Sangamon County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1881 (part 7 of 21)

Jacob Anthony, post office, Virden, Macoupin county; son of Jacob and Eva Anthony; father born in New York, about 1788; mother born in Raenselear county, New York, in 1790; father of English extraction; mother of German extraction. They were married in the State of New York, and had twelve children - six sons and six daughters. The subject of this sketch was born October 26, 1801, in Sharon, Skoharie county. New York, and served a regular apprenticeship to the carpenter trade, following it most of his life. In the fall of 1843, was married to Miss Margaret Lacy, daughter of Elliott and Sarah Lacy; father born in North Carolina; mother born in Tennessee. They have five children living: William, James, Mary, Martha and Agnes. Mr. Anthony owns two hundred acres of valuable land, well improved. His advantages of early education was such as the county schools afforded in his day. His son John was a member of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and died from disease contracted in the army.

John Beechly, farmer and real estate dealer. Auburn, Illinois, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, on the 20th day of September, 1820, son of Michael and Susannah Beechly; father of German descent and a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he bought a farm and remained there until his death, which occurred about 1859. There was a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters.

branches of business, prominent among them is dealing in real estate, having charge of many farms and loaning money, etc. Mr. Beechly married Miss Susan Garber, daughter of John Garber, of Virginia, where she was born in 1826. By this union there was a family of ten children, SIX of whom are living: Nancy, now Mrs. J. J. Meyers, of Kansas; Hettie, now Mrs. John W. Hart, ot Auburn ; Allen, Susan, Milton and Laura. Mr. B. has a farm of two hundred acres of land, valued at $100 per acre. The entii'e farm is worth '^20,000; is a large farmer; handles considerable stock, and raising in one year three thousand five hundred bushels of wheat; is a member of the German Baptist Church.

Thomas Black., Sr., Auburn, Illinois, son of Thomas and Edith Black father born in South Carolina, October 25, 1768, mother born in Kentucky. They were married in Christian county, Kentucky, moved to Sangamon county, April 0, 1819. They came with horse teams, camped out at nights, carried their household goods in the wagon with them, located in what is now Auburn township, the land grant settled upon being about a hundred and twenty acres.

Their family consisted of four sons and three daughters, all born in Kentucky: Sarah, born July 3, 1796; David, September 17, 1798; Elizabeth, March 6, 1803; Nancy, August 4, 1806; John, August 8, 1809; Thomas, September 3, 1813; Carter T., January 24, 1818.

The subject of this sketch was the sixth child. He was married March 7, 1855, to Miss Mary Jane Wallace, daughter of John and Eveline Wallace, her father was born in Nova Scotia, June 17, 1808; her mother was born November 20, 1813; Mr. Black was born November 1, 1835; they have three children, all daughters: Malah Edith, born November 8, 1861; Mary Francis, January 7, 1868; Marchie Ellia, March 12, 1871; father died, November 20, 1854; mother died, August 20, 1876. Carter T. Black is living in Bates county, Missouri, is a contractor for buildings; he is the youngest of the family, and the only remaining brother of Thomas Black, Sr. ; owns quite a large farm, valued at $6u per acre. Mr. Black is of German extraction, Mrs. Black of Scotch and German. The early education of both were such as the country schools of their day would afford.

Charles JV. JBroicn, farmer. Auburn, Illinois, was born in Kennebec, Maine, on the 14th day of November, 1840; son of William and Sarah ( Smily,) Brown; father a native of New Hampshire, and mother of Maine. His father was twice married; his first wife was Maria Howard, by whom he had five children, one of M'hom has lived to manhood, Ambrose U., who was a soldier in the Third Maine Infantry, and was captured in the first battle of Bull Run, and was taken prisoner and incarcerated iii L bby Prison, where he starved to death. The second fan?ily consisted of seven children, five of whom are living, Mary, Charles, Henry W., Mariah S., and Warren F. Henry was a soldier in the late war and was taken prisoner at Spotsylvania Court House, taken to Andersonville Prison, where he was kept for eight months. Charles N. came to Sangamon county in 1860, where he became acquainted with Miss Matilda E. Foster and was married in December 1864. Mr. Brown enlisted in 1861 in the Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, three months' service, being one of the first to enlist in the regiment, and remained until the expiration of his term, when he re-enlisted in the Ninth Volunteer Infantry, Company K. He participated in several hot engagements, among them were Fort Donalson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and others; was wounded at the battle of Fort Donalson in the arm and leg, where he carries the ball at the present time. In politics he is a Republican.

William Brownell, druggist, Aubui-n, Illinois, was born in Ball township, Sangamon county, on the tenth day of December, 1822; son of John and Nancy (Pulliam) Brownell, a daughter of Robert Pulliam, the first settler in Sangamon county, coming as early as 1817, and built the first log cabin in Ball township. Mr. John Brownell came to the State in 1818, and located on Sugar creek, where he embarked in farming and in various other branches of business. He is still living in Auburn township, at the advanced age of eighty-one, and is probably the oldest living resident of the county. There was a family of eleven children. Mr. William Brownell, the oldest son, remained at home, and on account of his father's health, took charge of the business uniil 1863. In 1848, married Miss Elizabeth Bridges, daughter of George Bridges, of Harrison county, Kentucky; she was born in Harrison county, Kentucky. By this union there Avas a family of six children; four of whom are living, Jane, Isabel, and Columbus V.; John W. died October 25, 1881, of consumption. She died February 14, 1869. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and was loved and respected by all who knew her. In December, 1869, married Miss Elizabeth Vaughn; she was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, March 3, 1840. There were two children, one of whom is still living, Ora Viola. In 1863, he came to Auburn, where he embarked in the drug business, and bought and repaired the hotel, which he run for twelve years. Auburn, at that time, was a small place, there being but two buildings on the west side of the railroad. Mr. B. has been identified with Auburn and vicinity all his life; has seen it from its wild, uncultivated prairies, to one of the finest agricultural sections in the State. Has held several local ofiices of trust in the gift of the people, as police magistrate, school director, etc. Is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Ark and Anchor Lodge, No. 354, of Auburn. The family are members of the Baptist Church.

Sudden Change. - Reminiscences by Mr William Brownell. - He says a man by the name of Welch was relating how, at the time of the sudden change, that he had chickens which were on a fence at the time the cold wave struck them were blown off into the slush, and as soon as they struck the ground would freeze in their tracks; when a Dutchman who heard him tell it; said that at the time, his wife was making a kettle of hominy over the fire-place, and the top of it was frozen over about two inches; he took a hatchet, chopped into it, and found it boiling furiously in the center. Mr. Brownell had a cousin driving stage from Springfield to Mechanicsburg, and at the time of the sudden change, was prssing Clear Lake, and had driven into the lake when the blast struck him, and before he could get his team out, the wagon had frozen in, and in order to extract his team, had to cut his harness and leave the wagon, and jump on his team with his mail bag and make for Mechanicsburg, which he reached in a frozen condition. On tiie following day he returned to the lake, cut out the wagon and took it to town.

John Buck (deceased), Aubui'n, Illinois, was born in Lanesborough, Massachusetts, January 3, 1797, son of Ebenezer and Ann Talcott, natives of Connecticut, where they were married and raised a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of which lived to be adults

Mr. .John Buck was married in Lanesborough, Massachusetts, to Miss Cynthia Brown, by whom there were three children, viz., Edwin, Franklin, and Mary N. Mrs. Buck died in Lewis county. New York, November 27, 1836, when he became acquainted with Miss Avis Rich, whom he married. She was born in Lewis county. New Y'ork, June 15, 1819. By this union there was one child, Mary L.,born in Lewis county, New Y^ork, January 3, 1843.

a large tract of land near Auburn. In 1854-55, laid out what is known as Buck's Addition to the Village of Auburn. Being a liberal man, donated several lots, besides donating the ground for a public square. Masonic Hall, and Methodist Church. Through his influence, has succeeded in building up a flourishing little village.

Mr. Buck died August 23, 1880, leaving a large number of friends to mourn his loss. Mr. Buck, in politics, was a Republican; held several local ofiices of trust, representing his township as Supervisor.

William Hurtle, Esq., Auburn, Illinois, was born in Grayson county, Kentucky, on the 9th day of August, 1822; son of Wm. Burtle and Sarah Ogden, who emigrated to Sangamon county in 1826, coming with a team and located in Ball township. After renting one year, purchased land and made a farm, where he remained until his death, which occurred July 24, 1860. Mother died February 11, 1868. The subject of this sketch was four years old when he came to the county, and has been identified with the county since. September 4, 1856, married Miss Elizabeth White, who was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, December 28, 1829. The fruits of this marriage were five children, one of which is living, he was born in Auburn, May 9, 1864. Mr. B. came to Ball township when there was but ten to twelve families in the township, and the prairies were unbroken, the deer and wolves roving over them, and has lived to see it one of the most thickly populated townships which now compose the county of Sangamon. Mr. B. has held several local ofiices of trust in the county and representing them in the Board of Supervisors, and is at present a justice of the peace. Is a member of the Catholic Church, being brought up as one. In an early day has hauled wheat to Macoupin Point and sold it for six and one-half cents, and has raised pork for one dollar and twenty-five per hundred.

Elder Alcmson S. Calkins, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Delaware county. New York, on the 27th day of October, 1823, son of Smith and Cornelia (Foster) Calkins; father and mother were of English descent whose ancestors came over in the Mayflower and located in Connecticut, where his father was born. When a young man, he moved to Delaware county. New York, where he remained several years and then returned to Connecticut, where he died in 183P, and his mother died the previous year. Mr.

Calkins was very young when his father died and was thrown onto his own resources to battle against a cold world. December 29, 1849, married Miss Dina C. Bennett, daughter of William and Sarah (Bronson) Bennett, natives of Connecticut, where she was born October 10, 1832. By this marriage there was one child, Sarah B., who was born in Connecticut, June 5, 1849. They remained in Connecticut a few years, came to LaSalle county, Illinois, where they remained a short time, when they went to Hancock county, where he had charge of the church near Carthage. They remained there one year. They then returned to LaSalle county, when he organized several churches and supplied their pulpits. From there he came to Springfield, Illinois, where he held several meetings. From there he had a call at Collinsville, where he held several protracted meetings and supj^lied the pulpit one year. He then came to Auburn where he established a church and has remained since. His first meetings were well attended and a good number connected themselves with the church. In 1870, they erected a church edifice, the dimensions being forty by fifty, a frame building large enough to accommodate the congregation . There is a Sabbath school in connection with the church which is in a prosperous condition. The present oificers: Superintendent, Thomas Parks; Bible class teacher, Allen Gordon ; teachers. Miss Parks, Alice Welch, Caroline Spencer, Sarah Conklin. The average attendance now is about twentyfive.

L. B. McCarton, grocer. Auburn, Illinois, was born in Shelby county, Ohio, January 16, 1835; son of Colin B. and Mary (Black) McCarton; there was a family of three children, two sons and one daughter, L. B., Julia, and Colin B. His father was a millwright by trade, which he followed until his death, which occurred in Cass county, Indiana, in 1837. His mother is still living with Mr. McCarton. L. B. was reared on a farm and received a liberal education; married Miss Sarah A. Fortney, a daughter of Jacob and Ann Fortney of Pennsylvania, who were early settlers of Ohio; she was born September 1837. The fruits of this union are six children, five of whom are living, Oscar, Charles L., Mary, Frank and Viola. Mr. McC. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a member of A. O. U. W., of Auburn. ' Mr. and Mrs. McC. are members of the Presbyterian Church, Coming to this county in 1866 he embarked in farming, which he followed until 1868, when he engaged in his present business, groceries and provisions. In politics he is a Republican, has held several

Hoy ce McCoy, carpenter and joiner, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Washington county, Indiana, December 4, 1826; son of lioyce, Sr., and Malinda (Pound) McCoy; his father was a pioneer preacher, preaching Sunday and working on a farm through the week; he died in Indiana in 1836; his mother living some years later, died in 1866; they died as they had lived, sincere Christians. Royce, Jr., was reared on a farm, and received what schooling the country afi:'orded at the time. When seventeen years of age, he was apprenticed as a wagon-maker, where he remained about two years; he then went to Fulton county, where he was employed at his trade for a couple of years. In 1847, came to Morgan county; previous to coming, and when twenty years of age, married Mary Hattabough, who died July 1 1, 1849. Two years later he married Mrs. Mary Barton, widow of Henry Barton, a native of North Carolina, and born in 1827. In 1856, came to Auburn; there were two houses on the west side of the railroad, where Auburn now stands, and at that time the town was called Wineman, after a man by the name of Philip Wineman, who first laid out the town. Mr. McCoy has been identified with Auburn from its infancy, and has always worked for its best interest. Is a member of the M. E. church, and has been identified with it for thirty years.

Henry Datoson, Jr., Superintendent of Tile, Brick and Auburn Coal Shaft, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Richland county, Ohio, on the 1 6th day of December, 1855; S3n of Henry, Sr., and Rebecca (Carvan) Dawson; father a native of England; mother of Ohio. His mother died in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1875. In 1878, came to Auburn, where he was cashier of the Auburn Bank over two years; he gave up that position and engaged in his present occupation. Married Miss Minnie Van Zile, daughter of Abram Van Zile, of Hancock county, Illinois. She was boin in Rutland county, Vermont, in 1857. The fruits of this marriage are two children - Minnie Inez and Henry, Jr. Mr, Dawson is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Auburn, and the A. O. U. W. In politics is a Republican. Mrs. D. is a member of the Baptist Church.

Andreio Eagan, brickmaker. Auburn township, section twenty-eight, was born in Kilkenney county, Ireland, in 1842. When a child his parents emigrated to the United States, and landed in New Orleans, thence by river to Jersey county, Illinois, where he followed farming, and where his parents died soon after coming to the State, which left the subject ot this sketch an orphan, and he was forced to tight the battles of life alone. In 1870, he married Miss Mary Vancil, a daughter of Simeon Yancil, an early settler of the county, whereshe was born in 1844. There are three children - Annie Ella, Katie May, and Fannie Emma. In 1861, enlisted in the Eleventh Missouri Infantiy, Company C, Captain M. M. Warren ; participated in all the engagements of the regiment, some of the principal being : New Madrid or Island No. 10, siege of Corinth, luka, battle of Corinth, when he was wounded near the ear by a buckshot ; also siege of Yicksburg, when he was again wounded, by a ball, on the top of his head, being in the service nearly four years ; mustered out at St. Louis, January 19, 1866. Is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Baptist Church.

William A. McElvain, farmer, section sixteen, Auburn township, was boi*n in Adair county, Kentucky, December 1, 1822; son of Samuel and Penelope (Abell) McElvain, natives of Virginia, and of Irish descent. They were married January 4, 1816, in Adair county, Kentucky. The fruits of this marriage were six children, three sons and three daughters, five of whom lived to be men and women, viz: Harriet N., Margaret J., William A., James E,, Theresa M.; Jeremiah A, died in infancy. In 1828, they emigrated to Sangamon county, and located in Auburn township, where he took up government land and made a farm from the wild prairie. He left Kentucky with a four horse team, coming overland, camping out. They moved into a log cabin, sixteen by sixteen feet, with a dirt chiainey, and their furniture was of the plainest kind. They were a little crowded, there being a family of nine who remained there through the winter. At that time, Springfield was their nearest trading post, and for their milling, they went to Mr, Thomas Black's, who had a mill which was run by a horse, where they ground corn. Mr. Mc- Elvain says he has pounded and grated corn all day long for the use of the family; has hauled corn to Springfield and sold it for six and onefourth cents per bushel, and also has hauled wheat with ox-teams to St. Louis, taking from seven to nine days to make the trip, and sell his load for thirty-five cents per bushel, pork selling then at $1.25, net. At the time they came here there were but few schools and churches, Mr. McElvain being a member of the Presbyterian Church. In connection with Jeremiah Abell, a Presbyterian minister, organized the first Sab- bath school in the township. His house wa? a home for all preachers who traveled through this vicinity, and many a time Elder Cartwright has stayed at his father's house. His father participated in the war of 181 2, and was at the battle of New Orleans, and at the close of the war walked from New Orleans to Kentucky, and was so thin and spare when he arrived there that he could span himself with his hands. He died April 1, 1848. Mother died September 29, 1855. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church, and died in the faith. The subject of this sketch came to the county when he was six years of age and remained at home until his father's death, when he took charge of his father's aifairs. After his father's death, his own and mother's health failed, and they traveled extensively through the northern part of Maine and the Red River country, being for days and weeks among the Indians. Mr. McElvain has traveled through fourteen different States and Territories. After spending one summer they returned, wath their health greatly improved.

November 1, 1853, married Miss Angeline Lowell; born in Sangamon county, August 29, 1832. There was a family of eight children, six of whom are living. Howard A , Samuel S., James W., Nellie J., Margaret A., Elizabeth G. Mr. McElvain has a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, all of which is under good cultivation, and valued at $75 an acre.

Mr. McElvain has been identified with the county nearly all his life, and has seen it developed from the broad, wide prairies, to a beautiful cultivated country.

-Philip Faust, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Rhine, Prussia, on the 5th day of February, 1850. When twenty-two years of age, came to the United States, landing in Philadelphia, where he remained a short time, then to Chicago, where he was employed as a butcher, and remained a few months, when he went to Bloomington for a short time, thence to Lincoln, from there to Auburn, where he commenced his present business. In 1880, Mr. Faust drew in a lottery the Patty House, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, valued at $95,000. The Patty Brothers, who got up the scheme, being rascals, he was swindled out of nearly the whole, which by rights belonged to him. Mr. Faust married Miss Katie Naland. She was born in Auburn. The fruits of this marriage are two children, Julia and Berdie. Mr. Faust is a member of Ark and Anchor Lodge, No. 54 3, I. O. O. F., and a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 354, Auburn. In politics, is a Democrat.

John. R. Fletcher^ deceased, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Kentucky, September 15, 182*7; son of James and Jane Fletcher. There was a family of sixteen children, eleven of which lived to be men and women. James Fletcher emigrated with his family to Sangamon county in 1828, and located on Sugar creek. Auburn township, where he died the following year. His mother died October, 1853. They were members of the old school, Presbyterian, and died as they had lived sincere Christians, and loved and respected by all who knew them. John R. was a mere boy when he came to the county, he was reared on a farm and received a liberal education. January 16, 1851, married Miss Margaret J. Kessler, a daughter of Benj. Kessler, of Auburn, where she was born September 26, 1831. By this union there was a family of seven children, two of whom are living, Anna S., now Mrs. Wm. H. Hunterand Jennie V. Mr. Fletcher died August 16, 1870; was a member of the Presbyterian church. He was a kind husband and an indulgent father, and was mourned by a large body of friends.

Nathan Fletcher, retired farmer, section sixteen, post office, Auburn, was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, on the 8th day of March, 1810; son of James and Jane (McElvain) Fletcher; father of English descent and mother of Scotch and Irish. They were married in Virginia, where one child was born, when they emigrated to Kentucky in 1801, and located in Simpson county, where he carried on a farm in connection with the wheel-wright business. Their family consisted of sixteen children, ten of whom lived to be men and women, viz: Job L., Margaret, James W., Mary, Nathan, Elizabeth, Rebecca, John, Martha and Nancy, who were born in Sangamon county, three of whom are living at the present writing. In 1828, his father left his home in Kentucky with an oxteam and wagon, with one horse in front, with his large family for the far West, or the wilds of Illinois; traveling slow, camping out and cooking their own meals, taking some three weeks to make the journey, and locating where Mr. Organ now resides, moving into a log cabin sixteen by sixteen feet, with puncheon floors, and a hole between the logs for light, without glass. Their bedsteads were of the Jackson style. They remained in the cabin about eighteen months, when they moved to a larger and more commodious house of hewn logs, where his father died in 1830. Nathan remained at home until he was twenty-eight years old, when he married Margaret Baxter, she was born in Adair county, Kentucky, November 27, 1827. By this union there were six children, all of whom are living, James B., born December 5, 1849, Thomas A., born October 23, 1851, Martha, born February 11, 1853, Henry M., and Lucretia, born April 22, 1856, Mr. Fletcher commenced on a forty acre tract thirty-six years ago, without means, and by hard work and good judgment has accumulated a fine property, and is the owner of four hundred and thirty-six acres of land, which he has divided up among his children. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. F, is a Republican in politics, and has held several local offices of trust. In an early day their trading post was at Springfield, twenty miles away, and he has known his mother to take a pail of butter on horseback, go to Springfield, do her trading and return the same day. He also remembers after his father died that they had a field of five or six acres of wheat, which his mother and himself put up, cutting it with a reap-hook or what is called a sickle; his mother being about fifty years old at the time.

Leonard Foster (deceased), Auburn, Illinois, was born about 1830 ; son of George and Sarah Foster, who came to the county in an early day, where they raised a family of eight children, all of which lived to be men and women. In December, 1857, he married Miss Elvira Gates, a daughter of John and Lucinda Gates, of Kentucky, where she was born March 25, 1885. By this union there were eight children, seven of whom are living, viz : Alice, born June 9, 1859; Flora, born September 6, 1860; George E., born November 4, 1861 ; Mary, born February 3, 1865 ; William E , born May 30, 1867 ; Minnie, born January 12, 1870 ; Etta, born August 5, 1873. Mrs. Foster is living on the old homestead, where they first commenced keeping house, where she has spent many happy hours, and some very sad ones. Mr. Foster died May 8, 1880. He was a kind and good husband and father, and was respected by all who knew him. He died leaving the family in comfortable circumstances, with a farm of two hundred and ten acres of land, valued at $60 an acre.

JBenjamin, 0. Foster^ farmer and stock raiser, post office Auburn, section 27; was born in Kennebec, Maine, on the nineteenth day of October, 1833, son of Otis and Phoebe (Goodwin) Foster. In 1843, his parents emigrated to Sangamon county, Illinois, where they rented a farm in Auburn township, for three years, when they bought a farm one and a-halF miles northwest of where Auburn now stands, there being no Anburn at that time, and made a farm out of the wild prairie. Mr. Foster left his old home in Maine in limied circumstances, went by water to New Orleans in a sailing vessel, and thence by steamer up the river. Arriving in Auburn, his means were nearly exhausted, the first few years they lived in a log cabin, sixteen by twenty, with split clapboards for a roof, through which the snow would sift and cover their beds in winter.

The subject of this sketch was a boy when he came to the county, received what schooling the county afforded at the time. In 1864, he married Miss Caroline Foley, daughter of Joseph and Francis Foley. She was born in Auburn township, December 16, 1839.

There are three children, Florence P., born October 7, 1865; Amina C, born February 28, 1870; Frank L., born October 28, 1872. They commenced their married life on a farm near Brush Creek, where they remained four years. Mrs. Foster's health failing, in the fall of 1868, they went to California, where he bought a farm, where he remained until the Spring of 1874, returned to Illinois, with the intention of selling out his interest here and returning. Being unable to sell here at anything near a reasonable figure, he returned to California, where he had left his home just as they had been keeping house, sold out, and returned to Auburn, where he bought a home for the better chance of educating his children, and embarked in the milling business, in company with the Foley family. Not liking it, he sold his interest and bought the land where he now resides. Mr. Foster is a large and wealthy farmer of the township, owning six hundred acres of land under good cultivation, valued at $'iO per acre; raises two hundred acres of corn; one hundred and fifty acres of wheat; forty acres of oats; turns out fifty head of hogs; fifty head of cattle; fifteen head of horses, and five hundred sheep.

Andrew Gates, farmer, P. O. Virden, Sec. 32. Was born in Muhlenburg county, Kentucky, on the l7th day of January, 1807, son of Michael and Catherine (Groves) Gates. Father of Pennsylvania, and of German descent, and mother a native of North Carolina, where they were married, and soon after came to Kentucky, where he embarked in farming. The family consisted of ten children, seven of whom lived to be men and women, of which at the present writing there are but two living, Mrs. Fanny Foley and the subject of this sketch. In the spring of 1880, his father and a portion of the family started for the far West, (leaving the older sister and Mrs. Gates in Kentucky until the following spring,) and located on the place where Mr. John Ten Brook now resides. The family coming through with an ox team and cart, and doing their own cooking. On February 13, 1833, Andrew married Miss Lucinda Wood, daughter of William and Polly Wood, who came to Madison county, Illinois, in 1812, where they were married in 1814. In October, 1818, came to Sangamon county. She was born in Madison county, December 31st, 1816. The fruits of this marriage was twelve children, four of whom are living.

Mr. and Mrs. Gates' early mai-ried life was spent in a log cabin sixteen by sixteen. Puncheon floors, and a clay and stick chimney, and for a window, cut out a log. Many a time Mr. Gates was called to St. Louis on business, leaving his young wife home night after night to hear the wolves howl at the door. Their trading post was at Springfield, generally patronizing Colonel John Williams, and for their milling would take a grist on horse-back and go to Thomas Black's old mill, run by horse power. Mr. Gates is a member of the German Baptist Church, and Mrs. Gates and children members of the Baptist. Mr. Gates has resided in the county for more than a half century. Has seen the rough and smooth side of a new country. Coming in limited circumstances, but by hard work and good management has accumulated a fine property, owning at one time seven hundred acres of land, valued at 135,000, leaving his family comfortably located, giving each a farm.

(T. A. Garber, builder and contractor, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, March 1, 1853, son of John and Susan (IJeechley) Garber, father a native of Virginia, and mother of Ohio, and were married in Ohio, where he embarked in farming and remained until 1851, when he moved to Miami county, Indiana, where they remained ten years, when they came to Sangamon county, where he still remains. There was a family of nine children, five boys and four girls, all of which lived to be men and women. J. II. worked on a farm until 1873, when he commenced the trade of carpentering, under the teaching of his present partner, Mr. Nicols. He married Miss Mary Josephine Bridges, a daughter of C. L. Bridges, of Auburn. She was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, July 28, 1860. By this union, there were two children, one of whom is living, Arthur B. Mr. G. is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Auburn.

the 24th day of February, 1837. Son of William and Mary (Kennedy) McGlothlin, natives of Kentucky. In 1836, his parents emigrated to Alton, when he embarked in the cabinet business, where he remained a short time, when he went to Carrolton, where he bought a farm and remained some years; then went to Kansas, where he remained until 1859, when he came to Auburn township and located on the place where Mr. Ten Broek now resides. He is at present living in Shelby county, Missouri, at the age of eighty years. The subject of this sketch, in 1863, took a trip to California, in company with the Rauch brothers, of Auburn township, where he was employed by the month, receiving 860 per month, running a mowing machine. He was afterwards employed on a vegetable ranch, where he remained a short time, bought it and peddled vegetables through the mines, accumulating about $3,000. In 1866, returned to Sangamon county, rented land, and in 1869, married Miss Rebecca Rauch, who was born in Auburn township November 6, 1839. There are four children - Luella B., Horace G., Charles A. and Lena R. Has been identified with the Democrat'c party ; has held the office of Road Commissioner. Has two hundred and sixty acres of land, valued at ^20,000. Raises one hundred acres of corn, one hundred of wheat. In 1880, raised two hundred acres, which averaged twenty-eight bushels per acre, and fourteen acres that averaged forty-six bushels per acre.

Samuel F. Goodvnn, retired. Auburn, Illinois, was born in Kennebec county, Maine, July 23, 18(19, son of Daniel and Sarah (Haskell) Goodwin. His father's family consisted of seven children, five sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to be men and women. His father was a natural mechanic and his boys took to the trade and became thorough workmen. Mr. Goodwin learned the trade of carpenter and joiner of Daniel Wadsworth and remained with him until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1832, went to Boston where he followed his trade until 1839, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, when he became acquainted with Miss Caroline E. Welch, his present wife, remaining there three years. In 1842, returned to Boston and remained there until the summer of 1843, when he returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, and while on the way to Boston was married in Providence, Rhode Island. Arriving in Boston, they started out in their new life, he prosecuting his trade until 1852, when he was employed by E. & G. G. Hook, organ factory, where his time was occupied for five years. Hearing much of the west, he concluded to come to Illinois, where he located in Auburn, boarding for a few months, until he had time to erect a dwelling, being the first of any size, on the west side of the railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin have met with sad bereavements, having a family of three sons and three daughters, all of which have passed away. Mr. G. has property in Auburn valued at $10,000.

A. M. Gordon, grocer. Auburn, Illinois, was born in Rushville, Schuyler county, Illinois, on the ninteenth day of November, 1834. Son of William and Mary Gordon, nee Taylor, who emigrated from Kentucky to Illinois in 1825, and located in Schuyler county, where he took up land and made a farm, where he remained until 1840, when he moved to Rushville, where he held the office of deputy sherifi^; remaining until his term of office expired, when he returned to his farm, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1844; mother died in 1853. A. M. remained on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he, in company with three other brothers, embarked in the dry goods trade, in which he continued about three years, when his health failed and he went to Texas, where he remained a short time, when he purchased a couple of ponies, and in company with a brother came through on horseback to Illinois. The following spring, in company with an elder brother who was troubled with a lung disease, went to Texas, where they remained one year. He then came back to Illinois, where he remained one year, and at the Pike's Peak excitement, in company with George Gates, started out with an ox-team for the gold-fields, making the trip in two months, and stayed in the mines two years. Returned to Illinois in 1861; enlisted in the Sixteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company D; was engaged in the battles of New Madrid, Shiloh, Stone River, with Sherman on the march to the sea, as far as Jonesboro, when he was taken sick and sent back to Nashville, where he participated in the battle of Nashville, under General Thomas; was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, after which he returned to Hamilton and embarked in farming. After coming to Auburn, put up a hay-press, which he run two years, when he embarked in his present business. Married in 1863, to Miss Mintie Welch. She was born in McDonough county, in 1848. Four children blessed this union, three of whom are living: Viola F., Blanche L. and Eva - Grace died October 7, 1881. Member of the Second Advent Church.

Pennsylvania, on the 15th day of March, 1828, son of Jacob and Barbara (Herschey) Harnly, natives of Switzerland. There were nine children by this union, six of which lived to be adults. His father is still living, at the advanced age of eighty years. His mother died at the age of fifty-six. Mr. H., the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. August 15, 1854, married Miss Elizabeth Horner. She was born in the same county, May 14, 1837. The fruits of this marriage were twelve children, nine of whom are living, viz., Mary, born July 16, 1857; Elizabeth, born July 23, 1859; Henry J., born February 23, 1862; Andrew, born February 13, 1864; John, born June 21, 1866; David, born August 15, 1868; Joseph and Benjamin (twins), born September 9, 1870; Fanny, born December 16, 1872, and died October 5, 1876; Susanna, born in Illinois, March 29, 1876; and two died in infancy.

February 25, 1875, came to Sangamon county, Illinois, and located in Auburn township, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and twentytwo acres of land, valued at |75 an acre - $16,650.

John R. Harris, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Carrick, Tipperary county, Ireland, near the river Suir, May 17, 1852; son of Thomas L. and Mary A. Doran, who were mariied June 15, 1840. Father born September 22, 1814; mother, March 4, 1821. Previous to coming to the United States, his father was employed in boating for a Quaker firm, which he followed until he came to the States, being in 1849 or 1850; leaving his family in Ireland. He landed in New Yoi*k, where he remained about six months. Having some friends in Newark, New Jersey, he went there, where he remained a couple of years. From there, went to New Oreans, where he was employed at various work, and remained one year, when he came to Chatham, this county, in the summer of 1855; the same year that his family came. After arriving in the county, went to work for William Lockard, Sr. He was afterwards employed by the railroad company, and had charge of the pumps at Sugar creek and Virden, for which he received 152 per month, at that time considered good wages; he remained in that business until the wind-mills took the place of horse power, and then was engaged as switchman, etc., which he followed until his death, which occurred November 25, 1870; mother died July 1, 1880. John R. married Miss Katie Young, daughter of Garrard Young, an early settler of the county; she was born in 1861. The fruits of this marriage is one son, Garrard Thomas, born July 3, 1881. Members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Harris has a beautiful residence in the village, valued at $2,500.

William Harris, livery and feed stable Auburn, Illinois; was born in Tipperary, Ireland, December 19, 1842; son of Thomas and Mary Doran, natives of Ireland. The subject of this sketch was reared in Auburn township, where he has followed various occupations. In 1870, married Miss Mary Ahern; she was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, May 20, 1852. The fruits of this marriage is six children, Thomas B., born January 22, 1872; William V,, born March 25, 1873; George O., October 21, 1876; Leo Edward, February 8, 1877; Francis D., September 27, 1879, and Charles J., April 6, 1881. Mr. Harris enlisted in the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, Company B, in 1862, and served four years and six days, and participated in all the engagements of the regiment. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church of Auburn.

George P. Harris, Aubui*n, Illinois, was born in Ireland on the 10th diy of March, 1847. His parents emigrated to the States when he was quite young, and first located in New Jersey. Shortly afterward they removed to Auburn, Sangamon county, where George P. received a practical education. In March, 1866, was employed on the Chicago & Alton Railroad as carpenter, and remained with them up to 1874. He was afterwards employed by the Wabash Railroad as time keeper at Litchfield; was afterwards employed as conductor of a construction train, having charge of a gang of men on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, between Jacksonville and Louisiana, Missouri. In the spring of 1879, bought the Auburn Flouring Mill and the firm is know as Morris, Harris & Co. He married Miss Mary E. Cook June 25, 1873, daughter of Francis M. and Sarah E. (Harland) Cook. She was born in Chatham township February 23, 1852. They were blessed by two children, Agnes, born March 20, 1874, she died July 23, 1875, Sarah Scott, born November 2, 1875. Mr. Harris is one of the enterprising men of the township, and has been identified with its interest all his life.

Joh7i W. Hart, stock dealer. Auburn, Illinois, was born in Morgan county, Illinois, on the 21st day of October, 1843, Son of Millington Hart and Mary A. Majors, natives of Kentucky, whose parents emigrated to the country when mere children, and located in Morgan county, where his father followed farming, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1846. Mother died December 25, ISYO. The family consisted of four children - three boys and one girl - mother keeping her family together after his father's death. His mother married Mr. George W. Wimmer, one of the early pioneers of the county. The sons remained with their mother a few years, when they started out for themselves, when nineteen years of age. The subject of this sketch embarked in school teaching, which he followed for six years, when he was employed by the Chicago & Alton Railroad as agent, for a couple of years, and afterward for one year clerked in a store, for Wineman & Williams. Here he met and afterward married Miss Hattie Eeechley, whose parents came from Dayton, Ohio. She was born near Dayton, Ohio, in 1853. The fruits of this marriage were three children, two of whom are living. Louisa Earl died when thirteen months old, Arthur Albert and Sterling Perry still living. In 1870, embarked in the lumber trade, which he made a success, and sold out March 9, 1881, since which time has been dealing in stock ; member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge 354, of Auburn. Mr. H. is a native of this State ; his father died when he was three years old, leaving him a poor boy, but by close attention to business has accumulated a fine property and home.

Henry M. Hart, furniture dealer, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on the 13th day of February, 1850. Son of John M. and Phoebe (Frost) Hart. John M. was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, March 8, 1816. His parents emigrated from South Carolina in an early day to Kentucky, where he embarked in farming. There were a family of thirteen children, ten of which lived to be adults - five sons and five daughters. He emigrated to Sangamon county in the winter of 1829, and located on Spring creek, coming through with teams, camping out and doing their own cooking. He remained on Spring creek but a short time, when he went to Morgan county, where he bought land and made a farm. John M. remained on the farm when his father died. At twenty-two years of age he married Miss Phoebe Frost, daughter of Jedadiah Frost, who were pioneers of Sangamon county, but afterwards of Montgomery county. Nine children blessed this union, four of whom are living, viz: James M., Nancy J., Henry M., Emma C. Mr. Hart's people came to this county in limited circumstances, occupying the first winter a log cabin, fourteen by sixteen, one room, puncheon floor, no window. Mr. Hart is one of the old and honored pioneers of the county, and has lived to see it from its infancy to one of the most flourishing and populous counties in the State. Mr. Hart is a. member of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch, when fifteen years old, was apprenticed with D. D. Martin to the carpenter trade, where he remained one year. He was afterwards employed by McCoy & Stearns for five years. He then embarked in business on his own hook, contracting and building, which he followed about two years, when he formed a partnership with a man by the name of Nichols, and prosecuted the same business about a year and a half, when he purchased his present business, which he has followed since. In 1872, married Miss Mary A. Wrightsman. She was born in Sangamon county, September Vth, 1854. There are three children, Grace T., Bertha A. and Paul W. Mr. Hart is a member of the A. O. U. W., Auburn, Lodge No. 49. Also a member of the Sugar Cieek Baptist Church. -

William Humphry, Virden, Illinois, son of Squire and Sarah Humphry; father born in Rhode Island, September 20, 1789, mother in Cherry Valley, New York, 1799. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Sweet, daughter of Erastus Sweet. The grandfather and grandmother of William Humphry were born in Rhode Island, and both were of English extraction. His great-grandfather was born in 1737, and served in the English army against the French and Indians, and afterwards in the Revolutionary war as Colonel in the Colonial army; was a prisoner in Quebec nine months.

Father and mother married in 1815, in Ohio. Father died in Ohio, April 4, 1843. Mother died in Ohio, February, 1847. They had eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, all growing to maturity: Lydia, Susan, Sarah, Hannah, Cyrus, William, Elizabeth, ^'alhan, Emma, Walter, Amelia. Hannah died in 1850. Lydia died in 1873.

The subject of this sketch was the sixth child, and was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, April 16, 1824, and was married to Miss Sarah Stocker, daughter of Adam and Sarah Stocker, in 1844; remained there until 1850, when he came to Morgan county, this State, and in 1855 came to Sangamon county, and improved the farm where he now resides. The fruits of their marriage were ten children, three sons and seven daughters: Caroline E., born January 13, 1846; Squire H., born December 13, 1846; Sarah M., born August 31, 1848; Otis, born December 30, 1850;

Wni H, Husband, Auburn, Illinois, son of Harmon and Sarah Husband. His father was born in North Carolina, April 10, 1791, and mother in South Carolina, November 12, 1790. They were married in Christian county, Kentucky, in 1811; were the parents of twelve children: Evelina, born April 1, 1813; Elizabeth, October 1, 1814; Polly, November 18, 1816; Jane, July 18, 1818; Martha, January 22, 1820; Susan, October 29, 1821, born in Kentucky; James E. D., January 2, 1824; Martha, February 24, 1826; John Q. A., February 14, 1828; Sarah R. and Wm. H., July 5, 1831; Emily, July 17, 1834, born in Illinois; Harmon, died February 14, 1848; Susan, July 31, 1850; Elizabeth M., December

23, 1851; Martha, March 8, 1850; Sarah, April 20, 1881, Father and mother with their family, came to Sangamon county in 1820, with cearas across the country, in company with Flower Husbands and family, James Patton and family, and grand father and grandmother Husbands, who made their home with James Patton, until tlie death of Mrs. Patton. Grandfather Husbands died December 20, 1842, about eightyone years of age, and was buried in the family burying ground, on the farm of Flower Husbands. After his death the grandmother came to live with her son Harmon, and remained there until his death, and then lived with her grand-daughter, Mrs. Elihu Stout, and died there. They settled on Sugar creek, and commenced farming, when government land came into market in 1823, when they entered several hundred acres, and improved a farm of three hundred and thirty-six acres, where his children now reside. He made a specialty of raising wheat and flax for the manufacture of cloth to be made into clothing About 1839 or 1840, he bought the first threshing machine that was used in the county. It was a tread power machine. The school advantages of the children were such as subscription schools of the day afforded.

Benjamin F. HuUon, deceased. Auburn, Illinois, was born near Nashville, Tennessee, on the 11th day of October, 1815, son of Samuel and Mary (Levi) Hutton, native of South Carolina.

They were married in 1835. In 1S23, Mr. Benjamin F. Hutton emigrated to Sangamon county, and located on Sugar creek, in Auburn township, where he became acquainted with Miss Lucinda Mason, a daughter of Noah and Lucinda (Stilson) Mason, who emigrated to the county in 1824. Soon after marrying, they left for Henry county, Iowa. At that time the Indians were very troublesome. But with a strong heart he made a claim on which he built a log cabin sixteen by sixteen, living on a dirt floor, their chimney being made out of clay and sticks, and their furniture was of the rudest kind. Thus Mrs. Hutton, who is still living, says she started out from Sangamon county with an ox-team, that being her wedding trip. Few at the present time would hardly think of taking their wedding trip with an ox-team and lumber wagon. They remained in Iowa until 1845, when he sold out and returned to Sangamon county, Spring creek, where he lived until 1850, when he came to Chatham township, where he purchased a large tract of land, some five hundred acres, and remained there until his death, which occurred on July 10, 1877, leaving a widow and seven children, one of whom has died since. The children are as follows: Noah M., Mary A., Benjamin F., George W., and John. In 1861, he enlisted in the Tenth Illinois Cavalry^ Company B. and his son Noah, enlisting in the same regiment; was a member of the Advent Church, and one of the principal movers in building the church. Mr. H. came to the county in limited circumstances, and by good judgment accumulated a fine property. Mrs. Hutton is at present making her home with her son, George W., who was born on Spring creek, Illinois, August §, 1847; was reared ou a farm, and received a business education. In 1874, embarked in the grain business as Poley, Hutton & Co. Two years later he was made Cashier of the Auburn Bank. He was afterwards appointed postmaster of Auburn by President Hayes, and is at present engaged in the mercantile business as the firm of Hutton & Wallace; February 4, 1879, married Miss Maggie Harris. She was born in Auburn, Augu-st 27, 1858. There is one child, Ursula H. She was born July 31, 1881.

Moses A. Jones, retired farmer, was born in Hart county, Kentucky, July 21, 1820. Son of Alexander and Susan (Woosley) Jones, who were natives of Kentucky, and farmers by occupation. In 1821, moved to Fairfield, Wayne county, Illinois, where they resided six years, after which he moved to Sangamon county, in 1827, and located on Sugar creek, Ball township, where he engaged in farming. His mother died January 20, 1844; and his father on October 22, of the same year. The subject of this sketch was raised on the farm, and brought up with a thorough knowledge of the farm, receiving only a common school education in the common schools of this county, and January 18, 1846, he married Nancy Armstrong, who was born February 16, 1824; immediately after their marriage they began farming in moderate circumstances; their family consisted of eleven children, of which ten are still living, viz: Caroline, now Mrs. Patton; Elizabeth A., now Mrs. H. A. Peabody; Lafayette, Thomas A., James B., Robert W., John M., Andrew J., Eliza B. and Charlotte F. In the meantime, Mr. Jones moved to Christian county, Illinois, where he resided four years, and returned again to this county, since which time he has continued to reside in the county. He is the owner of five hundred and thirty-three acres of land in Sangamon county. In November, 1881, he gave up to his sons the charge of the farm, and moved to the quiet little town of Auburn, where he now is comfortably situated. In politics he has always been a supporter of the Democratic partj^.

JBepjamin Kessler, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Beloit county, Virginia, December 28, 1803, son of Benjamin and Margaret (Clare) Kessler; father of German descent, and born in Maryland, and mother of Virginia; were married in Virginia where they reside; family of twelve children, eleven of whom lived to be men and women; father was a farmer, lived and died in Virginia, and mother died in Virginia. In 1827, left his native State for the Sangamon country, having heard much of its broad prairies; also, having an uncle who was living here by the name of David Kessler, who died while they were on the road to the State. After arriving, he hired out by the month for #10, and worked one year for that wages. In September, 1830, married Miss Mary Ann Wallace, daughter of James and Annie Wallace, nee Duill, who came from South Carolina in 1822, and located in Auburn township, one mile south of where Auburn now stands. She was born in Nova Scotia, October 18, 1812. In September, 1880, they had their golden wedding, having lived together half a century. There was a large concourse of people and they were recipients of some valuable presents, among which were a gold-headed cane, and an easy chair-. Their family consisted of seven children, all of which are living. Margaret J., James H., Harriet E., David F., Mary A. and Benjamin L. Soon after coming to the

State, purchased sixty acres of land, where Mr, Charles Ranch now lives. He afterwards sold and purchased other lands, and at one time had between seven hundred and eight hundred acres. Mr. K. is one of the pioneers of the county, and has lived to see it pass from a wild, uncultivated wilderness to a thickly and densely populated county.

Jacob Kessler, farmer, section twenty-two, Auburn, was born in Virginia, February 5, 1820; son of Benjamin and Margaret (Clair) Kessler, who was a native of Virginia. The fruits of this marriage were twelve children, eleven of whom lived to be adults. The subject of this sketch, the youngest, was reared on a farm and received a common school education; when twenty years of age, his father died. On Mai'ch 3, 1842, married Miss Menerva A. Oliver; she was the daughter of James K. Oliver; she was born May 7, 1826. There was a family of eleven, eight of whom are living, viz: Leanah, William W., Barnett, Benjamin C, Madorah C, Mollie A., Charles S., Georgia V. On the 22d day of May, 1857, came to Sangamon county, Illinois, and located in Auburn township, where he has followed farming since, with the exception of two years. Has fifty-five and two-thirds acres of land, valued at $60 per acre. In politics, is a Democrat.

Mev. Wiley Knowles, J3. S., Auburn, Illinois, was born in Gibson county, Indiana, August 17, 1835. The sixth year of his life found him in a little log school house, puncheon floor and slab seats. In the fall of '48 his parents moved to Menard county, Illinois; from this time forwarc^ his opportunities for school were limited. He professed religion in 1850, and being impressed with the duty of preaching, presented himself to Sangamon Presbytery. Being licensed by said Presbytery, was assigned the Apple Creek Circuit, and proved himself an efiicient worker in his Master's cause. Many amusing incidents attended these labors. On his first visit to the several congregations, many would keep looking for the preacher, not expecting the strange, awkward-looking boy, to be the man. In the autumn of 1860, entered the High School at Owensville. November 12, 1861, was mustered into the United States Army - Fifty-eighth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. Was at the battles of Shiloh, Perryvil.le, Stone River and others. At the terrible battle of Stone River, he was wounded in both hands, while nobly defending the cause of freedom. April 22, 1863, was honorably discharged, and entered again upon ministerial labor. December 1, 1864, was joined in marriage to Miss Anna Ripson. Was ordained and continued three years, when he found his health failing. Retiring for a time, concluded to ent r Lincoln University, the winter term of 1868. He continued an earnest and successful student, graduating with the class of 1872. He grasped readily the truths of science, and made, practically, a fund o*" knowledge. He was a leader in the Athenian Society, and was often assigned parts of honor and trust. Since graduation, he has been actively engaged in the interest of souls. Mr. Knowles is a pleasant and logical speaker, and truly zealous in his Master's cause, and great good will attend his labors.

Horace Landon, farmer and stock raiser, post office. Auburn, was born in Jersey county, Illinois, January 16,1842; son of William D. and Alvira (Cowan) Landon. In 1830, his father left Vermont with team, for the ^wild prairies of Illinois, at that time there being but few settlements in the State; arriving after a journey of about two months, in Greene county, where he located, at that time a part of Jersey county; where he worked by the month. In 1837 he married Mrs. Alvira Cowan, wife of William Cowan, (deceased), her former husband, by whom he had ten children, eight of whom are living, viz: Oscar and Austin, twins, Horace, Alice, now Mrs. B. F. Workman; Mary, now Mrs. Merrian; Emma, now Mrs. Andrew Everts; William, Sarah, now Mrs. T. S .Chapman; an attorney at Jerseyville. Mr. Landon commenced in Illinois a poor boy, and by good judgment and hard work has made a large property and at his death had one thousand acres of valuable land to divide among his children. He died in 1873 at the age of sixty; mother is still living. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. In 1866, married Miss Flora A. Converse, daughter of Uriah C, formerly of Bridgeport, Vermont. She was born in Greene county, December 29, 1849. There was a family of seven children, five of whom are living, Ella M., born August 9,1867; Eugene, born May 22, 1869; Charles, born April 8, 1871; Mabel, born June 9, 1877; Frank, born May 29, 1881. Mr. Landon has a fine farm of five hundred acres, all of which he has under a high state of cultivation, and valued at $65 per acre. His yearly crops are as follows: corn, eighty acres; wheat, eighty acres; oats, thirty acres; some sixty head of hogs, and feeds four carloads of cattle.

ty, Kentucky, on the 23d day of Septem^^er, 1837. Son of Edward and Elizabeth (Bland) Lanham, The family consisted of twelve children, six of which are living. Mary, Nancy, Annie, Manda, Thomas, James, Joseph. March 4, 1850, his parents left their Kentucky home and started for Illinois, coming by water to St. Louis, from there to Greene county, where he located, and where he remained until his death, which occurred January 4, 1867. Mother died July, 1869. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a limited school education. In 1871, married Mrs. Mary Stout, widow of William Stout. She was born in Jersey county, Illinois, February 3, 1841. There are three children: Ida M., born July 15, 1872; OUie E., born July 15, 1872; Charles H., born December 29, 1877. Has three hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which is beautifully located, under a high state of cultivation, and valued at $65 per acre. Mr. L. commenced a poor boy, and by his own exertions has accumulated a fine property and home, and is one of the large and well-to-do farmers of the county.

H. W. 1/arrabee, farmer and stock raiser, section 30, post office, Virden, was born in Somerset county, Maine, on the 2d day of August, 1830. Son of William and Sarah (Pluramer) Larrabee. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, when he received a common school education. When twenty-two years of age tried his fortune among the gold fields of California. He shipped from New York via the Isthmus, and from there in a sailing vessel, with three hundred passengers on board, which was a poor and rickety old bark. There were thirty-five days' rations placed on the boat, this being the time in which the trip should be made. It was some time longer, and the rations and water running short, the passengers were only allowed one biscuit and a half a pint of water a day. They were at the point of mutiny, but finally landed in California, after many of the passengers dying from the heat and for the want of proper food and water. He engaged in mining, where he remained one 5^ear and a half. Making a "stake," he returned to Maine, where he married Miss Julia A. Leighton, daughter of Abigal Leighton, of Maine, in 1855. The fruits of this marriage was five children, four of whom are living - Sadie J., Ella, Minnie and Charles, Mr. Larrabee has a beautiful farm of eighty acres, which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $75 per acre. Mr. L. has been identified with the county, socially, for twentyone years, and is one of its well-t' -do farmers.

John M. ZiOckridge, farmer and stock raiser, post office Auburn, Illinois, was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, on the 18tb day of January, 1814; son of John and Margie (Killough) Lockridge, who were natives of Kentucky, of Scotch and Irish descent. They were married in Montgomery county. There was a family of nine children, five eons and four daughters, eight of whom lived to manhood and womanhood. In 1826, his parents emigrated to Owen county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm and remained until 1838, when he came to Sangamon county. Previous to bringing his family, he and the subject of this sketch came out, purchased three hundred acres of land, and built a log cabin on Lick creek, where he remained until the year 1850. Meeting with some financial embarrassments, he concluded to go to California to retrieve his losses, but while on the way, died, and never arrived at his destination. His mother died in 1866, a sincere Christian, and was loved and [respected by all who knew her. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. In 1840, he married Miss Jane Nuckolls, a daughter of James and Jane Nuckolls, who were early settlers of the county; she was born in Madison county, Illinois, in October, 1819. By this marriage there were seven children, five of whom are living, John W., James M., Andrew H., Robert H., and Charles; two daughters, Martha J. and Margaret, died in childhood. In 1854, he commenced on his present home, with no capital but good strong arms and a strong will, and by good management and hard work, has accumulated a fine property and home, and is one of the large and well-to-do farmers of the county. He owns four hundred and forty-five acres of land, valued at $85 per acre, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and the j^remium farm of the township. He raised one hundred and fifty acres of corn, which will average forty bushels per acre; ninety acres of wheat, fifteen bushels per acre; owns seventy-five head of hogs and one hundred head of steers. Mr. L. has held the office of supervisor of the township for several years, and also held other local offices of trust. In politics, he was an old line Whig until the time of the organization of the Republican party, joining that, and has officiated with it since. Mr. Lockridge has been identified with the county over forty years, and has lived to see the wild prairies of Illinois, from their virgin soil to one of the best cultivated and richest counties in the United States. Mr.andMrs Lockridge are members of the Presbvterian Church.

W. JV. LoiodermWi, Auburn, Illinois, was born in North Carolina on the 10th day of August, 1843, is the sen of William and Lorinda (Laws) Lowdermilk, father of (Tcrman descent and mother of Scotch. They emigrated from Norpi Carolina to East Tennessee, when the subject of this sketch was a child and remained there on a farm until he was thirteen years old, when they moved to Macouj^in county, in 1858. He remained on a farm with his parents until he was sixteen, wlien he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, Co. B., under Captain Furguson, mustered in at Springfield, August 6th, 1862. He participated in several engagements, the first being at Holly Springs, also Port Gibson, Cuampion Hills, Siege and capture of Vicksburg, and battles of Jackson, Miss. In June following, went on expedition against General Forrest and at an engagement at Guntown was wounded in the left arm, which caused the loss of that member. He was a prisoner in Macon and Andersonville for about ten months, where he suffered all the privations of those horrid pens. After being exchanged at Vicksburg came home and attended school, and in the Fall of 1865, mariied Miss Elizabeth Roberts, by this marriage there are two children, Hattie and Arthur. In 1866 was appointed deputy post master, and in March, 1867, received the appointment under Johnson's administration, and held that office continually up to and including six months of Hayes' administration. During this time he established the Auburn Herald, the first newspaper published in Auburn, which he edited and published for about six months, at which time the paper passed into the hands of Mr. Wadsworth, the present owner and editor. Retiring from the post office, Mr. LoAvdermilk concluded to go West and settle, but not liking the out-look returned to Springfield, In 1881, Mr. L. received the appointment of Assistant Private Secretary to Governor CuUom, which office he now fills.

William Luth, farmer and stock raiser, section thirty-five, post office Virden; was born in Michaelsburg, Germany, September 8, 1826. Came to the United Siates in 1857 in a sailing vessel, and was eight weeks in making the trip, landed in New York City; where he remained a short time, when he went to Chicago, where he worked at his trade of blacksmithing From there he went to Bloomington, Illinois, where he engaged to work on a farm, but remained only a couple of months; from there went to St. Louis, where he worked at his trade three months, then to Sangamon county, where he married Mrs. Martha Owens, a daughter of Jacob Shutt. She was born in Muhlensburg, Kentucky, April 30, 1825. By this marriage there was three children, one of which is living, William Luth, Jr., born July 28, 1806. Mrs. Luth was previously married to Elias O wens, by whom she had ten children, six are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Luth have a beautiful farm of two hundred acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at 1^75 per acre.

David D. Martin, manufacturer and dealer in agricultural implements. Auburn, Illinois, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, February 28, 1831, son of David and Caroline (Wilcox) Martin, who emigrated to Alton, Illinois, in an early day, where he organized the first I. O. O. F. Lodge in Alton, where he died the same year. He was buried by the order, the funeral being one of the largest ever seen, many lodges coming from St. Louis. His mother was again married to a man by the name of Samuel Avis. She died in St. Louis in 1842, Of the original family there was two sons and two daughters, viz: Henry F., of Macoupin county, who has figured extensively against the court house folly, and was elected to the State Legislature of that district; Sarah, who died from the bite of a rattlesnake, when twelve years of age; David D. and Caroline.

The subject of this sketch remained with his mother until her death, when the family was scattered, being cast onto the cold world without a cent. For some years he worked around making enough to keep soul and body together, working two years for five dollars per month, and paying for his washing out of that. Afterwards commenced selling books, which he followed until he was twenty years of age, when he formed the acquaintance of Maranda Buck who was born June, 1833. By this union there were nine children, five of whom are living, viz: Henry J., David I., Willie L., Lillie and Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Martin commenced life in very limited circumstances. After buying his license and paying the minister for marrying them, had sixty cents, and a horse valued at twenty-five dollars, and his wife got a cow as a dowr}-- from her mother, and that they sold for ton dollars to buy their set-out which consisted of two knives and two forks, a set of plates and tea cups and saucers, a set ot chairs made by hand, and for their table, used a dry goods box. Their domicile was a log cabin eighteen by eighteen, with puncheon floor, an old-fashioned fire place with stone jambs and clay and btick chimney, etc.

Thus they started out, and as Mr. Martin says, it was some of their happiest moments, owing no one, enough to eat, with good strong hearts, they pulled through, and by hard work and good management, have accumulated a fine property and liome. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

John O. Moore, Virden, Macoupin count}^, son of Henry and Mary Moore. Father born in Sommerset County, N. J., in 1801, and his mother was a native of the same State. Both were descended from German ancestry. Father's occupation, a farmer. They were married in New Jersey, and had five children, to-wit: John, Eliza, Sarah, Catharine, William. Catharine and Matilda both died in New York State. Father again married to Miss Sarah Allen. She was thedaughterof Gideon and Mrs. Allen. The subject of this sketch was the first child of this union, born March 25, 1825, in New Jersey. In October 9, 1847, he married Miss Catharine Compton, daughter of Moore and Mary Compton. They have one child, Howard Malcom Moore, born Nov. 28, 1848, in New Jersey. Came to Jersey County, III., in 1856, and remained there about a year, then came to Sangamon County, where he owns 200 acres of valuable land. Mr. M. attended the county schools until sixteen years of age and then entered the Suffield Literary Institute of Connecticut. After leaving there taught school in New Jersey for ten years.

Robert E. Morse, manufacturer and dealer in wagons, buggies and agricultural implements, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Sidney, Maine, August 23d, 1833. Son of Samuel and Sarah (Taylor) Morse.' Father now living in Maine at the advanced age of 90. There were a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters. The subject of this sketch was the ninth child. Left home when a mere boy. At the age of ten years went to work for a Quaker by the name of Captain Sherman, on a farm, summers, and receiving three to four weeks of schooling winters. There being a shop on the place he soon became acquainted with their use. After leaving Captain Shei-man he engaged with a man by the name of Alonzo Davis, where he remained two years, getting for his first year's work §15, as an apprentice, but most of his time was spent on the farm. He then went tb Bangor with the idea of finishing his trade, where he became acquainted with B. H. Thorns, who manufactured and repaired Concord coaches, and remained one year. Thence to Boston by steamer, and a greener bov, as he savs, never struck the

Hub. From Boston went to Dedhara, where he was employed in a wheel factory, at $35 per month, where his part of the work was driving spokes. Not fancying the work, he went to Worcester, but remained a short time, when he left there and went to Concord, where he was employed by E. R. Thayer, and remained three years. When he got the Western fever in his head from what he had heard from a man by the name of E. G. Loring, who had located in Winona, Minnesota, and had returned to Concord for his family. Taking his advice he came West, and located in Winona, at that time a small town. Nothing but small shanties, and the chilling winds, and drinking the Mississippi w^ater, made him sick, and was also sick of town, concluded he would leave. Took a boat and came down as far as Davenport, and from there went to Iowa City, where he made the acquaintance of a young man, and he not being sat'siied started out for Omaha, Nebraska. Being desirous of obtaining land, they proceeded beyond the Pawnee village, where they found land and pitched their tents, having taken provisions along with them. They remained until they had eaten up their provisions, then returned to Omaha, where he left his friend, embarked on a steamer, which he will always remember by the class of men it had on board. B y the description given by Mr. Morse they were the border ruffians. Long hair, slouched hats, with a bowie knife and a revolver in their belts, and were looking for a d - d Abolitionist. Came down to St. Joe, where he remained over one night, took the first boat for St. Louis. From there came to Girard, Illinois, where he stopped over night, but not liking the appearance of the town went to Springfield, but not finding work engaged to a man in the country by the name of William Search. He became acquainted with a man by the name of Babcock, who persuaded him to come to Auburn, where he purchased a small shop of James Babcock, eighteen by twentyfour, which he paid for by finishing and making eighteen wagons.

F.3L iWco/es, builder and contractor. Auburn, Illinois, was born in Cass county, Indiana, on the 31st day of May, 1841. His father, Nathaniel D., was a native of Virginia, where he left in an early day, and went to Ohio. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and re ceived a common school education. When eighteen years of age, went to learn a trade, and remained one year, which he followed up until 1862, when he started for the gold fields, and got as far as Denver, where he enlisted in the Third Colorado Cavalry. He was in one engagement, under General Shippington, fighting, and was in the service over one year, when he received an honorable discharge. Mairied Miss MaiyJ. Hollipater. She was born in Ohio,. November 6, 1841. There M'ere three children, two of whom are living: Eita Adrian, Isadore Jentiliska, member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 543, of Auburn, and also member of the Encampment at Springfield. Also the family are members of the Christian Church.

William JVorcross, boot and shoemaker. Auburn, Illinois, was born in Burlington county. New Jersey, on the second day of October, 1824; son of Samuel F. and Elizabeth (Britton) Norcross. There was a family of thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters. The Norcross family was well represented in the Union Army, there being six who enlisted in the Thirty-third Regiment New Jersey volunteers. Samuel, who contracted a disease and died in 1865; George, Joseph, Jonathan, who was killed at Chancellorville, Elisha and Wesley. William, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in the One Hundred and First Regiment Illinois volunteers. Company G., and mustered in at Jacksonville, September 2, 1862. He participated in the following engagements: Holly Springs, Mississippi, where six companies were captured by the Rebels, companies A, B, G and H, only saving themselves by retreating to Coldwater, where the Irish Legion was then stationed, where they repelled the attack by Van Dorn, of seven thousand cavalry. Afterwards was attached to the Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and detached as scouts; from thence to Vicksburg, and on the twenty-fifth of March, run the batteries on the United States steam ram Switzerland, for which the men on board got a furlough for meritorious conduct, by U. S. Grant. After the expirations of their furloughs, they joined their regiment at Union City, Tennessee, being in September, 1863; thence to Bridgeport, Alabama, took part in a midnight fight; from there to the battle of Mission Ridge; thence to Knoxville, to release Burnside, when Longstreet held him besieged, and immediately after the siege returned to Chattanooga, marching across the country bare-footed, witbout shoes, with their feet bleeding so they could be tracked by the blood from their feet. May 2, 1864, started on the Atlanta campaign, and employed the enemy at Kingston, Dalton, Ressaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, and entej ed the city of Atlanta on the second day of September, 1864, being the first regiment in the city. At the time of Sher- man's March to the Sea was detailed as Forage Master of the first division of ordinance train, of the Twentieth Army Corps, and remained with Sherman until he arrived in Washing; on. Was mustered out at Bladensburg, Virgiilia, June 9, 1865; from there came to Springfield, where they were discharged and paid off June 20, 1865. He then returned to Waverly, where he engaged in the boot and shoe business, and remained there four years, when he worked at farming for a short time; he afterwards engaged in railroading for a short time. In 1872, he came to Auburn, where he has followed his trade since; married Miss Martha H. Pittit. She was born October 1, 1824. The fruits of this union was nine children, seven of whom are living, viz: Merrietta, Job, Joseph R., William Jr., Albert, Waller and Ella. Previous to coming to the Slate, Mr. Norcross held the office of Assessor and Collector of Burlington towt ship, New Jersey. Mr. Norcross came to the State in 1855, where he remained a short time, when he returned to New Jersey, In 1857 he returned to the West, where he has remained since, not living at any time, over sixteen miles from Auburn.

W. D. Patton, Auburn, Illinois, was born in this township on the 2.3d day of January, 1845; son of Malhew and Margaret (McElvain) Patton, natives of Kentucky. His grandfather Patton emigrated to Sangamon county in 1820, and located about two and a half miles southeast of Auburn. The family consisted of three sons and two daughters. When his father came to the county was a small boy; was reared on a farm to manhood, married and settled in the township, and raised a family of six grown children, two daughters and four sons. He remained on a farm until a few years previous to his death, when he moved to Auburn, where he died September 16, 1879; mother died June 2, 1865. On January 23d, 1867, married Sarah J. Mackey, who slill lives. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a liberal education. In 1873, went to Pawnee townsliip, where he engaged in farming for several years, when he embarked in merchandising, wliere he remained two years, and in the spring of 1875 came to Auburn where he encfaged in the drug business the following November, and in 1880 the firm of Patton & Stout, was formed. In August, 1865, married Miss Addie M. Black, daughter of John Black. She was born May 25, 1847. There was one child, Minnie F., born December 24, 1867. His wife, Addie, died January 26, 1875. loved and respected by all v ho knew her. For his second wife Le married Miss

Caroline A. Jones, daughter of M. A. Jones of Ball township, born in Christian county, March 7, 1849. The fruits of this union was one child, Mabel Jones Patton; she was born in Auburn, Illinois, on the 7lh day of November, 1879. Mr. Patton is a member of the Masonie fraternity, Ark and Anchor Lodge, No. 354, and of Auburn Chapter, No. 92. Mr. Patton is a man with good business abilities, and has been identified with the county all his life, and has seen it change from its broad wild prairies, to one of the best cultivated counties in the State. At this writing the firm of Patton & Stout are doing an extensive business in the line of drugs, medicines and druggists' sundries,jwall paper, books and stationery, pocket and table cutlery, jewelry and hardware; also a complete line of groceries, handled in connection with country produce.

Dawson, Poley & Co., Auburn, Illinois, manufacturers of drain tile, brick, and proprietors of the Auburn Coal Shaft. Among the leading business interests of Auburn, we are pleased to mention the above fii'm. In the year 1878, Henry Dawson, Sr., and James K. Ruder embarked in the manufacturing of tile and brick, and continued up to February, 1881; in the meantime, opening up the Auburn Coal Shaft. In February, 1881, a company was formed, as follows: Henry Dawson, Sr., Henry Dawson, Jr., Benjamin F. Poley, C. M Poley and L. E. Ruder. A six and one-half foot vein of coal is found two hundred and sixty-eight feet from the surface, aud will compare favorably with any in this section of the country. Their capacity for making brick is one million per year, and tile, five hundi-ed thousand to six hundred thousand. They employ about forty men. In June, 1881, the shaft caught fire and destroyed the most of their buildings, causing a damage of $5,600. The capital stock is estimated at $2o,000.

Charles liaiich, farmer, postoffice Virden, Macoupin County, Ills., was born in Muhlenburg, County, Ky., on the 28th day of December, 1827; son of Jacob and Pauline (Poley) Rauch, who was married in 1824; two children being born in Kentucky, Andrew and Charles; and in 1829, he left his home in Kentucky and came to Illinois, in wagons, camping out and driving their stock, and located in Auburn Township, where he purchased land and made a farm. Soon after coming to the country, built what was known far and near as Rauch Mills, one of the first grist and sawmills in this part of the country that was run by water. Coming to the country in limited means, but by good management and close application to business, accumulated a fine property and at his early death, owned 2,000 acres of land, dying at the age of forty-seven, in 1843. Mother died February 5, 1 880. She was a member of the German Baptist church and died as she had lived - a sincere Christian. Mr. Charles Rauch has been identified with the county for more than a half century and has seen the various changes. Married Miss Mary Brooks, daughter of Wm. C. and Sarah Brooks, of Delaware. She was born June 22, 1838. There are a family ©f six children, three daughters and three sons, viz: Louise E, born November 3, 1861; Jennie B., born April 13, 1863; James C, born June 14, 1865; John B., February 24, 1868; Grace, born January 11, 1878; Chai'les M., born August 24, 1881. In politics, a Democrat, and has held several local offices in the gift of the people. Has two hundred and fifty-seven acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $"7 5 per acre.

Andrew Ratich, farmer; post office, Virden; was born in Muhlenburg, Kentucky, on the 14th day of August, 1825; son of Jacob and Pauline Rauch. Andrew came to the county with his parents, when he was four years old, and has spent over half a century in Auburn township. June 13, 1854, he married Miss Margaret E. Cassity daughter of Alexander Cassity, who was one of the pioneers of the county ; she was born in Kentucky, October 13, 1833. There were nine children, six of whom are living - Frank, born August 18, 1857; Clara, born February 19, 1861; Emma, born February 7, 1864; Elmer, born July 20, 1867; AUie, born September 6, 1872, and Edgar G., born November 8, 1876. Mr. Rauch has held several local offices of trust in the gift of the people, holding some township office ever since he was twenty-one years of age. Mr. Rauch has been in the county nearly all his life, and has seen all the changes, from a vast, wild prairie, to one of the best cultivated portions of the State, and can well be claimed as one of its pioneers. Is a member of the Masonic Order, Virden Lodge, No. 161.

Father 1). J. My an, Auburn, Illioois, was born in Peoria, Peoria county, Illinois, on the 3d day of August, 1852. Son of William and Margaret (Keller) Ryan, natives of Ireland ; father emigrating in 1847, and mother in 1850, and were married in 1851. There was born to them a family of eight children, seven sons and one daughter, all of whom are living. His father died June 9, 1880, at the age of sixtyfour. When the subject of tlis sketch was two j'ears old, his parents moved to Marshall county, where he remained on a farm until he was thirteen years of age, Avhen he went to LaSalle, where he commenced his preparatory studies, and remained there about a year and a half. Thence went to Niagara Falls, New York, where he finished his classical and divinity studies. In 1876, he commenced his first mission, at Grafton, Illinois, where he remained one year, and in the fall of 1876, came to Auburn, Illinois, where he has the charge of Auburn, Sugar Creek and Christian county congregations.

Jacob JT. Shutt, farmer, section thirty-iive, post office Virden, was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wagoner) Shutt; was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on the 10th day of October, 1834. His father was of German descent, and was born in North Carolina; mother a native of Georgia, born July 31, 1799. In 1810, came to Muhlenburg, Kentucky, where they were married. There were thirteen children, tenof whom lived to be men and women. In 1829, they emigrated to Sangamon county, where he bought a small piece of land of a man by the name of Black. Being in limited circumstances, he had to commence at the bottom and work up. Mr. S. accumulated a fine property prior to his death, owning five hundred acres of valuable prairie. He died in 1856. He had to put up with all the privations of the pioneers, going to Springfield and St. Louis with his grain and to do his trading, with ox-teams. When coming from St. Louis, was overtaken by the darkness, and lost his way, and had to remain until morning. The country was full of wolves at that time, and it was anything but pleasant to lie and hear the wolves howl.

Jacob W. was reared on a tarm, and received an elementary school education. When twentyone years of age, went to work for himself. When twenty-six, he married Miss Susan C. Gates, daughter of Daniel Gates, of Kentucky. By this marriage, there were six children, one of which died in infancy. The living are as follows: Laura C, Charles M., Elizabeth L., Amos E., Phineas E. Mr. S. died April 1, 1873. For his second wife, married Miss Fannie Bevins, of Kentucky, where she was born in 1844. By this union, there were three children, two of whom, James J. and Lewis B., are still living. Mr. S. has one hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which is- under a high state of cultivation, with a fine home, valued at $10,000. He has been identified with the county all his life, and has seen all its various changes.

Seuuiger, who embarked in business in 1874, as the firm of Buck & Senniger. The following year, Captain W. H. Hummel bought the interest of Mr. Buck and continued in business up to 1878, when he bought his interest, and is at present sole proprietor. He carries a full line of shelf goods, stoves and everything else that is usually kept in a first-class store. He manufactures all his tin-ware, roofing and spouting. Mr. S. is located on the northwest corner of the square, in a large and commodious building twenty by sixty, two-story frame building, and carries a stock of $3,000. Mr. Senniger was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, December 28th, 1837. When seventeen years old he was apprenticed, where he remained four years. In 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, nine months men, and participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chandlorville. Previous to entering the army in 1861, he married Miss Mary DeBaugh. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1841. The fruits of this marriage was nine children, eight of whom are living, Mary F., George J., David V., Allie, Julia, John, Louis and Charles. Mr. S. is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic Order, Ark and Anchor Lodge No. 354, Auburn, Chapter and Commandery.

John F. Smith, of the dry goods firm of Smith & Hamlin, Auburn, Illinois, is a native of Germany, and was born in 1842. Being of an adventurous turn of mind, he emigrated to America, alone, in 1856. After spending a year in Chicago he came to Springfield, and has since been a resident of Sangamon county, save two years (1867 and 1868) spent as book-keeper in a bank at Carbondale, Illinois. In 1869, Mr. Smith located in Pawnee, Sangamon county, as a general merchant, and carried on business there until 1876, when failing health compelled him to sell out. During the first year at Pawnee his sales were $11,000, and in 1875 they aggregated $43,000. The rapid increase of $32,000 in six years, in a village eleven miles from a railroad, demonstrated the business qualifications of the man. After closing out, he settled nearly three years on a farm near Pawnee; when, having recuperated his health, at the solicitation of his friend, J. A. Abel, he re-entered the mercantile business in Auburn, in September, 1879, with a stock of general merchandise, embracing dry goods, boots and shoes, clothing, hats, caps and notions. Frank L. Hamlin bought Mr. Abel's interest in April, 1881. The firm carries a stock of $13,000 to $15,000, and has an annual trade of $40,000; the sales of 1881 being twenty-five percent, larger than those of 1880. Besides his commercial interests, Mr. Smith, in company with Mr. Abel, has been engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock, of which they ship about one hundred and twenty-rive cars a year. In 1870, Mr. Smith married Maty E. Jarred, who was born in Indiana, in 1846, but rear d in Sangamon county, Illinois. They have two children - Pearly, aged eleven years, and Lelia, eight years old. Mr. Smith was made a Mason in Pawnee, in 1869-70, and has taken the Royal Arch Degree; is also a member of I. O. O. F., Auburn Lodge. Mrs. Smith's father resides at Crow's Mill, Sangamon county, Illinois. Her mother died in 1869. Mr. Smith's parents both survive, and with four of their six children, reside in Germany, His only brother in this country lives in Northern Iowa.