McLean County, Illinois - The whole text, 1879 (part 35 of 42)

JAMES I. GADDIS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 19 ; P. O. Hudson ; born in Palestine Township, Woodford Co., 111., March 5, 1845. His father, Silas Gaddis, was one of the early settlers of that county ; in 1848, they removed to what is now White Oak Township, this county. In February, 1864, Mr. Gaddis enlisted in Co. K, 39th I. V. I., and during his term of service pai-ticipated" in the following battles: Drury's Bluff, Va., May 16, 1864; Wier Bottom Church, May 20 ; Hatcher's, Va., June 2,16, 17 and 18 ; Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 14, 1864, and Deep Run, Aug. 16, 1864, where he was wounded in the left fore arm, and sent to the hospital at Portsmouth, Va., where he remained until the following March ; was with the regiment in pursuit and surrender of Gen. Lee's army; discharged, on account of wounds, in August, 1865. Married, in 1870, Miss Elizabeth Campbell, who was born in Adams Co., Ohio; they have had two children, both deceased - Loran K., died July 7, 1872; Elva E., died April 10, 1879.

CHARLES T. GILDERSLEEVE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Hudson: born in Hempstead, Queens Co., N. Y., Aug. 13, 1830, but removed, when 6 years of age, with his father's family, to Illinois. His father, James T. Gildersleeve, beeame a member of what has since been termed the Hudson Colony, but, it seems, the original organization was under a different title, and this only a local application. We quote from l; The Good Old Times of McLean Co.," setting forth the origin: " In the winter of 1835-6, in the town of Jacksonville, Morgan Co., III., certain parties drew up articles of agreement, associating themselves together to form a colony. The association was formed Feb. 6, 1836, and it was known as ' The Illinois Land Association.' The business of the association was conducted by an Executive Committee of three ; these were George F. Purkitt, Horatio N. Pettit and John Gregory. James T. and Joseph D. Gildersleeve subscribed for four colony interests, which gave them the right to nearly 700 acres of land, consisting of prairie and timber land, and town lots in Hudson." In September, 1836, Mr. James T. Gildersleeve left New York City for his prospective home in Illinois. They came by way of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh ; thence by boat to St. Louis ; thence up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Pekin, and from thence across the country to Bloomington. They soon located at Havens' Grove, Hudson Township, this county. The family lived in a small house with Mr. David Trimmer, until they could build a dwelling, which was completed and occupied in December of that year. This house is now the residence of Charles T. Gildersleeve, two rooms and a hall of which were plastered by John Magoun in the spring of 1837. The ceilings of these rooms are now in a good state of preservation, notwithstanding the work was done over forty-two years ago. The subject of this sketch worked on his father's farm until the summer of 1855, when he was employed as station and express agent, remaining in Iheir employ nearly fourteen years, during which period he was also engaged in the lumber and grain trade. In 1869 he resumed the occupation of farmer, which has since been his business. He owns 320 acres of land in Hudson Township. In 1854, he was married to Miss Mary A McCaughey, who was born in Medina Co., Ohio, Aug. 28, 1833 ; six children by this union, three of whom are living - Mary A., wife of T. W. Stevenson, of Bloomingion ; James T., and Henrietta R. The deceased are - Charles T., died May l8, 1857, Edgar C. ; April 9, 1870, and Bessie B., March 21, 1869. Mr. G. has many relics, which date far back into the pust, among which are a cane presened to his great-grandfather on his voyage from Wales to the United States ; a watch, of English manufacture, carried by his grandfather from the age of 16 i ill his death; a will, dated at Hempstead, Queens Co., N. Y., Sept. 17, 1838; a copy of the Bloomington Observer, bearing date June 15, 1839, published by J. W. Fell ; also many other relics.

D. GONDER farmer and stock -raiser, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Hudson ; was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Jan. 5, 1826. which was his home until his removal to the West; in Aug., 1847, he enlisted in Co. B, 5th Ohio Inf., and served one year in the Mexican war, under Gen. Scott ; the commander of the division was Gen. Patterson, and of the brigade, Gen. Gushing; after he was mustered out of the service, in 1848, he returned to the place of his nativity, and, in the fall of 1856, removed to Illinois, locating in Money Creek Township, this county; came to his present home in 1863. He has served as Commissioner of Highways one term; owns eighty acres of land in Hudson Township, and was married in 1850, to Miss Mary A. Leeding, who was born in Cambridgeshire, England : she came to this country in 1849 ; they have five children living - William, Harriet E. (wife of William Little), James H., Mary A. and' George W. ; they have lost four children - Francis M., died in 1866; Robert L., died in 1869, and two others died in infancy.

JAMES GREER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Hudson ; born in the North of Ireland, April 4, 1813; in 1840, he emigrated to the United States; he first located in Long Island. N. Y., where he remained until 1847, when he concluded to try his fortune in the then far-off West ; he left New York in April of that year, arriving in Chicago the 2d of May, and located in Hudson Township, this county, the same month. Mr. G. has lived on the farm where he now resides thirty -two years; for several years after his settling here, there were no fences to interfere with travel between his place and Bloomington. Owns 203 acres of farm lands in Hudson Township, and 36 acres of timber in Money Creek Township.

WILLIAM HASENWINKLE, proprietor of Hudson Mill and Elevator, Hudson ; born in Prussia Nov. 15, 1834; came to this county in November, 1857, and during the same year located at Bloomington, 111.; in 1868, he engaged in the milling business at Hudson, his present home; his mill was built in 1868, and the elevator in 1871. In 1861, he married Miss Louisa St oil, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, May 10, 1838. Mr. H. served nine months in the regular army, at Berlin, Germany; he is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 628, A., F. & A. M., at Hudson, 111. His business card will be found in the business directory of this work.

JOHN HAYNES, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 23; P.O. Hudson; born in Shropshire, Eng., March 9, 1831 ; came to the United States in 1859, and after working at his trade at Independence, Mo.; during that spring and summer, he came to Bloomington, 111., and worked on the State Normal School building; he came to Hudson Township in the spring of 1860, and engaged in farming; in 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 94th 1. V. I., and served till the close of the war ; was at the battle of Springfield, Mo., siege of Vicksburg, and other battles and skirmishes ; he has served two terms as School Director ; owns KO acres of land in Hudson Township. Married in September, 1865, to Miss Mary Dunseth, who was born in Money Creek Township; she died in 1869; two children by this union - one living - Nettie A., born Sept. 5, 1866. He was again married in 1869, to Mrs. Eliza (Rowe) Myers, who was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio; three children by this union - two living - Emma S. and John F.; Cora H., died April 14, 1872.

HIRAM HAVENS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Hudson ; born in Licking Co., Ohio, March 29, 1817 ; when about 12 years of age, his father, Jesse Havens, moved to Illinois ; they first stopped at Big Grove, near the present site of Urbana. Champaign Co. In January, 1830, the family located at Havens' Grove, Hudson Township ; the condition of the county at that time, and the hardships consequent to the settling of a new country, will be fully set forth in the history of this and other townships. The subject of this sketch worked on his father's farm till about twenty-one years of age, when he became a tiller of the soil on his own account, combining his farm work with hunting, not only for amusement, but quite frequently as a matter of necessity, to furnish food from the flesh of the deer, and kill wolves for the protection of their poultry and flocks. Prior to the settlement of the Havens family, two parties, Harbard and Grose, had made claims within the present confines of Hudson Township, but their stay was temporary, their claims being purchased by Mr. Havens' father for $100 in silver ; Mr. H. being therefore the first permanent settler of this township. Mr. Hiram Havens was married to Miss Sarah A., daughter of John Trimmer, April 5, 1838 ; she was born in New Jersey, Feb. 4, 1821. Mrs. Havens' father came to Smith's Grove, now in Towanda Township, in the summer of 1826, and of this family further mention will be made in histories of Towanda and Money Creek Townships. Mr. Havens has served as Justice of the Peace twenty years ; Supervisor one term ; he has given to his children a part of his land, but still owns and operates a farm of 170 acres. They have three children now living - Martha H., wife of John S. Johnston; Alice, wife of Allen Hibbert, and Etta B. ; they have lost two - Adaline died Nov 1, 1860 ; John B., Aug. 18, 1839.

JACOB D. HOCHSTEDLER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 81; P. 0. Hudson; born in Somerset Co., Penn., Jan. 26, 1822, but removed in early childhood with his father's family to Holmes Co., Ohio, where he resided till 31 years of age; then removed to Illinois, locating in White Oak Township, this county, and engaged in farming; in the spring of 1858 he removed to his present home. He has served as Commissioner of Highways six years ; owns 200 acres of land in Hudson Township. Married, in 1849, Eliza Hospelhorn, who was born in Harrison Co., Ohio ; ten children by this union, seven of whom are living - George, John, Vlary, (wife of William Young), Emanuel, Jane, James, and Francis; lost three ; Samuel died in 1854; others died in infancy.

WILLIAM I. HOLDER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 20; P. 0. Hudson; born in Tazewell Co., 111., May 30, 1849; his father, Charles W. Holder, settled in that county in an early day; in 1854 the family removed to Bloomington, this county. The subject of this sketch was in the milling business six years, in connection with the Novelty Mills, and in 1867 Mr. H. and James C. Renison established the National Nursery, which they operated two years. Married, in 1869, to Miss Ida Bowen, who was born near Harper's Ferry, Va.; four children by this union - Daniel W., Vernon, Jessie, and Ella M.

WILLIAM HURSAY, wagon and carriage manufacturer and blacksmith; Hudson; born in Licking Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1826, where he resided, with the exception of about three years, till his removal to the West. At about the age of 18 he was apprenticed to the blacksmith trade ; in the fall of 1851 he came West, locating at Bloomington, this county, and the following April removed feo Hudson Township ; he first worked in the shop of D. Trimmer, and the following year located in the village of Hudson, and opened a shop of his own ; his custom at that time came from a large scope of country, frequently having work for parties twenty miles distant. In 1851 he married Miss Sidney Wolfe, who was born in Maryland, but removed to Ohio at the age of 12; twelve children by this union, five of whom are now living - Mary K., (wife of L. P. Huston). James H., George W., Charles T., and Eurie B ; others died in infancy.

SAMUEL H. LEWIS, retired, Hudson ; Mr. Lewis was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, April 14, 1828, and is a pon of Samuel and Sarah (Sealey) Lewis. The subject of this sketch, when about 8 years of age, came with his father's family to this country ; they landed in New York City, in November, 1835, and soon after, his father became interested in what was known as the Hudson Colony, and through agents of the colony he purchased one section of land, also a timber-lot in Money Creek Timber ; they left New York City in May, 1836, traveling via boat to New Orleans ; thence up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to Hennepin ; in the early fall of that year, they removed to Havens' Grove, adopting the only means of conveyance at that time - ox-teams ; Samuel H. worked on his father's farm for many years, joining with it the customary sport of that time - hunting, for which he soon acquired, or possessed, a natural fondness ; schools at that period were few and far between ; Mr. L. says he received his collegiate education at a log college in B about the year 1843, under the tutorship of the late Dr. Hobbs. Mr Lewis began early to buy cattle, which he drove to the Chicago market, and, since the days of railroads, has been extensively engaged in shipping to that market. When 21 years of age, he served as Constable under William McCullough, then Sheriff of the county ; since then, he has served as Assessor nine years, Collector one year, Supervisor one term, and School Trustee for many years. About twenty-five years since, he made a trip to Texas where he purchased from two hundred and fifty to three hundred head of cattle, which he drove through to Chicago, being about three months on the way ; they passed through the country of several of the Indian tribes, but had no trouble except a trick on one occasion. For the purpose of extorting money, the Indians drove some of the cattle which crossed the Canadian River first upon a mountain, and then offered to get them down at $1 a head, but a negro was employed at half the cost. Mr. L. made a second trip to that State since the war, but found a great change in the people as a result of the war; on the first occasion, being very hospitable, and on the latter, regarding any one from the North with suspicion, and treating them accordingly. On the 1st of January, 1868, he married Miss Irene, eldest daughter of John and Anna Smith. Mrs. Lewis was born in Hudson Township ; her father settled in the township as early as 1829; they have two children - Jay S. and May. Aside from other property, Mr. L. owns 740 acres of land, all in Hudson township, this county.

THOMAS D. LYON, Pastor of Bethel German Baptist Church, Hudson ; born in Hardy, now Grant, Co., W. Va., March 3, 1821. When about 20 years of age, Mr. L. commenced teaching, which occupation he followed for many years, and, mainly through his own efforts, obtained an education, including a partial knowledge of German and Greek. In 1847, be entered the ministry, which has been his vocation since that date. He was married Oct. 26, 1843, to Miss Mary Clark, who was born in Hampshire Co., W. Va., Aug. 29, 1820. In 1864, Mr. Lyon removed his family to Illinois, and located in Towanda Township, this county, and, four years later, removed to Hudson, his present home. They have eight children living - Rebecca, wife of F. M. Snavely; Rachel A., wife of John W. Forney; Hannah, wife of John L. Snavely; Emily J., wife of John Sager ; Mary M., wife of William Snavely; S. C; Otis B. and Franklin H Their son David died Jan. 19, 1855.

ISAAC MESSER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Hudson ; born in Lexington Township, this county. His father, Isaac Messer, fprmerly of Pickaway Co., Ohio, settled in what is now Lexington Township, this county, in March, 1829, and was one of the first settlers in that part of the county. For further particulars, see history of Lexington Township in this work. In the spring of 1834, they removed to Hudson Township, which has since been the home of the subject of this sketch. He was married to Miss Nancy E. Lock in 1854. She was born in Anderson Co., Ky. Eight children by this union, six of whom are living - William H., Elizabeth (wife of David Ogden), Margaret I., Mary I., Fannie H. and Leonora E.; two deceased - both died in infancy. Mr. M. has served as Constable one term, and School Director several years; owns sixty acres of land in Hudson Township. His father, Isaac Messer, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn, May 2, 1781 ; died Jan. 21, 1861. In 1805, he married Miss Sidney Forbus, who was born in the same county and State. Her death occurred in 1843.

WILLIAM MORROW, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 19 ; P.O. Hudson; born in Brooke now Hancock Co., Va., Nov. 15, 1834 ; he worked on his father's farm till 28 years of age ; also teaching during the winter season, and a part of the year operated the coal mines on his father's farm. In 1863, he removed to Illinois, locating in this county, on the 7th of April of that year: the following spring, he removed to the farm where he now resides, and, after an experience of some two months as proprietor of a " bachelor's hall," he concluded to resign that position, and, therefore, married Miss I. Josephine, eldest daughter of Rev. David Robinson, of Beaver Co., Penn. Mrs. Morrow was born in Beaver Co., Penn.; two children by this union - Mattie V. and Stella. Mr. M. has served as Supervisor, four years ; Collector, one year, and School Director, for several terms ; owns one-half in 320 acres of land in Hudson Township. Mr. Morrow, in politics, is a decided Democrat.

JESSE PL ATT, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Hudson ; born in what is now Champaign Co., 111., Jan. 13, 1830; his father located there in the fall of 1829, and, about one year later, came to Havens' Grove. Hudson Township, and, therefore, was among the first to settle in the township. The condition of the country, hardships and privations of the first settlers is best known by those who have had this experience, and, under the head of Township History, much will be found on this subject. Mr. Piatt worked on his father's farm until 23 years of age, then set forth as a tiller of the soil on his own account ; he located on the farm where he now resides twenty-two years ago. He has served as Constable, one term; School Director, three terms, and is now serving in that capacity ; also, Commissioner of Highways. He was married in 1863 to Miss Jane Hinthorn, who was born in Licking Co., Ohio ; five children by this union - Elizabeth E.. James I., William E. and Margaret F.; one deceased, George, who died 1865. Mr. Piatt owns 260 acres of land in Hudson I ownship.

ELIJAH PRIEST, retired farmer, Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Hudson ; born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Sept. 10, 1812, but removed to Licking Co., that State, where he resided until his removal to the West. He is a son of James and Hannah (Anderson) Priest. The subject of this sketch, prior to his locating in the West, was engaged in making charcoal, and also during the winter season worked in a smelting-furnace, the latter occupation requiring great care, and, also, exposure to intense heat. Mr. Priest reached his twenty-first birthday on the 10th of September, 1833. and the following day was married to Miss Rebecca Hinthorn, who was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Nov. 16, 1812. In June, 1834, he removed to Illinois, and, on the 8th day of the following month, arrived at his present home in Hudson Township, this county. Mr. Priest, like many of the pioneers, brought little else with him to the country than a strong constitution and industrious habits, which, combined with economy, have gained him a competence for life; he now owns 800 acres of land in Hudson and Money Creek Townships. Mr. Priest relates many incidents of early times ; and, although many of these incidents will be related in the histories of townships, we copy one from the " Good Old Times in McLean Co. :" "He ran out of provisions near Big Grove then called Pin Hook, now Urbana ; he made many inquiries, and heard that a certain man had recently two sacks of meal ground at a mill ; Mr. Priest wished to buy some, and sent a boy named Henry Moats to get it. Henry came back empty-handed, but reported that the man had a big corn-pone on the fire. Mr. Priest then went with the boy, and the latter was instructed to open the door when Priest stood by the fire. Mr. Priest offered to buy some meal, but was refused ; then he stood by the fire where the pone was cooking, and Henry immediately opened the door. Priest was then about to walk off with the pone, but the man of the house saw that he must give way, and he allowed Priest a peck of meal." Mr. Priest had by his first wife seven children, four of whom died in infancy ; only two are now living - James S. and George W. ; their daughter Sarah died July 17, 1876; Mrs. Priest's death occurred April 30, 1867. He was again married, Sept. 11, 1870, to Mrs. Minerva McCurdy; her maiden name was Johnston ; she was born in Ohio ; her death occurred Jan. 24. 1875.

JOHN SAGER, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Hudson ; born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., March I, 1818, but removed to Tioga Co.. that State, when about 12 years of age, where he resided until his removal to the West, in 1846, locating in Stephenson Co., 111., in the summer of that year.; tMs was his home for eighteen years. In 1864, he removed to the farm where he now resides ; owns 150 acres of. land in Hudson Township. Married, March 24, 1842, Miss Phoebe Meeker, who was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Oct. 4, 1817; her death occurred Feb. 14, 1875; they had four children, only one of whom is now living - Edgar, born Feb. 15, 1846 (now resides in Hudson Township); Charles W., born Feb. 18, 1843, died in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Nov. 11, 1844; John C, born March 15, 1856, died in Siephenson Co., 111., March 24, 1853; Douglass, born Aug. 9, 1859, died in this township, March 5, 1870. Mr. S. was married to his present wife July 9, 1876; she was born in Grant Co., West Va., March 6, 1853, and is a daughter of Thomas D. and Mary Lyon, of Hudson; their son, Willis L., was born May 16, 1877, died Jan. 20, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Sager are members of Bethel German Baptist Church.

LEWIS SAILOR, farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 13; P. 0. Hudson; born in Logan Co., Ohio, March 13, 1828, where he resided until 20 years of age, when he removed to Illinois, in the fall of 1848, stopping at Rock Island until the following spring, then removing to what is now To wanda Township, this county; here he engaged in farming, manufacturing brick, and masonry; he built a house for Jesse Trimmer, which was the second brick dwelling built in Money Creek Township. In 1858, he removed to his present home; he owns eighty acres of land in Hudson Township ; has served as Justice of the Peace two years. Married in 1850, to Miss Martha Dodson, who was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, six children by this union, five of whom are living - Mary (wife of T. C. Moats), John, Daniel D., Knowlton and Joseph H; lost one - Ida J., died Oct. 30, 1864.

JOSEPH A. SCOTT, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 24; P. 0. Hudson; born in Beaver Co., Penn., July 20, 1846; when between 1 and 2 years of age, his father and mother died, and when about 8 years old he went to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he resided until the second year of the war (1862), then enlisted in Company I, 168th Ohio V. I.; while the regiment was at Chattanooga, soon after he entered the service, he was detailed as clerk and served in that capac ity about fifteen months; he went from Chattanooga to Cleveland, Tenn., and was mustered out of the service in the fall of 1864. In the spring of 1868, he came West and located in Hudson, Hits county; owns eighty acres of land in Hudson and 240 acres in Money Creek Township. Married, in 1871, Miss Sarah E., daughter of Jesse and Amanda Trimmer; Mrs. Scott was born in Money Creek Township, this county; they have one child - Gracie A. Mr. Jesse Trimmer, whose portrait appears in this work, was, with his mother, brothers and sisters, the first to locate in what is now Money Creek Township. Mr. Scott is W. M. of Mosaic Lodge, No. 628, A., F. & A. M.

JOHN SMITH, retired farmer; P. 0. Hudson; was born in Randolph Co., N. C; as early as 1824 he moved a family to Peoria, III., then containing two or three houses; in the spring of 1830, he removed to Illinois, stopping first at Big Grove, now in Champaign Co., at the present site of Urbana, then an Indian trading post ; the Smith family removed to what is now Towanda Township, this county, locating at the grove which afterward took the family name, aud is still called Smith's Grove; many were the hardships and privations of these pioneers, more of which will be given under the head of township histories in this work. In March, 1831, he was married to Miss Anna Havens, and, in the spring of 1832, settled at Havens' Grove, Hudson Township, near his present home ; Mrs. Smith's father was the first to permanently locate in the grove which now bears his name (Havens' Grove), and also the first permanent settler within the present confines of Hudson Township ; for further mention of Mr. Smith and other early settlers, see general history of McLean Co. and histories of Towanda and Hudson townships.

DAVID SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Hudson. Mr. Smith was born in Hudson Township, Dec. 31, 1836, and is a son John Smith, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this work. The subject of this sketch still resides on the old home farm, and their present residence, which is still the home of his parents, is near his birth-place. In some of the rooms of this dwelling can be seen plastering which was put on the ceiling of the same more than forty years ago, and it is still in a good state of preservation. Mr. Smith's farm consists of 410 acres of land, all in Hudson Township, this county.

JACOB Y. SNAVELY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 28; P. 0. Hudson; was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., June 22, 1826, where he resided until 22 years of age; then removed to Illinois, in June, 1848. In the spring of the following year, he settled on the farm where he now resides, which has been his home since that date. He was married June 25, 1849, to Miss Hosanna Beissel, who was born in Northumberland Co., Penn., Dec. 4, 1822; her father, Jacob Beissel, settled in Marshall Co., 111., in May, 1839. Mr. Snavely has served as Highway Commissioner one term and School Director about fourteen years. They have five children - Mary B., born June 4, 1850; Daniel B., June 25, 1851; Moses B., Oct. 16, 1852; Kate B., Dec. 22,1856; Emma B., June 22, 1862. Mr. S. owns 424 acres of land in Hudson Township.

EPHRAIM STOTLER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 11; P. 0. Hudson; born in Somerset Co., Penn., July 22, 1805, where he resided until his removal to Illinois, in 1855, locating first in Stephenson Co., in September of that year. In the fall of 1863, he removed to his present home in Hudson Township, this county. Owns 160 acres of farm land in Hudson Township, aud forty acres of timber in Money Creek Township. Married in 1832, Miss Sarah Wagner, who

born in Somerset C>., Penn Twelve children by this union, eight of whom are living - Maria, wife of If. Zimmerman; Sarah, wife of Joseph Long; Mary, wife of E. Newcomer, all now residents of Western Iowa; Rebecca, wife of W. Wilkinson, resides at Peoria, 111.; John, who resides in Woodford Co., 111.; Ephraim H., and Walter, at home, and William, now in California. They have lost four - Samuel, died April 18, 1849; Elizabeth, April 5, 1845; the others died in infancy. Mrs. Stotler's death occurred Jan. 1, 1866, aged 54 years, 2 months and 9 days.

CHARLES TAYLOR, retired farmer; P. 0. Hudson; born in Lincolnshire, England, Nov. 8, 1831; came to this country in 1852, locating in New York city, and about one year later, removed to Scott Co , 111. In the spring of 1853, he removed to Hudson Township, this county, where he engaged in farming. Married in 1853, Miss Sarah A. Gillham, who was born in Scott Co , 111.; her father, William Gillham, was one of the early settlers of that county; one daughter - Eva B. Mr. Taylor owns eighty-three acres of land in Hudson Township.

JOHN TRIMMEH, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 24; P. 0. Hudson; born in New Jersey, May 16, 1823, but removed in early childhood, with his father's family, to Illinois; the family stopped at Smith's Grove, in Towanda Township, this county, in the summer of 1826 ; his father, John Trimmer, died soon after their arrival there, and the family then moved to what is now Money Creek Township, and were the first to settle in that township. The subject of this sketch was married in July, 1846, to Miss Rebecca Hinthorn, who was born in Indiana, Dec. 28, 1828, but came to Illinois when a child, her father, Stephen Hinthorn, being among the early settlers. The spring following their marriage, they settled on the farm where they now reside, and erected a log dwelling 13x18, having ground floor, except enough space covered with rough boards or split logs, for table and one bed. They have had eight children - Scott, born June 13, 1847 ; James, March 17, 1849; George, March 28, 1851; Samuel, June 1, 1853; Stephen, Aug. 1, 1855; Amanda E., March 10, 1860; Daniel, Nov. 23, 1865. and Etta J., Sept. 8, 1867; all are living, except George and Amanda E. ; the former died April 20, 1863, and the latter eight days later. Mr. Trimmer owns 240 acres of firm land in Hudson, and forty-five acres of timber in Money Creek Township. In the early history of Towanda and Money Creek Townships, further mention will be made of Mr. Trimmer's family, in connection with the early settlement.

ALFRED S. WEEKS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 10; P. 0. Hudson ; born in Queens Co., N. Y., Feb. 9, 1807, where he resided until about 19 years of age, then removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he engaged as book-keeper for Stillwell, Burtis & Co., merchant tiilors. In 1836, he ctme West, and spent some three years in different parts of the State ; he then returned to New York, but came West again in 1850, locating where he now resiJes ; owns 160 acres of farm lands, and thirty-five acres of timber, in Hudson Township. Served as Justice of the Peace four years ; Supervisor, some eight years, and is the present incumbent ; has served as school officer for many years. Mr. Weeks was instrumental in bringing about a re-survey of Hudson Township, the Government survey having been very imperfectly done, few, if any corners being regularly located. Married, in 1846, Miss Phcebe E. Burtis, who was born in New York City - one child, Eliza A. Mrs. Weeks' father's family settled in Jacksonville, 111., in the fall of 1835; afterward moved to Hudson Township, this county.

ENOS ARBOGAST, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Saybrook ; owns 165 acres of land, worth $35 per acre ; was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1825 ; lived with his parents on the farm, engaged with his father in farming ; came to this county when 15 years of age, and worked on a farm. He was married to Mary Morgan Sept, 6, 1849; she was born in Tennessee, Sept. 3, 1831, and died March 23, 1868; they are the parents of eight children, five of whom are living - Eliza J., Eva L., Lewis A., Myra A , Millie A.; deceased - Charles W., Bell and an infant. Mr. Arbogast was then married to Sophia Dunning July 14, 1869 ; she was born in Monroe Co., Ind., Dec. 15, 1837 ; the fruit of this marriage is four children - William, Alfred, Jonas A. and Mary A. Mr. Arbogast has held the office of School Director ten years, which office he still holds, and has been Pathmaster one term. Mr. Arbogast's father was in the war of 1812; his parents are natives of Virginia, and Mrs. Arbogast's parents are natives of the same State.

JOHN L. ARBOGAST, farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0. Naybrook ; owns 180 acres of land, worth $35 per acre ; was born in McLean Co., 111., Sept. 9, 1844 ; lived on the farm, assisting his father in farming. His father died when he was but 16 years of age, his mother having died three years previous. Mr. Arbogast was in the late war, and went forward to battle for his country; he enlisted, in 1861, in Co. G, 37th I. V. I; was in the battle of Pea Ridge, battle of Prairie Grove, Ark.; battle of Sugar Creek, Ark.; battle of Van Buren, Ark.; battle of Chalk Bluff, Mo. ; battle at Vicksburg, Miss. ; was at the taking of Yazoo City ; went to New Orleans, thence to Brownsville, Texas, which was taken ; thence to Royal, which was also taken ; returned to Brownsville, and went from there to Chicago, where he was mustered out, by general order, Oct. 4, 1864. Mr. Arbogast held the office of School Director six jears, Collector one term, and is at present School Trustee; he also held, for four years, the office of Constable in this township. He was married to Katie 0. Henderson Dec. 27, 1866; she was born in Lewis Co., Ky., Dec. 11, 1847 ; the fruit of this marriage is five children, four of whom are living, and one dead - Mary E., William H., Anna B., Sarah E., and Birdie, died May 15, 1875. M<s. Arbogast's mother's father was in the war of 1812

EZEKIEL ARROWSMITH, farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0. Arrowsmith; owns 240 acres of fine farming land, worth $40 per acre. The subject of this sketch was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Oct. 31, 181 1 ; lived with his father on the farm, engaged in farming, until 29 years of age ; went to Indiana, stayed one summer, and returned to Ohio. He was married to Hannah M. Harrison Feb. 18, 1835, who was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Dec. 18, 1818, and died Feb. 14, 1840; the result of this marriage was four children - Mary C. (now wife of Samuel T. Bane), Elizabeth E., Samuel D. and Matilda; the former is the only one now living. Mr. Arrowsmith was then married to Mary A. Simpson Sept. 26, 1841 ; she was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Dec. 23, 1814; the fruit of this marriage was seven children - Sarep<a, James A., Eliza J. ; deceased - Martha, Melissa, Asa and Armelia. Mr. Arrowsmith has held the office of County Commissioner three years, Justice of the Peace four years, Supervisor of township four years, and School Director twenty years. He was among the first settlers in the township. The township, post office and town of Arrowsmith were all named after him. his being th<> first vote ever cast in the township. Mr. Arrowsmith is »ne of the most benevolent men in this county ; he is regarded as a public benefactor in this township, where he still resides.

AUGUSTUS BRAN AM AN, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Arrowsmith ; owns forty acres, worth $60 per acre. Was born in Augusta Co., Va., June 1, 1834; remained with his parents until he became of age. His father died in the year 1846; he then took care of his mother until her death. He was married to Caroline Trowbridge Sept. 3, 1867 ; she was born in Fayette Co., Ind., April 5, 1841 ; they are the parents of seven children - Mary, John, David, Clinton, Hattie, Billy, and Emma, who died Aug. 28, 1873. Mr. Branaman has held the office of School Trustee two terms, and Assessor five years. Mr. Branaman was in the late war, and enlisted in 1862, in Co. D., 94th I. V. I., of McLean Co ; was in the battle of Vicksburg and at the surrender of Port Hudson. Mr. Branaman served as Hospital Steward two years. Returned to New Orleans, then to Brownsville, Tex.; thence to Mobile, Ala. ; was in several skirmishes up the Mississippi, several other battles and a great many skirmishes ; was sent home on account of sore eyes, and remained until mustered out by general orders.

FREDERICK BUILTA, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Arrowsmith ; was born in Prussia Nov. 28, 1824 ; lived in Prussia nine years ; came to Pennsylvania in 1834, and thence to Peoria, in this State, where he remained until 1863 : he then came to McLean Co., where he has since resided. Was married to Jane Maurice Dec. 15, 1850 ; she was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Dec. 5, 1829: they are the parents of nine children - John H., George A., Thomas W., who died Sept. 17, 1853; Rosella J., David M., Mary E., Abraham L., Sarah A. and Frederick. Mr. Builta has 160 acres of land, worth $40 per acre. He has held the office of School Director, fifteen years. Mrs. Builta's grandfather was in the Revolutionary war; her father in the war of 1812.

DOUGLASS DEMENT, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Arrowsmith. The subject of this sketch was born in Logan Co., 111., May 11, 1849; his father died when he was but seven years old, leaving him and two older brothers to take care of their mother, which they did by farming ; came to McLean Co. in 1873. Was married to Elizabeth A. Gull Feb. 22, 1875 : she was born in Somerset Co., Penn., May 23, 1853 ; the fruits of this marriage are two children - Mary M., born Nov. 16, 1875; Jessie C, March 15, 1878 Mr. Dement owns ninety-five acres of good farming land, worth $40 per acre. He and his brother raised last year, with two teams, 7,000 bushels of corn. His father was in the Black Hawk war. Mr. Dement' s father is a native of Virginia, and his mother of New York. Mrs. Dement's parents are natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Dement is a very good farmer ; he is also intelligent and enterprising.

SOLOMON F. DOWNS, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Saybrook ; owns 120 acres of excellent farming land, under good cultivation, worth $40 per acre. The subject of this sketch was born in McLean Co., 111., June 28, 1850. His father died when he was but 10 years old ; his mother having died four years previous. The brothers continued to keep house together and carried on farming until Mr. Downs became of age. He was married to Anna E. Reid, March 27, 1877 ; she was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, April 5, 1853 ; the fruit of this marriage is one child - Lawson W., who was born Jan. 25, 1878. Mr. Downs' father was in the Black Hawk war. He is a very neat farmer, having every thing in its proper place, and is an industrious, energetic man. Mrs. Downs is an industrious and intelligent lady.

FRANK J. FLEISCHER, farmer ; P. 0. Arrowsmith ; was born in Germany, Dec. 13, 1844; lived in Germany until 19 years of age; was a weaver by trade; came to this country and county in the year 1864; worked on the farm until married to R. Eky Steur, Nov. 8, 1869 ; she was born in Germany, April 7, 1844 ; they are the parents of six children, five of whom are living, viz.: Louise E., Emma L., Agnes, Otto A. and Clara ; deceased, one infant. Mr. Fleischer still continues to farm; is well respected in his neighborhood.

FREDERICK C. FRIDAY, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Arrowsmith ; owns 108 acres, worth $35 per acre. The subject of this sketch was born in Germany, Nov. 3, 1839; lived on the farm with his parents, assisting his father in farming, until 23 years of age; worked for his uncle two years; came to this country June 4, I860 ; went to Tazewell Co., 111., stayed two years and returned to this county. He was married to Melvina Wilson, May 23, 1867; she was born in Posey Co., Ind., May 23, 1841, and has had five children, only one of whom is living, viz.i Carl F. ; the deceased are - Julia M., Joseph C, Nettie B. and Mary C. Mr. Friday has held the office of School Director, one term, which office he still holds, and has been Overseer of Roads three years. Mrs. Friday's grandfather, on her father's side, was in the Mexican war, Mr. Friday's cash, when he came to this township, did not exceed $15, and, in a few years, he acquired over $4,000 worth of property. He is well respected in his neighborhood.

JACOB HAY, farmer ; P. 0. Arrowsmith. The subject of this sketch was born in PensyK vania, Dec. 16, 1811 ; resided with his parents on the farm until 21 years of age. Was married to Sarah Phipps ; who was born in Richland Co., Ohio, Jan. 2, 1818 ; they are the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are living, viz.: Samuel, Isaac, Mary A., Isabelle, John, Nancy, Ellen and Nelly; deceased - Elizabeth, Margaret M., Jacob and Sarah J. Mr. Hay, though 68 years of age, is an industrious, hard working man. and still continues to farm.

S. P. HAY, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. O. Arrowsmith. The subject of this sketch was born in Richland Co., Ohio, March 24, 1839 ; remained at home with his parents until he was married to Pracilta Mordin, Dec. 7, 1865 ; she was born in Schuylkill Co., Penn., March 12, 1847 ; they are the parents of five children, viz.: John M., Laura B., Mary M. (the next two are twins) Emma and Delia. Mr. Hay is quite an industrious farmer, whose principal crop is corn ; also raises oats to some extent.

AUGUSTUS C. HAZLE .farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Arrowsmith. The subject of this sketch was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, May 25, 1818 ; lived on a farm until 23 yeara of age ; engaged with his father in farming, until he was married in Ohio, to Mary A. Pemberton, Dec. 15, 1842 ; she was born in Clark Co., Ohio. May 31, 1825 ; they are the parents of six children, viz.: Elizabeth, died April 19, 1862; Philip N., born Sept. 1, 1846; Isaac N., July 1, 1850; John 0., March 9, 1852 ; William A., Aug. 28, 1855 ; James A., Aug. 28, 1855 ; the last named being twins. Mr. Hazle has held the office of School Director, fifteen years, and Overseer of Roads, twelve years. Mr. Hazle owns 160 acres of excellent farming land, worth $50 per acre. Mr. Hazle, when married, had only about $50 worth of property, but by his industry, economy and perseverance has accumulated about $9,000 worth of property, besides $3,600 he. has given to his boys. His father was in the war of 1812, and Mrs. Hazle' s father was also in the same war.

HENRY FRY, farmer; P. 0. Arrowsmith. The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, April 21, 1830 ; his father died when he was quite young, leaving his mother and sister in his care, being the oldest son ; he continued to support his mother and sisters, by working at home part of the time, and worked out by the month until he married Susannah Darnell, Dec. 20, 1849 ; she was born in Holmes Co., Ohio, Aug. 16, 1833 ; they are the parents of fourteen children, ten of whom are living - Serilla J., Rebecca, Mary I., John H., Stephen A. D., Barbara A., James W. L., Lucy E., Susannah and Matilda; the names of the deceased are - . Catherine E., died May 1,1865; Eliza E., died March 8,1865; Frances M., died March 8, 1867 ; Samantha, died Jan. 19, 1867. Mr. Fry was married in Ohio, and came to this State in the fall of 1853, and still continues to farm, his principal crop being corn ; he is very industrious and energetic.

ANDREW C. JONES, farmer, Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Arrowsmith ; owns 200 acres ; was born in Union Co., Penn., March 15, 1816; removed with his father; assisted his father in farming and tanning until married to Eleanor Arrowsmith. May 19, 1836 ; she was born in Ross Co., Ohio, April 16, 1818; they are the parents of seven children, two of whom are living - Mary E. (now wife of S. E. Clive), Margaret E. (now wife of J. R. Lorimer) ; deceased - Henry L., Benjamin N., Norman A., John W., Samuel A. Mr. Jones came to this county in 1839, hence was one of the pioneers of this county, assisting to turn it from a wilderness to its present prosperous condition. Mr. Jones has been very industrious, but his losses have been considerable, losing twenty-seven head of horses since he has been in this county ; notwithstanding, he has accumulated considerable property, owning 200 acres of fine farm land, besides town property in Arrows smith.

PHILIP KELLER, farmer; P. 0. Arrowsmith. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio, July 31, 1840; lived with his parents until 21 years of age, assisting his father on the farm until he came to this county, in 1864. Was married to Mary E. Arrowsmith, May 28, 1868; she was born in McLean Co., 111.; they are the parents of five children - Rosa A., born Feb. 16, 1869; Nancy C, born Nov. 10, 1871 ; John W., born Dec. 13, 1872; Nettie M.. born Oct. 5, 1875; Oliver P., born March 17, 1878. Mr. Keller still continues to farm, his principal crop being corn. He had a brother instantly killed by a falling stick of timber, while raising a barn,

JAMES M. KEPNER, farmer. Sec. 36: P. 0. Saybrook. The subject of this sketch was born in Juniata Co., Penn., April 17, 1842 ; remained with his father, engaging in farming and the lumber business; came to this county in 1866. Was married in Pennsylvania, to Margaret;

R. Campbell, April 23, 1863; she was born in Franklin Co., Penu., Aug. 14, 1842; they are the parents of four children - John M., Elizabeth R., Frances M. and William C. Mr. Kepner has eighty acres of fine farming land, and about one-fourth of an acre in raspberries, of which he had about ten bushels last year. He has about $7,000 coming to him from his father's estate - his father having died lately. He is very industrious and economical, and Mrs. Kepner is very industrious and intelligent.

FRANKLIN KIMLER, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Arrowsmith ; owns 320 acres of land, worth $40 per acre; was born in Montgomery Co., Ind., Nov. 16, 1831; remained with his father on the farm until 21 years of age, assisting him in farming and blacksmithing ; moved to this county at the age of 7 years; settled southwest of Le Roy; lived one year there; moved to where the town of Le Roy now stands, still farming and working at his trade, and was married to Jane Pemberton May 18, 1856 ; she was born in Fountain Co., Ind.; they are the parents of four children - James E., born April 5,1857; Elizabeth A., Jan. 18,1860; Mary B., Oct. 2, 1861 ; Frank A., April 24, 1867. Elizabeth E., now wife of Austin H. Vanscoyoc, of Kansas. Mr. Kimler has held the office of School Director eight years; he was in the late war, enlisting Sept. 4, 1861, in Co. I, 39th I. V. I., and served three years ; was in the battle of Drury's Bluff, Va., also in the battle of Fort Wagner. S. C , and several other battles and skirmishes; was mustered out by general order. Mr. Kimler had no property to speak of, when married; but has, at present, about $13,000 worth of property, which he has accumulated by industry, economy and perseverance, made mostly by farming and raising cattle hogs and horses ; his principal crop has been corn.

JOHN A. LARIMER, merchant and Postmaster, Arrowsmith ; was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, April 23, 1839; lived with his parents until 1848, when he came to this county; moved to Bloomington, and lived with his father until he enlisted (August, 1861) in Co. C, 33d I. V. I.; was in the battle of Pilot Knob and battle at Fredericktown, Mo.; fought Jeff. Thompson ; thence to Arcade and wintered there; went to Vicksburg May 1, 1863: crossed the Mississippi River; was the first Union soldier landed on that side of the river; went to Magnolia Hills, and Was there fired on by the rebels ; the fire was returned, and the fight lasted all day - Mr. Larimer being in the hottest part of the battle ; they were then engaged in one continual skirmish, until they got to Jackson, Miss.; after taking this place, the army moved toward Vicksburg; Mr. Larimer was then engaged in the great battle at Champion Hills; the rebel line was broken at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. During the march back to Black River bridge, Mr. Larimer helped to eat the supper prepared for Pemberton ; he was then ordered to Black River bridge, where a charge was made on the works, taking several thousand prisoners and a number of guns ; the rebels retreated after burning the bridge ; Mr. Larimer was wounded by a shell from the enemy's guns in this battle; he was then in the siege of Vicksburg ; was slightly wounded by a shell from the enemy's guns : was at the taking of Esperanza by siege, when he went to Texas and scouted around until January; he then re-enlisted for three years, and was in several other battles; was mustered out by general order Dec. 8, 1865. Mr. Larimer came home from the army, and engaged with his father in farming until he married Elizabeth J. Cowan Feb. 13, 1868; she was born in Clark Co., Ohio, May 24, 1845; the fruit of this marriage is four children - Eddy C, Robert P., William 0. and Anna B., who died Aug. 23, 1878. Mr. Larimer commenced the mercantile business in the town of Arrowsmith in 1871, keeping, as he always has, a splendid stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hats, caps, etc., on hand. His experience in purchasing goods has enabled him to keep a better class of goods on hand, and to sell lower than any other store in Arrowsmith. Mr. Larimer has held the office of Supervisor of township two years, and was appointed Postmaster at Arrowsmith in 1872, which office he still holds. He is universally esteemed by all who know him. He is decidedly a business man - very intelligent and pleasant. Mrs. Lirimer is also highly respected, and is a very intelligent lady. Mr. Larimer owns a house, lot and storehouse in Arrowsmith.

JOHN D. LANDERS, farmer; P. O. Ellsworth; was born in Christian Co., Ky., Jan, 17, 1824; lived with his parents on the farm until 11 years of age ; moved with his parents to this county Oct. 17, 1835 ; drove ox-team in summer, and went to school in winter ; drove two droves of cattle to Wisconsin in the year 1844; came home, went to Kentucky, stayed one year, returned and ran his father's farm and mill one year. Enlisted in the Mexican war June, i846, in Co. B, 4th Regiment I. V. I., and served twelve months ; was in the siege and capture of Vera Cruz, the battle of Cerro Gordo, where he was wounded in the left hand, and several skirmishes ; was mustered out by general order. Returned home, and engaged in breaking prairie and farming for about three years. He was married to Melinda A. Lash March 7, 1850 ; she Whs born in Ohio; died April 5, 1874; there were nine children by this marriage, viz., Adaline, Ira, Samuel, Perry, Myra, Sallie, Olif, Ella and Zaulda. Mr. Landers was then married to Charlotte Driskill, April 12, 1877 ; she was born in Defiance Co., Ohio, Dec. 23, 1849 ; the fruit of this marriage is one child - John David, Jr., born May 25, 1878 Mr. Landers owns 208 acres of farm land, under good cultivation, and has considerable influence in his neighborhood. Mr. Landers has held office of School Director twenty years; School Treasurer, three years; Assessor, three years, and Supervisor, one term. His grandfather lived to be 114 years of age ; his father is 81 years old, and still attends to business.

JOHN' MARSH, farmer and stock-dealer; P. 0. Arrowsmith ; was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., March 14, 1828; lived on the farm with his father in that State until 12 years of age, then moved with his parents to the Western Reserve, in Ohio ; stayed there twelve years, engaging with his father in farming and dairying; came to this county when 24 years of age. Was married in Ohio to Eliza Hobart, March 8, 1852; she was born in Ohio March 14, 1828: they are the parents of eight children, viz., John F., Rena B., George A., Mary A., Elma C, Harry H., Eunice A. and Ruth A. Mr. Marsh has held the office of Commissioner of Highways seventeen years, and School Director twelve years. Mr Marsh had very little property when he came to this county, but now owns 668 acres of the finest farming lands in the county ; he has planted about twelve acres of the willow on the northwest of his dwelling-house, which makes a very fine wind-break ; Mr. Marsh's farm is one of the best improved in the township ; he is a man of great influence in the neighborhood, where he has lived for a number of years. Mrs. Marsh is an educated and accomplished lady ; in fact, the family are in very high standing. Mr. Marsh has made considerable money raising sheep, having made sheep and mules a specialty.

ANSON MARSH, farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0. Arrowsmith; owns eighty acres, worth $35 per acre; was born in Seneca Co., N. Y. July 25, 1832 ; lived with his parents on a farm until engaging with his father in farming, the lumber business, working a stone-quarry, etc., until 22 years of age ; he came to this county about the year 1854 ; worked by the month on a farm until he married Sarah M. Wampler, Nov. 29, 1861 ; she was born in Highland Co., Ohio, Dec. £, 1835 ; they are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz.; Henry M. W., Theodocia, Mary J.. William W., Luis E., George I. and Laura A.; deceased - Florence M. and Alice. Mr. Marsh has held the office of School Director eight years, and Overseer of Roads several terms His parents are natives of New York; Mrs. Marsh's father is a native of Virginia, and her mother of Ohio.

FRANK MARSH, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Arrowsmith ; was born in McLean Co., 111., April 10, 1853 ; lived with his parents on the farm, engaging with his father in farming until 19 years of age ; then farmed three years for himself on his father's farm, and was then married to Amanda J. Wampler, Dec. 24, 1874; she was born in McLean Co., 111., Aug. 2, 1854; the fruit of this marriage is one child - Goldie, who was born July 14, 1876. Mr. Marsh owns sixty acres of very fine farm land, probable value, $35 per acre, under good cultivation. Mr. Marsh's parents are natives of Ohio, and Mrs. Marsh's of Virginia.

JOHN MURPHY, farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0. Arrowsmith; owns 120 acres of excellent farming land under good cultivation ; was born in Ireland, Dec. 26, 1823; lived with his parents on a farm until 24 years of age ; came to this country, first to New York, next to Cincinnati, and then to Kentucky, where he was married to Margaret Jones, April 22, 1852; she was born in Fleming Co., Ky.t Jan. 12, 1835. They are the parents of nine children - William A , John J., Mary E., Thomas, Eddy B., Susan B. and Kate M.; deceased - Mary E. died in 1856; George A. died Sept. 23, 1875.

THOMAS O'BRIEN, farmer, Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Arrowsmith ; the subject of this sketch was born in Ireland, April 28, 1831 ; lived with his parents, in Ireland, until 17 years of age, when he hired to J. Cull, a stockman, to drive fat cattle to market and fairs, looking after them while there; came to this country at the age of 21 years; came first to New York, stayed one year, then came to McLean Co. - farmed three years. Was then married to Mary Smith, April 28, 1856 ; she was born in Ireland, March 25, 1839. The fruit of this marriage is eleven children, of whom six are living, five dead - Lawrence, Thomas, John, Peter, James E. and Hugh ; deceased - John died in 1853; Anna died in 1853, and one infant; Rosanna died in 1868, and Thomas in 1868. Mr. O'Brien owns seventy-seven acres of excellent farming land under good cultivation. He has held the office of School Director three years, which office he still holds, jle had a brother killed in the late war. Mrs. O'Brien had a brother wounded in the battle of Prairie Grove, in Arkansas.

ENOCH OROHOOD, mechanic, Arrowsmith. The subject of this sketch was born in Virginia June 1, 1828; remained with his parents until 19 years of age ; emigrated to Union Co., Ohio; came from Ohio, in 1849, to Sangamon Co.. this State, and remained until 1850; then to Christian Co., where he remained until 1852 ; moved to Bloomington on the 13th day of November, 1852. Was previously married in Ohio, to Anna Brown, Aug. 15, 1849 ; she was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Dec. 1, 1829. They are the parents often children - Edwin L., Enoch W., Anna B., Eva, Nellie F. and Colun R. ; deceased - Mary K., who died Feb. 2, 1856; James L., who died Feb. 21, 1864; Charles, who died in 1868; Joseph M , who died July 4, 1872. Mr. Orohood held the office of City Alderman, in the city of Clinton. His father was in the war of 1812. Mr. Orohood carried on the business of manufacturing bugg es, wagons and plows, very extensively in Clinton, 111., for twelve years, being a natural mechanic, and gave good satisfaction during that time. He is well read on general subjects.

0. PAULDING, physician, Arrowsmith. The subject of this s'< etch* was born in Asia, while his parents were there on a missionary tour. Mr. Paulding's parents having died when he was young, he knows but little of his early history. He has had the benefit of agooi education; he graduated at Amberly College, where he received a diploma for the practice of medicine, which profession he still follows. His residence is in the town of Arrowsmith, where he is now practicing. He has built up a fine practice in the town and vicinity, in the past year, and is looked upon by all as an able physician, highly talented and very energetic.

JAMES F. PAYNE, farmer, Sec 22; P. 0. Arrowsmith ; owns sixty acres of very fine farm land, worth $65 per acre. The subject of this sketch was born in Monroe Co., lnd., Jan. 31, 1831 and lived with his father on the farm until 21 years of age. He was married to Martha A. Gray, April 8, 1851 ; she was born in Monroe Co., Ind., April 7, 1832. The fruit of this marriage has been seven children, six of whom are living - George W., now engaged in buying grain in Arrowsmith ; Andrew J., also engaged in buying grain in Arrowsmith; John M., Jacob I., Tabitha E. and William H. ; deceased - Martha E. Mr. Payne has held the office of School Director seven years, and has been Township Collector from the year 1861 to 1864. Mr. Payne is well respected in his neighborhood.

JOHN SMITH, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Arrowsmith; owns forty-five acres, worth $45 per acre; was born in Ross Co., Ohio, March 22, 1821. Lived and farmed with his father, and occasionally worked out by the month. Remained in Ohio until 21 years of age ; came to this State and thence to California, in the year 1850, and, while his party were crossing the plains, a large water-spout passed within thirty yards of them. He was married to Maria Rider Aug. 13, 1863. She was born in Ohio Sept. 24, 1843. They are the parents of eight children, viz. : William H., Ella C, who died April 12,. 1868; Idalia, Nona H., George M.. Anna, Francis L., Milo A. Mr. Smith's grandfather was in the Black Hawk war, and Mrs. Smith's grandfather on her mother's side was in the war of 1812. She is one of the survivors of the Kansas drouth of 1860.

JACOB SMITH, farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0. Saybrook : owns 258 acres of land, worth f 10 per acre ; was born in Switzerland Co., Ind., April 21, 1817. Resided on a farm with his parents, assisting his father in farming ; worked out by the month. Came to this county in the spring of 1833, being the first settler in this township, helping to change it from a barren wilderness to a fruitful field of plenty. He was married to Rosana Newcom April 20, U'42. She was born in (Mark Co., Ohio, April 9, 1820. They are the parents of seven children, three living and four dead, viz. : Charles W., Lucinda J., Joseph P. ; deceased - Ethan A., died in the late war, of typhoid fever, March 25, 1864; Albert R., Anna J. and Mary E. Mr. Smith has held the office of School Director twelve years ; held the office of Commissioner of Highways two terms, which office he still holds, and held the office of Supervisor of this township three or four years. Mr. Smith had but very little property when he came to this county ; it did not exceed $200 ; but, by industry, economy and perseverance, has accumulated about $15,000 worth of property, consisting mostly of land. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been very liberal in donating money for benevolent purposes. Mrs. Smith donated $50 to assist in building a church.

WILLIAM SPENCER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Arrowsmith. The subject of this sketch was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Oct. 11, 1842 ; resided with his father on the farm until 19 years of age, his mother having died when he was but 6 years old ; engaged with his father in farming until he came to McLean Co., in 1855 ; settled in Le Roy, and remained there three years, attending school a portion of the time. Mr. Spencer was in the late war, enlisting in 1861 in Co. 1, 39th I. V. I.; was in battle of Winchester and the skirmish at Black Water, Va.; was in the siege and capture of Fort Sumter ; in battle at Morris' Island and Fort Wagner ; re-enlisted Jan. 1, 1864, and was in battle of Drury's Bluff; siege of Petersburg; assisted in the taking of Petersburgh ; went to Southeast Virginia ; mustered out by general order, and returned home. He was married to Mary E. Cline Jan. 3, 1869 ; she was born in Putnam Co., Ohio. June 21, 1857 : they are the parents of two children - Emma M., born March 19, 1870; Eva D., Oct. 9, 1873. Mr. Spencer owns 240 acres of excellent farming land, under good cultivation, his crop being mostly corn, which he has fed to hogs and cattle until the last four years.

IRA A STOUT, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Ellsworth. Owns 160 acres of land, worth $35 per acre; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio ; went to school part of the time. Was married to Alice Pancake Feb. 25, 1875 ; she was born in Noble Co., Ind.; they are the parents of two children - David and Harry. The subject of this sketch has held the office of School Director, two terms; Town Clerk, two terms, and School Trustee, which office he still holds.

MADISON WILLAN, farmer; P. 0. Ellsworth; was born in Henry Co., Ky., Sept! 5, 1847 ; lived with his parents on the farm until 14 years of age ; engaged with his tather in farming ; went to Indiana ; stayed until 1865 ; came to this county, and married Jane Richardson, Jan. 18, 1872 ; she was born in Scotland April 5, 1850; the fruit of this marriage is one child - La Fayette, who was born May 7, 1875. Mr. Willan's father is a native of England, and his mother of Kentucky. Mrs. Willan's parents are natives of Scotland.

THOMAS B. WATTS, farmer and school teacher; P. 0. Arrowsmith. The subject of this sketch was born in the State of Delaware, June 23, 1843 ; remained with his parents until 18 years of age, engaging with his father in farming in summer and going to school in winter. Mr. Watts attended the State Normal School at Bloomington, McLean Co., two and a half years : commenced teaching school at the age of 21. and continued for about twelve years. Mr. Watts was so successful in teaching that he retained his position in one school, in the city of Peoria, 111., for a period of six years. Mr. Watts has been teaching in this county for about two years. Was married to Louise L. Odelin May 27, 1867 ; she was born in the State of Vermont March 27,

1848; they are the parents of three children - Littie M., born Jan. 13, 1873 ; Cora B., May 11, 1875; B. A., June 3, 1877. Mr. Watts lives on his father's farm, and is a man of more than ordinary intelligence. Mrs. Watts is an Eastern lady, of refinement and taste.

WIYETT ADAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Downs ; one of the early pioneers of McLean Co. ; was born Feb. 1, 1828, in Warren Co., Ky. His father, Jesse Adams, emigrated to Illinois in October, 1830, and entered land in Old 'lown Township, where he lived until his decease, which occurred in 1843. He was married in Virginia to Elizabeth Goodman ; she was born in Tennessee, and died in Iowa in 1865. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom ten are now living. The subject of this sketch remained upon the home farm until 19 years of age, when, upon the 25th of March, 1847, he was married to Charity Bishop ; she was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Oct 18, 1826. They have ten children now living, viz. : Mary E., born Jan. 3, 1851', now Mrs. John H ol forty ; Joseph, a music teacher, born Feb. 9, 1852 ; Hannah E., May 9, 1853, now Mrs. Wamsley, of Hey worth ; Martin L., Oct, 14, 1854; May Dora, Dec. 15, 1855; Harriet L., Jan. 12, 1859, now Mrs. Frank Cowden ; Liddie Celia, April 22, 1860; Ichabod M., Jan. 11, 1862; Sarah J., Aug. 30, 1865, and Nettie, Feb. 17, 1870. Upon the marriage of Mr. A., he rented land, upon which he farmed for three years, when he entered ninety acres of his present place, at $1.25 per acre, to which he has since added by purchase, until he now owns 247 acres, which he has secured by his own exertions. He settled upon his present place in 1849, when he had only two neighbors on the prairie, and east it was perfectly wild for five miles, not a house being located within that distance. His milling was done at Mackinaw, a distance of fifty miles, making the trip from four to seven days with oxen ; afterwards at Bloomington, a distance of twelve miles. He assisted in organizing the township in 1857. Mr. Adams has held many township and school offices among which we mention Highway Commissioner and School Director. Mrs. Adams is a daughter of Jacob Bishop, who emigrated from Perry Co., Ohio, and located in Randolph Grove in the fall of 1829, where he now lives at the advanced age of 82 years. Mr. and Mrs. Adams were in Bloomington when there was but one dry-goods store in the place, neither mill nor churches.

CHARLES ALLEN, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. O. Hey worth ; born in Marion Co., Ohio, May 19, 1845. His father, David S. Allen, was born in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio, then to Illinois, and located in Padua Township, McLean Co., in 1845. Here he entered eighty acres of prairie and twenty of timber, upon which he lived until 1860, when, after living in Christian Co. three years, he returned to McLean Co. and settled in Downs Township, where he died, March 17, 1864. He married, in Ohio, Betsey Love; she died in McLean Co. in 1848, and lies buried in the Dawson graveyard, in Padua Township. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents until the winter of 1864, when he enlisted in the 150th I. V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union. He was forwarded to the front, and, during the year 1864, was engaged upon duty in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and, in the spring of 1865, he was discharged, and returned to Downs Township, and followed farming upon rented land until 1871, when he purchased his present place of 100 acres, upon which he then settled and has since lived. His marriage with Charity E. Cusey was celebrated Dec. 30, 1868. They have two children - John Cusey, born Oct, 22, 1871 ; Charles A., June 11, 1876. Mrs. Allen was born in McLean Co., Nov. 21, 1844. She is a daughter ot Senator John Cusey, one of the early settlers of McLean Co., whose biography appears in this work.

C. E. BARCLAY, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Downs ; born in Mason Co., Ky., Sept. 10, 1824. His father, Stephen Barclay, was born in Brown Co., Ohio, Aug. 11, 1800. He was married in Kentucky to Nancy Downing. She was born March 22, 1800, in Kentucky. They were the parents of six children, as follows - Susan, now Mrs. Sylvester Peasley, born June 7, 1822 ; Charles E,, Sept. 10, 1824; Harriet P., March 2 1827; James, May 14, 1829; Sarah, April 25, 1832 ; William, Feb. 16, 1835 - the last four are deceased. The subject of this sketch was brought up to farm labor, with his father, until 28 years of age, when, in the fall of 1853, he emigrated to Illinois, and the year of 1854, farmed upon the place of Campbell Wakefield, in Randolph Township, and in the fall of 1854, purchased his present place of 160 acres, which was in a wild state, and which he has brought from its wild prairie condition to its present high state of cultivation, by his own hard labor. He was one of the first settlers upon the prairie; but a very few houses were in view at the time of his locating here. He has followed farming constantly during his residence here, and for the past fifteen years has been engaged in feeding and shipping stock. His marriage with Angeline Biggers, was celebrated May 19, 1850. She was born in Mason Co., Ky., Jan. 23, 1832. She died in McLean Co., June 4, 1867, leaving seven children - .lames S., born July 29, 1851; Mary A., Aug. 19, 1853; Nancy S., April 17, 1855, (the above three are married and live in Kansas); Charles D., Sept. 9, 1857; John H., May 21, 1860; Susan P., Feb. 20, 1862; George E., July 23, 1865 - the last four are now living at home. His marriage with

Elizabeth Willhoit was celebrated Jan. 23, 1868. She was born in Owen Co., Ky., May 8, 1842,. she was a daughter of Willis C. and Maria (Hancock) Willhoit, who emigrated from Kentucky and located in McLean Co., 111., in the spring of 1852. Mr. Willhoit died in McLean Co., April 9, 1873. Mrs. Willhoit is still living; is now in the 74th year of her age. They were the parent* of ten children, eight of whom lived to grow up; seven are now living; six of them are living in McLean Co. The children of Charles E., and Elizabeth (Willhoit) Barclay were five in number - Lillie M., born March 7, 1869; Willis J., Nov. 1, 187U; Harry T., May 8, 1872; Hattie E.^ Aug. 20, 1875; William E., June 25, 1877. Of township and school offices he has had his full share, among which we mention Assessor for three terms, Commissioner of Highways three terms, School Director ten years, Town Clerk one year, and one of the Board of School Trustees for fourteen years, and other petty offices.

WILLIAM R. BARTON, farmer, Sec. 29; P.O. Heyworth. One of the oldest settlers of McLean Co.; born in Union Co., Ind.. Oct. 13, 1823; his father, Samuel Barton, was born in Loudoun Co., Va., in 1794. He emigrated from Virginia to Pennsylvania, thence to Union Co., Ind. He was married in Pennsylvania to Hannah Pitznoggle. She was born in Pennsylvania, of German descent. She died about, the year 1846, in Boone Co., Ind. Mr. Barton now lives in Boone Co., Ind., where he has lived for nearly half a century. He is now 85 years of age. They were the parents of nine children, of whom six are now living. The subject of this sketch lived upon the farm of his father, until 1855, when he emigrated West, and located in Downs Township, and in the spring of 1856, purchased forty acres of his present place, upon which he then settled, and where he has since lived. He has since added, by purchase, until he now owls eighty acres of well-improved land, which he ha 3 secured by his own hard labor, energy and industry. His marriage with Louisa A Sweet, was celebrated Oct. 17, 1844. She was born in Henry Co., Ind., Jan. 17, 1828. She died March 5, 1868. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom nine are now living - Eli, Catharine, Albert, John, Charles, Milton, William, Mary and Ellen ; of the above children, John was born Jan. 17, 1854; he was united in marriage with Lizzie J. Cruff, Feb. 10, 1875; she was born in Indiana, Jan. 29, 1852. She was a daughter of William Cruff, who located in Bloomington, in 1856, and now lives in McLean Co.

DAVID F. BAYLOR, farmer, Sec. 8; P. 0. Downs; one of the early settlers of McLean Co., 111. ; born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Sept. 27, 1832 ; he is a son of Jacob Baylor, who was born in Pennsylvania. May 16. 1805, and emigrated to Ohio, and located in Champaign Co., Ohio. He was married, March 25, 1830, to Nancy Beatly ; she was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Aug. 30, 1810, ; she now lives upon the old place, where they located thirty-nine years ago. He followed farming and teaming in Ohio until 1837, when he emigrated to Illinois with his family and located at Blooming Grove, and, in 1839, located on Sec. 8, Downs Township, where hesecured eighty acres of land, upon which he settled, and where he lived until his decease, which occurred Jan. 6, 1848. He frequently made trips by team to Chicago, taking up grain, and bringing back salt, groceries, etc., the trip consuming upward of two weeks; he also made trips to St. Louis, taking grain to market and freighting back goods for Bloomington merchants; he continued farming and teaming until he had accumulated 200 acres of land at the time of hisdeath ; they were the parents of eight children, of whom five are living. The subject of this sketch emigrated to Illinois with his parents in 1837, and lived upon the home farm until 1866, when he located upon his present place, where he has since lived ; he has eighty acres in his home farm, and also an interest in the old homestead. His marriage with Annette R. Mannen, was celebrated April 12, 1859; she was born in McLean Co., 111., Feb. 15, 1840; she died April 17,. 1864, leaving two children - Cary 0., born April 6, 1860 ; Maria I., born Nov. 25, 1862. He was united in marriage with Clara B. Philips, Nov. 19,1865 ; she was born in Greene Co., Penn., Jan. 7, 1842; they were the parents of five children, of whom four survive - Maggie F., born in 1867 ; Francis B., born April 22, 1868 ; Eliott EL, born Aug. 17, 1872 ; Vera L., born Oct. 8, 1*75. The deceased, Alfred N., was born Aug. 18, 1870; died Aug. 5, 1872.

HENRY CLAY BISHOP, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Downs; one of the oldest living settlers of Downs Township; born in Clark Co., Ohio, Dec, 3, 1824; he was the second son of William Bishop, who was born Sept. 8, 1794, in Virginia. During the war of 1812, he was a teamster, and went to Fort Meigs and Fort Wayne. About the year 1820, he went to Virginia and married Margaret Lake; she was born in Virginia in 1803 ; she is now living in Bloomington at th& advanced age of 76 years ; they were the parents of nine children, who lived to grow up, eight of whom are now living. In 1833, he came to lllinios and located upon Sec. 30, Old Town Township, McLean Co. ; upon their arrival here they were obliged to sleep in a wagon for three weeks, and lived in the abandoned hut of a hunter for the first winter, and the following year, built the Six-Mile House, a double log cabin, which was used for many years as a stopping place for travelers. He entered land, to which he afterward added until he had 2,000 acres; of their children, eight are now living; three of the sons are farming in this county ; one is a physician of Bloomington, and one a physician of Chicago. Mr. Bishop was a man universally respected, and died Oct. 5, 18o5, at the advanced age of 61 years. The subject of this sketch remained at home until 1852, when he went to California overland, crossing the Rocky Mountains at South Pass ; there were six in the party, and they had two teams of cows hitched to the wagons ; the trip consumed five months : he remained in California until 1856, the most of the time being engaged in mining , he then returned and engaged in farming, which business he has since successfully followed ; he located upon his present place in 1865, where he has 355 acres, upon which he has good farm-buildings, and some town property in Normal.

GEORGE BISHOP, farmer, Sec. 10; P. 0. Downs; born in Randolph Township, McLean Co., 111., Nov. 28, 1848; he is a son of James Bishop, who was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, and emigrated to Illinois and located in Randolph Township at a very early day. The subject of this sketch attended the common school in his youth, and completed his education at the Normal University at Bloomington, after which he remained with his father until the 7th of March, 1871, when he was united in marriage with Susan Welch; she was born in McLean Co., 111., Sept. 24, 1850: she is a daughter of Henry Welch, one of the pioneers of McLean Co., whose sketch also appears in this work. Upon the marriage of Mr. Bishop, he commenced farming for himself, which business he has since successfully followed ; he removed upon his present place in 1873, where he is engaged in farming 240 acres, all under a good state of cultivation ; they have four children by this union - Ella, born Jan. 28, 1872; James H., Feb. 28, 1874 ; William L. W., May 6, 1876 ; Alfred F , April 6, 1878.

ARTHUR A. BISHOP, farmer ; P. 0. Downs ; born in Randolph Township, McLean Co., 111., April 10, 1855 ; he is a son of James Bishop, one of the old settlers who emigrated from Ohio, and located in McLean Co., at a very early day. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools in his boyhood, and assisted his father in farming until 22 years of age, when he was united in marriage with Susan Welch ; she was born in Downs Township, Sept. 7, 1856 ; she was a daughter of George Welch, who was born in Vigo Co., Ind., in 1829, and emigrated to Illinois with his mother and located in Downs Township in 1835 ; he was married to Jane Miller ; she was born in Ohio in 1835; she died in Downs Township, Oct. 1865 ; Mr. Welch died Nov. 20, 1856. The children of Arthur A. and Susan (Welch) Bishop are two in number - George Welch, born Nov. 10, 1877; Charles E., born March 27, 1878. Upon the marriage of Mr. Biehop, he settled upon his present place, where he has since followed farming; he has eighty acres of good prairie land, and ten acres of timber in Randolph Township.

WESLEY BROWN, farmer; P. 0. Le Roy; born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Nov. 1, 1837, He is a son of John Brown, who was born in the same county and State, and now lives in Padua Township, McLean Co. Wesley Brown remained with his father, in Ohio, until 1855, when he emigrated to Illinois and located in McLean Co., and on Dec. 1, 1859, he was united in marriage with Sarah E. Case ; she was born in McLean Co , Sept. 27, 1840 ; she is a daughter of Lewis Case, one of the early pioneers of McLean Co., and whose biography appears among the sketches of Old Town Township, in another part of this work. Upon the marriage of Mr, Brown, he rented land, upon which he farmed until 1862, when he purchased his present place upon time, and in 1864, lost his residence and contents by fire, which was a serious drawback ; but he has since erected a good house, and paid for his farm of 160 acres by his own hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his wife ; their children were seven in number, of whom six are now living, viz., Lewis E., John E., Charles W., Mary 0., Salina L. and Roy W. ; the deceased died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been members of the Protestant Methodist Church since 1857 ; Mr. Brown is one of the strongest Republicans, having joined the party upon its organization, and has never in his life voted for a Democrat for any political position.

AARON BUCKLES, farmer ; P. 0. Le Roy ; one of the early pioneers of McLean Co.; born in White Co., 111., Dec. 9, 1827 ; he is a son of Abram Buckles, who was born in Virginia, June 18, 1800; he, with his father, moved to Illinois in 1810, and located in the grove bearing his name, in Empire Township, McLean Co., in 1832, and was, consequently, one of the early settlers of this county; he entered good land, to the extent of some 300 acres, and lived in this county until his decease, which occurred May 17, 1878, nearly 78 years of age. He was married to Mary Williams ; she was born in 1805, and died in McLean Co., 111., Dec. 19, 1876 ; they were the parents of twelve children, of whom ten are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Buckles were both members of the Baptist Church for upward of fifty years. The subject of this sketch was brought up to farm labor until 20 years of age, when he engaged in milling, at Le Roy, fora period of ten years, and again returned to farming, which business he has since followed. He located upon his present place in March, 1863, where he has upward of 160 acres of land, under fence and good cultivation. His marriage with Elizabeth Dean was celebrated July 20, 1851 ; she was born in Harrison Co., Ind., Aug. 22, 1833 ; they have three children by this union - . Robert W. H., born June 27, 1852; Isaac E., born June 21, 1854; John W., born Aug. 29, 1856, Mrs. Buckles is a daughter of John L. and Anna (Fox) Dean ; her father was probably born in Virginia, in Oct., 1807 ; Mrs. Dean was born June 13, 1813 ; they were the parents of four children, of whom two are now liviug. Mr. Dean died in Louisiana, in 1839 ; his widow then came to Illinois, and was married again, in Fulton Co., to William D. Brewer; they now live in Missouri.

WILLIAM COLAW, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Downs; one of the old settlers of McLean Co. ; born in Highland Co., Va., near the Potomac River, Jan. 30, 1815, where he attended the public schools during the winter until about 18 years of age, during which time he worked upon a farm in summer, and followed farming in Virginia, until March 20, 1833, when.

he was united in marriage with Sabina Gum ; she was born in Virginia, Aug. 24, 1814, and died in Illinois, Jan. 30, 1859; they had eight children, of whom five are now living - William, Amos, Benjamin, Dyer and Jane. He married for his second wife Phoebe Wood, upon the 16th nf May, 1860; she was born in Virginia, in 1828; she died in Illinois, Sept. 28, 1868, leaving three children, of whom two are now living - Harvey and George. His marriage with Sarah Ann Wilson was celebrated Dec. 23, 1873 ; she was born in Tazewell Co., 111., July 11, 1836 ; she is a daughter of James H. Wilson, who was born March 19, 1797; he was a patriot in the American army during the war of 1812, and was in many battles, among which Was the battle of New Orleans, under Gen. Jackson ; he was one of the early settlers of Tazewell Co., locating there in 1834 ; he now lives in Clark Co., Mo. Upon the marriage of Mr. Colaw, he engaged in farming in Virginia, until he emigrated to Illinois and located upon Section 1, Downs Township, in Dec, 1854, where he has lived for a period of a quarter of a century. He first purchased 240 acres of his present place, to which he has since added, by purchase, until he now owns 700 acres, all of which he has made by his own exertions. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, having been a member of the M. E. Church for fifteen years.

ROBERT COLLINS, farmer, Sec. 25; P. O. Le Roy: one of the early pioneers of McLean Co.; born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, Jan. 25, 1819. His father, Robert Collins, died when the subject of this sketch was 7 years of age, when he was bound out and was brought up to farming in Ohio until 17 years of age, when he emigrated to Illinois and located in what is now Randolph Township, October 16, 1836, where he lived until the spring of 1839, at which time he located firty acres of land of his present place, to which he has since added, by purchase, until he now owns 224 acres, upon which he has good farm buildings. Coming to Illinois without capital, he has accumulated all of the above property by his own hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his amiable wife, to whom he was united in marriage by Hiram Buck, June 25, 1840. Her maiden name was Maranda Buckles. She was born in White County, Illinois, August 25, 1825. She was the daughter of Abraham Buckles, who was born in Kentucky, and was among the first settlers of McLean Co. ; he died in 1878. The children of Robert and Maranda Collins were - John A., born May 6,1843; Anderson J., Feb. 11, 1846; Mary A., Jan. 29, 1848 (she was married to James Eskew and died April 20, 1879, leaving four children) ; Tabitha J., March 31, 1849; Americus E., May 31, 1850; Sarah E., Nov. 25, 1851 ; Maranda P., Nov. 6, 1853; William R., March 26, 1855, died March 25, 1865; Alfaretta E., Feb. 26, 1857; Mahalia, Feb. 10, 1859; Clarissa B., July 24, 1864) Barbara F., Sept. 14, 1866; Rosetta, Aug. 8, 1870. Mr. Collins located upon his place when there were but few settlers ; not a house was to be seen west of him for a distance of six miles, where now are located one or more houses upon every quarter-section - such has been the marvelous development of the country during the forty years' residence of Mr. Collins upon his home. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, having been a member of the M. E. Church for a period of forty-two years, thirty years of which time he has been Steward and Class-leader. Mrs. Collins has been a church member for nearly forty years, and, of the children, all are members save three.

CORNELIUS COVEY, farmer ; P. O. Le Roy ; one of the early settlers of McLean Co.; born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Feb. 26, 1814. He was a son of Edward Covey, who was born in the State of New York in 1772. He emigrated to Orange Township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, in 1816, and was the third settler of that township. He emigrated to Illinois in 1835, and located in what Was then McLean Co., near Farmer City, where he lived until his decease, which occurred Nov. 28, 1854. He was married in New York to Hannah Northrup. She was born in Connecticut in the year 1785, and died March 19, 1861. She was a daughter of Stephen Northrup, who was born near Hartford, Conn., and volunteered as private at the commencement of the Revolutionary struggle and served through the war. In September, 1780, he was detailed as the bearer of the dispatches from West Point, upon the Hudson, to Hartford, Conn., where Gen. AVashington and his suit were in session, announcing the traitorous designs of Gen. Arnold. Mr. Northrup drew a pension until his decease, which occurred when 78 years of age. The father and mother of Mr. Covey removed from New York to Ohio with oxen and sled, in the month of February, and used oxen many years upon his farm. The subject of this sketch emigrated with his parents to Illinois in 1835, and, after living near Farmer City until 1845, sold out and located upon his present place, where he has lived for a period of thirty-five years. At the time of locating here, his capital consisted of $450 in cash, one team and one cow. He first purchased 100 acres of land, to which he has since added until he now owns 292 acres, with good farm buildings. In 1847, he took a load of wheat by team to Chicago, loading back with salt and groceries. A few years he did his trading at Peoria, which at that time was considered quite convenient. Upon Mr. Covey locating upon his present place, there was not a single house in view, west, where now upon every quarter of a section stands one or more residences. His marriage with Dicy Johnson was celebrated Sept. 5, 1836. She was born in White Co., 111., July 29, 1817. Her father was born in Kentucky. Her mother was Catharine Reed, born in East Tennessee in 1785. They emigrated to Illinois in 1823. The children of Cornelius and Dicy Covey were eleven in number, of whom six are now living, viz.: Edmond, James R., Byron, Lorenzo, Stephen H. and

Ellsworth. He has given his five oldest children $1,200 in land. He had three sons in the Union army, two of whom served in the 39th Regt. for over four years. He as well as all of his sons are strong Republicans, and labor for the support of their party. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, he with his wife having been members of the Baptist Church for upward of a quarter of a century. He has been a hard-working, industrious man, and, aside from the above-mentioned property, paid taxes upon $8,000 worth of personal property in 1878.