Livingston County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 25 of those read), 1909 (part 8 of 17)

The family born to Mr. and Mrs. Hick is as follows: John F., born April 22, 1864, married Mrs. Fanny (Bonner) Sedenburg, and they had one child, Lewis, when she died, and he married Miss Emma Sangster, by whom he had one son, Russell; John F. Hick, who was killed at Monmouth, Ill., December 7, 1896, while in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad, having just been notified of his promotion to the head of the office, when he was run over and killed. George Richard, born November 29, 1869, died July 10, 1904, from grief over his brother's death. The affection existing between the two brothers was so strong that he was not able to recover from the shock, although his parents took him to various points in Colorado and California, hoping to divert him. Both young men were exemplary Christians, and the whole community joined with the parents in mourning their death in the prime of life. -The other four children died in infancy,

For fifty-eight years Mr. and Mrs. Hick have been closely identified with the progress of Livingston County, and for forty-three years they have been members of the Christian church. They have the honor of being the oldest living settlers of Reading Township; and, in looking back over their happy married life, they feel that about the only thing that has not changed is their mutual love. Ever since the formation of the Republican party, Mr. Hick has been one of its stalwart supporters, and in 1908 he delayed his removal to Long Point in order to vote for William H. Taft, and the other candidates of the party.

HIERONYMUS, Benjamin (deceased). - The late Benjamin Hieronymus was a prominent and highly respected farmer of Livingston County, and an old resident of Belle Prairie Township. He built up for himself a lasting reputation as one who possessed in marked degree most excellent personal traits of character. Upright and honorable in his business transactions, and imbued with that generous public spirit that was always ready to assist in whatever was caleulated to promote the welfare of his county and community, it is small wonder that he attracted to himself many friends, or that his demise was sincerely mourned by the citizens of the entire township, as well as many outside its confines who had been honored by his acquaintance.

The family history shows that the name is found in the records of Germany many centuries back, the first of whom there is any definite knowledge being a minister, Sophronius Eusebius Hieronymus, who died at the advanced age of ninety years. The founder of the family in the New World came from Germany in 1765 and settled in the Blue Ridge region in Virginia, but in 1804 removed to Kentucky where he died in 1831. His great-grandson was William, and his grandson Benjamin, whose life this biography commemorates. William Hieronymus married Elvira Darnell, and both were natives of Virginia.

The birth of the late Benjamin Hieronymus occurred in Kentucky, January 13, 1818, and ten years later he was brought to Logan County, Ill., and endured all of the privations incident to pioneer life, learning early the stern lessons of necessity. In 1839 he located in Livingston County and on September 19th, of the same year, married Miss Alvira M. Darnell, a daughter of Valentine M. and Rachel (Steers) Darnell, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. She was born in Brown County, Ohio, in 1822. The Darnell family came to Livingston County in 1830, locating in Indian Grove Township at a time when they were almost the only settlers in this part of the country. Two tribes of Indians, however, occupied much of the land, the Pottawatomies and the Kickapoos. There were about 400 of them, and their chief was Shabona. Mrs. Hieronymus was only eight years old when the family established itself in this township, but she remembered clearly the exciting events of those days all her life and often held her descendants enthralled by her stories. This was before the passage of the act which dispossessed the Indians.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hieronymus settled in Indian Grove, and gradually added to their holdings until, at the time of the death of

Mr. Hieronymus, he owned 600 acres of excellent farming land, all of which was in a high state of cultivation. Much of his attention was devoted to stock-raising, and, as he was a lover of horses and thoroughly understood their breeding and care, he made a success in handling them. For many years he was one of the leaders in the Christian Church and conscientiously tried to live according to the teachings of his Master. When the summons came January 30, 1885, he was ready. knowing that he was fully prepared and realizing that he left behind him an unsullied name and a lasting record for probity and uprightness. His wife survived him until March 24, 1900, when she, too, died, happy in the consciousness of a life well spent in the service of the church and her family. Mr. and Mrs. Hieronymus were the parents of the following children: William H.; Jasper, who married Alvira Travis and resides on a part of the old homestead; Elizabeth, who married Charles H. Westervelt who owns the original homestead; three children who died in infancy; and Martin and Emeline who died after reaching maturity.

No mere words can express the influence for good upon a community, wrought by the lives of two noble characters like those of Benjamin Hieronymus and his wife. They reared their family in the fear of the Lord, gave them good educations and left them well provided for in this world's goods. Whenever and wherever they could they gave to the poor, lifted the fallen and comforted the afflicted, and no other monument is needed for them than the memory of their good deeds.

HIERONYMUS, William H. - To-day, gliding along over an almost perfect roadbed, leaning back in a comfortable car-seat, the traveler through Central Illinois has but a faint appreciation of what such a journey meant to the pioneer before modern invention profited by the explorations and privations of those sturdy forerunners of civilization that made possible the luxury of the twentieth century. The man of the '30s who sought a home in the now "Garden Spot of the World," Central Illinois, made his slow way sometimes on foot, or with a wagon sometimes drawn by oxen, loaded down with all he possessed, including wife and children, through forests that seemed endless; crossed rivers that threatened to sweep away the little party at each eddy of the current; braved the terrors of Indian attack and death from wild animals. He took months to accomplish what is now done in as many hours, but he builded for the future and for himself an everlasting monument of the gratitude of all coming generations. .

The records of Livingston County show several families specially prominent in its initial settlement and development, and, perhaps, of them all none are more worthy of mention than those bearing the names of Hieronymus and Darnell. The latter settled about 1830 when the Indians still possessed the land, but the head of this family heing a wise, as well as good, man, made friends of the still half-savage Indians and, after they were thrust further west by Act of Congress, these same Indians often returned to the Darnell home as visitors, especially in the springtime when sugar making insured them plenty of sweets. These visits oftentimes caused considerable trouble because of the failure on the part of the Indians to appreciate proper rights, and it required all of Mr. Darnell's diplomacy to prevent a rupture between his sometimes unwelcome guests and his neighbors.

William H. Hieronymus, residing on Section 5, Belle Prairie Township, is a grandson on the maternal side of this pioneer Darnell, and a son of Benjamin Hieronymus, who married Alvira Darnell. He was born November 23, 1840, on this same section, where he has always lived and contributed largely towards the development of its natural resources and its expansion into a most desirable portion of Livingston County. Benjamin Hieronymus was born in Madison County, Ky., while his wife was born in Boone County the same State. Benjamin was a son of William, the elder, and was born January 11, 1818. The Hieronymus family in 1828 came to Tazewell County, Ill., settling in what was afterwards called Hieronymus Grove, being one of the pioneers of that locality.

The early history of William H. Hieronymus is that of his township. Born soon after his father's settlement in what was then Indian Grove Township, he recalls with pleasure the exciting events of those days. While the Indians no longer infested the neighborhood as unfriendly foes, they were constant visitors and as common as the deer and wolves that preyed upon the cattle. While it was difficult to secure an education in those days, such instruction as was offered was eagerly seized upon by the ambitious young boys and girls, who endured untold privations trudging to school miles through the deep snows in those faraway winters. Mr. Hieronymus draws delightful mind pictures of the little primitive log cabin schoolhouse in which he learned the fundamental principles upon which he has built his. education. Listening to his words it is not difficult to imagine the quaint rough logs and chimney of mud and sticks on the outside, or the slabs inside. The pupils then sat on seats made of logs, while the writing table was a slab hewn by the axe of some public-spirited father. An open fireplace furnished heat; greased paper took the place of glass in the couple of windows, and a rude cupboard at one end held fuel and dinner baskets. The teacher, usually some future statesman still pursuing his own studies, was oftentimes unable to manage the great, strong frontier boys, and was forced to call upon some of his pupils for assistance. Occasionally, though, the one chosen as assistant, proved more a friend of pupil than teacher and notched the switch he was sent to procure. However, teacher and pupils formed lasting friendships and both profited by the association. The first teacher of Mr. Hieronymus was a Miss Jenkins, whom he remembers with respect. This was long before the establishment of the present publie school system and the schools were what was then known as subscription schools, each parent paying a certain amount for every child.

His school days ended, Mr. Hieronymus began doing a man's work on the farm of his father, which was a very large one, and he early learned how to be a good farmer and successful stock raiser. His father had bought a large tract of land from the Government paying $1.25 per acre. This land is now worth $200 per acre. The adyance in price is due to the efforts of these pioneers who redeemed the wilderness. Among other interesting facts Mr. Hieronymus mentions relative to those early days, is the fact that all taxes were paid in gold or silver, owing to the insecurity of paper currency. One man went the rounds collecting the taxes throughout the county, and carried the paper to Pontiac, where the bank there charged twenty-five cents on each dollar for exchange into gold of the depreciated paper money. Some idea of values in those days can be gained from the fact that $500 was suflicient to defray the taxes of the entire county of Livingston.

Another matter of interest is, that wheat was then cut with a "cradle" as it was called, and Benjamin Hieronymus. who was a mechanical genius, invented a machine by means of which the chaff was separated from the grain. When the Darnells settled in the county, the nearest mill was at Springfield, but, by the time William H. Hieronymus was old enough to go with his father, there was a mill at Kankakee. Young William was also taken to Chicago, then not more than a town, and he remembers well when wheat sold there for fifty cents a bushel. At that time salt was $5 per barrel. Now wheat is $1.10 per bushel, and salt only ninety-five cents per barrel. At Pontiac there was constructed what was then known as a hores-power mill, two stories in height, so arranged that the machinery could be propelled by a horse. Today, flour is bought from the merchant in barrel or sack, and yet in the mind of Mr. Hieronymus and many like him, much has been lost that then made life pleasant, while, of course, there have been great gains on every side.

William H. Hieronymus was married on January 27, 1897, to Miss Eliza Lytle, born February 17, 1865, in the West Indies, where her parents settled after their marriage. They were Thomas and Mary J. (Doonan) Lytle, both natives of Belfast, Ireland. The mother was brought to Galesburg by her parents when a girl. The father after establishing himself in the West ndies, went to Galesburg for his bride and wok her to his large ranch. However, her health became so poor, and as a sister of his had died, he sold his possessions and returned to Galesburg, finally settling in Chatsworth, Livingston County, where the father died March 24,1904. The family then removed to Fairbury, where the mother, who still survives, now resides. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lytle were: one who died in childhood; William, of Tingley, Iowa, married Belle Gibb; Eliza; Jennie, who married Howard Hartley, a farmer of Avoca Township; Emily, who married James A. Hartley; Letitia, who married George Jessup; Iva, who resides with her mother; Carrie, who is the widow of Benjamin Best, resides with her mother; Martin, of Tingley, Iowa; Adah, who married John Huette of Fairbury. Mr. and Mrs. Hieronymus are the parents of the following children: Florence A., born December 8, 1897; Mamie, born March 28, 1899; William Clifford, born October 30, 1901; Benjamin Lytle, born April 14, 1904.

For sixty-eight years Mr. Hieronymus has been identified with Belle Prairie, and has not only witnessed the many changes, but has participated. in them. His pleasant home, built about 1899, is a modern one, and fully supplied with all conveniences and appliances. The first piece of land he owned, was inherited from his father, and contained eighty acres. To this he has added until he now owns 296 acres, all of which is under cultivation. In politics he is a Democrat and has creditably filled many of the Township offices. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian and Presbyterian Churches, respectively. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and K. of P., and the Encampment of Odd Fellows, Fairbury, Ill.

HIERTH, Henry, a well known and much respected citizen of Pontiac, Ill., for nearly fortyfive years, and a veteran of the Civil War, now virtually retired from his accustomed labors, is a native of Germany, where he was born July 25, 1844. His parents, Henry and Mary (Hepp) Hierth, were both Germans by nativity, the occupation of the former being that of a cooper. Henry Hierth, the father, had taken part in the early revolutionary movements in Germany, and at the time of the "Revolution of 1848," in which he was also concerned, emigrated to the United States, not caring to remain longer the subject of a Government then so unstable, and to have his family confronted with the hazards of successive insurrections. On arriving in this country he located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and there died in 1856, his wife passing away in 1864. Both were members of the Lutheran church. They had but one child.

Henry Hierth, Jr., to whom this narrative pertains, received his education in the public schools of Cincinnati, and in 1864 came to Illinois, locating in Pontiac. In February, 1865, he enlisted in the Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cayalry, serving until October 31st, of the same year. On being mustered out he returned to Pontiac and secured employment as a custom shoe maker, later going into business for himself, where he continued until 1904, when he practically relinauished active pursuits. When a young man, living in Ohio, Mr. Hierth was a member of the Home Guard force which helped to drive Gen. John Morgan's troops back into Kentucky. In 1890 he built a very convenient and comfortable residence at No. 520, East Lincoln street in Pontiac. He was one of the most active workers

On April 17, 1870, Mr. Hierth was united in marriage with Sophia Zeh, who was born in Germany, January 29, 1848, a daughter of Julius and Frances (Fair) Zeh, natives of that country. The parents of Mrs. Hierth came to the United States in 1850, locating in Quincy, Il., where their last years were spent. Julius Zeh was a blacksmith and wagon-maker by trade. By the mother of Mrs. Hierth he had five children, and after her death, he married again, having two children by his second wife. All are living,

Ten children resulted from the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hierth, as follows: Anna, William and Rose, deceased; Harry, who married Bessie Ewing; Minnie, wife of Clyde Barber; Josephine. deceased; Louis, who was educated in the Pontiac High School, and is now a mail carrier in Pontiac; Edward, deceased in infancy; Fred; and Marie, whose education was received in the Pontiac High School.

Politically, Mr. Hierth is a Republican and has always taken an active part in local party contests, although never aspiring to public office. He is not a church member, but all bis children are connected with some church. His only society membership is with the Grand Army of the Republic.

HIGBEE, Samuel L. - In naming the representative citizens and progressive agriculturists of Livingston County, Ill., mention should be made of Samuel L. Higbee, who owns and operates an excellent property of 207 acres, located in Long Point Township. Mr. Higbee was born May 2, 1866, on the farm which he now owns, the son of Samuel and Sarah E. (Garard) Higbee. Samuel Higbee was born at what is now Atlantic City, N. J., April 6, 1827, and in 1859, at the age of twelve years, was taken to Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio. Later he entered forty acres of heavily timbered land in that section, which he cleared and, in 1849, went to Wisconsin, where he spent two years in the pineries. In the winter of 1851-52 he was engaged in work on the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad, driving his own team, in the fall of the latter year returning to Urbana, where he was married, September 29, 1856, to Sarah Elizabeth Garard. During the autumn of 1856, Mr. Higbee sold his property in Ohio, purchased a spring wagon, into which they loaded their family possessions, and after a long, weary trip overland, located on a rented farm near Wenona, Ill. In 1858, Mr. Higbee purchased eighty acres of land on Section 29, Reading Township, from Richard W. Hick, at which time the nearest market was at Ottawa, where Mr. Higbee was compelled to take his grain to exchange for family necessaries. Energetic and enterprising, Mr. Higbee became one of the most substantial men of his section, and at the time of his death, October 16, 1902, he owned 240 acres in Section 29, 320 acres in Sumner County, Kan., and property in Alabama and in Peoria County, Ill. His widow passed away May 6, 1906. In the early days Samuel

Higbee was a Whig, but on the organization of the Republican party, he became a member of that great organization, and so continued until the time of his death. He was simple in his social relations and in his habits. The poor and needy always found in him a friend, and a friend in a practical way. The sick he considered his personal charge, and he often spent many hours with those afflicted, reading to them passages from the Bible, of which he was a great student, and helping them in many ways to forget their troubles. He had the respect and esteem of the entire community, and it is safe to say that the community was better for his having lived in it. Both he and his wife were lifelong members of the Methodist church. They were the parents of these children: Mary, who died in infancy in 1857; Charles T., born in 1858, now a resident of Jackson, Tenn.; Etta J., born in 1860, the wife of H. ©. George, of Clifton, Colo.; Edwin S. born in 1864, a resident of Grand Rapids, Mich. ; Samuel L.; Jessie M., the wife of Robert M. Talbot, residing on the old homestead; Sarah L., born in 1871, a resident of Chicago, M1.; and Anna B., the wife of Frank Gahm, head of the Gahm-Dorman Manufacturing Company of Streator, Ij. All of these children were born on the home farm in Section 29, Long Point Township.

Samuel L. Higbee was educated in the public schools of his native vicinity, and, like his sisters and brothers, received an excellent education. Two brothers and three sisters became school teachers. In the fall of 1885, his father retiring from active farm life, young Higbee took charge of the place, which he operated until 1890, on September 11th of that year being married to Jennie Brumfield, born October 29, 1868, in Newtown Township, Livingston County, Ill., a daughter of Joseph and Charity (Townsend) Brumfield. Mr. Brumfield was born in Newtown Township December 2, 1836, being the first white child born in that township. He died on the farm on which he was born June 8, 1906. His wife was born near Ottawa, LaSalle County. Ill., October 7, 1845, married June 20, 1864, and still makes her home in Newtown Township. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brumfield, namely: Ira, born Jan. 19, 1867, died August 25, 1890; Jennie (Mrs, Higbee); Dilla, born December 30, 1870, died May 30, 1908; Minerva, born December 29, 1875, wife of William Carr, of Streator, Ill.; Olive, born March 11, 1878, wife of John Ahlgren, of Streator; and Elvin, born October 13, 1882, and resides in Streator. The mother of these children was a member of the United Brethren church. The father was a stanch Republican in political matters, and filled various offices. He was of a retiring nature, but a great reader and brilliant conversationalist, congenial and home-loving. On numerous occasions he left his home at night to take care of the sick or those who needed attention, and none ever left his door emptyhanded.

engaged in the livery business. In 1897 he sold out and moved to Ancona, but in 1898 returned to the old homestead, buying out the interest of the other heirs in 1905, Mr. Higbee is well qualified to speak of the growth and development of the section. As a boy he helped to break the wild prairie and haul grain to Ottawa, and he well remembers the building of the Pekin Branch of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. He now owns 107 acres of some of the best Jand in the township, and has been engaged in farming and stock raising.

Mrs. Higbee is a member of the Christian church. Prior to her marriage she was engaged in teaching school. She is socially connected with the Royal Neighbors, and is an earnest member of the W. C. T. U., while Mr. Higbee belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Odd Fellows. They have had these children: Ray, born January 5, 1892, died August 10, 1899; Ralph, born October 31, 1894, died February 23, 1895; Roy, born June 21, 1900, died February 16, 1905; and Ruth, born May 1, 1905.

HILTY, Burkhardt, a farmer in very comfortable circumstances, and much respected by all his neighbors, whose home is in Union Township, Livingston County, Ill, is a native of Switzerland, where his birth took place, May 25, 1855. His parents, Burkhardt and Margaret (Engler) Hilty, were also of Swiss nativity, and passed their entire lives in Switzerland, where the father was the owner of a small farm, on which he gained his livelihood. Their family consisted of seven children, Burkhardt Hilty, the subject of this personal record, being the only one of this number to cross the ocean. He was reared on his father's farm and, in boyhood, attended the public schools of his native land, remaining there until he was twenty-seven years of age. Then (in 1882) he came to the United States, sojourning in Chicago for the first few weeks after his arrival. He had learned the butchering trade in Switzerland, and from Chicago went to Bloomington, Ill., where he followed this occupation for two years. Thence he moyed to Odell, continuing in the same line of work until 1887, when he bought the farm in Union Township, consisting of 260 acres, upon which he located in the following year. At a later period he purchased a half-interest in another piece of land containing 160 acres, situated on the opposite side of the road, in Saunemin Township. He has since carried on general farming and stock raising in this locality, and from the outset has been very successful in all his undertakings.

On November 21, 1888, Mr. Hilty was united in marriage with Agatha Eggenberger, who was born in Switzerland, and came to this country with her parents in 1876. They settled in Livingston County, where her father died several years afterward. Her mother is still living. Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hilty, as follows: Burkhardt and Anna,

Politically, Mr. Hilty is a supporter of the Republican party, and has rendered efficient public service as School Director. He and his faithful wife are members of the Lutheran church.

HITCH, Stephen S., whose early experience as a farmer in Livingston County, Ill., was of the most strenuous character, whose record of gallant service during the Civil War was most creditable, and who afterwards became one of the most prominent citizens of his locality, where he is now living in retirement, was born at Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire, England, April 8, 1838, His father was Robert Hitch, a farmer, who together with the mother, Mary (Sharp) Hitch, came to the United States in 1863, proceeding directly to El Paso, Ill.. where the former followed his accustomed occupation throughout the remainder of his life. Both parents died at El Paso. They had a family of seven children, four of whom are living. Stephen S. Hitch was fifteen years old when he arrived in this country. He located at Washington, Ill., where he first worked as a farm hand, moved to El Paso, Woodford County, in 1854, where he resided and was engaged in farming until 1862. He had bought a farm in 1860 and sold it in 1862. In 1862. on August 27, he enlisted at El Paso, in the Fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Calvary, fighting under Gen. Grierson and other noted cavalry leaders. He was with that famous officer in his memorable raid through Mississippi, and was almost continuously under fire during the period of his active service. He was mustered out at Memphis, Tenn., June 15, 1865, having had an army career such as few privates in the great conflict ever excelled in constant and perilous activity. Mr. Hitch is a member of Eben G. Trask Post, No. 388, Grand Army of the Republic. On returning from the War he devoted his attention te farming, acquiring a handsome competency and ultimately relinquishing active exertions for a life of leisure. In 1865 he bought eighty acres on Section 4 Chatsworth Township, and in 1890 forty acres in Charlotte Township.

On June 17, 1864, Mr. Hitch was married to Henrietta Hitch, who was born in England and came to El Paso, Ill., in 1855, One son and one daughter resulted from this union, of whom the latter is deceased. The son, Dick W. Hitch, conducts the operation of the home farm, He married June 22, 1898, Miss Sadie Dann, of Chatsworth, Il. He and his wife are the parents of three children: Alfred S., Irene Kate and Florence.

Politically, Mr. Hitch has been a Republican since the organization of that party. He served seven years as Chairman of the Oliver and Corn Grove Drainage Board; as Township Assessor one year; seven years as President of the Board

HOBART, Gilbert J. - The life which this narrative describes began at Gratton, N. H., September 23, 1839, and closed in Livingston County. Ill, January 24, 1903. Genealogical records show that the family was established in New England in an early day and bore an honorable part in the development of that part of the country. Joshua, son of Nathan Blood Hobart, was born and reared in Vermont and married Lucy Heath, also a native of that State. During the infancy of their son Gilbert they removed as far west as Ohio, settling in Lake County where the father secured employment at the trade of a cabinet-maker. In that county he died at the age of eighty-four years, and there also occurred the death of his wife who' was seventy-nine at the time of her demise.

Upon starting out to earn his own way in the world, Gilbert A. Hobart was attracted by the possibilities of Illinois, where he took up land in McLean County and began the task of converting an unimproved tract into a productive estate. Not long afterward the Civil War aroused him to a sense of his duty to the Government, and eagerly he volunteered his services to the Union. As early as July of 1861 he was accepted as a member of Company K, Eighth Illinois Infantry, with which he marched to, the front and participated in many conflicts under the leadership of General Grant. At the expiration of his term of service he was honorably discharged in August, 1864, whereupon he returned to Me- Lean County with a military record of which he might well be proud. Never did he shirk his duty as a soldier, nor did he complain of the hardships and privations of camp life.

For three years after his return from the war Mr. Hobart remained at Oldtown, McLean County, and for four years he and his brother, Charles H., owned and operated a large gristmill at Leroy, McLean County, the plant being one which had been erected under their supervision. After disposing of his interest in the mill Mr. Hobart bought a farm in Empire Township, McLean County, and there for a long period successfully followed agricultural pursuits. Eventually he received a liberal offer for his holdings and disposed of the same in February of 1888, after which he bought 320 acres in Avoca Township, Livingston County, and there remained until his death. In addition to managing his landed and stock interests, he bore an active part in local affairs, held a number of township offices and was a leading Republican of his locality. Fraternally, he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic, while in religious views he held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.

The marriage of Gilbert A. Hobart and Elizabeth Dickerson was solemnized September 8, 1868. Mrs. Hobart was born near Leroy, Mc- Lean County, Ill., October 15, 1850, a daughter of Henry C. and Leodicy (Maxwell) Dickerson.

Her father was born in Whiteside County, UL, in 1825, and died May 20, 1900. Her mother was born near Bloomington, Ill., in 1829, and now makes her home in that city. The paternal grandparents, Michael and Jane (Rutledge) Dickerson, were natives of Kentucky, and became very early settlers of Illinois. The maternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth (Evans) Maxwell, natives of Virginia, also were honored pioneers of the State. In the family of Gilbert A. and Elizabeth Hobart there are the following named children: Henry ©., Bert J., William and Frank C., all of whom reside at Rockwell City, lowa; Frederick, who remains on the old homestead; Joseph G., living at Rensselaer, Ind.; George S., of Spencer, S. Dak.; and Lucy, who resides with her mother in Pontiac, Mrs. Hobart, having left the farm in the fall of 1907, since that time has occupied a comfortable home in Pontiac.

HOLMAN, Thomas L. H. - To those fortunate enough to possess farming land in Central Illinois, this portion of the United States seems the Garden of the World, an Eden from which there is no danger of expulsion. Among those thus fayored is Thomas L. H. Holman, a prosperous farmer resident of Livingston County, who resides upon his fertile farm of 205 acres, and enjoys a well-earned popularity in his Township. He is a son of Frank and Cassie (Leonard) Holman, the former born in New Jersey in 1799 and the latter in Ohio. At the age of twenty-five years Frank Holman came to Brown County and, with his brother James, rented land, later purchased a farm, and for that time and locality accumulated a large fortune. He lived to be eighty-four. His wife came of an old Brown County family, and one of her brothers defended his country during the War of 1812. After her death, the father married twice. By his first wife Frank Holman had eight children, four of whom still survive, and of them Thomas L. H. Holman is the youngest.

The birth of Thomas L. H. Holman occurred at Delapalma, Brown County, Ohio, October 10, 1834, and he remained there until 1856 when he removed to La Salle County, Ill., where for six years he farmed with his brother, and then in 1871 located on his present property in Livingston County. This land he has greatly improved, erecting on it all necessary buildings, all of which are kept in excellent condition.

On February 26, 1863, Mr. Holman was married to Tilda B. Belt, of Clermont County, Ohlo, an early schoolmate. Mrs. Holman is the daughter of a wealthy farmer and has three brothers, all of whom are physicians. Mr, and Mrs. Holman have no issue. They both attend the Methodist church. In politics Mr. Holman is a Democrat and has acceptably served his Township as Assessor, Supervisor and in every way striven to promote the general welfare of the community. Although he has spent an active life, working hard, Mr. Holman is well preserved and looks after his affairs personally. He has many friends throughout the County, and is

HORNBECK, Henry, for fifty-one years one of the prominent figures of Livingston County, is now living on Section 21, Indian Grove Township. He was born in Fayette County, Pa.. near what was at that time Cookstown, but is now called Fayette City, October 4, 1831, and is a son of Abram D. and Esther (Dobbs) Hornbeck. he is a native of New York and she of Ireland. The latter came with her parents to New York when she was a child. The Dobbs family settled in Fayette County, Pa. where she was married. Her birth occurred in 1809 and her husband's in 1808. The Hornbeck family comes of good old colonial stock, and is related by marriage with the Depew family, the maternal grandmother of Henry Hornbeck having been a Depew. The paternal grandparents all died in Pennsylvania, and the maternal grandparents died in Indiana. Mrs. Abram Hornbeck died in Fayette County about 1865. She and her husbuand had a large family, namely: two who died in infancy; John Depew, (deceased), left a family; James $. died at the age of eleven; Abram, a resident of Livingston County, enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment during the Civil War and is now living in Livingston County; Aaron, of West Newton, Pa.; Job, died about the age of eighteen in Pennsylvania; Mary, (deceased), married William F. Foster, and resided in Upper Middletown, Pa.; Diana, a resident of Fayette County. Pa., married H. T. Duff and has a large family; Susanna, single and living in Jefferson County, Ohio.

Henry Hornbeck grew to manhood in his native State, learning farm work and going to school when opportunity offered. He turned his hand to any kind of honorable work until 1856, when he was attracted toward the West. With this idea in view he wrote to his cousin, Hugh McKee, in Livingston County. who replied that he could not do better than come, but it was six months later before he made up his mind, and then on September 10, 1857. he left the old home and came by train to Chicago, thence to Pontiac. From there he set out to walk to his cousin's, a distance of sixteen miles. On his way he passed through the present site of Fairbury, which then was represented only by the grade for the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad. In fact, there were only two houses between Pontiac and Squire McKee's home, six miles southwest of Fairbury. There he found work by the day, but soon after his arrival Mr. McKee, who was operating a little store, decided to take advantage of Mr. Hornbeck's presence and get married. Therefore, Mr. Hornbeck was put in charge of everything at a salary of $16 per month, and Mr. McKee went to Decatur and was married. Later Mr. Hornbeck engaged to work for seventy-five cents per day for John Vail during harvest, and when he was through took Mr. Vail's note for $56. This note he traded to Frank Cooper for a yoke of oxen. In the meanwhile he made ar- rangements with his cousin to work a tract of forty acres for five years for the crops, agreeing to clear off the land. However, after he had put up a little cabin and become well settled, Mr. Me- Kee sold the property, and Mr. Hornbeck formed a partnership with Isaiah Conn to quarry stone, and this continued until Mr. Conn enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The partnership was dissolved, but Mr. Conn gave Mr. Hornbeck forty of the eighty acres he had bought, for the latter to break and fence for his share of the profits, and thus Mr. Hornbeck secured his first piece of land. He had landed in Livingston County with $1.25 in his pocket. As he was improving his forty acres, he also bought a mill known as the Jones Mill on Indian Creek and operated it as a sawmill for a number of years. At the same time he commenced buying a small piece of land eleven and one-half acres on Section 21, upon which he has since erected his beautiful home. He owns 141 acres now in addition to some town property, a pretty gopd return upon the investment of $1.25 and. his youthful vigor and energy.

On January 8, 1878, Mr. Hornbeck married Sarah Jane Moore, who was born near Fairbury on the farm now owned by Carl Muntz, on March 4, 1842, a daughter of Isom and Polly Ann (Spence) Moore, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky. They both were brought to Illinois in 1832, when she was eleven and he was sixteen. At the extremely youthful age of fourteen she was married, and they had four children: James L, died in 1902 aged sixty-two years; Mrs. Hornbeck; Susanna K., wife of Henry Hudson of Harper, Kas.; John H., near Francisville, Ind. Mrs. Hornbeck's mother died December 19, 1901, and the father on August 6, 1893. Both were typical pioneers who were among the first to settle in Indian Grove Township. They were Methodists in religious faith and most excellent people, and carried out in their lives the faith which was theirs. Generous, open-hearted, they did an immense amount of good and were loved by all who knew them. Mr. and Mrs. Hornbeck have been the parents of the following children: Hank B., born April 28, 1878, died February 27, 1895; Harry Dell, born in 1880, died in infancy ; Harvy, born September 10, 1881, died July 17, 1901; Bessie, born March 22, 1883, married William V. Wilson and they have two children, Maleto Ida Jane and Milo B.; Daisy, born May 28, 1885, married William Henderson a farmer in Indian Grove Township and they have three children : Willma, Glena and William Henry.

Mrs. Hornbeck was married prior to her marriage with Mr. Hornbeck, her first husband being Preston Harrison, a native of Tennessee, with whom she was united in marriage on December 4, 1860. He served three years in the war and was honorably discharged in 1865, when he returned home and remained until December 26, 1872, when he left home, returned to Tennessee and never was heard of afterward. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison had six children: Elizabeth Ann, wife of William B. Way, a farmer of Indian Grove

Henry Palmer

Township, and they have two living children - Jennie and Nellie; Richard (deceased), left his wife and one child - Justia Fern; Rosiana, deceased), married Henry Thorp of Oklahoma, and left four children - S. Blanch, Pearl, Lloyd and Roy; Benjamin A., of Fairbury; James Noah (deceased) ; Lilly, married Henry Darnell, a farmer near Fairbury, and has five children - Dennis D., Grover, Darius, Forrest and Virgil.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hornbeck came on foot to the home he had prepared for her, and their married life has been a very happy one, although they have had to work very hard. Of the 141 acres, he cleared sixty of timber, grubbing out the stumps. The excellent orchard and fine ornamental trees surrounding the house have all been planted by him and they now have one of the best farms in the county. At one time he operated as much as 500 acres, and dealt extensively in cattle buying and shipping, meeting with deserved success. Mrs. Hornbeck is a Christian Science believer, and while Mr. Hornbeck is not connected with any special church, he strictly observes the Sabbath Day and gives liberally to the support of several religious denominations. While public-spirited, he has not desired public office, although he has served as Director of the School Board of District No. 135. He cast his first vote for Gen. Pierce in 1852, and for Lincoln in 1864, since which time he has been a Republican. Although he has joined the Odd Fellows and received his card, he has not handed it in. His exceeding good nature is such as to gain him many friends and to it he attributes his excellent health.

HOWARTH, Colonel D., one of the substantial representatives of the farming interests of Livingston County and a member of one of the pioneer families of Illinois, who resides on Section 6, Belle Prairie Township, was born in Peoria County, Ill., November 18, 1848, a son of John and Catherine (Lonsdale) Howarth, and grandson of Richard and Martha (Greenwood) Howarth. The family originated -in England, where the grandfather was born in 1780 and the grandmother in 1775. The father, John Howarth, was also born in England, and in 1842 the family migrated to the United States, landing in New Orleans on May 1st of that year, and going thence to Peoria County, Ill., where the grandfather Richard died near Edwards Station, Ill., August 12, 1844, his widow surviving until May 31, 1857, when she, too, passed away. Her remains are interred beside those of her husband in the cemetery of the Episcopal church in Limestone Township, Peoria County.

The grandparents were married in England in 1805 and had children as follows: Grace, born July 26, 1806, died in England; Mary, born December 9, 1808, died in England, February 4, 1877, was married to John Kershaw, who died March 4, 1876; George, born April 29, 1809, died in England at the age of twenty-seven years; Samuel, born in England, December 2, 1810, died in Aurora, Ill., August 9, 1844; James H., born April 14, 1812, died in England, May 26, 1883, and his wife Mary died May 19, 1873, aged sixtyone years; David, born June 2, 1816, died in England, May 7, 1874, and his wife Sarah died July 4, 1868, aged forty-two years; Maria, born September 2, 1818, died in England in infaney; Ann, born June 23, 1820, married James Greenough and both died at Wilson, Kan,, the former on May 1, 1894, and her husband January 5, 1888; Susanna, born February 9, 1822, married John Hindale, and died at Brimfield, 111., March 12, 1903; Richard, born April 12, 1824, died February 3, 1904, at Edwards, Peoria County, his wife Alice dying January 25, 1887, aged fifty-eight years; Edward, born June 4, 1826, died in England at the age of eighteen months. Five of the children of Richard Howarth came to America with him: Samuel, John, Ann, Susanna and Richard, and they all settled in Peoria County.

County, where Mr. Howarth engaged in mining, which occupation he had followed in England. Mrs. Howarth died in August, 1851, having borne her husband three children: Earnest and Thomas, who died of cholera, and Colonel D., the subject of this sketch. John Howarth was married again, July 18, 1852, his second wife being Mrs. Selina (Fielding) Brierly, who died June 7, 1896, after passing her seventy-sixth birthday, while John Howarth passed away December 18, 1888. By his second marriage John Howarth had these children: Sarah Ann, who was born July 11, 1853, married John O'Connor of Peoria, on September 19, 1895; Salina, born February 8, 1857, married David Hindle, a resident of Amelia, Va., on September 6, 1883; and a son John, Jr., who was born February 11, 1855, married Mandella Harker. He died July 11, 1893. There were two children of the first marriage of Mrs. Selina Howarth: James +. Brierly, born February 27, 1847, a resident of Moulton, Iowa, and Benjamin Brierly, born December 16, 1848, a resident of Kansas City, Mo. There were also two adopted sons: Alexander Rook, born July 8, 1860, and William Greenfielder, born September 7, 1875.

The early life of Colonel D. Howarth was passed on his father's farm and attending school, although his advantages for securing an education were few. His father, John Howarth, had discovered coal on his land and the young lad was kept busy working in the mine. He remained with his father until he was twenty-five years of age, when he received a farm of 120 acres on Section 6 for his faithful service, and became a resident of Belle Prairie Township, Livingston County. There was a small frame house on the property and here he lived with his sister Sarah Ann, who kept house for him. On September 13, 1875, he married Miss Ellen Lonsdale, who was born in Peoria County, Ill., November 5, 1854, a daughter of William and Ann (Wamsley) Lonsdale, natives of Lancashire,

England, who were married there and emigrated to America in the early 'forties, settling in Peoria County among the early pioneers. Mr. Lonsdale was the only one of his family to come to America and his wife was also the only representative of her family in the New World. A brother of Mr. Lonsdale, John, died in England, December 16, 1903. Mrs. Lonsdale, born in England, January 2, 1832, died in Peoria County, September 13, 1895, while Mr. Lonsdale, born in England, May 24, 1820, died December 16, 1903, in Peoria County. Mr. and Mrs. Lonsdale had children as follows: Joseph, born March 15, 1852, married, August 17, 1885, Clara Caley, and they live at Davenport, Neb.; Ellen, born November 5. 1854; Sarah J., born June 10, 1857, widow of Andrew Johnson of Peoria County, her husband being a native of Sweden to whom she was married June 12, 1895, and who died April 15, 1900, she having previously been the wife of William Francis; Richard, born March 17, 1859, married, October 5, 1896, Grace Freeze, who was born March 15, 1867, and is a farmer in Peoria County; James A., born in March, 1861, married, May 2, 1889, Maria Clausen, and lives near Hanna. Peoria County ; Mary, born May 29, 1863, married, June 8, 1897, James Crow, and resides at Hanna City, 111.; Abel C., born June 24, 1866, married, September 28, 1892, Mary Christopher, and is a farmer in Peoria County; Alice, born October 17, 1870, died January 11, 1892, and is buried in the Episcopal church cemetery in Limestone Township, Peoria County. Mrs. Howarth was reared in the faith of the Church of England, but both she and her husband have identified themselves with the Christian church and brought up their children in that faith. They are very active in its good work and have many friends not only in the church but throughout the entire county,

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Howarth are: Sarah Lina, born July 17, 1876, is at home; Bessie Jane, born May 24, 1879, was engaged in teaching, but is now at home. Both young ladies are well educated and charming in manner, well read and highly intelligent. They assist their parents in making their home one of the most pleasant in their locality, and a delightful gathering place for their friends. For thirty-five years Mr. and Mrs. Howarth have resided upon their present homestead, increasing their original real estate holding to 342 acres, all in excellent condition and supplied witr all modern and substantial buildings. Mir. Howarth, as are the members of his family, is a Republican, although he has never aspired to public office, his time being .ully occupied with his affairs. Such people as the Howarths make Livingston County what it is today, and back up the claim made for it that it is one of the best residence sections of the State.

HOYT, Stephen A, (deceased), formerly a banker of recognized ability and pure moral character, in Forrest, Livingston County, Il, a veteran of the Civil War, a citizen who held a high place in the esteem of his fellow townsmen, having probably done more than any other man towards the upbuilding of the Village of Forrest, and one whose death was an occasion of mourning in all parts of the county, was born in Ulster County, N. Y., July 27, 1884. His parents were Curtis and Maria A. (Myer) Hoyt, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively. Both died before reaching the age of fifty years, the father spending his last days in Delaware County in the latter State. By occupation he was a hatter, a trade which he followed for many years. The mother passed away in Saugerties, N. Y., about the year 1855, a short time previous to the death of her husband. Their family was composed of seven children, as follows: Stephen A.; Sarah (Mrs. Turner); Theodore, deceased; Francis M., of Pontiac, Ill.; Peter M., deceased; George, who died in infancy ; and Elizabeth (Mrs. Thomas J. Kerr), of Washington. The second son, Theodore, became a sailor and being shipwrecked on the shores of the Fiji Islands, married the daughter of a missionary there.

Stephen A. Hoyt left home at the age of seyenteen years, going to Kingston, N. Y., where he learned the trade of a carpenter, but returned in three years, and after the death of his parents, remained on the home place until August, 1857. At that time he started west with a kit of tools and $49 in money. Stopping at Chicago for awhile, he went thence to Prairie du Chien, Wis., staying there two months. From that point he went to Bloomington, Ill., and in April, 1858, to Eureka, Woodford County, following his trade in the various places of his temporary abode. On May 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Seyenteenth Regiment. Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Capt. O. A. Burgess, commanding, and was soon nromoted te be Second Sergeant. Going with his regiment to the front, he took part in the Battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded in the arm. He made an urgent request of his superior officers that he should not be sent to the hospital, and accordingly was detailed to light duty at brigade headquarters, acting in the capacity of clerk for Gen. William R. Rowley.

At the formation of the military division of the Mississippi, he was assigned to duty at General Grant's headquarters, Nashville, Tenn. A number of army orders signed by General U. S. Grant were placed in his hand for safe delivery at various army posts. Several of these orders, in the General's own handwriting, were preserved by Sergeant Hoyt as mementoes of service and are in Mrs. Hoyt's possession. On General Grant's promotion to the supreme command of all the Union forces, Gen. W. T. Sherman, his department successor, honored Mr. Hoyt by appointing him Department Detective. His commission is dated at Nashville Tenn., May 6, 1864, and reads as follows:

"To whom it may concern: Stephen A. Hoyt, Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, is an authorized detective from this office. The authorities will render him all assistance necessary for the performance of his duties, by command of Major-General W. T. Sherman."

Mrs. Henry Palmer

"Sir: You will proceed at once to Columbus, Tenn., and such other points on the Nashville & Decatur Railroad as may be necessary, for the purpose of collecting evidence and information as to the cotton transactions of T. W. Lelsee and Isaac Milner.

The above shows the trustworthiness and moral and mental stability that were Mr. Hoyt's, which characteristics ruled his later years, and which same caught the attention and commanded the respect and faith of those supreme in command over him as a soldier.

mustered out at Springfield, Ill., in July, 1864. receiving his honorable discharge. Returning to Woodford County, he was engaged in contracting and building at Eureka until the spring of 1865, when he located at Forrest, Livingston County, embarking first in the lumber and livestock business and, at a later period, in the grain trade. On January 5. 1885, he established a banking institution at Forrest under the style of S. A. Hoyt & Co., having a capital stock of $25,- 000, and with this enterprise he was identified up to the time of his death. He was a very liberalminded man, tolerant of opposing opinion, ana courteous and considerate towards all. In all the virtues and attributes pertaining to his wellregulated life, none exhibited his inherent worth more noticeably than the love that found expression in his home circle. As he was regarded outside as a model business man, he was if such a thing was possible, a more blameless pattern in his domestic life. . The marriage of Mr. Hoyt took place October 8, 1865, on which date Rutilia Gillum became his wife. Mrs. Hoyt, who still survives, and is the object of unfeigned regard among a wide circle of friends, was born in Christian County, Ky., in 1840, a daughter of James and Eleanor C. (Harvey) Gillum, being the only surviving member of a family of six children. Her parents were natives of Kentucky, where the birth of the father «occurred in 1813, and that of the mother, in 1817. The former died in Missouri at the age of sixty years; and the mother passed away in Forrest, Ill., when seventy-nine years old.

Stephen A. Hoyt departed this life February 11, 1905. He was long a member of the Christian Church, to which his estimable widow also belongs. Politically, he was a Republican with strong Prohibition principles. He was influential in the local councils of his party, and served the public with efficiency and fidelity as Supervisor, School Director and Justice of the Peace. He was tendered the office of County Treasurer by his party leaders, but declined the honor. He

The faithful companion of his honorable and useful career is passing her waning years, surrounded by every material comfort and solaced by the kindly solicitude of steadfast friendship. She is the owner of an attractive residence in Forrest, and among her other possessions are 320 acres of land in Kossuth County, Iowa, 960 acres in South Dakota. and valuable property at Sioux Falls, in the same State.

HUMISTON, Bennet (deceased). - In the annals of its agriculture and the minds of its older generation, Livingston County treasures the name and attainments of its erstwhile genial and popular associate, Bennet Humiston. During the thirty-one years of his sojourn here, from the summer of 1852 until his death, November 15, 1883, Mr. Humiston gave such evidence of his general ability, such knowledge of the theory and practice of his chosen calling. and such undisputable proof of his belief in the gospel of industry and honesty, as to win sincere appreciation during his life time, and permanent remembrance now that he is no more.

Advantages and stepping stones in the life of Mr. Humiston included good birth, strong mental endowment and practical, useful ideals. There was nothing of the visionary about him, and he set little store by the merely ornamental or #sthetic attributes of man. Born in Litchfield County, Conn., September 6, 1830, he drew inspiration from an early American ancestry recruited from England. and which long had been connected with the landed interests of the Nutmeg State. He was the namesake of his father, born in Litchfield County, and his mother, a native of the same part of the State, formerly was Emily Warner. Of their three sons and one daughter, the two surviving sons still live in Litchfield County, Conn., while the daughter, who became the wife of George Woodruff, the latter now a resident of Eldorado, Mo., died during the early '80s. Mrs. Woodruff's daughter became the wife of George Crawford, an extensive horse purchaser of Pontiac.

Until his twenty-first year Bennet Humiston lived on his father's farm in Connecticut, and in the meantime equipped himself for larger responsibility by attending the publie schools and a private academy at Warren. Growing out of, rather than into, his surroundings of conservatism, he responded to the call of the Central West in 1852, inspired to this step by his friend, Apollos Camp, who the year previous had journeyed to Livingston County, Ill., in search of the great boon of health. Mr. Camp already owned a half-section of the land in Livingston County, and with Mr. Humiston he took up a whole section in Esmen Township, the greater part of it unplowed land, and bearing many evidences of primitive occupation and inactivity. The following spring Mr. Camp brought his wife and son to his prairie home, leaving behind his daughter

Harriet, who was attending school in the East, and who joined him a year and a half later. The partners continued to make continual progress in the cultivation of their large tract, devoting it largely to stock-raising, in which they were both well versed and profoundly interested.

The marriage of Mr. Humiston and Harriet Camp occurred May 22, 1856, and the couple continued on the same farm until 1876, when they moved to Pontiac, from where Mr. Humiston managed his large interests, and attained large success as a breeder of Norman horses, cattle and hogs. He took great interest and felt great pride in his beautiful thoroughbred horses, and at times had a herd of a hundred or more. He maintained a high standard of stock-raising, and his reputation as a breeder and authority on stock was unexcelled in the county for many years. He had a thorough knowledge of realty values, invested always with rare wisdom and discretion, and in time became the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land. all of which now is held by his widow, and part of which was left her by her father. The people of Pontiac have a continual remiuder of this early landsman and his partner, Mr. Camp, for three additions, the Humiston and Camp, and the Camp have been platted from the land, to the cultivation of which they devoted their rugged energies. Mr. Humiston built the present family home in 1875, and at that time it was the most beautiful and costly architectural structure in Livingston County. As a landmark it is invested with the distinction of fong association with passing events, and about its lines is a certain pride and nobility attainable only by the things that are strong, dependable and useful.

Throughout his voting life Mr. Humiston professed Democratic attachment, but his personal responsibilities were too engrossing to permit of political aspirations. He served, however, as Alderman of the city, and was keenly interested in its educational, governmental and general development. An enthusiastic fraternalist, he was a member of the Odell Lodge A. F. & A. M., and an attendant at the Episcopal Church, to which belonged his parents and his own early allegiance. A man of great energy and foresight, a master of the science of accumulation, which is little more than the art of saving. and a believer in the qualities of courtesy, consideration, fairness and dependability, he maintained on a large scale and in their most enlightened form, creative interests which ever must be regarded as of paramount importance in the growth of this part of the country. We know of no career in the past of Pontiac and vicinity which furnishes more encouraging or inspiring phases than does that of Mr. Humiston, or any which attached to itself in larger measure the esteem and good will of friends and associates.

A continual reminder of the successful life of her prominent husband is the wife who survives him, ocenpying the stately home so long identified with the fortunes of the Humiston family. Mrs. Humiston was born in Litchfield County,

Conn., and her whole life has responded to advantages for the cultivation of heart and intellect. A calm mind, reposeful manner and delightful sympathy project her into the heart of affairs in the community, and she is one of its rarest exponents of well directed and practical philanthropy. The proper use of wealth has been one of her profoundest considerations, and the extent of her benefactions probably never will be known save by those who have directly profited by them. For the grounds and building of the Y. M. C. A., she donated upwards of $26,000, and sh» also gave a property to be used as an Episcopal rectory. It is doubtful if any wise appeal for her interest and practical co-operation goes unheeded, and she is well beloved for her timely assistance in the case of young people handicapped in their ambitions by poverty or other limitations. It would seem that love for humankind is the dominant note in her personality, and this she exhales in her individual deeds and her every day of life.

HUMMEL, Henry, a well known and thrifty farmer of Germanville Township, Livingston County, Ill., who, during his many years of residence in his present locality, has gained the reputation of a thoroughly reliable man and a useful citizen, was born in Kendall County, Il., March 13, 1858, a son of Anton and Magdalina (Arnold) Hummel, both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, whose marriage took place in Kendall County in 1857. The father, a stone-mason by occupation, was born in 1826, and emigrated to the United States in 1854, proceeding directly to Kendall County, Ill., where he worked at his trade five years. Then he moved to Livingston County, where, out of his savings, he bought a farm of 320 acres in Germanville Township. On this place he followed farming successfully for many years, dying February 28, 1906, when eighty-two years old. He and his wife reared a family of three sons and one daughter, of whom the latter is deceased. The sons are now farmers in Livingston County. Henry Hummel grew to manhood on the home farm, receiving his education in the district schools. In early life he started out for himself, and has since devoted his attention to farming, in which his labors have been attended by success, he now owning 240 acres of land.

On February 7, 1882, Mr. Hummel was first married to Matilda Froebe, a daughter of Nicholas and Carolina (Gimble) Froebe, natives of- Kur-Hessen. Germany, who settled in 1858, in Livingston County, Ill., where the daughter was born. Mrs, Froebe died in California in 1906, and Mr. Froebe still makes his home in Los Mr, Hummel's first wire died July 4, 1898, leaving three sons and one daughter: Frank A., a farmer of Germanville Township, who married, February 22, 1908, Lena Hornickel, a native of Livingston County; Catherine C.; Fidel C., and Charles E. On July 29, 1899, Mr. Hummel took a second wife in the person of Mary Gerbig, a daughter of Henry and Bertha (Fox) Gerbig, natives of Kur-Hessen,

Germany, who came to America in 1866 and engaged in truck farming in Chicago, where both died, the father January 23, 1908, and the mother December 3, 1907. To Mr. Hummel's second marriage there haye been born a son, Clarence H., and a daughter, Hazel Amelia.

Politically, Mr. Hummel is a Democrat, and for several years has held the office of Supervisor and Road Commissioner, and at the present time is Township Assessor and School Trustee, a Director of the Farmers' National Bank of Strawn, and a Director of the Forrest Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The family are members of the Lutheran church,

HUTSON, Nathan, one of the most enterprising and prosperous farmers of Rooks Creek Township, Livingston County, Ill., owning 340 acres of well improved land, mainly acquired through his own industry and thrifty management, was born in Adams County, Ohio, August 9, 1855, a son of Handy and Susan (Gutridge) Hutson, natives of that County. The paternal grandfather, Henry Hutson, was born June 15, 1807, in Maryland, and his wife, Margaret (Hopkins) Hutson, was born May 13, 1804. Henry Hutson died May 17, 1894, in Adams County, Ohio, while his wife died in the same county, March 29, 1870. James Gutridge, the maternal grandfather, was a Kentuckian by birth, born August 2, 1813, died August 23, 1876. His wife, Mary (Breckenridge) Gutridge, was born in Kentucky, November 18, 1816, and died November 29, 1900. She was a relative of the famous Kentucky statesman, John C. Breckenridge. The maternal grandparents came to Livingston County, Il., in 1857, locating on a farm in Rocky Creek Township which he had bought. It comprised forty acres, to which they added thirty acres and lived upon it until they bought another farm, three miles east of the one now occupied by Nathan Hutson, which consisted of 140 acres, and upon this property occurred the death of the old pioneer, James Gutridge. His widow survived him and died in Pontiac.

he was a Democrat in politics and a prominent factor in local affairs, having served successively as Collector, Assessor, Supervisor and in other township ottices. He and his wife were the parents of three children: Nathan; Mrs. E. M. Thornton, of Pontiac; and Cora E., wife of Jesse J. Green of McDowell, Livingston County. Handy Hutson died May 27, 1897, aged sixty-six years, two months, his wife surviving him until September 24, 1900, when she died, aged sixtythree years, seven months, eighteen days. Nathan Hutson received his education in the common schools, his youth being passed on the home farm. He has always followed farming, and at one time was the owner of 440 acres of land, of which he still retains 340, becoming possessed of the greater part of it as the result of his own exertions. Aside from general farming he devotes his attention to stock-raising, and especially to the breeding of Duroc-Jersey swine. The marriage of Mr. Hutson took place at the bride's home near McDowell, September 27, 1877, Mary A. Green becoming his wife on that date. Mrs. Hutson was born in McLean County, Ill., June 16, 1856, and is a daughter of John E. and Eliza (Warren) Green, natives of Lancashire, England. Her parents came to the United States in 1855, locating in McLean County, Ill., whence, in 1857, they moved to McDowell, Livingston County, near which place Mr. Green still lives. Their family consisted of eight children, two of whom are deceased. The mother died July 7, 1880. By a second marriage, Mr. Green became the father of four children, all living. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hutson: James Thomas, born September 27, 1881; and Florence May, born April 11, 1883, who died in infancy. James T. Hutson who received his education in the common schools, conducts the paternal farm, and also operates eighty-eight acres cf land, which are his own property. He was married January 1, 1902, to Bertha A. Weist, a native of Livingston County, Ill., and a daughter of John D. and Emma A, (Cartwright) Weist, of Rooks Creek Township, in the same county. Two children have resulted from this union: Benna Bernice, born June 20, 1903; and John Handy, born July 7, 1905. Politically, James T. Hutson is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the Baptist church. Nathan Hutson is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party, although he never entertained any desire for public office. He is not connected with any religious denomination, but Mrs. Hutson is a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JACKSON, Ethan A. (deceased), for twentynine years one of the principal merchants of Chatsworth, Ill, a man of high character and considerable financial resources, was born tia Harrison, Hamilton County, Ohio, November 17, 1835, a son of John and Ruth Ann (Riggs) Jackson, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jerse", respectively, who moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, at an early period. Later they went to Harrison, Hamilton County, where in 1849, John Jackson established the first pottery, and there they continued to reside the remainder of their lives. Ethan A. Jackson, who was one of a family of six children, came from Ohio to Chatsworth, Ill., in 1866 and opened a hardware store, which he conducted until 1895. He built up a large business and prospered greatly, acquiring a handsome competency and gaining a high reputation for honorable dealing and fidelity to the obligations of citizenship. His death took place in Chatsworth, April 8, 1898. In political matters he was a Republican, but a stalwart supporter of Prohibition principles.

Mr. Jackson was twice married, first to Mary A. Morrison, in Pennsylvania in December, 1861, and who died September 27, 1872. She was the mother of three children: a daughter who died aged eighteen years; Henry E., a resident of Lovington, IN., and Albert O., who lives at Vandalia, Mo. On December 25, 1877, Mr. Jackson married Eliza J. Colver, a native of Allentown, Pa., and daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Hoftman) Colver, natives of Lehigh County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Colver were both born in 1806, They came to Illinois in 1844 and settled in Whiteside County, but after spending one winter there, removed to Bureau County, where, although an architect by profession, Mr. Colver engaged in farming. He died in 1888, his wife having passed away in 1880, both in the faith of the Methodist church. In politics, Mr. Colver was a Republican. Mrs. Jackson, a woman of high character, who survives her husband, occupies the family residence, which is one of the finest residence properties in Chatsworth. In religious faith, Mr. Jackson was connected with the Christian church, while his highly respected widow is a member of the Baptist denomination.

JENKINS, Albanus L. - The influence of the Quakers on any community in which they may live is very marked and always for good. The qualities which are characteristic of their belief are those which lead toward simplicity of life, honesty of purpose and strictness of self-control. No Quaker ever takes an oath; it is against his belief to do so, but his affirmation is always accepted. The Quaker's yea and nay is as good as any other man's written promise, and for these reasons and many others they are always welcome members of all communities. Albanus L. Jenkins, a farmer on Section 27, Long Point Township, is a member of the Society of Friends, and during his long and useful life has lived according to the Quaker faith. He was born in Montgomery County, Pa., July 24, 1833, a son of Jesse and Mary (Ambler) Jenkins, poth natives of Pennsylvania. The Jenkins family originally came from Wales, both parents of Jesse Jenkins having been born there. They came to Pennsylvania, and settled in Montgomery Township, where the family remained until 1840, when Jesse Jenkins, who, as were the other members of the family, was a strict Quaker, left Pennsylvania, and coming to IMinois settled in Peoria, where he bought Congressland in Hallack Township, and on that farm he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, she dying in 1872, aged sixty-eight, and he on October 28, 1890, aged ninety-four. The following children were born to them: Lydia, who makes her home with her brother Albanus; John, died March 11, 1898; Albanus, who grew to maturity, and five who died in childhood. Jesse Jenkins was one of the reliable, responsible residents of his locality. In politics he was a Republican.

When brought to Illinois, Albanus Jenkins was seven years of age, and he was reared upon the farm and endured many of the hardships of pioneer life. His education was received in the public schools, and he remained at home until the war broke out, when he enlisted in Company C, Highty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three years, or until the close of the war. The date of his enlistment was August 13, 1862. The regiment was organized at Peoria, and he was mustered into service August 27, 1862, On August 27th of every year the Eighty-sixth Regiment has, for the past twenty years, had a reunion at Peoria which proves very entertaining. From Peoria the regiment was sent to Louisville, Ky., where Albanus Jenkins was taken sick, but the regiment went on to Bowling Green, Ky. As soon as he recovered, Albanus rejoined his regiment at Bowling Green, Ky., and from. thence they were sent to Nashville, and remained there during the winter of 1863. From Nashyille the regiment was sent to Buzzard's Roost. In the fall of 1863 he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and sent to Louisville, Ky., and there was assigned to hospital duty on a transport, and was thus engaged until August 25, 1865, when he was mustered out of the service at Louisville and honorably discharged.

Returning home he resumed his farming duties, but in 1867 removed to Livingston County, where he bought 160 acres of laúd on Section 27, Long Point Township, which he hus since made his home. The land was raw prairie and there was not a tree or shrub on it, but he went to work to cultivate it. He put up a frame house, 16x20 feet, and a story and a half in height. Having prepared a home for his bride, he was married September 6, 1868, in Peoria, Ill., to Phebe E, Hamlin, who was born in Northhampton, Peoria County, a daughter of Reuben B. and Betsy (Reed) Hamlin, who were both natives of Massachusetts. By trade Reuben B, Hamlin was a cabinetmaker but during his declining years he conducted a hotel at Northhampton, Mr. Hamlin was born March 18, 1883, and died September 29, 1859; his wife, born August 18, 1815, died May 12, 1875 - both dying in Peoria County. They had children as follows: William, born August 19, 1886, is deceased; Joseph J., born March 6, 1839, enlisted in the Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Regiment, and participated in seventeen battles, and in Sherman's March to the Sea - is now a resident and retired farmer of Seward, Neb.; Maria L., born Sept. 19, 1841, died November 27, 1842; Marion A., born November 28, 1543; Edw. A., born February 12, 1847, died February 24, 1847; Adelaide Ð., born February 17, 1848, married William Gullitt and died December 10, 1904; Phoebe, born March 27, 1851; Alfred B., born April 9, 1854, died November 27, 1860.

After his marriage, Albanus took his wife to their new home, and they began their married life on the raw farm. In time they added zo their possessions and now own 200 acres in Long Point Township and 140 in Green County, lowa. The Long Point farm was gradually placed under cultivation, and they have made many important improvements on it, built a comfortable home to take the place of the original one, and added barns and other outbuildings. The following children have been born

The descendants of this family inelude the following: Children of Samuel C. and Mary E. (Jenkins) Anderson - Sadie R., born January 9, 1891; Charles, born October 2, 1892; Mabel, born September 9, 1894; Roy, born August 31, 1896; Louis, born December 10, 1898; Nellie E., born March 13, 1901; Bertha, born August 3, 1903; Wilbur W., born April 15, 1906. Allen F., and his wife, Matilda (Stepp) Jenkins have one son, Howard L., born November 15, 1907. Emma E. Jenkins, who married H. C. Hensen, has two children - Raymond, born January 10, 1904, and Mabel M., born August 25, 1906.

As the children of Albanus and Phoebe Jenkins grew to maturity they received good educations and developed into high-minded and substantial citizens who enjoy the respect and good will of those with whom they are brought in contact.

After forty years residence upon the 200- acre farm which has been their home in Long Point Township, Albanus Jenkins and wife have reason to be well satisfied with what they have accomplished. Their farm is one of the best in the Township, and they have put in 1,300 rods of drain tiling. Mr. Jenkins has been School Trustee, and for fourteen years has been a School Director. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the L. G. Keety Post, No. 160. G. A. R. of Minonk, Ill. His wife is a member of the Christian church of Flanagan, Ill. Born into membership of the Society of Friends, Albanus Jenkins has continued a Quaker all his life. He is recognized as a good farmer and stock raiser, a thrifty man and excellent citizen, and has many friends throughout the county.

JESSUP, George - Having spent his life in agricultural pursuits, giving liberally of both time and money to church and community advancement, George Jessup has every right now in the days of his success to feel proud of his work. Beginning life's struggle empty-handed, through hard work, good management and frugality, he has become one of the leading farmers of Indian Grove Township, and rents an excellent farm on Section 6. His birth occurred in Godridge, Canada, January 15, 1864, a son of Richard Jessup, who emigrated with his family to the United States in 1869 when George was a lad of five years, settling in Indian Grove Township, Livingston County, where he engaged in farming, twenty-four years of age, in 1888 he rented land with his father on Section 6, Indian Grove Township, and together they operated 265 acres. This partnership lasted until 1896, when Mr. Jessup the younger sold his interest and rented 220 acres of Mrs. S. G. Cone, which he cultivated for two years when he rented the farm of 265 he and his father had previously rented in partnership. For twenty years he has farmed this property, and now raises 120 acres of corn. the soil being especially adapted to this grain and to oats. In 1906 Mr. Jessup bought 100 acres of land in Fulton County, Ind., which is now worth $100 per acre, it being well improved and in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Jessup carries on general farming and stock raising on the Cone farms, and is an authority on agricultural matters,

On December 31, 1891, Mr. Jessup was united in marriage with Miss Lettie M. Lytle, daughter of Thomas and Mary J. (Doonen) Lytle, both natives of Ireland. Mrs. Jessup was born near Chatsworth, March 6, 1870. Mr. Lytle, her father, died March 24, 1904, but Mrs. Lytle survives and makes her home in Fairbury. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Lytle are: William T., of Mt. Aira, Iowa; Mary E., who married William Hieronymus, a farmer of Indian Grove Township; Jane Ann, who married Howard Hartley, a farmer of Chatsworth; Emily A., who married James A. Hartley of North Fairbury; Mrs. George Jessup; Iva M., who is at home with her mother; Carrie B., who is the widow of B. F. Best, a resident of Fairbury; Martin S., a farmer of Mountayr, Iowa; Addie F., who married John Huette of Fairbury.

Mr. and Mrs. Jessup have five children: George F., born July, 1893, at home; Hazel, born October 2, 1894; Mary E., born July 17, 1896; Richard T., born October 31, 1899; William A., born October 19, 1905. These parents are very much interested in giving their children a good education and fitting them to occupy places of trust and responsibility in the community. Above all, they are giving them the benefit of excellent examples and inculcating into the young minds lessons of truth and morality. Mr. and Mrs. Jessup are cónsistent members of the Presbyterian church of Fairbury. They are both members of The Court of Honor and are among the charter members of this branch of their order. In politics, Mr. Jessup is a liberal, and is well posted as to the merits of issues and candidates, and can talk intelligently and forcibly relative to them.

JESSUP, Richard, a genial, kind-hearted, retired farmer residing upon the fine farm with his son George Jessup, in Indian Groye Township, has perhaps more real, true friends than any other man in Livingston County, for he possesses in marked degree those traits of char acter that endear a man to those with whom he is brought in contact and win for him the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. Mr.

Jessup was born in Queens County, Ireland, July 23, 1833, a son of George and Ann (Hancock) Jessup, both natives of the same county, where they were married. By trade the father was a shoemaker and followed his trade in Ireland. In 1845 he, with his family, by that time consisting of eight children, sailed from Liverpool and landed in New York after a yoyage of seven weeks and three days. From New York the family went to Minersville, Pa., where the father worked at his trade and where he died, his remains being there interred. The children of George and Ann Jessup were as follows: Robert; George, who died in Canada; Thomas, who was a soldier in an Ohio regiment and died after a three-years' service; Humphry, died in childhood; Tobias, also died in childhood; William, died in infancy; Ellen, is the widow of Joseph Yoe and resides at Decatur, Il., and Richard.

Richard Jessup worked in a coal mine in Pennsylvania after the family exodus to that State, but in 1854 went to Canada, where he engaged in farming, and where he was married, on January 1, 1857, to Ellen Bradney, also a native of Queens County, Ireland, and a daughter of Thomas Bradney, now deceased. In 1869 Richard Jessup left Canada and, coming to Illinois, stopped in Forrest, Livingston County. Liking the locality he settled north of that place in Pleasant Ridge Township, and there rented land from Patrick Conner, remaining until 1878, when he removed to Indian Grove Township, where he has since made his home, with the exception of four years spent in Avoca Township. When Mr. Jessup came to Livingston County in 1869, it appeared as though the entire county was under water, for the season was a wet one and the corn was almost submerged. Tiling was almost unheard of then, and none of the farmers then thought of this method of redeeming their low land. Now, where cows once stood knee deep in water, waves the golden corn, the pride of Central Illinois. These are not the only changes Mr. Jessup has witnessed, for he has seen the installation of good roads, the development of prairie towns into cities, the laying of railroads and the thousand and one improvements which have advanced Illinois to a foremost place among the great States of the Union. In 1898 Mr. Jessup sold some property and went to California and purchased land there, but within a few months he rented his property and returned to Livingston County, where hé proposes to end his days among the people and scenes he loves so well. As was his father before him, he is a good Democrat and gives his hearty support to the candidates of his party. He and his wife and other members of their family are members of the Episcopal church, and with which the family has always been identified. in Ireland, being Church of England people. At the age of seventy-five, Mr. Jessup is in excellent health and possessed of a strong mentality that shows his smart wit and intelligent grasp of current events. In 1906 Mr. and Mrs, Jessup celebrated their golden wedding and the event was a most delightful affair. Not only were all the members of the family present, but many others were guests and the aged coupie received many valuable gifts to commemorate the occasion.

Mr. and Mrs. Jessup had children as follows: Thomas, who married Miss Effie Johnson, is a resident of California and they have seven children; Annie, married William Morgan of California and they have three sons; George, with whom Mr. and Mrs. Jessup reside; Esther, married Samuel Hanna, a farmer near Wolcott, Ind., and they have four children; Susan, married David Vermilzea of Chenoa, Ill., and they have a son and a daughter,

JOHN, Patton, retired, Fairbury, Livingston County, Ill. On the 8th of May, 1908, many of the leading daily papers of the United States announced the celebration of the sixty-fifth anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Patton John, at Fairbury, Ill. In the "St. Louis Globe-Democrat" the annoucement was as follows: "Fairbury, Il, May 7, - Mr. and Mrs. Patton John celebrated their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary here today. Both were among the earliest settlers and are enjoying fair health. Each is eighty-seven years old, their ages being but four days apart." In some of the great newspapers further particulars were given, and quite full accounts of the interesting event appeared in hundreds of country papers throughout the Middle West. It is a coincidence somewhat singular that, without any plan having been made to that end - in a way quite accidental - this article is being written, on the day following that memorable celebration, at a place some hundreds of miles distant from Fairbury.

Patton John was born in Greene County, Pa., December 15, 1820, a son of George John, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and there married Margaret Patton. The American progenitor of the family was George John, great grandfather of Patton John, who came from Wales sometime before the Revolutionary War. James Jobn, son of George John, the immigrant and grandfather of Patton John, was born and reared in Pennsylvania and married and lived out his days there. Margaret Patton, who became the wife of George John, Patton John's father, was also a native of the Keystone State. She bore her husband thirteen children, concerning whom the writer is glad to offer some information. Patton John, the first born, is the immediate subject of this sketch. Caleb John is living at Augusta, Butler County, Kan. Elizabeth, of Moulton, Iowa, is the widow of John Hunt, and has two daughters. Minerva is the wife of William Headley, of Cedardale, Okla. The others are dead.

George John came west from Pennsylvania and settled in Davis. County, Iowa, where he and his wife lived out their days. He was an oldfashioned Democrat and a Baptist of the old school. As a farmer he was successful. His son Patton early began to help upon the farm, attending subscription schools as opportunity offered. When he was sixteen years old, he was apprenticed for four years, receiving board, clothing and washing, to learn the trade of saddler and harness-maker. At the expiration of three years, his employer failed in business and, no money having been passed in the deal, his freedom from further obligation was conceded. After working a year at his trade for wages, he was enabled to open a small saddlery and harnessshop in a little building on his father's farm. May 7, 1848, he married Lydia Hubbs, who was born in Greene County, Pa., December 19, 1820, four days after his own birth in the same county. After his marriage he settled at Newtown, where he conducted a saddlery and harness shep until 1855 when he sold out there and removed to Woodford County, Ill., whence he came in the spring of 1857 to Livingston County and began to farm on rented land about a mile east of the present site of Fairbury, which place then had not yet been platted. Game was plentiful round about, even including some wild turkeys, and wolves howled around Mr. John's dwelling, making night hideous. The few families living in the vicinity included those of Dr. Cicero C. Bartlett, Lyman Potter, John Adkins, Caleb Patton, Jacob Compston, and John Compston, the latter being the only one of those mentioned who is living at this time. In 1863 Mr. John gave up farming to work in the saddlery and harness shop of C. C. Carter, at Fairbury, and he was thus employed until 1880, when he was disabled by rheumatism by which he has been afflicted ever since. Notwithstanding his ill health, his mind is clear and strong, and having acquired his "second eyesight," he is able to read newspaper print without the aid of glasses. He saw the first house built in Fairbury and saw it burning in May, 1907. Had he the inclination he could doubtless write a very complete history of the town.

For sixty-five years, as we have seen, Mr. and Mrs. John have traveled life's path hand in-hand. If possible, she is even better preserved than he; in fact, it has been said of her that, in some ways, she is younger than many women of forty. She has no difficulty in reading and is able to do needle work that would baffle the skill of some of the girls of today. On February 3, 1908, a visitor to her house saw her sewing and knotting a quilt, working rapidly and with a precision that was quite astonishing. Mr. and Mrs. John are always ready with reminiscences of the past. Notwithstanding their ripe old age, they are bright and cheery, excellent talkers and uncommonly good company. Mr. John relates that when he began farming in the county, oats sold as low as ten cents and corn at thirteen cents a bushel, affording practically no profit, even could they have been marketed without much trouble and expense. To some extent a system of trade or "dicker" was in vogue among the pioneer farmers. He remembers when oats were exchanged for salt at the ratio of thirty bushel of oats for one barrel of salt. Certainly there was no one optimistic enough to call that "a God given ratio." Politically Mr. John has been inclined to independence, but being a strong temperance man, he has so far as possible allied himself with Prohibitionists, and it is his proud boast that during his sixty-six years as a voter, he has "never cast a vote in the interest of the liquor trade." Mrs. John has been almost a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which her husband became a member in 1849.

To Mr. and Mrs. John have been born five children, two of whom died in infancy. Adda M., who was born in Pennsylvania, is living with her parents. Lizzie C. married Leonard B. Gurley, of Marion, Ohio. Elmer J., who is living in Des Moines, Iowa, married Lora Wilson of Colfax, Iowa, who has borne him six children: Guy W., Harley B., Cora Lee, Adda, Ralph L. and Daryl.

JOHN, Reason McCann. - The genealogy of the John family shows that it was established in America during the colonial period, and various ancestors. not only on the paternal, but on other sides of the house, served as Revolutionary soldiers, one of them being killed in the Battle of Brandywine. True to their country and faithful in the hour of need, they were the type of men who laid the foundations of our Government broad and deep and strong. On a farm near Newton, Greene County, Pa., Reason McCann John was born May 13, 1844, being the fourth of seven children, the keystone in the family arch. His parents were John W. and Nancy ( Haines) John. The grandfather, David John, who was of Welsh lineage, married Elizabeth McCann, who was of Irish descent. The maternal grandfather, George Haines, traced his ancestry to England, Holland and France, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane Hoffman, was of Scotch and Holland-Dutch extraction.

At the opening of the Civil War three brothers enlisted in the cause of the Union, the eldest brother, Rev. C. H. John, was wounded and captured under Confederate guns at Fort Pemberton, Vicksburg, and for ten days was a prisoner in the hands of the enemy. The second brother, Patton W. John was killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, in the same charge and within three hundred yards of the spot where Albert Sidney Johnston gave up his life for the Southern cause. The younger brother, Reason McCann John, enlisted as a private in Company M, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, and joined his regiment at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Ill., December 20, 1861. The weather was severely cold in December and January and the soldiers suffered intensely. Exposure brought on rheumatism, and the dislocation of a hip left the young volunteer a cripple, so that he was sent home in 1862. Sick and without money, his position was unenviable, but with a fine spirit he took up work as a cobbler. He had seen his father make shoes and thought he could mend them, and indeed he did so well that soon he was making a neat little sum. When physically able to do other work, he gave up the trade. On May 19, 1864, he enlisted in Company

E, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, into which he was mustered as Fifth Corporal. but was promoted in a few days as fifth duty Sergeant, and as such he was mustered out on the 28th day of October, sixty-two days after his term of service had expired.