Lee County, Illinois - The whole text, 1881 (part 20 of 24)

James Little, retired, Paw Paw Grove, born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in November 1S15, is tiie only surviving son of Walter and Helen (Johnston) Little. When James was old enough he was kept at school for some years, and then began work in gardens and nurseries of fruit and forest trees. In the summer of 1833, in company' with an elder brother, he came to America, landed at Quebec, came up to Toronto, was there and elsewhere in Canada about a year and a half, and then came to Buffalo, New York, where they soon after met their parents. Two brothers, Andrew and William, followed to America, and settled in the same city. James worked in gardens in the summer season till the spring of lS3S,when the whole family, except John, the eldest son, moved to Illinois and took up a claim in what is now Brooklyn, in Lee county. His father died two months after they settled, but the family remained on the place. James and William worked out apart of the time for the first two years till they had their farm on the prairie broken up, and when the land came into market James and William bought the claim. Andrew bought his claim in Viola. In 1846 James bought William's interest in the farm, but shared the home with his mother and brother. In the fall of 1848 he sold the farm, and the following spring moved to East Paw Paw, where he purchased a share in the store of S. B. Warren. His mother died that summer, in July, and soon after lier death James had a tombstone set up which marks the graves of both father and mother, and under their names the following verse from Hervey's '' Meditations " :

" Centered in Christ, who fires the soul within, The flesh shall know no pain, the soul no sin. E'en in the terrors of expiring breath We bless the friendly stroke, and live in death."

He remained with Warren some two years. In closing up the affairs of the firm Mr. Little commenced tiie business of loaning money, which he has continued to the present time. In 1861 he bought the house and lot where he now resides, at Paw Paw. In 1871 he was married to Harriet Bolles, second child of Dr. Alexander H. Bolles, of Tunkhannock, Wyoming coiinty, Pennsylvania.

George S. Hunt, M.D., deceased, was the first regular medical practitioner at Paw Paw Grove and throughout the surrounding country. He was the son of William H. and Elizabeth (Esteb) Hunt; was born in southern Indiana, June 30, 1817 ; educated at La Porte, Indiana ; graduated at the medical college of that city in class of 1845, and married that year, in May, to Louisa Ward, of Paw Paw Grove, daughter of Samuel Ward, formerly of Onondaga county. New York. Dr. Hunt commenced the practice of medicine at Paw Paw Grove in 1844. His ride soon became very extensive, taking in all the groves within reach. His estimable wife often accompanied liim. and drove the team, so he might sleep in the carriage. She says " there were at this time no roads, and often no trail or trace, and only his mind's eye to guide him." He wore himself out, and died in 1855 in the town of Poinpey, State of New York, while on a visit for recuperation. The beautiful residence of his widow, at South Paw Paw, still evidences Dr. Hunt's good taste, and ability to design and plan. Their only child is Hannah E., wife of John Baker, of Paw Paw. Mrs. Hunt's mother, Hannah Ward, now in her eighty-fifth year, is living with Mrs. Hunt.

Ira Bakeu, farmer, retired. Paw Paw Grove, was horn in the count}' of Schoharie, New York, Januar}" 14, iSl-t, and was the eldest of seven children of Silas and Catharine (Bungler) Baker. His father was a lumberman and farmer, working at the one in winter and the other in summer, so that between the two there remained little chance of schooling for his boj's. When Ira was seventeen he bought his time for SloO, which lie subsequently earned bj* working out by the month. In the summer of 1834, in his twenty-tirst year, he came west to what is now Jersey county, Illinois. One Spanish dollar constituted his stock in trade when he commenced his western life, but his capital comprised also those traits of character that inevitably insure success. He split rails at three shillings a hundred, and could make just one hundred a day. From this pittance his board, and postage, at two shillings a letter, had to be met. April 2 of the following spring he was married to Sarah, daughter of John AVilkins, of that county. Farming in suitable weather, and turning the balance of his time to account in making oak shingles, thus, Ijy constant hard work and the most rigid economy, he was able in those days to obtain a bare livelihood. About this time he carried the mail over a route of some twenty miles, crossing the Mississippi. His Hat-boat experiences and adventures, as narrated to the writer, were fraught with lively interest. In that earl}' day a house with a window in it was a rare e.xception. Nothing of importance save hard work and low prices occurred till the spring of 1848, when he moved to Chicago to educate his children a term or two, and continued his shingle business there. The next winter he moved to Wyoming townshi]). Here for about thirty-two years he farmed from 120 to 240 acres. In 1877 he built his village residence, corner of Peru and Wheeler streets. He was commissioner of highways several years; also collector. As an official he was one who did business correctly, but he usually declined all solicitations to be a candidate for any office. In his dealings he has been wont to repose confidence in men, often loaning without even a note, and with no security ; yet, strange to say, $25 would more than cover all his losses from betrayed eoiitidence. He believes in making the most unprincipled man feel that he is yet a maji. He joined the Methodist Episcopal church forty-two years ago, in the days of Peter Cartwright. He liad two sons in the arm}' : Ira "W. served three years in Co. K, 75th reg. 111. Inf., was in the terrible battles from Franklin to Atlanta, where he was wounded, but not seriously disabled ; John was in the service the closing year of the war. Of fifteen children twelve are still living, and their father saj-s of them what every parent would gladly be able to say, " I am proud of every one of them."

John B. Beiggs, hair manufacturer. Paw Paw Grove, was born in Anson, Somerset county, Maine, March 22, 1836. He lived in his native town till the summer of 181:^), when he departed with his parents, Adin and Susan (Cottle), for the Far West, and arrived at Grand Detour, Ogle county, in July. The family remained in the vicinity of that place and Washington Grove five years, engaged in farming. John's advantages for education were very limited, but while there he improved the winters to attend' the district school. In 1851 his father moved his family to Willow Ci'eek township, this county, where he preempted the S.E. J Sec. 14, and the following spring died. John, the eldest son, now sixteen, took charge of the farm, and was henceforth the main dependence of the large family. When the preemption expired he and iiis mother paid the price of the land from the first crop of wheat, and received a patent from the government. At this time one of the brothers came into possession of half the land, and when the division was afterward made the remainder was evenly divided between the other two. John then bought his brother's share of forty acres. When Mr. Briggs came to Willow creek the country was nowliere improved, save by a meager population located around the groves, and it was so little transformed from its original wildness that in going from his home to Twin Groves he has counted at one time forty deer, and frequently from under his window barking wolves startled the night air with piercing yelps, and gave the household hideous serenade. In 1864 Mr. Briggs was married in Lexington, Somerset county, Maine, to Miss Alfreda Pierce. He returned with his bride and settled on the old homestead, where they lived until 1873, when he sold his farm. During the next two }'ears he made his home in Chicago, being engaged in trade and carpentry. Since that time he has resided at Paw Paw. His wife died some j'ears ago. On March 31, 1877, he was married again, to Miss Eliza Town, youngest daughter of Russell and Roxana Town. By his first marriage he had three children : Obed W. survives, the others were buried in infancy. Since settling in Paw Paw he has been most of the time employed in traveling, and manuficturino- and sellino; hair goods, and is now doing a larger business in this line than any other person west of Chicago. By this means he has obtained an extensive acquaintance. He is a steward in the Methodist church at Paw Paw, and a republican in politics.

S. A. Abbott, cooper and dealer in all kinds of cooperage. Paw Paw Grove; born at Londonderry, Windham county, Vermont, May 25, 1825. He was the youngest of twelve children of Jacob and Abigail (Dutton) Abbott. His father was in tive battles in the war of 1812, and came out of the battle of Plattsburg with seven bullet holes tlirough his close-fitting shirt. In his leisure hours during the war he made himself useful by mending shoes for officers and soldiers, and in this way earned and saved up one hundred silver half dollars. Having enlisted for five years, there still remained fourteen months of Iiis term when that war closed, and to escape a long, tedious march to the Rocky mountains and back he used his hundred half dollars to secure a substitute. He received his land warrant and held it till i)is son was eighteen, but it called for land to be selected "away out in Illinois," or farther west, and the son regarded that as out of the civilized world, and would not accept as a gift the rich prairie that he has since learned to prize most highly. Young Abbott's school days were quite limited, yet he seems to have made the most of them. At thirteen commenced working out: was with his first employer twenty-one montiis, including three months' schooling. Doubtless, little did that kind-hearted emplo3'er then realize that in future years, when nearly a half century should have elapsed, the recollections of his almost paternal kindness to the stranger lad would be still so fresh in a grateful memory as to choke utterance and moisten the eyes. His sixteentii and seventeenth years were employed in a hotel. In the fall of 18-12 he hired out to drive a six-horse team from Chester, Vermont, to Boston, one hundred and ten miles. Six tons was an average load. In this work he took great delight; his liorses seemed to understand his word perfectly, and he used no rein. He thought he iiad found his life work; but lo, the iron horse changed many a fate. In the spring of his twenty-first year he began learning the trade of carpenter and joiner; but in that country of long winters he could work at his trade but seven months in the year, so he found employment in a hotel the remaining five, and this course he followed for seven years. In the spring of 1S.51- he came west to La Salle, Illinois, where he worked at his trade, and that fall made a visit to friends near Paw Paw Grove. Delighted with the country, he at once purchased a farm, and on New Year's day laid the sills for his house. In June, 1855, he was married to Hannah C. Bailey, daughter of Miles S. Bailey. In 1860 botii united with the Metliodist Episcopal church at South Paw Paw, and since then were transferred to tlie cliiircli at Paw Paw. A veteran Sunday-school superintendent, class leader for twent}' years, sharing his genial home most happily with his wife's parents a quarter century, surely Mr. Abbott's life has been no failure. He is a republican and P.G.W. in Anchor Lodge, I.O.O.F.

Marshall R. Reams, merchant, Paw Paw Grove, was born in Ross county, Oiiio, December 15, 1850, and the only child of William and Ellen (Bowen) Reams. When he was three years old the family moved to Illinois and settled near Paw Paw, where his mother died the following year. His schooling was confined to the home district school and ended at eighteen. At twent3'-one he commenced clerking; was employed successively by Jacob Hendershot, John Colvill and W. C. Runyan ; was in partnership a year with Henr}' Potter in general merchandising, and in April, 1881, commenced for himself in the same business. He was married March 28, 1875, to Libbie Sanford, of this place. They have two children : Wilbur Pratt, born March 1, 1877, and Frederick William, born October 7, 1879.

Alexander Field, liveryman. Paw Paw Grove, proprietor of the well-rigged livery stable east of the Paw Paw House, is one of the old and respected citizens of the place. He was born at Chester, Yermont, October 3, 1826, and the youngest of ten children of Robert W. and Lydia M. Field. Having spent his youth in the usual way, between the school and the farm, he looked about a little through Michigan and Wisconsin, came to Lee county, Illinois, in his twenty-first year, and bought land from the government in Sees. 26 and 27. In August, 181:9, he married Louisa Rumsey, daughter of Isaac Rumse}', of Sullivan, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He made his financial start in California, whence he returned in 1851. His father, living with him at this time, died in 1858. He sold his farm in 1870, and in 1872 bought his present residence. He was for a time engaged in the heavy work of draymau, but his health failing in 1875, he commenced the livery business. For tliis he seems to be well fitted, and his business is thriving. He is republican in politics and a zealous Odd-Fellow, having filled all the offices of that order, botli of the subordinate and the encampment. Mr. and Mrs. Field have the reputation of being among the most accommodatino' and kind-hearted of citizens. Thev have no children living; have buried two, Addie and Zillia.

Amos Siglln, Paw Paw Grove, is one of those industrious, enterprising men who are the bone and sinew of a live town. He is a genial Pennsylvanian, born in the township of Chestnut Hill, and county of Northampton. His father, Jacob Siglin, a veteran of 1812, was wounded at New Orleans under General Jackson, and died when Amos was but eleven years old. His mother's maiden name was Susannah Singer ; she lived to the great age of ninety-seven years, ten months, and two days. Amos when a boy loved to work, but was not particularly fond of books, and he had to go three miles to school ; so after the death of the father the preference of the boy rather than his real good was too often regarded, and his schooling became too frequently a secondary matter. On the farm till he was sixteen, he then went to the trade of carpenter and joiner, and followed it till he came west in lSo5. That fall he purchased the farm he now owns in Sec. 29, Willow Creek township. During the winter of 1S73 he dealt quite extensively in butter, live stock, etc., at Paw Paw. Before coming west, in 18Jl, he was married to Catharine, daughter of William and Barbara Sutton, both of whom died at Paw Paw at an advanced age in 1879. The buildings on Mr. Siglin's farm are of his own workmanship ; he also built his Paw Paw residence, in 1876, and with Mr. Lester Potter, in 1880, erected the brick block known as the Siglin and Potter block. On the nigjit of July 30, 1881, a high wind stripped oft" about iialf of the iron roofing from this building, demolishing coping, awning, etc. The cost of repairs was about 8350. Mr. and Mrs. Siglin have four children : Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. Wm. H. Smith i, Dolly (Mrs. Adolphus Fisher, of Ogle county), William Siglin, of the firm of Wm. Merrell <fe Co., and Barbara. Mr. Sigli" is in full sympathy with both Odd-Fellows and Masons, being a member of each order. He has always voted the democratic ticket.

Samuel C. Mitchell, dealer in hardware. Paw Paw Grove, born at Bedford, Hillsborough county, New Hampshire. November 3, 1835, was the fifth of twelve children of Dwella W. and Eliza D. (^Smith) Mitchell. At ten years of age he had never had a day's schooling nor even been taught his letters. He walked two and a half miles and back each day for all his schooling, save six weeks at an institute at nineteen. Commencing with ABC, his progress was constant and rapid ; at the end of three months he was in the fourth reader. For four years he had six months annually, after that only three, and worked out on farms'the other nine. The night before he was twenty -one he delivered up to his father the last farthing of his earnings, received in turn a suit of clothes, and this, with reputation, brains, brave heart and brawny hands, constituted his sole capital with which to start for himself. -' But," says be to the writer, " 'Twas the best thing that could have been done for me."' After working one summer on a farm, and teaming that winter, the spring of 1858 found him on a farm in De- Kalb county, Illinois, in the employ of Augustus Breese, with whom he remained four years, and whose daughter Emily he married in 1864. From 1862 to 1872 he rented and worked a farm ; then was in the hardware business nine months in Iowa, when seeing " as with pro- plietic eye," the promising opening for business at Paw Paw, he sold out, came to this phiee, and opened his present hardware store. He has tliree children, the youngest named after President Gartield. - Mr. Mitchell is a Mason, an official membei of the Presbyterian church, and a man wlio has the respect of his townsmen. His parents are still living, and are on the old homestead in the Old Granite State.

JoHX Patrick, retired, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1S(>8. Tlie names of his parents were Abel and Elizabeth (Hurlbutt), and they were natives of Connecticut. His father was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and his grandfather came from France. John was the youngest of seven children. His education was limited, not attending school over three months in the year. The couiiti-y was new, and there was plenty of hard woi'k on his father's tarm, where he stayed till he was twenty-five. He then engaged a short time in a store, afterward in a hotel, and visited the west. In October, 1836, he married Celinda Earl, and for two years they were connected with a hotel. His wife and child died, and in 1838 he returned to his old home in Pennsylvania. For four or five years he was in a store, and in ISll married Miss Mary Harris, of Columbia county, Pennsylvania. After being on a farm for a time, in the spring of 1845 the^' came to Sycamore, Illinois, and in February, 1846, settled in Wyoming. At that time there was not a mile of 7"ailroad in Illinois. The farm he purchased then was the KW. ^ of N.W. J Sec. 36, and the S.W. J of S.W. J Sec. 25. He lived here thirty j-ears, except for two years when the family resided temporarily at East Paw Paw, so that the children could attend school tliere. In March, 1876, his second wife died. In January, 1879, he niarried Miss S. A. Wilson, of Paw Paw. Four children were born to his second wife, two of whom are now living: Mrs. Harriet C. Mirick, in Kansas, who has three children, and Mrs. Gertrude E. Agler, of Paw Paw, who has one cliild. One who knows Mr. Patrick from his youth says of him : " He has seen hard times enough to sink most men, but through tireless energv and dauntless will has attained a goodly measure of success." He is an Odd-Fellow, and has held prominent positions in various organizations.

AsAHEL Peentice, farmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, is another of the staunch farmers and stalwart men of whom Wvoming is justly proud. Mr. Prentice hails from the old Bay State, where, in the town of Chester, in Hampden county, he was born June 6, 1833. His parents were Ephraim and Susan (Bisbee) Prentice. He was there twenty-three years, with the usual advantages of the district schools of those days, and four months at Williston Seminary, at Easthampton. He was brought up a farmer, and came to Wyoming townshi]) in the fall of 1856, and the following year, in Xovoiiiber, was married to Amanda M., daughter of Jariies C. and Eupliemia (Marshall) Spronl, of Montour count}', Pennsylvania. Xearly a quarter of a century has elapsed since, on the wild prairie one mile north of the township line, they began life together. They now have a good farm, well stocked and improved, a commodious new house, witii excellent cellar and conveniences for dairying, six children, hale, hearty and strong, all at home, and apparently a pleasant home, where kindred hearts beat in unison, and all are willing to work for the common good. The children are Sarah E., James C, Henry Mortimer, Joseph D., William M. S., and Lena May. Mr. Prentice is a republican, but says he honors a good, straight democrat. He is both a Mason and an Odd-Fellow, having his membership at West Paw Paw. From 1872 to 1S78 he served the town as a commissioner of highways.

George W. Miller, farmer. Paw Paw Grove, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1853, and was the son of William and Eliza K. (Vosburgh) Miller. He came west with his parents and settled in Viola township, having first stopped a sliort time in La Salle county. When lie was sixteen years old his father sold his farm and bought another in Wyoming township, on Sec. 6. Mr. Miller remained at home until twenty -four years of age, and on October 5, 1878, was married to Miss Alice Mittan, daughter of J. P. Mittan. In the autumn of 1879 he took charge of his father's farm of 175 acres, at the head of Willow creek. Mr. and Mrs. Miller's two children are Minnie E. and Carrie May. He is a republican in politics.

A. C. Radlet, farmer and town clerk, Paw Paw Grove, was born January 14, 1827, at Florida, Montgomery county, New York. His father was the late John J. Radley, who died at Earlville in the summer of 1881. Anderson, the subject of our sketch, was the eldest son, and his father was an invalid for man)'Tyears. For these reasons the son's schooling was quite limited. Not till he was twenty -four years of age did he surrender the care of the old homestead. After working a rented farm in his native state some four years, and another in Batavia, Illinois, for two years, in the s])ring of 1858 he came to Wyoming township, and purchased the eighty acres of wild prairie which he has since transformed into the Eden Home, where he still resides. On December li, 1862, he was married to Miss Mary B. Hayden, of Jackson county, Michigan ; but she was taken away October 7, 1865, leaving a son about two years of age. On May 9, 1866, he was married to Martha, daughter of Frederick and Mary McBride of this township. Mr. Radley was one of those who organized the Paw Paw Presbyterian church, and has been a ruling elder and trustee from that time to date. An Odd-Fellow for more than a quarter of a cen- tury, be instituted Auchor Lodge at Paw Paw, and has served four times as representative to the Grand Lodge. In 1881 he was elected town clerk, and in Jul}' spent one whole da}' signing the new railroad bonds.

Nelson Lane, deceased, was born in Ulster county, New York, January 29, 1810, and in 1830 came to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. In 1831 he married Sally Ann Tripp, daughter of Job Tripp, from Providence, Rhode Island. Lumbering was his main dependence while in the Keystone State. In the fall of 1853 he emigrated to Illinois, arriving at Paw Paw October 14. Hard work and good management soon began to tell. Renting a farm near Crompton, and purchasing another near Brooklyn, the crop from the former put a good house on the latter, and that 80 acres costing then $2.50 per acre sold in 1875 at $60 per acre. Mr. Lane died August 27, 1874. Of four children three are still living: the daughter, Julia, is now Mrs. Edwin R. Case, of Paw Paw. The two sons. Job T. and Nelson F., were both in the service of their country ; the former was a member of Co. I, 15th 111. Inf., and the latter of Co. C, 13th reg. Mrs. Lane now resides at Paw Paw.

Fernando II. Chaffe, fiirmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, is a man of marked business ability, and one of Wyoming's heaviest capitalists. He was a son of Eber and Annie (Davis) Chaffe, and born in Windliam county, Vermont, November 21, 1827. In his twelfth year the family emigrated to Compton, Kane county, Illinois. In the spring of his twenty-tifth year he went to California, where in mining and milling for four years and six months he acquired a sufficient sum to give him a good start in business. His health being quite poor when he returned to Compton in the fall of 1856, he remained there for about two years recruiting and loaning mone}'. Meanwhile, on July 15, 1858, he was married to Delia Barber, daughter of Lahira and Annis Barber, of Compton. Some years before this he had deeded from the government a tract of 240 acres in Lee county, four miles south of Paw Paw ; coming onto this he began breaking the prairie and making himself a home. Since then he has bought 200 acres adjoining, and sold 40. His present farm of 400 acres, with firstclass .buildings, and other improvements to correspond, is delightfully located on the brow of a hill, with a fine prospect, and is reputed to be one of the finest farms in Wyoming township. Mr. Chaffe puts about 300 acres each j'ear in grains and clover. They have had eleven children, and buried three; Abbie F. is now Mrs. William Tabor, Edmund W. is a fine musician, now taking lessons under Matthews, in Chicago; Elmer S., Wilbur T., Ella N., Minnie A. and John F. are at home. An infant, " angel of the household," is not yet named.

Lester Potter, deceased, was a man remarkable for his untiring energy and enterprise; oldest of six children of William and Mary (Pease) Potter. He was born August 5, 1824, in Middletown, Connecticut, acquired as good schooling as he could till he was sixteen, then for sixteen years was managing a Pennsylvania farm summers, and at home, ship-carpentering, winters. In 1847 he was married to Miranda Andrews, youngest child of John and Sarah Andrews, of Salem, Pennsylvania. In 185G they moved to Illinois, where he purchased a farm two and a lialf miles west of Paw Paw. In 1864 he bought another near Malugin's Grove, and in 1868 a third in "Willow Creek township. On July 7, 1872, he received the first shipment of lumber and coal brought to Paw Paw by railroad. Thus commenced his extensive business on Peru street, wiiieh he carried on for several years. In 1875 he also engaged in the furniture business, on Maine street, and the next year built a store to accommodate his growing, trade. He also became an owner in several mines in Colorado, and to these he gave personal attention during portions of 1877, and the year following. In 1880 he and Mr. Amos Siglin erected the Siglin and Potter Brick Block, into which he moved a stock of goods purchased of W. C. Runvan, and added general merchandising to his large list of enterprises. Mr. Potter was one of the few who could keep many irons in the fire from early youth to three score without allowing any to burn. He was also one who identified himself with the growth and prosperity of the town, belonging to no religious organization, yet he contributed liberally to the support of all. Early in May 1881, while at Chicago, he was taken seriously ill, and his death occurred on the 26th of the same month. A large concourse of friends and citizens followed his remains to the Ellsworth Cemetery. His four surviving children are all married, and all, with their very worthy mother, now reside in or near Paw Paw.

John Brittain, pioneer (deceased). (By his nephew, John T. Brittain.) John Brittain was born in 1803, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He followed lumbering, and was an efficient deputy sheriff. He emigrated to Illinois and settled near Alton about 1840, and not long after went into the pineries, followed lumbering, and in company with others ran a large mill, doing a heavy business. But sickness compelled him to leave affairs temporarily to others, who pocketed large amounts and left for parts unknown, and Mr. Brittain found himself and family destitute in the city of St. Louis. As soon as he accumulated sufficient funds again he bought two land warrants and located them in Wyoming township. He acted as justice of the peace for several years, and took quite an active interest in the union cause during the rebellion. A son died at Fort Donelson from over exertion. While an officer of Wyoming, about 1863, he received a dispatch to aid in arresting two horse-thieves; he reluctantly consented; he was fired upon, and one of the men was shot. Some reflections being cast upon him lie demanded a trial, was acquitted, no one appearing against him. He died very suddenly, some thought from apoplexy, caused by the excitement and anxiety, others thought he was poisoned.

William J. Beittain, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born March 22, 1845, at Delhi, Jersey county, Illinois, and is the son of John and Elizabeth Brittain. When about eighteen years of age he started for himself. He lived on the home farm with John, his elder brother and liis mother, and worked for her and others. On January 31, 1869, he married Ann Madison, of Paw Paw, a very worthy daughter of James and Mary Madison. Her father was killed by a fall from a builciing in Ohio when she was about two years old. Two children, Corda and Mabel, bless their union. Mr. Brittain is a staunch republican and an Odd-Fellow.

William Mayor, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born in the county of Lancashire, England, December 3, 1820. Being one of a large family, and put at work in early life, his schooling all told would not amount to a year. May 21, 184:1, he landed in New York. Brigham Young came on the same vessel, and as they neared the port the pilotboat brought the sad intelligence of the death of President Harrison. Going immediately to Albany, he worked in that city two years and five months; thence to Columbus, where he worked two years and seven months for the state on the Ohio canal ; thence to Dayton, and worked for James Seville, a farmer, nearly three years, and married his daughter, Sarah Ann Seville, September 4, 1848. He worked this farm till 1854, when he moved to Paw Paw. Illinois, where his wife died in 1874. March 28, 1880, he married M r.^. Nnncv Kelly. His children are: James W., the harness-maker at Paw Paw ; Mary Ann, wife of David Thomas, living at south side ot the grove, and Sarah Jane, living at home. One daughter, Lucy Adelaide, died in 1879. The length of time Mr. Mayor has been wont to stay with his employers indicates that he was a faithful, competent workman, and the enormous crops observed by the writer on his excellent farm show that he is still a good farmer. His farm is the " Elder Warriner farm," at the south side of the grove.

LoED Jones, retired from business. Paw Paw Grove, was the son of Lewis and Sarah (Benedict) Jones, who were among the first settlers in the Wyoming Valley, and his grandfather Benedict baptized the first white child ever baptized in the Susquehanna. Lord was born in Exeter, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1805. When quite young he was naturally ingenious with tools; would split sticks and fasten together, constructing a house such as would challenge the skill of mature years. He never learned a trade regularly, by serving an apprenticeship, j'et became a good carpenter. ' He was married January 6, 1S30, to Piiebe, daughter of Maj. Ezekiel Goble. In 1848 they emigrated to Paw Paw Grove. Here the Goble famil}- was a numerous family of grand, early pioneers, who doubtless did not a little in giving shape to the tastes and customs of the settlement about Paw Paw Grove. Two brothers and three sisters, and the parents too, all with families, were here gathered at Jacob Rogers' to greet the Jones family at the end of their thirty-three days' journey, and under the Cottonwood trees at the Rogers phiee forty-one kindred triends sat down to the first dinner. Gobies, Boardnians, Rogerses and Towns, including their thirty children, were present at this reunion. The Joneses settled on a farm in Sees. 8 and 9. Three sons of this worthy famil}' espoused tlie cause of their country. Their first-born, Theodore S., enlisted in 1861 in Co. D, 1st 111. Art. Over-exertion and exposure at tlie battle of Vicksburg, brought on fatal disease. He started for home, was for several weeks confined to the hospital in St. Louis, and died of congestive chills at Schofield's barracks. Orlando 13. Jones enlisted in 1802 in Co. K, 75th reg. 111. Inf , and served till tlie end of the war; though knocked down by a spent bail, hitting him directly over his heart, his strap and blanket saved his life. Benjamin A. enlisted in January 1864. Five sons and two daughters are still living. Their entire family are republican in sentiment and belong'to the Baptist church.

W. A. Pkatt, druggist, Paw Paw Grove, was born at Deep river, Connecticut, October 5, 1853. He was the sou of Henry H. and Mary (Comstock) Pratt. In the spring of 1856 the family moved to Illinois, and settled in De Kalb county, on a farm near Sandwich. Here he made good use of the advantages afforded by the district school, supplemented by the graded high schools, until he was eighteen. T!ie winter of 1870 and 1871 was saddened by the death of his mother. The following spring he entered the drug store of A. H. Palmer, of Sandwich, where he spent tliree years learning the business. In the spring of 1874 he came to Paw Paw, and entered the employ of W. C. Runyan. In the fall of 1877 he bought out the business and stock of goods and opened trade in his own name. In January, 1878, lie was married to Mary E., daughter of Isaac J. and Harriet E. Berry. His business increasing, in November, 1880, be moved into the new Siglin & Potter block, where he has one of the best arranged and most complete drug stores in Lee county. In politics Mr. Pratt is republican.

Jacob Hendershot, merchant, Paw Paw Grove, is one of the wellknown business men of Paw Paw. Born at Washingtonville, Montour county, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1832. His father's name was Evan and his mother's Margaret C. (McBride). In 1840 hie parents moved to Limestoneville, whence Jacob soon after went to live with his grandmother at Whitehall, staying with her till he was fourteen. To the common school of these three places is he indebted for his schooling, but not for his education. Like many of our self-made men, Mr. Hendershot's student life has comprised the spare moments of a life-time. At the early age of fourteen he went to live with an uncle, a merchant and thorough business man, and was with him an entire decade. In 1856 he came west and, after prospecting through northern Illinois, located at Paw Paw, as clerk for Cone & Madden. Here he remained in the employ of the two succeeding owners, D. "W. Madden and Hiram Fuller, till the winter of 1857-8, when he went east and closed out a stock of goods for Robt. McCoy. Keturning, he began business as a grocer on the north side of Main street, in Paw Paw, in the fall of 1858. In the fall of 1860 he purchased bis house and lot, corner of Main and Peru streets, and was married to Jane M. Carey, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania. In 1873 he erected the first brick store in the place, and in it he is still carrying on business. In 1880 he tore down his old brick house, and on the same spot erected a fine, spacious brick residence. Mr. Hendershot has ever given close personal attention to business, and to this end has declined official honors and responsibilities. His sympathies have always been with the democratic party, except that in county and town offices he aims to vote for the best men, regardless of party. He is a Mason, and was the secretary of Corinthian Lodge, No. 205, A.F. and A.M., five successive years, and junior warden three years. Mr. and Mrs. Hendershot liave one daughter.

Samuel Bunker, farmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, was a native of Maine, born in Penobscot, February 10, 1820, son of Stephen and Lucy (Page) Bunker. Till twenty-two his work was farming, carpentering and lumbering, with a moderate allowance of schooling. He came first to Lamoille, in Bureau count}', Illinois, but remained there only about two years, meanwhile purchasing from O. W. Bryant a claim in Lee county on the north side of Four-Mile Grove. In the fall of 1841: he went to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where, during a staj' of three or four months, he underwent three fevers, and was compelled to borrow mone}' to defray the expenses of his homeward passage. After some ten years at the carpenter and joiner trade, in the counties of

Bureau and La Salle, he left these parts for the pineries of Wisconsin. Being a " down-easter," he was an unusually valuable man to handle a team in the timber. On one occasion ten men with five yoke of oxen tried in vain to haul out a heavy balance-beam. Bunker took the same team and only one man, and in two hours accomplished the task. He was there some three years. It was about 185S that he came to his land in Lee county, where he still resides. The farm comprises 168 acres just at the edge of the grove; two overflowing perennial springs render it a valuable stock farm. On December 27, 1861, he was married to Cordelia N. Bryant, sister of Hon. O. W. Bryant. Tiiey have three children : Sarah A., born August 5, 1862 ; William E., July 24, 1866, and Lillie A., April 2, 1870. He is a republican, and never known to be " on the fence." He and his wife are members of the Free Baptist church at Four-Mile Grove.

John M. Jacohy, farmer and stock raiser, Paw Paw Grove, born at Franklin county, Pennsylvania, June 27, 1822, was the son of John and Mary (Mace) Jacoby. In his thirteenth year he was bereft of a kind and tender mother. At twenty-one he went to the carpenter's trade, and in winter evenings also taught music, thus following both till after his marriage, March 6, 1848, to Miss Cynthia J., daughter of Francis T. Neir, of Shippensburg, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. In 1851 they moved to Peoria, Illinois ; was there a 3"earj at Peru the next year, and at Princeton two years, then moved to their present farm at the northeast corner of Four-Mile Grove. Here, by hard labor well applied, Mr. Jacoby has made a good farm. It contains 250 acres, and is well adapted for stock raising. The buildings are first-class, and the indications of well-directed husbandry appear on every hand. They have three children : John Edgar, a farmer on the Mendota road ; Francis S. and May Bell, both at home. For twenty years he has been a member of the Wyoming Presbyterian church at Cottage Hill. He is a democrat and a union man most emphatically.

Henkt Lewis, liveryman. Paw Paw, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1828. His father, Henry, was a carpenter by trade, but in (juite limited circumstances, so that the subject of our sketch had little or no schooling. Indeed, at twenty-one he was hardly able to write his own name. Since then, however, he has learned to read quite well, and is said to be well versed in the scriptures. In 1850 he was married to Jane Taylor. In 1851 they moved to Seneca county, Ohio, and next year to Miami county, where he farmed till 1856, when they emigrated to Illinois. In the spring of 1857 he bought a farm of eighty acres near Twin Groves; this he still owns. His wife died in 1874. His second wife was Elizabeth Fisk, of Malugin's Grove. In 1878 he bought out Charles Pulver, since which time he has been in the livery business at Paw Paw, doing a good business. Since his second marriage three children have blessed their home : Kaymond, William Henry, and Caroline.

George W. Lindsey, Paw Paw Grove, a practical butcher of remarkable experience, with an established reputation for all departments of his business. Born at Attica, Wyoming county. New York, April 12, 1843, the eldest son of George W. and Khoda (Hamlin) Lindsey, our subject started for himself in the ineat and stock business at the age of twenty, in Walworth county, Wisconsin. He was married September 24, 1863, to Elizabeth M. Phillips. In 1865 he changed the base of his operations to Whitehall, Michigan, thence in 1867 to the plains of Texas, where, iu the cattle trade, he failed and lost everything, save his indomitable, restless spirit. On Christmas-day, 1869, he came to Paw Paw, and the next spring again engaged in the butcher business. Two years later he built the first market ever put up in this village. After a stay of about four years at Paw Paw he went to Chicago into the live stock commission business, and opened two markets, one at the corner of Thirty-first street and Indiana avenue, the other at Fort^'-third and Halsted streets. Of this experience he says, " Too many irons in the fire lost." Not discouraged, on March 15, 1876, he started for the Black Hills, arriving May 4, and leaving there September 20 for Paw Paw, bringing with him eighteen pounds avoirdupois weight of native gold. He immediately built his dwelling-house on maple street, and erected a brick building on Main street opposite the Detamore House, for a market. Selling the latter to B. J. Wheeler, away he goes to the San Juan valley, secures a joint interest with Lester Potter, of Paw Paw, in three diflerent mines; returns, buys the market he now occupies, and opens again in his regular business. One year later the western fever attacks him again, and away to Idaho and Montana, whence, after a six-weeks' stay, he returns again from this his latest and tenth trip across the plains. He says " to Alaska will be his next journey." Mr. Lindsey has surely heeded the advice of Horace Greeley - " Go West " ; but contrary to Poor Richard's saying about the rolling stone gathering no moss, his business is simply immense. Mr. Lindsey was married September 24, 1863, to Elizabeth M. Phillips. Their two children are Edwin Gallaway and Nellie Gertrude. He is a Mason and a democrat.

William M. Geddes, editor and proprietor of the Paw Paw "Herald," inherits both linguistic taste and mechanical genius from his father, Robert Geddes, of Amboy, a man proficient in the use of six languages, and for twenty years master mechanic in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. With such a parentage, we are not surprised to find the subject of our sketch at the printer's ease at fourteen, and in the editorial cliair at twentv-one. William was the fourth c-iiild in a taniily of seven children, all of whom and both parents are still living. Zanesville, Ohio, was his birthplace and August -_'!, 1850, his birthday. I'ut that same year the family moved to Amboy, Illinois. At eleven William entered the hif^h school, and at fourteen the office of the Amboy "Journal." So small of stature was he that he had to stand on a box a foot and a half high to reach the casf, yet in two months' time he was able to take the case of a regular journeyman printer, and in six months, instead of getting boys' pay, he received good printers' wages. He was in this office some four years, while it was owned successively by Corbus it Stimpson, William Parker, and William H. Plaskell. Close application beginning to tell on his health, he clerked a few months for W. B. Andrus & Son. Back again at the "Journal" office, he was about this time laying his plans for his business career, and we are not surprised that he determincil to invest iirst in education. As a student he was an indefatigable worker. After drinking from the Pierian spring as deeply as his means would allow, he came to Paw Paw in February 1878, and purchased the " Herald " office from its founder, R. H. Ruggles. April 14, ISSd, he married Jennie M. Parker, daughter of his former employer, William Parker. That Mr. Geddes found a helpmeet indeed, may be inferred from the fact that her ancestry on both sides for generations back were printers. Her father is well known as a veteran in the editorial corp^, and she herself is not unacquainted with the art of successfully using the pen and the scissors. For three years she was a teacher in the Mcndota High School. When Mr. (reddes assumed the management of the office at Paw Paw, the " Herald" was in its infancy and with less than one hundred subscribers, but the books now show 900 subscriljcrs, and the prospect is good for 1000 at the beginning of the year 1882.

James W. Mayou, harness-maker and dealer. Paw Paw Grove, born at Dayton, Ohio, May 1, 1850, is the only son of William and Sarah (Seville) Mayor. In the spring of 1855 his parents brought him to Paw Paw, Illinois, where all the surviving members of the family still reside. His father, sensible of his own lack of early advantages, was an.xious his son should have a good, substantial education, and kept him at the Paw Paw school till he was lifteen. But James developed a mechanical turn of mind, so at fifteen he began learning harness-making, continuing his studies at school in the winter seasons. In this way he is said to have made very commendable progress. In the fall of 1869 he bought out the business, and has since carried it on in his own name. He is doing a good business for a place of this size, receiving orders from those who know his work, as far away as Iowa,

Nebraska, tuid Ciilifbrnia. October 17, 1870, ho was married to Jiiliett Madison, youngest daughter of James and Mary Madison, of Paw Paw, Illinois. They have had four children : Jessie Viola (deceased), Harry Edgar, Elmer A. and (leiicvieve. Tie is an Odd-Fellow, has passed through all the oflices in Anchor Lodge, is now its representative to the Grand Lodge, and is also chief patriarcli in Paw Paw Encampment. Politics, republican, in faith and practice.

Wilson C. P>ryant, eldest son of Hon. Obed W. and Lucy (Lindsey) Bryant, was born at Four-Mile Grove, in La Salle county, November 26, 1843. Was there about ten years, till his parents moved just across the line into Lee county, to a farm at the northeast corner of the same grove. He attended school in the home district, at Leo Center, at Mendota, and in the winter of 1864-5 at Wasioja, Minnesota. He also taught several terms. In 1869 he purchased the Burrill farm on Cottage Hill, in Wyoming township. On March 12, 1872, he was married to Terressa A. Blee. Wilson C. Bryant and his excellent wife are very nicely fixed on a beautiful farm on Cottage Hill, amid groves and hedges, and with a pleasing prospect around and before them. Wilson C. Bryant is the eldest son of Hon. Obed W. Bryant. His mother was Lucy Lindsey. He was born November 26, 1843, at Four-Mile Grove, near the county line, but in La Salle county. He was there about ten years, till his parents moved across the line into Lee county to a farm at the northeast corner of tlio same grove. His school advantages were quite good. Ho attended more or less at Leo Center, Mendota, and Wasit)ja, Minnesota. He also taught a few terms. Finally, in 1869, he purchased his present farm, known as the Burrill farm, and on March 12, 1872, was married to Terressa A. Blee, also of Cottage Hill. Joseph M. Blee, her father, is reputed to have been one of the best men ever in Wyoming. His death, on January 16, 1873, was caused by injuries received but a few hours before by being thrown from a wagon. Ho came to Cottage Hill in 1855; was a native of Pennsylvania.

Pfkrce & B,\muN(iVM, druggists, are the gentlemardy ])i'oprietors of the Palace di'ug-storo. The firm is composed of Philip S. Pierce and William H. Barringer. Mr. Pierce is an enterprising farmer and stock raiser. He was born in East Paw Paw, Do Kalb county, October 8, 1847, and is the son of Charles, who settled near Paw Paw Grove in 1845. On February 20, 1869, Mr. Pierce was married to Miss Addie E. Barritiger, daughter of John Barringer. He remained on liis father's place until November 1874, when ho came to the Nettleton farm, which he now owns. This is situated in Sec. 35, Willow Creek township, and couiprises 145 acres of choice land, well improved. One of the principal imi)rovempnts is the substantial barn, 30x5(1, with

22-foot posts, erected the present season. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have three children : William Evert, Mary A. and Philip U. The junior partner, William H. Barringer, is one of the young business men of whom Paw Paw is justly' proud. He was born at Ross' Grove, De Kalb county, September 30, 1850, and the eldest of three children of Jolin H. and Delia (Mulford) Barringer. Both of his parents died in the year 1854, when William was but four years old. His grandmother Barringer took the three little orphans to her home in Paw Paw and brought them up. William was with her twelve years at this place, then eight years with her at East Paw Paw. During these years he had made good use of his time both at school and on the farm in vacations. In 1874 they moved to a farm near Smith's Grove, and the following year he spent in Kansas. In the spring of 1881 he united in partnership with Mr. Pierce, as successors to the firm of Palmer & Stetler, in the drug business, the duties of which mainly devolve on Mr. Barringer.

Elijah Swaktiiolt, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born August 16, 1820, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Van Loon) Swarthout. The name Van Loon traces back to original settlers on the Hudson. His grandparents on his father's side were from Holland. Elijah was the oldest of a fjmih' of eleven children, and brought up on a farm of 200 acres, he naturally became inured to those habits essential to a good farmer. He was also counted good as a scholar for the time and place. He remained on the old homestead till he was twenty-eight. December 25, 1848, he was married to Sarah E. Brown, daughter of Solomon Brown, of the same place. In the spring of 1856 the}- emigrated to Illinois, and purchased ninety acres of the old Russell Town farm west of Paw Paw. This he sold in 1861, when he bought eighty acres in Sec. 6, and in 1870 another farm just west of the village, and in 1877 added to his real-estate acquisitions the tine property on Grummond street, where he now resides. He was in cojnpany with his son-in-law, James H. Tlioin]ison, five years, ending July 15, 1881. He was Methodistically inclined, in politics a democrat, and was a charter member of the Wyoming Grange. In 1880 a promising son, Frank M., died of consumption at the age of twenty-two. He has four children living: Catharine J., Mrs. James II. Thomjison ; Clarrissa, Mrs. B. J. Wheeler ; Rasselas, and Solomon Brown. His estimable wife died September 11, 1881, after a lingering illness of nearly a ^-ear.

W. C. RrxYAN, clerk, Paw Paw Grove, son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Swisher) Runyan, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1829, and with them moved to Lycoming county in 1833. In the spring of 185(i he, with his parents, moved to Northumberland county, where his father died in the fall of 1853. In October, 1854, he was married to Clara McKnigiit, of Montour county, and the following spring they moved to Lee county. Here he rented land from time to time in difterent parts of the county. His wife died January 19, 1859. In the spring of 1860, at Meriden, Illinois, he was married to Mrs. Martha Litts, daughter of Abraham Rosenkraiis, of Wyoming township. In the spring of 1863 he bought a farm near Franklin Grove, but sold it in the spring of 1866, and bougiit in Wyoming two miles soutii of Paw Paw. His health failing in 1871, he was compelled to desist from all labor. In April, 1873, he engaged in the mercantile business at Paw Paw, continuing till December 1879. In January, 1881, he commenced clerking for L. Potter & Co. From the age of eighteen Mr. Runyan was a member of the Baptist church. For the past five years he has held a prominent position in the Lee county Sabbath-school work. He has two daughters, Elizabeth C. and Lydia. William Mereell, senior partner in the firm of Merrell & Co., Paw Paw Grove, was born November 29, 1829, in Canton, Hartford county, Connecticut. His parents were Capt. Alanson and Lucy L. (Mills) Merrell, and his grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. After the usual schooling, supplemented by a term at East Hampton, Massachusetts, he was married, November 28, 1848, to Louisa A. Daniels, of Canton, and in 1851 moved to Steuben county, New York, where he followed farming and lumbering. Volunteering in 1862, he was mustered in as 1st lieutenant of Co. D, 141st reg. New York Inf ; was promoted to the captaincy in July 1863 ; to the oflice of major in 1864; was acting-colonel under Sherman on the march to the sea, the campaign of the Carolinas, and the final march to Washington, where he was mustered out. He was in about fifteen general engagements and skirmishes, including Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Pesaca, New Hope Church, - a hard battle at arms' length, - and Kennesaw Mountain. For one hundred days was either in engagements or under fire on the skirmish line. Of the entire regiment, when it came out of the noted battle of Peach Tree creek, there remained to report for duty only Capt. Merrell, a Capt. Baldwin and one lieutenant, of all the field and line ofticers, and but sixty-one privates. Moving west in 1866, he farmed four years in Lake county and five years near East Paw Paw, when, in 1875, entered into coparttiership with John Edwards and Henry Goodyear under the firm name Wm. Merrell & Co., and engaged in general merchandising at West Paw Paw. The ne.xt year this firm erected the Centennial block. In 1878 Mr. Merrell sold his interest to Goodyear and moved to Kansas; returned the following year and renewed possession of the farm he had previously sold ; in the fall of 1880 united in copartnership with P. N. Edwards and Will- iani Siglin, under the firm name William Merrell & Co. Mr. and Mrs. Merrell have three children: Henry William, Viola Louise, and Frank Warren. The entire family united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1866. Frank is now taking a college and theological course atEvanston, Illinois. Like most soldiers, Mr. Merrell is republican.

Henry H. Harrington, justice of the peace of the town of Wyoming, and dealer in groceries, crockery, china and glassware. Paw Paw Grove, youngest son of Amasa and Annie (^Arnold) Harrington, was born at Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county. New York, February 9, 1841, and with the family moved to Paw Paw in foil of 1S43. Till fourteen he was subject to a lung difficulty that confined him at home, hence his primary education was received from his mother. But this was necessarily quite limited, so much so that at the age of si.xteen, on entering the intermediate department of Prof. Perrin's school at Paw Paw, he for the first time studied arithmetic, geography, and grammar. His progress was rapid, however, for at the end of two years he was appointed as teacher in the department which he had first entered, at the same time continuing his studies in the high school department. Meanwhile his health had rapidly improved till at the date alluded to he was strong and rugged. He taught school in Lee and Ogle connties most of the time till 1SC5, then went to Chicago and graduated at Eastman's Commercial College. He followed teaching and writing in law and in abstract offices in Ogle county till the fall of 1S69, when he went to Ohio and was married to Amelia R. Hosmer, of Parkinan, Geauga county. New Tork, daughter of Sylvester B. and Mary (Foster) Hosmer (deceased). Here he remained six years on his wife's farm. In 1875 he moved to Paw Paw and purchased the store and dwelling-house combined, which he has since occupied. He joined the Methodist Episcopal church in the winter of 1S76, under the pastorate of Rev. J. Hartman, since which time he has been a consistent member and cliurch-laborer, holding the office of recording steward and secretary of the board of trustees. He was elected justice of the peace in 1877 and reelected in 1881. He is a republican and a Mason, and a strong advocate of temperance. The three children are Mary Maud Anna, Madge Amelia, and Hosmer Hartman.

T. H. Stetler, physician and surgeon, Paw Paw Grove, son of John Stetler, was born at Wilkesbarro, Luzerne county, Penn- 83'lvania, August 6, 1847. The district school, high school and academy each in turn contributed to his literary education till tlie fall of 1867, when he came west to Malugin's Grove, Illinois. Taught school that winter at Adrian's school-house, the next winter at the Edmonds school-house, and the next three years at the Grove. He now began tlie study of materia medica and chemistry with view to fitting for the medical profession, and in the fall of 1872, in company with Dr. Palmer, engaged in the di'ug business. He sold out in the spring of 1874, and iti the fall began taking lectures at the Ciiicago Medical College ; graduating there March 21, 1876, he settled down in the practice of medicine at Paw Paw. That one so young should think to compete for a share of the practice in a place where inetRciency and quackery would never be tolerated, and with physicians of age, experience and established reputation, is evidence of his confidence in the genuineness of his qualifications, and his practice, already quite extensive, shows that the people are partakers of that confidence. December 31, 1870, he was married to his estimable wife, Libbie Rosencrans, youngest daughter of Abram and Elizabeth Rosencrans, who has contributed largely* to his success in life. Dr. Stetler was raised a Mason in Brooklyn Lodge in 1870, and became a member of Corinthian Lodge, No. 20.5, in 1873. He is now secretary of this lodge. Li 1873 he was made a Royal Arch Mason in Rochelle Chapter. The doctor is a communicant in the Presbyterian charch of Paw Paw, and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He is a man of decidedly republican views, and an earnest worker in the party.

George T. Noe, farmer, Steward, son of Cummings Noe, was born on the farm at present owned by B. F. Ellsworth, formerly the early homestead of his parents. May 21, 1855. He attended the district schools of the neighborhood, and finished his studies in the Western College in Lynn county, Iowa. On March o, 1878, he was married to Mrs. Caroline Tetter, daughter of Gotleib Hochstrasser. These parents have two children : Eda Levilla and Mary Martha. Mrs. Noe is a member of the Evangelical church, and Mr. Noe belongs to the United Brethren, and is a republican.

B. J. Wheeler, proprietor of Oak Grove Creamer^' and Ciieese Factory, Paw Paw Grove, was born near Bangor, Maine, May 14, 1837. His parents, Jacob and Martha (Drake) Wheeler, had their home three miles from the nearest school-house, and bears being numerous in that region young Wheeler was prevented from receiving early instruction in the schools. About 1845 the family came west and settled at Nauvoo, in this state, and a few years later removed to Paw Paw Grove, where the subject of this notice attended the South Side High School one year. His father in 1851 purchased from John Pelcher 100 acres of land, the same on which his creamery is now situated. This finally passed from his father's ownership, and several times changed hands until it was at last bought by Mr. Wheeler. In 1856 our subject went to Minnesota, and was engaged three years in farming, peddling, and other pursuits. In 1859, having returned to

Illinois, he set out immediately for California, and engaged in mining in Plumas county. After tliree years' steady employment at this business he went to freighting supplies from Marysville to Humboldt valley, a distance of 300 miles, forty being across a desert. Prices charged for everytliing seem incredible. Potatoes sold at the mines for $15 per bushel, and Mr. Wheeler received $8.40 for the hauling. For hay to feed his team over night he paid at one time $90. The transporting of one load brought him Si, 800. Once just before reaching the end of his route an axle broke and he had to go forward to get it repaired. This occupied half an hour and cost $20. When he returned he got three Indians to help him change his load, in which were fifteen pounds of fish-hooks, and $1,800 of county scrip in a small yeast can. After resuming his wa}' he missed his hooks and scrip, and returning to the river where about 100 Indians were encamped, was not able to persuade them to give up the plunder. He subsequently obtained a reissue of the scrip. He remained in California four years, and on liis return purchased the farm on which he is now living. Here he engaged in farming, trading, shipping stock, and making brick. On January 1, 18T3, he was married to Clara Swarthout, daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth Swarthout, of Paw Paw. In 1874 he bought the grist-mill at the grove, and in 1877 traded it to Frank Nickey for the store now owned by George Lindsey, and the stock of hardware which it contained. The latter he sold to H. M. Wilson in July, 1879, and the same year took a trip with his family through Idaho, Utah and California, consuming four months in this journey. A drive of 3(i0 miles behind a mule team was included in their experiences. If it was tedious it did not wholly fail of being ludicrous. Mrs. Wheeler says the mules were exasperatingly slow, unless the driver was drunk. She was the only lady passenger among fourteen men. The bottle of exhilarating fluid never went dry, and her thoughtful fellow-travelers proffered it with religions constancy whenever it went around. Mr. Wheeler erected the Oak Grove Creamery and Cheese Factory in 1880. This represents an industry of prime importance in Wyoming township, and by his enterprise he has added not a little to the material prosperity and consideration of the community. He is a republican and an Odd-Fellow. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have had three children : Addie Kyle, Frank, and one " over the river."

A. G. FowLKK, farmer, Paw Paw Grove, eldest son of Noah and Polly (Whitaker) Fowler, was born at Cambridge, New York, March 3, 1826. The most of his schooling was obtained in the three last winters of his minority, and he made so good use of his meager privileges, and such progress in his studies, that he qualified himself to be a teacher and was employed in that capacity three years. In 1851 he spent six months in the State of Virginia. In the summer of 1853 he came to Illinois and settled at West Aurora, and had his home in that vicinity six years. Being a man of large ingenuity, to whom the use of tools is a natural gift, he worked successively in the sash factory, reaper shop, and as a carpenter on the depot and other buildings of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. This road was constructed to Mendota the year of his arrival. While living here he was married, February 19, 185C, to Nancy B. Deuel, of his native town of Cambridge. From Aurora Mr. Fowler moved to Waterman, De Kalb county, where he lived six years farming and holding office. He was constable four years and collector two terms. In the spring of 1865 he came to South Paw Paw, and tlie next year occupied his present farm. He has 40 acres whose productiveness is recognized as considerably above the average. Deacon Fowler is a leading fruit-grower in this part of the country. He is a consistent and prominent member of the Baptist church of Paw Paw, and has filled the office of deacon nearly a dozen years. Politically he was first a "silver gray" whig, whatever that may have been, and is now a supporter of republican principles. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have three children, Mary, Isaac L., and Lois, all at home.

Jesse Brittain, deceased, was a man of a limited education, economical in his habits and possessed of a marked degree of energy. His untiring industry and good management resulted in a competence for himself and a considerable estate for his heirs. He was born August 8, 1808, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. In early manhood he was employed mainly in lumbering. In 1829 he was married to Miss Margaret Lemons, of Muncie, in the same state. In 1840 he moved to Beaver, on the Ohio below Pittsburgh, returning in 1843. He built himself a saw-mill and followed lumbering till the summer of 1850, when he came west and settled at Cottage Hill, in Wyoming township. Here he resided till his death, in 1875. His widow, after a happy companionship of nearly fifty years, is with his son, John T., on the old homestead. The following were the children : Charles W., John T., Lavina, Sarah (deceased), George (killed at the battle of Perrysville, October 8, 1862), and Zebreth, now farming at Raceburg, on the Solomon river, in Kansas. The eldest son, Charles, was always fond of travel, and gratified this taste in a large measure. He joined Col. Aspinwall's company, which built the Panama railroad, and from the isthmus went to San Francisco in 1851. He worked in the diggings until the discovery of gold in Australia, in 1854, when he repaired to tliat distant land, and during his travels visited Van Dieman's land and most of the islands in the Pacific ocean. He returned to California and went to work again in the mines. When Montana began to excite notice lie was attracted there by the supposed inducements of tiiat fresli field of discovery, and when last heard from was on his way to Alaska. John, too, seems to have had a love of change and incident, but this partook quite largely of the business character. At the age of twenty-one he left New York, April 5, 185i, for California via Aspinwall and Panama and landed in San Francisco May 1 ; followed mining and prospecting for mines for twelve ^-ears, mostly in the counties of Mariposa, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Klamath. He took part in several of the mining excitements, particularly the Silver Mountain and Frazer river mines in British Columbia in the j'ear 1858. He resided a short time at Victoria, on Van Couver's island, located at Humboldt bay in California, and followed ranching from IStlG to 1870, when he returned b}' rail. In his individual enterprises he was usually successful, but he lost heavil}' at times b}' stock companj' investments. He now resides on the homestead at Cottage Hill, and owns a 160- acre farm in Viola.

Charles Pierce, farmer and stock raiser. Paw Paw Grove, was born in Pennsylvania, February 3, 1813, followed the business of moulder in a foundry some years at Kingston, Pennsylvania, came we.«t to Paw Paw township, arriving September 17, 1845, and moved to Wyoming November 15, 1856. He has erected several buildings, and is now the owner of several farms. He resides on the " Bogus " Gates place, but a few rods from the site of the old pioneer cabin of David A. Town, built in 183-1. He has been twice married ; his tirst wife was a Goodwin ; by iier he had three children : Thomas J., born August 16, 1836; John, born September 15, 1838, and George S., born January 22. 18il. On February 10, 1842, he was married to Catharine Sine; they have six children: Everett, born March 28, 1843, Emma S., May 17, 1845, Philip S., October 8, 18i7, Mary A., November 11, 1850, Florence, December 29, 1852, Maria O., June 16, 1855. Piiilip owns a good farm in Willow Creek township, and is partner in tiie firm of Pierce & Barringer, at Paw Paw.

Jamks H. TnoMi'6i>N, dealer in general merchandise. Paw Paw, is the son of William and Nancy (Harding) Thompson, and was born in Luzerne count}-, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1843. His fatlier died when James was but four years old. Wiien eight years of age he came with l»i^ mother to Paw Paw, and was educated in the graded school of the three Paw Paws. In 1855 his mother married John Colvill, with whom James has remained to this date, except when in the service of his country. He enli.sted in 1802, in Co. K, 75th reg. III. Vols., under Capt. Geo. Ryan, and during his three years' service was never out of the rebel confederacy. He was in action at Perryville, Stone Eiver, Chickamauga, and Lookout Mountain, and while on a reconnoissance at

Tunnel Hill, February 25, 1864, a singular accident befell him. At the top of Rocky Face Ridge, a tree a foot tlirougli was shot off at the height of forty feet and fell with terrible force upon him, crushing his musket in three pieces and almost fatally wounding iiim. Fortunately he recovered and was with iiis regiment on tiie Atlanta campaign. Being a clerkly penman he was detailed to a clerical position in the inspector-general's office. A testimonial from Capt. Nelson G. Franklin, acting assistant inspector general, speaks in imequivocal terms of Mr. Thompson. It is dated at Nashville, June 12, 1865, and says, " He has performed his duties in my office satisfactorily, and though complicated and arduous as the work has been, he has gained for himself an excellent name as a business man, and won the unbounded respect of all with whom he has had official relations." On his return from the army lie farmed awliile, and in 1869 united in copartnership with Mr. Colvill. In 1875 they sold out to William Merrell & Co., and Mr. Thompson moved onto his farm, which he had purchased two years before from Isaac Harding. In the fall he took charge of the clothing store here owned by Metz & Jackson, of Amboy, and in the spring of 1876 engaged in business for himself in the Colvill building. He is one of the school trustees of the town of Wyoming, has served as collector, has been at the head of most of the republican movements, and at the present time is a member of the Lee county central committee. He has been repeatedly solicited to accept a nomination for county office, but his business preventing he has constantly declined. He is a member of Anchor Lodge, I.O.O.F. On March 28, 1867, he was married to Miss Catharine J. Swarthout, eldest daughter of Elijah J. Swarthout, of Paw Paw.

John Allex, mechanic, Paw Paw Grove, was born in Hartford, Maine, July 13, 1813. His grandfather, Thomas Allen, deserted the British army on the northern frontier in the time of the revolution, and had several dangerous escapes from capture, while under pursuit, by the red-coats. At onfe time his pursuers passed the house in which he was concealed, and at another crossed over the bridge beneath which he was hiding. Making his way to Machias, Maine, he took up his residence there, and was one of the first six residents in the place. He was chosen town clerk and singing teacher, and in course of time was called to other posts of intiuence and respectability. He reared a son, John Allen, wiio became the father of eight children. From tlie notes at command the w'riter is unable to mention more than three of these, John, Thomas and Benjamin, the first the subject of this sketch. Tlie last two were for a long time in the service of presidents John Adams and John Qnincy Adams, Tliomas being employed by the two seven years. Among a number of presents bestowed upon tliese men b}- the elder Adams was a trunk wliich he had carried with him to Europe when abroad as a representative of tlie United States. This was a sacred souvenir of him whose lips of burning patriotism whispered at the portal of death the glorious words, " Independence forever." John Allen lived in Maine until he was eighteen ; he then went to Boston, and soon after embarked on the ocean and was engaged in sea-faring nearly eight years. After this he worked a year or two in a last factory in Boston, and in 1840 emigrated to Ohio and hired out to a Mr. Gunn, a man of Scotch lineage, to work on his farm. On July 25 he was married to his employer's daughter, Sophia Gunn. Tiiree years afterward Mr. Allen returned to Boston witli his family and went to work again in tlie last factorj-, where he continued to be employed ten years. In 1855 he moved west, settled in Willow Creek township, and farmed four years. He next brought his family to Paw Paw, where they have resided up to the present time. For awhile he was engaged in carpentering; then in 1860 he joined the rush to Pike's Peak, but soon returned without improving his fortune. In 1862, being forty-eight years of age and legall}^ exempt from military dut}', he nevertheless heard the call of fiither Abraham for three hundred thousand more, and not able to shut his heart to the appeal of his country in the crisis of her peril he enlisted in Capt. Cogswell's Independent Illinois Battery of Light Artillery, and was attached to the war-worn loth Army Corps. The service bore heavily upon him, and it was not long till he was obliged to come home to recruit his health. "When he repaired again to the army he took with hi in his son Horace, who was mustered into the United States service at Springfield, in 1864. Taken suddenl}' ill once more, our subject was sent home to receive that care and nursing so sadly wanting in the army, and while there his son, only seventeen, was killed by the explosion of a caisson. His remains are interred at Huntsville, Alabama. Mr. Allen returned to his command, and served the remainder of his term of three years. During most of the time he was serving on detail as artificer. Having returned to civil pursuits, he nearly lost his life by falling thirty feet from a barn he was building to the ground. In 1870 Mr. and Mrs. Allen made public profession of religion, and are now members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have five living children, three of whom have also arrived at a saving knowledge of divine truth. T. T. Allen is in Kansas, Charles H. and Eugene are at Paw Paw. "Weltha is married and living at Piano, and Eugenia is at home with her mother. Mr. Allen has twice been collector of Wyoming township. In 1877 he went into the manufacture of the Excelsior spring-bed bottom, and was agent for

Mks. SrsAN P. Detamore, proprietor of the Detamore House, Paw Paw, was a native of Pownal, Bennington count\', Vermont, and the youngest child of Jedcdiah and Tameson Foster. Her parents came to Paw Paw Grove in 1S47, but on the way out here she stopped at Eaton, Ohio, and was there through all the fearful scourge of the cholera two 3'ears later. Just as this was abating, in September, she was married to David Detamore, whose iather and mother, Jacob and Sophia Detamore, and brothers and sisters had all been carried off' by this terrible disease. While living here the only child the}' ever had, Mary E. Detamore, now the wife of Dr. Thomas D. Palmer, was born, and when they emigrated to Paw Paw, in 1851, she was six months old. On their arrival Mr. Detamore bought the property where the Detamore House has always stood, and as there was a gi-owing demand for hotel accommodations, they at once opened their doors to entertain the public. In a short time their business had so increased that they were compelled to enlarge their house. In ISofi Mr. Detamore sold the property and gave a bond for a deed. A long and e.xpensive contest in the courts ensued, in the midst of which, in 1859, Mr. Detamore sickened and died. The heavy costs of this suit were paid by Mrs. Detamore from keeping boarders in a little private house. Being declared the rightful owner of the property, she returned to it in the spring of 1S61. Since then, with the exception of about a year that she was east to give her daughter the benefits of school, she has remained here continuall v, and has succeeded in securing a competency, and that which she prizes as still more valuable, the respect and good-will of lier large circle of acquaintances. Mention was made to the writer by numerous citizens of the lively interest this lady had ever taken in the welfare of the place, how she had sold lots at low rates, improved buildings, and contributed generally to its growth and prosperity.

AYitLiAM M. Si'KOUL, farmer, stock raiser and dairyman. Paw Paw Grove, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1821, and was the son of James C. and Euphemia (Marshall) Sproul. His father was from Ireland, and a saddler by trade, followed mercantile pursuits, and was jjrominent in business. His grandfather Marshall served as a soldier in the revolution, and his mother was of Scotch- Irish descent. William had fair educational advantages, and taught sciiool some four winter forms. On November 18, 1844, he was married to Sarah A. McHard, and immediately settled down to farming on his father's place. Two children were the fruits of this union ; one died in 1S47, the mother followed to the grave the next year, and the other child was buried in 1854. Mr. Sproul took a second wife in the person of Miss Charlotte J. Wilson, and the marriage i-itc was celebrated Jnne 6, 1849. She was the danghter of Richard and Mary (Durham) Wilson. Her grandmother, Margaret Durham, was the wife of James Durham. Long years ago, when the great west, where we now live, was the hunting ground of the savages, and the middle states, some yet unsettled, were on the border, the Indians made an irruption into Pennsylvania. The Durhams were living at the forks of the Susquehanna when the settlement was invaded. As soon as the news of danger reached the people they hurried off to the fort, the women being sent in advance, and Mrs. Durham with a babe in her arms, while tlic men delayed a little to look after matters. The latter, when moving towai'd the same place, were attracted by the frantic demonstrations of the house-dog, and on going to the spot indicated by his intelligent manner they fonnd Mrs. Durham lying in a shocking condition, scalped and tomahawked, apparently beyond all possible hope of recovery, though lingering signs of life might still be discovered. At length, to their surprise she called for water ; this was brought in a hat, and from this moment she clung to the last chance for life with such restoring tenacity that her recovery was finally accom|)lished. To add to her grief, her husband was taken prisoner by the Indians. A silver plate mended her fractured skull, and she lived to become the mother of si.x children. Mrs. Sproul well remembers her brave grandmother. About 1850 Mr. Sproul bought a farm in Pennsylvania; in the spring of 1857 he sold it and emigrated to Illinois, settling in Wyoming township, where he purchased 240 acres in Sec. 27. A tract of eighty acres was partially improved, the remainder was wild land. The house then on the place has a history. It was built entirely of hard wood, spiked together in the most substantial manner, and after being several times moved to different localities has probably found a permanent stopping-place in Paw Paw, where it is owned and occupied for a residence by John Briggs, being evidently improved by its itinerancy. Mr. Sproul has a neatly improved and well stocked homestead, fenced with growing hedges, which contains thrifty orchards and good buildings. lie is a first-class butter maker, and the products of his dair^' bring the highest prices in Baltimore, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and New Orleans. lie received the first premium at the Missouri state fair, held in St. Louis in 1878. He gives most careful personal attention to this business and his abundant success is but the natural result of his industry and good judgment. By his last marriage i[r. Sproul has three children : Mary Jane, wife of W. L. Shumaker, Euphemia E., and Sarah Margaret, now Mrs. John R. Crandall, living in Clay county, Kansas. Mr. Sproul is a democrat, and his whole family belong to the Presbyterian church.

William Moffatt and Brotiiek, fanners, importers and breeders of stock, Paw Paw, were tlie sons of Josepli Moffatt, wlio was lost on tlie steamship Canadian in tlic straits of Belle Isle, June 4, 1861. The steamer struck an iceberg and went down in forty-tive minutes. William was born in Ontario county, Canada, August 24, 1837, and the mother died wlien he was five years old. There were three children younger than he; Robert and Mary Jane were twins, and the latter died suddenly at the age of seventeen. After the death of the motlier the family remained together and labored in unity, and in this -way could help one another, making all more prosperous. The father a thrifty, energetic man, and left a farm for each of his children. They all received a good education in the excellent common schools of their native place. These brothers have been in company since their arrival in the States, in March 1871, and have made a specialty of breeding thoroughbred stock. The}' resided three years in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and in March, 1874, moved to this township, where they ])urchased 430 acres of land. Their farm contains a number of commodious buildings adapted to their business. We noticed a barn 100 feet long, one building 40x60, and another 36x44. The latter is enlarged by shed-roof additions. The Moffatt brothers keep an average of thirty-five horses, seventy-five head of cattle, and a choice herd of Berkshire swine. They have imported eight horses the present season. " Johnny Ladd," four years old, imported in 18S0, weighs nineteen liundred pounds and is valued at $3,000. In 1878 they competed at Freeport against fourteen herds and received the higiiest premium. Calves have been sold from their herd for $300 apiece, and their sales of horses in the last year have amounted to more than $12,000. Robert was married October 23, 1800, to Annie E. Leming, of Yorkshire, England. He is a member of Corinthian Lodge, No. 205, A.F. and A.M and is a republican in sentiment, but has not yet taken his naturalization papers. Robert Moffatt, the African missionary, was a cousin to his father, and a daughter of the missionary was the wife of Dr. Livingstone, the explorer.

Jonx BrciiAXAN, tarmer, Paw Paw Grove, was born in Sterlingshire, Scotland, December l.'i, 1815, and was the son of William and Janet Buchanan. His father was a soldier in the English army; he enlisted about the time of the battle of Waterloo for twenty-one years, and served under Wellington. When seventeen years of his service had expired he accepted the offer of a discharge, accompanied with a land warrant, instead of serving his full time and receiving a pension. He was an excellent scholar and bookkeeper, and could have been promoted to high positions but for the fatal habit of intemperance. The subject of this notice was reared by his grand])arents, and when twenty- one 3'ears old emigrated to Simcoe countv, Canada "West. lie lived there from 183C to 1850 leading a backwoodsman's lite in tlie main, driving ox-teams, and working with axe, auger, hoe, and chain implements. In 18.50 he came to Wyoming township, accompanied by his father, and his brother William ; here he bought from the government 240 acres of land in Sees. 17 and 20, and began breaking and raising crops. He still owns the same place, and all the improvements on it are tlie work of his own hands. As illustrating the rapid growth in value uf real estate in this part of the country, and how men's wisdom has been outdone by the prodigious improvement of recent years, it may be mentioned as a curious fact that Mr. Buchanan was once offered IGO acres of land adjoining his farm for $200, but supposing it to be worthless refused to buy. The same land would now sell readily for S50 an acre. Mr. Buchanan was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Wooley September 15, 1855. Their children, four in number, are Janet, William Henry, Mary, wife of Henry Calkins, and Charlie. Janet is afflicted with total deafness, but converses readily with her mother by watching the movement of her lips. She is a ready writer, intelligent and interesting, and has a large correspondence. Mr. Buchanan is a democrat, and has been a Presbyterian some twenty years. One afternoon in 1860 his brother William took his fowling-piece and startt d out to shoot a crane. He did not return when he ought, and a violent thunderstorm having arisen in the meantime, it was supposed he had taken shelter at a neighbor's, so no search was made. At length, however, he was tbund dead west of tiie house, and it was evident that he had been accidentally shot while getting over a wire fence. The shock was so great to his father that his feeble frame gave wa}' and he died the same week. Mr. Buchanan was now alone without a relative in America, but being in a kind community he has found the best of friends.

JouN Haudino, lumber dealer and justice of the peace. Paw Paw Grove, was born in Exeter, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1831. At the age of sixteen he left home and entered a store as clerk his employer giving him $00 a year, and by close economy he managed to attend school one term each twelvemonth. Afterward he obtained a scholarship in the Wyoming Seminary, located at Kingston, in his native state, and was in attendance there about three years. In 1854 he was at the Xew York Conference Seminary in Schoharie county. All this time the voice of Horace Greeley was ringing in his ears, " Go west, young man, go west," and in 1855 he left the Empire State to seek his fortune in this section of the country. Ilis journey terminated in Wyoming township, where he engaged in teaching school south of the grove. After a residence here of tour years, he returned to the bosom of his cliildhood, sijending there his summers on the farm witli his father and mother, and his winters in pedagogy. In 1S62 an ungodly rebellion was scourging the land, and a pressing demand for help came from Uncle Sam. Securing at once letters of introdnction to prominent men in Washington, he proceeded there in search of a position on public works, and was attached to the engineer corps at Camp Baker and Long Bridge. After nine months in that place he returned home, and on July 21, 1864, was drafted, and on August 1 paid a commutation of §300. On the 2-tth he was mustered into the United States service as recruiting officer of Pennsylvania volunteers, holding the rank of second lieutenant. He mustered in seventy-three men ; then went to Harrisburgh and was mustered first lieutenant of Co. G, 210th reg. Pa. Vols., and on September 15 he joined the 5th Corps under command of Gen. Meade. He was in battle at the South Side railroad October 28, and again February 1865, and was wounded while commanding his company at Hatcher's Run, February 6, by a musket ball passing outward and backward through his right elbow joint. Having received a furlough, he went home, but returned to the army in time to witness the last gasp and to help close the eyes of the defunct slave-holding confederac}'. His active military life ended on May 18, 1805, when he was mustered out under general oi'der No. 82, and special order No. 238, of the war department ; but he was present at the grand reviews of the two armies of Meade and Sherman, which occurred respective!}' on the 23d and the ilth. On his return from the war, being solicited by his numerous friends in Luzerne county to present himself as a candidate for assemblyman, he did so and received almost the unanimous support of the convention, and became the nominee. It was a democratic "deestrict" and he M-as defeated by a majority for his opponent of 221 votes. Again the silvery voice of the patriarchal Greele}' resounded in his ears, and again his steps followed the setting sun, and brought him to Wyoming township. At the close of the war he received $1,705, which represented his savings, and on reaching Paw Paw, in October 18<j5, he formed a partnership with John Colvill, in the mercantile business. After about four years he sold to his partner, and in 1872 began dealing in coal, lime, and agricultural implements. In 1871 he bought the old store formerly used b}' Colvill & Harding and moved it to a lot south of the highwaj', with a view of fitting it up for an implement warehouse, but it was demolished by a high wind, and he was forced to replace it with a new structure, which he shortly after disposed of to W. C. Runyan. March 1, 1876, he united in a copartnership with L. Potter under the name of Potter ik Harding, and carried on the lumber business until January 1, 1880, when he bought his partner's interest, and since that time lias continued alone to deal in lumber and plastering materials. Mr. Harding stands prominently in the ranks of those who take a large interest in the welfare of the town, and anything necessary to its development never lags for lack of substantial encouragement from him. He has been useful to many who were endeavoring to secure permanent homes, b}' selling them lumber on easy terms when they were unable to pay cash. As the result of successful industry and economy he is the owner of considerable town property, and enjoj's a good home.