Sangamon County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1881 (part 15 of 21)

" On the afternoon of Tuesday, November 7, 1871, James D. Smith, an old and honored resident of Island Grove, Sangamon county, Illinois, was thrown from his buggy and killed, whilst returning alone to his home from the town of Berlin. On the afternoon of the Thursday following, the large concourse of people, from town and country for miles around, which gathered at his grave, spoke impressively of the high esteem in which he was held by all who knew him. Dying, he has left a strickened family a treasure more precious than his ample fortune - the priceless heritage of a well-spent life."

His widow, Mrs. Ruth A. Smith, survived her husband exactly ten months, and died September 7, 1872. The remains were both interred in Wood Wreath Cemetery, near where they spent so many years of their lives.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, receiving a classical education, graduating at the Illinois College in his eighteenth year. In 1864, he married Miss Elizabeth Brown, a daughter of Elisha Brown, of Boonsville, Cooper county, Missouri. She was born April 2, 1842. By this union there were seven children, six of whom are living: Elisha B., James D., Mary B., Harriet D., Elizabeth and Annie.

Mr. Smith in company with his brother, Lloyd are among the large and enterprising farmers of the central portion of the State, and make a specialty of raising blooded stock, short-horned cattle and Norman horses, of which he has on his place, three beautiful imported stallions, viz: St. Louis, weighing one thousand eight hundred pounds; Chicago, one thousand nine hundred pounds, and Grand Duke, a very promising colt weighing one thousand five hundred pounds. The brothers have in company one thousand eight hundred acres of land, and raise seven

Asa JR. Washburn, (deceased), Island Grove township, was born in Randolph, Vermont, on the 14th day of July, 1824, married Miss Barbara Craig, October IV, 1852. She was a daughter of George and Rebecca (Painter) Craig, natives of Virginia, who emigrated to this State in 1840 and located in Morgan county, four miles east of Jacksonville. She was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, December 2, 1826. There was a family of seven children, three of whom are living, Aurelia, now Mrs. Erastus Clark, of Morgan county; Arthur E. and George. Mr. Washburn was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and at the time of his death was one of the elders, and was respected by all who knew him. In politics he was a strong Democrat. He died in Vermont, September 12, 1868, aged forty-three years, one month and twentynine days.

William B Warren, M. D., post office, Berlin, Illinois, was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, on the 8th day of July, 1852; son of William M. and Percilla (Hitt) Warren. When eighteen years of age he went to Texas, with Colonel S. H. Hill, where they dealt in cattle, until 1875, when he returned t) tliis Slate. Ho imnu'iliate'v commenced the study of medicine in the Missouri Medical College, at St. Louis, where he remained two years, when he gi-aduated, in 1877. From there he returned to New Berlin, where he embarked in the drug business, which he is still pursuing. In the spring of 1880, he came to Berlin, and formed a partnership with Dr. W B. Price, and has followed his profession since. He married Miss Virginia L. Rutledge, a daughter of Dr. Rev. Wm. J. Rutledge, appointed chaplain, at Joliet. She was born in Jacksonville, September 21, 1860; they were married June 3, 1880.

Thomas Yates, Island Grove township, one of its large and extensive farmers, was born March 14, 1811, in Gallatin county, Kentucky; was married March 29, 1837, atBerlin, Sangamon county, Illinois, to Nancy Higgins, who was born May 23, 1816, in Cumberland county, Kentucky, and came with her parents to Sangamon county, in 1836. Thomas and Mary Yates had ten living children, six of which lived to be adults. Mrs. Nancy Yates died December 15, 1860. Thomas Yates is a farmer, has six hundred acres of land, valued at |65 per acre. Mr. Yates came to the county in an early day, and has been identified with its interest over fifty years, and has seen the prairies from their wild uncultivated state, to one of the finest cultivated counties in the State.

The township of Loami is located in the first tier of townships on the west, and the second tier from the southern boundary. The general surface of the country is level, and it is watered by Lick creek and its branches.

The first settler of Loami township was Henry Brown and family, including William Huft'- master and his sister Lucinda, step-children of Mr. Brown. They arrived in March, 1819, and settled on the north side of Lick creek. While Mr, Brown went back after another load of goods, Huifmaster cut logs, built a cabin, and had it ready for the family when Mr. Brown returned. He had also made a trough, placed it in the cabin, cut down bee trees, and filled the trough with honey. When John Campbell came and settled on the south side of Lick creek, in what is now Chatham township, he thought he was the first settler; but hearing the sound of an axe, he went over and found Hufi^master had been there before him. HufPmaster's power of endurance was remarkable. He has been known to have split seven hundred rails in one day. His courage was undisputable, also. On one occasion he was in the woods with Samuel Harbour, when they discovered a panther up a tree. While Harbour went for a gun the panther came down. Huffmaster urged on the dogs that were with him, and securing a large club, went to their assistance. When Harbour returned, much to his surprise he found the panther stretched out dead, and Huffmaster and the dogs standing around it. Mr. Huffmaster died October 19, 1861.

After Brown and Huffmaster, the township gradually filled up in succeeding years. Among the first settlers were Willis Coley, Pane, William and Ebenezer Coleman, Daniel Dorr an ce Isom Folley, William Morris, John Morris, Henry Brown, John Johnson, E. A. Meacham, Adam Barger, Achilles Morris, John Hudson, Zaza Bowen, Seth R. Cutter, Stephen and William Workman.

Paul Colburn, one of the first permanent settlers of Loami, was born about 1761, in Hillsboro county, New Hampshire. He subsequently moved to Massachusetts, where he was united in marriage with Mehitable Ball. In 1809, the family moved to Grafton county, New Hampshire, where they remained until September, 1815; went from there to Ohio.

In March, 1821, Paul Colburn, his daughter Isabel, William Colburn, wife and three children, the four orphan children of Isaac Colburn, and a Mr. Harris, started in a wagon drawn by four oxen for Morgan county. They traveled through rain, mud and unbridged streams for about five weeks, which brought them to the south side of Lick creek, on what is now Loami township, where they found an empty cabin. From sheer weariness, they decided to stop, and Mr. Harris, the owner of the wagon and oxen, went on to Morgan county.

Soon after their arrival, Wm. Colburn gave arifle gun for a crop of corn just planted, and in that way began to provide food. He secured a. team and went after his brother Ebenezer, and brought him and his wife to the settlement, arriving in October, 1821.

Having succeeded in bringing so many of his descendants to the new country, and witnessed their struggles to gain a foothold and provide themselves with homes, Paul Colburn died February 27, 1825, near the present town of Loami. The other membeisof the family lived for many years.

Adam Barger was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, April 8, 1784, and when a young man moved to Kanawha county, now in West Virginia, where be married Lucinda Nolan. Subsequently he moved to Shawneetown, Illinois, and there secured conveyance and moved to this county, arriving in Loami, October, 1826. Mr. Barger died in 1864.

Henry Hall is a native of Maryland, and was born near Hagerstown, in 1774. He moved from there to Virginia, and then to Martin county, Indiana, in 1816. From Martin councy he moved to Loami, in 1828.

After 1830, settlers came into the township too rapidly and in too great numbers to be noticed in this connection. Further along in this chapter will be found biographical sketches of quite a number of pioneers or their descendants.

The first religious services held in Loami township wei'e held by Rev. Simon Lindley, a good old Baptist minister, who toiled hard, like Paul, working with his own hands that he might not be a burden to any, and preaching the gospel upon the Lord's Day, to those who would give him a hearing. In his religious services, Mr. Lindley had no regard for style, often beginning his sermon with coat and vest on, with collar and necktie, but, warming up with his subject, he would first remove his coat, and if still burdened with the heat, then his vest; then he would untie and remove his nectie, and, lastly, his collar, and with bare throat he would continue to plead with sinners to "flee from the wrath to come." Since Lindley's day, many preachers have proclaimed the "unsearchable riches of Chx-ist." The church spire now'points Heavenward, and the township is represented by seven religious denominations, who have organized bodies, including three Methodist, Baptist, Regular Baptist, two Presbyterian, with five church edifices.

The church and the school house are said to ibe evidences of civilization. The first settlement of the township of Loami being along Lick creek, near the line dividing it from Chatham township, and township lines, then being unknown, the first school house in the Lick creek settlement was placed over the line, in the latter township, on section nineteen, and here the pupils of this township were first sent to school. The "Yankee settlement " was without its school house until about 1824, when one was erected, about a mile and a half east of the present village. This was the typical pioneer school house, built of logs, with clapboard roof, puncheon floor, and slab seats. Theophilus Sweet was one of the first, if not the first, to "teach the young idea how to shoot," in this school house. The house was also used for religious services until other and better arrangements were made. The old log school house has long since given place to the more elegant, if not more substantial, frame house, with such modern conveniences as are demanded by the times. There are now in the township twelve school houses, valued at 1X5,000, with six hundred children of school age.

Todd & Jackson, from Jacksonville, in the fall of 1831, opened out a small store, about a mile and a half east of the present village of Loami. This was the first store in the township.

Jonathan Jarrett came in 1826, and started a tan-yard, a mile and a quarter south of the village in 1831, which he continued about five years, making nearly all the leather used in the neighborhood.

The first death was that of William Hughes, an Indian ranger, killed by the Indians, and buried by his comrades, near the Sulphur Springs. His remains was the first interred in Sulphur Springs Cemetery.

The first school house was erected in 1824, about one mile and a half east of the village. Theophilus Priest was one of the first, if not the first teacher.

In a new country, deprived of quick and rapid communication with the more densely populated and better provided one, the saw and the grist mill, however poor, are considered a great blessing, and the man who erects either, receives the thanks of every settler within reach. The Colburns and Herediths were thus regarded as pub-

Andrew Ileredith came from Cincinnati, in 1834, and settled upon Lick creek, a mile and a half west of the present village of Loami, where he erected a large saw-mill, and at once proceded to get out lumber for a grist-rail), which was soon afterwards erected. It was a large, wellbuilt mill, and supplied with all the improved machinery then known, having four runs of stone. The mill soon secured a lai'ge custom, farmers coming a distance of one hundred miles with their wheat and other grain to be ground. Quite a village grew up around this mill which was given the name of Millville, The mill and village both flourished for awhile, but the hard times of 183V, caused the failure of the proprietor of the mill, and as a consequence, the village ceased to exist. To-day, there is little evidence of the existence of either.

Fourier Society

In 1845, a Fourier Society of about twenty families was organized, and purchased a large quantity of land in the township. For about three years the society was in an apparently flourishing condition. A large building was in process of erection for its use, when dissension arose and it was disbanded, the property being divided among its members.

The county voting for township organization, it was divided into townships, and township fourteen, ranges seven and eight, was set off and named Loami. The first election was held on the first Monday in April, 1861, and has since been held upon the same Monday in each year.

A village was laid out about 1832, on a part of the present village of Loami, and about a half dozen houses, a blacksmith shop and a cooper shop were ei'ected. The village disappeared long before the present village of Loami was laid out.

Village Of Loami

William and Ebenezer Colburn built a small horse mill upon their place shortly after their arrival, and for some years ground the grain of the neighboring farmers by that slow process; subsequently they built a water-mill, having an over-shot wheel, which proved a failure. They then erected a steam saw and grist-mill, in 1836. Around this mill grew up the village of Loami.

The village was laid out and platted in August, 1854, by O. B. Kidder, H. D. Gibson and others, and comprised the northwest part of the east half of the southwest quarter of section eleven, township fourteen, range seven. Prior to this time quite a settlement had been effected, as already stated, which grew up around Colburn's mill.

Colburn & Smith were the first merchants in the village, and opened a general stock of merchandise in 1858. Other firms have commenced business, flourished for a time, and passed away,

A post office was established about half a mile northeast of the village in 1839, known as Lick Creek post office. John Johnson was the first postmaster, and carried the mail from Springs field. In 1856, the office was changed to Loami, and removed to the village. William Colburn succeeded Mr. Johnson, and served until his death in 1869. W. S. Colburn then received the appointment. Subsequently J. W. Wood was appointed, and was succeeded by Joseph .Jones, June, 1878.

The religious element of the place is represented by one church, the Methodist Episcopal, which was organized and known as the Sulphur Springs Methodist Episcopal Church.

The most noted institution in the place is Colburn's Mill. The first mill was erected by Ebenezer and William Colburn, in 1836. It had two runs of stone and was regarded as an excellent mill, and a great improvement on the old horse-mill that had served the purpose of the neighborhood for many years. This mill was burned and another erected on or near the same spot; this met with like fate. Another was immediately rebuilt, and strange to say, it too was burnt. Phoenix-like the fourth one arose from its ashes, the present structure, which was erected in 1873. This mill is provided with modern improved machinery, and has two runs of stone with a capacity of fifty barrels in a twenty-four hours' run. No mill in the county has probably had a better run of custom than the Loami Mill, its reputation has always been maintained.

Jesse Brown^ was born in Eaton, Madison county, New York, February 2, 1804, on a farm where he lived with his father until twenty-three years of age. He then married Miss Rhoda Barber, August 16, 1827, who was born in Eaton township. New York, November 28, 1803. She was a daughter of Eliel Barber, born in Massachusetts, who was in the War of 1812, and a member of the Congregational Church; he died May 13, 1838. His wife, Sophia Ellis, was also born in Massachusetts, and a member of the Congregational Church. She was the mother of nine children. The following are living: Eliel Barber, Jr.; Sophia Davis, Marriette Morton, Samuel D. and Rhoda. Mrs. Barber died in 1848. After Mr. Brown was married he farmed in Eaton, New York, until May, 1851, when he came to Illinois, and bought two hundred acres of land in section thirty-three, where he now resides. His father, Peleg Brown, was born in Massachusetts. He was in the War of 1812, and died September 20, 1840. His first wife, Hannah Mason, was born in New York; was a member of the Congregational Church, and the mother of five children; one living - the subject of this sketch. She died July 22, 1814, Her husband then married Martha A. Hewes, also born in New York, and a member of the Congregational Church. She was the mother of nine children, five living, viz: James, George, Samuel, Sarah Wilcox and Willis. She died in February, 18 70.

Daniel and Louisa. Mason and Daniel enlisted in Company B, Thirtieth Illinois Infantry Volunteei's, in the late Rebellion. Mason contracted a fever at the battle of Fort Donelson, of which he died June 6, 1862. Daniel was wounded in a skirmish at Big Shanty. He returned to his company soon after, and was mustered out at the close of the war. Mr. Brown has a farm of two hundred acres, all under good cultivation and well stocked. In politics he is a Republican, and a strong supporter of that cause; cast his first vote for John Quincy Adams for President.

Addison M. Browning^ M. D., was born in Clark county, Kentucky, April 13, 1821, on a farm, where he remained until fifteen years of age; he then went to Lexington, Kentucky, and attended school and medical college. He graduated at the medical department of the Transylvania University in March, 1842, then came to Illinois and practiced medicine in Old Berlin seven years; was a partner of J. H. Gibson; he then came to Loami, where he still practices. He was married to Miss Mary J. Starr, July 2, 1851, who died the same year. James Browning, the father of Doctor Browning, was born in Culpeper, Virginia, and was in the War of 1812; he was a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics, an old-line Whig; he died in 1825. His wife, Jane Morrow, born in Clark county, Kentucky, and was of Scotch descent; was also a member of the Baptist Church, and mother of thirteen children; three are living. Dr. Browning is an Episcopalian, and in politics a Republican. He belongs to the regular school, and is the oldest physician of Loami. He enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Missouri Volunteers; in July, 1861, and was the Surgeon of his regiment.

David S. Burton, was born on a farm in Lawrence county, Ohio, August 22, 1822, where he remained until seventeen years of age; then ran on the river from Pittsburg to New Orleans as a hand and second mate until 1839; went into the swamps of Louisiana, where he followed rafting, boating, and'running saw-mills, until 1841; then he returned to Lawrence county, and farmed until October 12, 1843, at which time he married. He then went to St. Louis, Missouri, remaining a short time, then to Brookline, Illinois, (now called East St. Louis) where he chopped cordword until 1844. His house was washed away by the overflow of the Mississippi river, and he placed his family on an island fifteen or twenty feet square; stayed there two days, when he found he must swim to the shore. He obtained a boat.

went back for his family, and took them to St. Louis; then went to Alton, Illinois. He walked from Alton to Lick creek, hired an ox team and sent for his family at Alton. He lived in a house of William Shelton, on Lick creek, six months, then followed farming one year, moving to Calhoun county, and settled on the river bank, where he sold cord-wood to steamboats, and made two hundred and twenty-five thousand staves. He then came to Sangamon county. On August 22, 1862, he entered in Company I, Seventy-third Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and served as Corporal and wagon-master, and was made brigade wagon-master in Sheridan's Division. He made his first trip to Mission Ridge with supplies and ammunition just as Bragg left. He saw Joe Hooker go up the mountain, also saw the big siege gun thrown over the bluff, and the surrender. He was captured at Stephenson, Alabama, where he was kept on short rations five days, then ran over the mountain to McMenville and was there paroled; he reported to the Union army at Nashville, where be was kept in the Zollicoffer House eighteen days. He was sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he took three hundred sick mules up the valley and kept them one winter; was then discharged on account of sickness. He returned to Sangamon county, where he remained until 1869, then sold his farm of two hundred and five acres. He is at present living on his farm of two hundred and forty acres.

His wife was born in Cabell county, Virginia; daughter of James Tharp, of the same State. He is a farmer and was in the War of 1812 ; he is in his ninety-first year, a lively old gentleman. His wife, Elizabeth Jenkins, was the mother of ten children. She was a member of the M. E. Church, and died in 1875.

Isaac Burton, father of D. S,, was born in Giles county, Virginia. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and was in the War of 1812; was a farmer, and died February 4, 18*73. His wife, Ruth Sirten, was born also in Giles county, Virginia. Mr. Burton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics, a Democrat. He and his wife have had ten children, five of whom are living, viz: Mrs. J. A. McCartney, J. W., John D., Louis B., Reuben andE. Burton. Wm P. Carson, was born on a farm near Chatham, Sangamon county, Illinois, December 25, 1830; moved to Fayette county, Bowling Green, in 1835; lived there until 1844, when his father died. He remained with his mother until 1847, when he came to this county, and worked by the month for William P. Campbell; worked nine months for $6 per month, and took as part pay a filly for $25; he traded this filly for a threeyear-old horse, then gave the horse and a months' pay for a span of mules, and sold the mules for $150. This was the first $100 he ever owned. April 5, 1855, he married Miss Minerva Workman, born near Loarai, October 23, 1833; she was a daughter of David Workman, who was a farmer, a member of the Christian Church; he died in March, 1865. His wife, Lydia Ballou, was born in Overton county, Tennessee; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and mother of fourteen children, nine of whom are living. He bought a farm of eighty-six acres in section twenty-nine, Loami, for 1 1,800, paying down $600. In 1857, he had his farm paid for; he is still living on this farm. He and his wife had nine children, seven living, viz: David, Sarah, John C, Elizabeth, Lydia A., Lee and Amanda. Mrs. Carson is a member of the Presbyterian Church. John Carson, father of William P., was born in South Carolina, August 8, 1794. He was in the war of 1812, also in the Black Hawk War; he followed farming, and died November 19, 1844. His wife was Margery Parkerson, born in Carter county, Tennessee, October 19, 1799. 'She was a member of the Baptist Church, and mother of nine children; five are living - three boys and two girls. Mr. Carson has now two hundred and ninety-three acres of land, all under good cultivation, in Loami; he also has forty acres in Effingham county. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first vote for Frank Pierce in 1852. His father came to Illinois in 1814, and settled on Shoal creek, in Madison county.

Piatt S. Carter, Sr., was born in Warren, Litchfield county, Connecticut, June 29, 1815. He worked on a farm and attended school until twenty-one years of age, then came to Waverly, Morgan county, Illinois. In the fall of 1836, he worked in Waverly, Illinois, one year, then went to Sangamon county, and entered a farm of two hundred and forty acres, three-fourtbs of a mile west of Auburn; lived on that farm twelve years, then bought a farm of five hundred and sixty acres in Loami township, where he now resides. Was married to Flora M. Carter, who was born in Warren, Litchfield county, Connecticut, July 25, 1815. She was a daughter of Adoniram, born in Warren, Connecticut. He was a member of the Congregational Church, a farmer, and in politics an old-line Whig. Died September, 1842. His wife,Arilla Sackett, born in Warren, Connecticut, was a member of the Congregational Church, and was the mother of five children, three living, viz.: Flora M., Patty, and Homer S. Carter. The father of Piatt S. Carter, Colonel Dan Carter, was born in Warren, Connecticut. He was in the War of 1812. His wife, Lncinda Starr, born in Warren, Connecticut, was a descendant of a family who emigrated to the United States in 1G68. She was a member of the Congregational Church, and mother of twelve children, viz. : Mrs. Emily Hopkins, Geo. Carter, Mrs. Jane Starr, Mrs. Lucy Tanner, Piatt S. Carter, Dan S. Carter, Darius Carter, Miles Carter, Mrs. Arza Wetton, Fredrick S. Carter, Sarah Carter, and Samuel W. Carter. Mr. and Mrs. Piatt S. Carter are members of the Congregational Church, at Waverly, Illinois, and have a family of four children, viz.: Adoniram, Darius, Lucinda A., and Piatt S., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Piatt S. Carter were married at Warren, Litchfield county, Connecticut, July 25, 1839. Mr. Carter has a farm of five hundred and sixty acres. He was in the standing militia of the country from 1833 to 1836; has been supervisor four years and school director eighteen or twenty years. In politics, he is a Republican. tiainuel P. Colhurn, was born near where Loami now is, September 15, 1823. He worked in his father's mill until seventeen years of age, when his father sold his mill to David Phelps and Adna Colburn, when he began to work for himself; worked in this mill until October 23, 1845, when he was married to his cousin. Miss Malinda Colburn, October 23, 1845, at Springfield, Illinois, by Wm. Lavely, Esq.; she was a daughter of Abel Colburn, who was born in Sterling, Massachusetts, September 20, 1790; his wife, Debora Phelps, was born in Hebron, New Hampshire, July 1*794; they were married at Hebron, in 181 L After Mr. S. P. Colburn was married, he worked in the mill some two years, then worked for his brother-in-law, Lewis Cotterman, until February, 1849, when he bought a stone quarry and forty acres of land, a quarter of a mile west of Springfield, Illinois. He sold out and returned to Loami, in 1856, and worked at the carpenter trade some two years, then began to work in a mill for his brother, Daniel W. Colburn, and H. S. Coley worked in this mill, as miller, for twelve years. Plis wife, Malinda Colburn, died December 25, 1865; she was the mother of one child, that died in infancy. Mr. Colburn was married to his wife's sister, Mrs. Isabella Lucas, November 14,1866. Mr. Colburn owns sixteen acres of land, a store-house, and a nice residence in Loami, where he resides. He was appointed treasurer of Loami, in 1 857, and has held the office since. In politics, he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Winfield Scott.

He is a Royal Arch Mason, member of Loami Lodge, A. F. and A. M.; was a delegate to the Grand Lodge at Springfield, in 1869, and to Chicago, in 1870.

Ehenezer Colburn was born in Loami, Illinois, April 9, 1833. He worked in his father's mill in this place until twenty years of age, when he married Nancy A. Huffmaster, August 10, 1854. She was a daughter of William Huffmaster ; born in North Carolina, who died in 1861. His wife, Clarissa Smith, born in Kentucky ; a member of the old school Baptist Church, and mother of eleven children, four boys and two girls living. She died in 1869. The father of Ebenezer Colburn, William Colburn, was born in Sterling, Massachusetts, June >3,'1783. He was a member of the Christian Church ; died June 10, 1869. His wife, Achsa Phelps, was born in Hebron, New Hampshire, July 9, 1796. She was a member of the Christian Church, and the mother of fourteen children. She died January 31, 1878. The first wife of Ebenezer, Nancy Huffmaster, died August 10, 1859. She was the mother of two children, viz : Adna P. and Clarissa A. Ebenezer Colbuin was married to his present wife, Elizabeth (Davis) Colburn, August, 1861. She was born near Salisbury, Illinois, and was a daughter of Henry Davis, born in Kentucky. He is living near Loami. His wife, Lucy McGlasson, was born in Kentucky. The old lady is still hale and hearty. Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Colburn have seven children, viz : Alpha D., Julia A., David W., Henry, Ina, Melvin O. and Ora I. Mrs. Colburn is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Ebenezer Colburn ran a saw-mill from 1854 until s'x years ago; since that time has run his grist-mill, in Loami. In jDolitics, he is a Republican.

Isaac Colburn, was born near the place where Loami is located, February 22, 1827; he worked in his father's mill and at the carpenter trade until twenty-seven years of age, when he married Miss Julia A. Ensley, August 17, 1854; she was born in Ohio, June 21, 1834, and was the mother of three children, two are living, Chloe E., and Charles E. She died December 25, 1859. September 20, 1863, Mr. Colburn was married to Miss Maudana Phelps, who was born in East Lebanon, New Hampshire, August 12, 1835; she was a daughter of Adna Phelps, born in Hebron, New Hampshire, April 30, 1792, and Elizabeth Gold, he was a stone-cutter by trade, and died March 6, 1852. His wife, Mary (Colburn) Phelps, born in Sterling, Massachusetts, February 23, 1792; she died in 1859. William Colburn was born in Sterling, Massachusetts,

Juue 3, 1793; he was a member of the Christian Church; he died June 10, 1869. His wife, Achsa Phelps, born in Hebron, N^w Hampshire, July 9, 1796, was also a member of the Christian Church, and mother of fourteen children; she died January 31, 1878. Mr. Isaac Colburn and wife have had three children, all now dead. Mr. C. has held the offices of city trustee and school director. He has four acres of land and his residence in the southwest part of Loami, where he now resides.

William Craig was born in Williamson county, Tennessee, August 24, 1824. In 1832, he came with his father to Illinois, and settled on Spring creek, Berlin; remained until August 15, 1862, then enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Sixth, Illinois Infantry Volunteers; remained in the service three years. He then returned to the old homestead. His father, William Craig, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, in 1790; w^as married to Mary P. Swope, April 20, 1821, who was born near Stanford, Kentucky, June 20, 1794. They moved to Williamson county, near Franklin, Tennessee, where they had five children. The family moved to this county, and settled in what is now called Island Grove, south of Spring creek; had seven children, three living, viz: William Craig, Jr., Margaret and Mary Chever. William Craig, Sr., was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, Colonel in the War of 1812, and died the fall of 1856. His wife died December 25, 1871.

Charles Harris was born on a farm in Morgan county, Illinois, four miles southwest of Jacksonville, August 25, 1836. When he was thirteen years of age, he moved with his father upon a farm at the head of Indian creek. He lived there until 1852, when he came with his father to Sangamon county, and settled in Loarai township. He was married to Miss Susan McLaughlin, September 11, 1856; she was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, and was a daughter of David McLaughlin, also a native of Kentucky, who came to Illinois in the fall of 1850. He is still living. In politics is a Republican. His wife, Elizabeth, nee Mori'is, was born in Kentucky and during life was a member of the Christian Church, and the mother of ten children, six of whom are living. The father of Charles Harris, William P. Harris, was born in Kentucky. He is a farmer and a member of the Baptist Church. In politics is a Republican; he is living in Waverly, Illinois; his wife, Malinda (Miller) Harris, was born in Tennessee, she was a member of the M. E. Church, and the mother of nine children; five boys and two girls are

After Mr. Charles Harris was married he bought forty acres of land in section thirty-one, to which he has added one hundred and sixty acres, on which he now resides. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and had a family of seven children, has five living, viz: Mary E., Wm. D., Charles E., Clara M. and George T. In politics Mr. H. is a Republican. Mr. Harris is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of Waverly Lodge No. 118; is also member of Chapter Lodge A. F. and A. M , at Loami.

James M. Harris was born on a farm near Barr's store, Macoupin county, Illinois, May 22, 11844. When he was seven years of age, he came with his father to this county, and settled on a farm in section twenty-eight, Loami township, where he now lives. When nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Company I, Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry Volunteers, at Springfield, Illinois, September 23, 1863; was captured at the battle of Jonesville, Virginia, and was a prisoner at Andersonville, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia, and Florence, South Carolina, eleven months and three days; was paroled December 6, 1864, and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, and from there to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was discharged by a surgeon's certificate of disability. May 1 0, 1865. He married Miss Mary E. Sturgis, August 24, 1865; she was born in Jackson county, Illinois, September 23, 1845, and was a daughter of Thomas Sturgis, also born in Illinois; he was a farmer, and in politics, a Democrat; he died in 1849. His wife, Margaret (Taylor) Sturgis, was born in Kentucky, and was the mother of three children; two are living, viz: Mrs. Mary Harris and John R. She died March 3, 1854. William P. Harris, father of James M., was born in Kentucky, and is a member of the Baptist Church; in politics, he is a Republican. He came to Illinois in the winter of the deep snow, in 1830, and is living at Waverly, Morgan county, Illinois, in his seventy-seventh year. His wife, Malinda (Miller) Harris, was born in Kentucky, and was the mother of twelve children; seven are living, viz: Elizabeth Calvert, Nancy McVey, Charles, William H. H., Thomas J., James M., and Emerson T. She died in 1850. After James M. Harris was married, he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in section thirty-two, Loami township; sold out some two years after, and bought the place where he now resides. He and his wife have had four children, viz: Josie,

William A., Thomas C, and Mabel. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has his farm of one hundred and sixty acres all under good cultivation; is a member of Masonic Lodge, A. F. and A. M., No. 118, at Waverly, Illinois. In politics, is a Republican; cast his first vote for A. Lincoln, in the Florence, South Carolina, prison. The soldiers balloted with black and white beans - black beans for Lincoln, and white for McClelland - the result was a decided majority for Lincoln.

William C. Hodgerson., was born on a farm near Barbersville, the county seat of Cabell county, Virginia, January 22, 1811. When fifteen years of age he came with his father to Illinois, and settled on a farm in this township. He was married to Miss Jane C. Hudson, August 31, 1836, then entered a farm of eighty acres in section seven; remained there forty-two years, then sold his farm and bought the old homestead of one hundred and seventy acres that his father entered in 1825; sold out soon after and bought thirty-three acres in section eight, Loami township, where he now lives. His farm is all under good cultivation and well stocked. Plis wife, Jane C. (Hudson) Hodgerson, was a daughter of John Hudson, born in Virginia; he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was in the War of 1812; he died in July, 18*79. His wife, Margaret (McCray) Hudson, was born in Virginia, and was the mother of eight children; five are living. She died some twenty years ago. John Hodgerson, father of William C, was born in Kildare county, Ireland; came to the United States when six years of age and settled in Virginia; he died in August, 1851. His wife, Elizabeth Martin, was born in Virginia, and was the mother of ten children; five are living, viz: Mary Osberry, Margaret Meacham, Rebecca Buchanan, John and William C; she died in November, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgerson have had nine children, eight living, viz: Young M., Mary M. Liston, Martha A. Buchanan, Rachael J. Gregory, George W., William A., James A., and Nancy G. Mr. Hodgerson is a Democrat.

John T. Suggins, was born near Galliopolis, Ohio, April, 16, 1824. In 1841, he came to Illinois, and settled on a farm in this county. His father died in October, 18-^6, and he remained on the farm with his mother, until he was married, March 4, 1803, to the daughter of Mr. Bartlett, Concord, Morgan county. Her father was born in New York; served in the War of 1812, and died in 1862. His wife, Elain Lozier, was born in Ohio; she was the mother of six children; she died in 1876. John Huggins, the father of John T., was born in New York, and died in October, 1846. His wife, Jane Hazlett, was born in North Carolina; she was the mother of eight children, five of whom are living. John T. Huggins and wife have two children, viz: Osee and Valeria. Soon after his marriage, Mr. H. moved upon his farm in Loami township, subsequently sold out, and moved to Missouri, where he lived nine years, then returned and purchased his present farm. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church; he of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Joseph Jones was born near Loami, May 5, 1838. He worked for different parties until twenty-two years of age, then began to work for himself at the carpenter trade. July 20, 1861, he enlisted in what became Company C, Eleventh Missouri Infantry Volunteers, for three years; was wounded in one knee and hand at the assault on the rebel fortifications at Vicksburg. After recovering, he was detailed as ward-master and steward, in the military hospital, at Keokuk, Iowa; was honorably discharged, after having served a full term, August 5, 1864. He was married March 17, 1868, to Miss Laura E. Davis, born in Loami, June 6, 1848, daughter of Major J. P. Davis, who was born April 17, 1815, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was Major of the Thirtieth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, in the late Rebellion, was in the Mexican war in the Springfield company. His wife, Achsa (Colburn) Davis, was born in Hebron, New Hampshire, was the mother of two children, viz: Melissa, now Mrs. Withrow, of Springfield, and Mrs. Laura E. Jones. Major Davis and wife are members of the Universalist Church. Emanuel Jones, the father of Joseph, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, and came to this county in 1836; was married in 1837 to Miss Eliza Shane. Their children are, Joseph, Catharine, William, Thomas and Martha. Emanuel Jones died in Decatur, August 9, 1858. His wife was born in Kentucky, and died in October, 1872. Joseph Jones and' wife have had five children, three living, viz: Harry, Alice and Don C. Mr. Jones is a member of Loami Lodge, A. F. and A. M., No. 450, Auburn, Chapter No. 92, Royal Arch Masons; has been Master of this lodge a number of years, has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge, in Chicago. He has held the office of justice of the peace five years; has been tax collector a number of times, and is at present notary public and justice of the peace. Is a Republican.

John Lowry was born on a farm in Ireland, county of Doron, about thirteen miles from Belfast, September 15, 1837. At nine or ten years of age, he lost his father, who was killed by his horse falling on him. He remained on the farm with his mother until his twelfth year, when they came to America in the sloop, Samuel Lawrence, landing at New Orleans in 1851 or 1852. From there they ascended the Mississippi river to Madison, Indiana, thence to Indianapolis, where he worked in a woolen factory for $8 per month and boarded himself. He remained in Indianapolis and vicinity about five years, when he and his brother came to Illinois. They rented a farm near Virden, on which they lived about two years. He then came to this county, bringing with him his mother, brothers and sisters, November 2, 1868, he married Miss Mary A. Van Deren, who was born near Loami. She was a daughter of Thomas Baker, who was born in Ohio. He was a farmer and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; died January 5, 1852. His wife Nancy, 7iee Robinson, was born in Virginia, and was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was the mother of eleven children. James Lowry and Rosana (Potter) Lowry, father and mother of the subject of this sketch, were born in Ireland. They had seven children. Mr. John Lowry is a Republican, and has held the office of county supervisor for the past three years; also has been a school director in his district for the past eleven years; is a member of Masonic Lodge A. F. and A. M. No. 450, at Loami. He was a delegate to Grand Lodge at Chicago, three or four years ago. He has a good common school education. In politics, a Republican, and a strong supporter of that party; cast his first vote for Lincoln.

Henry McDevitt, was born in Derry county, Ireland, February 9, 1832. When eighteen years of age he came to the United States, landed in New York, sick and with only three or four pounds in money, and very homesick. From New York he went to his aunt's in Brooklyn, from there to Ohio, and finally settled in Loami, where he was married May 31, 1853, to Miss Rachel York, who was born in England; her mother, Elizabeth Abbott, was boi-n in England; father died October 10, 1854, and her mother about the same time. Hugh McDevitt, the father of Henry, was born in Derry county, Ireland, where he died February, 1852. His wife, Jane Stuart, was born in the same place, and was the mother of ten children, three of whom are now living in the United States, viz: Henry, Jane and Robert. She died August 1870. Mr. and Mrs.

DcDevitt are members of the Presbyterian Church, and had a family of six children, four of wliom are living, viz: John W., Jane, A. Mitchell, James H., and Mary E. Mrs, McDevitt died February 9, 1865, and Mr. McD. was married to Miss Anna Mitchell, born in England, and a daughter of Joseph Mitchell, who came to the United States in 1850. His wife, Sarah (Panter) Mitchell was born in England. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and reside in Loami; they are the parents of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Henry McDevitt are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and have six children, viz: Sarah B., Samuel H., Joseph J., George W., and Robert L. Mr, McDevitt has a farm of two hundred acres. In politics he is a Republican.

Stephen M. C. Rohinson was born on a farm on Indian creek, fourteen miles northeast of Jacksonville, Morgan county, Illinois, February 1, 1834 ; lived there until thirty-four years of age, when he came to Sangamon county, and worked three years for John Berry, in this township. June 18, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary F. Coons ; bought a farm of forty acres, in section twelve, where he now resides. Mrs. Robinson is a daughter of Geo. M. Coons, born, in Morgan county. He is a member of the old school Baptist Church, and in politics, a Republican ; he is living near Berlin, Sangamon county. His wife, Mary (Sturgis) Coons, was also born in Morgan county, Illinois ; was a member of the M, E. Church, and the mother of ten children ; nine are living, viz : James P., Mrs. Mary Robinson, John A., Albert J., Martha J., Sarah E., George H., Margaret A. Stice, and Charles M. She died in September, 1862. Isaac Robinson, father of Stephen, was born in Virginia; was a member of the Christian Church; a farmer; by trade, a blacksmith, and in politics, a Whig; died December 24, 1854. His wife, Mary (McFeters) Robinson, was born in Ireland. She was a member of the Christian Church, and. the mother of ten children ; six are living, viz : Margaret Gibbs, Margery Berry, Susan Stice, Sarah Martin, Stephen M. C, and James L. She died the fall of 1862, Mr, and Mrs. Stephen M. C. Robinson are members of the Christian Church, and have two children - Clara E, and George L. Mr. Robinson has his farm of forty acres all under good cultivation, and well stocked ; grows grain and stock for the market. In politics, he is a Republican, and a strong supporter of that party.

of the Roanoke river; wlien two years of age, he went with his faiher, to Rutherford county, Tennessee, near Murfreesboro; lived there until the spring of 1828; came to Illinois, and settled on a farm with his father, in this township; lived there with his father until he was about twenty years of age, then learned the cooper's trade; November 10, 1836, he married Theresa Barger, who was born in West Virginia, and was a daughter of Adam and Lucinda (Brooks) Barger, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Sowell died December 4, 1846; she was the mother of three children, two living, John H. and Martha A. April 20, 1848, Mr. S. was married to Miss Jane E. Lansden, who was born near Lebanon, Wilson county, Tennessee; she is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and mother of Abner T. Sowell. She was a daughter of Thomas Lansden, who was born in North Carolina; was in the War of 1812, and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; died in October, 1838. His wife, Margaret McLin, was born in South Carolina; was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the mother of eight children, three living, viz: Nancy E. Ashmore, Martha E Mitchell, and Jane E. Stephen Sowell, father of Thomas, was born in Charlotte county, Virginia, near Charlotte court house, on Roanoke river. He was a farmer, and in politics an oldline Whig; he cast his first vote for Thomas Jefferson; died in June, 1862. His wife, Jane Hanner, was born in Charlotte county, Virginia; she was a member of the Baptist Church, and mother of nine children, viz: Martha, wife of Wm. Eustes, who was the first settler in Talkington township; Thomas, Jane Burr, Macky Colburn, Malinda Goodell, Sallie Goodell, Nancy McElvain, who died November 20, 1879, Ann McElvain, and Wm. H.; she died November 18, 1879, in her eighty-sixth year. In 1836, Mr. Thomas Sowell commenced working at the cooper's trade; he made the first pork barrels in Sangamon county, for Henry Yates, father of Governor Yates; he followed his trade until 1864; has a farm of sixty-five acres in Loami township, all under good cultivation, and well stocked; has also eighteen acres of land, one mill building, and a dwelling house in the town of Loami, where he resides; has held the oflice of treasurer of Loami, and also trustee; in politics, is a Republican, and a strong supporter of that party. He is now in his sixty-eighth year, a hale, hearty old man, and as lively as a boy.

when he came to the United States. He started January 1, 1851, and landed iu New Orleans April 6, 1851. From New Orleans he took the steamer " Halleck Scott" up the Mississippi river to Alton, Illinois, remained one year, then came overland to this countj", and began to work for George Carter; worked for him five years; rented land of him ten years, then bought a farm of eighty acres, in section thirty-six, where he now resides. He was married, at Alton, Illinois, December 19, 1851, to Miss Alice Harris. She was born in Oxfoi'd, England, and was a daughter of Robert Harris, born in England, who came to the United States in 1851. He is now living in England. His wife, Elizabeth (Bagley) Harris, was born in England, and was the mother of seven children, five living, two in the United States, viz: Thomas and Mrs. Elizabeth (Harris) Taylor. She is living in England. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had a family of seven children, six of whom are living, viz: Lucy A., Geo. IL, Richard E., Wm. A., Fannie J. and Alice E. Mr. Taylor has his farm of eighty acres all under good cultivation and well stocked. He raises grain and stock for the market. In politics, he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for A. Lincoln for President, His father, Richard Taylor, was born in England; was a farmer, and a member of the M. E. Church; he died in England October 6, 1870. His wife, Ann Barb, was also born in England; she was a member of the M. E. Church, and had nine children; only one is living - the subject of this sketch. When he arrived in this county he was without means, but by hard work and close application to business he has made himself as fine a farm of eighty acres as there is in the country.

James M. Turpin was born near Glasgow, Missouri, May 10, 1828, where he lived until eleven years of age, when his mother died; he then went to live with his grandfather, on a farm, near Savannah, Missouri; lived there until sixteen years of age, then came to Illinois, and worked near Loami. He enlisted in the Mexican War, in June, 1846, in Company D, Fourth Infantry under Colonel E. D. Baker, and served one year. He was married October 3, 1849, to Miss' Charlotte Webb, born near Loami, January 14, 1830. Woodford Turpin, was born in Kentucky, in 1796, he died March 5, 1865. The second wife of Woodford Turpin, Miss Emmasett Campbell, was a daughter of Robert Campbell, deceased, and Polly Campbell. Mr. James M. Turpin bought a farm of forty acres in Loami township, and lived there until 1873; during this time, added two hundred and sixty-four acres to the forty acres, making a farm of three hundred and four acres. In 1873, he moved to Loami,and engagedin the mercantile business, firm of Tuipin <fe Joy Mr.Turpin is at present connected with the dry goods and grocery stoi'e of L. H. Coleman, at Loami. He enlisted in Company I, Sevenlythird Infantry, in August 1861, as second Lieutenant, and was promoted to hrst Lieutenant; is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 450, at Loami. Has held the office of justice of the peace four years; has also been school director and supervisor. He and wife are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Turpin has four acres of land where he resides. Is vice-president of the Old Settlers' Association.

George J. Walker, y^'Z& born on a faim near Murfreesboro, Rutherford county, Tennessee, July 2, J 81 8. When twelve years of age, he came with his father to Illinois and settled on a farm in Sangamon county, where he lived four years, then moved on a faim three-quarters of a mile southeast of where Loami now is; lived on the faim until his father died, then liveol with his mother until his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Back, October 1-2, 1842; she was born in Garret county, Kentucky, December 25, 1826; her father, Isaih Back, was born in Kentucky; he was a Whig, and came to Illinois in the spring of 1838. His wife, Nancy (Turpin) Back, was a member of the M. E. Church, and the mother of ten children; four are living, viz: Elizabeth, Mrs. Mary A. Parker, Mrs. Miranda Martin, and Caroline Rose; she died July 28, 1872. After his marriage, Mr. George J. Walker lived with his mother two years, then bought a farm of ten acres one-half mile southwest of Loami, and lived there ten years; moved on what was called the Coley farm, and lived there eight years; rented land near Loami fourteen years; then bought a house and lot in Loami, where he now resides. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and have had nine children; four are living, viz: Amarins Collins, George W., Louella Reece, and John. Samuel Walker, father of George J., was born in Campbell county, Virginia; was a farmer and a member of the Batpist Church; in politics an old-line Whig. His wife, Martha Hannar, was born in Virginia; she was a member of the Baptist Church and the mother of nine children; five are living, viz: William S., Thomas H., George J., Hiram, and Mrs. Rebecca Smith. George J. Walker is a Republican in politics, and cast his first vote for William H. Harrison, for President.

township, September 25, 1858. He lived on this farm until twenty-one years of age, when he was married to Miss Margaret E. Leaverton, January 1, 1879; she was born in Illinois, and was a daughter of John Leaverton, born in Ohio. He was a member of the Baptist Church, a farmer-, and in politics a Reprrblican; he died in December, 1873. His wife, Mary Smith, was born in Bond county, Illinois; was a member of the Baptist Church, and had ten children, seven of whom are living: John F., Nancy J. Sale, Margaret B. Washbur-ne, George W,, Charles A., Emma J., and Effie M.; she is still living in Cartwright township. Asa R. Washburne, father of Arthur E., was born in Vermont; he was a member of the Curaberlanol Presbyterian Church, a farmer, and in politics a Democrat; he died in the fall of 1849. His wife, Barbara C. (Craig) Washburne, was born in Virginia, and was also a member of the Cumberlanol Presbyterian Church; they had five children, three of whom are living, viz: Aurelia R. Clark, Arthur E., and George C.; she is living in Island Grove township on the old homestead. Mr. Arthur E. W^ashbur-ne has a farm of eighty-eight acres, one and one-fourth miles north of Loami, all under good cultivation and well stocked; raises grain and stock for the market. In politics he is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Hancock. He and wife have one child, Lillie B.

Hardin Wikocksov, M. D., was born on a farm near Tallula, Menard county, Illinois, April 25, 1851. When seven years old, his father moved to Taylorville, Illinois, where he liveci and attended school until 1863, when his father died. He then lived with his brother-in-law, W. T. Hcwdtt, on a farm near Taylorville, Illinois, until he was fourteen years of age; then commenced to work for himself, working for different parties, and attending school dur-ing the winter, until he was some nineteen years of age; attended a preparatory school at Tallula, Illinois. In the fall, entered college at Eureka, where he remained three years; taught school in Christian county until 1877; then attended the American Medical College, at St. Louis, Missour-i, where he graduated and received a diploma, in June, 1880; then came to Loami, where he is pr-acticing medicine. He was married to Miss Emily A. Andersotr, November 29, 1879; she was born near Taylorville, Christian county, Illinois, February 7, 1857, and was a daughter of Josiah Anderson, who was born in Litchfield county, Kentucky, April 15, 1819; he died in 1862. His wife, Julia Anderson, was born in Nashville, Tennessee, July 9, 1824. John H. Wilcockson, father of Hardin, was born in Bath county, Kentucky, November 6, 1808; he was a member of the Christian Church; was in the Black Hawk war, and drill-master in the late war; he died May 23, 1863. His wife, Emma C. (Spears) Wilcockson, was born in Green county, Kentucky, April 30, 1811; she was a member of the Christian Church, and had eleven children, seven of whom are living, viz: Mary E. Hewitt, George H., William S., Hiram P., Emma C, Chaplin, day, and Hai'din. Dr. Wilcockson and wife have had two children, one boy living. Homer B. Mrs. Wilcockson is a member of the Christian Church. The Doctor is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 122, at Taylorville, Illinois. In politics, he is a Democrat, and a strong supporter of that party. Cast his first vote for Tilden.

Isaac Workman was born on a farm near Loami, August 7, 1834. He remained on the farm with his father until twenty-two years of age, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth Workman, February, 1856. She was born in Tennessee, and is a daughter of John B. and Martha (Roberts) Workman. Mr. and Mrs. Workman were the parents of three children, viz.: Sallie Harbour, John D., and Martha. Mrs. W. died September 29, 1860. June 30, 1862, Mr. Workman married Martha A. Weddin, who was born in Loami town ship, August 9, 1847. Her father's name was Weddin, and her mother's was Cynthia Meacham. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Workman have had seven children; six are living, viz.: Wm. H., Isaac, Jr., Mayhew, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Ada. William Workman, father of Isaac Workman, Sr., was born in Allegheny county, Maryland, April 8, 1799; went to Kentucky, and thence to Tennessee, and came to Illinois, and settled in Loami township in 1829; died January 1, 1877. His wife, Sarah Bilyen, was born in Kentucky November 26, 1801. She was a member of the Dunkard Church, and the mother of eleven children, five of whom are living, viz.: Peter, John, Isaac, William B., and Samuel M. She is still living in Loami. The subject of this sketch, Mr. Isaac Workman, has his farm of one hundred and thirty acres all under good cultivation and well stocked. In politics, he is a Republican. He is a member of Masonic Lodge A. F. and A. M., at Loami; has also been school director for several years.

William B. ^orJanan, was born on a farm in Loami township, near where Loami now is, August 14, 1837. He lived on this farm until October, 1875, when he bought an interest in a store at Loami, the firm of which is Joy & Workman. He was married to Miss Lydia Bilyen,

May 22, 1857, who was born in Overlon county, Tennessee, May 5, 1845. She was a daughter of Andrew Bilyen, born in Tennessee; he was a member of the Christian Church, and in politics a Democrat; he died the fall of 1846. His wife, Susan Bilyen, born also in Tennessee, was a member of the Christian Church and the mother of six children; four are living - one by her first husband, (Andrew Bilyen) viz: Mrs. Lydia Bilyen, and two children by her second husband, (James Cormack) viz: Jessie and Millie; one child by Samuel Workman viz: Samuel J. She is still living with her son-inlaw, William B. Workman, father of William B. Workman. William Workman, Sr., was born in Allegheny county, Maryland, Aprils, 1799. He came to Illinois in 1829, and settled in Loami township, Sangamon county. He died January 1, 1877. His wife, Sarah Bilyen, was born in Tennessee, November 26, 1801; she is a member of the Dunkard Church, and the mother of eleven children, five living, viz: Peter, John, Isaac, William B., and Sanil M. Workman. She is living with her son Sanil Workman in Loami, Illinois, in her eightieth year. Mr. William B. Workman and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and have had ten children; two of these are living, viz: William F., and Caroline. Mr. Workman carries a $3,500 or $4,000 stock of dry goods and groceries; he has held the office of commissioner of highways six years, and school director six years; in politics, is a Republican and strong supporter of that party. He is a Royal Arch Mason and member of Loami Lodge, A. F. and A. M., No. 450. He has his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section fourteen, all under good cultivation, and well stocked, and grows grain and raises stock for the market.

Peter Workman was born in Overton county, Tennessee, May 24, 1820. He lived on the farm until he was nine years of age, when he came with his father to this county, settling in Loami township, two miles south of Loami. He "was still living with his father on this farm when he was married to Miss Sarah J. Taylor, January 28, 1840. She was born on White river, in Indiana, November 26, 1822, and w^as a daughter of William and Nancy (Hall) Taylor. Mr. Taylor was born in Kentucky, and Mrs. Taylor in Virginia. The mother was a member of the Christian Church, and lives in Christian county. Four or five years after his marriage he bought a farm of two hundred and sixty acres, in sections twenty-six and twenty-seven, where he now resides.

Mr. Workman and his wife are both members of the ChrJRtian Church. They have had thirteen children, seven of whom are living, viz: Nancy Bilyen, Simon P., Mrs. Louisa J. Hays, Mrs. Mary E. Harbour, Mrs. Almira Crawford, Stephen and Caroline. He has traveled over Iowa, Indian Territory, Missouri, Kansas, Texas and Tennessee. In his younger days he was a sportsman, being fond of his dog and gun. He cast his first vote for Filmore, and is a Republican in politics, has lived on his farm thirty years, and has resided in the county fifty-two years; he is know as "Uncle Peter." He is a member of Loami Masonic Lodge, A. F. and A. M., No. 450, of which he has been a member sixteen years.

The township of Mechanicsburg comprises township sixteen, north, range three west, and is bounded on the east by Wheatfield, west by Clear Lake, north by Buffalo Plart, south by Cooper township. The surface of the country is rolling, and was originally about three-fourths prairie. The principal water course is Clear creek, which has several small tributaries. The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad passes through the township, entering from Springfield on section seven, and passing in an air-line east enters Wheatfield from section twelve. There are in the township three villages - Mechanicsburg, Buffalo and Dawson.

Eakly Settlement

The first settlement in the toAvnship was in 1824. Among the early settlers were James Newell, Jesse Wilson, William Burch, A. Churchill, Samuel Garvey, William Jack, S. Cox, Jacob Constant, Charles Morgan, Daniel Morgan, David Hall, Jesse Pickrell, Morris Bird, Thomas Fortune, William Pickrell, Benjamin L. Hall, George Churchill, Samuel Cox, John Constant, Josiah Green, J. H. Fullinwider.

Jacob Constant, brother to John, was the grandfather of Rezin H. He was also the brother of Isaac and Thomas, and was born about 1765, in Virginia. Eleanor Clinkenbeard was born about 1769, in Virginia also. They were there married, and soon after moved on pack horses - that being the only way goods could be transported at that time through that mountainous country - to Fleming county, Kentucky. They had fourteen children in that county, and in 1814 moved to Clermont county, Ohio, where they had two children. The family moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving October 26, 1826, in what is now Mechanicsburg township. He died in 1828. Ill -

Charles Morgan was born September 5, 1*781, in Hampshire county, Virginia. His parents moved to Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1V93. Charles Morgan and Elizabeth Constant were there married, in 180*7. The family moved in March, 1814, to Clermont county, Ohio, and moved to Sangamon county, October, 1826, to Mechanicsburg, and died in 1866.

Josiah Green was born in 1800, in South Carolina. Rebecca Long was born in South Carolina also. The father of each of them were Baptist preachers. Josiah Green and Rebecca Long were married in Kentucky. The family moved to Sangamon county, arriving in 1828, in what is now Mechanicsburg township. He died in 1855.

Samuel Garvey was born August '51, 1794, in Culpepper county, Virginia. His father. Job Garvey, was born in Scotland, and brought to America when he was quite young. His parents both dying early, he was bound to a man who proved to be a cruel master. Determined to escape the hard servitude, and partly from patriotic motives, he enlisted as a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and served the whole seven years. When Samuel was about one year old, his parents moved to Woodford county, Kentucky, and four or five years later moved to Franklin county, about eighteen miles south of Frankfort. Samuel volunteered in a regiment of dragoons at Frankfort, under Colonel Dick Johnson, and was in the battle of the river Thames, in Canada, in which Colonel Johnson is reputed to have killed the Indian chief, Tecumseh. After his return, the family moved to that part of Gallatin which is now Owen county, Kentucky. Samuel Garvey was there married, December 26, 1816, to Maria EUiston, who was born July 25, 1800, in Franklin county. They lived in Owen county for some time, then, "svith a family of

David Hall was born December 25, 1799, in Shelby county, near Shelbyville, Kentucky. David Hall and Juliet Owen were there married, December 2:3, 182:i; moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving September 2H, 1834, at Mechanisburg, and soon after settled about four miles further west, in the same township.

Jesse Pickrell taught the first school in the township in 1828, on section twenty-seven. There are now five brick school houses in the township, valued at $10,500.

The township was organized in 1861, and annual elections foi township officers are held on the first Tuesday in April. The following comprise a list of the principal township officers, in 1861:

Village Of Mechanicsburg

The village of Mechanicsburg is the oldest of the three villages in the township, and was laid out and platted by William S. Pickrell, November 12, 1832, and was described as comprising the "east half of the southwest quarter of section twenty-six, and part of the east half of the northwest quarter of section twenty-six, township sixteen, range three west."

The village was very pleasantly situated, and gave promise of being one of the most thriving villages of the State. A writer in a local paper

"Mechanicsburg, fifteen or eighteen miles from Springfield, contains some twelve or sixteen families, twenty-five buildings, tavern, store, and post office. Lots are worth from ten to thirty dollars each. As the country is fine and well settled in the neighborhood, it seems to be reasonable to suppose that, with the start it has already attained, it will grow to some importance."

Josiah Green had a blacksmith shop about one mile west of the village previous to its being laid out, but William Parks was among the first to carry on the trade in the village.

A Post Office

A post office was established in the neighborhood of the present village in 1830, under the name of Clear Creek post office, with Jesse Pickrell as postmaster. This name was retained until the removal of the office to the village, when it was changed to Mechanicsburg. Thomas Fortune succeeded Mr. Pickrell, and on the l7th day of February, 1848, Morris Bird was commissioned, the commission being signed by Cave Johnson, Postmaster-General, under President Polk. He was continued in office by the postmaster-general under each of the Presidents up to and including President Hayes, till his death, June 11, 1879. Mr. Bird was born February 19, 1803, and came to Sangamon county in 1 835, and settled in Mechanicsburg. He died June 11, 1879; the oldest postmaster, in point of service, probably, in the State. He was succeeded by his son, George W. Bird, who was appointed June 24, 1879, his commission being signed by Thomas J. Brady, Acting Assistant Postmaster-General under David M. Key.

Mercantile

The first merchants in the place were Crawford & Peas, in 1835. When they commenced business there was no place from which to obtain merchandise nearer than Springfield. In the fall of 1837, William and Upton Radcliff also embarked in the business. Thompson Brothers commenced business in 1844, and have been doing business for tbsrty-seven years.

The first school house in the village was a frame building, erected in 18o7; the second of brick, built in 1842; the third also of brick, built in 1854, for the old Mechanicsburg Academy. The school is now in a flourishing condition, and it is operated under the graded system, which was adopted in 1862.

The Mechanicsburg Academy was incorporated and erected a handsome brick building in 1854, two stories in height, and forty by sixty on the ground. The school flourished finely for a time under the care, at intervals, of JProfs. Loomis, Cummings, Hatch and McNutt.

The first religious services in the township were at the house of Jesse Pickrell. There are now three churches in the village - Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian.

Steam Grist Mill

A steam grist-mill was erected in 1844, by Nightingale & Rowell, and subsequently passed into the hands of Dunnick Brothers. The mill had two runs of burrs. The same parties have built a larger and much improved mill on the same site, having three runs of burrs, and doing a thriving bxisiness.

Bank

In 1873, Thompson Brothers commenced a general banking business in the place, buying and selling exchange on the principal cities in the country, and receiving deposits. The well known business integrity of the firm was a sufficient guaranty to the people of Mechanicsburg and vicinity, so the bank has had a good run of business.

A Temperance Town

The village has never had a licensed saloon in it. A certain man, in 1853, started a saloon in connection with his boot and shoe store. The ladies secured funds and purchased his stock of liquors on condition that he would abandon the business. They poured the liquor in the street and attempted to set fire to it, but it would not burn. But the man did not consider his promise to the ladies as being worth much, and therefore again commenced the sale of the "liquid fire." An agreement was then entered into by the citizens, neither to buy or sell him anything as long as he sold liquor. This was the first case of "boycotting" in Mechanicsburg, and the last as well. The remedv was effectual. The man left.

Village Of Buffalo

Buffalo is a village of about four hundred inhabitants, and situated on the line of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad, and was laid out and platted in May, 1854, by Charles R. Wells, the plat was described as the "southeast part of the northeast quarter, and the northeast part of the southeast quarter of section ten, and southwest part of the northwest quarter, and the northwest part of the southwest quarter of section eleven, township sixteen, range three west."

The village was platted and recorded under the name of Buffalo, the railroad company named the station Mechanicsburg; while the post office was called Watson. It was only after several years of continuous eft'ort that the names of the station and post office were changed to Buffalo. These several names caused much perplexity and difficulty, as may well be imagined.

The first house erected in the village was by Josiah Green and Harvey Thompson, and a store was opened by them under the firm name of Thompson, Green & Co. This was in 1854.

The post office was established immediately after, and Harvey Thompson was appointed the first postmaster. The present postmaster is A. F. Hollenbeck.

The village has steadily grown until it now contains two dry goods stores, three grocery stores, one harness shop and hardware store, one drug store. There are three practicing physicians and one retired physician. Those in active practice are Dr. Leslie Gillett, Dr. L. P. Rogers, and Dr. John C. O'Conner. Dr. Peter T. Leeds is an old time practitioner, having been in the township about fifty years, and has retired from active practice. There are two blacksmiths' and one wagon shop, one elevator, and one steam flouring mill.

Flouring Mill

The steam flouring mill was erected in 1859-60, by Baker & Enlow, at a cost of about $5,000. George McDaniel has owned the mill since 1866, and it is now run by McDaniel & Sons.

Elevator

The building was erected as a warehouse in 1858, by John Dikeman, and was among the first buildings in the place. In 1878, it was remodeled, and an elevator machinery put in. It is now operated by E. R. Ulrich, who handles here about ninety thousand bushels of grain annually.

The village is now regarded as a temperance one. There has not been a saloon tolerated in the place siace 1875, and the retail traffic is under complete control of the authorities. There were, at one time, four saloons in the place, and much drunkenness, but none of consequence of late years.

There are now two church edifices in Buffalo - that of the Methodists and Christians. In early times, the station at Buffalo was connected with the Mechanicsburg and other churches, forming a circuit of the Methodist Episcopal church, and so continued until the present house of worship was erected, in the fall of 1867. The place of worship for the society in Buffalo previous to occupying the new church, was in the school house. The first preacher who did regular pastoral work in Buffalo, was Rev. Richard Holding, in 1860-01. Mr. Holding remained one year. About this time, Buffalo station was disconnected from Mechanicsburg and attached to Dawson. The pulpit was filled by several men, successively, until 1866. In the fall of that year, Rev. Mr. Colt was appointed and entered upon the discharge of his duties. He was very efficient in securing funds for building the church. Isom Enlow, as one of the building committee, was the principal actor in the construction of the building. The house was dedicated in the spring of 1868, by Rev. Hiram Buck. The charge has been fairly prosperous, having been instrumental in breaking up the license system and the traffic in liquors in the village, and has lent its combined influence to prohibit the retail of it, for five or six years past. In 1877, the society erected a new frame parsonage, at a cost of |! 1,000. The membership of the church is about seventy. It has a prosperous Sunday school, with an average attendance of about eighty scholars. Rev. W. S. Calhoun is the present pastor. The present trustees are, Isom Enlow, Wesley Hathaway, F. W. Herrin, James H. Dawson, B. L. Hall, J. C. O'Conner, and Joseph McDaniel.

The Christian Church

The Church of Christ (or Christian Church) of Buffalo, was organized January 3, 1876, by Elder Samuel Lowe. The following declaration M'as adopted and signed by those entering the organization: and in the knowledge of the truth, and wishing to observe the divinely instituted worship for the children of God, and to hold forth the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to a perishing world, hereby band ourselves together in an organization to be called the 'Church of Christ, at Buffalo, Sangamon county, Illinois.'

" In this organization nothing is to be accepted as authorative in all matters of faith and practice, but the word of God contained in the Old and New Testaments."

Twenty-six names were appended to this declaration of faith, and George W. Ellington, Thomas J. Underwood and John W. Jacobs were chosen elders and Z. T. Greening, Joseph Ellington and Thomas Hegerman deacons. May 21, 1876, and ordained May 26, by Elder G. M. Goode. Afterwards Samuel Garvey was ordained as an additional elder.

The first pastor of the church was Elder E. T. Brooks, who was called to the charge, February 1, 1876, and continued till July, 1878, when he was succeeded by Elder John Lemons, who continued in charge of the church three years, terminating his connection in August, 1881. Since the organization of the church fifty-three additional names have been entered on the record.

The village school house is a fine two-story brick structure, containing three schools, four cloak rooms and a hall. The building is thirtyfour by forty-eight, and was erected in 1870, at a cost of about $7,000. William A. Robinson, Jonathan Putnam, and one other, were the directors, at that time. Four village lots comprise the grounds. The enumeration of the district is one hundred and twenty of school age; the average attendance is about ninety; the amount of money annually appropriated by the district now reaches $1,200. The present board of directors are, Ezra Gamble, W. F. Herrin, and J. C. O'Connor. The present principal is Benjamin F. Wiley; the school is a graded one.

As illustrating the amount of business annually done by the railroad company at this station, the following is given: In 1880 there were shipped four hundred and seventy-four cars of grain, sixty-six cars of tile, and one hundred and twenty-six cai's of live stock. The tickets sold amounted to $42,000, for the year.

Ixcoiu'Okatiox Tile Works

The Buffalo Tile Works were established in the spring of 1877, by Foudy, Eyman & Co. - A. J. Fondy, H. H. Eyraan and Samuel Hugenberger. The works manufacture all sizes of tiling, and use a twelve-horse power engine, and the tile are made by a Tiffany tile machine. The capacity is sixteen hundred to two thousand eight-inch tile per day, and four thousand to five thousand four-inch and six thousand to eight thousand three-inch tile per day.

The village of Dawson is located on the line of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, about twelve miles from Springfield. It was laid out in May and June, 1854, by Thomas Lewis and Joseph Ledlie, on a part of the southwest quarter and northwest quarter of section eight, township sixteen, range three west. It was so named in honor of Hon. John Dawson, one of the "Long Nine." The village has now two churches, a good brick school-house, an operating coal shaft, three stores and one physician. The coal company has given much impetus to the trade of the village.

James William Alvey, merchant, Mechanicsburg, is a native of Sangamon county, Illinois, and was born in Springfield, in 1834. William Alvey, his father, was a Kentuckian by birth, and married Madeline Watson, of the same State, in Sangamon county. He learned the hatter's trade in his youth; and moving to Springfield, Sangamon county in 1835, and married in November, 1825. He then engaged in the manufacture of hats by hand, the process then in use. Being the pioneer in the business in Central Illinois, he opened a small store which w^as stocked with his work in addition to that made to order. From the product of his skill and industry the early settlers of the Sangamo country for many miles about Springfield were supplied with head gear. In about 1846, he moved with his family to Iowa and settled on a farm. He died in Marengo, that State, some eight years later.

The subject of the memoir is the fourth of their family of six children, three of each sex, and commenced his mercantile life in Springfield in the grocery of J. W. Bates at twelve years of age. After clerking a year or two for him, and about the same length of time for Reuben Buchanan, young Alvey went with his parents to Iowa, where he continued clerking in a general store. Returning to Springfield he was employed several years in the store of his brotherin-law, S. B. Fisher. In 1867, he embarked in the mercantile business as proprietor of a general store in Mechanicsburg, and has prosecuted the business there since that time. He carries a stock of $10,000 to $12,000, and has an annual trade of 120,000 to 125,000.

In May, 1860, Mr. Alvey married Alzina Brown, who was born in the State of New York, and came with her parents to Sangamon county, Illinois, when a small child. Mr. and Mrs. Alvey have a family of two":daughters and four sons, namely, Melvina, Helen B., James William, Jr., Henry Pickrell, Homer Watson, and Robert Edwin Alvey. Melvina was educated at the Bettie Stuart Institute, and is accomplished in music and has a special talent for portrait work. Helen B. is attending the Springfield High School. Imbibing the political proclivities of his father, who was a Henry Clay Whig, Mr. Alvey has been a firm Republican since 1860.

Corneliics Everett Christiance, railroad agent, at Buffalo, was born in Lee county, Illinois, in the town of Brooklyn, in 1835, and was the first white child born in the town. Abram V. Christiance, his father, married Caroline Barkydt. They were both natives of Schenectedy, New York, and were the parents of sixteen children, of whom three sons and two daughters are living. They were the third family to settle in Brooklyn, Illinois. Cornelius started at railroading as a helper, in Buffalo, in 1860. In February, 1862, he entered the army as a member of Battery F, First Illinois Light Artillery. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and followed its fortunes under the command of Generals McPherson and Logan, successively. Mr. Christiance participated in all the battles of Sherman's army to Altoona. He was promoted from private to sergeant, and was acting orderly when mustered out, March 7, 1865. The first Avinter after retiring from the service he was employed as night operator at Bement, Illinois, and March 1, 1866, returned to Buffalo, where he was made station agent, and has filled the position to the present time. June 1, 1865, Mr. Christiance united in marriage with Miss Fannie W., daughter of Dr. William Hesser, of Jerseyville, Illinois. Three sons have been born to them, namely: Wilbur, aged thirteen years; Everett, aged eleven, and Harvey,

Meredith Cooj^er^ son of M. and P. Cooper, was born September 11, 1836, in Sangamon county, Illinois, apd was married March 18, 1874. He has one child, Annie L., born March 7, 1875, in Williams township, Sangamon county, Illinois. Mr. Cooper was a farmer and stock dealer for a long time, in that township. During the railroad riots at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1877, he lost a large number ot sheep, which were en route to eastern markets, which was an entire loss to him, as no settlements were ever obtained from the railroad company. He now is superintendent of the Sangamon County Poor House, which position he has held since March 18, 1878. Mrs. Cooper is the daughter of Wm. and Elizabeth Watson, who came from England and settled near Springfield, Illinois. Mrs. , Watson is still living in Springfield. Mr. Watson died there in September, 1873. Mr. Cooper's mother is still living, near Williamsville, at the age of eighty-seven.

Sertrand Dawson. - Mr. Dawson was born April 10, 1827, in Bracken county, Kentucky, and came to Sangamon county with his parents in 1827. His father, John Dawson, was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, November 24, 1791, and his mother, Cary Jones, was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, May 22, 1801, where they were married October 9, 1817. Mr. Dawson and his wife - Katie Rea, daughter of David Rea and her mother (Susan Sitz) Rea - live adjoining the town of Dawson, it being named after his family. Part of the land on which the town was built was owned by Mr. D. It was entered by Francis Springer and others. the land patent dating March 3, 1843. Mr. D. has sold ten acres of his land adjoining the town to a coal company, who are engaged in mining. Coal is found in abundance at a depth of about two hundred and fifty feet, and of an excellent quality. Mr. D. is engaged in farming and stock dealing, and one of the enterprising men of the township.

Mrs. Margaret Dunniclc, widow of Nicholas Dunnick, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, November 15, 1821. Mrs. Dunnick was born in Fayette county, Ohio, December 3, 1826, her maiden name being Mantle. They were married in Fayette county, Ohio, in October, 1844. Two years later they moved to Illinois, remaining a part of the winter in Springfield, and the following four years were spent on a farm on Lick creek, north of Chatham. From there they moved to Mechanicsburg, where they bought the old Mechanicsburg Mill, which was the first mill built in the township They have seven children, all born in Sangamon county: George J., born January 16, 1851; Angie Lee, December 2, 1852; Fannie, August 4, 1854; Kate, July 25, 1856; Emma F., June 7, 1858; Lennia, June 24, 1864; Clyde, August 25, 1866. Twenty-five years ago Mr. Dunnick built the present Mechanicsburg Mill, which he afterwards sold, and again purchased five years since, and it is now a part of the estate. The family live now on their farm near the village. Mr. Dunnick died SepJ tember 15, 1881, after an illness of but four days, and a well spent life of almost sixty years. He was an energetic, conscientious business man, and his whole life's conduct was marked by the strictest integrity and regard for the rights of others. During his life he was called upon to fill a number of local offices, and he and wife were members of the M. E. Church, He was a steward in the church of which he was an efiicient and useful member for many years.

Jatnes H. Freeto, hardw^are and queensware merchant mechanicsburg, has been engaged in business in the village about twenty years. He carries 'a stock of f 4,000 to $5,000, embracing hardware, stoves, glass and queensware, and a general assortment of tinware, of which he manufactures a considerable quantity, and also does a jobbing business in roofing, spouting, and cornice work.

Mr. Freeto was born in the State of New York, December 4, 1834, and was reared from three years of age in Dupage county, Illinois, whence he came to Sangamon county in the spring of 1860. He started a tin shop and stove store in Mechanicsburg soon after coming, and ten years ago added that of hardware.

James H. Freeto and Hannah M. Brown were married in Dupage county, Illinois, in 1858. Mrs. Freeto died April 19, 1365, leaving two 'daughters, Minnie L. and Florence May, and Mr. Freeto married Miss Rebecca J. Loughridge, November 29, 1867. She is a native of Arkansas, from which State her family fied as refugees during the war of the Rebellion, being friends of the Union. Four children have been born of this marriage, namely: Evalena S., born December 11, 1870; Luella Maud, November 13, 1872; Ida Marion, August 4, 1877, and George L.,born July 19, 1880.

Jacob jY. Fullinii'ider, farmer, residence section twenty-five, was born June 5, 1814, in Shelby county, Kentucky, and there passed the first twenty years of his life on a farm. Henry Fullinwider, his father, was a Pennsylvanian by nativity; spent a portion of his early life in Maryland, and from there went to Kentucky when a young man, where he soon after married Harriet Neil, who was born in Virginia. Ten children were born to them, of whom seven were sons, and three daughters. In the autumn of 1833, Mr. Fullenwider came to Sangamon county, Illinois, purchased a tract of land in what is now Mechanicsburg township, and returned to Kentucky for his family; but while there he took sick and died, in August, 1834. In the fall of that year, the widow and nine children moved to the new country of the Sangamon, arriving after a thirteen days' journey, on October 11. The family settled on land now forming a part of the homestead owned by the subject of this article, where his mother afterwards died, January 31, 1867.

On March 23, 1837, Jacob N. Fullinwider and Agnes Bullard were united in marriage. She was born March 24, 1814, in Shelby county, Kentucky, and is the daughter of Reuben Bullard and Elizabeth Gill, natives of Virginia. She came to Sangamon county, Illinois, in November, 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Fullinwider first settled in town sixteen, range two west, about five miles east of the village of Mechanicsburg. Fifteen years later they sold that farm and bought a farm which forms a part of their present estate, and settled on it but a few rods from the splendid dwelling they now occupy. This beautiful brick residence was .erected by Mr. Fullinwider in 1862 and '63, at a cost of |10,000. The barns and other buildings surrounding it cost $2,500. Mr. Fullinwider, being a thorough going, prudent business man, has been successful in a financial way. After having bought the intei'ests of the other heirs to the old homestead, he purchased other tracts about it, until at one time he owned one thousand four hundred acres of fine farming lands. He has given each of his six sons and two daughters 17,000, and still owns a farm of four hundred acres. In early years he voted the Whig ticket, and since the birth of the party, has been a Republican, though he has not been active in politics. He has served Mechanicsburg township two terms in the county board of supervisors, and' has for many years been a zealous and prominent promoter of church and school matters. He has been a member and efticient worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church fortynine years, and has contributed much, both in labor and money, toward its prosperity. Mr. and Mrs. FuUinwider's children are all, but one, married and comfortably situated in life; and for habits of industry, thrift and morality, they are an honor to their parents, and an ornament to society. They are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and all the sons, save one, are farmers. Marcus L. graduated from Illinois Western University, in 1871, and from Rush Medical College in 1876; and has since July, of that year, been extensively engaged in the practice of medicine in Mechanicsburg, Sangamon county.

J. T. Fullimoider, is a son of Jacob N. Fullinwider, of Mechanicsburg township, one of Sangamon county's best known and most worthy farmers, and largest land owners, who came here in an early day, and has been prominently identified with the growth and development of Sangamon county, and Central Illinois. Our subject was born in Mechanicsburg townshij), this county, November 24, 1853, and is, therefore, twenty-eight years of age. Mr. Fullinwider is essentially a product of Sangamon county, having been born, educated and married here. He married Miss Laura Thompson, daughter of a prominent business man and banker of Mechanicsburg, who came to Sangamon county in an early day. Mr. Fullinwider owns a farm adjoining the village, and is at present engaged in the banking house of his father-in-law, Mr. Thompson.

Samuel Garvey, born August 27, 1825, in Owen county, Kentucky, son of Samuel and Maria (Elliston) Garvey, came to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1830. He was married in Sangamon county, July 3, 1849, to Sarah 'A. Gideon; she was born January 13, 1828, in Champaign county, Ohio, and came to Sangamon county in 1845. They had five children: Mary A., born May 21, 1850, married to David C. Fletcher, September 9, 1869; Ann M., born August 27, 1853, and remains at home; Catharine J., born October 17, 1854, and married March 7, 1877, to Jacob Rogers; Henry C, born August 13, 1863, now at home with his parents; and Andrew S., born December 27, 1867, and died December 6, 1871. Mr. Garvey has eight grand-children. The family are all Christians.

John Gelling, was born November 13, 1805, in the city of Douglas, Isle of Mann, and came to America in 1830. He landed at New York, and went to the vicinity of Morristown, New Jersey. Hannah Monson was born in 1797, near Morristown, New Jersey. She was of an old

French family that was ftmong the earliest settlers in New Jersey. John Gelling and Hannah Monson were married June 23, 1833, near Morristown. They moved in 1838, to Vevay, Switzerland county, Indiana. Mr. Gelling, his wife, and a girl living in the family, started from Yevay in a wagon, and drove through Indianapolis to Springfield, arriving in October, 1839. Since tliat time he has resided four years in Morgan county. With that exception, he has been in Sangamon county to the present time. They never had any children. Mrs. Hannah Gelling died December 30, 18*72, and John Gelling resides two and a half miles south of Dawson.