Sangamon County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1881 (part 20 of 21)

Isaac Taylor, born February 9, 1807, in Hart county, Kentucky, came with his father to White county, and from there to Wayne county, Illinois. He came alone, in 1828, to Sangamon county, being the firs-t of the family to arrive. He was married February 13, 1834, to Sarah M. Elliott, at Springfield, Illinois.

John Simpson was born September 30, 1801, in Tennessee, and when a young man Avent to St. Clair county, Illinois. Mary Taylor was born August 25, 1803, in Georgia, and when a child was taken to Looking-glass Prairie, St. Clair county, Illinois. They were married there in 1821, and moved to Shelby county in the same State; from there to Sangamon county, arriving in 1824, in what is now Williams townshijD.

Jacob Yocum was born December 17, 1787, in a fort or block-house, in Bourbon county, near whtre the city of Lexington, Kentucky, now stands. Mary Booth was born February 11, 1791, in the same county. They moved to Marion county, Illinois, and from there to Sangamon

David Clarke was born August 28, 1776, in Essex county, New Jersey; came to Kentucky in 1798, and was there married in 1800, to Rachel Rutter. Mrs. Rachel Clarke died in 1804. David Clarke moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1805, and made brick for the first brick house built in that city. He returned to Somerset county, New Jersey, in the same year, and was married there in February, 1806, to Sally Winans, who was born October 25, 1788, in that county. They moved to Miami county, Ohio, in 1809, and from there to Sangamon county, in 1829, settling on Sugar creek.

Meredith Cooper first settled in Fancy Creek, and previous to 1830, settled a mile and a half east of the present village of Sherman, and died there. His widow lives near there.

Isaac Constant was born in Clarke county, Kentucky, April 3, 1789. He was there married July 4, 1811, and in 1830 the family moved to Sangamon county, arriving October 7, 1830, in what is now Williams township. He died on Christmas day, 1854, on the farm where he then settled.

William Proctor was one of the earliest settlers, arriving here in 1820 or 1821, and settled on section seven. He subsequently sold the place to Isaac Constant, and moved to Lewiston, Fulton county, Illinois, where he died about 1874. Mr. Proctor, shortly after his arrival, planted an orchard, which was bearing in 1830, when the place was purchased by Mr. Constant. He also established a tannery on the place.

The first settlers of the township settled along the timber, near Fancy creek. The same fear of the prairie, and the same reason that caused other early settlers to locate in the timber, governed the pioneers of Wiliiaras. It was not until 1845 the prairie began to be settled. Some of the best and most improved farms are now prairie farms.

The first school was in the winters of 1822-3, in a log cabin on Fancy creek, Patrick Lynch being the teacher. One among the first teachers here was Erastus Wright, well known in all parts of the county, who taught a term of school in a small log cabin on section seven, as early as 1823. The change made in the mode of teaching, and in the conveniences of the school room, are great, indeed. There are now, in 1881, seven school houses in the township.

The minister of the gospel ever keeps pace with the western tread of civilization, and a settlement is no sooner formed than some zealous defender of the Cross begins to plead to sinners to obey the word and bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. Elder Stephen England was probably the first to conduct religious exercises with preaching, in the township. Revs. James Sims, Rivers Cormack and Peter Cartwright were among the first ministers in the township. The first meeting conducted by a minister of ihe Methodist Episcopal Church was at the house of David Riddle, in 1821.

A Mr. Ilarburt settled on section seventeen as early as 1820. He built and operated the first mill of any description in Williams township, and probably north of the Sangamon river. It was the old band mill, run by horse power. A cabin was erected near the mill for the accommodation of those bringing their grain to be ground. Mr. Harburt left in 1822, taking his mill with him.

David Riddle built a horsp-mill in 1826 with which he ground wheat and corn, though he had only one run of stone. It could grind about twenty bushels a day.

Thomas Constant built a water-mill on Wolf creek, on section twenty-three, in 1825, which was the first in the township. The mill was a combined saw and grist-mill, and did a large business in both branches, having custom for many miles around. The mill had two runs of burrs, one for corn and the other for wheat. It was run until about 1854, and was owned or run by the following named: Thomas Constant, Alexander Edmonds, John Simpson, George Fisher and John Johnson, the latter of whom tore it down. All that now remains of the mill are the stones, which yet lie upon the banks of the stream.

Fikst Marriage

As stated in the sketcli of Philo Beers, his marriage with Martha Stillman was the first in the township, and the first north of Sangamon river. Several of the descendants of this couple occupy prominent positions in society.

Village Of Cicero

On the 15th of April, 1836, Archibald E. Constant had platted and recorded the "northwest part of the southeast quarter of section twentysix, township seventeen, range four west," a village under the name of "Cicero." Like hundreds of others in the West, the village existed only in name.

First Merchandise

William Hamilton and Mr. Mack sold goods here on section seventeen, in 1821. Myron Phelps came in 1822, and purchased their stock, and continued the business about two years, when he sold out and went to Lewiston, Fulton county. The store was in a log cabin, and a general assortment, usual for the times, was kept for sale.

Charles Miller has in his possession a rifle once owned by his father, and brought by him from Virginia in 1802. The gun is a hammered barrel, full stock, and finished in a neat, workmanlike manner, with engraved brass mountings, with cap-box apartment in the stock. It was originally a flint-lock, but was changed when percussion caps began first to be manufactured.

Mrs. Rebecca Miller has a silver half-dollar given to her when a child by her mother, bearing date 1822, the year in which Mrs. Miller was born. In 1846, her husband desired to purchase a piece of land, and lacked one-half dollar of having the necessary amount to pay for it. The coveted half-dollar was given to him, and paid out on this purchase. In 1876, the identical half-dollar was given to him in change by a merchant in Williamsville, and by him returned to Mrs. Miller. Thus, after a lapse of thirty years, she received back the precious coin, paid out in Jackson City, Missouri.

Mrs. Maria Chenoworth has in her possession a wooden chest brought from Europe in a historical and noted vessel, the Mayflower. Mrs. Chenoworth traces the chest back through her ancestors to her great, greatgrandfather, and the chest, with its history, has been preserved in the family.

George W. Constant has an old-fashioned wooden clock, which was purchased by his father in 1827, and brought with the family to Illinois, in 1830. It has been running fifty-four years and is yet a splendid time-keeper. It stands on a pedestal some eight feet high, and marks the time by seconds.

Mr. Constant has also ared cedar churn, bought by his parents the week after they were married, which occurred July 4, 1811, and is in a good state of preservation. He also has his grandfather Constant's family Bible, one hundred and ten years old.

Williams township was organized at same time wnth the remaining townships in the county in 1861, and was named as was the village in honor of Colonel John Williams, a noted pioneer and business man of Springfield. The first election was held on the first Monday in April of 1861. The following named being elected to the offices mentioned: Miletus W. Ellis, Supervisor; George T. Hickman, Treasurer; George H. Brown, Clerk; F. A. Merriman, Assessor; George W. Sutton, Collector; Eben M. Douglas, John O. Towner, Justices of the Peace; George W. Sutton, Meredith Cooper, Constables; James Lester, William Yocum and George T. Hickman, Commissioners of Highways.

The village was laid out in 1853, under the name of Benton, so named in honor of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, of Missouri. The plat as recorded in the ofiice of the Register of Deeds, describes it as comprising the " southwest quarter of section four, township seventeen, range four west," and owned by Abraham V. Flagg.

The first merchandise sold here was in the spring, of 1854, by Peter L. Earnest, who opened a stock of general merchandise, and continued in the trade here for some years.

But little Avas done in the way of building up a town until the Chicago & Alton Railroad established a station here in the spring of 1854. This gave confidence to interested parties that their anticipations would be realized in the building up of a town. The growth of the vil-

A petition of the citizens was circulated, praying the post office department at Washington, to establish here a post office. Their petition was granted, and an office established in the spring of 1854, named Williamsville Post Office, with John George as postmastei*. Mr. George was subsequently succeeded by his son, Wesley George, who served until 1858, when Jacob Mc- Clure was appointed. From 1858 to the present time, the[.following named have had charge of the office: George Brown, Jacob McClure, Charles Elder, R. M. Lawrence, William Stewart, Sarah Stewart, and Jacob McClure, the second time, the incumbent.

No community can exist without the aid of the doctor, at least this is the general opinion. In 1850, Dr. Connery, of Ohio, moved to the township, and commenced here the practice of medicine. In 1855, he moved into the new village of Benton, now Williamsville, and continued to practice, being the first physician in the place. He was a clever man, a good physician and enjoyed the respect of the community in which he lived. He secured an excellent practice, but died in 1857. Since Dr. Connery's time there have been a number of physicians who have practiced their profession in the place, among whom were Drs. Henry VanMeter, J. M. West, Thomas M. Helm and J. Y. Winn. The present resident physicians of the place are: M. Mathus, J. Y. Winn, A. D. Tavlor and K. E. McClelland.

The village of Williamsville comprises a portion of District No. 5, which was organized in October, 1855. The first school-house erected in the village was that same fall; it was a frame building eighteen by twenty, one story in height, and only one room. At this time the building was amply large enough to the demands of the district, but subsequently the addition of another room was made. In this house the following named were employed at different periods as teachers; Erastus W. Mills, Jacob Beck, A. W. Botsford, A. J. Leach, Stephen H. Wilbur, Homer E. Aylesworth, Francis Springer, George P. Carpenter, W. H. Raymond, J. S. McClure, Edmund Rogers, C. H. Mitchell and Henry Allen.

school-rooms - three occupied - and is capable of accommodating one hundred and sixty pupils. The building is neat, tasty and convenient, and would be an honor to a much larger place than Williamsville. The schools were then graded into three grades, that system being in operation ever since. The following named have served as principals, the year given being that in which they commenced their work, and serving until their successors were installed: H. A. Allen, 1867; B. F. Connor, 1870; B. F. January, 1871; Charles Howard, 1872;- O. S. Webster, 1873; C. H. Mitchell, 1875; O. S. Webster, 1876; E. D. Matheny, 1877; W. L. Perce, 1878; Charles F. Wilcott, 1880; Hezekiah Miller, 1881.

The religious element of the place is represented by three denominations, each having a neat house of worship. Christian, Methodist Episcopal, and Presbyterian.

The Christian Church was organized at the house of William T. Jones, November, 1843, and was first known as the Fancy Creek Christian Church. A large part of the original membership were connected with the Wolf creek congregation, and on account of the distance from the place of worship, it was thought best to organize another congregation. The Wolf creek congregation consented to so many of its members as desired, withdrawing for this purpose.

In consequence of Mr. Ellis having gone to Oregon, and other officers being needed, in March, 1852, an election was held, and William T. Jones and James Lester were elected elders, and George W. Constant and James Barr, deacons.

On the first of March, 1854, James Banresigned and Andrew Lester was elected to fill the vacancy. Subsequently Mr. Ellis returned from Oregon, and was still recognized as an elder.

house was secured for regular services. Here they raet until 1858, when a house of worship was erected in Williamsville, and the services commenced there that fall. The building is thirty-six by fifty-six, frame, twenty-feet posts, and is valued at $2,500.

On removal to the village, the name of the church was changed from Fancy Creek to Williamsville Christian Church. At this time J. M. Britton was elected Deacon in place of Andrew Lester, deceased. In April, 1866, two additional elders were chosen - T. M. Helm and A. W. Elder, each of whom were ordained by Elder A. J. Kane, of Springfield. At the same time F. A. Merriman, Charles Turley and Isaac Groves were elected and ordained deacons.

In June, 1879, in consequence of removals and deaths, it became necessary to elect other officers, and accordingly A. J. Bronsom, N. R. Taylor, G. B. Jones and G. W. Constant were elected ciders, and J. B, Taylor, Jr., J. H. Groves, G. F. Strawn and W. F. Constant were elected deacons. On the 5th of October, 1879, they were each set apart to the office in which they were called. Elders A. J. Kane and M. R. Elder conducting the ordination.

The first regular minister who served the congregation was A. J. Kane, Joel Ethridge and J. H. Hughes also preached for them at an early day. As regular pastors, the following named have served: A. J. Kane, April, 1858, to October, 1859; Alex. Johnson, October, 1859, to July, 1861; Charles Berry, July 1861, to September, 1862; John S. Sweeny, November, 1862, to September, 1863; A. H. Rice, September, 1863, to September, 1864; A. J. Kane, October, 1864, to February, 1867; Thomas W. Ramey, June,

A number of "revivals" have been experienced by the congregation. W. W. Happy held a protracted meeting at Lake school house, which was continued about three weeks with good results. A. H. Rice held a meeting beginning November 9, 1863, and closing December 13, with eighty additions. L. B. Wilkes and A. J. Kane in February, 1867, with a number of additions; Charles Rowe in March, 1868, with about sixty; D. R. Lucas in October, 1873, with

An interesting discussion was held in this village in March, 1864, between John S. Sweeney, of the Church of Christ, and Rev. Davies, of the Methodist Episcopal, lasting ten days.

The present membership of the church is one hundred and sixty, and the church is in good working order, with a Sunday school numbering one hundred members, of which J. H. Groves is superintendent.

The Presbyterian Church, of Williamsville, was organized by the Presbytery of Sangamon, August 26, 1857. The following named were enrolled, and became part of the original congregation: Bryant Purcell, Dority Purcell, John Earnest, Elizabeth Earnest, Elizabeth Fisher, Mary Hunter, Eliza I. Munce, Hannah Stock] dale. The first ruling elder was Bryant Purcell.' After its organization the meetings of the congregation were held in the Methodist Church for a number of years, imtil 1869, when a very neat brick house of worship was erected, at a cost of $7,000. The following named have served as pastors, or stated supplies. Revs. George McKinley, D. R. Todd, R. Rudd, A. Bartholomew, W. G. Keady, Edward B. Mays, M. M. Cooper, Samuel B. Ayres, the last being the present pastor, who began his labors in 1880. The congregation is now in a fiourishing condition, with the following named elders: Richard Fulkerson, Thomas J. Shreve, George W. Shepherd, Benjamin Donnan.

The Williamsville circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church has four appointments and two churches. Fancy Creek and Williamsville. Fancy Creek was built in 1856, and Williamsville in 1857. The church edifice at Williamsville is a frame, about thirty-five by fifty feet, is in very good repair, has a good bell - the only one in the village - and is valued at $2,000. The society also own a good parsonage, valued at $700. The church property embraces half a block, with the house of worship on one corner and the parsonage on the other. The society numbers ninety members, and is in a healthy, prosperous condition, with no indebtedness. Rev. James W. Sin nock is the present pastor. The present oflScers are: Stewards, W. L. Perce, W. S. Hussey, J. R. Jones, J. P. Mountz, and John Nauson; local preacher, Fred Joynt. The church has in connection a flourishing Sunday echool, of about one hundred members, with W. L. Perce as superintendent.

1858, in Fancy Creek Chapel, The pastor in charge was then Rev. W. F. Short; W. S. Prentice, presiding elder. The board of stewards at that time were William Yociim, W. R. Brassiield, and M. M.Ramley. Mr. Short was followed by Rev. D. Bardrick in 1860, Rev. J. Slater, succeeded him in 1861, before the close of the conference year. Peter Cartwright w^as appointed presiding elder in the fall of 1861. Rev. W. T. Bennett became pastor in the fall of 1861. He was succeeded in the fall of 1863, by Rev. L. Smith; he by Rev. George Stevens, in 1865. At the same time J. L. Crane succeeded Peter Cartwright as presiding elder. Rev. W. H. Rayburn, became pastor in 1867, and was followed by John S. Barger, in 1868. Rev. O. H. P. Ash was next, in 1869, with Rev. M. M. Davison in 1870. In 1871, Rev. H. C. Adams was sent to the charge, and remained until 1874, when Rev.

C. A. Obenchain was appointed; Rev. W. E. Johnson was the next appointed, and remained two years, and was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Wolfe, in 1878, who remained until the fall of 1881, when the present pastor was sent to the charge.

Business Of Williamsville

For the benefit of future generations, and not for the present, is the following directory of the business of Williamsville here given: MerchantTailor - Adam Sehy; Wagon-Maker - Urias Haines; Blacksmith - A.D.Clark; Tinware and Stoves - J. L. Fourmier; Groceries, Tinware and Hardware - John McKee; Drugs and Stationery - L. W. Perce; General Merchandise - Lemon T. Berryhill, Strawn, Mayo & Co., R.M. Lawrence, G. Groves & Sons; Boot and Shoe- Maker - Geo. Ketzler; Restaurant - D. C. Duncan; Boots and Shoes - Henry Miller; Groceries and Hardware - N. R. Taylor, John B. Zader; Harness Maker- - J. B. Kiplinger; Elevator and Grain Dealer - Wesley Council; Groceries - J. S. McClure; Postmaster - Jacob S. McClure.

The Barclay Coal Mining Company shipped their first coal from Barclay, December 3, 1872. The same company built the first house, the first store and the first hotel. The first parties employed to manage the business were R. D. Lawrence, superintendent; Michael Palmer, pit boss;

R.; II. R. Stevenson, postmaster. Of the foregoing all have left save one - H. E. Stevenson, who still remains with the company, and who is now acting as manager of the store, coal agent and postmaster. The mine has been operated steadily since 1872. At present all accounts of the business done in the mine is all accounted for in the store. From $7,000 to 19,000 per month is required to pay the men employed in the mines.

The Barclay Christian Church was organized by Elder Robert Foster, September 3, 1837, and was known as the Wolf Creek Christian Church, The following named composed the original officers: Andrew J. Grove, Rezin H. Constant, Miletus W. Ellis, elders; Samuel Wilson, James- Taylor, William F. Elkin, deacons; W. W. Ellis, clerk. The first meetings were held at the house of Isaac H. Constant, in Williamsville township and at R. H. Constant's in Clear Lake. After the congregation was organized meetings were held at Mr. Grove's, about three miles south of Williamsville, then at a school house about a quarter of a mile from R. H. Constant's, then at a school house on southwest corner of the southeast quarter of section two. They then built a church house at Barclay at a cost of |2,700, in size thirty-two by fortyfour. Since its organization the church has been ministered unto by the following named: Elders Foster, Powell, Sweet, Kane, Bowles, Peeler, Wilson, Vawter, Orcott, Mallory, Lindsley and T. J. Burton, ths present pastor. R. H. Constant is at present the only elder, with Isaac Taylor, John Taylor, William Dunavan deacons. R. H. C onstant is clerk. Out of this church has grown in part that of Williamsville, Clear Lake and Cornland. When it removed to Barclay it took upon it the name of that village. The present membership is sixty-five.

George K. Herry, minister of the Christian Church, was born in Washington county, Virginia, October 24, 1854, and is a son of Nathaniel and Isabella (Keys) Berry, natives of Virginia. Our subject came from Virginia to Illinois in 1866 with his parents, who located in McDonough county. His early schooling was received in the country district schools in Virginia and Illinois; began teaching in 1873 in McDonough county, and has taught about four terms in the county - from 1873 to 1876 - during which time has attended Abingdon College, Illinois, and Normal School for teachers, in Macomb, Illinois, He united with the Christian Church, in Macomb, Illinois, April 2, 1876, and the following day entered Eureka College, Illinois, a pupil for one term. During his vacation, canvassed for raising funds for the General Christian Missionary Society after which spent two terms in the above named college. Mr. Berry preached his first sermon November, 1876, in Tazewell county, Illinois. His first regular employment as a preacher was at Antioch, Illinois, during which time he taught school three months. In 1878, returned to Eui'eka College for a short time; was ordained as a minister of the gospel, at Macomb, Illinois, the third Sunday in June, 1878, by G. W. Mapes; employed at Toulon, Stark county, to preach for two years. In 1880, he visited his old home in Virginia, which is an event in his life never to be forgotten. The same year preached in Indianapolis. Indiana, and attended Butler University. The Christian Church at Williamsville employed Mr. Berry in 1 881, for their pastor, and for whom he is laboring at this writing. His present position in life is due to his personal energies and perseverance which merits and receives the respect of all his acquaintances.

Mrs. Maria Chenoweth, Williams township, widow of the late Gideon Chenoweth, was born in Sciota county, Ohio, January 3, 1815. Mrs. Chenoweth was married to Gideon Chenoweth (deceased), January 27, 1842, who was a native of Pike county, Ohio, and born January 1 3, 1813; Mr. Chenoweth was a son of Abrara and Rebecca (Car) Chenoweth, natives of Virginia, who came to P/ke county, Ohio, from Kentucky, in IT 96, where they remained until their death. To them were born fourteen children, viz: William, Jacob, Ann, Susan, John, Joel, Abram, Noah, Gideon, Martha, Hannah, Sarah, Rebecca and Mary. Gideon Chenoweth remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-two years old; taught school several years, and then engaged in the mercantile business in Piketon, Pike county, Ohio; he was a successful merchant; he remained in Piketon until his death. Mrs. Chenoweth is a daughter of John W. and Polly (Headley) Miller, natives of Virginia; Mrs. Chenoweth's education was received in the common schools of her native State; she came to Sangamon county, in 1876, and located in Williams township, where she owns a good farm of three hundred and eighty acres, on sections nineteen and twenty, and a good residence; she is a member of the M. E. Church.

William F. Constant was born in Williams township, February 25, 1838, is the son of Nathan E. and Mary M. (Stewart) Constant; the former was born in Kentucky, the latter in New York, and had five children; William F., and Nathan E. the only ones now living. Mr. Constant has enjoyed good school advantages. After attending the common school in his district, hecame a student of Berean College, Jacksonville, Illinois in 1856. He began to farm for himself at the age of nineteen, and has continued to do so. Mr. Constant was married in Sangamon county, October 15, 1861 to Elizabeth A. Lake, of Sangamon county, is the daughter of Thomas and Harriet (Dillen) Lake, natives of Virginia, to whom were born nine children, Ann E., Bayliss E., Susanna, James, John F., Elizabeth A., Agnes C, William B., and Mary M. Mr. and Mrs. Constant had one child, Mary E., who was born October 4, 1862, and died February 7, 1879. Mrs. Constant died August 7, 1881; she was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Constant owns two homesteads; one containing one hundred, the other two hundred acres. Both farms ai*e well improved and under cultivation. Mrs. Constant is a member of the Christian Church, George W. Constant, farmer, was born in Kentucky, near Winchester, October 23, 1818, and is the son of Isaac and Amy (Dean) Constant, natives of Kentucky and Virginia respectively, and came from Kentucky to Sangamon county. Illinois, in the fall of 1830, and settled on Fancy creek, in Williams township, sction seven. They had eight children, all born in Kentucky, viz: John, Rebecca, Abigal D., Mary Ann, Abery G., Samuel D., James and George W. Mr. Constant came to Sangamon county with his parents, who were among the early settlers of the county, and remained at home on the farm until he was twenty-one years old, and then began to appropriate his earnings to his own use, making rails from a piece of timber-land given him by his father. His education was obtained in the country schools of his boyhood days. Mr. Constant was married in Williams township, November 26, 1840, to Martha B. Stewart, daughter of James and Roxanna (Stillman) Stewart. The former was born at Fort Ann, New York, in 1777, and the latter in Massachusetts, March 22, 1786, to whom were born eight children: Mary M., Roxanna, Jane C, Benjamin H., William A., Abigal C, Martha B., James O., and Joseph B., the first two mentioned, Mary M., and Roxanna, are the only ones living. Mr. and Mrs. George Constant were blessed with three children: William S., born October 24, 1841; James H., born February 23, 1845; Mary A., born December 12, 1847, all of whom were born in Williams township, and are living. Mrs. Constant was a member of the Christian Church, which membership lasted till her death in June 1, 1850. She was

Mr. Constant was married again in the city of Springfield, October 7, 1852, to Mary W. Stapleford, a native of the State of Delaware, came to Illinois in 1836, and spent a few months at Salisbury, then went to Springfield. Mrs. Constant has enjoyed good school privileges, and in her earlier life was engaged in teaching school for several years, in the following places: Springfield, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; Vermont, Illinois, and at Fancy Creek, Illinois; became acquainted with Mr. C. while teaching at the latter place, Mr. Constant entered the mercantile business in Williamsville, Sangamon county, Illinois, January, 1859, in Avhich he remained till January, 1863. After closing out his mercantile interests, he gave his attention to farming. He is in possession of three good prairie farms, one in Logan county, the other in Williams township, two of which consist of one hundred and sixty acres each, the others two hundred and ninety-one acres, all improved, and all, save one hundred and thirty-five acres, under good cultivation. The old home farm is partly in timber, and included in the above farms mentioned. Mr. Constant has served in offices for several years, in Williamsville, serving as a member of the town trustees, and president of the same body for several years, and has been on the board of education in Williamsville for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. C. have been active members of the Christian Church for over forty-three years.

His children: Wm. S. occupies one of his farms in Williams township; James H. carries on his farm in Logan county; Mary A. is the wife of James H. Groves, and resides ^in Williamsville.

George W. Constant thinks the first chinch bugs discovered in Illinois was in 1832, by his father and his uncle and himself in a low basin of prairie land on his father's farm, section seven, first discovered in a small number and area, while cutting corn, and they so named them from their peculiar ofi^ensive odor. It was several years befoi'e this pest was much known or did any damage to growing crops.

Wesley Council, grain dealer, Williamsville, was born in Fancy Creek township, November 21, 1824; he is the son of Hardy and Jane (Hanna) Council, born in North Carolina, 1*795, and Kentucky, 1'79'7, respectively. They were married in White county, Illinois, in the spring of 1819, and settled in Fancy Creek township, Sangamon county, the same year; had seven children who lived to be adults; one lately died; the living are John H., Wesley, Wm. F., George W.; Robert died this fall. Mr. Hardy Council, father of Wesley Council, took quite an interest in fine stock, and kept some of the best in the county, and took the premium on Short-Horn Durhams, at the Sangamon County Fair, 1837, Mr. Wesley Council's education was received in the old-time schools in his early life, and the work at home prevented his attending school regularly, and his education was obtained outside the school by his own personal efforts; he took the control of his father's saw-mill, the first portable saw-mill in this region, which he managed for five years; this mill was established by his father in 1849, and did the sawing for a large area of country. Mr. Council re, mained at home until his marriage, April 14,. 1853, to Martha A. Wigginton, and by this union had thirteen children, of whom four are living, viz: John W., Willie H., Nellie and Bessie. January 1, 1857, Mr. Council moved to Williamsville, and soon after began the grain business, acting as agent for Samuel N. Fullinwider; before the close of the year 1857, he engaged in the same business for himself, in which he is still engaged. Mr. Council has one of the best elevators of its capacity on the Chicago and Alton Railroad; all of its machinery and apparatus for the unloading and carriage of grain to their respective departments are of first-clas& modern improvements, thus rendering it convenient for receiving and shipping grain. Its spouting capacity is fifteen thousand bushels; crib room for ear corn, four thoixsand bushels. He can dump, shell and ship five thousand bushel per day. In 1863, he bought out Carlin Buffum, who was dealing in grain and lumber in Williamsville, and has ever since carried on the lumber business also. He has two elevators in the building - one for corn on the ear and the other for wheat, oats, rye and shelled corn; Mr. Council handles two hundred thousand bushels of grain each year; has a mill in the elevator which will grind fifty bushels of meal or sixty bushels of feed j^er hour; the engine is of thirtyfive-horse power; the original cost of the building is $10,000, erected by him in 1877; in connection with the grain business Mr. Council deals in lumber and agricultural implements. He was the first president of the board of town trustees of Williamsville, Illinois, and has held the office of police magistrate, and now holds the office; he is also president of the Williamsville Protection Association. Mrs. Council is of a family of eleven children, viz: William, Samuel, Andrew,

James, John, Eliza, Dollie, Martha, Mary, Elizabeth A. and Nancy E., of whom only four are living. Mr. and Mrs. Council identified themselves with the Methodist Church in the early years of their life, and are zealous believers and livers of their early religious faith.

Mary M. Ellis is the daughter of James and Roxana (Stillraan) Stewart. Mrs. Ellis was born in New York, April 6, 1813, and is the fifth of nine children, viz.: Jane C, Benjamin H., William A., Abigal C, Mary M., Roxana, Martha B., James O., and Joseph B. Mrs. Ellis came to Sangamon county from New York, and in 1820 settled in Williams township. Mrs. Ellis was married to Nathan E. Constant, August 25, 1843, aiad by this union were born to them William F.,born February 25, 1838, and Nathan E., Jr., born December 19, 1843. Nathan E. Jr., enlisted in the late war August, 1862, foi' three years, in Company G, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Wilson. Was taken prisoner at the battle of Guntown, Mississippi, June, 1864, and taken to Andersonville prison, and subsequently to other southern prisons, but spending most of his prison life, which was nine months, in Andersonville. He w^as liberated at the close of the war. Nathan E. Constant, Sr., was born April 8, ISO*/, in Clark county, Kentucky, and is the son of Thomas and Margery (Edmondson) Constant. He came to Sangamon county in 1820. He owned one hundred acres of land in Williams township. Enlisted in the Black Hawk war at Springfield in the Sangamon county company. Mr. Constant was a successful farmer, was a member of the Christian Church, and loved by all who knew him. His death occurred August 8, 1843.

Mrs. Ellis was married to Miletus W. Ellis, farmer, and native of Virginia, is the son of Levi and Cynthia Ellis, natives of South Carolina and Virginia, respectively. Mr. Ellis came to Sangamon county, where Springfield now stands, in 181'7. After they were married moved on his farm, which is her present home. Mr. Ellis was a member of the trustees of Williamsville. He was a member of the Christian Church and acted as elder for thirty-eight years. Mrs. Ellis is a member of the Christian Church and is faithful to all her duties, and respected by all who know her.

Frank Hickman was born June 25, 1845, and is the son of George T. and Elizabeth (Lyon) Hickman, natives of the State of Kentucky and moved to Sangamon county in the fall previous to the deep snow. Mr. Frank Hickman received his early education in the common schools in his county, and subsequently completed the commercial course in the Springfield Business College in 1866. He continued to farm at home after his return from college until twenty-five year old, then began to control his farming interest for himself. Mr. Hickman was married on the 2'7th of December, 1871, to Sophia Burns, daughter of John R. and Lucy Burns, natives of Kentucky, and settled in Sangamon county, about 1828, were also the first persons married in Buffalo Hart township, and to them were born Mary J., Thomas, William A., Martha, Armentia, Iva, John T., Robert and Sophia. Mr. Hickman has six brothers and sisters, viz.: William H. enlisted in the late war in Company B, One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Regiment Infantry Volunteers, August 1862, and died January 19, 1863, in the hospital in Memphis, Tennessee; Mary E., Richard O., Henrietta, Thomas C. Mr. Hickman enlisted in the late war in May, 1864, in response to the government call for one hundred day soldiers and was discharged September 24, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Hickman had one child Arthur Franklin, born February 2, 1875, and died February 14, 1879. Mr. Hickman has in his possession a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all under cultivation. Mr. Hickman is a Republican.

William 8. Hussey was born in Green county, Ohio, November 2, 1809; is the son of Nathan and Mary (Stewart) Hussey, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, came from Ohio to Sangamon county in 1819, and settled on Fancy creek, and this was the first settlement on that creek. Here he lived until 1845, when he moved to Oregon, and died there in 1858, being seventy-three years old. His wife, Mary Hussey, was born in 1786, and died 1842. Mr. William Hussey came to Sangamon county with his parents, in 1819; his education was received in the district schools of Sangamon county. At the age of twenty-one he commenced farming for himself, by improving and cultivating new prairie land which his father had given him. By his industry and untiring will he added largely to his first farm, and in 1851, had accumulated twelve hundred acres of land. Mr. Hussey was married to Sarah Yocom, in Williams township, in 1834. They were the parents of the following named children: Nathan, Jacob Y.,Mary J., William F., and Stephen, are living. Mrs. Hussey was the daughter of Jacob and Mary Yocom. Mr. Hussey moved to Oregon in 1851, Avhere he remained till 1864, when he returned to this county. Mrs. Hussey died the 18th of March,

Mr. Hussey enlisted in the Black Hawk war, in 1832, in Captain Clay well's company. Fourth Kegiment, and Third Brigade, and was mustered out at Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien. Wisconsin; was in the battle of Wisconsin and Bad Ax, on the Mississippi river. Mr. Hussey has been supervisor of Williams township two terms, and justice of the peace and collector of the township. He was married the second time to Mrs. Jemiraah Gilbreth, daughter of Samuel and Catharine Thompson, natives of South Carolina. Mrs. Hussey has two children living, by her first husband, William C. Gilbreth, and by this last marriage two, Josephine and Charles A., living. Mr. and Mrs. Hussey are members of the Methodist Church, and respected by all who know them. In politics a strong supporter of the Republican party, and voted first for President Harrison.

John R. Jones was born in Louisa county, Virginia, December 18, 182'7, is the son of Samuel and Lucy (Desper) Jones, natives of Virginia; died in the State of Ohio. They had ten children, of whom five are living, viz: David G., Samuel H., Mary J., John R. and William A. Mr. Jones came to Sangamon county in 1854 and located on his present home, on section nine; was married January 24, 1856, in Pike county, Ohio, to Mary A. Talbott, of Ohio, born June 24, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were blessed with six children, three of whom are living, viz: Samuel T., Nellie M., and Milton E. Mr. Jones received his education in Ohio. He began to work for himself at the age of seventeen and followed farming and stock driving. He has driven stock to the eastern markets of New York and Philadelphia; owns one thousand three hundred and sixty acres of land of which forty acres are of timber, and the remainder prairie land. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Jones of the Foreign Mission Society. Mr. Jones is a successful and enterprising farmer. Stephen King was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, March 29, 1823, and is the son of William B., and Anna R. (Geening) King, natives of Virginia, and settled in Sangamon county in the fall of 1830. They had twelve children, of whom Thomas, James M., Harry J., Stephen, Fielding, John F., Hesther and Anna R., are living. Mr. King was married in Sangamon county, February 15, 1855, to Elizabeth Hendricks, and by this union were born seven children, of whom Nellie, George L., Charles H., William, Kate and Eddie are living.

Mr. King received his education in the common schools in Sangamon county. When twenty years of age, he began teaching school, which he pursued for seven years. After his marriage, began farming and raising stock on the farm of his wife's former husband, John Smith, which comprises two hundred acres of good prairie land, well improved, and under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. King are members of the Christian Church.

Ira S. Knights was born February 9, 1833, in St. Lawrence county. New York; is the son of John and Adeline (Perrin) Knights, natives also of the Empire State. To them were born nine children, of whom four are living, viz.: Suman, William, Charles, and Ira S. Mr. Ira S. Knights was educated in the common schools in his place of nativity and in Williams township; came to Sangamon county September, 1850, at which time was in his eighteenth year, and the following year his parents came from New York State, and resided in Sangamon county for eighteen years, farming, at the end of which time moved to Champaign county, Illinois, where they now reside.

Mr. Knights began to farm for himself at the age of twenty-one, without any means of comfortable support. He was married in Williams township, January 30, 1873, to Roxana Stewart, born September 8, 1818, in New York, and is the daughter of James and Roxana (Stillman) Stewart, the former born September 28, lYVV, at Fort Ann, Washington county. New York, the latter born March 22, 1786, in Massachusetts, and came to Sangamon county 1820, in what is now known as Williams township. They had nine children.

Mr. James Stewart died at the age of ninetyfour past, April 16, 1872, on the farm on which he lived for more than fifty years. To his memory, his daughter erected a beautiful monument in the cemetery near the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Knights are living on the farm on which her father first settled when he came to SangatDon county in 1820, of which there are three hundred aud twenty acres, one-half prairie and one-half timber, Mr. and Mrs. Knights are members of the Christian Church.

Michard M. Lawrence, merchant, Williamsville, was born in Tennessee, July 4, 1827, and is a son of David B. and Nancy (Ballenger) Lawrence, natives of Tennessee. Mr. L. came to Sangamon county, near the time of the "deep snow" - 1830 - with his parents. There were nine children in the family, of which Richard M., William, Allen, Silas, Hannah and Walter are living. Mr. Lawrence's school privileges were limited, as he only had opportunity of attending the district school a short time. His work on the farm was not continued long, as he learned the trade of chair-making, which he followed in various places. Mr. Lawrence commenced the mercantile business in Mountain Grove, Missouri, in 1861, and has pursued the same to the present time. He started with a small capital and during the years of his mercantile life, has added to his stock and now owns the building which he occupies. Has held the office of president of trustees of Williamsville two terms; has been a citizen for a number of years. In politics, he is a Democrat. Was postmaster three or four years in Williamsville, Illinois.

Dr. Mahlon K. 3Iathus, Williamsville, was boin in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1824, and son of Samuel S., and Esther Mathus, the former born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the latter in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. They had two children, Mahlon K., and Caroline. The Doctor came to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1843 with his parents, who located in Springfield, Illinois. His earliest education was received in the common schools of his native State. After the death of his father, his mother was married to Dr. Patricius Moran, a native of Ireland, and a practicing physician in Springfield eleven years. During this time, his stepson, Mahlon K., became his pupil. After studying with his step-father some time, Mahlon attended McDowell's Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1854 and 1855, and after receiving the honors of a graduate, became a partner of Dr. Moran. In 1856, he located in Williamsville, where he has practiced successfully a number of years. He has been a faithful student in his profession, which is shown by the interest manifested in securing the latest and best medical publications.

Dr. Mathus' first marriage was in Fancy Creek township, to Miss Rebecca Mount. By this marriage there were three children: Carrie R., Lulu and Samuel, of which Carrie is the only child living. Mrs. Rebecca Mathus died, and April 6, 1875, Dr. Mathus married Mrs. Sarah L. (Shick) Stewart, widow of William Stewart, and daughter of Samuel and Sarah Shick. Mrs. M. is a member of the Christian Church. Dr. M. has held the ofiice of town trustee, and is now treasurer of Williams township, which office he has held for twenty-five years. He is a member of the Catholic Church, formerly a member of the German Reform Church in Pennsvlvania. The homestead of his first wife's parents is in his possession - a good farm of two hundred and forty acres. The Doctor is a respected citizen, and by his industry enjoys the blessings of a nice home in Williamsville. In politics, a Republican, and cast his first vote for Taylor, for president.

liohert M. McClelland., Williams township, was born in Fancy Creek township, July 12, 1841, and son of James and Mary (Brown) Mc- Clelland, the former a native of Illinois, the latter of Kentucky. The subject of our sketch was married to Miss Lydia A. Groves, December 1, 1870. She is the only living daughter of Jacob and Barbara Groves, who are natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. McClelland have two children living: Minnie B., born September 15, 1872, and Jacob, born October 6, 1873. Mr. M. received his education in the common schools of his native State. He is a member of the Masonic Order. In connection with farming, he formerly dealt in stock, and is now farming one hundred and sixty acres of fine prairie land, well improved and under cultivation.

Robert E. Mc Clella^icl, M. J)., was born in Williams township, September 1, 1850, and is a son of John and Elizabeth A. (Mitts) McClelland, natives of Illinois and Ohio respectively; had seven children, of whom John, Martha, Charlotte F., Luticia and the Doctor, are living. Mr. McClelland has enjoyed good educational privileges. He attended the State University at Springfield, Illinois, in 1867, and after four years of a student's life in the Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Illinois, graduated in the eclectic scientific course.

In 187 I, studied medical works under Dr. Van Meter, in Williamsville, Illinois; attended his first course of lectures in 1872 and lb73, at Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, and in 1874, graduated in the same institution, receiving a diploma. He begun the practice of medicine in Williamsville, and practiced two years with Dr. AVinn, of the same town. At present Dr. McC. is without a partner, and is reaping the reward of his earnest and faithful research in his calling; has been a member - secretary - of the town trustees, four years.

Dr. McClelland was married to Miss Sue C. Turley, September 8, 1874. She is a daughter of Charles and Louisa Turley, old settlers, and of their children, Stephen S., Margaret, David C, Amanda, Sue C, James P., Marshall, General Mead and Ina, are living. The Doctor has two children, Pearl, born August 14, 1876, and Ha, born May 13, 1878. Dr. McC and wife are members of the Christian Church. He manifests an interest in all he advocates, and is a respected citizen. In politics he is a Republican and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant.

Charles Miller, was born in Scioto county, Ohio, July 18, 1820; is a son of John W. and Polly (Headley) Miller, natives of Virginia; the former born 1781, the latter 1782. Mr. Charles Miller came to Williams township, Sangamon county, Illinois, October 22, 1854, and took up his abode, in a log cabin; afterwards he purchased four hundred acres of land on which he located, and has resided since. To this possession he has added five hundred acres of land in Sangamon county, and four hundred and ten acres of land in Menard county, Illinois, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. Miller's education was of that character which so many of our early settlers experienced, spending only a short time in the log school house during the winter.

His marriage took place in Ohio, October 12, 1843, to Rebecca Miller, daughter of Abraham and Rebecca Miller, natives of Virginia, the former being born in the historic year of 1776. Charles Miller and wife were blessed with eight children, W. H., born February 8, 1845, enlisted in the Civil War in May, 1864, at Williamsville, Sangamon county, in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment, Infantry Volunteers, with Captain Orendorff in command. Was sent to Rock Island, to guard prisoners, and died while in camp, August 28, 1864; Franklin R., born March 1, 1847, died March 21, 1847; Gideon C, born July 9, 1848; Polla H., born December 20, 1850, died December 7, 1875; Edwin B., born July 30, 1853; John A., born March 19, 1856, died March ] , 1881 ; James T., born December 28, 18 - ; Oscar H., born December 4, 1859, and was killed August 5, 1880, by a railway accident, while en route for Chicago, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

William L. Perce, druggist, Williamsville, is a son of John A. and Mary J. (Lilly) Perce, natives of Ohio. Mr. Perce was born in Ohio, March 7, 1847. His early schooling was obtained in the common schools, and at the age of fifteen, entered the Springfield University, of which he was a student four years. In 1808, Mr. Perce graduated in the law department at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the same year was admitted to the bar, and at once entered the legal profession and practiced in Springfield. Prefering teaching, he entered this profession in 1870 and taught five years in public schools, part of which time was principal of the graded schools in Williamsville. In the year 1875, Mr. Perce purchased the drug store owned by J. C. Ballow, in Williamsville, and has greatly enhanced his stock, and now has a first-class drug store and carries a stock of $3,000. Mr. Perce has been township supervisor two terms and is now president and treasurer of the trustees of Williamsville; was a member of militia known as Cullom's Guards, for five years, in which time he was promoted from First Sergeant to Captain. He is a member of the Masonic Order with which he united in 1869. Has passed through several gradations. Blue Lodge or Master Mason, Chapter, Council and Commandery. Mr. Perce participated it the laying of the corner stone of the new State House in Springfield, and the unveiling of Lincoln's monument. Mr. Perce and sister Anna are at home with his mother, and are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, be is a Republican.

Isaac D. Poorman was born in Sangamon county, December 25, 1851; his parents, John M. and Susan (Bush) Poorman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. Isaac Poorman assisted his father on the farm until 1869, when he began to clerk in a wholesale grocery store in lola, Kansas. He continued with them until 1874. While clerking, he was married to Miss Mary F. Hamblin, in lola, Kansas, December 25, 1872. She is the daughter of Wm. H. and Elenor (Boyd) Hamblin, natives of Kentucky, and had ten children, of whom Elizabeth, Emily, John, William, Henry, and Mary F. are living.

Mr. and Mrs. P. have two children: Susan F., born July 18, 1876, and Perry R., born September 20, 1880. In 1875, Mr. Poorman began farming in Williams township, on one hundred and sixty acres of good prairie land, of which he now is the owner. Mr, Poorman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an energetic young man, a good citizen and merits the respect of all.

John M. Poorman was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1814, and is the son of John and Catharine (Hofi'man) Poorman, natives of Pennsylvania. John M. Poorman came from Ohio in the fall of 1842, and moved to Shelby county, Illinois, and the following year came to Sangamon county, and located on the farm formerly owned by B. B. Branson. The farm is located in the south half of section eight, in Williams townshi}), and con- sists of three hundred and twenty acres; two hundred and sixty acres are under cultivation. Mr. Poorman is of a family of ten children, of whom John M., D. L., Joseph L., Anna and Rebecca are living. Mr. Poorman was married in Fairfield county, Ohio, April 9, ]840, to Martha S. Bush, daughter of William IBush, a native of Virginia. By this marriage six children were born: Mary C, Flora E., Clara S., Lillie D., Isaac T>. and John M. Mr. Poorman attended school in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and his wife in the common schools, of Ohio. In his early life he was bound out to serve an apprenticeship to a tanner in Pennsylvania for four years, after which time he turned his attention to another pursuit in life. He began in the struggle of life poor, and his present accumulation is due to his energy and perseverance.

John Prather^ Williamsville, is the son of Enos and Mary (Sargent) Prather, who were born in Virginia and Maryland respectively. John Prather was born December 16, 1813. He began the business of farming and stock raising with his brothers, Enos and William, at the age of fifteen years, and continued with them sixteen years, since which he has carried on the business. Drove cattle from Ohio to Philadelphia and New York before the days of railroad transportation. Mr. Prather was married in Pike county, Ohio, December 11, 1836, to Mary J. Jones, daughter of Samuel and Lucy Jones, of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Prather were blessed with the following named children: William, John, Samuel E., Henry S., John F., and Mary Lucy. Samuel E. and John F. are living. Mr. Prather came to Springfield in 1867, in which city he lived ten years, and then moved to Williamsville, Illinois. He owns twenty-two hundred acres of good land in Sangamon county, part of which is in Williams township; eight hundred and fifty acres in Logan county, and twenty-two hundred acres in Kansas. Mr. Prather owns the old home farm in Pike county, Ohio, purchased by his grandfather Sargent about the year 1794, and in connection with said farm owns fourteen hundred acres in Ohio. Mr. Prather was in connection with a company which imported shorthorn cattle from England and brought them to Ohio. Was one of the first stockholders in the State National Bank in Springfield, Illinois; was assistant assessor of the United States Internal Revenue for the Twelfth District of Ohio, in Waverly, Pike county. His father was one of the first circuit judges in Pike county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Prather's education was received in the common schools. Mrs. Prather is a member

James Ryan Price was hoxn in Ohio, December 16, 1835, is the son of James and Margaret (Ryan) Price, the former born in Plere ford shire, England, the latter in Hardy county, Virginia. Mr J. R. Price received his education in common schools, in his native State. Mr. Price has been a resident of Sangamon county for twenty years; coming here in 1861, he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and at present may be classed among Sangamon county's most extensive stock growers. On Mr. Price's beautiful farm of three hundred and twenty acres may be seen the only herd of Hereford cattle in Sangamon county, and the breeders of fine stock in Central Illinois, owe much to him for his enterprise in this matter of introducing many fine breeds of cattle into this section. In 1863, Mr. Price was married to Miss Ellen Flagg, a native of Sangamon county, born June 6, 1842; A. V. Flagg and Sarah (Hoffman) Flagg were her parents. The lives of James and Ellen Price have been blessed with eight children: Ned, Lorette, May, Robbin, Ella and an infant child, are living, two having passed to the better world. Mr. and Mrs. Price worship in the faith of the M. E. Church. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln.

Ninian R. Taylor^ merchant, Williamsville, was born February 13, 1825, in Wayne county, Illinois, and is the son of James and Mary (Kelley) Taylor, the former born in South Carolina and the latter in Kentucky. To them were born twelve children, of whom five are living: Ninian R., Isaac J., Simeon M., Francis K. and Martin V. Mr. Taylor was married to Catharine Halbert, April 1, 1847. She is the daughter of Doctor James and Nancy (Reynolds) Halbert, born in the State of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had born to them eleven children, of whom John B., Lewis C, Ellen, Emma and Frank H. are living. Lewis C, graduated at Bellevue Medical College, New York, March 1, 1875; practiced in Springfield a short time, then located in Auburn five years ago; has an extensive practice. Mr. Taylor's education was obtained in the schools of Sangamon county. At the age of twenty-one he began to work for himself, by cultivating and improving a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land on section eleven, on which he located after his marriage and followed farming, raising grain and stock till 1866, and then moved to Williamsville. To the farm above mentioned, he has added one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land, ard both farms are well improved and under cultivation. He commenced in the mercantile busiress in "Williamsville shortly after he moved there, and in IS^l, formed a partnership with his son, John B. Taylor, under the firm of Taylor & Son. They keep a general stock of hardware, cutlery and provisions, and have a good trade. Mr. Taylor was elected in 1870 to represent Sangamon county in the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, of Illinois, for two years. In Williams township he has served as police magistrate for two toms, trustee of the township three years, and was re-elected in 1881. Mr. Taylor is a Master Mason, and a member of Lavely Lodge, No. 203, "Williamsville. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Christian Church, with which religiousbody they united at seventeen and. fifteen years, respectively. Mr. Taylor is an elder, and hisfiist connection with the church was on Wolf cretk. Mr. Taylor is enterprising and eneigetic, and bj his integrity has been successful in his business, and won the respect of all who know him.

James Taylor, was born in Chester district, in the State of South Carolina, November 2, in the first of this century, and moved with his parents to Hart county, Kentucky, and thence to Wayne county, Illinois, where he was married to Mary Kelley, of Kentucky. Mr. Taylor settled in Williams township, on section thirty-five, in 1829, emigrating from Kentucky with his wife and four children, over-land, in an ox-cart; entered eighty acres of prairie and timl>er, to which estate he after added two hundred and eighty acres of land. He followed farming and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were charter members of the Christian Church when organized on Wolf creek, of which Mr. Taylor was chosen deacon, and contini;ed in that office until his death, in 185V. Mrs. Taylor died of cholera, July 2*7, 1852. Mrs. and Mr. Taylor were efficient members to the church and society, and he an energetic business man; were parents of Ninian R. and Isaac J. Taylor, whose biographies appear in this volume.

is the son of James and Mary (Kelley) Taylor, natives of South Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. Twelve children were born to them, of whom five are living: Ninian R., Isaac J., Simeon M., Francis K., and Martin V. Mr. Taylor's education was obtained in the district schools of Sangamon county, and also by his own personal efforts. He began to work for himself while a young man ol twenty, in opening up a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land in Williams township, which was improved and put under cultivation. Mr. Taylor was married to Margaret Halbert, October 16, 1851. By this union there were three children, two of whom are living, Alexander D., and Mary E., both born in Sangamon county. The first mentiored is a gi'aduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois. In 1875, he commenced practice at Cotton Hill, Sangamon county; moved to Williamsville in March, 1877. Mrs. Margaret Taylor was a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Dr. James and Nancy (Reynolds) Halbert, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Taylor was a member of the Christian Church until her death. May 16, 1863. May 27, 1864, Mr. Taylor was married to Mary A. McGinnis, the daughter of Thomas McGinnis and Mary Cunningham, who were born in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were blessed with five children, four boys and one girl, of whom John E., Leonard R., and James T., are living. Mr. Taylor began the business of a merchant, by forming a partnership with Alexander Fisher and opening a general store in Williamsville, in January, 1859. This partnership lasted two years, and then Mr. Fisher sold out his interest to I. J. Taylor and John Rush. This firm continued till March, 1862. Mr. Taylor withdrew from the mercantile business and returned to his former pursuits the next spring - farming - which he is still following. He was assessor in 1862, and commissioner of highways two terms. Is a member of the Masonic Order, Lavely Lodge, No. 203.

Mr. Taylor has been actively identified with the Old Settlers' Association, and is serving his second year ^ as vice-president for Williams township.

This township is located in the center of the county, and is bounded on the east by Rochester, west by Curran, north by Springfield, and south by Ball township. It is watered by Lick creek in the southern part, and Sugar creek in the eastern part, besides numerous small tributaries of the two sti'eams. Three railroads cross its borders - the St. Louis, Wabash & Pacific, the Chicago & Alton and Ohio & Mississippi. The first named enters the township from Springfield, on section three, and passes through that section and sections four, nine, eight and seven, from which it emerges. The Chicago & Alton enters on section four, and emerges on section thirtyone, while the Ohio & Mississippi barely touches the northeast corner of section two and passes southeast through section one into Rochester township.

The first settlement made in this township was in the spring of 1819. Zachariah Peter, who came to the'county the year previous and remaine d till this time in the house of Robert Pulliam located a claim on section twenty-seven. Mr. Peter was one of the three commissioners appointed to locate the county seat of Sangamon county, and was for many years one of the county commissioners. He was born in Amherst county, Virginia, and with his parents moved to Washington county, Kentucky, when but two years old, remaining there until his removal to this State, in 1818. Mr. Peter died August 5, 1864, in Springfield, Illinois.

the Revolutionary War. He removed subsequently to Kentucky, and then to Illinois, remaining for a time in St. Clair county, and finally, with his aged wife and two youngest sons, Thompson and Alfred, settled in 1825 in Sangamon county, in what is now Woodside township. Mr. Pyle died some four years after. Thompson Pyle died in 1870, and his brother, Alfred, in 1852, in St. Clair county.

George Stout came among the first in the township, and located on section twenty-eight. Subsequently, he moved to Texas, but returned and died at his son Cooper's house, in Washington county, Illinois.

Joseph Inslee came in 1819, and settled on section twenty-seven. He was a justice of the peace for many years, and was a man well respected in the community. He died in 1867.

Jesse Southwick was born about 1762, near Lebanon, Connecticut; married Nancy Moore after arriving at the age of maturity, and moved to Oneida county, New York, where they had four children. All died of the disease called " cold plague." They then moved to Junius, Seneca county, in the same State, where they had seven children. The family embarked at Olean Point, on the Allegheny river, in a family boat, and arrived at Shawneetown, Illinois, in December, 1819. He was in company with James Stewart, and they moved in wagons from Shawneetown to a village called Milton, near Alton, where they halted until March, 1820, and then moved to Sugar creek and settled in what is now Woodside township, six and a half miles southeast of Springfield. He died September 25, 1826, on the old homestead.

Thomas Cloyd settled on section twenty-nine, in 1820, and died in 1878. He came to the country a poor man, and by industry accumulated a respectable fortune. He has two daughters and two sons yet living.

Joseph Withrow was born in Pennsylvania, lived for a time in Virginia and Kentucky, and moved to Woodside, Sangamon county, in 1825. He died in 1850.

Jajihet A. Ball was born July 5, 1800, in Madison county, Kentucky. When a young man he went to Clarksville, Tennessee, where he learned the trade of a blacksmith, with his brother, John S. From there he went with his brother to Eddyville, Caldwell county, Kentucky, and from there to Sangamon county, arriving late in December, 1825, in what is now Woodside township. He was married December 2, 1828, to Sarah Henderson.

Woodside has had its Revolutionary soldier in the person of George Bryan, who was born February 15, 1758 in North Carolina, He went, or may have been taken by his parents; to Virginia, and from there to Kentucky with Daniel Boone, about 1780. There he either founded, or by his bold daring as a leader, gave the name to a primative fortification called Bryant's Station, in what became Fayette county, Kentucky, a few miles from where the city of Lexington was afterwards established. It will be observed that in applying the name to the fortification a letter has been added, making the name Bryant, which is erroneous. There is a tradition preserved by his descendants, that soon after the fort was established, the young women belonging to the families connected with it were washing clothes at a stream of running water on the outside of the stockade. George Bryan and some of the other young men stood guard. Not being apprehensive of danger, they permitted the Indians to place themselves between the girls and the fort. The guard quickly secured a position between the girls and the savages, and a skirmish ensued. After making the way clear, Bryan, in a loud voice, announced that he would marry the girl who would enter the fort first. They all escaped, and he, true to his word, after gaining the consent of the young lady, was married in the fall of 1781, to Elizabeth Ragan, who was born in 1760, in South Carolina. Mr. Bryan always claimed that it was the first marriage of a white couple in what became the State of Kentucky. That was before the era of mills in that region of country, and his descendants have handed down the statement, in connection with the wedding festival, that he paid -$10 for a bushel of corn meal, to make bread for the occasion. They had at least raised one crop, and Mr. Bryan rolled pumpkins into the fort as a substitute for chairs to seat the guests. They had ten or eleven children, four of them sons, and Mrs. Bryan died. Mr. Bryan was married in 1829, to Mrs. Cassandra Miller, who died in Kentucky, in 1833. In 1834, Mr. Bryan came to Sangamon county with some of his children and grandchildren .

When George Bryan came to Sangamon county, in 1834, he was in his seventy-sixth year, but he continued visiting Kentucky, riding each way on horseback, annually, for eleven years. He died November 22, 1845, and was buried near Woodside station, Sangamon county. He was eighty-seven years, nine months and seven days old.

It seems almost incredible that a man who was of suflicient age to have been a soldier in the American Revolution, and who took an active part in the stirring scenes of the frontier settlements in the second State admitted to the American Union, should have become an early settler of Sangamon county, and witnessed some of its earliest strides towards civilization; but the life of George Bryan extended over this long and eventful period. His grandson, William T. Jones, has a great fund of reminiscences of the life of his Grandfather Bryan, as he received them from the lips of the venerable patriarch while living.

Originally, two-thirds of the township was prairie, which lay principally in the north part of the township, the remainder being timber and openings. The timber lands lay principally along the banks of Lick creek and Sugar creek, and is composed of the usual varieties peculiar to this section of the county. The county is beautifully situated, and has in it some very fine farms.

The first scnooi was in a log caoin on tne north side of Lick creek, previous to the big snow. The first free school was near Woodside station, in 1845. There are now eight frame school buildings in the township, valued at $5,400.

It is unknown who preached the first sermon in the township, but it is thought to have been Rev. James Sims. His co-laborer, Rev. Peter Cartwright, was one of the first in the township, and is remembered more than any other minister of the Gospel.

In the fall of 1837, Daniel Megredy, of Port Deposit, Cecil county, Maryland, while on a visit to his brother Enoch, left with him $20 as a nucleus for a subscription for building a church edifice. During the next year, 1838, a subscription was started, and in 1839, Old Harmony Church was built on the site still occupied as the graveyard, near Woodside station. The principal part of the subscription was for timber and work, as money could not be had.. The frame was hewed out, and the weather-boarding was of clapboard shaved smooth. This was among the first frame church buildings in the county. It was twenty-four by thirty feet in size, a very commodious building for that day. Although used for many years, the seating arrangements were never completed. The building has long since given place to a more modern building. Previous to the biiilding of Old Harmony Church, the preaching appointment was at the dwelling house of Adam Safley, near by. This was a cabin fourteen by sixteen feet, with one small window in the west side, near the corner. Near this window the preacher stood while conducting services, thus monopolizing nearly all the natural light when the door was shut. On one occasion, previous to occupying his position by the window, the preacher was engaged in placing his saddle-bags securely under the bed, when a member of the congregation, who, having just come in, mistaking him for a stool, proceeded to seat himself on the preacher's back, much to the amusement of the spectators and Burprise of the dominie. Mr. Safley was a faithful, earnest Christian, and by his Christian walk exercised a moral influence over those with whom he came in contact.

The Bethel Christian Church was organized in 1839, by Elder A. J. Kane, of Springfield, with William Caldwell, William Bridges and wife, George Trimble and William Shumate among the number composing the original membership. The congregation met for worship in a school-house in the neighborhood until 1861, when a house of worship was erected in conjunction with the Baptists, who have a claim to onefourth of the building. The house is a frame, thirty-two by fifty. Jesse Smith, Gordon Cloyd 124 - and Matthew Cloyd are the present Elders, and Joseph Cloyd, Montgomery Crane and James A. Trimble are the present Deacons. Among the ministers who have served the congregation are Elders Kane, Sweeney, Vawter, Mallory, Goode, Smith and Corwin.

Patriotic

The war record of Woodside is commendable. Notwithstanding the frequent calls of the President, the immense bounties offered elsewhere, and the great difficulty experienced in obtaining men, the township filled its quota under each call, and never had occasion to offer a bounty, or to levy a tax for that purpose.

Coal Mines

The discovery of coal by E. P. Howlett, at Riverton, in 1865, and the assurance given by the State Geologist that underneath, probably, the entire county, good working veins of coal existed, stimulated further explorations, resulting in the fact being made known that this township was rich in " black diamonds."

The Powers coal mine was first opened in 1866, but mining was not carried on until the following year. A shaft two hundred and fifty feet deep was sunk, when a vein of coal from five and a half to six feet in thickness was discovered, which has since been continually worked. At the present tmie from eighty to one hundred men are worked in the mine, and some ten or twelve employed in work on the outside. From three hundred and fifty to four hundred tons of coal can be taken out each day. They now average thirty cars per day of ten tons each. Three grades of coal are placed upon the market - lump, chestnut and nut, which are supplied to the railroad and city trade. The Wabash Coal Company are proprietors of the mine at the present time, with an office in the Library Building in Springfield. Jacob G. Loose sunk the first shaft at the Junction soon after the war.

The Black Diamond Coal Mine is located near the Junction, and a shaft two hundred and fifty feet deep was commenced June, 1880, and by October, coal was being taken out from a six foot vein, which now yields three hundred tons per day. Every protection is afforded the men working in the mines, a heavy fan ventilator being used to furnish fresh air and drive out foul air when necessary. Speed Butler is the proprietor of the mines, which cost the sum of 830,- 000 to commence operations.

Dairy

forty-tive cows, ilieir products nelting them $4, 700. The number of cows has been incre ised from time to time, until they now number one hundred and twenty-five. The annual sales foot up over $13,000, which includes what is derived from the sale of milk, cream and butter.

Beno7ii Bell was born in Virginia July 24, 1822, the son of Zebulon and Rachel, nee Single, Bell, natives also of the same State, who settled in this township in 1834; mother died in December, 1852, but" his father is still living, now eighty-two years of age. The subject of this sketch came with his parents to this county, and in 1847 he married Eliza J. Wills, who was born in Kentucky in 1823, and died in 1856. Their two children were, Cornelia, now Mrs. Doake; and William S., deceased. In 1859, Mr. Bell married Anna Taylor, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1823; they have five children. Mr. B. in 1856, purchased the mill which he now owns and forty-five acres of land, which is worth $45 an acre. Politically, he is a Republican.

John L. Bliss was born in Bath county, Kentucky, August 20, 1 846, the son of Charles A. and Mary A. {7iee Badger) Bliss, natives also of that State; father died in 1848. John L. attended the public school in Kentucky, and one term at the Commercial School, in Springfield, Illinois, in 1860. In 1870, he married Eliza Jane Gatton, who was born in this county, February 1, 1847; they have four children; Luella M., Carrie L., Josephus G. and Charles G. Mr. Bliss was engaged in the stock business for a number of years, and in 1870, bought his present farm of eighty acres, worth |65 an acre. In politics he is a Democrat.

Colonel Speed Butler is the second child and eldest son of Hon. William Butler; was born in Springfield, Illinois, August 7, 1837. He graduated from the Lutheran University, at Springfield in 1854, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1860. Upon the inauguration of the late civil war in 1861, he was selected by Governor Yates to carry a dispatch to Washington City asking for an order to remove the United States arms from the arsenal at St. Louis to Alton, Illinois. Railroad and telegraph communication to the capital had been cut off, but he made his way successfully to the capital, performed his mission and returned in safety. The arms were removed just in time to save them from falling into the hands of the rebels. Soon after completing this service, Mr. Butler was appointed commissary with the rank of Captain, but was soon after assigned to duty on the staff of General Pope, and was with that officer during his campaign through Northern Missouri, at Island No. 10 and other points. In September, 1861, he was appointed Major of the Fifth Illinois Cavalry. In June, 1862, he was promoted to Colonel in the regular army for gallantry on the battle-field of Farmington, Mississippi, but by permission of General Wool, still remained on the staff of General Pope, and shared the fortunes of that officer in the Virginia campaign, and also in Minnesota against the Indians. He was honorably discharged after the close of the war, in 1865. On May 26, 1864, Colonel Butler united in marriage with Miss Jennie McKenzie, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was born September, 4, 1845, in Poughkeepsie, New York.

David II. Hall was born in the " Corncracker" State, January 19, 1829; his parents were Moses and Elizabeth (Crawford) Hall, natives also of that State, but now deceased. He first married, in Kentucky, Anna E. Delph, who died in 1860. In 1866, Mr. Hall emigrated to this county, settling near Mechanicsburg, and this year he married Maria B. Hall, daughter of Benjamin Logan Hall; only two of their six children are now living, Evelin L., and Anna B. ; the deceased are Robert Lee, Bessie, Franklin, and an infant. In 1871, he moved upon his present farm, which consists of four hundred and five acres, well improved and worth $75 an acre. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the First Presbyterian Church, at Springfield, and politically he is a Democrat.

Ulijah F. lies was born in this county February 28, 1838; the son of Washington and Ann (Foster) lies, natives of Bath county, Kentucky. His father first came to this part of the country when only eighteen years of age, on business for another man, and finding that the soil was rich he concluded to settle here, which he did in 1825, He was married May 4, 1822; his wife was born in December, 1804, near Owensville, Kentucky. Mr. lies was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and resided in this county until his death, July 4, 1871; Mrs. lies died August 25, 1866. Mr. I. aided in bringing the steamboat "Talisman" up the Sangamon river opposite Springfield, the only steamboat that ever ascended that stream so high. Elijah F., the subject of this notice, was raised on a farm and was married October 6, 1868, to Mildred Steele, who was born in Lincoln county, Missouri, February 16, 1844, and their seven children are Lewis W., David S., Elijah F., Frank B., Malcomb G., Joseph and Thomas. Mr. lies owns nine hundred and twelve acres of land near Springfield, worth $50 an acre. Mr, and Mrs. I. are members of the M. E. Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

Samuel M. Little visi% born March 1, 1811, in Fleming county, Kentucky, and was the son of Samuel and Mary Little, nee Newcomb, who was born in Virginia, and moved to Kentncky, where he raised a family of nine children; then to St. Clair county, Illinois, and thence to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1820, where he settled two and a half miles southwest of the present State House, and resided there until his death, January 1, 1847; his wife died in July, 1823. Samuel M. was married January 29, 1843, to Eliza M. Morgan; she was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, August 24, 1824, and is the daughter of Daniel and Mary Morgan, nee Woods, who came to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1828; herfather died September 6, 1866, at the age of eighty-two, and her mother January 20, 1876, in her ninetyfirst year; their family consisted of seven children, four of whom are living: Gersbam J., Sanford H., Harriet C, now Mrs. John W. Crafton, and Fannie Z. William H. was killed August 16, 1873, by an accident on the C. & A. Railroad, at Sag Bridge, near Chicago; Mary E. died October 30, 1855, and Minerva C, August 1, 1857. They still reside on the farm which his father settled in 1819, worth $15,000. Samuel M. Little engaged in the livery business, in 1852, and carried on the same until he lost his health, eince which the business has been conducted by his two sons.

Jacob G. Loose^ one of the early and successful business men of Springfield, was born December 14, 1812, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and there grew to man's estate on a farm. Desiring to obtain a knowledge of, and identify himself with, the great and growing West, he came to Illinois, and began his business life as a clerk in a dry goods store in Springfield, in 1886. Some years later, he became a proprietor in the business, and was at one time, for a year or so, a partner with Colonel John Williams, and subsequently, for seven or eight years, in partnership with E. B. Hawley. Purchasing a tract of land southwest of the city, in Woodside township, Mr. Loose withdrew from commercial pursuits, and engaged in farming. Meantime, on December 18, 1845, he united in marriage with Elizabeth lies, daughter of Washington lies, one of the pioneers of Sangamon county. Prosperity attended every step of his career, and Mr. Loose added from time to time to his farm by purchase, until at his death,

Becoming satisfied tbat his land contained coal, he arranged with P. L. Howlett, who was then boring for coal at Riverton, to use his machinery, but afterwards decided not to wait, and sent to the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and obtaining a complete outfit, commenced boring in June, 1866. Coal was reached in quantities which satisfied him that it would pay to mine it, and he began sinking a shaft in September. The first coal was taken out from the shaft in April, 1867. This was the first shaft within fifteen miles of Springfield to supply the market with coal, and when the first load of coal was mined and hauled to the city great excitement and enthusiasm prevailed among the citizens. It was decorated with banners and miners, and upon reaching the city, was sold and re-sold for the benefit of the Home of the Friendless, a number of times, some of the philanthropic citizens paying as high as a hundred dollars for it, and re-donatmg it to the Home. The mine is two hundred and thirty-seven feet deep, and taps a vein of coal five feet, ten inches in thickness. The entire cost of opening it, including engine, hoisting machinery, and equipments, was eighty thousand dollars. It is located two miles south of the State Capitol, at the junction of the C. & A. and W., St. L. & P. Railways, and is yet owned by the heirs of Mr. Loose. This was the beginning of the utilization of Nature's underground treasures, which have become such a rich boon to Sangamon county and the Capital City.

Ten children were born to Mr. aud Mrs. Loose, seven of whom survive, namely: Sallie C, now the wife of Junius D. Crabb; Jessie V., the wife of Dr. Jacob S. Price; Joseph 1., Frank E., George P., Robert D., and Elizabeth. Mr. Loose was a (jaref ul, energetic business man, and was noted for his genial, cheerful disposition and social domestic qualities. Mrs. Loose was born August 4, 1825, in Flemingsburg, Bath county, Kentucky; was the second of a family of nine children of Washington lies and Ann Foster, who married there and came to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1825.

Gliomas C. Shejyherd, a native of Jefferson county, Virginia, was born June 28, 1806, at the village of Shepherdstown, where he passed his boyhood days, received his education, and grew to manhood, and where he married Miss Ellen Miller, on the third day of July, 1834. Miss Miller's parents resided at his own native town, at which place she was born June 24, 1813.

After their marriage they took up their residence at Blackford's Ferry, Maryland, where their first child was born. At the death of Mrs. Shepherd's father, be assumed the responsibility of the care of the family, and with that well-directed energy and characteristic enterprise which has marked his whole life, he determined to avail himself of the opportunity of hewing out a fortune in the then far West. Animated by a desire to better the condition of his family, and himself, he left Maryland, in the fall of 18;i6, for the wilds of Illinois, where he arrived after a six weeks' overland journey in wagons, accompanied by his family, his mother, sister and two brothers, on the l7th day of November, 1836, at a fax'm purchased some months before by Mr. Shepherd, and on which he still resides. The Shepherds have always entertained a strong preference for the name of Thomas, and for six generations the name has been transmitted to the first male child, Mr. Shepherd's grandson being the sixth child who has received the heritage of the name Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd are the parents of five children, all natives of Sangamon county, except one; their names are, Thomas B., John H., William B., Charles M., and Mary E. Mr. Shepherd has accumulated a fine estate, being the owner of nine hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable farm land lying about six miles south of Springfield, Mr. Shepherd, at the age of seventy-five years, enjoys good health and lives in comparative retirement and ease from active business, enjoying the fruits of his well-directed efforts, an ample fortune, surrounded by his family and a large circle of friends. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; their children are all married and own farms in this county, where they reside. T. Shepherd, grandfather of our subject, emigrated to this country from Wales, in an early day, the Government had no land oflice, and the boundary of lands was not made by surveys, but by streams of water, ridges of rocks, remarkable trees, etc.; lands thus marked were known as " Tomahawk Claims."

The town of Shepherdstown, which bears his name, was laid out in half-acre lots, sold at very low prices, but of course bearing an annual rent of five shillings, which was paid for many years, but finally bought off. As might be supposed, where land could be obtained so cheap that large bodies were marked off as individual claims. Many of his descendants were made rich by his large claims of land laying bordering on the Potomac river; the father of Mr. T.

C. Shepherd owned a mill in Shepherdstown, Virginia, where he died. The subject of this sketch, T. C. Shepherd, came to Illinois when it was a wild country. He has work through the hard times of the early days, and has always had good health, and has never regretted coming to Illinois. In 1848, was elected county commissioner, and served in that oflice four years, being the last of the county commissioners under the old constitution, the county commissioners at that time doing the same business the board of supervisors now transact, in addition settling up estates now transacted by the county judge. After the revision of the constitution of the State, the business of the county was transacted by a county judge, and two associate judges, until the township organization took effect. Mr. Shepherd was elected the first supervisor from Woodside township, and reelected to same office the second year, and served fourteen years as treasurer of the school fund of his township, he turned over to his successor an increased amount of school fund, never having lost a debt.

Josejih Shejiherd was born in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, July 11, 1816; son of Thomas and Mary (Byers) Shepherd; father died in 1832, and Joseph resided with his mother; came to this county with the family which consisted of two brothers and one sister. He was married March 16, 1848, to Fanny Smith, who was born October 25, 1818, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. They had seven children, John Thomas, Jane H., Salome C, Joseph T., Amanda E., Mary A. and Fannie N.; the two latter are deceased. February 19, 1803, Mrs. Smith died, and for his second wife, Mr. Smith married Mrs. Lydia Haggard, nee Byers, who was born in Butler county, Virginia, March 31, 1828. She had one child by her former marriage - Margaret C. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children, William A. and Lydia. Mr. S. moved upon his present farm in 1850, and now owns four hundred and eighty acres of well cultivated land, worth |60 an acre. Both are members of the Methodist Church, and he is a Republican.

Mev. James Shinn was born in Harrison county. West Virginia, August 30, 1823, son of George and Sarah (Kirke) Shinn, the latter was the daughter of Samuel and Agnes Kirke; her father came to Adams county, Illinois, landing at Quincy, May 5, 1838, and purchased a farm in Fall creek, where he engaged in farming until 1850; then moved to Hancock county, where he purchased a farm, and resided there until his death, in March, 1861; his wife died at

The subject of this notice came to this State with his parents, and received his education principally in the common schools of Adams county; he attended the Institute, near Quincy, about one year. After leaving school he bought a farm on section thirteen. Fall Creek township, and engaged in farming. In 1849, he married Elizabeth Reeder, born March 19, 1831; her parents were Daniel and Frances Reeder, who located near Quincy, in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Shinn had thirteen children, of whom six are living, viz: Maxwell Hardin, Wilber, Leroy, Horace, Homer and Pettie. Rev. Mr. Shinn was licensed a preacher by the M. E. Church, in 1855, ordained as Deacon in 1859, and Elder in 1863, since which time he has been actively engaged in disseminating the Gospel. When he commenced life he had very little means, but plenty of energy; he improved one of the finest farms in the township, raised large quantities of fruit, and dealt in fine stock, which proved a good investment. He served in various township oflices, was justice of the peace ten years, and foremost in the advancement of education ; he was one of the directors in the Adams County Agricultural Society many years, and was one of the trustees of the Quincy College. His first vote was cast for Henry Clay for President. He sold his farm in Adams county, in 1876, and located on his present farm in this county, which consists of two hundred and eighty acres of land, situated two and a half miles southwest of the State House; he is now engaged in farming, and for three years has made butter and cheese.

J. D. Smith, merchant, postmaster and railroad agent, Woodside, was born in this county, September 29, 1845; son of William C. and Rebecca (Walker) Smith, natives of Virginia; father now resides in Curran township. J. D., remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1867, he married Martha Alsbury, who was born in this county, and died in 1875, leaving three children: Anna L., Bertha C, and John C. Mr. Smith carried on farming till 1879, then sold out and bought the store which he now owns, and is stocked with goods sufficient to supply the demands of his customers. For his second wife, Mr. Smith married Mary L. Crane, a native of Rush county, Indiana.

mother died in 1846, and his father in 1861, in Ohio. John came to this county in 1841, and worked by the month for a number of years. In 1853, he married Salome Snyder, who was born in Pennsylvania, March 16, 1821. He moved upon the farm he now owns, in 1850, which at that time consisted of one hundred and seventy-eight acres; he now owns two hundred and fifty-eight acres which is under a fair state of cultivation, and worth $50 an acre. In politics he is a Republican.

WilUarn Southioick was born in Seneca county. New York, February 9, 1907, and was the son of Jesse and Nancy (Moore) Southwick, the former born in 1762, near Lebanon, Connecticut, and the latter in 1770, also in Connecticut. They moved to Oneida county, New York, thence to Seneca county, same State, where they resided for a number of years, then embarked on the Allegheny river at Olean Point in a family boat and arrived at Shawneetown, Illinois, in December, 1819. James Stewart was in company with them, and they moved from Shawneetown to a village called Milton, near Alton, where they remained till March 20, then moved to Sugar creek and settled in what is now Woodside township, six and a half miles southeast of Springfield, where they commenced farming. His father died September 25, 1826, and his mother in February, 1845. William received only a common school education, and was fifteen years old when his father came to this county. He was married in September, 1831, in this county to Louvicy Proctor, born November 23, 1811, at Charleston, Clarke county, Indiana. They had seven children, six of whom are living, viz: Eunice, now Mrs. Fox, David, James W., John H., Philip S., and Laura A., now Mrs. Henry A. Stevens; Nancy E., who was Mrs. Jerome Duncan, is deceased. Mr. Southwick is now situated on the farm where he first located in 1820, and owns three hundred and fifty-five acres of well improved land worth $50 an acre. Politically, he is a Republican.