFongest sense the term implies.

AMAZIAH SPARKS, deceased, Beecher City, was born August 9, 1826, in Indiana, son of John Sparks and Mary Campbell. He from Pennsylvania, she from Virginia, and were early settlers in Indiana. Subject was raised a farmer, and lived with hi»\.parents until twenty-seven 3'ears of age. Febrnar^- 23. 1854, he was married to Amanda Steele, a native of Rush County, Ind.. born September 17, 1834. She was the eighth child of James Steele and Sarah Reeves. He was born in Pennsylvania November 6, 1799. She was born in Kentucky Juh- 29, 1798, and removed to Indiana in an early day. He died January 30, 1839; she January 12, 1864. He was of Presbyterian, she of Christian Church. After the marriage of Mr. Sparks, he lived nearly ten years, and in the fall of 1 855 moved to Illinois, lived two 3'ears in the northwest part of the township; removed then here, north half of southeast quarter of Section 22, bought of railroad eight}- acres ; no improvements on same. He remained here until his death, April 4, 1871; was a member of the Christian Church; Republican. Since war, was a man highly respected in the community in which ho lived. Surviving him are his widow and six children - Sarah M., James W., George B., Ila U., William H., Charles F. They have 110 acres.

WILLIAM R. SPIVEY, farmer, P. 0. Beecher Cit}-, was born in Butler Count}-, Ohio, May 3, 1828, to John and Hannah (Frazey) Spivey. He was a native of Penns3"lvania, born on November 25, 1800. She was born December 25, 1802, in New Jersej-. He came to Ohio in 1813, and settled in Butler Count}-. He carried the mail for seven years, from Cincinnati to Xenia, carr^-ing out of Cincinnati the first paper that was ever published there. In 1839, he moved to Faj'ette County, Ind , and remained there till his death, November, 1878. She died there also in September, 1874. Our subject received his education in the common schools of Indiana. He was raised on a farm, and that has been his occupation through life-

He remained at home till he was twenty-five years old, working ou the farm, and then went to the then far northwest, Wisconsin, Iowa and Northern Illinois, and was gone for three years, farming one season while gone, and for two years was railroading, being with an engineering party. On November 17, 1856, in Milwaukee, Wis., he was married to Harriet Williams. She was born iu Ohio, near Cleveland, to Abram Williams; both her parents died when she was small. Mr. and Mrs. Spivey had ten children, nine living - Ida, Jessie, Charles, Susan, Harriet, Georgiana, Omer, Everett, Dolly. After his marriage, he went back to Indiana, and farmed on his father's farm, for twenty years, and then came to EtHngham County in 1875, to his present farm, which he had bought before coming. His farm consists of 120 acres; about 100 being improved. He is a life-long Democrat. The next year after coming to Illinois, he was elected Justice of the Peace, but not liking it soon resigned.

DAVID SWEAZY, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City, was born in November 12, 1833, in Hocking County, Ohio, the third son of Rev. Anthony Sweazy and Susana Clark. He (Rev. Anthony), was born November 20, 1800, in New Jersey; son of Henry, whose wife was a Cramer. Subject is of Grei-raan descent. Henry Sweazy removed with his family at an early day from New Jersey, and settled in Hocking County as early as 1814, where he died. He raised a family of eleven children, who settled in Ohio and Indiana. David came West to this locality in the fall of 1853; his father had been out the ^-ear previous and purchased 400 acres in this township; cost $4.50 per acre. He remained here until his death, September 2, 1864. He was for many years a member of the United Brethren; he first united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, afterward joined the United Brethren Church, and in 1840 was licensed as minister in same, and was ordained in 1844. On account of ill health, could not travel, and worked in a local way, and for one of his advantages was past the mediocre of his profession. In early life, was a Democrat; later in life was a stanch Republican. His wife died in June, 1861. To them eleven children were born, ten grew up - Henry, William, David, Henderson D., Anthony, Louis C, Jane, Melinda, Hannah, Susanah. William, Henderson D. and David lives in this township. Subject came out here and engaged in making improvements; remained with his father about eighteen months, when he began for himself, and in March, 1856, married Mary E., daughter of John Miller, and Susan Wantland, of Knox Count}', Ohio. After marriage he located where he now lives, and since remained. Has ! 190 acres. Has eleven children born, eight living - Charles M., Amanda J., Alverda V., Jessie W., Eliza J., Emma F., Jlarj' A. and Louis E., deceased, died young; he has been a member of the United Brethren Church since nineteen years old; Trustee of church and Class-leader, ' and Superintendent of Sundajschool.

H. D. SWEAZY, farmer, P. 0. Beecher City. The subject of this sketch was born in Hocking County, Ohio, Ma}' 8, 1835, to Anthony and Susannah (Clark) Sweazy (see sketch of David Sweazy). His early life was spent on his father's farm, and in attending the common schools of his native county. In the spring of 1855, he left the old home, and, in company with his father, came to EtHngham County, settling in Liberty Township, and since that time his fortunes have been cast witii this township. Although farming has always been his occupation, still he has had enough practice to make him handj' either with the carpanter's square or tiie mason's trowel. He remained at home with his father till his marriage in the spring of 1861, when he was married, in Hocking County, Ohio, to Miss Mary B. Wilson; she was born in Perry Count}', Ohio, February, 1836, to Hiram and (Tucker) Wilson. They were both born in Ohio. He is still there, but she is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Sweazy have two children - Nancy Ellen and Henrietta. As soon as he was married, he moved to his present farm, and has since been actively engaged in farming. His farm consists of 175 acres, of which he inherited sixty, but the remainder he has made by his own energ3' and industiy. Besides his fiirm, he has a number of town lots in Beeeher City. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and each has been connected with that church for over thirty years. His first vote was cast for John C. Fremont, and he has kept by the party ever since. Up to the time the railroad passed through, his house was opened to any in the county, and never charged a cent for lodging or a meal of victuals to any one belonging in the county; but after the railroad was built, he was soon over-run, and so had to change his way and go to charging. He boarded the hands as they were laying the track for the railroad, also as the}- were building the depot and laying out the town. Part of Beeeher City is laid out on his farm. The first twelve years after his marriage, he ran" a threshing-machine in its season, and made quite a success of it.

T. D. TENNERY, farmer, P. 0. Beeeher. Among the old settlers of Liberty Township is Thomas Douthad Tennery, who was born in Greenup County, Ky., December 22, 1819, the sixth sou of a family of twelve children. There were eight sons and four daughters, T. D. being the ninth child in order of birth. His parents were Thomas and Jane (Wilson) Tannery, both natives of East Tennessee. His father was Zophar Tennery. In the fall of 1820, our subject removed with his parents to Edgar County, this State, and located on land south of Paris, which he afterward entered from the Government. He remained here until about the year 1845. He removed to Jasper County, where he laid out the town of Granville, afterward deceased in that county about the year

1867. Thomas D. remained with his father until he was twent3'-two 3'ears of age ; had fair school advantages for that time. After lea\-ing home, he engaged in farming, where he continued until April, 1846, when he came to this township, locating on Section 30, on land he had purchased in 1845 of Christopher Arms, at about $1.33^ per acre ; no improvements on the same. In June, 1846, he went out in the Mexican war. Company E, Fourth Illinois Volunteers, under Col. E. D. Baker. He served one year ; was wounded at the battle of Cerro Gordo, and was at the taking of Vera Cruz, and was left in the hospital, and returned home June 31, 1847. Soon after his coming home, he purchased forty acres on Section 31 ; cost, $2.50. Began improving this, and afterward, in 1~851, located on the land owned by T. L. D. Larimore, which he had first bought. Here he lived until the fall of 1853, when he sold his land to Mr. Larimore and purchased (where he now owns) 120 acres ; cost, S400. Afterward added fortj- acres for $75. Located here in the fall of 1853, and since lived here. Has now 200 acres. Was married, February 7. 1850, to Sarah E. Allsop, born in Belper, Derbyshire, England, on February 5, 182G, eldest child of John Allsop and Mary Slaterr who came to America in 1845. Mrs. Tennery came out to this State in the spring of 1848- Mr. Tennery has had eleven children born to him, seven living : Sarah A., Julia E., John H., Richard W., Samuel C, Thomas C, Flora. Deceased, Mary J., Adelaide, George W., Mattie C. Mattie C. died March 1, 1880, aged twenty -four ; Mary J. died aged ten ; others died j-oung. Julia E. resides in Beeeher, wife of Dr. John Cook ; John and Samuel are in Kansas ; Thomas C. in Menard Count}' ; member Universalist Church; member of the Masonic Order> Greenland Lodge, No. 665 ; charter member of the same. Been a Mason since 1857. In politics, he is Democratic ; has served the township several terms in important offices of

CHARLES WHATELY, former, P. 0. Beecher City. Among the self-made men of this township is Charles Whatelj', who was born in 1837, September 18, in "Warwickshire, England, and emigrated to America in his eighteenth 3'ear. His father's name is Charles Whatel)-, sou of Richard. Subject's mother's maiden name was Hannah Sharp. To subject's father and mother were born three children - Richard and Charles ; one sister died in infancy. Subject was raised ou a farm and emigrated to Wisconsin, and he remained here a short time and then came to this State the' same fall. Stayed in Stephenson County about two years. Worked here by the month. Then, in September, 1857, he came to this locality, and at once hired out by the month to Stephen Riggs, with whom he lived about fourteen years. During the time, he worked b}' the month and ''cropped." Saved his means and made his first purchase in 1859 in this township of forty acres, where he now resides ; cost, $320. About 1867, he purchased sixty acres, forty here where he now lives and twenty in Shelby County, at SI 5 per acre. In 1876, he added lift}- acres more, costing $20 per acre^forty acres in Libert}- Township, ten acres in Shelbj-. Has now 120 acres in this township, and thirty acres in Shelby Countj", all of which he has earned himself, never having a dollar given him, and assisted in supporting his father in the meatatime, and lost money through others. A\'as twice married, first in 1869 to Priscilla, born in Ohio. She died one year after ; no issue. February, 1872, he married Susan Oliuger, born in Ohio, daughter of Peter Olinger. By this marriage he has four children - Stella J., John E., William H. and Mary I. Member of Beecher City Lodge, No. 690, L 0. 0. F.