Piatt County, Illinois - Biographical sketches (1 of 7 so headed), 1883 (part 1 of 2)

Biographical sketches

ME. JOSEPH F. ALYORD, Bement, is of English and German descent. His parents were 'natives of Massachusetts, and lived and died in their native state. His father died in 1825, but his mother's death did not occur until after Mr. Alvord went west. Mr. Alvord settled in Ohio in 1853, and in 1855 moved to Piatt county, and located on what is known now as the Kesner estate. He lived there in a log house, and boarded the men who built the h'rst house in Bement. The lumber for this first house was hauled from Champaign, and Mr. Alvord helped to do the hauling. On the 6th of November, 1835, Mr. Alvord was united in marriage to Marietta Clapp. Of their children, Joseph C. was killed in 1862, in the late war. Harrison M. has been twice married, and is living in Ohio. Oscar L. died in the army in 1862. George B. married Eunice Upton, has four children, and lived for several years in Kansas. Wilbur C. married Emma Clark, and lives in Bement. Albert F. is now in New Mexico or Arizona. Louis H. was united in marriage to Ella Williams, and is living in Bement.

ME. JOSEPH BODMAN was born September 20, 1819, in Williamsburg, Hampshire county, Massachusetts. His parents were born in the same state, and their ancestors were among the early settlers of that state. Their name first appeared in 1644 on the records of the old South church in Boston. After obtaining such education as he could in a country school, he served a regular apprenticeship in a country store. After he was twenty-one years old he began traveling, both in his own and in other states. He spent a good deal of time in Ohio, but still retained his residence in his native state, and such continued to be his home until he came to Piatt county, in the spring of 1855. He first visited the county, however, in 1853. He entered land for himself and brother, returned east, and then came back for the purpose of getting a station on or near the land, and succeeded in securing the location of what is now Bement. He owns a farm of some 1,400 acres adjoining Bement. It is all under cultivation, has fine farm houses on it, and is inclosed by ten or twelve miles of hedge and fence. Mr. Bodman was one of the charter members of the Bement Masonic lodge, and was the first high priest. We cannot give Mr. Bodman too much credit for the interest he has shown, throughout his residence here, in the town of Bement.

MR. LUTHER BODMAN entered his land in Bement township about 1856, and owns 1,240 acres, all in one tract. It was first entered in partnership with Louis Bodman, but afterward divided. He has put all the improvements on his farm, having put up nine dwelling-houses for laborers. He raises each year from four to five hundred acres of broom-corn, and it is probably the best equipped broom-corn farm in the state, the brick mill alone costing $4,500 or $4,600. The water is pumped by engines into tanks and then into feed lots \>y pipes. Much money has been expended to place it in its present excellent condition. The broom-corn is cut and cured there, and sent east for manufacture. There are five groves on the farm, from three to five acres in each, and twenty-five miles of osage orange hedge. A great amount of ditching, both open and tiling, has been done. All the land is under cultivation, and under the supervision of one person.

MR. FRANCIS E. BRYANT, banker, Bement, was born in Nelson, New Hampshire, February 3, 1818. His parents were natives of Massachusetts, but moved to New Hampshire in 1815. His grandfather Bryant was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and received a pension for his services there during the rest of his life. Mr. F. E. Bryant has the pocket-book his grandfather carried at the battle of Bunker Hill, also a continental bill which he received for services in this battle. Upon our questioning if he was related to Wm. C. Bryant, the poet, he replied that his father was a cousin to Wm. C. Bryant, and that another cousin, S. F. Smith, is the author of the poem "America." Mr. Bryant's parents moved to Ohio in 1833. His father was a farmer, and his mother, in an early day, taught school. Mr. Bryant was once prepared for college, but owing to a change in arrangements he studied surveying, and on June 15, 1837, he started to Schuyler county, Illinois, where he followed the compass for six years. He remained nineteen years in Schuyler county, and while there, on July 4, 1840, he was united in marriage to Sarah E. Briscoe, a daughter of Col. Geo. H. Briscoe, a soldier of the war of 1812, and formerly a resident of Mercer county, Kentucky. Thinking that he would have a better chance for advancement at Bement than where he was living, he moved to that place July 26, 1856, and began buying grain and selling lumber and salt. He opened the first merchandise store of the place May 18, 1857. From then until the present time he has been an energetic business man of the place ; indeed he has been one of the principal business men of Bement, and has done a great deal for the advancement of the town. He has now been in the banking business for ten years. Mr. Bryant was elected county surveyor in Schuyler county in 1839, and served four years. In 1852 he represented that county in the eighteenth general assembly. He was also elected, in 1872, member of the twenty-eighth general assembly, from the counties of Piatt and Champaign. He took an active part in the organization of the Masonic lodge of Bement, and was appointed by the grand lodge its first master, serving as such for three years. Mr. Bryant has traveled somewhat, both in this country and in the old world. He spent the summer of 1878 in Europe. He owns six stores, the bank building, an elevator, several offices and twelve improved lots, in addition to other property. In 1882 he erected an elegant cottage, one of the finest in the jpmnty: No expense has been spared in making it one of the most complete homes in the west. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant have had six children, only one of whom, Mrs. Bruce Sprague, is living. Mollie died at the age of seventeen. Two grandchildren, Eddie and Frank, are here to bring joy and gladness to the old age of Mr. and Mrs.

MR. S. K. BODMAN, druggist and postmaster, Bement, is a native of Massachusetts. His parents moved to Ohio in 1833, when lie was but one year old. He came to Piatt county about 1855, and taught school for about five years. He returned to Ohio, where he remained a year or two. He then came back to Piatt county, and opened a drug store in Bement. His store was built in 1866. He was made postmaster during Lincoln's administration. He was removed while Johnson was in office, but he was reappointed. He has been town clerk, treasurer and school director several terms. Mr. Bodman was married in Massachusetts in October, 1865, to Martha M. Lyman, whom he had met in Ohio. Their union has been blessed by six children, Clara S., Joseph L., Angie M., Mary E., Mattie C. and Edgar.

MR. THOMAS C. BODY (deceased) was a native of England, and came to America when a young man, locating on a farm in Piatt county about 1858. He moved into Decatur twice, and then for the third time located in Bement in 1867, in which town he lived until his death, with the exception of a short time spent on a farm. He was married in 1856, to Hannah D. Turnbolt, and they had seven children, six of whom are living. Fannie married Isaac Witherspoon, and had three children, two living, Grace and Edith ; Charles L. is in the livery business with Albert Godwin ; Darlington is clerking in Mr. Webster's grocery store, and Edward, William and Harry are at home. Mr. Body died in 1876. Mrs. Body still owns a farm of 319 acres, which they have partially improved. She also owns her residence, livery stable, six lots and a store room.

MR. T. GEORGE BELL (deceased) was a native of Pennsylvania, from which state he moved to Bement, Piatt county, during the war. He married Sarah Sample, who still survives him, and had two children. Mr. John D. Bell (see his sketch) is living in Bement. Mary Bell became the wife of Mr. Jacob Mutherspaugh, but died, leaving five children. Mr. Bell died in 1880, and his wife owns a house and lot in Bement, in addition to a small farm.

sylvania, moved from there to Illinois in March, 1864, and has been in this county ever since. Most of the time he followed farming, building the house and improving the farm lately bought by Mr. Moyer just north of town. He owns some town property, residence, several lots and sixty acres of land east of town. In 1853 he was married to Mrs. George Oliver, who had three children, all living. Mary, the wife of Dr. W. "W. Houser, lives in Lincoln, is quite an artist, and has five children. John L. married Miss Herrington, and lives in Nebraska. George is in New Mexico. Since the last marriage he had five children, three of whom are living. Sadie is now in California. Anna is at home. Elmer graduated at Evanston Garrett Institute in 1882, and expects to become a minister. Mr. Bell belongs to the Knights of Honor, organized about three years ago, and which has a membership at present of thirty-six. He also belongs to a benevolent society and an insurance society, each member carrying an insurance of $2,000.

MR. B. B. BACON, cashier in Bryant's Bank, Bement, is a native of Schuyler county, Illinois, from which place he moved to Bernent in 1872, when he went into the bank of Bryant & Bodman. He belongs to the Masonic lodge of Bement, and owns a residence and six lots in the town. He was married June 17, 1875, to Miss S. E. Burgess, a native of Marshall county, Illinois. Two children, Ethyl and Max, have come to bless their union.

MR. A. J. BOGGS, harness-maker, Bement, was born in Pennsylvania, and moved from there to Butler county, Ohio, thence to the state line, where he kept hotel for several years; thence to Wayne county, and kept hotel there eight years. From there he moved to Coles county, Illinois, in 1859, where he farmed and kept harness-shop for eight years, and then moved to Bement, and has since been in the harness business. He owns two residences, two business houses and several vacant lots ; in all he has put up seven buildings. He belongs to the organization of O'dd-Fellows. Mr. Boggs was married in Butler county, Ohio, in 1844, to Elizabeth Russel, and has had eleven children, six of whom are living. The eldest child lived to be thirtyone, and died in Kansas. Russel married Susan Glower, and lived in Bement. She was playing with her baby, when her dress caught lire, and, running outdoors, she was so badly burned that she only lived from Thursday to Saturday, and died February 18, 1872, leaving one child, Emory. Russell was married the second time, to Melissa Burton in Nebraska, and moved back to Bement, where he died in

1876, leaving one child by his second marriage ; Maggie died March 24, 1882, of cancer of the stomach ; Louisa is the wife of George Warden, lives in Kansas, and has two children ; Viola married Ralph Evans, a farmer, lives at Hammond, and has two children, Cecil and Earl. The names of Mr. Boggs' other children are A. Yinton, Belle, Albert, who was a twin, and Cora, the youngest. Mrs. Russel makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Boggs, in Bement.

MRS. ALEXANDER BOGGS, Bement, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1783, moved from there to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1846, and came to Illinois with her son, A. J. Boggs. Her husband, Alexander Boggs, was born in 1777, and died in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1855, of cholera. She has two other children in this state. Dr. P. S. Boggs is a dentist at Lovington, and has five children. Catharine is the wife of O. S. Crider, lives in Homer, and has one child. Mrs. Boggs has also a daughter in Wayne county, Indiana, and a son in Kansas. Her father was in the revolutionary war, and was ninety-nine years old when he died. Her brother was in the war of 1812, and her grandfather was killed by Indians in Pennsjdvania. Her youngest aunt was taken prisoner by the Indians, kept for seven years, was married to one, and finally released. Mrs. Boggs does not seem very old, has her second sight, and is not very hard of hearing.

MR. JACOB H. BARNES, carpenter, Bement, is a native of old Virginia, from which state he moved to Ohio in 1827. In 1866 he located in Bement, where he now owns a residence and two lots. He has held the office of school trustee and has been coroner for four years. In 1844 Mr. Barnes and Elizabeth Kimmel were united in marriage. They have four children living : Orre, who married Robert Haseltine, a civil engineer of Ohio ; Marcelous, who married Mary Chapins, has three children, John, Louis and LeRoy; and Iren and Kimmel, who are both at home.

MR. HENRY B. BURGESS (deceased), farmer, Bement, lived in Illinois a number of years, and improved 360 acres of land in Bement township. His death occurred about 1876. Mr. Burgess was married in Indiana, to Mary Miller, who is still living. Four of their five children are living. Of these, Mrs. B. B. Bacon, of Bement, is the eldest. Clark M. Burgess, who now lives on the home farm, was married October 6, 1880, to Mary Robinson. They have one daughter, Ruth Angie. Hattie and Mr. James Webster were united

MR. JOHN F. BENTLEY, farmer, Bement, moved from Ohio, his native state, in 1871, to Piatt county, where he owns 120 acres of land, which he has improved himself. He was married March 26, 1870. to Susan Savior, and has two children, Allie F. and Carrie Pearl.

MR. OLIVER BALL, farmer, Ivesdale, is a native of Indiana, who moved from there to Illinois, and in 1868 located in Piatt county. He was married the same year, to Sarah A. Patton, and has had five children, four of whom are living, Marietta, Clara, Flora and Rufus. Mr. Ball went to the army from Indiana in 1862, in Co. K of the 86th reg., and returned in 1865, having participated in battles at Stone River, Chickamauga, Nashville, Atlanta and Kenesaw Mountain.

MR. C. H. BRIDGES, merchant, Bement, is a native of Sangamon county, Illinois, moved from there to Niantic, Macon county, thence to Sangamon county, then to Shelby county, finally locating in Bement in 1882. His father and uncles were among the first settlers in Sangamon county, as there was but one log store building in Springfield when they moved there. Mr. Bridges has recently erected a frame store building 20x90 feet, which is the largest dry-goods room in Bement. He has been in the mercantile business for sixteen years, and still has a store in Moawequa. Mr. Bridges was married December 4, 1862, to Miss Fannie A. Mathews, a native of Christian county, and has four children living, Joseph, Marshall, Montie and Myrtle.

MR. JAMES H. CAMP, Bement, came from Ohio to Piatt county in 1855. He came for the purpose of putting up houses for Mr. Joseph Bodman for $1.50 a day. He was not out here long, however, until he received $3 per day. After putting up two houses and an office for Mr. Bodman, he went to Monticello, where he worked for a time and then returned to Bement. He remained in the carpenter business until 1873, when he went into a cabinet shop. He was in the army four years, but fortunately escaped all battles. The regiment came near being captured several times, but he escaped each time. Mr. Camp was married June 19, 1866, to Catharine Holm, of Marion, Ohio. They have three children living, Norman H., Jesse Jewel and Edwin.

MK. WM. M. CAMP, hardware merchant, Bement, came from Ohio to Piatt county June 8, 1858. He was a carpenter at that time and helped to build Mr. McDowell's hotel and several buildings north of it.

He remained in Bement two years and then went south until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted at the iirst call for soldiers. He enlisted as private in Co. K of the 4th Ohio Inf., and became successively corporal, sergeant, orderly-sergeant, 2cl lieutenant, 1st lieutenant, quarter-master and captain. The principal battles in which he engaged were those of Fredricksbnrg, Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and the siege of the wilderness. At Gettysburg he went out with 100 men in two companies at four o'clock in the evening. By nine o'clock only nineteen of the men were left, the rest having been killed or wounded. The brigade was called the " Gibraltar Brigade." At Chancellorsville the men had camped for the night when the word came to prepare for fighting. In three minutes they were ready for work, and in less than fifteen minutes were fighting on the camping ground. Mr. Camp was injured May 10, 1864, while in the "wilderness." He was attempting to get a captured gun from the enemy's works when he had three of his ribs broken. He returned to Ohio and was mustered out of service in June, 1864. He was married in October, 1864, to Mary Ellen Peters. He came to Bement and bought out Mr. John Hinkle's hardware store. After remaining alone in the business for four years, Mr. C. F. Tenney became his partner in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Camp have had the following children : Luella, Mary M., Emily A., William, Frederick, Edgar W. and Edwin H. Mr. Camp is one of the leading members of the Presbyterian church of Bement. He has been an elder in the church since 1873. He was member of the board of trustees for four years, and was president of the board for two years.

MR. J. M. CAMP, Bement, was married in 1860, to Sarah M. Holm, who died leaving no children. He was married again in 1875, to Frances P. Kimber, and has two children, Courtland M. and Ringland W. Mr. Camp owns residence and lot in Bement and is in the grain business. %

MR. CURTIS CAMP, grain merchant, Bement, is a native of Ohio. After, moving to Michigan he finally located in 1874 in Bement. He spent three years in the late war. Mr. Camp was married in 1869, to Orissia Cole. They have no children of their own, but little Maud, their adopted child and Mrs. Camp's brother's daughter, makes their hearts glad.

MR. H. N. CAMP, hardware merchant, Bement, was born in Ohio, and moved from there direct to Illinois in 1865, first locating on a farm two miles from Bement, then moved into town in 1870. He was in the hardware business with Camp & Tenney for fourteen months, and then went into partnership with J. F. Knapp and has been so connected since. He owns his residence and twelve lots. He is a member of the Odd-Fellows lodge. Mr. Camp was married in 1881, to Miss Minnie Bodman, of Massachusetts.

MR. E. C. CAMP, Bement, is a native of New York, from which state he moved to Ohio, where his wife died, about 1863. He came to Bement about 1865, and still resides here. His daughter Emily and the following sons are living in Bement, J. M. Camp, James H., William M., C. H., Hanson and Henry N". Mr. Camp was married again, and one daughter, Belle, is the result of the union.

MR. W. G. CLOYD, attorney and county judge, Bement, is a native of Kentucky and "emigrated early" to Missouri. He moved from Missouri to Macon county, Illinois, in 1865, and in September, 1871, located in Bement, where he says he soon "got so poor he could not get away." He studied law with John R. Eden, at Decatur, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1871, at which time he began practicing law in Piatt county. He was elected county judge June 5, 1879, and again in 1882.

MR. WILLIAM D. COFFIN, farmer, Bement, moved from Indiana to Piatt county about 1857. His father came out about that time, but died after three years had passed. Mr. Coffin was married in 1866, to Mary Holtz, a native of Indiana. Their children's names are Eva A., Homer and Horace, twins, and Emma A. Mr. Coffin has lived on the present home place in Bement township for about fourteen years. He went to the late war, was wounded twice, and lost the sight of one of his eyes. His health was also injured ty exposure in the army.

MR. FRANK CORSER, station and baggage agent, Bement, is a native of New York, and moved from there to Piatt county and to Bement in 1866. He has lived in the county ever since. Mr. Corser was married in 1877, to Emma Hubbell, and has had two children, one of whom, Lulu, is living.

MR. J. B. COOPER, merchant, Bement, is a native of Ohio, from which state he moved to Illinois in 1876. In 1877 he moved to Bement and went into partnership with W. A. Godwin, in the store building which Mr. Cooper now occupies. In 1878 Mr. A. Stock well bought Mr. Godwin's interest and the firm became Cooper & Stockwell. Mr. Stockwell, a native of Virginia, was for years a successful plnrsician holding a diploma as an allopathist as well as a homceopathist. He was a surgeon in the late war. His death occurred in Bement, December 8, 1879. His wife retains his interest in the business with Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper married Miss Mary Stockwell in 1873 and has one daughter, Bessie. Miss Lucy Stockwell has been for two years a teacher in the public schools of Bement. Miss Flora Myers, an adopted member of Mrs. Stockwell's family, is now assisting in Cooper and Stockwell's store. Mr. Cooper was a soldier in the late war. He went out in 1864, in Co. E of the 130th O. V. I. and returned in 1865.

MR. D. S. COLE, boot and shoe merchant, is a native of New Jersey, from which state he moved to Illinois in 1856 and settled in McLean county. He moved to Monticello, Piatt county, in 1875, and about 1878 located in Bement. At present he owns a house and lot in the last named place and is a member of the Masonic lodge of Monticello. He was married in 1858, to Leanna Yeamons, and has had eight children, seven of whom are living. Thomas A. married Nellie Sollars and Hattie is the wife of John Gray and the mother of one child, Lelah. The names of the other children are James, Daniel, Ethyl, Joseph and Bertie.

MR. D. A. CORRELL, Bement, is a native of Ohio, and came to Illinois in 1868, when he was nine years .old, and has been here ever since. He entered the army from Macon county in Co. E of 145th 111. Vol. Inf., going first from Fayette county in Co. D of 68th reg., and was in the second Bull Run battle, but not as a soldier. He was hospital steward a part of the time, and remained longer than the regiment. At one time he had the pleasure of having the rebels take all the negro drivers from the ambulances. In 1870 Mr. Correll was married to Naomi Harshbarger; has had -three children, two living, Laura M. and Wm. G.

MR. THUS. COXNOR, farmer, Bement, moved from Ireland to America in 1857. and to Piatt county in 1861. He was married in 1860, to Margaret Conoway, and lives in Bement township, where he owns 60 acres of land.

MR. PATRICK CAIN, farmer, Bement, is a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1856, and to Piatt county in 1871. He owns 80 acres of land, which he has improved himself. He was married in 1861, to Bridget Doyan.

MR. JOHN DEHART, farmer, Bement, is a native of Roekingham county, Virginia. When he was a year old his parents moved to Ohio. From that state he moved to Indiana, and about 1854 settled in Piatt county, Illinois. After living in Sangamon township until 1869, he moved to Bement, where he owns a house and four acres of land. Mr. Dehart was married in 1837, to Hannah Shomaker, a native of Ross county, Ohio. They have had nine children, two of whom are living. Eliza married Mr. Jessie Clouser, and Mary became the wife of Mr. Adam Spear, who lives on the farm where Mr. Dehart settled in Sangamon township.

MR. DAVID DAWSON, farmer, Bement, is a native of Delaware. He moved from his native state to Scott county, Illinois, and in 1854 settled near his present farm in Bement township. He now owns 160 acres of land, which he has improved himself. It is all under cultivation, is well hedged in 20 and 40-acre fields, and at least 150 trees are growing on it. A fine brick residence of eight rooms was erected in 1874. Mr. Dawson's first wife, Caroline, died, leaving six children. Of these, Belle married Jos. Medaris, and has two children; George married Emma Ragland, and lives in Bement; Clara is the wife of Geo. Ruby, of Martinsville; Zeb, Kate and Frank E. are at home. Mr. Dawson was married again, to Mrs. Hiram Madden, nee Ella Holderman.

MR. EDMUND DAVIS, farmer, Bement, is a native of Shropshire, England. He came to America about 1841 and settled in Ohio. He went to California for a time, and finally, about 1854 or 1855, settled in Piatt county. He owns 320 acres of land in Bement township, which he entered and has improved. A good house has been built, hedges have been put out, and a good deal of ditching has been done. Mr. Davis has never married. A blind sister, Elizabeth Rose, lives in the county. His brother, William E. Davis, who lived adjoining him, died, but his family still lives there.

MR. ELI DRUM, editor of the "Bement Gazette," is a native of Ohio, and is of German descent. He moved from Ohio direct to Illinois in 1 856, and located in Cerro Gordo township. He moved into the town of Cerro Gordo in 1860, and was a druggist in the place for a number of years previous to moving to Bement in March, 1882. He served one term as assessor of the township, and was post-master at Cerro Gordo from 1874 to 1879. At present he is a member of the Masonic lodge, No. 600. He was married in 1868, to Mary E. Stewart, a native of Connecticut, and has five children, Stewart M., F. Lilian,

Arthur, Hattie and Bennie. In 1862 Mr. Drum went to the army in Co. K of the 107th 111. Inf. reg., was in fifteen or twenty battles, the principal of which are Franklin, Nashville and Resaca, and remained until 1865.

MR. THOMAS DUNN (deceased) was a native of Kentucky. He moved from his native state to Moultrie county, and from theiv, in 1859, to Piatt county. For a number of years, until his health failed, he was in the mercantile business in Bernent. At the time of his death, January, 1879, he owned 160 acres of land in Piatt county, 200 acres in Moultrie county, besides a good deal of town property. He improved the 160 acres of land where his son Thomas now lives. At least 200 trees were planted on it. In 1843 the subject of our sketch married Catharine Freeman, a native of Tennessee. She is still living and is in Bernent. They had ten children, five of whom are living. Their daughter Sarah died when a young lady. Mr. Thomas A. Dunn was married in 1867, to Jennie Meek, a native of Woodford county. They both received their education at Eureka College, this state. One child, Edith, brightens their life. Mr. Dunn has taught school for seven years. For a time previous to the year 1877 he was in the mercantile business, but since that date has been living on the farm. While in Woodford county, he held town offices most of the time. Mr. Joel Dunn, a graduate of Eureka College, married Josie Smith. They have one son, Earnest. Mr. Dunn has taught school since his graduation, and at present is principal of the Lovington schools. Miss Bettie and her sister Geneva, graduates of the Bement high school, are both school teachers. Bettie gained a portion of her education at Eureka College, and at Valparaiso, Indiana. Anna, who was next in age to Bettie, married, in 1877, Mr. Thomas Sterling, a graduate of the Wesleyan University of Bloomington. Mr. Sterling was principal of the Bement school for a time, after which he studied law in Springfield, in which place he is now practicing. Mrs. Sterling died in 1881, leaving one child, Cloyd.

MR. GEORGE DAWSON. farmer, Bement, is a native of Delaware, from which state he moved to Scott county, Illinois, 1836. In 1868 he moved on to a farm in Bement township, and in 1882 moved into Bement, where he owned five lots and has recently built a new six-room residence. He still owns a farm of 120 acres near Bement. He improved this place himself, putting up house and barn, building fences, and planting out some 200 trees. He was married in 1873, to Miss Kate Parks, a native of Illinois. Two of their three children,

Lucy and Charlie, are living. Mr. Dawson went to the army from Scott county, in Co. D of the 129th reg., and was out from 1862 to 1865, taking part in the battles of Resaca, Peach-tree Creek, Atlanta, those of the campaign to the sea, and various other battles.

MR. M. E. DUELL, farmer, is a native of New York, and moved to Illinois in 1858, locating in Piatt county in 1859. He was married in 1865, to Hattie Minskey, and four of their six children are living, Nelson, Gertrude, Albert and Guy. He went to the army in August, 1862, in Co. D of the 72d 111., and was out until 1865, having been slightly wounded at the siege of Yicksburg. Mr. Duel! has taught school two terms in the township.

MR. THOMAS DONOHUE, farmer, Ivesdale, came from Ireland, his native country, to America in 1847, and in 1857 moved to Monticello, and has been in Piatt county ever since. He owns 200 acres of land, upon which he has put all improvements, including the planting of near 200 trees, and the building of a good house and barn. Mr. Donohue was married May 14, 1850, to Nellie Donohue, of Buffalo. She died, leaving one son, who died of age. He next married another Nellie Donohue, who died, leaving three children, Cornelius F., Matthew and Julia. Mr. Donohue was married in 1881, to Kate Dimsey.

Miss P. A. DUNCAN, milliner and-dress-maker, Bement, is a native of Paris, Edgar county, Illinois. Her mother was born in Kentucky, in 1801. and moved from Indiana to Illinois about 1834, moving to Piatt county about 1869. Mrs. Duncan was a pioneer settler of Indiana and Illinois, and up to the time of her death her memory, which was remarkably good, was rife with scenes of her pioneer lite. She died in Bement, December 18, 1881. Miss Duncan bought the milliner-shop in 1868, and has been in the same business ever since. For three years she had a partner, but since that time has been in business alone. She has lately built a residence of seven rooms on Main street, and uses a part for business room. She also owns a house and two lots in another part of town. Miss Duncan began with little, but business has made an increase since, so that all her property was made in Bement. She taught school two terms in the county.

MRS. A. E. DANIELS, tailoress, Bement, is a native of Virginia, who came to Monticello, Illinois, in 1875. From this place she moved to Bement, where she owns part of a town lot. Three of her four children live iu Bement. Alice, the wife of Richard Cresse, lives in Iowa. May is the wife of Mr. Reinhart, and Delia and Gertrude arc at home.

MR. A. C. DOUGLAS, druggist, Bement, is a native of Ohio, moved from there to Macon county, Illinois, in 1859, and to Piatt county in 1879, where lie immediately opened a drug-store in Bement. He owns the store building, business room, over which is the hall, five lots and a residence. In 1861 lie was married to 1$. E. Robertson, and has eight children, all living: Lulu J., who married Albert Godwin in 1881, Maggie O., Louis, Mollie R., Nancy May, William A., Mattie and George R. Mr. Douglas went to the army from Macon county in 1862, in Co. E, of the 115th 111., and remained twenty-two months. He enlisted as private, was appointed hospital steward, and afterward made surgeon. Mr. Douglas is also a practicing physician, receiving his medical education at Cincinnati and Chicago, and graduating from the Rush Medical College. He has held no office, nor cares for any.

MR. J. C. EVANS, lumber merchant, Bement, is a native of Kentucky. He moved from his native state to Illinois in 1832, and about 1 858 located on a farm two and a half miles from Bement. He moved into the town in 1870. Previous to this date, however, he went into the hardware business in Bement, and upon moving into town went into partnership with Mr. D. Vaughan in the lumber business. He owns 160 acres of land in Willow Branch township, which he has improved. He also owns two houses and four lots in Bement. His present residence was built in 1881. While living in Willow Branch township he was justice of the peace, and has also been supervisor from Bement township. He was married in Winchester, Scott county, Illinois, to Mary E. Hopkins. Nine of their thirteen children are living. Their eldest son, William, is living in Bement. Charles married Jennie Miller, has an infant son, and lives in Bement. Dora, who was recently a student at Eureka, is now at home. The names of the other children are Ella, Oda, Albert, Dolly and Darling (twins), and Grade.

MR. JAMKS A. FORCE, Bement, was married in Charlemont, Massachusetts, November, 1852, to Hannah W. Booth. At the instigation of Mr. L. B. Wing they came to Illinois in 1855 direct from Massachusetts. Mrs. Force stopped in the northern part of the state for a time, and in January, 1856, reached Bement. She got off the train at what is now Bement, in the evening, and went to Monticello for supper. She boarded there a portion of the time until spring, when she went back to Kane county. After settling in Bement, Mrs. Force was counted as a scholar for three years in order that school money might be drawn. Mr. Force is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge, and

MR. HUGH FISHER, farmer, Bement, moved from Green county to Piatt county about 1856, and settled near Bement. He owns 480 acres of land in Piatt county, and improved the farm he lives on. He has planted out two good-sized orchards and three small walnut groves, and about four years ago he built a good house and barn. He was married in Green county, to L. Jane Rollins, and has had ten children, all of whom are living. Emma, who married Robert Lamb, has three children, John, Rufus and James, and lives in Bement township. Delia is the wife of Joseph Zorger, of Bement township. William married Lettie Duell, and has one child, Ada, and lives on his father's place in Cerro Gordo township. He has improved this place. The names of the other children are John Burgess, James, Effie, Charles, Katie, Minnie and Freddie. Mr. Fisher has served his share of time in such offices as trustee, school director and road commissioner.

MR. CHARLES FISHER, grain and lumber merchant and banker, came to Bement, Piatt county, in 1858, and went into the grain and lumber business, the firm being then Scott & Fisher. About 1870 went into grain, lumber and banking with A. G. Gregory. Was one of the leading business men in Bement for a number of years. About 1875 he moved to Hutchinson, Kansas, and now lives in Newton, Kansas.

MR. JOHN FRY (deceased), farmer and carpenter, Bement, was born in Virginia ; moved from there to Ohio, and thence to Piatt county about 1856. - He first made his home on the Savage farm, northeast of Monticello, and moved to Bement township about 1857. Mr. Fry improved the home farm of 160 acres ; built his house, barn, carpenter shop, and planted hedges. At one time he sold corn at five cents a bushel to pay a school board bill for his son in Monticello. Mr. Fry was first married in 1831, to Matilda Dore, who died in 1844. He was married again in 1847, to Margaret H. Conkle, who has one son, William Theodore, now in Colorado mining. Mr. Fry died October 31, 1861. Mrs. Fry still survives him. She owns the farm and a house and two lots in Bement.

MR. ROBERT FISIIKR, lawyer, Bement, is a native of New York ; moved from there to Illinois, and in 1869 to Piatt county. He located as a farmer, and the next year went into law and was admitted to the bar in 1874. He studied law under William P. Chase, who was afterward made surrogate of Monroe county, New York, same as county judge here. Mr. Fisher has been village attorney for six years, and belongs to a masonic lodge in New York. He owns a house and lot in Bement, and was married in 1871 to Mrs. Ellis nee Lou A. Miller, from Knox county, Ohio. She died in 1872, leaving one daughter, Etta M., now keeping house for Mr. Fisher.

MR. ELIHU FISHER, farmer, Bement, is a native of Greene county, Illinois. He moved from that county to Piatt county in 1858 and located on 160 acres, a part of his present home farm of 320 acres. The farm is in good condition, an orchard, several hundred trees and three or four miles of hedge are on the place. Mr. Fisher and Lydia J. Rawlins were married in 1851. All of their ten children are living. Emily is the wife of Robert Lamb, Cordelia married Joseph Zorger, and William married Miss Duell. The names of the other children are John Burgess, James, Effie J., Charles P., Katie B., Minnie E. and Freddie. Mr. Fisher went to the Mexican war in Co. B of the 1st regiment, and was in the battle of Buena Vista.

MR. E. L. FARNSWORTH, carpenter and hotel-keeper, Bement, was born in 1827 in New York. He moved from there to Wisconsin in 1846, and thence to Illinois about 1862, coming to Bement in September, 1871. He at once began wagon-making, at which he has worked most of the time since. He keeps the hotel, which was the first in town, and was built by Mr. Townsend. Mr. Buckley, one hotelkeeper, was killed in the house in 1872. Mr. Farnsworth has been twice married : to Agnes Holland about 1850, and to Mrs. Robert Hunter nee Miss T. J. Fletcher about 1864.

MR. JOSEPH FAHRNKOPF, farmer, Bement, is a native of Germany who came to America about 1852. In 1871 he located in Bement township, where he owns one hundred acres of land, which he has partly improved. The farm is in quite good condition, there being on it good hedges, a good orchard and quite a grove of maple trees. Mr. Fahrnkopf was married in 1858, to Anna Offenstein, who died leaving four children. Rudolf, who married Mary Bricker, has one daughter and lives at home. The names of the other children are Joseph, Henry and Annie. In 1877 Mr. Fahrnkopf married Mrs. Charles Young nee Josephine Haider. Mr. Young died January 6, 1875, leaving six children, five of whom are living : Annie, the wife of Frank Fahrnkopf, Alfred, Frank and Mable.

MR. TIMOTHY FOOHY, farmer, Ivesdale, was born in Ireland, and in I*.")!) came to America, locating in Piatt county in 1875. He now owns 120 acres of land, which he has partly improved. He was married in 1864, to Catharine Conolly, and lias nine children living: Timothy, Mary K., John M., Johanna, Bride, Margaret, Ellen, Michael and Ann. John Foohy owns 120 acres of land in Bement township. He married Sabina McKee, who died leaving four children : Timothy, Catharine, Thomas and Johanna. His mother keeps house for him. Both of these families belong to the Catholic church of Ivesdale.

MR. W. A. GODWIN, merchant, Bement, was born in Greene county, Illinois. His father emigrated to Tennessee when he was sixteen years old. He moved to Illinois in 1828, and was in the Black Hawk war, under Gen. Whiteside, at Stillman's Run. Mr. Godwin's parents both died of typhoid fever on the same day. After his wife had died, Mr. Godwin, sr., asked, " Is Sarah dead?1' Upon being answered in the affirmative, he said, "Then I have lived long enough," and in a short time he was dead. Mr. W. A. Godwin was married in 1 856, to Ellen Hopkins. They have two children living: Albert, who was married in 1881, to Belle Douglas, and Frederick. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Godwin moved onto a farm in Christian county for five years, when he returned to Piatt county and went into business with Mr. Hopkins. They remained together for fourteen years, during which time they had a store in Homer, Bement and Chicago, all at one time. Mr. Godwin has now been in business alone in Bement for several years. He owns one of the most pleasant residences in the place. Mr. and Mrs. Godwin have celebrated both their crystal and silver wecklings.

MR. WILLIAM GANLEY, farmer, Bement, was born in Ireland, and came to America in 1855, locating in Piatt county in 1857, and settling on his present farm of 160 acres in 1869. He is fast getting his farm in good condition. It is well hedged, and in 1881 a nice barn and a six-room frame house were erected, in all making the place one of the neatest in the neighborhood. Mr. Ganley was married January 1, 1862, to Ann Flanigan, and has had eleven children, four of whom, Mary A., Maggie W., E. Ellen, and Sarah J., are living.

MR. BENJAMIN GOLD HOPKINS' parents were of English descent and natives of Connecticut, where they lived and died. The subject of our sketch was born March 4, 1811. in Cornwall, Connecticut. In 1831 he was married to Mary Stanton, of Salisbury, Connecticut, and in 1839, with his wife and family of four children, moved from Connecticut to AYaverly, Morgan county, Illinois. For the benefit of the curious whom they might meet^m their way, on one side of the wagon was printed "From Connecticut," while on the other side was "To Illinois." This, however, seemed to only partially satisfy the people, for through whatever section of the country they passed they were the recipients of innumerable messages to brothers, sisters, sons and daughters in Illinois. These innocent message-senders believed, seemingly, that all the inhabitants of Illinois were acquainted and neighbors. About 1855 Mr. Hopkins moved from Greene county, Illinois, to a farm about one and one-half miles from Bement, which place lie improved. It is now owned by Mr. Elihu Fisher. Upon his arriving at Bement he found but about three buildings in the place. These were two dwelling houses and an office owned by Mr. Joseph Bodman. There were but two women in the town, and one of these was nicknamed "Curly," because of the abundance of her curling locks. After remaining in the vicinity of Bement for over two years Mr. Hopkins moved to Christian county, where he remained for about four years, and then returned to Bement for the purpose of opening a grocery and provision store. He estimates that during the fourth year he was in this business he sold $70,000 worth of goods. After remaining in this business about sixteen years he moved again. Since leaving Bement he has lived in various places, but most of his time has been spent in Champaign county, where he opened a merchandise store in Homer about four years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins had nine children, four of whom were born in Connecticut. Samuel J. was married in Greene county, where he lived at the time of his death, two years ago. He left a wife and large family of children. Frank G. married Clara, a daughter of Senator Greene, of Missouri. He kept hotel in Bement for a time, but now fias three children and lives in Canton, Missouri. Mary E. is the wife of Mr. J. C. Evans, of Bement. Ellen G. is the wife of William Godwin, of Bement. (See his name.) Julia is the wife of IS". L. Furgeson, has five children and lives in Kansas. Edward S. is unmarried and lives in Kansas. Richard Hopkins was a member of the first school taught in Bement. He enlisted when seventeen years old in Co. D, 73d 111. reg. He was in about twenty battles and was wounded in the arm at Chickamauga. After the war he returned to Bement and worked in Hopkins & Godwin's store. He next was in the hardware business with Mr. Evans. He was married in 1868, to Damie Coffeen, has three children and lives in Homer. Belle Hopkins, who received $100 a month while helping in the store in Bement, was married October 3, 1872, and has several children. Mr. B. G. Hopkins survives his wife, who died about 1878.

MK. STEVEN B. HAWKES, Bement, came from Milwaukee to Piatt county m 1857. His parents were from Charlemont, Massachusetts, and he was one of a family of nine children. He was married in December, 1857, to Catharine T. Booth, and they have had three children, M. Miller, who died, Chas. F. T. and J. Williard Booth. Upon settling in Bement, Mr. Hawkes began farming. In August he began working at the tank for, the railroad company, and has been working there ever since. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes are members of the Methodist church.

MR. JOSHUA HILL, farmer, Bement, is a native of Ohio, from which state he moved to Piatt county, Illinois, in 1858 and located in Sangamon township. In 1862 he moved to Bement, where he now owns a house and three lots. He was married in 1868, to Lydia Peoples, and has had eight children, six of whom are living, William H., Sarah E., Charles, Edward, Louis and Franklin.

MR. CHAS. B. HUBBELL, carpenter and builder, Bement, is of English descent, and was born in 1820 in New York. He moved from there to Green county, Illinois, about 1852, and then to Bement in 1857, where there were then but two or three houses. He began farming, and well improved 106 acres of land just east of Bement. He now owns seventeen acres and residence just out of the corporation. He planted at least 500 trees near Bement. Mr. Hubbell has held some of the smaller offices in the county. His father was in the war of 1812 and his grandfather was in the revolutionary war. Mr. Hubbell was married in 1845, to Maria C. Vedder, a native of New York, and they have had six children, five living : Julia E., who is the wife of Wm. Putman, lives in New York ; Delia married Mr. Jno. Garver, then Reber Huston ; Emma C. is the wife of Frank Corser ; Helen died when about twenty years old ; Francis F. and Lucius L. 'are at home.

MR. JOHN HETISHEE, farmer, Ivesdale, is of German descent, and was born in Switzerland. He left Switzerland in 1843, and remained in Havre de Gras, France, until the war broke out there in 1848 and the times grew hard. He came to America that year and thinks he has never known anything but hard times until right now he begins to see his way clear. He moved from New York to Ohio, and from thence to Illinois, about 1853, and since that date he has lived most of the time in Piatt county. He now owns 480 acres of land, upon which he has planted u good many trees, and has made all other improvements. He was married in New York to Elizabeth liuf, and has had six

MR. N. G. HINKLE, hardware merchant, Bement, is a native of "West Virginia, moved from there to Ohio in 1861, and then to Illinois in 1867. Lived in the country north of Bement for a time and moved into Bement in 1874. He owns residence and lot, besides another house and lot. He went to the army from* Ohio in Co. C of the 12th Ohio Cav., and was out three years, participating in the battles of Nashville, Mount Sterling, Abington, Virginia, and several skirmishes. He has held several offices in the township, being commissioner of highways for live years, and school-director nearly ever since he has been in the state. He is a member of the Odd-Fellows of Bement. Mr. Ilinkle was married in 1866, to Alice Hannah, and has two children, Bettie and Ida Maj^.

MR. W. W. HAMMOND, nurseryman, Bement, is a native of New York, from which state he moved to Texas and remained three years. In 1869 he moved to Bement, and the next year started a nursery near the town, and has had as high ten or twelve acres in stock. His is the only nursery which has been in Bement. He owns a house and two lots in Bement. Mr. Hammond was. married October 11, 1866, to Alvira Worthing, a native of New York. All of their six children are living, Lena, Wilbur, Winifred, Alvira, Emma and Carrie. Mr. Hammond's grandfather was in the revolutionary war, and his father fought in the war of 1812.

MR. HORACE HALDEMAN, miller., Bement, moved to Illinois in 1856, and to Piatt county in 1868. His father, mother, and sister Lucetta, also came to Bernent ; the father died in 1874, the mother in 1879. In 1868 Mr. William and Horace Haldeman and G. C. Nichols built the mill, the only one in town, and probably the largest in the county. In 1872 Lucetta bought out G. C. Nichols' interest. The two brothers and sister own residences and property in Bement. Their cousin Sarah has lived with them since 1865, and has taught for a number of years in the Bement school.

MR. WILLIAM HALDEMAN, miller, Bement, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to this county in 1868. He went to the army in 1862 from Scott county, in Co. II of the 129th reg. 111. Vols., and remained three years. He was in several battles, the principal of which are Buzzard Roost, Resaca and a part of the Atlanta campaign. He was wounded at Atlanta and sent to rear. In the battle of Peachtree Creek he thought every man in the regiment was down except himself, and lie expected to go every minute. Mr. Haldeman was married in 1867, to Mary Ferrington, and has four children, Lee, Maggie, Ella and Brandt. Mr. William Haldeman and his brother Horace are the proprietors of the Bement flour mill.

MR. H. M. HAYS, farmer, Bement, is a native of Ohio, and moved in 1861 from Champaign county to Piatt county, where he owns eighty acres of land, upon which he has put all the improvement, including the planting of two hundred trees and over one mile of hedge. He was married December 25, 1873, to Ollie C. Holm, and has two children, Mamie M. and Lulu L.

MR. ABRAHAM HAYS, farmer, Bement, was born in Ohio, and from there moved to Champaign county, Illinois, locating in April, 1861, in Piatt county, where he owns 160 acres of land, which he has improved himself, planting out over two miles of hedge in addition to doing some ditching. He was married in 1865, to Dorothea B. Moma, who died, leaving three children, one of whom, Ida B., is living. He next married Nancy E. Wilkin in 1873, and has three children, Charles E., Ada and William M. Mr. Hays went to the army in 1861, in Co. C of the 25th 111. reg., returning in September, 1864, having been in engagements at Pea Ridge, Corinth, Perryville, Peach-tree Creek, Mission Ridge, Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain, and having been wounded three times.

MR. GEORGE H. HACKLKR, farmer, Bement, was born in Tennessee, from which state he moved to Illinois, and in 1874 came to Piatt county. He was married February 28, 1852, to Miss K. Jones, and has six children living, Tryphena, John Byron, Elsie Jane, George Thomas, Owen and Charles W. His second daughter married Mr. Warren Cain, has two children, Etta and Leonard, and lives in Bement township.

MR. LEVI HOFFHKINS, farmer, Bement, was born in Pennsylvania, and moved to Ohio with his father when eleven years old. After ^remaining there about forty years he moved to Piatt county in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffheins own 106 acres of land. Mr. Hoffheins was first married about 1845, to Lavina Sim maker. Ten of their children are living. Oran married Mary Brillman, has three children, and lives in Bement township. Samuel H. married Laura Koeher and lives on the same section. William X. married Abbey Quick and lives in Champaign county. George lives in Missouri. Lucinda, the wife of William Alexander, has one child. Ella is the wife of Charles Martin. Sarah is married and lives in Bement. Rosa is the wife of Charles

MR. ABRAHAM HOLDERMAN, farmer, Bement, is a native of Ohio, who, in 1867, moved to Piatt county, where he owns 320 acres of land, which he has principally improved. He was married about 1850, to Eliza A. Barnthouse and has four children : Ella, the wife of David Dawson ; Alice, who married Mr. L. Campbell ; Laura, the wife of Samuel Campbell and mother of two children ; and J. C. Holderman, who married Miss Hoffheins and has one son, Holly. Mr. Holderman's farm has yielded fair crops. *

MR. JOSEPH HARTMAN, boot and shoe merchant, Bement, is a native of Germany, who came to America in 1856, and to Bement, Piatt county, in 1870. He owns a house and lot in Bement. He was married in 1857, to Catharine Hawk.

MR. F. A. HEBERLINE, jeweler, Bement, was born in Pennsylvania. Moved from there to Illinois in 1881, and to Piatt county the same year. He is the only jeweler in Bement, and was married in 1881, to Anna Ganno.

MR. WILLIAM A. JOHNSON, farmer, Ivesdale, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. From Boston he went to New York, thence to Troy, where he was married, in 18-11, to Catharine Legal, who died of cholera in 1848, leaving three children, two of whom are now living, Adaline, the wife of James Gillman, of Bement township, and mother of six children, Wilhelmina C., Sarah, Louisa, Adaline, Edward, Augusta and Katie. Sarah Johnson became the wife of Henry Egbers, of Quincy, and has two children. About 1851 Mr. Johnson went to Cuba on business as a machinist. He was married while in Cuba to Louisa Rosenplenter, a native of Hanover, Germany. The second day after their marriage his wife took the cholera and her physicians gave her up, but Mr. Johnson continued the use of remedies and she recovered. After she got well they came to New York on a visit, but on account of the cholera they did not return. Their old neighbors all died off, and they never heard a word of any of their household goods they had left there. After living awhile in New York he sold out and started west on account of his health. Upon reaching Chicago he met some land buyers and came to Piatt county to look at land. While in the vicinity of the present Ivesdale he took a sudden notion to buy some land. He bought eighty acres of the railroad company and went to Chicago to buy farming implements. He settled on the place in 1856, his family coming in the fall. A Mr. Brown also settled here about the same time, but grew discouraged and left. Mr. Johnson, however, bought more land and has been living here since. He now owns 480 acres of land in Piatt county. For the last sixteen years, until 1881, he kept a merchandise store in Ivesdale. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children living, William A., who married Mary Senters, has four children, and lives in Decatur, and Maola, who is not married. They also have two adopted children, Charles and Elizabeth, who take the name of Johnson. For years Mr. Johnson has been one of the most influential men in the vicinity of Ivesdale. He has kept a good nursery for a number of years and also deals in stock. He now has quite a herd of short-horn cattle.

MR. J. P. JONES, farmer, Bement, is a native of Licking county, Ohio, from which place he moved to McLean county, Illinois, locating .in Piatt county in 1870. He married Hannah Crawford in 1870, and has two children, Arthur arid Kolla. Mr. Jones went to the army from Licking county in Co. I, of the 129th O. V; L. and, in addition to several skirmishes, was in the engagement at Cumberland Gap.

DR. JOHN R. KLAPP, Bement, is a native of Dutchess county, N cw York. His father was in the war of 1812 as quartermaster, and was a member of the Xew York legislature in 1824. His father heard Webster deliver his celebrated reply to Gen. Hayne. His mother was a daughter of Gen. Barker, who served through the revolutionary war, and came out a general on Lafayette's staff. He was almost the only officer on the staff who could talk French, and Gen. Lafayette pronounced him the best French scholar he met in America. He must have been a favorite of Lafayette, for upon his return to America Gen. Lafayette inquired particularly for Gen. Barker. Dr. Klapp moved from his native state to Ohio, and from there emigrated to Illinois, where in 1866 he located in Bement. Since coming to the county he has lived on a farm for a time, but is now living in Bement, where he owns five residences and seven lots. He is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and has practiced medicine for fifty years. We chanced to see his medical diploma, and among the professors" names thereon we found that of the father of Gen. McClelland. In 1832 Dr. Klapp and Catharine Van Ostrand, a native of Dutchess county, New York, were united in marriage. They have had eight children, seven of whom are living. Eugenia S. is the wife of Mr. Charles T. Webster, <i grocer of Bement. Augustus B. is farming near Bement. James A. married Phcebe Fontenell, has two children, John F. and Anna, and lives in Bement. Edward P. married Hannah Shafer, and lives on a farm in Bement township. Helene D. and Josephine E. are married, and live in Ohio, the former having four and the latter two children. John C., a grocer in Bement, married Jennie Taylor, and has five children, Harry, Etta, Kate, Jesse R. and Carl. Uortense, who attended the state Normal, was a thorough and faithful teacher of the county for four or five years previous to her

Hortense

There's a sadness and pain in our lives this dark day, And our hearts have a sorrow that goes not away; There's a hush of low voices and silence of feet In the house, in the door yard and along the street ; For Hortense, our dear one, is now gone from our sight. All the sunshine seems gone, all is dark as the night; So lovely and so pure was her life, that from birth To her death she appeared as an " angel on earth."

A soul that we knew had been true to its aim, And a hand reached to one or to all just the same; A name which was spotless, and forgotten by none - That dwelt in our hearts, and affection had won. Ah ! Hortense, our sweet friend, has gone to her rest, And her dear hands lie bloodless and chill on her breast; But her name in remembrance we'll cherish for aye, And to us a beacon light 'twill be for alway.

MR. J. F. KNAPP, hardware merchant, Bement, is a native of Elkhart county, Indiana. He began the tinners' trade in Goshen. Indiana, and finished at Rockingham county, New York. For one year he was in Jersey City, New Jersey, connected with the New York & Erie railroad. He spent a half year, in Chicago, returning to Goshen, and from there went to Canada, and was for a time engaged in the oil works. He moved from Goshen to Bement in 1866, and worked five years for Camp & Tenney, then went into the hardware business with Henry Camp in 1872. In 1881 they built a large brick store-room 26 X 90 feet, probably the largest store-room in the county. Knapp & Camp have also been in the livery business four years, having the principal livery stable in the place. Their business in each department has been rapidly increasing. Mr. Knapp was married November 20, 1873, to Inez B. Sparks. They have had three children, two of whom are living, Duaiie and Charlie. Their youngest, little Fannie, died recently.

DK. D. D. KIMMEL, dentist, Bement, is a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, who, after moving to Pennsylvania, settled in Mercer county, Illinois, about 1868 or 1869. In 18TO he located in Bement, and at once began the practice of his profession, and now is the only dentist of the place. He obtained his dental education under a graduate of the Philadelphia Medical College, and for a time was his partner while living in Pennsylvania. He was married in July, 1872, to Ada C. Fogg, a native of Stark county, Ohio, has three children, Fannie H., Florence G. and Edith O., and owns a house and four lots in Bement. The doctor went to the army in 1862, in the brass band of the 19th O. V. I., and was out three years, being in the following engagements : Pittsburgh Landing, Cloyd's Mountain, Perryville, Cedar Creek, Lynchburg, and two battles each near Winchester and Strausburg.

MR. JOHN A. KIMEL, harness-maker, Bement, is a native of Ohio, and moved from there to Illinois, September 21, 1867. He located in Bement township on the Boclman farm, and then in 1870 moved to Bement, where he has since been in the harness business. He owns his residence and two lots. He went to the army from Ohio in 1864, in Co. C of the 171st O. V. I., and was in a battle near Cynthiana, where he was taken prisoner and kept forty-eight hours, when he was paroled. He was used in a very rough manner when a prisoner, and some of the boys were killed by their forced marching. Mr. Kimel was married in 1860, to Sarah M. White, a native of Ohio, and they have had four children, three living. Eva, a music teacher of the town, has paid considerable attention to vocal culture under Prof. Turnell, and is a fine singer. Lellie and Ada A. are the names of the others.

MR. WILLIAM KENNEDY, farmer, Ivesdale, is a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1861, and in 1878 to Piatt county, where he owns 80 acres of land. He married Bridget Carey, in 1862, and has two children, Christy and Mary Ann. Mr. Kennedy went to the army from Brooklyn in the 17th N". Y., and was out three years.

DR. J. H. LEAL (deceased) came to Bemcnt about 1857, and remained about ten years. He had a good literary education, and was a graduate of Rush Medical College of Chicago, and at one time was hospital physician of Cook county hospital. While in Bement he was in partnership with Dr. Taylor for seven years, and their practice extended from this county into Champaign, Douglas and Moultrie counties. While here he was considered the best surgeon in the county. Mr. Leal was a hard worker, and accumulated quite a little fortune, wlien, his health failing, he went west, spending the most of what he had made here in traveling in the territories, finally locating in Los Angeles, California. He built up quite a practice there, going to his office after he had to be carried. He died there about 1878. Mr. Leal married Mrs. Dr. Cranes, of Decatur, who is still living in California.

MR. JOHN A. LUCAS (deceased) was a native of Illinois. He moved to Piatt county, dying here about 1869. He had been married about 1867, to Matilda Freeman, who has four children, Franklin, Sarah, Henry C. and Emily J. The family live on 160 acres of land, which they have improved.

MR. ROBERT LAMB, farmer, Bement, is a native of England, and came to America in 1855, locating in Piatt county in 1859. He married Emma Fisher in 1874, and has three children, John Charles, Rutherford and James.

DR. TIIO. J. MITCHELL, Bement, is a native' of New York. His grandfather was in the revolutionary war, and his father fought the English in the war of 1812. He moved from his native state to Ohio, where he remained until he came to Piatt county in the fall of 1853. His main object in coming west was to go into farming and stock raising, but he went into his old profession and was the first resident physician at Mackville. After practicing medicine there and at Atwood until 1872, he moved to Milrnine, where he resided until he came, in 1878, to Bement, where he owns a house and three lots. The doctor studied medicine in New York, and is a graduate of the Louisville (Kentucky) Medical University. He was married in 1851, to Mrs. E. A. Tabor nee Nancy A. Boyle, a daughter of Judge Boyle, of Louisville, Kentucky. She had one daughter, who married Charles H. McCoy, and has two children, Edward T. and Fred. H. Dr. Mitchell's daughter, Mary A. , is the wife of Mr. James II. Hawks. Dr. Mitchell, after assisting in raising nine companies for the army, went into Co. H of the 107th 111. reg., in 1862, and remained until 1865. He went in as a private, was in the battles of Resaca and Buzzard Roost, and returned as assistant sergeant, though he was not mustered in as such.

MR. JOSEPH MOORE, farmer, Bement, is a native of Ohio, and came from Indiana to Piatt county in 1854. He now owns some 300 acres of land in Bement township, upon which he has put all of the improvements. A good orchard is on the place, and a nice frame residence was erected in 1871. Mr. Moore was married in 1852, to Harriet Hixson, who died leaving two children, one of whom, Eliza J., is still living and is the wife of James Ellers, of Douglas county. In 1862 Mr. Moore and Lydia Moore were united in marriage and have had five children, Anna, Elmer D. and Emory C., twins, Lucy and Francis E. Mr. Moore has held some of the smaller offices since living in the county. He was the first township trustee of schools, and was one of the judges of the first election in the township.

MR. JOHN MURPHY, farmer, Bement, is a native of Madison county, Illinois, and in 1856 moved to Piatt county, where he is the owner of a farm of 160 acres of land. He moved on to this place in 1868, and has the place in good condition. Over six hundred trees have been planted, and, in addition to some open ditching, some two hundred rods of tiling has been done. Mr. Murphy was married April 8, 1868, to Sarah Hays, and has one son, John D. On August 11, 1862, Mr. Murphy enlisted in the army, in Co. D of the 72d 111. Inf., and remained until 1865, partaking in the engagements at Vicksburg, Champion Hill, Franklin and Mobile. He has held a few of the local offices of the township in which he resides.

MR. JOHN H. MOMA, farmer, Bement, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, in 1797. He moved to Ohio, and about 1859 located on Madden's Run in Sangamon township. He was married in Ohio to Mary Benner and has had nine children, three of whom are living. Maria, the wife of Noble Crawford, died leaving several children ; Austin died at the age of twenty-seven years ; Sarah died in Ohio, and Milton's death occurred* in the army. Caroline is now the wife of Mr. A. T. Pipher; Frank is the wife of Mr. William Woods, of Chillicothe, Ohio; Dorothea married Mr. Abraham Hays; William D. married Kate Peoples in 1865 and has five children, John E., Fannie, Bert, Stella L. and Wm. Milton. He owns one hundred acres of land in Bement township. This farm is all under cultivation. Mr. John Moma took for his second wife Mrs. James Hays, who is still living.

tucky, and moved from there to Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1827; thence to line between Macoupin and Greene counties in 1835; then to Winchester county in 1840, and from there to Bement township in 1860. He moved into Bement in 1864, and owns his residence and one lot. His grandfather was in the revolutionary war. Mr. Maxfield was married February 17, 1830, to Mary Berry, a native of Kentucky. They have had no children of their own, but adopted four. Mrs. Wilbur Alvord nee Emma Clark is the only one living in the county. Her husband is now operator on the Wabash railroad and at present in Bement. Mr. and Mrs. Maxfield celebrated their golden wedding in 1880. A great many of the townspeople came in (about two hundred and fifty) and gave the old people a surprise. Their friends from a distance got an inkling of the surprise, and letters of congratulation were sent, and, as they expressed it, " WTe never had anything to do us so much good/' The following is a poem by the Rev. Mr. Thompson. written for the occasion :

Golden Wedding

George, well do you remember, It's as fresh as if to-night, How fifty years ago this eve You stood and sealed your plight With her by your side, and vowed " To love her and protect," And so confessed to (iod and man Mary your elect.

And, oh, the rapturous glories Of that city paved with gold! Where, hand in hand, the glorified Shall walk, and ne'er grow old. There'll be no rocky steps to climb, No snare or stumbling stone ; But robed in white, with golden harps, We'll worship at God's throne.

When George and Mary, Once more a groom and bride, We know altho' your vigor's gone You are still each other's pride. And please hear the sentiment To-night of every heart : - " What God has joined together, Let no man put apart."

MR. J. C. MILLER, merchant, Bement, is a native of Indiana, and moved from there to Piatt county in 1857. He went west soon after, returning in 1875 to Monticello, where he remained until 1879, when he went to Bement and the firm of Miller Bros, was organized. He went to the army from Adams county in Co. A, 10th Inf., for three months, the first company from Illinois ; was mustered out and then enlisted in the 3d Mo. Cav. Mr. Miller enlisted as private, was promoted sergeant, 2d lieutenant, 1st lieutenant and then captain. He was in the army nearly four years, but never east of Mississippi. He was in the battle of Mt. Zion and several skirmishes, Little Rock, Saline river and Camden, and was taken prisoner but released in four days. Mr. Miller was married in 1866, to Carrie L. Hallam, and has three children, Guy H., Inez and Carl G. He was enumerator of census in Bement township.

MR. GEORGE MILLER, merchant, Bement, is a native of Delphi, Indiana, his father having built the first house in that city. He moved from Indiana to Piatt county in 1856, farming until 1861. He went into the army July 10, 1861, in Co. F, 3d 111. Cav., enlisting as private, but was promoted to sergeant, and also served as musician a portion of the time. He was in eighteen or twenty battles, the principal ones being Vicksburg, Ft. Gibson, Champion Hill, Raymond and Black River. He returned from the army in January, 1866, was elected sheriff and served for three years, then went into merchandising in 1870 or 1871, which he has since followed. He came to Bement in 1879. Mr. Miller was married in January, 1858, to Nellie J. Russell, and has two children, Ida and Anna, both young ladies.

MR. CHARLES AfcGAFFEY, farmer, Bement, is a native of Illinois. He came with his father to Piatt county about 1856. His father, Corrin McGaffey, came to this county and died here, leaving a wife and two children. Of these, Charles, married Rebecca Postlethwaite and has one son, George. Mrs. McGaffey married Mr. Smith, who died, and one of their children, Effie, is living. Mrs. Smith and son own ninety-five acres of land, which they have improved.

Mr. HARVEY MULLIKIN, farmer, Bement, is a native of Kentucky, who moved to Indiana and thence to Piatt county, Illinois, in 1864. He owns 160 acres of land, upon which he has put all improvement, planting several hundred trees and getting the place all under cultivation. He was married about 1830, to Emily Tucker, and has had ten children, eight of whom are living. Of these, Arthur died at the age of thirty-five years ; Rachel, who has six children, and is the wife of Mr. Deitch, lives in Indianapolis ; James M. married Nancy Kindle, has six children and lives in Wayne county, Illinois ; Maria J., married Mr. M. T. Shepherd, has two children and lives in Lovington ; John married Mollie Cannon, has two children and lives in Kansas ; Maggie is at home, and Lydia is her father's housekeeper ; Alice married Mr. George Wingate and, with two children, lives in Lovington ; Thomas is at home.

MR. JACOB MUTIIERSHAUGH, butcher, Bement, is a native of Pennsylvania. He came directly to Bement in 1863, and for the last eight years has been butchering. Pie owns a house and two lots. Mr. Muthersbaugh was married in 1853, to Mary J. Bell, who died in 1876. They had five children : Sarah, at home ; James A. married Miss Hadley and lives in Bement, has one child, Mabel ; William T., David Harvey and Mary M. «

Mr. EMOR H. MITCHELL, farmer, Bement, was born in Knox county, Ohio. His grandparents were among the first settlers of Ohio, and his parents, who are still living, are natives of that state. His grandfather Mitchell was a captain in the war of 1812. He was taken prisoner at the time of Hull's surrender. Mrs. Mitchell's grandfather is still living, and quite lately, at the age of ninety-eight years, he went to Kansas all alone. Mr. Mitchell is the eldest of a family of twelve children. A family reunion was recently held in Ohio, at which nine of the children and twenty-one grandchildren were present. Mr. Mitchell was married December 33, 1860, to Emily S. Reynolds. They have had six children, Walter R., Ollie M., Lizzie M., Pauline M., Anna and little Charlie, who died recently. They moved from Ohio to Piatt county in 1864, and settled in Bement township. They have been on the present home-place for thirteen years. Not long since Mr. Mitchell went to Ohio for the purpose of buying land there, but he returned to live contentedly on Piatt county land. The farm was bought of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and a few acres had been broken by a Mr. Bailey, who was an early settler of the township. The farm of 120 acres is now in excellent condition. One hundred and twenty-five fruit trees and 1,200 maples have been planted. The place is divided by hedges into forty-acre fields. The entire place presents a fine appearance, and we think Mr. Mitchell should feel paid for the work expended on the farm.

MR. H. MARTIN, wagonmaker, Bement, is, a native of Kentucky, moved from there to Illinois, in 1854, locating in Moultrie county and thence came to Bement in 1862. He owns his residence and twenty acres of land in Bement. He is a member of the town board, and also of an organization known as the " Chosen Friends," organized about a year ago, which has for its object mutual insurance. Dr. Mitchell was the main mover in establishing it, and it now has a membership of forty. Mr. Martin was married in 1859, to Camilla Purvis, a native of Illinois, and they have six children : Allen, a student of Wesleyan University, has taught three terms in this county ; Joseph, Harry, Leonard, Ralph and Nellie. Mrs. Martin is also a member of the "Chosen Friends."

MR. J. C. McCoRD, lumber merchant, Bement, is a native of Pennsylvania, from which state he moved to Illinois in 1866, and located on a farm in Bement township. In 1877 he moved into Bement, and has been in the grain and lumber business ever since. He owns an elevator on flie Wabash railroad, besides four lots in Bement. Mr. McCoi-d went to the army from Pennsylvania in Co. K of the 4(Jth Penn. reg., and was out four years. He was in fourteen battles, the principal of which were Williarnsburg, Richmond, Antietam, Fred e rick sburg, Gettysburg and the Wilderness, at which place he was wounded.

MR. D. C. W. NILKS, grocer, Beinent, moved from Philadelphia to Bourbon, Douglas county, Illinois, in 1856. His father was from Baltimore, Maryland, and was editor of the "Nile's Register" a number of years. Mr. D. C. Niles was one of a family of eight children. His brother Robert was in this county from 1860 to 1865, when he returned to Philadelphia. He moved from Douglas county to Bement, and the brothers opened a general merchandise store in 1860. Mr. D. C. Niles' has been in the grocery business now for the past twelve years. He was married in the fall of 1861 in Ohio, to Miss Virginia Norris, a native of "West Virginia. They have four children : Cora L., who graduated in the Bement high school in 1882, Chas. R., Willie and Freddie. Mr. Niles belongs to the Masonic Order, and has held offices as high as king of the chapter and warden of the blue lodge.

MR. G. C. NICHOLS, carpenter and farmer, Bement, was born in Massachusetts. He moved from there to New York, and then to Springfield, Illinois, in 1849, and "walked tne length of the only railroad in the state.'1 He lived in Springfield two years, then came to Decatur, where in 1855 he was married, to Caroline Rowe. They had three children, none of them living. Mr. Nichols moved from Decatur to Bement 1856, and had charge of the carpenter work of the present Wabash road from Decatur to Danville, bringing the first depot from Decatur and putting it up in Bement. He saw the first train that came into Bement, and it ran off the track. Mr. Nichols has put up many houses in town, among them Mr. Bryant's bank and Mr. Godwin's house. He owns a house and several lots in town, and a farm of 240 acres in Bement township. He has put all the improvements on his farm, has it well hedged in fields, built residence and barn, and planted several thousand forest trees and two hundred fruit trees. He has two miles of tiling in, and in 1880 had an extra crop of clover seed, five bushels to the acre. Mr. Nichols has always been a strict temperance man, and voted so strongly.

MR. A. D. NEWTON, farmer, Bement, is a native of Massachusetts, and moved Irorn there to Piatt count\, Illinois, in 1866. He has been a farmer and stock-dealer most of the time since being in the broomcorn business with Mr. Bodman. He owned a farm, until quite recently, of 350 acres north of Bement, putting many of the improvements on it. Mr. Newton has held several of the smaller offices, "belonged to the Home Guards," and is a member and director of the agricultural society of this county. He was married in 1857, to Lavina J. Ingram, and has three children living : Ada, who married George Stadler (see his sketch), and Nellie and Walter.

MR. WILLIAM PARKER, blacksmith, Bement, was born in Jefferson, Harrison county, Ohio. Pie moved thence to Crawford county, Ohio, in 1831, living there in the wilderness among wolves and bears, undergoing many privations, and even getting meal ground on a horse-mill. After several years a new county was formed. He was then in Wyandotte county, and moved to Illinois in 1854, finally settling in Piatt county. He first located in Sangamon township, near White Heath, and partially improved 40 acres of land, bought at that time of Joseph Kee, and sold it for $600 in three years to Mr. Banghard. He left that place on account of sickness, moved to Bement in 1859, and resumed his old occupation of wagon-making and carriage business, which business he has followed for forty years. He thinks he made and finished the first wagon in the county in 1859. After following this business some fifteen years, he began dealing in implements, at which he still continues. He has lately moved his shop to the lot where the first blacksmith shop was built in the place, by J. A. Force. Mr. Parker now owns this one-half lot. He also owns six acres of land adjoining town, for which- he paid $100 an acre, six lots where his residence stands and two other lots. Mr. Parker was married in Seneca county in 1843.

MR. T. T. PETTIT, hardware merchant, Bement, is a native of Pennsylvania, from which place he moved to Ohio, and from there to Bement, Illinois, about 1855. He came west to farm for Mr. Joseph Bodrnan. He and Joseph Bodman made the first track from Bement to Monticello, and boarded at that place for a time until buildings were erected on the farm. He superintended the building of the first house in Bement. Mr. Pettit has held some of the small offices since living in Bement ; has been a member of the town board for fifteen years. He owns a residence and lot in the town. In 1859 he was united in marriage to Lydia Hawkins, who died, leaving one daughter, Anna, who recently graduated in the Bement High School. At his second nuptials, in 1875, he married Miss Alice Webster, who had been a teacher in the Bement schools. They have two children, Ralph Everett and Lessie L.

MR. MARION PETTIT, brick mason, Bement, came to the count}' about the same time Mr. T. T. Pettit came, and has seen the town of Bement reach its present size.

MR. THOMAS POSTLETHWAIT (deceased), carpenter, Bement, familiarly known as " Uncle Tommy," was born in Pennsylvania, moved from there to Illinois, and in 1858 to Bement. He owned a house and five lots, and nine and three-quarter acres adjoining town. He was married in 1848, to Mary Cross, and they had four children, two of whom are living. James C. died in 1870, at twenty-three years of age ; Anna was the wife of John Davis, and died in 1869. Rebecca married Charles McGaffey, lives in Bement township, and has one child, George. Sue lives with her mother. Mr. Postlethwait died in August, 1869. Even his own children called him "uncle." He was school director for years, assisted in building the Methodist church, and was one of the leading men of the place.

MR. J. S. PKAIRS, merchant, Bement, was born in Pennsylvania, 1813 ; moved from there to Ohio, thence to Wisconsin in 1838, and to Greene county, Illinois, in 1839. He came from Jersey county to Piatt county in 1870, located in Bement, and was a book-keeper until 1878, when he opened a notion store. He is also in the real estate and insurance business. The main business of his life, however, has been teaching. He owns his residence and two lots in Bement ; has been one of the board of trustees on two occasions, and has held the office of township collector for the past four years. He is also trustee and steward in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Peairs was married in December, 1839, to Miss E. Godwin, a native of Tennessee, and they had five children, two of whom are living. Lavinia A. is the wife of Mr. H. S. Nichols, formerly a merchant in Bement, now in Ogden, and has had six children, two living. Mary died at the age of sixteen. Emily J. died aged 22 ; she was the wife of John Campbell, in Jersey county. M. Augusta married George E. Trotter, who is now a merchent in Shenandoah, Iowa.

MR. S. B. PRIESTLY, blacksmith, Bement, is a native of England. He came to America and settled in Piatt county in 1871. His father, John Priestly, lives with him in Bement. He has one sister, Mary A. Allison, also living in Bement. Mr. Priestly was married in 1879, to Miss E. J. Rhoades, and they have one child, John T. Mr. Priestly owns his residence and two lots, and an interest in business house and lot.

MR. SMITH QUICK, Bement, was bom November 20, 1816, in New York, and is the youngest of a family of eight. His parents were natives of New York, from which place they moved west. His mother died in Ohio, and his father near Crawfordsville, Indiana. Mr. Smith

Quick was married in Ohio December 20, 1838, to Mahala Try on, who was born November 13, 1822. Of their children, Isaiah B., who was born in 1840, married Francis Pickens, and has five children ; Elsbary married Mrs. Elizabeth Coffin, has four children, and lives in Bement township ; Charlotte Quick, who was born in 1845, died in April 1881. Isabelle J. married Geo. Pool, of Bement ; Mary Eliza married John Ellars, has two children and lives in Champaign county. Frances A. became the wife of Noble Huffines, and lives near Atwood ; Jasper N., Viola F. and Cora (). are unmarried. Mr. Quick's eldest sons were both in the late war. He was one of the very iirst settlers in Bement township. He built a house on his farm in a year after he came to the county and lived there until he moved to Bement. He moved back to his farm again, but in 1874 located again in Bement, where he now resides.

MR. JAMES QUICK, farmer, Bement, is a native of Unity township, and owns 120 acres of land in Bement township. He has put most of the improvements on the place. Mr. Quick, formerly a student of Merom, Indiana, was married March 28, 1878, to Anna Bryson, a student of the State Normal, and who had taught nearly eight years in the county. One daughter, Maud Lillis, blesses their union. Mr. Quick went to the army for a year when quite young, but was soon more anxious to get out of than he had been to enter the war.

MRS. JAMES ROUTH, nee Margaret Fergeson, physician, Bement, was born in Bedford county, Virginia. She is of English and Scotch descent. Her parents moved from Virginia to near Whitewater river in Indiana. Their next move was to Cincinnati, in which city Margaret married Dr. James Routh in 1840. Dr. Routh made several moves after his marriage, and finally settled in Springfield, Illinois. He next moved to Decatur, where he lived until his death. During the war he went out to service as a surgeon and was sent to Milligan's Bend, where he died of malarial and typhoid fever. Dr. Routh was a graduate of the Eclectic College in Cincinnati. Mrs. Routh also attended this college in Cincinnati. She moved to Bement about 1865. Her three sons are practicing physicians and her daughter married a physician. Dr. James W. Routh, who graduated in St. Louis, married Fannie Devore, has one daughter, and is a resident of -St. Paul. George E., a graduate of Miami College, Cincinnati, married Mary Webb, has one daughter, and lives in Austin, Texas. Fannie P. is the wife of Dr. N. N. Vance, a successful physician of Bement. He is also a graduate of Miami College, Cincinnati. Three children have blessed their union. Walter Routh married Lottie Ray, and is a practicing physician in Fort Worth, Texas. Mrs. Routh is an estimable lady, has good success in her practice, and is probably the only resident lady physician who has ever been in this county.

DR. W. S. RUBY, druggist and physician, Bernent, was born in Springfield, Illinois. He moved from Decatur to Bementin 1870, and began practicing in the homoeopathic school, and is still the only physician of that school in Bement. He graduated in 1870 from the Homeopathic Medical College of St. Louis, and also studied three years under Dr. Sibley, of Decatur. His practice extends throughout the county. He went to the army in Co. I, 7th 111. Cav., remaining four and a half years. He was in the battles of Belmont, Corinth, (first and second); Fort Henry and various skirmishes, being taken prisoner twice. 'He enlisted as a private, but was discharged, and the rest of the time served as scout and spy. Dr. Ruby was married in August, 1866, to Eliza Rickets, and has three children, J. M., William and Emma.

MR. VIRGIL S. RUBY, grain merchant and farmer, Bement, is a native of Knox county, Indiana. His grandfather was in the war of 1812. His parents were natives of Kentucky. Mr. Ruby came to Sangarnon county, Illinois, in 1843. He was married in that county, to Mary A. Crane, in 1858. Her parents came to Illinois when young, and were married in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Ruby have two children, William, a student of the Wesleyan University of Bloomington, and Ada. Mr. Ruby owns a nice residence in Bement, and is rapidly improving the place. He also owns a farm in Cerro Gordo township. He is one of the influential men of Bement, and at present is supervisor of Bement township.

MR. A. W. RINGLAND, pastor of the Presbyterian church, Bement, is a native of Pennsylvania, and moved with his father's family to Iowa. His grandfather, Col. Thomas Ringland, was in the war of 1812, and about 1830 was speaker of the house in the Pennsylvania senate. He was a "'Scotch-Irishman, an ardent democrat and a plodding reader." The subject of our sketch graduated at Center College, Dawville, Kentucky, in 1872, and in September of the same year entered the Seminary of the Northwest, at which school he graduated in 1875, and in 1880-81 took a post-graduate course. His first pastorate was at Dubuque, Iowa, and he came from Tuscola to Bement, his third pastorate. He was united in marriage April 29, 1875, to Miss E. H. Potter, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and a

MR. PETER RUSH, farmer, Bement, is a native of Ireland, who came to America about 1837, and about 1852 located in Piatt county. He owns 120 acres of land, upon which he has put all the improvements. He married Mary Gallard, in 1852, and has had five children, Celia, the wife of Edward Monohan, Bridget, John, Mary and Peter.

MR. JOHN HAY, farmer, Ivesdale, came from Ireland, his native country, to America, in 1853, and in 1856 located in Piatt county. He now owns 120 acres of land. ' which he has improved himself. Mr. Ray was married November 28, 1843, to Margaret Anderson, and has nine children living. Of these, James is unmarried, Eliza married Pat Butler, Mary married Louis Sharer, and lives in Livingston county; John, William, Anna, Samuel, Robert and David L. are still at home.

MR. CHRISTOPHER ROSE, farmer, Ivesdale, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to America in 1865, locating in Piatt county in 1830. He owns 80 acres of land, which is all under cultivation, and on which there is a good orchard.

MR. S. REINHART, tailor, Bement, is a native of Germany, who came to America in 1851. From Philadelphia he came to Piatt county, Illinois, in 1875, and located in Bement, where he owns a residence and a business building. He first married Fannie Ziller, who died, leaving three children, Chris., Jacob and Clyde. He was married in 1877, to May Daniels, who has three children, Roxy, Leo and Cresse.

MR. PATRICK RUAN came from Ireland to America in 1853, and to. Piatt county in 1875. He owns 80 acres of land, which he improved himself. He was married in 1865, to Bridget Tucker, and has one daughter, Anna.