Sangamon County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1881 (part 14 of 21)

William T. Vandergrift, merchant, Cantrall, Illinois, was born in Athens, Menard county, Illinois, June 27, 1843; son of A. J. and Arminta (Barnett) Vandergrift; father a native of Virginia, and mother of Kentucky; were married in Sangamon county, about 1842, where a family of five children was born, four of which lived to be men and women, Anna Bell, now the wife of F. C. Sherwood, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Thos. J., of Shellsburg, Wisconsin; John S., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; William T., enlisted in the Ninetysecond Regiment, Infantry, Illinois Volunteers, Company I., in 1862, and participated in all the engagements of the regiment, some of the principals being the battle of Chickamauga, Atlanta campaign; with Sherman to the sea; was mustered out at Concord, North Carolina, and discharged at Chicago. In 1805, he married Miss Margaret Canterbury, a daughter of O. P. Canterbury, of Cantrall, Illinois; she was born June 14, 1851. By this union there are three children, Emory C, Arminta and Hardy M, Mr. Vandergrift is at present engaged in merchandising in Cantrall; carries a stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and everything that is usually carried in a country store; handles a stock of 12,000.

William F. Wolf, farmer and stock raiser, post office, Sherman, was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on the 11th day of April, 1851, son of John W. and Rebecca (Wirtz) Wolf, natives of Ohio, where they were married, August 25, 1848. The fruits of this marriage was a family of five children, two sons and three daughters, two of which lived to be adults. Mary J., born January 8, 1850, and the subject of this sketch. The family came to Sangamon county in 1857, and located one-half mile west of Sherman, September 8, 1877, he died; mother still living with her son William F, The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a common school education. When seventeen years of age went to w^ork in the Chicago &> Alton Railroad wood yard. In 1870, ifiarried Miss Sarah E. Cox. She was born in Marion county, Kentucky, November 17, 1847. After marrying, Mr. Wolf embarked in farming, which he followed for six years, when he commenced selling goods in Sherman. The first store was kept by John W. Wolf as early as 1860, which he followed until his death September 8, 1877. William F. run the store until March, 1881, when he sold to Mr. McRoberts. The last year being in company with S. E. Prather, since which time he has followed farming. His property in Sherman is valued at $2,000. Mr. Wolf affiliates with the Republican parly, and was elected Constable, which office he held for eight years. Mr. Wolf has twenty-four acres of corn, which will average sixty bushels to the acre. Mrs. W. F. Wolf is a member of the Baptist Church.

The township of Gardner comprises township sixteen north, range six west, and is bounded on the east by Springfield, on the west by Cartwright, north by Salisbury, and south by Curran townsliip, and was so named in honor of John Gardner, who was for many years, and until his death, one of the principal citizens of the township, and one of the three commissioners appointed by the Board of Justices to divide the county into townships. The surface of the country is mostly rolling prairie, though there is much timber in the southern part. The township is watered by Spring creek and other smaller streams. The soil is extremely well adapted to the raising of all cereals, especially

In 1819, the first settlement was made by Samuel Newhouse, A. Inyard, B. Davis, David McCoy, George Knox Hamilton, and Abraham Duff. Among other settlers were Edmond Taylor, Edward Robinson, Mrs. Elizabeth McMurray, David McCoy, Joshua Short, James Short, Edward Williams, Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, John Gardner, Hiram Gardner, William and Thomas Kirkpatrick, John Kendall, William Sims.

George Knox Hamilton was born August 17, 1798, in Davidson county, Tennessee. He came, in company with his father, four brothers and two sisters, to Sangamon county, arriving in the fall of 1819, and settled near what is now Bradford Station. He was married March 5, 1823, to Jane Coleman. They had three children.

Abraham Duff was born May 15, 1777, in South Carolina. Virlinda Combs was born in South Carolina also, August 6, 1781. Their parents moved on pack horses to the vicinity of Bowling Green, Kentucky. A. Duff and Ver linda Combs were married and moved to St. Clair county, Illinois, and from there moved, in

Edmond Taylor was born October 22, 1785, in Christian county, Kentucky ; married there lo Mary Pugh. She died, and he married Constant Blakey, who was born June 22, 1791, in Georgia, They moved to what became Sangamon county, arriving in the fall of 1819, on Sugar creek, and in 1822 or '23 moved to the south side of Spring creek, four and a half miles west of Springfield.

Edward Williams was born June 3, 1789, in Hardin county, Kentucky. Margaret Neal was born April, 1788, in Nelson county, Kentucky. The places of their birth were only about six miles apart, and the parents of both moved, when they were children, to Ohio county, where they were married about 1806. They moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving December, 1826, in what is now Gardner township. He died in 1871.

Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, whose maiden name was Foster, was born in Bedford county, Virginia, and married there to John Hall, and moved to Adair county, Kentucky, and Mr. Hall died there. His widow and children moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in the fall of 1830, north of Spring creek, and six miles west of Springfield. Mrs. Hall was married there to Samuel Willis, and in 1844 or '45, moved to DeWitt county, where Mr. Willis died. She now lives with her son.

John Gardner was born June 21, 1805, in that part of Gallatin that is now Trimble county, Kentucky. Mary C. Duncan was born March 27, 1810, in the same county. They were married there June 13, 1830, moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving April 17, 1833, two miles west of Springfield, and early in 1834

Village Of Sangamo

The village of Sangamo at one time was a very flourishing little place, and narrowly escaped being the county seat when the commissioners were appointed to permanently locate it, in 1825. It is said the commissioners, if not a majority of the people, were favorably disposed toward the place, but there being no road leading to it, at least that was known to the commissioners, they employed Andrew Elliott to pilot them to the place. Mr. Elliott, being interested in Springfield, took them by a round about way, through swamps, and so made the commissioners believe the place was too difficult to be reached, and they, therefore, decided in favor of Springfield. The location of the village was on the northwest quarter section two, township sixteen, range six, in the present township of Gardner. Moses Broadwell was the proprietor. A steam mill was erected in the village by Mr. Broadwell, one or two stores were opened, a blacksmith shop was placed in operation, and the foundation of a flourishing village was laid. But "the best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft aglee." To-day there is no evidence that such a village ever existed, a fine farm taking its place.

There are, in 1881, three church edifices in the township, in which assemble for worship representatives of three denominations. The Presbyterians have a house of worship on section seventeen, in the southwest corner, near the village of Farmingdale. The Baptists worship in their own house, on section thirty-two, while the United Brethren meet on section thirty-four.

Farmington Presbytebian Church

The Fai'mington Presbyterian Church was organized at Old Sangamon, on the second Sabbath of January, 1834, with the following persons as constituent members: Azel Lyman, and Mary P., his wife; Azel S. Lyman, Roxana Lyman; Alvin Lyman and Lucy, his wife; Ezra Lyman and Mercy, his wife; Ezra C. Lyman; Mary L. Lyman; Azabel Stone and Laura, his wife; William Robb and Mary, his wife; Phebe Robb, Elizabeth W. Robb, Jay Slater, Stephen Childs and Hannah, his wife; Luther N. Ransom and Zerviah, his wife; Heraldus Esterbrook and Abigal, his wife; Abel Esterbrook, Amanda Ransom, Oliver Bates and Charity, his wiie; Chancy D. Colton, Francis L. Stone and Laura A. Stone. Almott all of these persons were members of a colony that came a short time previous, from Northern New York. Henry P, Lyman and Mercy, his wife, united soon afterwards, members also of the colony.

The first officers in the church were, Azel Lyman, Heraldus Esterbrook and Luther N. Ransom. Since then the following persons have been officers in the church, Joel Buckman, Jay Slater, Henry P. Lyman, William B. Brown, Samuel H. Jameson, James E. Hopper, Aaron VanPatton, Ezra C. Lyman, David Brainard Pond, James A. Stone, Henry C. Miner.

The first minister in the church, and the man who organized it was Rev. J. G. Bergen, who was succeeded by the following persons, in their order: Revs. Whitney, Gault, Porter^ Plummer, Barton, Blood, Watson, Wood, Kerr, McFarland, Peck and Leard.

The church has always kept up an active Sabbath school. The total membership since the organization, has been about three hundred and twenty-five. The present house of worship was built in 1859. There is now a very fine parsonage, and ten acres of land added to the church property, principally through the munificent bequest of Dr. Lyman, who, during his life, was one of the church's sti'ongest pillars. The church has enjoyed many seasons of revival, and is to-day, as it has been since its organization, a great power for good in the community.

The earliest settlers united with those of Curran in school privileges, which, of course, were none of the best. Gardner township, to-day, is one of the best in the county in this respect. There are now ten good frame school-houses, valued at $6, "700, school being held on an average of eight months in the year in each.

Noted Men

In 1850, James H. Slater moved from this county and township to Oregon. He was then comparatively unknown, audit was not supposed that be would ever become eminent. His father was poor, and he only obtained the educational advantages of the common school. He now represents the State of Oregon in the United States Senate.

Post Offices

Cross Plains post office was established in 1871, with J. M. Slater as postmaster. Richland post office was established at an early day, on the west line of the township, with Constantine Foster as postmaster. On the completion of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, it was removed over the line into Cartwright township, at Richland station. In 1876, an office was established at Bradfordton, with George Shaw as postmaster. The present postmaster is Lewis Tomlinson. The office is at Bradfordton station, on the Ohio -<fc Mississippi Railroad. In addition to these, Farmingdale has an office.

George Gregory, post office, Bradfordton; son of Benjamin and Catharine Gregory, who were both natives of England, where they both died. They had eight children, viz: Hannah, born 1806; George, born 1808; Bessie, born 1810; Joseph born 1812; May, Catharine and Emma, d te unknown. The subject ot this sketch was the second child, and was born January 8, 1808, and was apprenticed to the machinist trade. After becoming free, he came to America in 1836, and followed his trade in the city of Springfield, having purchased a shop, and carried on the business until 1840, when he began to run on the Northern Cross Railroad from the Illinois river to Springfield; continued that business until it was sold to Dunlap and Lamb and became the Great Western. He spent two winters in Louisiana, making sugar. He purchased land where he now lives, and in 1830, married Miss Sarah Nohls, daughter of John and Sarah Nobis. She was born in England in 1810. They have ten children, viz: George I., born February 2, 1832; Isaac, November 6, 1834; Samuel, September 30, 1836; Jacob, September 23, 1838; Benjamin, January 12, 1842; Elizabeth, January 25, 1844; Mary, April 24, 1848; Emma, April 13, 1852; Eliza, January 6, 1854; George J., December 28, 1856. George was killed by a horse running away with him, January 1, 1842; Samuel was killed by being thrown from a horse January 11, 1868; Benjamin died in his fifth year. The subject of this memoir owns three hundred acres of land, worth $100 an acre. Mr.

Daniel Humphrey, son of John and Mary Humphrey; father born in Kentucky, October 2, 1809; mother same State, October 2, 1806. They were married March 8, 1832, in Sangamon county and had two children. Miranda, born August 1, 1833, died December 6, 1835; David, born December 4, 1834; father died July 28, 1835. The subject of this sketch was the only son, and was raised on a farm. June 9, 1857, married Miss Mary H. Chapman, daughter of Joseph and Mary Chapman, and was born in Devonshire, England, and came with her parents to this country and settled in Sangamon county, where her mother died September 22, 1856. Her father died June, 1881, aged ninetyone years. They have three children, John J., born May 5, 1858; Mary A., November 21, 1860; Minnie E.. September 13, 1862; owns a fine residence in Farmingdale, where he resides, and is the postmaster and the principal business man of the place, doing general merchandising and grain commission business.

Samuel H. Jameson, son of Samuel and Mar garet Jameson; father born in county Derry, Ireland, about 1765; when about eighteen years of age, came to Ohio county, Virginia; was a farmer, and died in 1818. Mother was born in New Jersey, 1772. She was a lineal descendant of Sir William Wallace, of Scottish fame. They were married about 1800, and had seven children.

The subject of this sketch was married May 5, 1839, to Miss Laura A. Wells, of Licking county, Ohio. She was the daughter of Chester and Laura A. Wells, and was born in 1818. They had three children.

Samuel H. Jameson came to this county from Virginia in 1850, and settled on the farm he now owns, of four hundred and fifty acres, valued at SSi) per acre. Mr. Jameson was one of six who built the first Presbyterian Church in Gardner township.

Henry P. Lyman, post office, Farmingdale, son of John and Martha Lyman. Father born in New Hampshire, April 2, 1780 ; mother born in same place, in August, 1780 ; father studied medicine with Dr. Nathaniel Smith, of Dartmouth. In 1832, in company with his brother, Azael, visited the western country, returning in 1833, raised a colony of fifty persons, and the same year came west in wagons, being eight weeks on the way, holding divine service each Sunday on the route. The organization of the colony was kept up after coming to Sanga- mon county, and a house of worship was soon after built. The subject of this sketch was born August 10, 1805, and in August, 1833, married Mary Saunders, of Rutland, Veinaont, born December 4, 1806. They had six children, viz : Celesta, born July 4, 1834, was married March 6, 1862, to Ralph A. Curtis, of "Wa^erly, Morgan county ; Martha S., born October 29, 1836, died September 13, 1838; John S., born July 31, 1841, married Carrie M. Hapjer, September 13, 1870 ; Sarah A., born Jaruaiy 16, 1844, married Eev. J. D. Kerr, August 15,1865, now resides in Erie, Pennsylvania ; Laura A., born February 8, 1848, died December 2*7, 1848 ; George H., born October 4, 1850. Mr. Ljman has been a successful business man, but now retired. He still takes an active interest in the moral and religious improvement of the community in which he live^. His son, George H., graduated at the Champaign university in the class of 1872, of the civil engineering department, and is now located at Cairo, Illinois.

Hexiheoi 3IcDa')mald, post office, Springfield, son of John and Elizabeth McDannald. Father born November 9, 1795, mother born December 15, 1802; mother's maiden name Elizabeth lies. Married October 8, 1822, and had five children.

The subject of this sketch came to Illinois with his mother at an early day, and married Miss Ann E. Dillon, October 20, 1853. Shewas born October 7, 1833. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Dillon, and came with her parents to Sangamon county about 1833. They have nine children, to-wit: John Ellis, Partbena L., Maiy A., James, Robert, Thomas J., Emma J., Fannie and Edward R. James died November 4, 1861; Robert died June 22, 1862; Fannie died August 17, 1871. His advantages of early education were such as the subscription schools afforded in his day, and his wife had about the same. Owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, valued at $60 per acre.

Logan Mc][htrray, post office, Farmingdale, son of Robert and Elizabeth MoMurray. Father born in Virginia; mother born in Virginia; Irish and Scotch extraction. They moved from Virginia to Kentucky about 1801, and from Kentucky to St. Clair county, Illinois, in 1811. There the father died, and the family returned to Kentucky, remaining there seven years, and then came to Sangamon county, and settled in what is now Curran township. They had seven children, viz: William, Samuel, James, Lewis, Hester, Arthur D. and Logan. All are dead excp'pt the subject of this sketch, who was born in Kentucky, March 22, 1810. He was married

December 22, 1831, to Miss Melissa Eobinson, daughter of Edward and Jane (Henly) Robinson, Shewas born November 11, 1813, in Caldwell county, Kentucky. Her parents came to Sangamon county in 1821. They came from Kentucky with horse teams. The fruits of this marriage were ten children, to-wit: Edward S., born November 13, 1832; John L., Mary E. and Martha J., twins; Angeline, Elihu J., George F., Sarah A., Emily F., Rczella. Join L. and Angeline died. He owns two hundred and fiftyfive acres of land, valued at $75 per acre. Advantages of early education of both were not very good. His son Elihu was in Company B, Tenth Illinois Cavalry.

JifatMas MiUtr was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the Rhine river, April 11, 1819, where he remained, working on the farm and at the stone-mason's trade, until twenty-one years of age, when he came to the United States. He landed at New Orleans, and came to St. Lcuis, Missouri, and to Springfield, in 1842. In 1844^ went to the pineries of Wisconsin, where he and one other man made twenty-four thousand shingles. He then returned to Springfield, and e>n May 17, 1846, married Miss Martha (Ross) Miller. She was born in Kentucky, and was a daughter of Wm. Ross, who was a farmer, and diecl in 1864; and his wife, Maria (Morrison) Ross was born in Kentucky.

Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Miller are both members of the church. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he a member of the Catholic Church. They have had ten children, four living: Mrs. Sarah E. Gards, Mrs. Florence Campbell, Alfred F. and Virginia Miller. The father of Mathias Miller, Peter Miller, was born in Germany. He Avas a farmer, an el died in Germany in 1845 or 1846; and his wife, Margaret Derzapf, was born in Germany. She died at Lincoln, Illinois, in 1868, and was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, at Springfield. She came to the United States with her son, Peter Miller, in 1848. The subject of this sketch has a farm of four hundred and fifty acres in Gardner township, where he resides. He also owns a house and two lots in Monticello, Illinois. In politics, he has been a Democrat, but in future will vote for the best man. He cast his first vote for Jfmes K. Polk for President of the United States.

Michael Pffer, post office. Cross Plains, eon of John and Christina Pfifer; father born in Germany in 1791; mother born in Germany in 1795. They were married about 1814, and had nine children. Father died in 1861; mother died in 1869. Michael Pfifer was born in 1825. He was the sixth child, and came to America in 1841; landed at New York; came to Springfield, then to California, returning in 1857. He was married November 28, 1857, to Miss Anna Ranslear, daughter of David and Anna M. Ranslear. There were sixteen children in her father's family. The fruits of this marriage was eight children, to-wit: Mary, born September 15, 1859; John, born March 19, 1861; Rosina, born September 8, 1862; Julia, born June 14, 1864; George, born August 12, 1866; Barnhardt, born May 25, 1869; Michael, born March 10, 1873. George was drowned in the Sangamon river in 1877. Mr. Pfifer owns two hundred and five acres of land, valued at $50 per acre. Advantages of education, such as the common schools of Germany afforded.

Henry W. Mickard, post office box 699, Springfield; son of Peter and Elizabeth Rickard; father born in Loudon county, Virginia, 1787; mother born in Hardin county, Virginia; mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Everhart. They had ten children, viz: Lewis, born October 13, 1806; Elizabeth, April 1, 1809; Catharine, July 24, 1811; Susan, August 26, 1813; Noah M., March 20, 1817; John G., October 16, 1819; Simon P., October 16, 1821; Sarah A., March 2, 1824; Mary L., March 16, 1827; Henry W., January 1, 1830; all born in Virginia; Elizabeth and Noah, deceased.

The subject of this sketch was the tenth child and April 4, 1852, married Miss Sarah A. Simms, daughter of John and Lucinda Simms; born November 15, 1830, They have six children, viz: Elizabeth L., Minnie A., Lewis F., Washington M,, Robert L, George E.; wife died December 21, 1864; married again June 7, 1866 to Miss Henrietta Earnest, daughter of Thomas and Aletro Earnest, and born January 10, 1831. They have two children - Catharine Jane, born August 26, 1870; Thomas E., born October 13, 1872; are of German extraction; owns three hundred acres of land, valued at $80 per acre. The advantages of early education of both were Buch as the schools of the country afforded.

James A. Stone, post office, Bradfordton, son of Ossi^n L. and Abigal C. Stone. Father born in Madrid, St. Lawrence county, New York, May 24, 1804. Came to Sangamon county with his parents in November, 1831. Mother born in Senaca county. New York, May 16, 1811. (See biography of James Stewart, in Williams township.) They were married October 29, 1885, in Sangamon county. They had six children, towit: Frances M., born November 13, 1836, died

The subject of this sketch was the fourth child, and was raised on the farm where he now resides. September 26, 1866, he married, in Morgan county, Miss Eliza Allen, daughter of Henry and Emily Allen. She was born July 7, 1844, Miss Allen was a lineal descendant of Colonel Ethan Allen, the first in commard at the battle of Crown Point, and James A. Stone is a descendant of Colonel Philip Stone, second in command at the same battle. They had three children, to-wit: Jessie, born August 16, 1868, died April 5, 1879; Percy A., born June 22, 1871; James Roy, born September 26, 1875, died April 3, 1879. He owns one hundred and sixtyfive acres of land, valued at $75 per acre. At present he is town treasurer. Was in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment Volunteer Infantry. Educational advantages of himself and wife were both good, having availed themselves of high schools and seminaries. His wife took drawing lessons as a specialty.

Tliomas Talbot, post office, Springfield. Father born in Baltimore county, Maryland; mother born in Baltimore county, Maryland. They were married in Kentucky, and had twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch "was the sixth child, and born in Kentucky, February 21, 1816, and came with his parents to Sangamon county, in 1835. Father purchased land and commenced farming where this son now resides. March 13, 1877, married Miss Elizabeth A. Parkinson, in West Virginia. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Parkinson, and was born June 13, 1845; her father was born in Pennsylvania, and mother in West Virginia. Both her parents are living, ard if they live until November 6, 1881, will celebrate their golden wedding. Owns eighty-five acres of land, valued at $65 per acre. Early advantages of education notgood, from scarcity of books and inferiority of teachers; wife's advantages were good, having graduated at the Waynesburg College in the class of 1865, and taught about eight years afterward.

David Talbot, son of David and Harriet Talbot; father born in Maryland in 17S6, mother in same State in 1788. She was the daughter of Nathan and Rebecca Harding, who were married in Maryland, and had twelve children. They moved to Kentucky about 1796, where all their

Tlie subject of this sketch was the fourth child, and born July 22, 1813. October 22, 1850, married Susan T. Richard, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot have had one child, Ella Bell, born July 5, 1855, and died August 20, 1875. Father died October, 1867, mother died December, 1867. Mr. T., owns one hundred and thirty acres of land, valued at |65 per acre. His advantages of early education were such as the schools of the county afforded in his day; was supervisor of the township in 1875. The brothers and sisters were: Lucinda, Fletcher, Elizabeth, David, Oreenith, Thomas, Harriet, Luther, Mary R., Emily, Caroline, Sarah.

Peter Zhnmer^ post office. Cross Plains, son of Daniel and Margaret Zimmer, father born in Germany, in 17G3; mother also born in Germany. They had seven children, to-wit: Catharine, Susan, Mary, Barbara, Margaret, Michael, and

Peter. All dead except Margaret and Peter. The subject of this sketch was born in Germany, April 9, 1825, and came to America in 1847, landing at New York, and from there to Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained seven years, working at the tailoring business; came to Sangamon county in 1855, married Miss Christina Hartman, by whom he had two children, viz.: Jacob, born October 11, 1851, died August 2, 1872; Amelia, born April 28, 1853. Wife died August 28, 1853. Again married Miss Rosena B. Pfifer, December 19, 1854, had eight children, Christina, born September 19, 1855; Peter, born October 6, 1856; Rosena, born March 13, 1857; Elizabeth, born January 4, 1861; Anna C, born July 9, 1864; John, born January 20, 1860; Charles and George, born September 28, 1869; Peter died October 5, 1873; John and George were drowned in Sangamon river, in 1877, in an effort to save the life of George Pfifer. Was naturalized in Springfield, 1854. Owns two hundred acres of land, valued at $50 per acre.

The township of Illiopolis is in the eastern part of the county, and is bounded on the east by Macon county, on the west by Wheatfield township, on the north by Logan county, and on the south by Christian. From the peculiar shape of the county, the old settlers used to call the territory comprising the township the coon's tail.

This is almost an exclusively prairie township, but along the Sangamon river, which forms the boundary line of the township, it is densely wooded, the timber varying in width from one to three miles.

The township is five miles wide from east to west, and its mean length from north to south about eight miles. The soil of the township is a heavy black loam, and is especially adapted to all kinds of cereals.

The Waba&h, St. Louis & Pacific Railway passes through the township from east to west, entering on section eight, township sixteen, north, range one, west, and passing into Wheatfield township from section ten, township sixteen, range two, with one station - Illiopolis.

The name Illiopolis, which is given the township, is derived from a city of that name laid out, but never built upon, near the present village of the same name.

The first settlement made in what is now Illiopolis township was in 1826, by Mrs. Anderson, a widow lady, who settled on section thirtyfour. Soon after, Mr. Allen, Joel Watkins, Chesley Dickerson, William Gregg, James Hampton, John Churchill, John and James Hunter, Josiah Kent, William Bridges, and others came. All these settled in or near the Sangamon river timber. The township being mostly prairie, prevented its rapid settlement, and consequently it did not develop like some others, and it was not until some time after the railroad was built that the prairie began to be improved to any great extent. Now some of the finest and most highly cultivated farms in the county, are the prairie farms of Illiopolis.

The sparse settlement here for so many years prevented the employment of a school teacher, and it was not until 1840 that a public school was taught, and not until 1845 that a school house was erected. The township will now compare favorably in her schools with any in the county. There are now seven school houses, valued at $13,800.

The first religious services, where and by whom held, are unknown, but it was probably not until quite a late day, for the same reason that schools were not held. There are now four churches in the township, including those in the village.

First Village Of Illiopolis

In 1834, when the question of the removal of the State capital began to be agitated, a beautiful city was laid out by John Taylor, Eli Blankenship and Governor Duncan, about a half mile south of the present village of Illiopolis, on the northwest quarter of section eighteen, to which was given the same name - Illiopolis, the City of Illinois. The location of the village wau described as the geographical center of the State, and as such was entitled to the State capital when it should be removed from Vandalia. Beautiful lithographic maps were issued, in which all the glories of the "future great city" were revealed, and the lots were placed upon the market, and a number were sold. A neat hotel was erected by the company, and Jesse Kent was placed in charge. Whether Mr. Kent got rich upon the proceeds of the hotel, or that his clerks all wore diamond pins, parted their hair in the middle and treated guests according as he was well or poorly dressed, history and tradition are both silent. The hotel was subsequently burned down, and never rebuilt. The Long Nine being successful in their efforts to have the capital removed to Springfield, the project of building up a great city was abandoned by the proprietors. A traveler, in 1837, thus speaks of the place:

" We were reminded, as we were plodding our way over a muddy road, four or five miles distant from Median icsburg, that Ave were approaching the town of liliopolis, a town of no mean pretensions, and which has made quite a figure - upon paper. The most prominent object that met our eye upon the site of liliopolis was a wolf trap, the location of which was most happily chosen, as being far away from common intrusion by the biped race; but we apprehend that the number of bipeds which have been caught by the liliopolis trap will far outnumber the quadrupeds taken in that designed for their especial benefit."

The township was organized in 1861, and from that, annual township elections have been held the first Monday in April. The following were the principal officers of the township from 1861 to 1881, inclusive:

D. W. Pcden, elected in 1877, served five years, and is the present incumbent. He is also the present Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Sangamon county.

Village Of Illiopolis

The present Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad Company having here established a station, around which several houses were built, it was thought proper to lay out a village. Accordingly William Wilson, Timothy J. Carter and Thomas S. Mather laid out and platted the center of section seven, township sixteen, range one, and the plat was recorded under date October 15, 1856.

The first house built within the limits of the present village was in 1854, by a Mr. Ganson, who was the station agent of the railroad company. The building was designed and used by Mr. Ganson as a store, the first in the village.

This was t^^e beginning of the village, and from this beginning is now seen the flouri^hing village of liliopolis, which wa^ first given the name of Wilson, after the chief justice by that name, one of its proprietors. The village grew quite rapidly for a time. A local writer in 1866 thus speaks of it :

" Wilson is a town laid out adjoining liliopolis station, and contains about four hundred inliabi tants. Its original owners were Colonel Thomas S. Mather, of Springfield, Timothy J. Carter, now one of the Vice Presidents of the Union Pacific Railroad, and the late Chief Justice Wilson. Colonel Mather, laid out the town and named it in honor of Judge Wilson; it is twentythree miles east of Springfield, and sixteen miles west of Decatur, being the central point on the railroad between these cities; it is about six miles north of Mt. Aubui*n, in Christian county, and ten miles south of Mount Pulaski, in Logan county; it is connected with these two points by good roads, Lake Fork and the Sangamon river being well bridged. A mail route extends from here through Mt. Auburn to Buck Hart Grove, in Christian county. At this point the railroad company have established a tank for furnishing water to trains, into which the water is raised by means of a wind-mill of the most approved style, and as this is the only watei'ing station between the Sangamon river, near Springfield, and Decatur, all trains in passing stop here for the purpose of taking water. At this point, too, the Sangamon river timber is at less distance from the railroad than at any other between Jamestown, near Springfield, and Stevens' creek, near Decatur, being only a mile distant.

" Wilson is a regularly incorporated town. It contains three dry goods stores, two grocery and confectionery establishments, one drug store, one wagon manufactory, two blacksmith shops, one tin shop, one shoe shop, one broom factory, two carpenter shops, one saddle and harness shop, one paint shop, one carriage factory, two hotels, two grain warehouses, one lumber yard, two sorghum factories and a commodious school house, which is conducted under the common school system. There are two physicians in town. The Methodist denomination have a church building, erected during 1865, at a cost of $4,000. The Christian denomination hold their meetings regularly in the Methodist building or in the school house, and the Catholics have a church building in process of erection.

" The Good Templars have a lodge here. No. 785, consisting of about one hundred and seventeen members, and its regular time of meeting is every Saturday night, and to the credit of the town, be it said, not a drop of ardent spirits is sold, except by the drug stores, for medical purposes. The Free Masons have a lodge in process of organization here, and during the present season a large and commodious hall has been erected for the accommodation of these lodges, public exhibitions, lectures, etc. At this station are shipped yearly, averaging the last three or four years, about eighty thousand bushels of corn; twenty-five thousand bushels of wheat; ten thousand bushels of oats; two thousand head of beef cattle, and five thousand head of hogs.

Wilson is the headquarters for transncting all township business; all elections are held bere, and here reside the town clerk and police magistrate. What this point has not, and what it needs most, is a flouring mill, the nearest establishment of this kind being from nine to twelve miles distant. Decatur, Mechanicsburg and Mt. Pulaski furnish most of the flour and meal for this township. The post office, at Wilson, is 'lUiopolis Station.' Hard lumber is procured from the mills in the Sangamon timber; pine, through the lumber yard, from Chicago and Toledo."

In the winter of 1861-2, the first school house was erected in the place. It was a frame building and was used for school purposes and tor religious services for some time. The growth of the village being such as to demand it in 186V, an addition was built to the first house, which was a great deal larger than the original building. The addition, which was built in front of the old building, was thirty-two feet square, two stories in height, and was a brick building. In the fall of 1880, the frame was torn away and a brick building was erected the same size of the brick front, with an addition in front for hall and stairway, of fifteen by twenty feet. In this building, which is an honor to the place, are four large school rooms. There are now four teachers employed. The school was graded in 1867.

The first physician in the village was Dr. Bernard Stuve, who came shortly after it was laid out and remained about eight years, when he removed to Springfield, and soon began the practice of laAv. The following named comprise the present resident physicians of the place: W. R. Van Hook, Dr. Wm. Maxwell, J. P. Cowdin, and Joe Lawrence.

Marti?i E. Baker. - James leaker the father of Martin E., was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in the year 1788, a time so remote that the beautiful territory now comprising the great blue grass State, was little less than a hunting ground, and while George Washington was serving his first term as President of the United States. Nancy Squires, the chosen life companion of James Baker, and the mother of our subject, was born six years later, 1794, in Fauquier county, Virginia. Martin E. Baker is a native of Nicholas county, Kentucky, born January 27, 1820. He was but eight years of age when his parents brought him to Sangamon county, and 1828 was an early period in Sangamon's history. Mr. Baker's life was crowded until the years of manhood by the stirring events of the pioneer, but little time being given to mental drill in the schools. His education, however, was not entirely neglected, as we find him in 1850, in Christian county, teaching school, in which he must have been very successful as he was not allowed to decline an earnest request to teach the same school the following year. Mr. Baker was married March 4, lo52, to Mary C. S. Williams, of Springfield, Illinois. She was born in Montgomery county, Maryland, February .3, 1826, and came to Springfield in 1839. They settled on their present farm in Illiopolis township, in 1856, where all of their eight cliildren (except one) were born. In 1856, Mr. \^. was elected school trustee, which he held three years, when he was elected school director, servingnine years, and again elected trustee, which oftice he still holds, and is now president of the board. February 16, ISSO, IVIr. Baker was visited by a sad affliction in the death of his wife.

Ca][}t. Henry >iS'/<reugjB^<:«>,postoffice, Illiopolis; father and mother both born in Pennsylvaniay were of Scotch origin. The subject of this sketch was born May 21, 1818, and married in 1844 to Miss Catharine A. Read. She was the daughter of Robert and Margaret Read, but was raited by her uncle, William Read, of Louisville, Kentucky, and the dwelling house then occupied by them is now converted into what is known as the Fifth Avenue Hotel. In 1834, he went to St. Louis, and entered as clerk in the employ of Vairin & Reel, extensive steamboat owners and wholesale grocers. In 1842, Capt. John W. Russell received his commission as superintendent of western river improvements, was instructed to employ the subject of this sketch, as chief clerk, with headquarters at Louisville, Kentucky. He accepted the position, and reported for duty at once; in 1846 and '4 7, was steamboating between Louisville and New Orleans, on the boats Diana and Mohawk.

In 1853, '55 and '57, was elected city treasurer, of Louisville; resigned the third term, to enter mercantile business; moved to Illinois, in 1S64, purchasing the property where he now resides. He follows farming and stock raising, giving especial attention to raising roadster horses, of the "Gold Dust" stock. The children of Capt. Blair and wife were six in number; two daughters died in Kentucky, named Katie M. and Harriet L., and one son, Morris B.; three sons are still living, William Read Blair, of Bunker Hill, Macoupin county, Illinois; Henry A. Blair, lives adjoining the homestead; and George L., who lives at home, and is devoted to the impi'ovement in horses.

Note. - While on the floor being married, it was announced that New York State had given her electoral vote for James K.Polk, for President, causingquite a commotion, as that defeated Henry Clay, of Kentucky.

Archibald Boyd was born November 15, 1813, at Fairfax Court House, Virginia. His father, John Boyd, was born in same county, and emigrated to Christian county, Kentucky, when Archibald was a small boy ; died when about forty years old. Mother died when he was quite young, in Kentucky. Archibald emigrated to Illinois in 1833, at the close of the Black Hawk war, and settled in Morgan county ; went to California in 1850, and returned December, 1852; was engaged in mining while in California, at Moquelumne Hill, Caleveras county. When he returned from California he came to Mason county, Illinois, and in 1860 settled in Sangamon county. He was married to Miss Eliza F.

Hampton, of Illiopolis, December 14, 1875, to whom have been born four children, viz : John, William, Anna and Helen ; owns seven hundred and twenty acres excellent prairie land, under high state of improvement. Mr. Boyd also owns a nice residence in Illiopolis, where he now resides, surrounded by shrubbery that a Shenstone might envy, and music in a lovely family, a contented and happy wife, and beautiful children.

Joshua Cantralh post office, Illiopolis; son of Levi and Fanny Cantrall; fither born in Virginia, October 1, 1787; mother born in Kentucky, October 2, 1792; father served in the French and Indian wars under General Harrison; mother's maiden name was Fannie England, and was the daughter of Stephen and Anna England. They were married in Virginia, November 30, 18(j9, and had thirteen children - seven sons and six daughters. The subject of this sketch was the tenth child, and born in Sangamon county, July 28, 182&; October 6, 1847, married Miss Rebecca Hedrick, daughter of Jonathan and Julia Hedrick. She was born in Fleming county, Kentucky. They had thirteen children, viz: Lafayette, born January 16, 1849; Fannie S., September 9, 1850; Carlisle, May 26, 1852; Charles, December 27, 1853; Barton, April 26, 1856; Parthena, May 30, 1858; Julia A., April 11, 1860; McDonald, January 1, 1862; Laura E., June 3, 1864; Clara P., September 8, 1866; Levi, April 20, 1868; Benjamin F., August 25, 1870; Jennie, June 3, 1872; Charles died January 9, 1854; Parthena, March 20, 1860; Fannie, October 8, 1869; Jennie, June 20, 1872; of Welsh exti'action on father's side; owns three hundred and thirty acres of land, valned at $60 per acre; farms mixed crops; raises and feeds stock for market purposes. His advantages of early education were moderate; attended subscription schools. His wife had the same advantages.

Charles S. Cantrall, post office, Illiopolis. Great grand-parents came from Wales; grandfather, Joshua Cantrall, born 1748, in Virginia, and died September 9, 1800. Served in the Revolutionary War, on the side of the colonists. Married Ann Graham, who was born May 3, 1751, died September 19, 1819. They had nine children, all sons.

Levi Cantrall, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the seventh son, and was born in Virginia, October 1, 1787, died February 20, 1860. Married Fanny England, who was born October 2, 1792, and died September 10, 1835. They had thiiteen children, twelve grew to maturity and had families. Second marriage was

The subject of this sketch was born in Sangamon county, .January 6, 1826, married January 7, 1845, to Emily Varidegrift, who was born October 6, 1830. Had two children, Mary Eleanor, born June 13, 1848, married January 25, 1866, to S. O. Price. Had two children, Emma and William, who reside in Logan county, Illinois; McDonald Cantrall was born August 20, 1851; married Margaret Peden. Have four children: Maud, Augustus, Bruce, and Joseph. Mrs. Emily M. Cantrall died January 29, 1852. Again he married June 20, 1853, Lucy A. Swearengen, who was born Oct. 15,1828. They had one child, Minerva A., born March 25, 1853, and died August 20, 1853. Mrs. Lucy A. Cantrall died April 14, 1853. C. S. Cantrall married a third time April 26, 1855, to Harriet A. Giaham, who was born February 17, 1836, in Athens. They have ten children, to-wit: Charles H., Thomas D., Alice, John W., Levi G., William H., Fanny A., Homer E., Ida May, and Ira - all living except Ida M., who died in infancy.

Mr. Cantrall has been an advocate of the temperance reform, for the past forty years, the effect of the same has been one to be seen for many miles in every direction in the county, and for two years after the township organization he was assessor of Fancy Creek township, and since coming to Illiopolis township has held the office of collector three terms in this township, and for many years township trustee of Fancy Creek township and Illiopolis township, and has been one of the members of the Christian Church for thirty-eight years.

John S. Clinkinheard was born the 8th of December, 1822, in Clarke county, Kentucky. His father, John Clinkinheard, was born in the same county, and died there. W^m. Clinkinheard, grandfather, emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky at an early day, and settled in Clarke county. John S. Clinkinbeard has five brothers and two sisters sti'l living in Kentucky, viz.: Wm. A., Mary Jane, married to Robert Dodsworth ; Jonathan N., James G., Thomas B., Simeon H., and Sallie, married to W. B. Scott.

John S. Clinkinbeard emigrated to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1850, and settled first in Buffalo Hart grove, and moved to Illiopolis township in 1867. Mr. Clinkinbeard married his first wife. Miss Louisa Bryant, of Buffalo Hart, in 1859, to whom were born three children, viz.: John W., Mary E., and infant, which died when three days old. Married second wife, Miss

Martha E. Constant, of Buffalo Hart, December V, 1869, to whom have been born four children, viz.: Isaac, Nancy Ellen, who died at the age of three years; Sarah Jane, and youngest child, now ten months old, not named as yet.

S. J)a/ce, born February 26, ]&34, in Cattaraugus county, New York. His father, Erastus Dake, was born September 8, 1801, near Rochester, New York, now resides in Cattaraugus county. New York, engaged in the dairy business.

S. Dake emigrated to Illinois in 1856, and engaged in railroad business as engineer on the road; first for Chicago & Alton, afterwards on the Wabash railroad. Took the station at Illiopolis, 1859, and remained in that capacity till 1864. Afterwards engaged in the lumber business. lUiopolis consisted of only one or two houses when Mr. Dake came. He erected the first out door scales. Mr. Dake was married to Miss Sarah Hunter, of Illiopolis tcwns'bip, Illinois, April 18, 1861, to whom have been born three children, of whom two are living, viz: Oscar H.,born December 1*7, 1666, and Cornelia Frank, born Septtmber 16, 18 63; one deceased, Julia. Mr. Dake is quite extensively engsgt d in the lumber business, at present, in Illiopolis. Mrs. Dake's grandlather, Jas. Hunter, was among the first settlers of Sangamon county, having emigrated from Kentucky to the county in 1828; lived to a good old age, and died in Illiopolis at Mr. Dake's, aged eighty-nine years.

Aaron C Ford was born in Marshall county, Kentucky, January 13, 1827. His father, Bcze Ford, was born March 4, 1804, in South Carolina; his mother, Susan Ford, was a native of Kentucky. Mr. Ford, the father of the subject of this biography, has been engaged in farming all his life; emigrated from Marshall county, Kentucky, to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1851; is now living in Illiopolis, Illinois, and a member of the C hristian Church, and has led an exemplary life as a Christian. Aaron C. Ford left the parential roof in his old Kentucky home at the age of sixteen to seek his fortune in the Avest, and settled first in Moigan county, Illinois, and worked first for $8 per month, and remained in Morgan county until 1850. The last work Mr. Ford done in Morgan county was to maul two thousand rails for Samuel French, at seventy-five cents per hundred. AVhile in Morgan ccunly, Mr. Ford availed himself of the advantages afforded by the common schools; went to school in the winter and worked in the summei - attended select school one term. Settled near Illiopolis, Sangamon county, in 1850. Broke the first prairie land in Big Prairie, outside of the old timber settlement of the county. Mr. Ford was married to Miss Rebecca J. Averitt, of Macon county, Illinois, Dtcember 19, 1852. Mrs. Ford was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, May 13, 1832. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ford thirteen children, of whom eight are living, three boys and five girls, viz: eldest, Emma C, was born September 24, 1853, is now teaching school in Illiopolis with marked success; has taught five terms, and holds a first grade certificate; Eva F., born September 10, 1856, and was married March 1, 1877, to David Johnson, near Illiopolis; George E , born December 28, 1858, is at home with his parents, and engaged in grain business, Illiopolis; Aleff C.,born September 18, 1865; Abner M., born December 9, 1867; Charles C, born December 13, 1868; Minnie M., born December 4, 1870; Gertie W,, born September 16, 1876.

Mr. Ford owns five hundred and sixty acres of land in Illiopolis township, nearly all in one body, and is said to be as good a tract of land as can be found in the State, worth $70 per acre. Mr. Ford has held the office of justice of the peace in the township; now resides in Illiopolis, one and a half miles from his farm, and owns a good residence; exercises supervision over his farm, and is taking an interest in the education of his children, having moved from his larm for that purpose. Mr. Ford has been a member of the Christian Church thirty-one years, and his life is justly regarded by all who know him, as exemplary in a high degree; has been a fearless worker from his youth in the cause of temperance, and every good cause that enter in as concomitants to build up society, and elevate man in the scale of being.

James D. Foster, born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1824. His father, David Foster, was born in Maryland, 1776, died in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1840. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life, and had five children, viz: Mary, William, Alexander, Johnston, James D. and Wilson. James D. is the only one residing in Illinois. He emigrated to Illinois in 1857, and settled in Sangamon county, near Mechanicsburg, and remained there nine years, and then removed to Illiopolis township in 1863. He was married to Miss Malinda Haskett, of Guernsey county, Ohio, January 1, 1855, to whom have been born nine children, of whom seven are living viz: David L., married, and living in Illiopolis township; Rebecca R., married to Webster Burch, and living in Wheatfield township;

James W., married, and living in Illiopolis township; Grant, Jane, Benjamin, Johnston and Sarah are single, and living at home. Mr. Foster was married to his first wife, Miss Catharine Kerrh, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1842, to whom were born five children; of these three are living, viz: Mary, married to Robert Donaldson, and living in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania; Wm. A., married, and living in Decatur, Illinois, and is a conductor on the I., D. & S. Railroad; George M., not married, and is living in Decatur, and is a conductor on the same road. Mr. James D. Foster is a blacksmith by trade. Carried on the trade extensively in former years in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. Built the first blacksmith shop in Buffalo, Sangamon county. He now owns a very fine tract of land in Illiopolis township of four hundred and forty acres, equal to any in the county, and under a high state of improvement. Mr. Foster is now farming very successfully.

Wm. F. Garvey, was born in Owen county, Kentucky, August 22, 1829; his father, Samuel Garvey, emigrated to Kentucky from Virginia, when a young man, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, and cleared out a farm in Kentucky; emigrated to Illinois, the fall before the great snow, 1830, and settled near Mechanicsburg, Sangamon county, Illinois, and improved two farms. He was the father of thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, seven now living, viz: Mrs. Mary Hampton, Samuel Garvey, Mrs. Elizabeth Jack, Mrs. Nancy Hampton, Wra. F. Garvey Mrs. Jane Peden, and John Garvey. Mrs. Jack resides in Knox county, Missouri; Mrs, Jane Peden resides in Lovington, Illinois; the others reside near, Mechanicsburg, Sangamon county, Illinois,

Wm. F. Garvey, the subject of this biography, was married February 2, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Williams, of Springfield, Illinois, who was born in Maryland, in 1829, November 29th. The family consists of six children, of whom four are now living, viz: Horace Overton Garvey, Clara Garvey, Wm. Henry Garvey, and Samuel Garvey.

Mr. Wm. F. Garvey has been always engaged in farming; has three hundred and thirty-six acres of land, in Illiopolis township - a very valuable farm" and under a high state of cultivation; could get 175 per acre; not for sale. Besides farming, Mr. Garvey is now turning his attention to breeding fine stock, of Norman horses.

mother. August 21, 1808. They were married March 26, 1835; mother's maiden name, Mary Rodgerson. She was the daughter of James Rodgerson, also born in Scotland. They had eight children, six sons, and two daughters: James, born February 26, 1836; Janet, born June 22, 1840; John, born June 4, 1842; i:iizabeth, born January 19, 1844; George, born March 18, 1846; William, born September 4, 1848; David, born September 25, 1850, All born in Scotland, and Thomas, born in Sangamon county, Illinois, June 9, 1853; father died August 4, 1853; mother died September 3, 1871. The subject of this sketch was the first child, and came from Scotland with his parents in 1851, settling in this county, where he now resides. On April 2, 1872, he married Miss Mary Jane Scroggin, daughter of Alfred Scroggin, of Logan county, Illinois. They had one child, Hugh, born December 21, 1872, who died April 10, 1873. His wife died March 2, 1874, On December 35, 1879, he married Miss Ruth Emeline Morgan, who was born July 10, 1854, in Sangamon county. Her father, John C. Morgan, was born May 19, 1812, in Fleming county, Kentucky, and her mother, Elizabeth Bridges, November 9, 1819, in the State of Indiana, His advantages of early education was such as the parish schools of Scotland afforded, and his wife's opportunities were the common schools of Sangamon county. His farm, of two hundred and forty acres, on w^hich he resides, is valued at $50 per acre. He follows mixed husbandry, raising and feeding stock for market purposes,

John H. Kendall, Sr., was born February 28, 1824, in Nelson coimty, Kentucky. His father, Benjamin, was born July 3, 1797, in Nelson county, Kentucky. William Kendall, grandfather, emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky at an early day ; died in Kentucky in 1835. Mrs, Kendall's maiden name was Matilda Ilobbs, mother of John H,, died September 4, 1867, in Illiopolis, Illinois, John H. Kendall spent his boyhood days in Kentucky, with his mother, and followed farming. Emigrated to Mason county, Illinois, 1853, and remained there one year, and removed to Sangamon county, Illinois; was married to Miss Laura Brown, of Nelson county, Kentucky, October 1, 1848, to whom have been born four children, of whom three are living, viz: John H., Jr., born October 1, 1849; Alexander M., born October 1, 1849, (twins); George W,,born June 26, 1851, died July 17,1872; Burn H, born May 21,1853. All the children born in Nelson county, Kentucky, Mr. Kendall has followed farming in

Isaac Loose, Sr., was born in 1808, in Berks county, Pennsylvania; his father, Conrad Loose, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1769; of German extraction; his mother, Christina, maiden name Brindle, was born about 1*781. Conrad Loose, died 1829, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Christina Loose, died in same couaty, 1826. The subject of this biography was three years old when his father moved to FrankHn county, Pennsylvania; was married to Miss Eliza M. Scholl, dauo^hter of Rev. F. A. Scholl, of Greencastle, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, to whom have been born ten children, of whom eight are living - five sons and three daughters, viz: Elizabeth M., Frederick Augustus, dead; Oscar C, Arthur H., Amanda, Mary, Joseph S., David A., Almira Virginia, and Jacob L. Benjamin died when quite young - 1852. Mrs. Loose, wife of Isaac Loose, Sr., died July 14, 1878, aged sixty-two years. Mr. Loose emigrated to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1857, and three years afterwards brought his family; settled near Illiopolis, and owns a fine tract of land, under a .high state of cultivation, consisting of one thousand and fortyone acres, surrounded by everything that is beautiful in farm life, and the result of his own labor. There was but one building, and that unfinished, on his arrival in Illiopolis, owned by Ganson, and afterward used for a grocery building. Mr. Loose drove the first hitching-post in Illiopolis to hitch his horse; is among the most wealthy of Sangamon county.

Wm. P. Roberts was born January 23, 1831, in Schuyler county, Illinois; his father, Norman Roberts, was born October 19, 1800, in South Carolina, and emigrated to Georgia, when quite a boy, from Georgia to Kentucky, and from Kentucky to Indiana, and from thence to Schuyler county, Illinois, in 1830, and removed to Sangamon county 1853; engaged mostly in farming, but traded some on Ohio river from Newbery, Indiana, to New Orleans; is now living with his son, Wm. P. Roberts; was acquainted with Abraham Lincoln when a boy. Mother's name before marriage was Temperance Lockhart, born in Washington county, Kentucky, November 17, 1796, died September 28, 1839. Grandfather Joseph Roberts was born in Virginia, and died in Gibson county, Indiana; accidental death by gunshot. Norman Roberts was twice married; by his first wife were born seven children, (married June 13, 1821,) viz : Mary Ann,

Betsy Monroe, Amanda Jane, Martha Ellen, Win. P., Hannah and Joseph; Mary Ann and Joseph are dead. Norman Roberts was married second time to Mrs. Lockhart, September 18, 1840, to whom were born four children, viz: John W., Norman B., Thomas J. and Madeline; all of whom are now living. Wm. P., the subject of this biography, in early life lived with his father, and followed farming; was educated in the common schools of Warwick county, Indiana, school house built of logs, and ground floor; emigrated to Sangamon county, Illinois, February 12, 1852; was married January 28, 1858 to Miss Nancy E. Boyd, of Macon county, Illinois. The family consists of nine children, viz: Joseph D., born July 14, 1859, and died July 11, 1864; Mary Ann born May 17, 1861; Emma F., born April 27, 1863, died August 20, 1879; Martha E., born October 9, 1864; Tempa Florence, born March 19, 1867; Ida Belle, born November 16, 1868; George IL, born February 26, 1871; Harvey C, born May 4, 1873; an infant died December 19, 1880. Mr. Roberts has two hundred and ten acres of land adjoining Illiopolis under a high state of cidtivation, is regarded as a first class farmer; has a nice residence; his family are taking an interest in education and music; has been a member of the Christian Church twentyseven years; his motto in religion as, in everything else, is, "go slow, but sure."

TF! N. Streeter, grain dealer, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1836, son of William and Diana (Wilcox) Streeter, who were natives of Massachusetts. His father was a farmer by occupation; he came to Pike county, Illinois, where he resided until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1838, while he was on his way to the Mississippi river, where he anticipated engaging in the milling business. His mother, in a few months after, moved back to Exeter, Scott county, Illinois, where she resided for many years. She became deranged, and after fruitless attempts on the part of physicians to cure her, she was pronounced hopelessly insane, and sent to the Jacksonville Asylum, where she spent four years, but was removed by her son, and is now in the County Poor House for safe keeping. W. H. Streeter received his education in the common schools, attending school three months during the winter. He worked for Wm. Lowry, in whose charge he was placed by his mother, and with whom he remained until he was eighteen years of age. He then engaged in carpentei-ing, in company with his brother, one year; then worked as a farm laborer until 18(51. He was married March 4, 1858, to Mary Jane Hobson, who was born October, 1833, in Scott county, Illinois. Of a family of eight children six are living, viz: William O., Richard A., John H., Mary Ada, Chas. E. and Henry; George and Louis, deceased. In 1860, he moved to Sangamon county, and engaged in farming. In 1861, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, Company E, and served two years. He was appointed Fourth Sergeant, then promoted to First Sergeant, in which capacity he acted until he was commissioned First Lieutenant. He held that position until he resigned on account of sickness contracted on the Mississippi river, near Vicksburg, while cutting the canal under the supervision of General Grant. He was discharged May, 1863. He again returned to Sangamon county and engaged in farming, in connection with the grain business, which he has followed since. He ships from 150,000 to 160,- 000 bushels of grain each year, and has an elevator with a capacity for handling 600,000 bushels. He has held many offices of trust in the township, and is a member of the Christian Church.

John W. G. Turpin^ post office, Illiopolis, son of Robinson and Rachel Turpin. Father born in Bourbon coxmty, Kentucky, April, 1805; mother born in Owen county, Kentucky, 1807. They were married in Kentucky about 1827, and had three children born there. About 1834, moved to Hendricks county, Indiana, bought land and commenced farming. The names of their children are: Melinda E.,John W. G., born March 13, 1830; Anderson, Henry, Harvey, Harrison, Doctor, Martha, Jacob. Harrison died January, 1865; mother died July 31, 1880; father died August 31, 1880.

Indiana, February 24, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth B. Swain, daughter of John and Matilda Swain. Her father was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, April, 1812; her mother born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, April, 1810. Mrs. Turpin was born in Hendricks county, September 17, 1834. Commenced farming in Indiana, and remained there until 1865, when they came to Sangamon county, Illinois, and purchased the place where they now live. They have seven children, to-wit: John R., born August 16, 1855; James H., born May 20, 1857; Ann E., born December 11, 1859; William M., born April 29, 1861; Bennett N., born July 25,1864;Lucella W., born Jan. 21, 1869; Tillman A. H., born July 21, 1871.

Owns three hundred acres of land, secured by the industry of himself and family, valued at $50 per acre; farms mixed crops, raises cattle and hogs for market purposes. Subscription schools were the only advantages of education for himself and wife.

Henry Wilcox, born November 10, 1815, in Schoharie county. New York, in the town of Scobelkill. His father, Nathan Wilcox, born in Middlesex county, Connecticut, in the town of Guilford, 1778, and died 1852, in Lee county, Illinois. Henry Wilcox emigrated to Illinois in 1851, and settled in Lee county, and removed to Sangamon county in 1857. Married February 7, 1841, to Miss Artemissee Luce, to whom were born ten children, of whom six are living, viz: Elizabeth, married to P. P. Lucas, of Illiopolis, Illinois; Lucy, married to John Pontzious; Sylvester, married and living in Texas; Henry and Aaron. Olive married to John Underwood, and living in Minnesota. Mr. Wilcox owns a good farm of one hundred and twelve acres. His son, Sylvester, formerly in the railroad business in Chicago, is now in the railroad business in Texas.

Island Grove is one of the western tier of townships, and is bounded on the east by Curran township, on the west by Morgan county, on the north by Cartwright, and on the south by New Berlin. It has twenty-seven square miles of land in the township. It is mostly prairie and quite level. Island grove, which gives the name to the township, is an irregular shaped grove, about eight miles long, and averaging one mile in width, extending along one branch of Spring creek in the northwestern part of the township. There is also some timber along Skillet fork of Spring creek, in the eastern part, otherwise it is all prairie.

John Roberts, from Tennessee, first settled here in 1818, at the foot of the grove, in the northeastern part. He was followed, about a year afterwards, by his son, Jerry Roberts, and by David Troxell, Fred. Troxell, Thomas Evans, Andrew Scott, William Hart and Josiah Hedges. At this time there were two Indian villages in the township - one on Skillet fork, and the other at the head of the grove, near the west line. There were about three hundred Indians in each village. They were of the Pottowatamie and Delaware tribes, but were peaceable, and soon moved west. Among other early settlers may be mentioned the names of McCoy, Douglass, Rhea, Foutch, Smith, Brown, Hursley, Gibson, Yates, Ellis, Campbell, Harmon, Weger, Wyekoff, and others, whose descendants and relatives now form a large proportion of the present inhabitants. The first whites here were mostly of a wandering character, and soon moved away. Those mentioned came a few years later and made permanent homes here.

Simon Hensley was born February 26, 1785, in Washington county, Virginia. He was married February 2, 1820, near Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio, to Mary Arnold, who was born August 24, 1792, in Ohio. They moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in the fall of 1823, in what is now Island Grove township, north of Spring creek.

Josiah Hedges was born about 1788, in Maryland, and was taken to Virginia, and from there to Grayson county, Kentucky, when he was about twelve years old. Anna Brown was born December 25, 1798, in Davis county, Kentucky. Josiah Hedges and Anna Brown were there married, and made Grayson county their home until they moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in the fall of 1826, at the north side of Island Grove, two and a half miles noi'thwest of the present town of Berlin.

Mr. Hedges moved from Kentucky with an ox team. One of his oxen was trained to work in shafts. He made a light wagon, all of wood, and with that ox did all his marketing after coming to the county. When he came, he brought money to enter forty acres of land. By industry aud economy, he became the owner of nine hundred acres of the richest land in the county. He died in 1872.

Henry ElHsi, was born November 17, 1786, near Lexington, Kentucky. His father, John Ellis, was born January 20, 1749, and married October 2, 1770, to Sarah Parrish, who was born April 20, 1757. They moved from Virginia to Kentucky. The family is of Welch extraction. The father of John Ellis is said to have been with the second supply of emigrants from England to America. Martha Marshall Yates was born (after the death of her father) in Woodford county, Kentucky, September 13, 1791, and was a sister of Henry Yates, Sr. Henry Ellis and Martha Yates were married January 29, 1807, in Warsaw Kentucky, and had ten children, two of whom died in infancy. The family moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in September, 1825, in Island Grove, two miles northeast of Bei'lin.

John Foutch was born May, I'/VG, in Loudon county, Virginia. Three brothers by the name of Foutch came from France and settled in Loudon county, Virginia, before the American Kevolution. Two of them were soldiers in that war, and one of them was Abraham, the father of John, whose name heads this sketch. John Foutch WQnt to Fayette county, Kentucky, when he was a young man, and was there married, in 1796, to Nancy A. Wherrett, w'ho was born March 8, 1778, in St. Mary's county, Maryland. They lived in Fayette county, near Lexington, and the family moved to Dearborn county, near Harrison, Indiana; they then moved to Franklin county, thence to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in the fall of 1825, at the south side of Richland creek, east of where Pleasant Plains now stands, and in the spring of 1826, moved to Island Grove, Sangamon county.

James Rhea, was born in 1780, in Greenbrier county, Virginia, and when a young man, went to Barren county, Kentucky, where he was married November 20, 1801, to Rachel Joliff, who was born October 16, 1783. They had ten children in Kentucky, and the family moved to Jefferson county, Illinois, where one child was born, and moved to Sangamon county, arriving in 1827, in what is now Island Grove township.

James Rhea died February 12, 1843, and his widow died October 28, 1851, both in Sangamon county. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, from Kentucky, under General Harrison; was on Lake Erie, and saw the British vessels brought in after Perry's victory.

Mrs. Catharine Harmon, whose maiden name was Sears, was born about 1775, in North Carolina. She was married to George W. Harmon and had three children in North Carolina; and then they moved to Simpson county, Kentucky. Mr. Harmon died there about 1825. Mrs. Harmon, with eight of her children, moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in the fall of 1827, in Island Grove.

David McGinnis, w<^s born in 1798, in Mercer county, Kentucky. He Avas married December 24, 1820, in Boone county, to Eliza Gibson, a native of that county. Mr. McGinnis visited Sangamon county in the fall of 1826, selected a location for a home, returned to Kentucky, and brought his family, accompanied by his brother, G. Dawson, arriving November 18, 1827, in what is now Island Grove township. David and William McGinnis were the inventors of a device for guiding prairie plows by wheels and a lever. They put it in operation in the summer of 1829. It was adopted throughout the prairie country, and might have made them a large amount of money, but it was never patented.

Henry Yates was born October 29, 1786, in Caroline county, Virginia. Dr. Michael Yates, a native of England, emigrated to America before the Revolution, and settled in Caroline county, Virginia. He there married Martha Marshall, a sister of John Marshall, afterwards Chief Justice of the United States. Their son, Abner, born in Caroline county, married Mollie Hawes, daughter of Thomas Hawes and Elizabeth Fisher, his wife. They had two children, Henry, whose name heads this sketch, and Martha, who married Henry Ellis. Henry Yates was taken by his parents, in 1788, from Caroline county, Virginia, to Fayette county, Kentucky, where his father died. The family moved to Woodford, thence to Scott, and from there to Gallatin county, in the same State, in ] 804. Henry Yates, Henry Ellis, and Colonel Robert Johnson laid out a town on the Ohio river, and Colonel Johnson named it Fredericksburg, in honor of his native city of that name in Virginia. It was at a later period changed to Warsaw, and is the county seat of Gallatin county. Henry Yates returned to Caroline county, Virginia, and was there married, July 11, 1809, to his cousin, Millicent Yates, who was born May 15, 1791. They went to Gallatin county, Kentucky; Mrs. Millicent Yates died April 19, 1830. Henry Yates married Mary A. Shuff, and moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in May, 1831, at Springfield. In November, 1832, they moved to Island Grove, where Berlin now stands. Mrs. Mary A. Yates died May 11, 1835. Henry Yates was married September 28, 1835, to Elizabeth McMillan.

Joel Maxcy was born about 1759, in Rockingham county, Virginia. He was a soldier in a Virginia regiment in time of the Revolution, and was in the battle of Guilford Court House. He remembered having seen Generals Marion, Morgan, DeKalb, and Gates. He was married after the war, in Prince Edward county, to Mrs. Susan Hill, whose maiden name was Davis. She had five children by her first marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Maxcy had three children in Virginia, and in 1798 moved to Warren county, near Bowling Green, Kentucky, where one child was born. Mrs. Susan Maxcy died there August 27, 1812. Of her four children, one only ever came to Sangamon county.

Mr. Maxcy was again mairied to Mrs. Betsy A. Howard, whose maiden name was Brown. They came to Sangamon county in 1827, and settled in Island Grove, where Mr. Maxcy died December 27, of the same year.

Fiest Events

The first couple married were Nelson Roberts and Miss Tabor, at the house of Rev. Andrew Scott, the first and, for many years, the only res» ideiit minister in the township.

The first services held in this township by a regular minister of any of the religious denominations are unknown. As early as 1825, the Methodists had appointments in the settlements of the present township, and Andrew Scott, a minister of the Christian Church was here prior to the deep snow. The religious welfare of the people of the township was never neglected by any of the religious teachers, and the township has ever been noted for the quiet and orderlyhabits of the people. There are now six churches in the township, three in the village and three in the country - one on section eleven, township fifteen, range eight west, and another on section eleven, township fifteen, range seven west, the third on section one, township fifteen, range seven west.

Abner Ellis taught the first school in the township in 1826. Since that day the improvement made in the means of obtaining an education has been great indeed. There are now six good school houses in the township outside of the village of Berlin, and school is held in each district an average of eight months in the year.

Island Grove was organized in 1861, by the Board of Justices and then contained all its present territory and that of New Berlin township. The first election was held in April, 1861.

Village Of Berlin

The village of Berlin is located on the State road, from Springfield to Jacksonville, and was laid out and platted by Henry and Thomas Yates, on " part of the east half of the northwest quarter of section seventeen, township fifteen, range seven west," the plat being recorded December 12, 1836.

In 1832, Henry Yates opened a stock of goods in a log cabin erected as a dwelling house, and situated where the village was afterwards located. Around this store a settlement was effected, other business was started, and the village of Berlin had an actual existence. The store of Mr. Yates' continued in existence, and operated by himself and son Thomas, until 1857.

A post office was established at the lower end of the grove, two and a half miles east of the present village, in 1828, and Henry Ellis was ap- pointed postmaster, and discharged the duties of the office. The office was continued at this point until the village was laid out, under the name of Island Grove post office. When it was changed to the village, its name was changed to Berlin. Mr. Ellis was succeeded by William Underwood. Since his term the following named have held the office: S. Wood, H. M. Havenon, S. Wood (second time), A. Yates, O. H. Rush, R. Ballay, G. W. Havenon, T. Kerlin, T. Pollock^ P. Price, James Ward, W. Whelehand, Scott Price, and W. B. Price; the last named being the present postmaster.

The religious and moral condition of the place IS represented by four churches - Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, Christian, and United Presbyterian, each of whom have houses of worship. The Bsptist Church was built in 1865, at a cost of 16,000. It is forty by sixty feet. The Methodist Church, built in 1861, at a cost of $4,000; the Presbyterian, in 1857, at a cost of $2,000; and the Christian, the same year, at a cost of $2,500.

Jacob Ade, farmer, Berlin, Island Grove township, was born in Kingdom of Werttenberg, Germany, on the 31st day of December, 1817. He came to the United States in 1853, coming by steam, being seventeen days on the water; landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained four weeks, then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked on a farm, and through the winter he worked at his trade as baker, remaining there one and one-half years. From there he came to Island Grove township, where he worked on a farm by the month for three years, then bought property in town and started a bakery, which he followed up to 1864, when he embarked in the grocery business, which he followed up to 1870, when he purchased a farm of fifty-six acres, ?11 of which is under a high state of cultivation, and valued at !j!65 per acre. Mr. Ade married Elizabeth Scholl, in Island Grove, December, 1857, born also in Germany. They had three children, two are living, viz: Frederick, who is in partnership with his father in a store of groceries and general merchandise at Berlin; they carry a stock of $2,000, and Charles, who resides on the farm with his father. Jacob Ade and wife are both members of the German Lutheran Church at Berlin. In politics, he is a Republican.

Charles F. Dam^^ harness maker, Island Grove township, post oflice, Berliii, was b )rn in Scott county, Illinois, on the fifth day of February, 1840; son of Jerome and Sarah (Curry) Davis, who were natives of Kentucky, where tbey were married and where three children were born, Susie, Napoleon and James. He emigrated to Illinois, in 1834, and located in Naples, Scott county, Illinois, where he followed the occupation of pork dealer, until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1840; his mother dying the same year. Charles F., when twelve years of age, commenced to learn the trade of a saddler. In 1875, married Miss Annie Carson, who was born in Sangamon county, 1846. The fruits of this marriage was two children, one of which is living, Maud. Mrs. Annie Davis died October, 1877. For his second wife married Edna Pease, in 1879. She was born in Sangamon county, July 1860. Mr. Davis has held several local offices of trust; is a member of the Baptist Church.

William J. Douglass, farmer and stock raiser, post office, Berlin, was born in Island Grove township, on the 12th day of March, 1841; son of Milton and Sarah A. Casselberry. His father emigrated to Sangamon county in the fall of 1833, coming through with an ox team. Previous to his coming to the county, he had worked on a farm for $8 per month, on the place where Mr. Douglass now lives; afterwards purchased the same place, came poor, and by good management has accumulated a fine property of five hundred and twenty acres of land. Mr. Douglass was married three times; by his first wife there was four children, three of whom lived to be adults, Mary, William J. andjChristiana. Mrs. D. died about 1843; for his second wife, he married Louisa M. Underwood, by which there was one child, who died in infancy. She died, and he afterwards married Miss Francis M. Rude, by whom he had seven children, five of whom are living, Sarah A., Caroline, Margaret, Ellen, and Stephen A. In politics, is a Democrat, and a member of the M. E. Church, and one of the original membei's of Simms Chapel. He came in limited circumstances, in company with two others, and the amount of their ca^^h was twentyfive cents, all told. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm; in 1865, he married Miss Adeline Rawlings, of Ohio; she was born in Lawrence county, Illinois, January 3, 1841. The fruits of this marriage were eight children, seven of whom are living, viz: William H., Milton, Fannie M., George, Eddie, and Harvey, and a babe.

He has one hundred and ten acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $60 per acre. Mr. D. has been a resident of the county all his life, and has lived to see its various changes.

John F. Elliott, was born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, on the 14th day of April, 1823, son of Charles and Phoebe (Leach) Elliott, father of Irish descent, and mother a native of Virginia. They were married about 1821, in Pennsylvania, and immediately left for Urbana, Ohio, where he was engaged in the missionary cause among the Wyandotte Indians. From thence went to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where he held a professorship in a college, where he resided a few years. He died in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1870. His mother is still living at Mt. Pleasant at the age of eighty-two. John F., when twenty-five, years of age, left his home in Cincinnati, and came to Sangamon county, and located in what is now Cartwright township, where he embarked in faiming, on what was known as the "Lone Trees," where he rtmained three years, when he Bold out, and bought his present place.

Mr. Elliott is one of the large and extensive farmers of Sangamon county, owning five hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and valued at $65 per acre. In politics, is a Republican, and has served the people as magistrate for a number of years, and also held the ofiice of supervisor. In 1843, he married Miss Jane Yates, a daughter of Htnry Yates, of this township. She was born in Warsaw, Kentucky, in 1825. The fruits of this marriage weie five children, four of whom are living: Phoebe, Charles Y., Henry, and John F., Jr.

Bryant Fay, Berlin, Island Grove township, was born in Springfield, Illinois, April 25, 1848. When about three years of age, his father died. He lived in Springfield with bis mother attending the ward schools until twelve years of age, when he struck out for himself. Hefirstworked for John Keltch, in Champaign county. He then returned to Berlin a short time, when he went to Lincoln, Morgan county, Illinois, and worked on a farm for Dr. Joe Sims, and for the Chicago & Alton Railroad some two and a half years, when he came to Island Grove township. He married Nannie Skeen February IV, 1869. She was a daughter of James and Lidia A. (Mooie) Skeen, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Fay is a member of the Christian Church, and Mx's. F. of the Baptist. They have three children, viz: Elizabeth E., Lidia H., and Ann Eliza Fay.

John Fay, father of Bryant, was born in Ireland, and came to America when a young man. He enlisted in the Mexican War, where he remained until its close. He died in 1851. His wife, Eliza (Doty) Fay, is a native of Indiana. She and her husband had two children, Bryant and Mary E. Fay, now Mrs, Lercher, who reside at Dawson. He and the mother still resides in Berlin. Bryant Fay has held several local ofllces of trust in the township; was town clerk two terms and was elected supervisor of this township April, 1880, and reelected in 1881. In politics, he is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Seymour, for President of the United States.

Thomvs Fontch, retired farmer, Island Grove township, post office, New Berlin, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, on the 25th day of November, 1799, son of John Foutch, who was born in Loudon county, Virginia, May, 1776, and Nancy A. Wherritt, who was born March 8, 1778, in St. Mary's county,Maryland. They had five children born in Fayette county, near Lexington; then the family moved to Dearborn county, near Harrison, Indiana, where they had four children; thence to Franklin county, where one child was born; thence to Sangamon county, Illinois, in the fall of 1825, at the south side of Richland creek, east of where Pleasant Plains now stands, and in the spring of 1826 moved to Island Grove township. The subject of this sketch was married December 21, 1820, in Fayette county, Indiana, to Miss Sarah Wherrett, daughter of Wm. Wherritt, of Kentucky, who moved, in 1817, to Jessamine county, Indiana, and from there to Fayette county. She was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, November 20, 1800. There was a family of six children, four of whom are living, viz: Elizabeth, Nancy, John, now of Butler county, Kansas, who has held several offices of trust in the gift of the people, having represented his people in the legislature, was one of the deacons in the Baptist Church and one of its leading spirits; and Hugh. Mr. and Mrs. Foutch have been identified with the county over fifty years, and have lived together as husband and wife nearly sixty-one years, and at this writing Mrs. F. can see without spectacles, and can read the finest print; she is hale and healthy and bids fair to live a number of years. Mr. Foutch is also living, and is able to be around and enjoy his hard-earned money.

John W. Fugate, farmer. Island Grove township, was born on a farm in Grant county, Kentucky, January 13, 1841. When some fourteen years of age, came with his parents to Illinois and settled on a farm in Island Grove township, where he remained until the war broke out, when he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-Sixth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and was shot through the face with a minnie ball at the battle of Atlanta, Georgia. At the close of the war, he returned to the old homestead, in Island Grove township, and November 30, 1865, married Miss Mary C. Clark. She was born in Sangamon county, and was a daughter of Irwin and Permelia (Boynton) Clark; natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Fugate are members of the Christian Church, and have five children, viz: William E., George, Ada, Horace C, and Mary Fugate. Soon after his marriage, Mr. John W. Fugate went to Madison county, and from 1870 to 1877, ran a wholesale and retail store at Edwardsville. He then returned to Island Grove township, where he now resides. The parents of John W., are William and Miranda (Order) Fugate, who reside on the old homestead, in Island Grove. They are members of the Christian Church, and have had four children, viz: John W., Eunice, who married E. M. Pike, and resides at Chenoa, Illinois; Mary E., wife of William Hoag, and Thomas H., married and living on his farm near Danville, Illinois.

John W. Fugate, the subject of this sketch, has a fine farm of eighty acres, in section eight. Island Grove township, where he resides. The farm is under good cultivation and well stocked. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 28, at Edwardsville, Illinois. In politics, is rather independent, and votes for the best man. He cast his first vote for A. Lincoln, for President of the United States.

James H. Gibson, M. D. (deceased), Island Grove township, Sangamon county, was born in Gallatin county, near Warsaw, on the 9th day of September, 1 809 ; was the son of David and Mary (Marrow) Gibson. Mr. David Gibson was a man of influence, and represented his district in the legislature for several terms. The family consisted of four sons and one daughter. The subject of this sketch came to Beardstown, and first engaged in the practice of medicine, in company with Dr. Chandler. In 1840 came to Berlin, Sangamon county, where he followed his profession for more than thirty years. He died in Berlin, November 22, 1873, leaving a widow and one daughter. He married Miss Catharine Maison, a daughter of Peter and Catharine (Miller) Maison, of Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, where she was born. May 23, 1813. Dr. Gibson attended lectures in Cincinnati medical college, where he graduated with honors. Dr. G., at his death, had accumulated a fine property, and owned four hundred and forty acres of valuable land, valued at $75 per acre. The Doctor was a member of the Baptist Church for over thirty years. As husband, father, brother, he was a true Christian man, of the noblest and truest type. A large and sorrowing concourse attested his worth at his funeral at Berlin.

Peter Knepler, farmer and stock raiser, post ofiice, Berlin, section nine, was born in Loraine, France, on the third day of February, 1816, where he worked at farming until he was thirty years old, when he came to the United States, landing in New Orleans, thence by river to St. Louis, where he remained a few days, then came via. Beardstown to Springfield, where he was employed in a ham factory for Cox & Billeys, and remained a short time. In 1848, came to Island Grove township, where he worked for Captain Brown on a farm and remained with him four yeai's. The first land that he bought was forty acres, in 1856. He now owns a beautiful farm of one hundred and seventy-six acres under a high state of cultivation, valued at $60 per acre. Married Miss Catharine Kannople, she was born in France, August 10, 1809. The fruits of this marriage was seven children four of whom are living, Catharine, John, Charley and Mary; members of the Catholic Church of New Berlin. Mr, K. came to the United States a poor man, but by hard work and economy, has made a good home and property.

S. O. Maxcy, farmer and stock raiser, post office, Farmingdale, Island Grove township, was , born in Logan county, Kentucky, about 1820; son of Joel and Betsy Ann (Brown) Maxcy, who were natives of Virginia. He was a soldier in a Virginia regiment in the time of the Revolution, and was in the battle of Guilford Court House. He remembered having seen Generals Marion, Morgan, DeKalb and Yates. He was married after the war in Prince Edwards county, to Miss Susan Hill, whose maiden name was Davis.

Mr. and Mrs. Maxcy had three children in Virginia, and in 1798 moved to Warren county, near Bowling Green, Kentucky, where one child was born. Mrs. Susan Maxcy died August 27, 1812. For his second wife married Mrs, Betsy A. Howard, whose maiden name was Brown. By this marriage there were five children.

The family moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving November, 1827, in Springfield, and soon after moved to Island Grove township, north of Spring Creek, coming through with teams and camping out; moved into a log cabin sixteen by sixteen, there being six in the family. He took up two hundred acres of land and made a home, where he remained until his death, which occurred on the Vth day of December, 1847. Mrs. Maxcy died in Shelby county, Illinois, in 1856. In politics, was an old line Whig of the Henry Clay stripe. Mr. and Mrs. Maxcy were among the early members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were leading spirits in the organization of the church. S. O. Maxcy came to this county when he was a boy five years of age, and was reared on a farm. November 16, 1848, married Miss Nancy Archer,- daughter of William and Elizabeth Archer. She was born in Spring Creek township, November 13, 1825. The fruits of this marriage are two children, James H., born in Island Grove township September 18, 1849, whomarried Miss Alice Jameson, a daughter of Samuel Jameson, of Ohio. They have a family of four children: Lee F., Catharine, Nancy and Charles; William J., born October 13, 1856. He married Miss Ida Reed. There is one child, Beulah. Mr. Maxcy is one of the large and extensive farmers of the county, ovvning four hundred and forty acres of land, valued at |65 per acre. In politics, Mr. Maxcy is a Democrat.

W. £. Price, M. D., Berlin, was born in Island Grove, Sangamon county, Illinois, on the 10th day of August, 1835, son of Charles W, and Rebecca (Brown) Price, who emigrated to Jacksonville, Morgan county, Illinois, from Kentucky, about 1832, where he remained a short time, then removed to this county, where he purchased land and made a home, remaining here until his death. Dr. W. B. Price was reared on a farm, and received a scientific education at Illinois College, at Jacksonville. When eighteen years of age he commenced reading medicine with Drs. Gibson & Brown, where he prosecuted his studies one year, when he attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, and graduated in 1857. In 1862 was commissioned as Assistant Surgeon, and afterwards promoted to Surgeon of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, where he remained until the close of the war. After leaving the service, returned to Berlin, where he has followed his profession since. Married Miss Eliza C. O'Bannon. May 17, 1873. She was born in Kentucky. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a member of the Jacksonville Chapter. In politics, a Republican, and cast his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas, for President of

James D. Smith, farmer and stock dealer. Island Grove township, post office. New Berlin, was born in Island Grove township, Sangamon county, Illinois, oa the 20th day of December, 1837, son of James D. and Ruth (Brown) Smithy natives of Harrison county, Kentucky, where they were married in 1829, where one child was born - William. In 1833, he came to Sangamon county with his father-in-law, Colonel William Brown, moving his family in the fall of 1833 to Island Grove, where nine children were born, three of whom died in infancy. He purchased a. large tract of land, where he remained until his^ death, which occurred November 7, 1871, as fol lows: