Sangamon County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1881 (part 19 of 21)

James W. Brooks was born in West Cambridge, now^ Islington county, Massachusetts, January 26, 1822, the son of Ebenezer and Sarah M. Brook«, 7iee Dunklee, both natives of that State; father died in Massachusetts in 1848, andmother in 1869. James was brought up on a farm, and in 1843, he was married to Belvina Crosby, who was also born in the Bay State in 1818. The children in this family are Emma C, Ella M., now Mrs. William B. Jones) Frank, Linda and histe. In 1856, Mr. Brooks moved to this county, locating in Woodside township, where he resided ten years. He lost his wife in 1858, and the next year he married Martha Ricker, who was born in 1825, and by this marriage the children are Freddie, Alletta, Elizabeth and Ida; Mattie is deceased. Mr. Brooks owns four hundred acres of land in this county, most of which is very valuable. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and in politics, he is a Republican.

tienry Converse, retired farmer, Springfield, Illinois, was born in Lyme, Grafton county. New Hampshire, on June 7, 1806. Oti« and Clarisa (Porter) Converse were his parents, and were natives of Connecticut. Henry enjoyed the district school advantages, common to the farmers' boys of that day. Previous to his seventeenth birthday, he moved with his parents to St. Lawrence county, New York, where his father died in 1828, at the age of forty-seven years. In 1830, the subject of this article united in marriage with Nianna Priest, born in Pomfret, Vermont, November 27, 1810, and the daughter of Frank and Mary Priest, natives of Massachusetts. Three sons were born to them, two of whom still survive. Henry Franklin, the eldest, was born during their three years* residence in St. Lawrence county. In 1833, they moved to Montgomery, Alabama, consuming seven weeks in the trip, and there Mr. Converse carried on the manufacture of tinware about four years. The climate not proving agreeable to his health, they removed to Painesville. Lake county, O. At the end of seven years of farmer life there, Mr. Converse decided to seek the broader and more fertile fields of the Prairie State, and landed in Springfield, Sangamon county, in June, 1846. He brought a quantity of flax seed with him, and induced the farmers to engage in the culture of flax, of whom he bought the seed, and for three years engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil from it, which business proved fairly remunerative. In 1849, Mr. Converse purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in what is now the north part of Springfield, and a portion of which is now occupied by the Springfield Iron Works, the watch factory and the city water-works. A part of the tract was sold for |300, and a part for $500 per acre. He and his two sons still owns one hundred and seventy acres of it, on which the homestead stands. In March, 1850, he and Mr. Mace, Capt. Saunders and others organized the first school district in Springfield township, and erected a small frame school house near the site of the present brick one, near the fair grounds. Besides other local offices, Mr. Converse has served his township - Springfield - ten years on the county board of supervisors. Mr. and Mrs. Converse celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding - their golden wedding - on the 4th of February, 1880. During the California gold excitement, in 1850, their eldest son, Henry F., sought that Eldorado in search of a fortune. In less than a year after his arrival on the Pacific Coast he was treacherously murdered by a pretended friendly Indian, being shot with his own gun while stooping to drink from a brook. William Otis and Albert Luther, the remaining sons, are married, and both reside in Springfield township. William O. married Miss Ellen Little, of Sangamon county; they have a family of three daughters: Nina, Elsie and ElUn; he has always devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Dr. Albert L. Converse read medicine, graduated in the same, and for a time engaged actively in the praetice of his profession, but has recently turned his attention chiefly to farming; he married Henrietta Thompson, of Louisville, Kentucky; they have three children alive, and two deceased - Florence, aged sixteen, died September 27, 1881, and Olive, February, 1872. All of the family are members of the Central Baptist Church, at Springfield, Illinois.

Thomas J. Curry was born in Springfield, Illinois, October 20, 1 853, and is the son of Robert J. and Mary (Brooker) Curry, both of whom are deceased. He was brought up on a farm, and in 1876 married Ann S. Phillips, who also was born in Springfield, in 1856, and their children are Robert F. and Normand D., besides one deceased, Emma S. Mr. Curry now owns one hundred and two acres of land, northeast of Springfield. Politically, he is a Democrat.

John W. jDalby, was born in Frederick county, Virginia, January 14, 1826, the son of Joseph and Emeline E. (Keizer) Dalby, natives also of that State; father died September 4, 1877, and mother in January, 1874, in Kentucky. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm and educated in the old-time schools. He came to this county, where he clerked several years in a store, and then engaged with his brother in the stock business. In I 863, he married Hannah E. Kincaid, who was born in Menard county, Illinois, December, 1840. The children now living are: James W., John E., Frank N., Joseph K, and Alice E; the deceased one was Ruth E. Mr. D. is now engaged in the stock business, on the old homestead, where he annually fattens about two hundred head of cattle, one hundred sheep and three hundred hogs. He also owns a fine farm in Logan and Menard counties. He is an elder in the First Presbyterian Church at Springfield, and in politics, is a Republican.

John A. Doerfler was born in Germany, February 7, 1811, son of John A. and Cumgunda i(tiee Fuche) Doerfler, both of whom are deceased. In 1852, the subject of this sketch arrived in this county, and has followed brick-making ever since, on his own accountsince 1867. In 1838, he married Cumgunda Fuchs, who was also born in Germany, February 17, 1817, and they have seven children, namely: John, Conrad, Fredrick, Edd, Katie, now Mrs. Ford; Maggie, now Mrs. Becis. George, another child, died in 1873. He and his son Edd are now engaged in the brick business, under the name of John A. Doerfler &

Frederick Hockevjos was born in Baden, Germany, September 12, 1828, son of George H. and Lena [nee Ziph) Hockenjos, both of whom died in Germany. In 1853, he came to America, and located in Pennsylvania, where he worked on a farm. In the spring of 1854, he came to Springfield, where he continued to work on a farm. In 1855, he married Mrs. KateTresmann, who was born in Hesse, Germany, October 1 7, 1833, and was the mother of two children. Mr. and Mrs. Hockenjos have had six children, five of whom are living. They are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. II. owns twenty-seven acres of well-improved land, and is a Democrat.

Jonathan F. Jones^ was born in Caroline county, Virginia, July 21, 1833, son of Henry and Mary F. (Childs) Jones. He remained with his father until twenty-five years of age. He then married Martha E. Marshall, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, November 12, 1842, and daughter of John and Jane (Wyatt) Marshall, who came to this country in 1860, where they resided until the father's death, in 1880; her mother still resides in Salisbury township. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had four children: Charles H. and John Frederick are living; Jennie Bell and Herbert F. are deceased. In 1862, Mr. Jones purchased eighty-three acres of land, situated on the Sangamon river; this land he still owns. Politically, he is a Republican, and both are members of the Baptist Church at Bethel.

Joseph W. Jones, a brother of the preceding, was born in Virginia, September 14, 1825. He came to this county with his father when he was eleven years of age, and remained until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began to work for himself. October 26, 1854, he married Miss Ransdell, who was born in Kentucky July 17, 1827, and was the daughter of John and Mary (Lamly) Ransdell. They have had seven children, five of whom are living: Richard N., John H., Elijah A., William E. and George. The deceased were Augusta Ann and Joseph A. Mr. Jones owns thirty acres of land, which is a part of his father's old homestead. Politically, he is a Republican,

William -B. Jones, another brother of Jonathan F., was born in Caroline county, Virginia, July 4, 1821; he went with his parents to Kentucky, and in the fall of 1834, moved to this county, where they located and entered land in the northwest corner of Springfield township, at.d remained until their death; his father died

January 1, 1848, and his mother in 1876. William B. was thirteen years of age when he came to this county, and was principally self-educated. At the age of sixteen he united with the Baptist Church; he afterward began to preach, and has continued in that vocation up to the present time. For many years he was pastor of the Bethel Church, but on account of failing health has given up his labors, to some extent. In 1834, he was married to Elizabeth A. McKinnie, who was born in Kentucky, in 1823, and they had one child - Maria L. - born in December, 1846, and died December 12, 1850. April 12, 18l5, Mrs. Jones died, and August 29, 1877, Mr. Jones married Ella M. Brooks, born March 19, 1849. He owns thirty-seven aci'es of land, which is a part of the land entered by his father in 1834. He is a Republican.

Mary W. Jbhnso?i was born in Boone county, Kentucky, April 27, 1825, and is the daughter of David and Sybilla (Allen) Johnson, who were natives of Kentucky, and both deceased. In 1851, she married William Carter, who was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, in November, 1826, and died in October, 1853, leaving two children Elizabeth, now Mrs. Baxter, and William S. In 1860, Mrs. Carter married Mr. J. J. Johnson, who was also born in Boone county, Kentucky, in November, 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had five children: Anna Eliza, Lincoln D., Sybilla S. and Benjamin (twins), and John Quincy. They came to this county in the spring of 1877, and Mr. Johnson died in April of the same year. Mrs. Johnson owns eighty acres of land west of Springfield, worth $60 an acre, and is a member of the Baptist Church, at Bethel.

Jaraes W. Keyes was born in Monroe county, Virginia, November 1, 1805, son of Humphrey and Sarah (Hanley) Keyes. His father came to this county November 10, 1830, and located east of Springfield on a farm, where he died in October, 1833, in his seventieth year. His mother started for California in 1846 with her daughter and son-in-law, James F. Reed, and died on the way. She was buried on the water of the Big Blue river. James W. received a common school education, and learned the tailoi''s trade, which occupation he followed thirty years. He was married January 9, 1827, in Botetourt county, Vermont, to Lydia Spickard, who was born June 17, 1807, in the county. They have had nine children, namely: Charles A., Mary C, now Mrs. William H. Vandoren; Edward L., Henrietta M., now Mrs. Henson Robinson; Thomas R, Susan F., now Mrs. Silas W. Uickox; Margaret E., now Mrs. William Day; ,^[a^ll)a J., now Mrs. Douglas Hickox. The two deceased are James L., born May 10, 1829, and died November 13, 1830, in Virginia, and Ellen, born August 5, 1844, and died May 10, 1846. Mr. Keyes moved to Springfield in April, 1831, where he continued to work at his trade, and in 1836, he entered his present farm, and in 1861 moved onto the same. He is now the owner of a nice farm situated north of Springfield, consisting now of two hundred and thirtyfour acres. In 1872, he was afliicted with a paralytic stroke, which disabled him to such an extent that he was obliged to retire from business. His first vote was cast in 1828, for Andrew Jackson. He was postmaster in Springfield, first under Van Buren, and then under Buchanan; was justice of the peace in Springfield fourteen years, and was also supervisor. Politically, he is a Democrat.

Goodrich Ziightfoot, was born April 19, 1817, in Adair county, Kentucky; son of Henry F., and Mary L. (Jones) Lightfoot, also born in Kentucky. They afterwards moved to Warren county, Kentucky, thence to this county, arriving October 23, 1830, and locating one and one-half miles west of Springfield, M^iere his father commenced farming, and in 1833 moved to his present farm, where he resided until his death, which occurred in Kentucky while on a visit to that State; his mother died November 2, 1857. The subject of this sketch was married December 1, 1842, to Nancy Callerman, who was born in this county March 3, 1826. Children: Elizabeth I., now Mrs. Richard T. Lewis; James R , Susan M., now Mrs. John L. Callerman, Jr.; John L., Judith L., Alice B., and Julia Ann. Mary E., is deceased, and one died in infancy. Mr. L. has held the oflice of supervisor two years, and township trustee ten years. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land worth $50 an acre. Mr. and Mrs. L. are members of the Methodist Church, and Mr. L. is a Republican.

Harrison J). Lyon was born May 17, 1815, in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and is the son of Henson and Nancy Lyon, nee McCann. His father was born .luly 28, 1790, in Loudon county, Virginia, and was taken, about 1800, to Clarke county, Kentucky. His mother was Nancy McCann, born January 8, 1795, in Clarke county, Kentucky, and they were there married, August 10, 1814. They moved to Shelbyville, where they had a family of nine children, and from there they moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving October, 1834, in what was then called Portland, south of the Sangamon river, and seven miles northeast of Spriiit^fii'lil, where one cl)il(i was born. In March, 1835, they moved to a farm two and one-half miles east of Springfield, where they resided until their death. His mother died December 5, 1845, and his father, September 29, 1867. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and was raised on a farm; came to this county with his father, and was married, April 6, 1843, to Mary E. Hickman. Their family consists of four children: Mary E., William H., married March 12,1874, to Sarah A. Day, who was born in New York; Euclid F. and James F.

William H. Marsh was born December 15, 1804, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania; son of Reuben and Ann (Benjamin) Marsh, both of whom died in Pennsylvania. He was married in the city of Lancaster, May 14, 18 29, to Lydia Brady, who was born April V, 1810, in Chester county Pennsylvania, and they had two children, Lucy A., now Mrs. Mitchell Graham, and De- Witt C. Mrs. Marsh died July 24, 183:3, and April 9, 1835, Mr. Marsh man-led Mary Lytle, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who was born March IV, 1808. Their four children are Lydia C, Martha A., now Mrs. Charles Reed; Isabel and Delia, now Mrs. Albert Gennings. Mr. Marsh moved his family to this county, arriving May 15, 1837, and was engaged by the State House Commissioners, as foreman in the erection of that edifice, under the direction of the architect. He occupied this position a part of 183Y, all of 1838, and a portion of 1839. He was next employed as foreman on the abutments of the bridge at the Sangamon river for the Northern Cross Railroad, now the Wabash and Pacific road, at Riverton. When gold was discovered on the Pacific coast, Mr. Marsh attempted to go to California, but became disabled at the Rocky Mountains and returned. He was keeper of the Sangamon County Poor House two years, ter- Biinating the fall of 1859; then moved upon his farm, situated two and one-half miles north of Springfield; the farm consists of eighty acres, worth ^150 an acre. He has for many years been an active member of the school board, and a strong supporter of the free-school system; he is also a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Springfield, and politically is a Republican.

Thomas L. McKinnie was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, February 4, 1808; son of Lewis and Nancy (Saunders) McKinnie. He came to this county with his parents in November, 1826, and located on the farm where he has since resided. He was married August 27, 1840, to Sarah A. M. Jones, who was born in

Virginia October 16, 1819. They have five children: Mary E., now Mrs. W. F. Helvety; William L., Henry IL, Columbia A., Julia F. Mr. McK. owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of Land which is worth $75 an acre. He is a member of the Baptist Church at Bethel, and is a Republican.

William P. McKinnie^ brother of the preceding, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, May 20, 1810; came to this county November 15, 1826; commenced at once to build a house four miles northwest of Springfield, and moved into it in February, 1827, where he continued to reside until his death, October 7, 1841; and his wife October 8, 1843. William P., the subject of this sketch, was brought up on a farm, obtaining his education in the common subscription schools. He was married. May 12, 1839, to Sarah J. Threlkeld, who was born October 16, 1817, in Shelby county, Kentucky, and came to this county in 1832. They have had ten children: Mary A., now Mrs. William A. Montgomery; Thomas L. S., Lucy J., now Mrs. Charles H. Judd; Sarah E., now Mrs. Joseph E. Corbin; William A., Virgil W., Nancy E., now Mrs, John W. Taylor; Harriet M., now Mrs. Isaac Hazlett, and Charles E. Mr. McKinnie commenced plowing at the age of ten years, and has followed farming all his life; has done plowing every season since he commenced till this season (1881). He also writes and reads easily, without glasses. He now owns eighty acres of land, besides having given some three hundred acres of land to his children, and aided them in establishing homes for themselves. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he is a Republican in politics.

Samuel H. Meid, Jr.^ (deceased) was born May 20, 1818, in Warren county, Kentucky, and came with his father to this county. Was married October 20, 1846, to Elizabeth Davis, and their family consisted of three children. His occupation was a farmer, which he continued up to his death. His widow still resides on the home farm, three miles west of Springfield, Illinois, on the old farm settled by his father in 1827.

Samuel H. lleid, Sr., (deceased) was born in 1781, near Richmond, Virginia. His parents moved, when he was a young man, to Davidson county, Tennessee, near President Jackson's country seat, the Hermitage; and from there to Warren county, Kentucky. While visiting his brother. Judge Alexander Reid, at Shelbyville, Samuel H., became acquainted with Elizabeth

Roberts. They were there married, and lived near Bowling Green, Warren county, until six children were born. Mrs. Reid and three of the children died there. Mr. Reid was married in Warren county to Jane Gott, and moved at once to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in September, 1827, and settled on a farm he had previously purchased, three miles west of Springfield, where they had four children, seven in all, viz: Samuel H., Sarah T., (twins), David A., Adaline, William M., Lucinda and James.

Samuel H. Reid, Sr., was a ruling elder in the church organized by Rev. John G. Bergen, the first ever organized in Springfield, now the First Presbyterian Church. He afterwards became a ruling elder in the Second Presbyterian Church, and continued to the end of his life. He died September, 1836, and his widow died sixteen days later, both in Sangamon county.

ShnonP. JRickard was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, October 16, 1821, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Everhart) Rickard, natives also of Virginia, who, in the fall of 1830, moved to this county, settling in what is now the southeast corner of Gardner township, where they continued on a farm until their death, the latter in January, 1858, and the former September 17, 1860. The subject of this sketch was eight years old when he came to this county; was raised on a farm and received his education in the common schools. November 12, 1846, he married Sophia J. Ernst, who was born August 24, 1823, in Vir- .ginia. They have had seven children, of whom four are now living, viz: Laura E., now Mrs. Edwin Watts; HeTen M., now Mrs. Sidney French; Thomas E., and Alletta E. The three deceased are George E., Anna J. and Susan C. Mr. R. owns seven hundred acres of land, in good condition, worth 175 an acre. HeisaPi'esbyterian and a Republican.

Charles F. Watson was born in the town of Cannon, Connecticut, October 23, 1827; son of William and Julia E, (Elmoie) Watson, natives also of Connecticut, and both deceased; mother died in 1830. Charles attended common school, and two years at the Berkshire county ( Ccnnecticut) academy; he was brought up on a farm; at the age of seventeen he taught school; then clerked in a store; in 1852 he went with ox-teams to California. He returned in 1854, when he reentered railroad business, on the Illinois Central line; two years afterward he bought three hundred and eighty acres of land near Springfield, and began farming. In 1876, he married Samantha A. White, who was born in Piqua county, Ohio, the daughter of Wellington and Mary Ann

( Primmer) White. Mr. and Mrs. Watson's children are Georgia May, Alice C, Charles W., and Douglas. Mr. W. has held the township offices of supervisor and road commissioner, and is a Democrat.

0. L. Whitcomb, of the firm of Tisdale & Whitcorab, was born at Stockbridge, Windsor county, Vermont, June ]8, 1827, where he attended school and worked on his father's farm until twenty-one years of age, when he went into the mercantile business for himself at Brookfield, Orange county, Vermont. On February 5, 1856, he married Miss MarcellaKilburn. She was born in Union Village, Vermont. She was a daughter of Nathaniel Kilburn, born near Union Village, Vermont. He was a farmer, and died about 1835. His wife, Sophia Powers, was born also in Vermont. She was a member of the M. E. Church, and is still living at Union Village, Vermont. In the spring of 1857, C. L. Whitcomb came to Illinois and settled near Maroa, where he farmed six years, then in 1865, came to Springfield and bought property on Monroe street, between Eleventh and Twelfth; remained here two years, then moved to Wilmington, Illinois, and opened the Braidwood coal mine, now owned by the Chicago and Wilmington Coal Company. He was director and superintendent for that company. In the spring of 1877, he came to Springfield and entered into a partnership with H. T. Tisdale, in the Sangamon County Dairy. They bought out H. H. Hawley, and now have their dairy just outside the city limits, southeast of the city, where they have the largest and most complete dairy in the county. They are farming over eight hundred acres, on which they keep a hundred cows for milking, and where they raise horses, cattle and hogs. They raise and keep the Short Horn grade of cows for dairy purposes. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb have five children, viz: Nellie, Belle, Louie, Harry and Natty. Mr. Whitcomb resides on the dairy farm. In politics he is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for James K. Polk, for President. The father of C. L. Whitcomb, Chamberlain Whitcomb, was born in Stockbridge, Vermont. He was a farmer. He held many offices in his township. In politics he was a Democrat, and died January, 1873. His wife, Eliza Taggard, was born in Stockbridge, Vermont. She is the mother of six children, four living. Mr. Whitcomb's mother is now in her seventy-seventh year, a hale and hearty old lady. Mr. C. L. Whitcomb is the present treassurer of Commissioners of Highways, in Woodside township.

The township of Talkingtou is situated in the southwestern part of the county, and was so named in honor of Job Talkington, one of the earliest settlers. The township comprises township thirteen, lying in ranges seven and eight, and has thirty-six whole and three fractional sections. The township was not generally so early settled as other parts of the county for the reason that the greater part of it is prairie, and from the further fact that speculators and others were deceived in regard to the location of the land. Being in Sangamon county the idea was that the lands would be subject to entry from the Springfield Land Office, whereas the record was in the land office at Edwardsville. The township now is regarded as one of the best in the county, was long considered by the early settlers as worthless, except for grazing purposes. The vast prairie would be fine for herding cattle, but being so far from timber it could never be settled. So reasoned all the early settlers, many of whom settled upon the poorest land to be found because it was in the timber. The rich prairies of Sangamon county for many years were uncultivated, save a few acres immediately adjoining a piece of timber. Many amusing incidents are related of how the early settlers avoided the prairie.

One of the first settlers of the township was William Eustace, who settled in the northwestern part about the year 1835. From 1838 to 1840, a settlement was made near the central part, by Abijah Pete, Theodore Watson, Asahel Coe and Hezekiah S. Gold. John AUsbury, Jacob Leonard, Daniel Leach, Debt Calhoun and a man by the name of Broady, made a settlement on John's creek, somewhere between 1840 and 1845. After this the township continued to settle up slowly, until after the Mexican War, when a number of land warrants were laid. About this time came in Elisha Tanner, Ephriam Wemple, Wm. T. Blaney, Amerious Blaney, Joseph Talkington, Michael Summer, James A. Summer, Henry Summer, Richard Fisher, David Haddix, Geo. W. Lowder, Enoch Haddix, Wm. L. Deatherage, Wm. Post and others.

From this time forward the township settled up rapidly, until at the present time it is about all under fence, and under a high state of cultivation. No better body of land can be found, and no farms are in a better state of cultivation, than those in Talkington. The land is high and rolling, giving a splendid drainage without being much broken. John's creek heads near the center of the township, and runs a little east of north. The soil of this township is exceedingly rich, averaging about three feet in depth. The greater part of the land is included in a kind of elevated plateau^ lyiog between Sugar and Apple creeks.

The township of Talkington was settled at too late a day to boast much of the traditional log school houses, dimly lighted and well ventilated, but primitively rude buildings, though the first building for school purposes was of that material, and erected in 1851, but at the time at which it was built, glass window lights had taken the place of greased j^aper.

The first school in what is now Talkington township was in the upper story of the dwelling house of Charles Hoppins, and was taught by Miss Parsons. There are now six good school houses in the township.

ebip, is unknown. Several ministers of different denominations came in about the same time. Among the first was John Allsbury, and services were first held in private dwellings and then in the school house. The brethren of the Methodist Episcopal Church were the first to organize and erect a house of worship, which they did in 186Y. It was located on the northwest corner of section twenty-one, about two and a half miles from the present village of Lowder. There are now two churches in the township. Living within convenient distance of the village of Virden, in Macoupin county, Waverly, in Morgan county, and Auburn, in Sangamon, the people have church privileges in abundance, and at their liking.

Talkington township, as an organic body, was set apart by a commission appointed by the Board of Justices of Sangamon county in 1861, and its first election for township officers was held in April of that year. The following named served in the several oflices given, and for the time mentioned: James E. Dodd, Supervisor; Benjamin F. Workman, Assessor; William P. Campbell, Collector; Robert D. Smith, Clerk; John R. Spires and J. W. Lowder, Justices of the Peace.

Village Of Lowdeb

George W. Lowder purchased a tract of land in and became a citizen of Sangamon county, and what is now Talkington township, in 1850. A sketch of Mr. Lowder will appear in connection with this chapter. In March, 1872, Mr. Lowder had surveyed and platted a new village, comprising a portion of the northwestern quarter of section twenty-six, township thirteen, range seven west. To this village was given the name of Lowder, in honor of its founder. It is situated on the line of the Jacksonville and Southeastern Railroad, and is tAventy-five miles from Jacksonville.

The location of the village is an excellent one, and it is surrounded by as fine a country as can be found in Sangamon county, or the State.

The first stores were occupied in the fall of 1872, by George W. Cox and William White, and in June, 1873, Mathew Lowder opened a store. Sanford Peck succeeded Cox & White. He sold to John W. Gray, and Mr. Lowder sold to Howard & Co.

to the post office department for the establishment of an office at this point. The application was favorably received, the office established and Charles Cowan was appointed postmaster. Mr. Cowan subsequently died and Sanford Peck was appointed to fill the vacancy. John W. Gray was next appointed and served for a short time, and was succeeded by William H. Beatty, the present incumbent.

The village of Lowder has now about two hundred inhabitants, and has a flourishing Methodist Episcopal Church, two blacksmith shops, a wagon shop and a store for the sale of general merchandise and two groceries.

At the depot is a large elevator for grain, of which a large quantity, two hundred and twentyfive cars), is annually shipped. W. H, Beatty is now, and has been for years, the resident buyer and shipper of grain. Mr. Beatty was also the first agent of the railroad company up to October 1, 1881. W. S. Warner is now agent.

The Methodist Episcopal Church building was erected in 1874, and is a neat frame house of worship, thirty by fifty feet. The class was organized in the winter of 1873-4. The regular services are held every two weeks, with Rev. A. C. Byerly as pastor. A prosperous Sunday school is held during the summer of each year.

Williain H. lieatty, Lowder, Illinois, was born in New York, December 28, 1837. When about eleven years old, he came to Illinois and lived on a farm in Jersey county some nine years, when he came to this county, in the fall of 1857, and settled on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, his father had entered in 1849, for $120. In 1866, the subject of this sketch bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Prospect, and M'ent to farming for himself. In March, 1872, he sold his farm, and came to Lowder, built an elevator, and has bought and shipped grain since; has been postmaster since May 15, J 879; is agent for the Jacksonville & Southeastern Railroad and the United States Express Company; is a member of the I. O. O. F., Auburn Lodge, No. 543. In politics, he is a Republican. He was married to Mary J. Christopher, March 8, 1866. She was born in Jersey county, Illinois, the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Fisher) Christopher, natives of Ohio. The father of Wm. H. Beatty was Francis Beatty, who was born in Ireland, County of Cavan. He came to America in 1837, and settled in New York City. His wife, S.arah, nee Argue, was also a native of Ireland, County of Monaghan. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which denomination William H.

Beatty and wife were also members. They have a family of three sons, viz.: Francis, William, and Edward S. Mr. Beatty owns a blacksmith shop, six lots, and a nice dwelling in Loami, where he resides. He has held numerous offices in his township; was justice of the peace four years.

William W. Brian was born October 13, 1827, near Waverly, Illinois. Ho remained on the farm with his father until he was eighteen years of age, when he bought an interest in a saw-mill, located in Macoupin county, four miles southeast of Palmyra, on Day's Prairie. June 25, 1856, he was married to Miss Ellen Duncan, who was born April 1, 1838, daughter of William Duncan, born in Kentucky, and who was in the Black Hawk war. Her mother was Clementine French, born in Kentucky. The father of William W. Brian, James Brian was born in Kentucky and came to Illinois in the fall of 1832. He was in the Black Hawk war. In politics, he was a Democrat. He died August 3, 1858. His wife, Elizabeth Stanley, was also born in Kentucky. Mrs. and Mr. W. H. Brian have had twelve children, eleven of whom are living, eight boys and four girls, viz: Adelia, Authur, Archie, Alvin, Alfred, Athen, Alvardo, Anderson, William, Nora, Eva and Lucy. Mrs. William Brian is a member of the Methodist Church at Prospect. Mr. Brian has his farm of five hundred and sixty acres under a high state of cultivation.

Leander M. Sumgarner, deceased, was born in North Carolina, November 14, 1819, where he was married to Elizabeth (Lowdermilk) Bumgarner, April 14, 1848; she was born in North Carolina January 30, 1824. She was a daughter of William Lowdermilk and Lavina (Robnet) Lowdermilk, who were natives of N^rth Carolina. In the fall of 1850, Mr. Bumgarner came with his young wife to Illinois, and settled in Morgan county, and in 1858 came to Sangamon county, and settled in Talkington township; he came to Illinois with only limited means but by hard work and close application to business had accumulated at his death, which occurred March 17, 1881, a fine farm of three hundred and ten acres, in section thirteen, Talkington township, where his wife and children reside; he was a member of the board of supervisors for two yearf, and respected by all who knew him, he and his wife had a family of twelve children, viz: Michael L., who married and resides on Lick creek; William T. born in Illinois, November 27, 1846, married Miss Mary Loveless, December 30, 1869; she was a daughter of William and Mar}^ A. (Bel.) Loveless, and was born in Macoupin county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. T. Bumgarner are members of the Baptist Church, and have had four children, two living, viz: Maria A,, and Samuel L. Mr. Wm. Bumgarner is a member of the Masonic lodge at Virden, Illinois; after William was Winfield S., who married Jennie, daughter of Anions and Atha J. (Organ) West; Amanda J., Augustus, Leander M., Jane J., Moliie E., now the wife of James Clayton; Libbie E., Thomas S., and Leafy S. The family are members of the Baptist Church.

William P. Campbell, Talkington township, section eleven, was born April 7, 1846, near Loami; lived there until he was twenty-five years of age, when he married Miss Sarah Dodd, who was born in Bradley county, Tennessee, December 11, 1846; he then bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Talkington township, section eleven, where he now lives. Mr. C. and wife have had four children, three of whom are living, one boy and two girls. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, No. 354, at Auburn, Illinois; has been township collector since 1879, and school director of the John's Creek school for the past nine years. In politics he is a Democrat. He and wife are members of the South Fork M. E. Church. His father, William P. Campbell, Sr.,was of Scotch descent. He was sergeant in the Black Hawk war, and died August 24, 1868. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Carson, born in Sangamon county, December 25, 1825, of Scotch descent. She is still living on the old homestead in Loami township. The father of Mrs. Wm. P. Campbell, was Charles Dunn, who was born in Knox county, Tennessee, June 19, 1811. He came to Sangamon county at aji early day, and settled on a farm in Loami township, where he still resides; he is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 354, at Auburn. His wife was Mary T. Jones, born in North Carolina February 5, 1816. They were married February 24, 1831, and had a family of twelve children.

George Evans Cole, 31. D., at Lowder, Illinois, was born near Tiffin, Ohio, March 3, 1848. He remained on the farm with his father until he was of age; he attended college at Tiffin until 1873, when he came to Illinois, and taught school in Montgomery and Sangamon counties until 1876, when he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Spaulding, at Virden, Illinois; he graduated and received his diploma at Cleveland, Ohio, February, 28, 1879. He then came to Lowder, Illinois, where he commenced the practice of medicine. His father, Elisha

Cole, was born November 28, 1801, in Fairfield county, Ohio; in politics, he was a Democrat, and a member of the M. E. Church; he died in February, 1880; his wife, Priscilla (Evans) Cole, was born in Virginia; she is still living, in Seneca county, Ohio, and is a member of the M. E. Church. George Cole is a Mason, being a member of Eden Lodge, No. 310, in Eden township, Seneca county, Ohio. In politics the Doctor is a Republican.

Charles Coicen, was born in New Hampshire, November 27, 1829. He was a son of John and Mary (Cory) Cowen, of that State. Charles Cowen came to Illinois and settled in this county in December, 1852, when he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was married to Miss Cynthia E. Keller, September 4, 1851, at Jerseyville, Illinois. They had eight children. Mr. Cowen was a Republican in politics, and the first postmaster at Lowder. He was a member of the M. E. Church. He died April 6, 1874. Cynthia E. Cowen was born at Jerseyville, Illinois, February 8, 1832. She is living with her family on the old homestead; has her farm well stocked, and all under good cultivation. Her father, William Keller, was born in 1801. Mrs. Cowen says when she first came to Sangamon county the prairie had a wild appearance, the settlers being very far apart. They went to Waverly to mill. Their first church was at the log school house, which was a very small building, door and ceiling very low, and the tall people had to bow their heads to get inside. Bird England was the first preacher. He had about twelve members, of different denominations. This church, or log school house stood where Prospect now is. Their second preacher was Balden, who preached there a short time, they having no regular preacher in those times. Balden was a very tall man, and a loud talker, a regular old school Methodist. The room being small, the members had no trouble in hearing him. He traveled as circuit rider, going from settlement to settlement. Mrs. Cowen's family are as follows: Mrs. Laura A. Hamel, living in Kansas; John C, also in Kansas; Wilburn E., Frank W., Kosa J. Minnie E., Lizzie M. and James S.

fTesse Danlei/, farmer and stock raiser, was born near Girard, Macoupin county, on a farm, July 28, 1842. His father died when he was about twelve years old. He remained on the farm with his mother some two years, then came to Sangamon county and worked out by the month until he was nineteen years old, when he enlisted as a private in Company I, Third Illinois Cavalry

Volunteers; was promoted Sergeant, then First Lieutenant, in Company H, Third Illinois Volunteers; was mustered out in October, 1865. He then worked by the month and rented laud about two years, then married Miss Mary Van Wormer, in December, 1867. She was born in New York State, August 25, 1841. Mrs. Danley's parents were natives of Kentucky. They had nine children, five sons and four daughters. Three sons and three daughters are yet living. Mr. and Mrs Jesse Danley have two sons and two daughters.

John J. Ennis, an agriculturalist and stock breeder, of Talkington township, is a native of Sangamon county, and was born January 24, 1824. His grandfather, Jesse C. Ennis, was one of the very earliest settlers in this part of Illinois and died in what is now Jersey county, at the advanced age of ninety-five years. The parents of our subject were William and Sarah (Weyatte) Ennis, who were parents of seven children. They moved from Sangamon to Morgan county, thence to Greene county, and finally settled near Burlington, Iowa, where Mr. Ennis died when John was nineteen years of age, and soon after John J. Ennis returned with his mother to Sangamon county; she died soon after in Morgan county. Some years later we find Mr. Ennis engaged in lumbering and boating on the Illinois river, which he continued for about twelve years. He was married in Jersey county, Illinois, in 1845, to Sarah J. Hughes; after this event he engaged in farming, and about twentyfive years ago he came to his present farm, in Talkington township, then only wild prairie, but now one of the most beautiful farms in Sangamon county; it embraces one hundred and eightyfour acres, for which he has declined 870 per acre. His wife died about fourteen years ago; he has remained unmarried since. Mr. Ennis has long been identified with the Old Settlers' Association, of Sangamon county, and at present is acting as vice president of that association for Talkington township. For the past eighteen years he has been a member of Lodge No. 361, of the Masonic Order. Mr. Ennis stands high in the Masonic Order, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends, and is known by his neighbors as a man of uncompromising integrity. In politics, he is a Democrat.

Sedgwic H. Gold was born in Cornwall, Connecticut, September 16, 1807. He was raised on a farm until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Washington. Connecticut, and taught school one winter. He then traveled south two or three years, during the administration of General Jackson, and the time of his trouble with the Cherokee Indians. In the spring of 1830 he went to New York City, wheie he remained one year, and sold a patent cooking apparatus, which his brother had invented while attending school at Yale College. From New York he returned to his home in Cornwall township, Connecticut, where he remained one year, and married Chloe Ann Pete, September 6, 1836. In 1838, he, with his father-in-law, Abijah Pete, Theodore Watson and Asahel Coe (the last two mentioned are living in Waverly) came overland to Waverly, Illinois. Sedgwic H. Gold left his wife at Waverly and came to this county and worked with William Eustis, and helped start a settlement. The next summer he bought fifty acres of Eustis, in section four; he and wife moved upon it, and started a farm, on which he now lives. His wife was born April 26, 1812; she was a daughter of Abijah Pete, who was born in Warren county, Connecticut. He came to Illinois in 1838, and his wife, Lucy (Curtis) was born also in Warren county, Connecticut.

The father of Sedwic H. was Benjamin Gold, who was born in Cornwall, Connecticut. At the age of fourteen he started on the march to enlist as a soldier in the Revolntionary War. The surgeons examined him and found one of his legs had been injured by his jumping from a fence on a sharp snag, making it weak. He afterwards received a commission from the Governor, John Cottonsmith, appointing him Major of the Civil Grays. He was a Federal, and a deacon in the Congregational Church. His wife, Eleanor Pierce, was born in Cornwall. Sedgwic H. has been a member of the Congregational Church at Waverly, Illinois, since 1839. In politics, he is a Republican. He enlisted in Company K, Second Artillery Illinois Volunteers, and served the full term. His son, Henry M. Gold, was in Company I, Fourteenth Illinois Volunteers and died from a shot received from the accidental discharge of a musket. His son, Marion S. Gold, enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and First Illinois Volunteers. Mr. G. had three sons - Herry M., (deceased) born July 25, 1837, Marion S., born December 1, 1842, and Ethel E., born February 9, 1847. The latter is President of the Gold Heating Company, of New York. Mr. Gold is now in his seventy-fourth year, a hale, hearty old man.

JoJm iJavis Haggard was born July 5, 1815, on a farm in Murry county, Tennessee. When seven years of age he came with his parents to Illinois and settled in Morgan county, near Waverly; lived on the farm with his father until he was eighteen years of age, when he married Nancy J. Clack. He lived with his father one year, then broke sod-prairie seven years in Morgan and Sangamon counties; rented land two or three years, then bought a farm of forty-one acres, raw prairie; lived on this farm until 1877, when he sold out and opened a grocery store in Roodhouse, sold his store one year later, and returned to this county and bought four lots in Lowder, where he still resides. He has been constable twenty-seven years, and in politics, he is a Democrat. He was a son of Edmund Haggard, who was a Mason, and member of the Christian Church. His wife, Elizabeth (Andrews) Haggard, was a member of Christian Church also, and mother of ten children, seven boys and three girls.

Victor M. Kenny was born at Georgetown, Kentucky, September 30, 1846. In November, 1872, he came to New Berlin, Illinois, and opened astoreof general merchandise; remained there until March 1, 1880, when he came to Lowder, and opened a store. His father, Joseph B. Kenny, was born near Paris, Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1806. His wife, Lavina Lander, was born in 1808, near Paris Kentucky, She and husband still live at Georgetown. Victor M. Kenny was married to Miss Agnes W. Warren, of Jacksonville, Illinois, February 24, 1869. They have four children. Mrs. Kenny was a daughter of Colonel W. B. and Annis (Price) Warren. The former was born March 1, 1802, at Georgetown, Scott county, Kentuck^^ He was Major in the Hardin regiment in the Mexican War. Hardin was killed, and Warren was made the Colonel of the regiment; was Clerk in the Supreme Court at Springfield eighteen years; died April 12, 1865, at Jacksonville, Illinois. His wife was born February 2, 1811, at Georgetown, Kentucky, and died May 25, 1873. She was a member of the Episcopal Church. Victor M. Kenny acd wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church at Berlin, Illinois, and have had four children, viz.: Joseph B., William W., Anna, and Lou B.

Daniel B. Kessler was born in Morgan county, Illinois, March 20, 1825; lived there on a farm until his father's death, October 1828. His mother was again married to John Kosner. Daniel B. lived with his mother until he was twenty-five years of age; August 8, 1850, he married Sarah J, Stuart, who was born in Wythe county, Virginia; she was a daughter of Robert Stuart, of Irish descent, born in the same county, and Catharine (Flora) Stuart, of Scotch descent.

also of Virginia. D. B. Kessler, was the son of Daniel Kessler, born in Baltimore, Maryland, who was a farmer and blacksmith. He settled in Auburn township in the fall of 1820, and was the first blacksmith in Auburn. His wife, was Katherine (Black) Kessler. D. B. Kessler and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and had thirteen children, nine are living.

Austin Landon was born on a farm near Jersey ville, Illinois, December 23, 1839. He remained on this farm with his father until of age, when he worked for himself in Jersey county some four years, then came to this county and bought a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Auburn township; lived there one year, then bought three hundred and twenty acres in Talkington township, section twenty-four, on which he now resides. He also owns four hundred and eighty acres in Auburn township. He was married to Miss Alma Argo, March 27, 1866. She was born in Fulton county, October 15, 1845, and was the daughter of William Argo, born in Ohio, and died June 1, 1865. His wife was Clarisa (Bigelow) Argo, of Ohio, and mother of ten children. She died May 5, 1862. Father of Austin, Wm. D. Landon, was born in Vermont, and died February 11, 1873. His wife, Alvira Corry, born also in Vermont, was a member of the Baptist Church, and mother of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Austin Landon are members of the M. E. Church at Lowdei-, Illinois, and have one child, Clara E. Mr. Landon has his two farms of eight hundred acres all under good cultivation. In politics he is a Republican.

William Lowder Avas born near Jerseyville, Illinois, August 22, 1832. He remained on this farm until he was nine years of age, when he removed with his father to Jerseyville, where he attended school and worked on his father's farm until he was about twenty years of age, when he came with his father to this county, and settled in Talkington township. He remained with his father until his marriage to Miss Sarah J. Vanwormer, April 14, 1858. She was born in the city of New York, and was a member of the M. E. Church, and died May 4, 1873. Her parents were Isaac and Sarah (Vizer) Vanwoi*- mer. William Lowder is a son of George W. Lowder, Sr., born in Kentucky, and Alpha A. Whismon. They had seven children. Mr. Lowder had six children, four are living, one boy and three girls. He is a farmer and has his farm under good cultivation. In politics he is a Democrat.

George Washington Lmoder, son of William, and Margaret (Harris) Lowder, was born in 1805, in Harlan county, Kentucky. When an infant, his father moved into Lee county, Virginia, and settled in Powell's Valley. Here, when he was about ten years old, Mr. Lowder's mother died, upon which event, his father, for the time being, broke up housekeeping, and the subject of this biography found a temporary home with his aunt, Henrietta Kelley, at which place he had a kind of general home till of age, spending the time of his minority in working as a laborer, and in the winter seasons going to such schools as were then afforded. So strong were his desires to obtain an education, that he seized with avidity upon every occasion of improving his mind and acquiring information. He succeeded in obtaining a fair business education and a mental training equal to the facilities afforded.

In the fall of 1825, he came to the American Bottom of this State, and engaged in chopping wood till the spring of 1826, at which time he went to Boone county, Missouri, with the expectation of going to Santa Fe; but, failing to make suitable arrangements, he remained in Boone county till fall, then went to Montgomery county, where he spent the winter. In the month of March, of 1827, he started back to Virginia, via Illinois. He stopped with a friend in Greene county (a part now included in Jersey), with whom he remained for a time, recuperating from a former attack of sickness. While here, he abandoned the purpose of returning to Virginia, being charmed with the country, as welt as one of its fairest daughters. Accordingly, in the year 1828, he married Miss Alpha, daughter of Michael and Anna Whisman, who was ever to him a faithful and loving wife. This union was blessed with the birth of eight children, five living: Matthew, born January 17, 1830; William, August 22, 1832; Mrs. Lavinia (John) Squires, October 14, 1834; Mrs. Harriet D. (James) Lowder, January 14, 1838, and George Washington, February 15, 1840. Clarinda, Gilbert, and Mary A. died in childhood.

August, 1859, Mr. Lowder moved into Talkington township, where he had entered a tract of land, a part of section twenty-two. He now resides in the new and enterprising town of Lowder, which he laid off, and after whom it was named.

December 24, 1861, Mr. Lowder had the misfortune to lose his wife, the companion of his youth, a noble, devoted, Christian woman. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian

The Lowder tamily is German in original nationality. The ancestry came to this country before the Revolutionary War, and were patriots in our struggles for freedom and independence. John Lowder, Mr. Lowder's grandfather, was a soldier of the "Continental army." After the close of the war, he continued to reside in North Carolina, where he died. He raised quite a family of sons: John, Samuel, Joseph, Joshua, William, Caleb, Nathan, and Job.

William, Mr. Lowder's father, raised the following children: Matthew, Nathan, George W., James, William, and Sarah. Matthew resides in Texas, James in Kentucky, and George W. in Illinois. The others are dead.

Mr. Lowder may be put down as one of the representative men of his township, both on account of the time of his settlement, and as a man of enterprise and business.

He followed farming up to 1843, at which time he was elected county clerk for Jersey county, and held the office fourteen consecutive years. He served, Ave believe, two years as collector before being elected to the first-mentioned office. He has served a number of years as justice of the peace.

Though in his seventy-sixth year, he is hale and hearty, his mind clear and vigorous, and he bids fair to live a number of years, honored and respected among his fellow-citizens, and loved by his children and relatives. " Few men have passed through life more agreeably in associations, or enjoyed to a greater degree the confidence and respect of neighbors and fellow-citizens. This is to be accounted for in part, if not entirely, by living in after-life up to a principle of action, adopted in boyhood, when thrown upon his own resources, immediately after the death of his mother, the resolve was, " to be temperate, truthful, true to a trust, self-sacrificing rather than contend, and to be pleasant and agreeable without yielding aTiy principle of conscience."

William S. McConnaughy was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1836, where he attended school and learned the machinist's trade until he was twenty years of age ; he then went to work as stoker, or third engineer, on steamboats of the Pittsburg and Cincinnati Union Lire, worked at this business eight or nine years, when he enlisted in Company I, Sixth United States Cavalry, this was in the spring of 1861. He fought the Indians on the plains under General Connor; was mustered out in October, 1866, when he came to Jersey county, Illinois, and fol-" lowed farming some eight or nine years. He is now running a grocery and provision store for H. C. Cooper, at Lowder. Mr. McConnaughy was married to Sarah A. Cooper, July 26, 1868; she was born in Carrolton, Greene county, Illinois, in November, 1850, and was a daughter of Thomas Cooper, born in Yorkshire, England, July 3, 1811, and came to the United States when quite young. He was married lo Mary Colwell, a native of Kentucky, and is now living in Lowder. Thomas McConnaughy, father of William, was born in Pennsylvania ; he was a stock dealer. His wife, Mary A. Richardson^ was born in Canada, was a member of the Methodist Church, and the mother of seven children. Mr. and Mrs. McConnaughy have four children, viz.: John F., William T., Francis E. and Maude D. In politics, Mr. McConnaughy is a Republican.

Alferd W. Monlton, was born near Columbus, Mississippi, December 27, 1832, among the Choctaw Indians, his father being a missionary in that tribe. When two years old, his father went with the Indians as they were moved to» the Choctaw reservation in the Indian Nation. In 1838, his father came to Bloomington, Illinois, a place then of only two hundred inhabitants. He lived there five or six years, then came to Waverly, Morgan county, where he worked on a farm his father had bought in 1848. When twenty-one years of age, he rented land in Sangamon county, and followed farming for himself about three years, then bought one hundred and sixty acres of prairie in Macon county, near Decatur, Illinois, for which he paid $1,600. He broke the prairie and kept it one year, and sold it for $2,600. He then came back to Sangamon county, and rented a farm of two hundred and forty acres of Theo. Curtis for three years, when he moved to Christian coirnty and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie. He remained there five years, then sold and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Sangamon county, this township; lived on that farm five years, sold out, and bought another farm of one hundred and sixty acres, also in this township. In four years he traded this farm for twa hundred and twenty acres, on which he now re sides, paying |2,400 difference.

He was married to Amanda Morgan, April 7, 1858, and they had one son and two daughters, one son and daughter now living: Charles P., and Ida M. Mrs. Moulton was a member of the M. E. Church; she died in 1864. December 7, 1866, Mr, Moulton was married to Sarah C.

Metcalf, who was born in Morgan county, Illinois, September 30, 1842, a daughter of Patterson Metcalf, a farmer born near Jacksonville, Illinois, and Emily, nee Wilhite, born in Virginia. They were both members of the M. E. Church, and had a family of five children. Alfred W. Moulton and his wife Sarah, nee Metcalf, have had four sons, one of whom is living - William H. Mr. M. has his farm of two hundred and twenty acres under good cultivation.

William Plov:man was born in Sommerset, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1828; lived there until he was fourteen years of age, when his father came to Illinois, and settled on a farm nine miles west of Jerseyville, Illinois, where he remained until his father's death. He went to California in the spring of 1852; worked in the mines some six years, then he returned to Macoupin county, and bought a farm of eighty acres; afterwards improved sixty acres in the same county which he sold six years ago, and bought eighty acres in Talkington township, section thirty-six, on which he now lives. His farm of one hundred and sixty acres is divided by the county line, eighty acres in Macoupin county, and eighty in i^angamon.

David Plowman, father of William, was born in Maryland, was a member of the Christian Church; he died in 1849. His wife, Sarah (Probst) Plowman, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a member of the Christian Church; had thirteen children. William Plowman is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics a Democrat. He was married to Miss Charlotte Williams, March 24, 1859; she was born in Greene county, Illinois, May 8, 1833, and was the daughter of James Williams, born in Hawkins county, Tennessee. He was in the War of 1812, and in the Black Hawk war. He was a farmer by occupation. His wife, Lucy (Crittenden) Williams; was born in Culpepper county, Virginia; was a member of the Christian Church; she had twelve children; she died November 15, 1854.

y^illiam M. Jioberts, was born near Jonesboro, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1817, where he remained until 1832, when he came with his parents to Menard county, Illinois, and settled near Old Franklin, he remained here until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Iowa; one year after returned home and April 6, 1840, married Miss Jane Seymour. The fruits of this marriage is eight children; after bis marriage Mr.

Roberts bought a farm of sixty acres, in Morgan county, and in 1868, sold out and bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Talkington township, Sangamon county, where he still resides. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church forty-one years. William Roberts, father of William H., was born in 1796; he was a shoemaker by trade, but owned and run a farm; he was a local preacher, and was in the War of 1812, under Old Hickory Jackson, and died February 26, 1858; his wife, Eva (Euble) Roberts, born in Tennessee in 1795, and died October 24, 1880; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church eighty years, having joined that church when sixteen years of age. Mrs. Roberts, wife of W. H., was born near Old Franklin, Morgan county, Illinois, in 1817, she died November 25, 1865; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Roberts on January 16, 1868, married Mrs. Elsie Hart, her maiden name was Elsie Cox, she was a daughter of Harris and Nancy (McClelland) Cox, who were old settlers of Morgan county, Illinois. John Roberts, son of W. H. Roberts, enlisted in the One Hundred and First Regiment, Company H, Illinois Volunteers, and was shot in the battle at Resaca, Georgia, he died of this wound on July 12, 1881.

John Skehan was born in Tipperary county, Ireland, November 22, 1830; worked on a farm until twenty-one years of age, when he emigrated to this country alone, landing in New Orleans, and came to St. Louis on the boat, Illinois. Followed the butcher trade in St. Louis two years. The cholera breaking out, he took three butchermen, one Irishman and a Frenchman to Potosi, Wisconsin, where they purchased a flat-boat and loaded it with potatoes at twenty-five cents per bushel, and cabbages at |!2.50 per hundred; took the boat to Keokuk, Iowa, and there transferred their produce to a steamer, to St. Louis; they then sold out, sold their potatoesat $3 per bushel and cabl)age8 at $20 per hundred, realizing a considerable profit. They then took the flat-boat, which had been towed down to St. Louis, to Quincy, and boated wood down to that city from the bay, some nine miles above, for one year, when he returned to St. Louis, worked in ihe stone-yard and helped build the old custom house; in 1856, he came to Illinois and bought a house and two acres of land, at Waverly, Morgan county, Illinois. He butchered and traded until 1865, when he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sangamon county, Talkington township, section seven; lived there two years, then sold to Ebenezer Saccad,'and bought one hundred acres of land from Uliss Lindley, to which he has since added one hundred and sixty making a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, all under cultivation. In politics, he is a Democrat. Has been tax collector and commissioner of highways. He is a member of the Catholic Church. Was maiTied to Ellen Sweany, in St. Louis, in December, 1856. She was born in Ireland, Tipperary county, May 20, 1S26. They have two daughters. The father of John Skehan was Patrick Skehan, born in Ireland, and died in September, 1879. His mother was Joanna (Toomay) Skehan, born in Ireland and died in June, 1849. Timothy Sweany, father of Ellen (Sweany) Skehan, and Margaret (Handerhan) Sweany, her mother, were born in Ireland. John Skehan helped raise Company G, one hundred and First Illinois Volunteers. He was a strong Union man. He was not in the army, but did all he could for t' e cause.

John R. Spires, son of John and Melinda (Sturgis) Spires, was born October 13, 1835, in Morgan county, Illinois, where he was raised and educated. Here, also, he married, June 9, 1859, Miss Sarah A., daughter of Rev. Thomas J. and Eliza (Weller) Conley, of Macoupin county, Illinois, by whom he has three children: Thomas J., born April 16, 1860; Melinda J., July 31, 1864, and Mary E., May 11, 1868. The eldest two were born in Morgan, and the last mentioned in Sangamon county, where Mr. Spires moved in the spring of 1867.

While residing in Morgan county, Mr. Spires bought his first farm, a tract of one hundred and thirty-six acres, which he sold just prior to his removal into the county where he now resides. He now owns a splendid farm of two hundred acres, under good improvements, and in a fine state of tillage and well stocked; one hundred and sixty acres of this is comprised in Talkington township, and forty acres lie just across the line in Macoupin county.

Mr. Spires is one of the representative men of his township, being a teacher, farmer and stock dealer. He is kept pretty busy, but he manages to make everything prosper to a complete success. Though now only thirty-eight years old, he has taught seventeen winter terms, and has never applied for a single one of them. Higher commendations than this would be extravagant. It could not, indeed, well be given. He and his wife are both members of the Baptist Church, in which denomination they have the best religious standing.

grandfather, was a lad in the Revolutionary War. He was also an old settler in Kentucky, where he died, and where he raised quite a family of children, viz: John, Polly, Nancy, William, Catharine, James and Bailey, are the names now remembered.

John, Mr. Spires's father, yet living, is one of the old settlers of Morgan county. He came into this county, in the year (1832) after the deep snow; he yet occupies the old home place on the north fork of Apple creek. He raised the following children: William T., Mrs. Phebe (Allen) Conley, deceased; Mrs. Polly (Joseph) Lombard, Mrs. Sarah P., present wife of Allen Conley; John R., James B., Mrs. Anna W. (Edward) Seymour, Henry M., Harvey, and Miss Mary E. Of these, WiLiam T., James B., Anna, Harvey, and Mary, reside in Morgan, and John R. and Sarah in Sangamon county. The others are dead.

Henry S. Stone was born in Rutherford county, Tenn., February 20, 1820; lived there until eight or nine years of age, when he came with his father to Illinois, and settled in Greene county, upon a farm near Carrollton; lived there until the fall of 1855, when he moved upon a farm in Macoupin coimty; remained there some five years, then bought a farm of two hundred and fifty acres in this township, where he still lives. He is a son of Thomas Stone, who was born in Virginia. He was in the War of 1812, under Jackson. His wife, Cassie (Owen) Stone, was born in North Carolina, and was a member of the Baptist Church. She has had twelve children. Henry S. was married to Miss Mary Hall in 1855. She is the mother of nine children, seven boys and two girls. Mrs. Stone was born in Greene county, Illinois, May 19, 1834, a daughter of Thomas Hall, who was born in North Carolina. He was a member of the Baptist Church; was in the War of 1812, and died March 19, 1855. His wife, Mary (McVeigh) Hall, was born in Tennessee; was a member or the Baptist Church and the mother of seven children. She still lives at Virden, Illinois, Mr. Henry Stone is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics is a Democrat. He holds the offices of school director and commissioner of highways. In the spring of 1852, he went overland to California, with a party who were three months on the road; w^as there three years.

hundred and forty acres, in section thirty-three, where he now lives. He was married to Susan Thompson December 14, 1858. She was a daughter of Thomas and Eveline (Bowers) Thompson, who were members of the Baptist Church, and had thirteen children; she died October 23, 1862. Mr. Taylor was then married August 2*7, 1863, to Rebecca J. Brickey, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Rawls) Brickey, natives of Virginia. James R. Taylor, father of Walter, was born in Anderson county, Tennessee, in 1810. He was a member of the Christian Church, and died June 2, 1880. He was married twice. His first wife, Tabitha Akers, was born in Tennessee, and died in 1847. He was then married to his second wife in 1857. She was the mother of four children; two girls and one boy are now living. She died January 1, 1877. Mr. Taylor and wife have two daughters. He has his farm ot two hundred and forty acres under good cultivation.

Benjamin F. ^Workman was born near Quincy, Illinois, May, 1841. His father dying four years after, he went to his uncle in Quincy, and attended school there until he was twelve years old, when his mother married John Irwin, and moved on a farm near Jerseyville, Illinois. He lived there with his mother until December, 1869, when he bought a farm in Talkington township, section one, where he now resides. He is a son of Henry L. Workman, who was born in North Carolina; he was a farmer by occupation, and in politics a Whig; was a member of the M. E. Church; he died July 25, 1845; his wife, Nancy Brown, was born in Jersey county, Illinois, near Jerseyville; she is living at Rock Bridge, Greene county.

Mr. B. F. Workman was married to Miss Alice Landon, November 20, 1862; she is the daughter of William D. Landon, born in Addison county, Vermont; he was a farmer, and in politics a Republican; he died in February, 1852; his wife, Elvira Cory, was born in Vermont, and had twelve children - six boys and six girls - she is still living, near Jerseyville, Illinois.

Mr. and Mrs. Workman have had six children, > four of whom are living, one boy and three girls. He has held the office of road commissioner and assessor; in politics he is a Democrat; he is a member of the Second Advent Church, at Auburn, Illinois.

William B. 'Worth was born in Adair county, Kentucky, August 4, 1825, near Columbia, on a farm; father moved with him to Morgan county, near Jacksonville, Illinois, in the fall of 1829. He remained on the farm with his father until twenty-one years old, then worked for Peter Updike two years; was then married to Sarah Baldwin, and they had ten children, five of whom are living - three sons and two daughters. After his marriage he rented a farm of Captain Brown, in Sangamon county, near Old Berlin, lived there one year, then moved back on his father's farm one year, then rented a farm in Macoupin county one year. He then entered a farm of eighty acres, in Sangamon county, this township; lived there some twenty years; sold out and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in section thirty-three, where he still lives.

His father was John D. Worth, born in Botetourt county, Virginia, and was in the Black Hawk war, and justice of the peace eighteen years in Morgan county. He died in 1854, in that county. His wife, Elizabeth (Hopkins) Worth, was born in Virginia. Mr. Worth has been road commissioner seven years. His wife was born in Virginia, September 16, 1825, and was the daughter of Thomas Baldwin, born in North Carolina, March 12, 1796, and died November 26, 1879. His wife, Nancy (Brizentine) Worth, was born in Virginia and died February 13, 1881.

The township of Wheatfield was set off from Illiopolis in 1875, and its history is therefore identified with it from the beginning, almost to the present time. The township of Illiopolis being so large, about seventy-two square miles, it was thought best for the convenience of all concerned, that it should be divided, and accordingly three and one-half tiers of sections on the west was set off and given the name, Wheatfield. The township embraces about thirtyseven sections.

The whole of the township, save a small part on the south, adjoining the Sangamon river, is a beautiful undulating prairie. The soil is a heavy, black loam, and is unsurpassed by any in the State. The productions of Wheatfield rank among the highest of the townships of the county.

Wlieattield was among the last townships in the county to be settled, for the reason so little timber was to be had. The first settlers located along the edge of the timber, near the Sangamon river. Among the first were Reuben Bullard and his two sons, John and Wesley; James Hampton, William Gragg, Samuel Dickerson, John Churchill, and others.

Reuben BuUard was born December 22, 1792, in Caroline county, Virginia. He went to Woodford county, Kentucky, in 1787, and to Shelby county in 1790. He was there married in 1803, to Elizabeth Gill, who was born October 30, 1779, near Charlestown, Virginia. They had eight children in Kentucky, four of whom, Eliza, Lucinda, Richard and Nancy J., died there, between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five years. Mrs. Elizabeth Bullard died January G, 1835, and Reuben Bullard, with three of his children, came to Sangamon county, arriving in November, 1835, in what is now Wheatfield township, one son having come before. Reuben Bullard died September 6, 1836, in Sangamon county.

His father's name was Reuben Bullard. He was in the Revolutionary army as a non-combatant, and lost his life by drinking too freely of cold water while he was overheated. He made a gun, which he gave to his son, whose name heads this sketch. It is now (1874) in possession of a son of John Bullard - Reuben S - the fourth generation from the man who made it. The brass plate opposite the lock bears the inscription, R. B., 1772. It is a smooth bore; the barrel is four feet eight inches long, and the whole gun is six feet one inch. An anecdote is related of it, that when the boys of a former generation used the gun, they always hunted in pairs, one to do the shooting and the other to see that the marksman did not get the muzzle beyond the game.

Jesse A. Pickrell was born June 3, 1805, in Montgomery county, Kentucky, and came to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in the spring of 1828, being the first of the family to come to the State. He stopped for a time in Mechanicsburg township, and then settled on section eight, township sixteen, range two west, what is now Wheatfield township. Mr. Pickrell was an enterprising man, and was among the first to introduce improved breeds of cattle, hogs and other stock into Sangamon county, and was one of the most extensive farmers and stock raisers in the county. Mrs. Pickrell died February 2, 1878.

Its proximity to several villages make it unnecessary for the building of country churches, as the inhabitants of the township can each select their place of worship with that religious denomination that best suits their religious convictions. There is one good church edifice in the township, named Bethel, property of the Christian denomination.

Wheatfield Station

For the convenience of the inhabitants, a station was located on section eight, by the railroad company. Sevei'al houses have been built around the station, making a small village. A store was opened in 1874, by David O'Conner. It is now owned by Jno. T. Sudduth, who carries a fine line of staple and fancy dry goods and groceries, such as are usually found in a country store.

A large elevator was erected here in 1878, and is now owned and operated by E. R. Ulrich, of Springfield, one of the most extensive dealers in grain in this section of the State. The annual shipments of grain amount to about three hundred thousand bushels, equal to one thousand car loads.

In 1861, an office was established at the station, with Jesse A. Pickrell as postmaster. Mr. Pickrell kept the office at his house about five years. John T. Sudduth is the present postmaster.

Charles Black is a son of Joseph and Pleasant Black; the former was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and the latter, whose maiden name was Pleasant Newhouse, was a native of Virginia. They were of Irish and English extraction, were married in Ohio about 1815, and had seven children, as follows: Mary A., born in 1816; Elizabeth, born in 1818; Charles, the subject of this sketch, was born April 20, 1820; Joseph, born in 1822; Andrew, born in 1824; Sarah, born in 1826; Pleasant J., born December 13, 1828; Andrew died about 1845; the father and mother died in Ohio, mother in 1830. Charles was married September 5, 1869, to Alice Sprinkle, daughter of Michael and Catharine Spinkle, and was boi-n in Arkansas, June 17, 1850, and came with her parents to this county in 1860. Their three children are, Katie, born October 11, 1870, Charley A., August 8, 1874 and Oliver, April 24, 1878. Kate died August 31, 1872. Mrs. Black's father died August 13, 1867. Mr. Black owns five hundred and twenty acres of land valued at $50 an acre. His early educational advantages were not so good; but he attended Greenfield Academy two years ; wife's educational advantages were also good. They are members of the United Brethren Church, and in politics are Republicans.

Wesley Bullard is a son of Reuben and Elizabeth Bullard. The former was born in Caroline county, Virginia, in 1772, and the latter in 1778, in Jefferson county, Virginia. The mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Gill, the daughter of James and Nancy Gill. Mr. Reuben Bullard and Elizabeth Gill were married in Shelby county, Kentucky, in 1804. They had eight children, as follows: John, Eliza, Lucinda, Mary A., Richard, Sarah Agnes, Wesley, and Nancy J. Eliza died in Kentucky, as also Lucinda, Richard, and Nancy J., and likewise the mother. The subject of this sketch was born in Kentucky, July 28, 1816, and came with his father to this county in 1835, and bought and entered land where he now resides. On March 23, 1843, he married Sarah Foster, daughter of Henry and Jane Foster, who were all born in Kentucky, she on July 18, 1824, and came with her parents to Putnam county, Indiana, in 1827. On a visit to Sangamon county in 1842, she met Mr. B. and became his wife, as above stated. They had eight children, all sons. Their names are as follows: William H., born August 16, 1844; James R., October 10, 1846; John N., October 29, 1848; Francis B., September 19, 1850; Samuel A., March 25, 1853; George W., July 31, 1855; Benjamin F., February 23, 1858, and Foster, February 13, 1861. James died July 13, 1876. Mrs. Sarah B. died February 13, 1861, and Mr. B, married Mrs. Elizabeth Holsman, daughter of Robert and Julia Kidd, August 6, 1863. She was born in Virginia, May 7, 1828. They have had two children: Julia, born February 4, 1867, and Robert A., August 3, 1871. Mr. B, owns three hundred and fifty acres of land, valued at $50 an acre. He has been supervisor of lUiopolis and Wheatfield townships five years. Mr. B.'s early educational advantages were limited. William II., his oldest son, was a member of the Seventy-third Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the late war, and served three years, to the close of the war.

Wm. S. Bullard, was born January 7, 1841, and was a son of John and Sarah S. (Fallice) Bullard, the former born in Shelby county, Kentucky, October 10, 1805, the latter in St. Louis county, Missouri, in 1810. They were married in Kentucky, and came to Illinois on boiseback, making a practical "bridle tour." They were the parents of ten children, viz.: George W., John W., Nancy F., William S., Reuben S., Edna E., Lucinda J., Wilber C, Jacob B., and Henry S. William S., was married December 28, 1871, to Miss Elizabeth S., a native of Sangamon county, Illinois. Her father, John Zane, was born in New Jersey in 1805; her mother born at the same place in 1811. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. BuUard have had two children, viz.: Leatha Irene, born May 3, 1873, died in 1874, and Mary, born March 7, 1875. Mrs. B. died November 4, 1877. Mr. B. owns, in partnership with his brother Reuben, about one thousand acres of land, valued at $40 an acre.

John M. Council, post office, Illiopolis, was born in this county, June 7, 1851; his father, Geo. W. Council, was born in White county, Illinois, in 1820. His mother, whose maiden name was Jane Mitts, was born in 1822; both were of German descent; they were married about 1842, and had eleven children, viz: William C, Mary A., John M., Nelson L., Elizabeth, Charles, Henry, Flora, Emma, George Grant and Anna May; Charles is deceased, and the mother died in 1878.

John M. Council, the subject of this sketch, was married, September 21, 1871, to Mies Elizabeth E. Hay, daughter of Benjamin and Isabel Hay, of Ohio, and was born June 9, 1850; she was of German extraction; they have four children: Flora Bell, born in July, 1872; Robert Arthur, in November, 1874; Louella Jane, in March, 1876; George Walter, in March, 1879, and J. E., September 10, 1881. Mrs. Council's father died in 1873, and her mother in 1874. Mr. C. owns one hundred and fifty-one acres of land, valued at $50 an acre. He was elected justice of the peace, but declined to serve. They are members of the Christian Church.

Ilvgh JErwin, son of David and Rose Erwin, was born in Ireland, and came to America in 1868, landing at New York, but immediately came to Springfield, and has lived in this county ever since - mostly on a farm. His father was born in Ireland in 1809, and his mother, whose maiden name was Rose, was also born in Ireland, in 1811. They were married in Ireland, and had six children, viz: William John, Betty A., Rose, Maria, Samuel and Hngh. The mother died in Ireland. In February, Hugh married Miss Mary Collins, daughter of Maggie and Michael Collins, and was born in this county, September 17, 1859; her parents were born in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs.

E! have one child, W^illiam John, born February 15, 1881. Mr. E. was naturalized about 1877; is a farmer by occupation and is prosperous. Post office, Illiopolis. They are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and politically, are Democrats.

William, A. FxiUenwider, son of J. N. and Sarah A. (Bullard) Fullenwider, was born in thi& county, November 20, 1842. William was raised on a faini, and on March 4, 1875, married Miss Alice Elkin, daugher of John and Eveline (McNabb) Elkin, who was born in this county, February 20, IS 52. They have had two children, Eva, born October 10, 1877, and died July 4, 1879, and William, born January 13, 1879, 'and died August 19, 1880. Mrs. Fullenwider's father died August 27, 1867. Mr. Fullenwider owns two hundred and eighty acres of land valued at $50 an acre. Himself and wife had good educational advantages in early life and are highly esteemed in their community. Post office, Mechanicsburg. He is a member of the Methodist Church and she of the Christian Church, and are Republicans.

Henry T. Fullenwider^ a farmer, post office, Mechanicsburg, a son of Jacob and Sarah Agnes (Bullard) Fullenwider, was born in this county March 1, 1846. He was raised on a farm, and on December 28, 1871, married Sarah C. Lindsly, daughter of Henry C, and Julia A. (Hickman) Lindsly, who was born in Christian county, Illinois, October 21, 1849; her father was born in New Jersey and her mother in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Fullenwider have had four children, namely: Charley W., born December 22, 1872, died February 11, 1873; Arthur E., born September 8, 1874; Agnes, born December 15, 1876; and Thomas I., born March 8, 1881. Mr. Fullenwider owns two hundred and eighty-three acres of land, valued at |50 an acre; raises grain, cattle and hogs, and feeds them for market. The farm is well cultivated, with fields divided by osage orange hedges. Mrs. F. is of English and Scotch extraction, and he of German, and both have had good educational advantages - Mrs. F. having attended the high school at Springfield. Both are Methodists and are in politics Republicans.

Samuel Fullenwider, son of J. N. and Sarah A. Fullenwider, was born in this county, June 21, 1851, and was brought up as a farmer. His grandfather (Fullinwider) came from Kentucky, entered land near Mechanicsburg, returned to bring his family, and was taken sick and died in Kentucky July 17, 1834; his wife came the same year with her nine children, and improved the land entered by hei' husband, and this land is now occupied by Jacob Fullenwider. On May 27, 1875, he was married to Miss Luella Elkin, daughter of John G. and Eveline (McNabb) Elkin, who was born July 6, 1853; her father was born in Xenia, Ohio, March 28, 1820, and her mother in this county, September 15, 1827. Mr. and Mrs. F. have two children : Jesse Arthur, born June 29, 1876, and John Elkin, December 26, 1878. Mr. F. owns two hundred and forty acres of land, valued at $50 an acre. He has had excellent educational advantages, having graduated at the Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, in 1871. Mrs. F. attended the Female Wesleyan College, at Cincinnati, two years, and afterward attended the Bettie Stuart, of Springfield.

William Gragg, fartr.er, post office, Mechanicsburg; son of William and Sophia Gragg, the former born in Kentucky, June 10, 1818, and mother in Madison county, Kentucky, March 10, 1815; the mother's maiden name was Sophia Mc- Bride, and she was a daughter of James and Elizabeth McBride, and of Scotch-Irish descent. The parents of Mr. Gragg were married in this county, and had five children, namely: Thomas J., born January 1, 1845; Jesse, born March 19, 1846; John Henry, born August 17, 1847; William, born June 10, 1851; and Harvey, born January 21, 1853; Jesse died April 10, 1846. The father died July 30, 1875, and the mother, December 26, 1872. The subject of this sketch was born in this county on a farm. On February 8, 1876, he married Miss Hissey, who was born in Baltimore, March 14, 1852, the daughter of William and Harriet Hissey. Her father died in Baltimore, and her mother came to Sangamon county in September, 1875. Mr. Gragg owns one hundred and seventy-one acres of land valued at $50 per acre. In early life he attended a commercial college; his wife was educated in the high schools of Baltimore, and before marriage was a music teacher. In politics. Democratic.

Harvey Gragg, farmer, post office, Mechanicsburg, is a son of William and Sophia Gragg, natives of Kentucky, and was born in this county, Jan. 21,1853; has always followed farming. April 26, 1877, he married Hettie A. Rodgers, who was born in this county, March 5, 1856, daughter of Uriah and Hettie Rodgers, from Berks county, Pennsylvania, and parents of ten children, nine of whom are living, one having died in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Gragg have two children - Georgia Etta, born June 24, 1878, and Bertha Ella, born December 20, 1879. Mr. G. owns one hundred and forly-five acies of land valued at $7,250. The farm is well improved.

Adam Metcalf, farmer, post office, VVheattield, a son of Thomas and Nancy (Linton) Metcalf, were natives of Maryland, where they were married about 1820, and had four children: Owen Thomas, Adam, Samuel E., and Cora Ann; the mother was born about 1798. Adam Metcalf, the subject of this sketch, was born in Maryland, November 15, 1851, and was married to Miss Mary J. Hamm, daughter of Uriah C. and Virginia Hamm, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, July 4, 1828, and came to this county with her parents about 1842. Her parents were natives of Virginia, but came to Ohio at an early date. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf have six children: Thomas F., born September 26, 1852; Samuel E., born March 17, 1854; Albert M., born November 19, 1856; Willie U., born October 22, 1858; Lee G., born May 9, 1861; and Owen A., born January 1, 1866. Mr. M. owns two hundred and forty acres of land. When he first came from Virginia to this State, in November, 1848, he had to work very hard as a farm hand, but he has now become a successful farmer. His early educational advantages were meagre, as he was left an orphan and obliged to help support the other children. He is road commissioner of his township. She is a Methodist, and in politics they are Democrats.

Thomas Munce, farmer, post office, Wheatfield, was born in Pennsylvania. His father, John Munce, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1796, and his mother, Eliza J. Munce, whose maiden name was Stockdale, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1806. They were married in Washington county, Penn., in 182 7, and had six children, viz.: William, born at Natchez, Mississippi; Thomas, born in Pennsylvania; Hannah, Margaret, Isabel, and Eliza, all born in Indiana. The father came to America in 1804, and settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania. The mother also settled there. Both were orphans, and came with other families and their older brothers. They afterward went to Indiana, where they remained till 1846, then came to this county. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Mary C. Haak, May 2, 1860. She was a daughter of Michael and Sarah Haak, and born in Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1839. Their three children are: Isabel, John, and George, all born in this county. Mr. M. was educated in the common schools of Indiana and Illinois. His wife attended the ladies' seminary at Reading, Pennsylvania. He is at present supervisor of his township. He has a large farm and every convenience in the way of buildings and other improvements.

George A. PicJcrell, farmer, post office, Wheatfield, was born in this county February 19, 1832. His father, Jesse A. Pickrell, was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, June 13, 1805 ; his mother, Elizabeth (Churchill) Pickrell, was born September 11, 1811. They were married December 18, 1828, at Mechanicsburg, Sangamon county, Illinois, and they have a family of ten children, namely: William O., born February 27, 1830; George A., the subject of this sketch; Willoughby F., born October 12, 1833, and died March 29, 1835; Miller H., born March 30, 1835; Ann M., born September 14, 1840; Mary V., born December 11, 1842; Amanda P., born August 31, 1844; died June 19, 1872; John C, born October 27, 1846, died March 25, 1873; Sarah H., born March 6, 1855. They are of Welsh extraction. George A. Pickrell was married to Miss Emma H. Winn, December 27, 1864; daughter of Charles L. and Mary Winn, and was born December 29, 1842. They have four children, Corrilla, born February 11, 1866; Alice, born February 25, 1868; Patsey G., born July 9, 1872; Jesse C, born November 28, 1876. Mr. P. owns two hundred and thirteen acres of land worth $60 an acre; raises mixed crops; makesa specialty of improving horses for draft purposes, using the Clydesdale stock; breeds sheep for wool and mutton. On the second call for volunteers during the war, he assisted in raisingtroops, but the call being full, was not accepted. He then went to Missouri and formed the B and C Company of the Eleventh Missouri Regiment; was quartermaster with rank of captain. His education was obtained in the common schools; his wife was a graduate of the class of 1801 at Jacksonville Female Seminary, and was a teacher there for some time after graduating.

The township of Williams is one of the northern tier of townships, and is bounded on the north by Logan county, on the south by Clear Lake township, on the east by Buffalo Hart township and Logan county, and on the west by Fancy creek township. The surface of the country is level, while the soil is good and very fertile, yielding large crops of grain and fruit. Fancy creek, Wolf and other smaller streams furnish water for the stock raised here. Fancy creek waters most of the western tier of sections, while W^olf creek and its tributaries water the central portion of the township.

Eaely Settlers

This township was settled as early as 1820, and between that date and the "deep snow" of 1830-31, many families came in, among whom were James Stewart, Mr, Kellogg, Benjamin Stillman, Jacob Yocum, Oramel Clark, John Dixon, Meredith Cooper, Ambrose Cooper, David Riddle, David Clark, Michael Mann, W^illiam Proctor, John Simpson, Captain Hathaway, Solomon Brundage, the Taylors and Constants, John Stalings, Samuel Wilson, came during that decade.

John Taylor was born May 1, 1772, in Maryland. Three brothers, Isaac, James and William Taylor, came from England to America long before our Revolution. Where James and W^illiam settled is unknown to the decedents of Isaac, who settled in Maryland, and who was the father of John, whose name heads this sketch. The parents of John Taylor emigrated when he w^as quite young to Chester district. South Carolina, where John was married to Susan Mobley. The family moved in 1818, to White county, Illinois. In the spring of 1819, they moved to Wayne county, then to Sangamon county, arriving in May, 1829, on Wolf creek, in Williams township. Of all the children of John Taylor, three only settled permanently in Sangamon county. Simeon, the eldest, James, the fifth, and Isaac, the eighth, all by the first marriage.

James Taylor, born November 2, 1801, in Chester district, South Carolina, moved with his parents to Hart county, Kentucky, and thence to Wayne county, Illinois, where he was married to Mary Kelly, who was born in Hart county, also, and taken by her parents when young to Wayne county. They moved to Sangamon county in the spring of 1829, settling in what is now Williams township, near Barclay.