Piatt County, Illinois - Biographical sketches (5 of 7 so headed), 1883

Biographical sketches

MR. JOHN ARNDT, farmer, Monticello, is a native of Ohio, from which state he moved to Illinois in 1873, and in 187-4 'he came to Piatt county. He was in the government employ for eighteen months during the late war. He was married March 9, 1881, to May B. Marsh, has had one child, Ezra Noble, and lives in Goose Creek township.

MR. JOHN BAILKY was born in Ohio, from which state he moved to Piatt county, Illinois, about 1835 or 1836 and settled on the place Mr. John Bender is now living on. He lived on this place until he moved to Monticello for a year. After returning to the farm for a short time he went to Iowa in 1878 and bought town property. He was married in Ohio, to Mary Hubbart, and had thirteen children, twelve of whom are living. Elizabeth married John Funston, has a large family and lives in Champaign county. Jane married Allen Hubbart, has four children and lives in Iowa. David married Nancy J. Herron, has six children and is a carpenter in Mahomet. James married Catherine Perkins and is a farmer in Iowa. Martha is the wife of Benjamin Rhoades, sheriff of Marshall town, Iowa, and has five children. Nancy is the wife of Robert Gulp, of Plymouth county, Iowa, and is the mother of five children. William married Marion Burgess, has two children and is a grocer in Marshalltown, Iowa. Mary is the wife of Philip Lewis, has one child and lives in Sac City, Iowa. Richard married Matilda Burson, has two children and is a grocer in Atlanta, Iowa. Matilda is the wife of Henry Dewees, of Goose Creek township, and is the mother of six children, Carrie, Effie. Edgar and Edwin, twins, Ora and Liz/ie. Lydia Bailey was married in 1873, to Mr. John Bender, and has two children, Arthur and Mabel. Clara Bailey is living at home in Marsalltown, Iowa.

MR. WILLIAM BAILEY came to the county about 1836 and settled on the farm upon which Mr. William Dewees lives. His eldest daughter, Margaret, married Mr. John Stansbury and lived in Cheney's Grove. She died leaving several children. Ellen married Tho. Stansbury, had two children and lived in Cheney's Grove. Edward died after he became of age. George is also dead. Rebecca was the wife of James Perkins, but both she and her husband are dead. Minnie married Mr. Jerry Rock, who died, leaving one daughter, Emma, who is now the wife of Luther Horr. Mrs. Rock next married Mr. Keller. Albert and James Bailey are both dead.

MRS. MARTHA BONDURANT in 1854 was living with her family in Sangamon county, Illinois, but afterward moved to Piatt county. Five of her children have lived in this county. Of these Thos. E. Bondurant is the eldest. He came to Piatt county in 1854 and secured 293 acres of land, where he now lives, paying fifty cents an acre for the same. When Mr. Bondurant came in 1856 to put out the orchard, he borrowed a pole and an ax of the nearest neighbor. With the ax he drove the pole into the ground, not far from where their present home is, hitched his horse to the pole and proceeded to select the place for an orchard. Mr. Bondurant's farm was for a number of years partially covered with water each year. At the present time, with the excellent system of drainage, which he is gradual^ perfecting, the farm is in good condition and ranks as one of the finest in the county. Mary Bondurant has been in the county for the last twenty years. She has taught school in various parts of the county during this time, is quite an active member of the Christian church, and has been superintendent of the Union Sunday-school of De Land. On the 1st of March, 18T7, there occurred -in this family what came near being a serious tragedy. The family quite frequently had bread and milk for supper. In the evening of the day mentioned Miss Mary brought in the milk for supper. Upon emptying the milk from the pan she discovered a white sediment in the bottom of the pan. She thought something had accidentally fallen into the pan and so went for more milk. Mr. Tho. Bondurant had gone to De Land, so that only Mrs. Bondurant, Mary and the hired man, Mr. Browley, were there for supper. Before Miss Mary was half through her supper she became deathly sick and went out on the porch. When she came back she found her mother looking for some cloves to relieve her of the sick feeling she experienced. Mary said, "Mother, I am very sick." Her mother answered, "so am I." Mr. Browley said, "I am sick, too/1 Upon hearing this Mary asserted they were all poisoned, and told the man to jump onto a horse and go to De Land for her brother and a physician. The man did not wait for a second telling, but started and ran the horse all the way to town. Upon reaching De Land he was very sick, but managed to let his errand be known. When the physician and Mr. Bondurant reached the house Miss Mary was on the floor unable to get up and was almost unconscious. Mrs. Bondurant had fainted once, and for a time they thought that she was dead. It was found to be a case of arsenic poisoning. How the arsenic got into the milk was never known. There was not the slightest cause for suspicioning any one whom they knew of attempting to poison the family. Fortunately no lives were lost. Mrs. Bondurant, however, has never ceased to feel the effects of the arsenic.

MR. NEWTON BONDURANT married Sarah Devore, of Piatt county, February 19, 1867. They have had three children, Willie, Frank and Earnest, two of whom are dead. Their home until quite lately was within two miles of Farmer City.

MR. SAMUEL BONDURANT came to Piatt county soon after his brother Thomas did. He married Miss Ellen Barnett, of Douglas county, and in 1862 moved to that county. Lucretia J. Bondurant married Mr. Joel Churchill.

MR. JAMES A. BROWN'S parents were born in Albemarle county, Virginia. They had a family of eight children. Mr. Brown was married in 1844, to Miss Margaret A. Hull. In November, 1857, they moved to Piatt county, Illinois, and settled on a farm bought the previous year of Dr. P. K. Hull, a brother of Mrs. Brown. This farm continued to be che family homestead until the fall of 1880. It is now owned by Dr. Noecker, of Monticello. Mrs. Brown's, parents were born in Virginia. Her father enlisted in the war-o"f"l812, but peace was declared before he reached the scene of action. Mrs. Brown is a graduate of the Kalorama Seminary, in Stanton, Virginia. Upon her arrival in Illinois, Mrs. Brown thought the prairies, in spite of their summer beauty, a barren exchange for the forest-clad mountains of Virginia. But soon such feelings were dispersed, and now she says she much prefers a prairie to a timbered country. Mr. James Brown died October, 22, 1878, and left a family sadly bereft of a kind and loving husband and an affectionate father. Six of Mr. and Mrs. Brown's children were born in Virginia. Of these Belle, the eldest, was born in 1845, and was married September 1, 1869, to Mr. James A. Shepherd. Since 1877 their home has been in Iowa ; they have one child. Bettie was born May 30, 1847, and was married July 3, 1873, to Mr. Joseph M. Woolington ; three children bless their union. Emma was born July 29, 1849. On August 20, 1867, she married Mr. Joseph H. Rankin, and they, with their child, are still living in this county. Mollie was born June 6, 1880. While on a visit to her sister in Mis- souri, she met Mr. Robert Hays, whom she married ^November 30, 1880. J. Hull Brown, who was born August 15, 1855, was considered by all who knew him as a very promising young man. He attended school in Lebanon, Ohio, and afterward attended the law department of the Ann Arbor University. He was a successful school teacher for several years in this county. After but a short illness, he died, January 21, 1879. Lucy was born March 18, 1857, and 011 February 8, 1876, married Mr. Rufus C. Gordon. They are the parents of three children, and at the present time are living in Missouri. Ada E. was born in Illinois April 8, 1860. In 1878, March 14, she married Mr. Ellis Reed, and has one child. The remaining children are living with their mother in Monticello : Floyd F. was born January 27, 1863 ; Clara M. was born May 22, 1865 ; and Olive F. was born December 23, 1867.

MR. WILLIAM E. BARNETT (deceased) was born in Dayton, Ohio, but his parents moved to Bourbon county, Kentucky, when he was but two years old. From there they moved to McLean county, from which place Mr. Barnett moved to Piatt county about 1850, and settled in Monticello, where he and his wife kept hotel for several years. They built the frame hotel which stood east of the courthouse, and also kept a private boarding house for a time. They moved onto the farm Mrs. Barnett now lives on about 1868 or 1869, and Mr. Barnett died of typhoid fever at this place in 1876. He was married in 1844, in Kentucky, to Mrs. Julia A. Milburn, who was born in 1815, and who had three children, of whom Sarah, the wife of Charles Wiley, is the only one living. Sarah was married last to William Johnson and lives in McLean county, but two of her sons, William and Thomas, are living in this county. Mr. Thomas Jefferson Barnett was married in 1864, to Carrie Beaver, has three children and lives in Effingham. Virginia M. married Milford Bates in 1864. She died but a few weeks ago (1882), leaving three children. Mr. Bates is the editor of "The Greenback," a paper at Shelby ville. Kate Barnett became the wife of Luther Kesler, has child (Maud Wood), and lives with her mother. Julia Frances Barnett, a bright and charming young lady, died of typhoid fever in 1870. William D. married Mary Borton, has one boy, Ellis, and lives in De Land.

MR. ROBERT BRYDEX was born in Ohio and is of Scotch descent. He came to the county about 1848, and for a number of years has been one of the most successful and influential farmers in Goose Creek township. He quite recently sold his farm and has gone to Kansas,

MR. ALBERT R. BORTON, farmer, De Land, is a native of Ohio, and moved to Piatt county in 1857. He first settled near De Land, and still lives on the place. He was married in 1853, to Nancy J. Sarver, and had ten children, nine of whom are living : Jno. Curtis married Clara B. McMillen ; Mary is the wife of Wm. Barnett, of De Land, and has one child, Ellis. The names of the other children are Joshua L., Chas. S., Edwin S., Albert H., Lusina J., Wm. F. and Byron S. Mr. Borton was justice of the peace for five years:

MR. JOHN BICKLE, wagon-maker, De Land, was born in Germany, and came to the United States in 1869. About 1874 he came to Piatt county, and has worked at his trade, at Monticello and De Land, ever since. He was married in 1879, to Minnie McBride, and has had but one child, which is now dead.

MR. JOSHUA BORTON (deceased) was married in Ohio, to C. Lavina Stoddard, who died in that state. Mr. Borton came in 1864 to Piatt county, where he died in 1874. He had nine children, two of whom are living in Piatt county, Albert Borton (see his sketch) and Lucretia, the wife of John Patterson, who lives near De Land.

MR. JOHN F. BARROW, farmer, Weldon, was born in Kentucky, and moved from there to Illinois about 1872, coming directly to Piatt county. He owns 140 acres of land, which he principally improved. His first visit to the county was in 1862, when his father and brother entered some land here, and he found a desolate looking place then. Mr. Barrow was married in 1855, to Adaline Garrett, and has two children, Lou W. and Robert E.

MR. ISAIAH BOONE, farmer, is a native of Kentucky, and a descendant of Daniel Boone. He came to Piatt county in 1872, and lias put all the improvements on his 100 acres of land. In 1858 he was united in marriage t,o Sarah E. Barrow, who died leaving seven children, Thomas, Daniel, Lucy, David T., Christopher C., George and Janie.

MR. R. H. BRUNS, farmer, De Land, was born in Germany. He came to America in 1865. From Baltimore he moved, the same year, to Logan county, Illinois, and in 1879 settled in Piatt county. He owns 209 acres of land, upon which he has made some of the improvements. The place was first improved, however, by Mr. Winn. Mr. Brims was married in 1857, to E. K. Kramer, who was born in Ihrhove, Germany. They have had six children, two of whom are living : Conering or Coonrod and Menno were both born in Hanover.

MR. ABRAHAM COLLINS (deceased) was a native of New Jersey. He married Eliza Beedle, a native of Indiana, and moved from Indiana to Illinois in 1838, and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. James Miner, in Goose Creek township. He first lived in a log cabin, but after a time built the brick house which Mr. Miner lives in. Mr. Collins had nine children : William married Margaret Long, and is now living in Jasper county Missouri ; Abraham lives with his sister, Mary J. ; John married Eliza Weddle, has four children, and lives in Missouri ; Surrilda was married in 1864, to Geo. Fisher, who owns a farm of 420 acres. She died in 1881, leaving four children, Armeda, Ada, Geo. W. and Rosetta ; Simeon Collins makes his home with his sister, Mary J. ; Mary Jane, the eldest daughter, and next in age to John, married Levi Walle, and lives in Missouri ; James Collins married Martha Fisher, but she died leaving four children ; Ann married Wilson Williams, had one daughter, and died in 1880, after long years of sickness ; Joseph married Abbey Keller and lives in Missouri.

MR. JOEL CHURCHILL, farmer, De Land, was born in Kentucky, and reared in Sangamon county, Illinois. He was married November 16, 1845, to Lucretia J. Bondurant, and has had twelve children, eleven of whom are living : Sarah is at home ; Martha A. married Dr. Dallas, of Kansas, and has two children ; Mary L. is the wife of Mr. Harrison A. Pawly, of St. Louis ; Elizabeth J. married Eugene Chamberlain and has three children ; John T. married Belle Hatfield, and has one child, Fabian Clarence. The names of the other children are Thomas A., William, Jesse, Edgar E., Harvey and Gertrude Etha, who is attending school at Normal. Mr. and Mrs. Churchill, after living a number of years at Mechanicsburg, moved to Kansas, and then in 1875 moved to Piatt county.

MR. ISAAC COMBS, was born in Indiana, from which state he moved to Illinois in 1862, and to Piatt county in 1868. He was married in Indiana, to Mary Loveness. Their eldest son, Benj. F., married and lives in Indiana. William married Mary Garver, has five children, John G. , Jesse Z. , Chas. L. , Ada H. and Willie C. , and is one of the earnest, successful, and hardworking farmers of Goose Creek township ; Henry married Anna Watrous, who died, leaving two children. He next married Martha McKinley, has four children, and lives in Iowa.

Biogkaphical Sketches

Reason Combs married Mary E. Hickman in 1869, and has had eight children, seven of whom are living; Annabel, Mattie O.,Wm. Worth, Susan L. Alice, Harriet E., Reason F., Harvey Homer and Frank. James W. Combs is married and lives in Illinois. Littleton T. is also married. Mary is the wife of C. Gates, and the mother of five children. Jane married John Medlock, and lives in Sangamon township. Thomas J. is not married.

MR. JOHN R. CARRINGTON, farmer, DeLand, is a native of Kentucky, from which state lie moved to Fulton county, Illinois, in 1865. He came to Piatt county in 1868, and now owns 120 acres of land in the northwestern part of Goose Creek township. He has put all the improvements on this place and it is all under cultivation. It is hedged all around, some open ditching has been done, and three or four hundred fruit trees have been planted. The farm has yielded fair crops all the time. Mr. Carrington was married in 1865, to Anna Eliza Rugles, of Kentucky, and has had three children, two of whom are living, Angus R. and Murtie V.

ME. Jonx CARRIER, farmer, De Land, is a native of New York from which state he moved to Ohio, and from there to Fulton county, Illinois, in 1850. He settled in a "shanty" on ,his present home-farm of eighty acres in Goose Creek township in 1869. He has put all the improvements on the place. He has planted over one hundred fruit trees in addition to some forest trees ; also some open ditching has been made and hedges have been planted. A good barn was built in 1875, and in 1877 a ten-room frame house was erected. The farm has yielded average crops. In 1872 and 1876 corn averaged from sixty to seventy bushels to the acre. Mr. Carrier was married in 1853, to Sarah Hoyt, and has three sons, all of whom are at home, E. D. Carrier, W. H. Carrier and C. E. Carrier. The second son, W. H., has attended school at Wesleyan, Bloomington, and at Adrian, Michigan. He shows quite a talent for drawing and should not neglect to cultivate this talent. Mr. Carrier went to the late war from Fulton county in Co. F of the 55th reg. He was orderly sergeant and was in the following battles : Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mount, Resaca, Dalton, and in the battles from Atlanta on to the sea.

MR. C. F. CHAMBERLAIN was born in Magog, Canada East, October 7, 1836, of New England parents. He lived in Canada until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment, and served three% years. He returned to his native country, and married Cynthia A. Currier, after which he moved to Illinois. His wife died, leaving two children, Effie May and Ora C. Mr. Cli amberlain was again married in 1882, to Miss Mary Barnes, of Monticello. He is now engaged in the hardware business in De Land.

MR. GEORGE "W. CORDEK, druggist, De Land, is a native of Ohio, and was reared in DeWitt count}7, Illinois. His father was one of the early settlers of DeWitt county, and his mother was born among the Indians, who he thinks were near the Upper Sandusky. Mr. Corder came to Piatt county seven years ago and located as druggist in De Land, where he owns some property. He was married in 1864, to M. Elizabeth Enos, a niece of Dr. Tyler, of DeWitt county. They have one child, Alverda J. Mr: Corder was once constable in Rails county, Missouri, for four years, and while in this office he was the main officer who arrested the seven Underwood murderers about 1871 or 1872.

MR. HARMON CRKSMKR, shoemaker, De Land, was born in Germany and came to the United States in 1853. He stayed in the East until 1873, when he came direct to Piatt county and settled in Monticello. After going to Weldon for two years, he moved to De Land in 1876, and is the only gentleman of his profession in the place. He was married in Virginia, to Mary S. Rock, and has four children, Emmer, Edward, Willie and Bessie. He went to the army from Maryland in Co. C of the 3d Md. reg., and was out four months.

MR, GEORGE DUVALL, farmer, De Land, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1808. His mother was a native of Ireland, and his father was of German and French descent, and was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Duvall moved direct to Piatt county in 1852, and with his brother Robert settled on the Jno. Marquiss place. He was married in Ohio, to Susan Huffines, and he gave us the following names of their children : Jacob Duvall married Mary Long, has one child and lives in DeWitt county ; he was in the late war ; Nancy, the widow of Mr. James Winstead, has one daughter, Anna ; Jeremiah married Miss Johnson, and lives in Monticello township ; Sarah and George Duvall are both dead ; Benjamin, who was in the late war, married Miss McGuffy, and lives in Sangamon township ; William, who was also in the army, married Marietta Dresback ; Margaret married John Aaman, has three children, and lives in Farmer City ; James married Minnie Scott, and has four children, Willie, Harry, Katie and Lulu ; John married Louisa Higgins, has two children, Benjamin and Woodard, and lives in Goose Creek township ; Susie died after being grown. Mrs. George Duvall died about 1866, and Mr. Duvall married Mrs. Amos Griggs. They have one child, George.

MR. ROBERT DL'VALL, farmer, was born in Ohio. When first came to Piatt county he lived on Mr. Jno. Marquiss' farm for a time, and then moved to his farm in Goose Creek township. He married Martha Kerns. Andrew Duvall married Sarah Huffines, and has had eight children, six of whom are living, J. Robert, Jonas N., William, Olen, Olive and Odell. Kate Duvall married Mr. J. Reeves, has one child, and lives near Springfield. Mr. Robert Duvall took for his second wife Mrs. Prine ne<> Nancy Robinson, and has three children.

MR. WILLIAM M. DEWEES, farmer, Monticello, is a native of Kentucky, from which state his parents moved to Morgan county, Illinois, when he was seven years old. Mr. Dewees lived in this county a number of years, then moved west, and was in Texas and California a time, returning to Morgan county, from which place he moved to Piatt county about 1865. He now owns some 580 acres of land in the county. Mr. Dewees' first wife nee Mary J. Henderson, died leaving two children. Adala married J. F. Thornton, and has eight children. Henry married Matilda Bailey, has five children, and lives in Iowa. Caroline 'Henderson became the second Mrs. Dewees, and died leaving three children. Of these, Al. is in Leadville ; Fannie is the wife of Chas. Marquiss ; and Perry married Lottie Anderson in 1878, and has three children, Willie, Homer and Nellie. In 1856 Mr. Dewees and Elizabeth Brightwell were united in marriage. Four of their six children are living : Wiley, who married Florence Hubbart in 1881, Charlie, Mettie and Frank H. Mr. Dewees went to the army from Morgan county in 101st reg. He was on a gunboat and ran the blockade at Vicksburg, arid was in the battles of Mission Ridge and Resaca.

MR. MICHAEL DOYLE, farmer, Galesville, is a native of Ireland. He moved from his native land to America in 1849 and settled in Wisconsin. He moved to Illinois in 1854, and in 1866 came to Piatt county. He married Ella Gordon, who has one son, Charles F. Mr. Doyle went to the late war in Co. G of the 116th 111. reg., and was in battles at Raymond, Jackson, Mississippi, Fort Hindman, and the siege of Vickburg. He was wounded at the last named battle, May 29, 1863. Mr. Doyle lives on probably the Boldest farm in the northern part of Goose Creek township. It was settled about 1850 by Mr. Ingersoll, who sold it to Mr. Geo. Ellwood, whose heirs still own it. The lumber for the house, which is still standing, was hauled from the Wabash. For quite awhile after the place was settled a pole with tufts of grass on the top, served as a 'guide to travelers in crossing the prairie.

ME. EDWIN A. DEWEY, farmer, Farmer City, is a native of Vermont, from which state he moved to Fulton county, Illinois, in 1827, and in 1871 settled in Piatt county, on the place of 400 acres upon which he now lives The farm is mostly under cultivation and he has made most of the improvements on it. He has done some ditching and has planted some four or five hundred trees on the farm. His highest crop average was in 1872, when his corn average was sixty-five bushels to the acre. Mr. Dewey was married in 1864, to Delphina Lantz and has had six children, five of whom, Charles S., John E., Mary E., Curtis M. and Hattie M., are living. He held the office of school director for three years, and at the present time (1881) is school trustee in town 20. He went to the army from McDonough county, in Co. F of the 55th 111. reg., and remained out three years and nine months. The principal battles in which he participated were those of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Kenesaw Mountain, Jackson, Mission Ridge and Atlanta. He was wounded at the latter place.

REV. SMITH FITHIAN, formerly a resident of Goose Creek township, was born in 1810 in JSTew Jersey, and moved from Ohio to Piatt county in 1856. After a year's residence he moved to Macon county, where he lived until after the war, when he returned to Piatt county, and lived there until 1880, when he moved back to Ohio. He still owns eighty acres in Goose Creek township, and makes frequent visits to his old home. Mr. Fithian has been a minister in the Christian church (New Light) for about thirty-six years, and has ever been a zealous worker in the denomination. He has organized several churches in central Illinois and has made many converts in the same region. During the war he was an earnest supporter of the Union, and is remembered by his friends and neighbors in the county as a good neighbor and an earnest and upright Christian man. Mr. Fithian was first married in Ohio, and to Eliza Carter, who died in Illinois, leaving five children, all of whom are now living. Catharine, the wife of William Marsh and mother of six children, lives in Champaign county ; Sophia lives in Champaign county ; Lou, who married Mr. N. B. Garretson, and has three ^children, also lives in Champaign county ; Armincla married Henry Payne, has five children and lives in Dakota; Albert H. married Anna Thomas, has one son, Harry, and lives in Monticello. Mr. Fithian next married Susan Yarner, who is still living. They have one adopted daughter, Sarah Hartsock, who is doing her duty to her kind friends.

is of English descent. His father was in the war of 1812. He moved to Ohio when a young man, and about 1851 moved to Illinois. Upon coming to Piatt county settled on what was known as the *' Madden farm," and lived there for twelve years. He improved a farm of 350 acres in Goose Creek township, and is now living on a portion of the same. He found the land very wet and a great many ditches had to be made. Just one day's ditching cost him $112. He has put out a good deal of hedge and from one hundred and rifty to two hundred trees have been planted. Mr. Fitzwater was married in Virginia, to Mary Mc- Nett, who is now dead. Six of their seven children are now living. He was next married to Hannah Coffman, who has one child living. Mr. William Fitzwater married Mary Marquiss, and lives in Sangamon township ; Wesley, who married Hanna Barnes, is dead ; Eliza Jane married Abraham Marquiss, who was killed while assisting in the raising of a building : one -of his children, Alice, is still living ; Jane is now the wife of Mr. Harper, a wholesale grocer of Chicago ; Samuel Fitzwater married Elizabeth Baker, has two children, Jesse and Pearl, and lives in Goose Creek township ; James H. was married in 18-73, to Ellen Barnes, and has five children, Arthur L., Esta M., Martha Daisy, James Roy and Grant B. He has made all the improvements on the 100 acres of land he now lives on, and has all of it, except six acres, under cultivation. Mary Fitzwater is the wife of Philip Baker ; Melissa became the wife of Albert Somers, and has two children ; Charles Fitzwater lives in Goose Creek township.

MR. J. B. GORDON, farmer, DeLand, was born in 1818, in Pennsylvania, and is of German descent. He came to Illinois in 1860 and in 1869 settled in Piatt county, and now resides in De Land. He was married in 1838, to Hannah Shull, of Pennsylvania, and has had ten children. Mark married Elizabeth Eury and lives in Logan county ; he went to the late war in the 73d reg. ; Susan E. is the wife of Archibald Thompson, of Missouri ; Delilah married Geo. W. Gordon, has four children, and lives in DeLand ; Jennie married M. S. Thomas, has three children, John W., Orpha E. and Albert, and lives in DeLand ; Margaret is the wife of Hiram Merrill, a farmer of Nebraska, and mother of three children ; Ella is the wife of Michael Doyle, of Goose Creek township ; Rufus married Lucy Brown, has three children and lives in Missouri ; Jesse L. is not married, but is an agent on the Midland railroad ; R. W. and Katie are living at home. .

Phillips, lived in this county a time, and just after the war moved to Missouri ; Elizabeth married Chas. Marquiss ; John C. has been married three times ; James Hubbart died in 1856; William Hubbart (see his. sketch); Isaac Hubbart died in 1856; Belle died in 1862; Harrison is living in Missouri, has been married twice and has two children ; Jacob is married, has five children, and lives in Missouri. Both of the last named persons were in the late war ; the latter was out two years, while the former, who went out as private and returned as 1st lieut., served four years. Mr. Richard Hubbart, who died here, and his wife, who died in Missouri, were subject to the usual trials and sufferings borne by people in a new country. They patiently tried to make homes ior their children, and also did their ample share in supporting religion in the county. For a number of years the itinerant ministers made their home a stopping place.

MR. WILLIAM C. HUBBART, Monticello, Illinois, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and was brought to Illinois when but one year old. He was reared in Piatt county, which place is still his home. On November 19, 1857, he and Clarinda Marquiss were married. She died in 1858, leaving one daughter, Florence, who married Wiley M. Dewees, March 9, 1881. In 1862 Mr. Hubbart was again united in marriage, to Mrs. Coon nee Lucinda Ham. Six of their seven children are living, Pelina Edith, Richard B., Jennie M., Oliver S., Delia S. and Dwight C. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbart own over 400 acres of land, which is in good farming condition. Mr. Hubbart went to the army in Co. E of the 107th 111. reg., and was out three years, being in service all the time, principally as division mail carrier. Mr. Hubbart has held some of the offices of his township, and in 1875 was elected to represent this district in the legislature. Mrs. Hubbart's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew Ham, lived about 1851 in a cabin on Mr. Ezra Marquiss' place (see cut of the same). They are now living in Champaign county and have recently celebrated their golden wedding.

MR. MARK HARSIIBARGER, farmer, De Land, is a native of Carroll county, Indiana, from which state he moved to Illinois in 1852, and has since lived in Piatt county. He moved to his present farm of over 200 acres about twenty years ago. The farm is in fine order, and one, when in the midst of the groves on the place, almost forgets that he is on the prairie. When Mr. Harshbarger first moved to his farm it seemed to him that he was almost "out of the world." In the winter he sometimes actually feared when leaving Monticello that he would freeze to death ere he reached home. His nearest neighbors were Mr.

Bryden's and Mr. Drais' families. Although having suffered some hardships upon first moving to his present home, still he does not regret having moved there. In 1857 Mr. Harshbarger and Julia Barnes were united in marriage. Seven of their eight children are living. Edward was married January 20, 1880, to Jennie Wilson and had one son, who died ; Samuel A., Ada B., Mary, MarkM., Gertie B. and Earnest A. are at home. Mrs. Harshbarger's mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Norris. She first married Mr. Andrew Barnes, who died in this county, having had six children. Of these, Mary married Henry Bender ; Elizabeth married Madison Bradshaw and lives in Macon county ; Susan, who was the wife of James Town, died in 1881 ; John N". married Eliza McMullen, and Julia was just spoken of as Mrs. Harshbarger. Mrs. Andrew Barnes next married John Miller, who died in Macon county. Mrs. Miller died at the residence of her daughter Julia in the fall of 1882.

MR. ISAAC F. HOUSMAN (deceased) was a native of Ohio, from which state he moved directly to Piatt county. He was married in Ohio, to Elizabeth Fisher, and had nine children, seven of whom are now living : Abigail married C. S. Monroe, who is now dead, has two children and lives in Mahomet ; John died when twenty-one years of age ; Emily married W. L. Shafer, now of Bloomington, and has three children ; Frances E., the wife of John Withers, has eight children and lives in Kansas ; Will, who married Miss Freelove, died in the army, leaving one child ; Lydia A. married William Steen, has one child and lives in Kansas ; James Ward is married and lives in Kansas, he was a soldier in the late war ; Isaac married Miss Clara Weedman, has one child and lives on a farm near Farmer City ; Charles, who married Kate Wright and has one child, is a milliner in Champaign.

MR. HENRY HUGHES, farmer, De Land, is a native of Ireland, from wjiich country he came to America and settled in New York in 1851. He moved to Macon county, Illinois, in 1857, and in 1869 settled in Piatt county. He now owns eighty acres of land, upon which he has put all the improvements. As we interviewed Mr. Hughes we were in a corn-field, and in the center of a piece of ground that was once covered by a large pond. Mr. Hughes' energy has led him to make blind ditches to the extent of 200 rods, and now his land is all in good condition. His corn crop of 1881 averaged fifty bushels to the acre. Mr. Hughes was united in marriage to Mary Finnigan, in about 1869. They have three children, Rosa, Martha and Maggie. During the war Mr. Hughes was in the gold region of California, but he says he " came

MR. J. B. HUTCHINSON,, farmer, De Land, was born in Kentucky, from which state he moved to Missouri. In 1863 he moved to Illinois and in 1870 settled in Piatt county. He now owns 160 acres of land, upon which he has put all the improvements. He was married in 1854, to Sarah F. Robertson and has had seven children, five of whom are living. James married Marietta Kirnbrough, has one child, Joseph, and lives at home. The names of the other children are Charles W., Walter, Mary and Eddie.

MR. WILLIAM JOHNSON, farmer. Weldon, was born in Pickaway count}7, Ohio. After moving to Indiana, where he lived six years, he came to Macon county, and about 1855 located in Piatt county, where he owns 280 acres of land, upon which he has put all the improvements. He was married in 1852, to Anna Barnhart and has had eleven children: Charles, who married Martha Allen ; Ann Elizabeth, the wife of George Allen ; and Jesse B., Mary Catherine, Martha E., John H., Frank L., William C., Lucius O., Fannie and Etna.

MR. JOHN KIRBY was born in Limerick county, Ireland, and came to America in 1850, to Illinois in 1856, and to Piatt county in 1860. For a number of years he has been a stock dealer in the county, and he now lives upon a fine farm, upon which he has erected an elegant tenroom residence. He was married in January, 1873, to Mary E. Marquiss, and has had one daughter, Nellie M. Mr. Kirby has been supervisor of Goose Creek township one term. When the war broke out, he enlisted in 1861, in the 2d 111. Cav., and was veteraned in January 1864, remaining out until 1866. He was second lieutenant the last eighteen months he was out, and served under Grant in all the raids from Cairo to the fall of Vicksburg. He had one horse killed under him, but throughout the war Mr. Kirby was never disabled in any way. After the close of the war he came back to the county, and in 1868 he was elected sheriff, at the end of which term he went into the stock business.

MR. BENJAMIN K.ESXER (deceased) was a native of Virginia. He came from Indiana to Piatt county about 1855, and settled in Goose Creek township. He next moved to Camp Creek, where he lived until about eleven years ago, when he moved to Missouri, where he died. He was married in Virginia to Margaret Coffman, and had nine children, six of whom are living, but only two are in Piatt county : Amy married Abraham Starkey, and lives in Monticello. She has three children : Kose, the wife of Ira Robinson and mother of one child ; Jennie and Willie. Lucinda Kesner was married in 1870 to Win. Plot ner, and had one son, Allen. She was married again in 1881, to Reed Baird. Mr. Baird first married Sarah Gotchall, who died leaving seven children, six of whom are living, Charlie, Charlotte, Susan, David, Mary and Sarah.

MR. SALEM KESLER, farmer, De Land, came from Ohio to Piatt county about twelve or thirteen years ago, and settled on Camp creek. After living a year or two there he moved to Goose Creek township, where he now owns a farm near De Land. He was married in Ohio, to Miss Stebleton, and their union was blessed by seven children, five of whom are living : Wm. Kesler married Ella Troxel in 1880, and is an agent on the Wabash railroad. M. Miranda married E. R. Parsons, and lives on Mr. Kesler's farm ; Lavina E. is the wife of L. S. Kidd, a teacher of De Land ; Clinton andv Charlie Kesler are both at home.

MR. J. "EL KIRKER, of the firm of "Kirker Brothers," of De Land, is a native of Ohio, from which state he moved to De Witt county in 1866, and in 1876 went into the grain business in De Land. He went into the army in 1864, and was out one year. The principal battle he engaged in was at Nashville.

MR. S. C. LANGDON was born August 16, 1820, in New York, and is of English lineage. His father was from Massachusetts, and his mother from Connecticut. His father died in New York, and his mother nee Sarah Allen, was the first person buried in the De Land cemetery (1876). Mrs. Langdon was a descendant of Ethan Allen, and her father was in the revolutionary war. Mr. Langdon moved from New York to Ohio, where he was married, and from there he moved directly to Piatt county in 1857, and settled at the head ot Gpose Creek timber. In 1873 he became railroad agent and grain merchant at De Land, was appointed the first postmaster of the place the same year, and still holds the office. Mr. Langdon has had seven children, all of whom are living: Floronia married J. C. E. McMillen, has five children, Clara, Eva, Lucian, William and Mabel, and lives in Monticello. Lucian, who was a soldier in the 73d regiment in the late war, married Sarah Marvel, has two children, and lives in Girard, Kansas ; Reed married Ida French, and is a grocer in Leadville, Colorado ; Elizabeth was married March 16, 1882, to Mr. Harvey Stevenson ; Frank and Octavia live at home ; Josiah is at Portland, Oregon. When Mr. Langdon settled at the head of Goose creek, he was under the delusion that nearly all early settlers labored under ; he thought he would have grazing ground for stock for a lifetime. Mr. Langdon has been assessor, supervisor and county treasurer.

MR. LUBBERT LUBBERS, farmer, De Land, was born in Hanover, Germany. He came to America in 1868 and settled in Mason county. From there he moved to Logan county, and in 1878 settled on the place he now lives on in Piatt county. He owns 240 acres of land, upon which he is putting improvements all the time. A new house was built in 1881, and over a mile of tile ditching has been done. The entire farm is rapidly growing better. Mr. Lubbers was married in Logan county, to Anna Wiegers, a native of Hanover, Germany. When Mrs. Lubbers came to America her friends were all sick of typhoid fever, and her mother died on the way. They have five children: Ella M., Reemt, Dinah, Lubbert and Isaac. Mr. Lubbers is a hard working and energetic farmer. In 1881, 150 acres of corn averaged forty bushels to the acre. In 1880 he sold 4,200 bushels of corn, besides feeding some to a good many hogs.

MR. ABRAHAM MARQUISS, SR., was born in Virginia, January 5, 1789. His father, William Marquiss, was of English descent and was. born in Virginia, August 9, 1766, and married Sarah Peters, of Irish descent, who was born December 25, 1765. The following names of their children were taken from their family bible : Hannah, born September 5, 1787 ; Abraham ; Anna, born 1790, and died in 1791 ; Elizabeth, who was born June 28, 1792, and died October 1, 1812 ; Sarah, born May 26, 1794 ; Martha, born April 21, 1793 ; Hester, born February 3, 1800 ; lanna, born February 14, 1803 ; William, born February 3, 1807, and Permelia, born July 3, 1809. Of these children, the subject of this sketch, and Permelia, the youngest of the family, came to what is now Piatt county in October of 1833. Mr. George Barnes, Mr. Marquiss' brother-in-law, came to the county at the same time, with the following children : William, John, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. He was again married in 1834 and moved to near where Wm. Foster now lives. By his last wife he had the following children after he moved to DeWitt county : JJenry, Rebecca, Hannah and George. The children of Mr. Austin Phillips, who married Mr. Marquiss' sister, also came out west with the families mentioned. They were raised by Mr. Abraham Marquiss. Henry Phillips, born in December, 1819, married Sarah Karr, and lived a number of years on the place Frank Lodge lives on ; he now lives in Missouri ; Joseph Phillips, born February 13, 1821, married and lived on the place Mr.

George Lodge lives on ; Aaron Phillips, born in May, 1826, died after moving to Iowa ; Martha Phillips, born January 12, 1828, became the wife of Jno. Barnes, while her twin sister, Hannah Retta, married Noah Piatt, and died in California. Mr. Abraham Marquiss, with his own family and the persons just mentioned, all moved into a cabin about 12x14 feet, which stood on the site of William Piatt's present residence, and remained there for near two months until another cabin was erected. Some sleeping was done in the wagons, in order to have room for the entire company of about twenty-one. In the spring another cabin, moved from where Ezra Marquiss now lives, was added to the two already in use ; and too, the family was divided up somewhat before the next summer. About 1836 Mr. Abraham Marquiss built a two-story hewed log house right where Mrs. Mary Jane Marquiss' present residence stands. He moved there and remained until about a year before his wife died, when they broke up housekeeping and went to live with their daughter Clarinda. After his wife's death he remained at the residence' of William H. Piatt until his death in 1859. He was a successful farmer, and assisted all of his children to obtain a home. He was a practicing physician, a soldier in the war of 1812 in his young days, and after moving to Piatt county was justice of the peace for a time and became one of the most influential men of the county. He was married about 1809 in Ohio, to Elizabeth Barnes, a native of Pennsylvania. They raised seven children, of whom Ezra Marquiss Sr. (see his sketch) is the oldest ; for John Marquiss see his sketch ; William Marquiss was never married, and died in Missouri ; Clarinda married William Piatt (see his sketch); Charles Marquiss married Elizabeth E. Hubbart, lived for a number of years in Goose Creek township, and then moved. to Missouri, where he now lives. Of their children, Nancy married Henry Moffett and lives in Missouri. The names of the other children are Ellen, Henry, Isaac, Clara, Ellsworth, Eddie and Edna; Elizabeth Marquiss married Mr. Samuel Bender, and died leaving one daughter, Effie ; Henry Marquiss, at the time of his death, was on his father's old home-place.

MR. EZRA MARQUISS, sr., was born in Ohio June 11, 1813,, and when twenty years old emigrated with his father to what is now Goose Creek township, Piatt county, in which part of the county he has lived ever since. Previous to leaving Ohio, he had formed an attachment for the person Ann Maria Norris, who afterward became his wife. The young ladies in this then new country did not efface this early attachment, so that it was not long after he had moved here ere he the delusion that nearly all early settlers labored under ; he thought he would have grazing ground for stock for a lifetime. Mr. Langdon has been assessor, supervisor and county treasurer.

MR. LUBBERT LUBBERS, farmer, De Land, was born in Hanover, Germany. He came to America in 1868 and settled in Mason county. From there he moved to Logan county, and in 1878 settled on the place he now lives on in Piatt county. He owns 240 acres of land, upon which he is putting improvements all the time. A new house was built in 1881, and over a mile of tile ditching has been done. The entire farm is rapidly growing better. Mr. Lubbers was married in Logan county, to Anna Wiegers, a native of Hanover, Germany. When Mrs. Lubbers came to America her friends were all sick of typhoid fever, and her mother died on the way. They have five children: EllaM., Reemt, Dinah, Lubbert and Isaac. Mr. Lubbers is a hard working and energetic farmer. In 1881, 150 acres of corn averaged forty bushels to the acre. In 1880 he sold 4,200 bushels of corn, besides feeding some to a good many hogs.

MR. ABRAHAM MARQUISS, SR., was born in Virginia, January 5, 1789. His father, William Marquiss, was of English descent and was. born in Virginia, August 9, 1766, and married Sarah Peters, of Irish descent, who was born December 25, 1765. The following names of their children were taken from their family bible : Hannah, born September 5, 1787 ; Abraham ; Anna, born 1790, and died in 1791 ; Elizabeth, who was born June 28, 1792, and died October 1, 1812 ; Sarah, born May 26, 1794 ; Martha, born April 21, 1793 ; Hester, born February 3, 1800 ; lanna, born February 14, 1803 ; William, born February 3, 1807, and Permelia, born July 3, 1809. Of these children, the subject of this sketch, and Permelia, the youngest of the family, came to what is now Piatt county in October of 1833. Mr. George Barnes, Mr. Marquiss' brother-in-law, came to the county at the same time, with the following children : William, John, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. He was again married in 1834 and moved to near where Wm. Foster now lives. By his last wife he had the following children after he moved to DeWitt county : Henry, Rebecca, Hannah and George. The children of Mr. Austin Phillips, who married Mr. Marquiss' sister, also came out west with the families mentioned. They were raised by Mr. Abraham Marquiss. Henry Phillips, born in December, 1819, married Sarah Karr, and lived a number of years on the place Frank Lodge lives on ; he now lives in Missouri ; Joseph Phillips, born February 13, 1821, married and lived on the place Mr.

George Lodge lives on ; Aaron Phillips, born in May, 1826, died after moving to Iowa ; Martha Phillips, born January 12, 1828, became the wife of Jno. Barnes, while her twin sister, Hannah Retta, married Noah Piatt, and died in California. Mr. Abraham Marquiss, with his own family and the persons just mentioned, all moved into a cabin about 12x14 feet, which stood on the site of William Piatt's present residence, and remained there for near two months until another cabin was erected. Some sleeping was done in the wagons, in order to have room for the entire company of about twenty-one. In the spring another cabin, moved from where Ezra Marquiss now lives, was added to the two already in use ; and too, the family was divided up somewhat before the next summer. About 1836 Mr. Abraham Marquiss built a two-story hewed log house right where Mrs. Mary Jane Marquiss' present residence stands. He moved there and remained until about a year before his wife died, when they broke up housekeeping and went to live with their daughter Clarinda. After his wife's death he remained at the residence1 of William H. Piatt until his death in 1859. He was a successful farmer, and assisted all of his children to obtain a home. He was a practicing physician, a soldier in the war of 1812 in his young days, and after moving to Piatt county was justice of the peace for a time and became one of the most influential men of the county. He was married about 1809 in Ohio, to Elizabeth Barnes, a native of Pennsylvania. They raised seven children, of whom Ezra Marquiss Sr. (see his sketch) is the oldest ; for John Marquiss see his sketch ; William Marquiss was never married, and died in Missouri ; Clariii da .married William Piatt (see his sketch); Charles Marquiss married Elizabeth E. Hubbart, lived for a number of years in Goose Creek township, and then moved, to Missouri, where he now lives. Of their children, Nancy married Henry Moffett and lives in Missouri. The names of the other children are Ellen, Henry, Isaac, Clara, Ellsworth, Eddie and Edna; Elizabeth Marquiss married Mr. Samuel Bender, and died leaving one daughter, Effie ; Henry Marquiss, at the time of his death, was on his father's old home-place.

MR. EZRA MARQUISS, sr., was born in Ohio June 11, 1813,, and when twenty years old emigrated with his father to what is now Goose Creek township, Piatt county, in which part of the county he has lived ever since. Previous to leaving Ohio, he had formed an attachment for the person Ann Maria Norris, who afterward became his wife. The young ladies in this then new country did not efface this early attachment, so that it was not long after he had moved here ere he who married Curtis Borton in 187T, has three children, Bertie, Donii and Emma Florence. Mr. Borton owns eighty acres of land in Goose Creek township upon which a new house was built in 1881. Mr. McMillen's next two children, Mary Estelle and Lulu B., died when small. The names of the other children are Ezra Tho., Marquiss, Frank, Fred and Maud. Mr. McMillen went to the late war in Co. C of the 107th 111. Inf. and was in several battles, the principal of which being those at Huff's Ferry, Campbell's Station, and Knoxville. He returned January 6, 1864, having received no wounds but suffered much from sickness. Mr. McMillen is recognized throughout the neighborhood as a genial, jovial man, and he makes friends wherever he goes.

MR. GEORGE E. McMiLLEN, farmer, is a native of Indiana, from which state he moved to Piatt county, Illinois. He soon moved to Champaign county, but returned to Piatt county in 1880. He owns 100 acres of land in Goose Creek township, upon which he has begun making improvements. He was married in 1875, to Tina Letherman, a native of Indiana, and who came to Illinois in 1873. They have had four children, three of whom are living, Wilber G., Gertrude A. and Holla C. Mr. McMillen is school director at the present time (1881).

MR. JAMES G. MINER, farmer, Monticello, was reared in Ross county, Ohio, his parents having moved to that place when he was two years old. His father was a "Yankee " and his mother was reared on the Mohawk river in New York. His parents finally moved to Wisconsin, where his mother died, but his father went on to Kansas, where he died. The subject of our sketch moved from Ross county to Ohio direct to Piatt county in 1856, and settled on Mr. Samuel Suver's place. He afterward moved on to what is now the poor-farm, and after living there a time, the county arranged for his keeping the poor, and rented half of the present poor-farm to him. He owned the other half, but the county bought him out. He was the first person to keep a poor-farm in the county. Previous to this time the poor had auctioned off to the lowest bidder. At this time there were but four poor people on the county. The present poor-house was built after'Mr. Miner left the farm. He moved onto his farm in Goose Creek township about 1865. He bought 242 acres of land, most of which belonged to Mr. Abraham Collins, an early settler in the township. He has made some improvements on the place, such as planting of trees, and clearing and cultivating the land. He was married in Ohio on April 26, 1836, to Emeline R. Fleming, a native of Delaware. They have six children.

Ann became the wife of James Herrington, of Monticello, and has three children ; her eldest son, Clinton, was first married to Millina Cothrine ; he next married a Miss Woolington, has one child and lives in Galesville ; Frank Herrington married Maud Meredith, and is living in Galesville ; Mary is the wife of Mr. William Mclntosh ; Ira Miner married Mary A. Bruifet, and has the following named children : Emma, Amanda, Fannie, Sarah A., Jim, Mary A. and Roy. He has lived for a number of years in Goose Creek township, but recently moved to Willow Branch township, where he owns eighty acres of land. Albert Miner married Amelia Wiley ; Richard Miner married Miss Stewart, and lives in Sangamon township ; Charles Miner married Mary Shaffer, and has three children, Olga, Fent and Samuel ; Miss Eliza Miner is still at home.

MR. R. B. MOODY, grain merchant, De Land, is a native of. Ohio, from which state his parents moved to De Witt county in 1855. In 1868 Mr. Moody moved to Piatt county, and lived for a time on Mr. Calef s place. In 1870 he moved on to what is now Mr. Samuel Reed's place, and in the fall of 1873 he moved into De Land, and built the first store building in the town. He was married in 1868, to Rumina M. Hassinger, of Ohio. They had no children of their own, but adopted four of his and his wife's brother's and sister's children. Mr. Moody has held his share of offices - if one who does his duty in them ever does have his share. He has been overseer of highways, school director, constable, assessor, notary public, township treasurer and justice of the peace. He went to the army in Co. E of the 20th 111. Inf., and was out from 1861 to 1864. The principal battles in which he engaged were those at Fredericktown, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh, at which place he was wounded. When asked if he was an officer in the army he replied : " Oh, yes, yes ; I was high private in the rear rank."

MR. HENRY S. McFADDEN, farmer, De Land, was born in 1817, in Scott county, Pennsylvania, and is of Scotch and Irish descent. He moved from Pennsylvania to Illinois, and after a year or two of moving about settled in 1857 in Monticello. When a boy he learned the saddler trade, and after coming to Monticello pursued that in addition to that of house painting. In 1867 he moved onto the place of 240 acres, on which he now lives. He has done much to improve the place since moving onto it. At least 500 trees have been planted, and the whole place looks in fine condition. Mr. McFadden was married in 1841, in Pennsylvania, to Mary A. Mechling. Her mother was a descendant of Gen. Broadhead, who played his part in the revolutionary war, and her grandfather was in the war of ,1812. Eight of Mr. McFadden's children are still living. John M., who went to the late war in Capt. Musser's Company, from this county, is now in Kansas. Fannie married Wm. Boyer, who was in the army and came near starving to death in Anderson ville, and others of the rebel prisons, and, with one little girl, lives in Atwood, Kansas. Sarali A. Me McFadden, lives with an aunt in Pennsylvania. Louise married Mr. W. T. Bean, and lives in Farmer City. Arthur, a fine young man, and the pride of the family, died in 1879, while engaged as a telegraph operator in Danville. Emma, Harry, Juliette and Franklin are at home.

MR. GEORGE McBRiDE, farmer, De Land, was born in Maryland, in 1802. He moved to Ohio, and from there to Illinois in 1853 ; and about 1868 he settled in Piatt county. He bought 160 acres of land near De Land, and has lived on it ever since. He was married in Maryland, to Sophia Wisinon, who died leaving four children, three of whom are living. He next married Eliza Long, who died leaving six children. Mr. McBride is now living with one of his children. Mr. Jacob McBride married Catharine Kelly, has six children, and lives in Goose Creek township. Susan, the wife of John Frazer, lives in Nebraska. Henry married Melinda Kelly, and lives in Goose Creek township. Sophia, the wife of Geo. Bevard, lives in Missouri. Mary Ann married Geo. Race, lives in Goose Creek township, and has two children. Philip McBride was married in 1864, to Mary H. Johnson, a native of Pennsylvania. Two of their three children, George, Franklin and Mary Catharine, are living. Mr. McBride's farm of 120 acres has a good house and barn on it, and withal presents a very neat and attractive appearance. Lavina McBride is the wife of Reuben Abbott, of Missouri, and has one child. Eliza is the wife of Louis C. Marvel, of Goose Creek township. David married Xellie Fullenrider, has two children, and lives in Goose Creek township.

MR. R. W. MERRY, blacksmith, De Land, was born in Canada, and is of English and Irish extraction. He came from Canada to Piatt county in 1862. He lived in Monticello four years, moved about in the state somewhat, and went back to Canada once, but for the last seven years has been in De Land. He has worked, too, at the United States armory at Springfield, Massachusetts, since leaving Canada. He was married in 1864, to Rebecca P. Farr, a native of Canada, and

MR. LEWIS C. MARVEL, farmer, is a native of Fulton county, Illinois. He came to Piatt county in 1869. Has lived at his present home for twelve years. He was married in 1868, to Eliza McBride. and has three children, Lillie May, Geo. Wm. and Chas. W. Mr. Marvel went to the army from Iowa, in Co. G, 4th Iowa reg.

MR. WM. S. MARTIN, farmer, Welclon, is a native of Putnam county, Indiana, who moved to Illinois in 1861. About the year of 1867 he located in Piatt county, where, in the southwestern corner of Goose Creek township, he owns 160 acres of land, upon which he has put most of the improvements. He has a fine looking farm, his residence, a nice eight-room frame house, built in 1881, stands on a little knoll which gives a fine view of the country around. He was married in 1866, to Jane M. Chandler, and their union has been blessed by six children, five of whom are living : Hettie May, Oliver, Edgar, Winfred B. and Manford. Mr. Martin went to the army in 1862, from DeWitt county, in Co. B of the 107th 111. Inf., and remained until 1865.

MR. GEORGE MEYER, farmer, De Land, is a native of Germany, from which country he emigrated to America in 1868. After coming to Illinois, he first settled in Peoria, but in 1880 he moved to Piatt county, where he owns eighty acres of land, upon which he has begun adding improvements to those already there. He was married to Gertrude Hendricks, and has five children living : Herman married Anna Morris ; Henry is living at home ; Louise is the wife of Nanke Radnaker, has two sons, and lives in Logan county ; Teis married Anna Rodenback, has four children, and lives in Logan county ; Albert married Louise Sank, and lives in Logan county. Mr. Meyer and son Henry have already shown that they are going to be successful farmers in the county. Forty-five acres of their corn averaged seventy-five bushels to the acre in 1881.

MR. M. D. MARVEL, farmer, De Land, moved from Ohio, his native state, to Fulton county, Illinois. From there he moved to Piatt county in 1867, and settled on the farm where he now lives. He owns eighty acres of land, upon which he has put all the improvements. About 500 trees have been planted ; 350 rods of underground ditch have been made ; there is at least one mile of hedge planted, and the present residence was built in 1875. He has raised quite good corn crops. Two years ago he raised corn that brought ninety bushels to the acre. It was planted by hand, two grains at a time, in hills twenty inches apart. Mr. Marvel was married in 1856, to Mary Standard. Six of their seven children are living : Yina, Alice, Huldah, Hettie, Maud and Maurice. Mr. Marvel has been school director for twelve or fourteen years.

MR. H. G. PORTER, merchant, De Land, is a native of Fulton county, Illinois, and is of Scotch and Irish lineage. He was married in 1868, to Eldora Carter, of Fulton county, and has four children : Estella, Maggie, Joseph C. and Clyde. In 1874 he moved onto a farm in Piatt county, and in 1877 he began business as a merchant in De Land. Mr. Porter went to the late war from Fulton county, in Co. K of the 7th 111. Cav. He was out two years, and was in the engagements at Franklin, Columbia and Nashville, at which place he was wounded.

MR. JAMES REID, farmer, Lodge, is a native of Ohio, Pickaway county, from which place he moved to Piatt county, October, 12, 1856, and wintered in a cabin on Bender's place. He located on his present farm of seventy-six acres, in 1867. He was married in Ohio, January 1, 1850, to Margaret Adkins. Their union has been blessed by six children, three of whom are living : Melina died after being of age ; Nelson, who married Kate Emig, has three children, and lives in Monticello ; Aregzene and George are still living at home.

MR. WILLIAM ROBISON, farmer, Monticello, is of Irish descent, and a native of Pickaway county, Ohio. He came to Piatt county in 1861, but in 1863 returned to Ohio. In 1873 he again came to Piatt county, and located in Willow Branch township. He now owns 110 acres of land in Goose Creek township, upon which he has made enough in the last five years to pay for the farm and have $1,000 besides. He was married in 1855, to Amanda Crawford, a native of Ohio, and has seven children living, G. F., Charles, William, Seymour, Clement V., Josie B. and Allen. Mr. Robison was one of the pioneer cattle drivers, who used to drive cattle through this section of the country as early as 1851. His grandfather was one of the revolutionary soldiers.

MR. JOSEPH H. RANKIN, farmer, is a native of Ohio. He moved from that state in 1856 or 1857, to Illinois, coming to Piatt county from DeWitt county in about 1864. He owns forty acres of land in Goose Creek township. He was married in 1867, to Emma Brown, and has one son, James Floy.

MR. JAMES RHINEHART. a native of Virginia, moved to Ohio, and from there to Macon county, where he has lived ever since, with the exception of two years' residence in Cerro Gordo. Two of his sons are now living in Goose Creek township. J. H. Rhinehart married Mary

Miles, and has two children living, Alice and Roy. He came to De Land in 1875, and in 1879 moved onto a farm. He was in the late war, in the 116th 111. Inf., for three years. Mr. I. L. Rhinehart came to De Land, Piatt county, in 1875. He was married in 1878, to Asenath J. McCauce, of Fulton county, and has one child. He was in the boot and shoe and grocery business until 1879, when he began keeping a hardware and grocery store. He is now deputy postmaster, and was town clerk for two years.

MR. SAMUEL RIDDICK, farmer, De Land, is a native of Scotland, who came to America in 1853, locating in Piatt county in 1875. He owns 240 acres of land, which he bought already improved. He was married to Mary A. McLaughlin in 1852, and they have seven children living : William is at home ; Charles married Mary Parr, and has one child, Harry ; Mary *J. married Alexander Allen, and lives in DeWitt county ; John is in Iowa ; George, the third son, Samuel and James are at home.

MR. SAM'L H. SMITH, farmer, Cisco, is a native of Wayne county, Illinois. From there he moved to Piatt county in 1877. At that time he settled on the place of 160 acres where he now lives. It was principally improved, but he has put in a good deal of tiling since settling on the place. In the year of 1879, 120 acres of corn averaged 45 bushels to the acre. Mr. Smith was married in 1865, to Barbara E. Altic, a native of Logan county, Illinois. They have had seven children, all of whom are living : Abraham, Hannaretta, Martha, Samuel, Edna May, Amy Olive and James Gaifield. Mr. Smith went to the army in August, 1861, in Co. G of the 26th 111., and was out until July, 1865. He took part in the battles at luka, Corinth, Chattanooga, Resaea, Lookout Mountain, and those of the Atlanta campaign. He was slightly wounded once, but was never taken prisoner.

MR. FLAVIOUS J. STOTTLEMYKR, farmer, De Land, is a native of Maryland, from which state he moved to Piatt county, Illinois, in 1874. His father owns 160 acres of land in the county, which Mr. Flavious Stottlemyer improved, and upon which he lives with his sister Ruth. A good deal of open ditching has been done on the farm, and the place has yielded fair crops. The corn crop of 1881 averaged forty bushels to the acre.

MR. WM. O. TRENCHARD, farmer, Monticello, was born in New York in 1830. From that state he moved to Michigan, where he remained three years, and in 1848 came to Illinois, but did not come to Piatt county until 1864 or 1865. He was married August 23, 1852, to Mary Lyons, and has had seven children : Mary, the wife of John Tatman, of Goose Creek township, has four children, Ella, Fannie, George and Oliver. Ella married Robert Bragg, of the same township, and has two children, Willie and Lena ; Joseph Trenchard graduated at the State Normal in 1880, and is now principal of the public school at Windsor; Win. H., Francis, Sarah and George are at home. Mr. Trenchard has not escaped all the township offices. He was town clerk for several years.

MR. RICHARD TILSON, blacksmith, De Land, was born in Canada, and is of English descent. He came to Illinois in 1867, and in 1869 settled in Piatt county. In 1873 he moved the first dwelling in De Land, and began work in a shop, and, with the exception of two years on a farm, has lived in the place ever since. He was married in 1863, to Nancy J. Currier, of Canada, who died in 1878, leaving three children, two of whom, Walter N. and Winnie Elnor, are living. He took for his second wife the widow ot Joseph Marsh, who had three children, George, Catharine and Alzina. Since her last marriage she has had two children, Rosella and an infant.

MR. JOHN VAIL, De Land, moved from Ohio, his native state, to Piatt county in 1859. He settled first in Goose Creek township, where he has lived most of the time since. He moved into and built the first dwelling house in De Land, and built about the first store building in the place. He owned property, five lots, before moving into town. He was married in 1861, to Mary E. Drais, and has had five children, four of whom are living : Arminda married Jno. R. Harrison in 1881, and Ida became the wife of Louis Mathews the same year. The names of the other children are Mary Susan, Lucinda and Laura.

MR. HARRISON VITTUM is a native of IVew Hampshire, from which state he moved to Fulton county, Illinois. He was married in 1861, to Mary Harper, a native of Pennsylvania, and in 1870 they moved to Piatt county, settling on the place where they now live. Mr. Vittum owns 320 acres of land in the northern part of Goose Creek township, and has put most of the improvements on the place since moving there. He has done considerable open ditching, planted over 150 fruit and other trees, and has hedged his place all around. In 1874 he built a neat farm house, and in 1881 erected a commodious barn.

MR. HENRY VAN VICKLE, farmer, is a native of Ohio, from which state he came to Piatt county in 1867, and has been in the county ever since. He went to the army in 1864, in Co. A of the 90th Ohio Inf., and was discharged in July 12, 1865. He engaged in the battles at

Resaca, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. He was wounded at the latter place, and was in the hospital from December 15 until July.

MR. JOHN VANSYCKEL, farmer, is a native of New Jersey, from which state he moved to Fulton county, Illinois, in 1850, and to Piatt in 1871. He married Emeline Hunt in 1864, and they have one child. George Edmund. Mr. Vansyckel owns 180 acres of land in Blue Ridge and Goose Creek townships, every foot of which is under cultivation. He has done considerable ditching on his land, planted out 100 trees, including fifty-six apple trees, and has put most of the improvements on his place himself. He has been successful in raising the Poland China hogs. He has been trustee of the township, and is counted one of the leading men of this vicinity.

REV. THOMAS H. WELCH (deceased) was a native of New Jersey. He was married in Lexington, Kentucky, to Eliza Jacobs, a native of Pennsylvania. They moved to Ohio, and from there to Indiana, from which state they moved in 1839 to Piatt county, and settled on land which is still owned by the Welches. After coming to the county Mr. Welch was a preacher in the Christian church from 1839 to 1858, and his circuit extended throughout and beyond the limits of this county. Of his children, Mason (see his name) is living in the county ; John H. (see his name) is in McPherson, Kansas ; Paul D. married Nancy Miller, and after living a few years in this county, moved to Salt Creek ; Catharine married Mr. W. A. Patterson, who died, leaving several children : Rebecca J. married A. K. Miller, of Salt Creek ; Cynthia A. married Mr. George Carr ; Cordelia was married twice, and now lives with her son in Missouri ; Lizzie married John Boren. Rev. Mr. Welch took for his second wife Elizabeth Johnson, and had four more children : Martha, who married John Mooney, and has one child ; Thomas R. married Harriet Holt ; Apollus died not long since, and Cephas married Lizzie Holt, and has one child.

MR. JOHN WELCH, formerly a farmer of Piatt county, married Elmira Carson, and moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, about 1839, and about 1840 came to Piatt county. He and his wife moved in 1880 to Kansas, where he owns a farm of 160 acres. His eldest son, Thomas E., was married in 1872, to Mrs. Michael Croninger nee Susanna Robinson, and has three children : Charles C., Eddie E. and William W. Since his marriage he has lived on the farm he now lives on. Charlotte Welch married Peter Widdershein, has several children, and lives in Monticello ; Hamlin B. married Rhoda Long, who died, leav- ing four children : John, Era, Joseph and Clement. He next married Mrs. Spencer nee Margaret Talbert. She died, leaving several children by her last husband, three of whom, Elizabeth, William and Mark, are living. David C. Welch married Mrs. James Lemon nee Clementine Robinson, has three children, Emma, Ora and Nellie, and is a lawyer in McPherson, Kansas ; Ben. F. Welch married Martha J. Hott, and has three children, Lona, Jacob and Ford ; Elmira married Emanuel Hinkle, and has three daughters, Jesse May, Daisy and Grace ; Hester married Franklin Sills, and lives in DeWitt county. S. Douglas is in Kansas with his father. .

ME. MASON WELCH, farmer, Monticello, was born in Kentucky, and moved from Indiana to Piatt county in 1839. He was married in Indiana, to Nancy A. Flowers, a native of Ohio. Five of their six children are living. Sophia Jane became the wife of John Bradford, who died in the army, leaving h' ve .children. Of these, Sarah Ann married James Huffman, and lives in Colorado ; Asenath is in Champaign county. Mrs. Bradford was next united in marriage to Jerry Davis. Dan'l Henry Welch married Lizzie Jacobs, has one child, and is a carpenter in Indiana ; Hannah married Wm. Holden, has five children, Nancy, Daniel, Emma, Wm. and Thomas, and lives in Monticello ; Sylvenus A. first married Cyrus R. Stewart, who died leaving four children, Nancy Ann, Sophrona, Albert and Fannie. She next married Lewis Flowers. Lizzie J. is still at home.

MR. JESSE WARNER, farmer, Monticello, was born in Ross county, Ohio, December 16, 1830. He came on horseback from Pickaway county, Ohio, to Piatt county in 1852. Soon after coming here he began dealing in stock for other men, and made several trips to Missouri for the same. During his time he was in the employ of Wm. H. Piatt part of the time. In 1856 he went east with hogs for Mr. Piatt, and at Lockport, New York, a train ran into the stock train and injured Mr. Warner so that his right arm had to be amputated. He called Mr. Wm. Piatt's his home from 1853 until his marriage, in 1873, to Miss Kate Schultz, when he went on to his own farm. His wife died September 29, 1875, and Mr. Warner was married January 6, 1878, to Louisa Connor. He has two children, Ollie and an infant son, Eddie Connor. Mr. Warner's sister, Elizabeth Warner, has lived in Piatt county over twenty years, and with the exception of two years her home has been at Wm. H. Piatt's.

1864 he settled on a farm of 240 acres in Goose Creek township. He put nearly all the improvements on the place, and died there, April 21, 1878. He was one of the early settlers in the vicinity of De Land. He was married December 22, 1841, to Rebecca Saturwhite, who died August 13, 1855. They had six children, four of whom are living : Elizabeth married J. "W. Davis, but died leaving a child, which soon died ; Daniel M. married Jane Davis, who died leaving five children ; I. D. Walker attended the law school at Bloomington, was married recently, and is now practicing law at Decatur ; Ann M. married David Camp, and had three children : Willie, Ada and Eddie ; she is now the wife of Mr. Chas. Anderson, and lives on the old home-place which William and I. D. have control of ; Wm. I. Walker attended school in Green Castle, Indiana, for about four years, and is now practicing law in Decatur, Illinois.

DR. JNO. H. WOOD, of De Land, is a native of Fulton county, Illinois. His father is a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Maryland. He was married in 1876, to Sarah Piersoll, a native of Fulton county. Mrs. Wood has been quite a successful school teacher, both at Ashland school and in De Land. Dr. Wood went to the army in the 6th Cav., and was in some of the principal battles in Virginia. He attended and graduated at the Allopathic Medical School, at Keokuk, Iowa. He came to Piatt county in December, 1875, and at present is the only physician located at De Land.

MR. HUGH WILSON, farmer, Cisco, was born in Harding county, Ohio, and was one of the first settlers of the neighborhood in which he lives. He owns a good-sized farm, which he has in a fine condition. He recently built a large barn and some cribs. Mr. Wilson was first married in Ohio, and had several children : John H., who married Sarah A. Passwaters, keeps hotel in Weldon, and has three children ; William married Mattie Weddle, and lives in Missouri ; Jane is the wife of William Glass, lives in Goose Creek township, and has no children ; Cyrus and Charlie are at home. Mr. Wilson married his second wife in 1867, Mrs. Uley Passwaters nee Ann Elizabeth Bunting. She, in 1846, married her first husband, Jesse M. Passwaters, by whom she had five children : Eliza, John, Sarah A., Mary and Rebecca.

MR. J. A. WILLIAMSON, farmer, Lodge, is a native of Ohio, and moved from there to DeWitt county, Illinois, about 1856, then to Macon county, and in 1882 to Piatt county. He owns eighty acres of land. He was married about 1850, to Lucinda Hartsock, and has four children : Grisanna Belle married William Chopin, lives in Goose:

Creek township, and has two children, Clarence and Donna Lu ; J. Calvin attended school at the Wesleyan University; George E. attended the State Normal ; and ElwoodN. is at home. Mr. Williamson keeps quite an apiary. He has about ninety stands of bees, and is prepared to furnish all necessary supplies belonging to apiculture, such as, queens, bee-hives, boxes, etc.