White County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1883 (part 8 of 11)

Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Mount Olive). - This church was organized in 1870 by Rev. John Crawford. D. L. Riley? A. R. Pearce and Alfred Blockard, Elders; E.H. Pearce, Deacon; D. L. Riley, Clerk. A church building was erected in 1861-2, 28x30 feet, by neighbors, for general use, at a cost of about $700. This church was donated to the Presbyterian society after its organization. Mr. Crawford was pastor about four years. He was succeeded by Revs. Frank Wilson, William A. Trousdale, Randolph, Green, McQuay. Mr. Randolph is the present pastor. There is a Sabbath-scliool, of which A. H. Blockard is Superin¬ tendent. This has been one of the most flourishing schools in the county, and has a membership of fifty, with an average attend¬ ance of thirty-five. There have been several revivals and many additions to the church since its organization.

were Elders; John Kennedy and Thomas B. Brock were Deacons, Several persons have moved away, and some have died, so that daring the past two years there has been only occasional preach¬ ing. There are now about twenty-eight persons of this faith in tliis vicinity.

The Lick Creek Baptist Church , commonly known as the 44 Old- School, or Regular Baptist church," was organized in October, 1820. It was formed from the Banks Fork church. The articles of faith, constitution and by-laws were signed the Saturday before the fourth Sunday in December, 1820. It was the only church within a radius of fifteen or twenty miles, and consequently the membership was large till 1855 or 1860. The pastors of this church have been Wilson Henderson, Charles Lee, Moses Pearce, John Pearce, Israel Drew, Coleman Hoskins, Jeremiah Woolten, Thomas Scott and T. J. Aud. The first services were held in a log cabin, but a few years later they built a log church, 20 x 24. They now have a good church, near the Herald's Prairie church¬ yard.

Mission Baptist Church . - In March, 1854, by request of Elder Thomas Stokes, who had been preaching here for some time, a meeting of Baptist brethren was held at the house of William H. Stokes, to consider the propriety of being constituted into a Bap¬ tist church of Christ. James Sallee was elected Moderator, and W. H. Stokes, Clerk. It was decided that a church be organized. To the articles of faith and the constitution the following names were appended: Jesse C. Henson, J. M. Henson, Sarah Henson, S. A. Henson, James Sallee, Jane Sallee, William H. Stokes, Phebe Stokes. In May of the same year another meeting was held to con¬ sider the propriety of organizing the Baptist brethren into a church of the United Baptists. Rev. Samuel Martin was chosen Moderator, and William H. Stokes, Clerk.

The meeting resulted in an organization, with Samuel Martin, as preacher by appointment, and William H. Stokes to extend the hand of fellowship and give the charge to the church. It was unanimously resolved that the church should be known as the Mission church of the United Baptist church of White County. The church then proceeded to the election of a pastor, electing Thomas Stokes, one of their own members, who accepted the call. At this meeting Oliver Sallee, Elizabeth and Sarah Sallee and Thomas Stokes were received into the church by credit of letter. The following is the list of first members: Jesse C. Henson*

The first Sabbath-school was organized in 1868, the following being the officers elected: William H. Stokes, Superintendent; John Carter, Assistant Superintendent; T. J. Renshaw, Secretary and Librarian; George Henson, Treasurer; T. J. Renshaw, J. E. Henson, P. H. McElyah, Amer Pyle, John W. Clark, Sarah Collard, Mary Leathers, Mary Martin, Elizabeth Martin, Celia Garrison and Sarah J. Leathers, Teachers.

Up to 1869, this church had extended the right hand of fellow¬ ship to 350 persons, receiving many by letter, but the majority by baptism. But many have received letters to unite with other churches, thus causing a great decrease in the membership, which at present is 134. The present Deacons are: James M. Henson, John C. Martin, William H. Stokes and Marion Martin. Pres¬ ent Sabbath-school officers : John C. Martin, Superintendent ; Orlando Martin, Assistant Superintendent, Luella Clark, Secretary and Treasurer. Teachers: W. H. Stokes, John Stokes, Hender¬ son Martin, Mary J. Clark and Lucy Martin.

The Free - Will Baptists have had regular preaching in this township, at the Buckeye school-house, by Rev. Joseph Ward for about six months. The congregation is large and there is talk ot organizing.

1860. - Number of schools, 7; number of male teachers, 5; fe¬ male, 6; number of scholars, 358; number of persons under twentyone, 854; average number of months to the school, 7; number of log school-houses, 4; frame, 2; teachers monthly wages, $10 to $35; township fund, $1,206.86; State fund, $847.11; tax, $410- .72; amount paid to teachers, $962.70; total moneys received for all school purposes, $1,336.98; amount expended, $1,283.37.

1882. - Number of males under twenty-one, 540; females, 497; total, 1,037; total number over six years of age, 631; number of ungraded schools, 3; total number of months of school, 58}; average number, 14i; pupils enrolled, 494; number between twelve and twenty-one years of age unable to read or write, 7; number of male teachers, 10; female, 3; number of days attendance of pupils, 34,061; number of frame school-houses, 7; log, 3 ; highest wages paid male teachers, $40; female, $35 ; lowest wages paid any male teacher, $20 ; female, $20; amount earned by male teachers during the year, $1,446.53; female, $521; amount of district tax levied for support of schools, $1,364.65 ; estimated value of school property, $4,175; income of township fund received during the year, $77.50; received from county superintendent of this county, $901.24; incidental expenses of treasurers and trustees, $14; compensation of treasurers, $100.50; amount distributed to districts reported in this county, $817.16; total amount received by the township treasurer during the year ending June 30, 1882, $2,034.89; total expenditures during the year, $1,897.42.

Thomas J. And, , for many years a Baptist preacher of Herald's Prairie church, was born in Breckenridge County, Ky., Aug. 27, 1818, and was a son of James and Nancy A. (Moore) Aud, natives of Maryland, whose family consisted of nine children. He married Caroline Johnson, May 10, 1837. To them one child was born - Elizabeth.. His second wife was Sarah R. (Pettypool) Barnett, daughter of Thomas Pettypool. Ten children were born to them - John S., Thomas, Milton, William, Sarah F., Joel R., Mary M., Nancy J., Daniel and Amy M. His third wife was Susan (Wilson) Scott, daughter of Samuel Wilson. Their children were - Lorenda C. and Gilbert B. Mr. And, though quite feeble, is yet preaching. Eight of his children are deceased. His last wife is living.

Alexander Austin , born in Warren County, Tenn., Dec. 24, 1823, was a son of Wm. Austin. He came to this county when a boy and has continued to reside here for the past forty-nine years, never having been over fifty miles from his present residence. Sept. 11, 1842, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Richard and Malinda (Kearney) Fryer, of Herald's Prairie, who was born Oct. 25, 1825. Her father was a native of North Carolina and her mother of Kentucky. The family was one of the earliest settlers of this county, Mr. Fryer being one of the band of rangers to pro¬ tect the settlers from the Indians. He helped to build the first log house in Carmi. He had a family of five sons and thirteen daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Austin have been born nine chil¬ dren - Catherine, born Feb. 2, 1844, is married and has three chil¬ dren - Thomas, Frances, and Otis; Richard, born Dec. 4, 1846, married Melissa Aud and has four children - Lear, Sampson M., Alvah E., and Messer J.; Melinda, born April 15, 1848 (deceased); Benj. F., Jan. 17, 1851 (deceased); Julia, born Jan. 17, 1855, mar¬ ried Augustus Willis; Mary A., born Dec. 4, 1856, married James Summers and has three children - Viola, Rose M., and Nora; Elisha, born Oct. 14, 1858, married Eliza J. Austin and has one child - Cornelius; Ellen J., born Oct. 14, 1860, and Hardy, born March 24, 1865.

Charles Austin , born July 20, 1836, is a son of William and Catherine (Foster) Austin, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Virginia. Their family consisted of nine chil¬ dren, six of whom are living. Charles lived at home till his nineteenth year, when, Feb. 17, 1855, he was married to Mary Hoskins, a daughter of Coleman Hoskins, a preacher in the Regu¬ lar Baptist church. After their marriage they moved onto section 29. The first land he owned was a tract of eighty acres, upon which he lived two years. He then sold and bought 120 acres on section 27, and lived there eleven years. He sold that and bought 264 acres on sections 22 and 27, upon which he has fine buildings equal to any in the township, and where he still resides. Upon this land we find traces of the Mound Builders. There are mounds fifteen feet in diameter at the base, and twelve at the top, and several feet high. Mr. and Mrs. Austin's children are - Rebecca Ellen, born Jan. 2, 1856, died Oct. 16, 1864; William Washing¬ ton, born Oct. 5, 1859; Margaret Jane, bom Nov. 15, 1862; Syl¬ vester, April 30, 1865; Charles Smith, April 29, 1867; Hugh Young, born Aug. 3, 1870, died July 28, 1876; Ada, born Feb. 19, 1876, died Oct. 22, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Austin are members of the Regular Baptist church. Mr. Austin was Clerk for ten years, resigning in favor of John Wease. They have a family of bright, intelligent children. The eldest son is fitted for a teacher, and is now teaching in Sub-district No. 3. The two next sons are at home. Their daughter, Margaret J., has taught four terms, and is now at¬ tending the Normal at Carmi.

Hugh Austin, farmer and stock-raiser, son of William and Cath¬ erine (Foster) Austin, was born April 7, 1830, in Gallatin County, III. His father moved to Shelby County and remained a year, then came to White County, and to the neighborhood where Hugh now resides. Father and son have both been hard-working men. Hugh Austin had the advantage of very little education, but by his practical good sense has accumulated a goodly property. He has owned 600 acres of good land, but has divided it with his children. In his early life he had all the experiences of the pio¬ neer. He was married March 14, 1850, to Eliza Jane, daughter of Rev. Coleman Hoskins. To them have been born ten children - Charles Monroe, born Nov. 15, 1852; George Montgomery, Sept. 27, 1855 (deceased); Martha E., Nov. 2, 1857 (Mrs. Wm. Pearce); William Henry, Jan. 26, 1860 (deceased); Lowry Virgil, Jan. 23, 1862; Ivens Hoskens, June 22, 1865 (deceased); Kinehen H., May 27,1868; Zeakel S., Dec. 9, 1871 (deceased); Della A., May 8, 1875. In politics Mr. Austin is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Pierce. He is an influential man in his township, and is always ready to do his share for its welfare.

William Austin (deceased) was bom in North Carolina in 1799, and was a son of Elisha and Martha (Fox) Austin. Elisha Austin moved to Warren County, Tenn., and from thereto White County, Ill., with his family. His children who grew to maturity were - William, Elisha, Nancy (married James Miller, and after¬ ward Drew Jamison), Benjamin (first married Lucinda, daughter of 'Squire William Emerson, then Susannah, daughter of Isaac Kello), Polly, Hugh (married Mary Watson), Betsey, Jesse (married Catherine Miller, and afterward Margaret Bryant), Patsey (married James Friar). Benjamin is the only one living. William Austin as married March 20, 1823, to Catherine Foster, a native of Virua, born April 12, 1806, and a daughter of Alexander and Sarah Foster) Foster. Her parents moved to Warren County, Tenn., where they died. They had a family of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Austin had ten children - Alexander, bora Dec. 24, 1823; Elisha, Dec. 17, 1825 (deceased); William F. M., May 8, 1828; Hugh, April 7, 1830; Sarah, July 6, 1832 (deceased); Mary, Aug. 12, 1834 (Mrs. Wm. Spence, deceased); Charles, July 20, 1836; George W., June 6, 1838 (deceased); Catharine, Feb. 20, 1841; Andrew J., Nov. 6, 1842. Mr. Austin died Sept. 13, 1858. His wife is living with her son Hugh.

James W . Bayley was born May 9, 1845, and was a son o Lewis S. and Amelia (Webb) Bayley. He enlisted in the late war in Company G, Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry. He was in the battle of Mobile. He narrowly escaped having both legs cut off by a shell at Spanish Fort, it passing within a few inches of him and cutting both legs of Samuel Godwin, one entirely off and the other nearly so; he died in a few hours. His regiment was ever on the move, going from Illinois to Texas, up and down the river. They were mustered out at Hampstead, Texas, Nov. 6, 1865. Oct. 31, 1867, he married Nancy J., daughter of John J. and Elizabeth (Newman) Glassock, of Gallatin County. Her father was a native of Virginia and her mother of North Carolina. They had a family of five children - Thomas H., Elizabeth J., Martha A., John F. (deceased), and Nancy J. They still reside in Gallatin County. Mr. and Mrs. Bayley have had six children - George L., born Aug. 23, 1868 (deceased); Lewis S., July 11,1870; John D., Jan. 9, 1872 (deceased); Florence, April 6, 1876; Charles, Oct. 17, 1878; Harvey, Oct. 22, 1880.

Ky., in 1819, and settled on the place where their son Jackson now lives. Daniel lived there during his minority. He married Mary Blazier, a daughter of Moses Blazier, an old citizen of Gallatin County. Their children were - Mahala, Martha, Carroll, Austin, Asa, Richard, Nathan, Sarah J., James B. and Felix. Mrs. Bry¬ ant died Dec. 16, 1854, aged thirty-seven years, ten months and twenty-two days. Mr. Bryant married, Feb. 10, 1856, Mrs. Polly Ann (Armstrong) Kinsaw, daughter of Absalom Armstrong, of Gallatin County. They had one son - Oliver, born March 14, 1858. His wife died and Feb. 9, 1860, he married Cassander (Harper) Blazier. She died Aug. 16, 1866, leaving three children - Lory, Henry J. and Jesse H. Aug. 11, 1867, he married his fourth wife, Anne Brock, daughter of Jacob B. and Susan (Yoho) Brock, native of Monroe County, O. With her he is passing his old age. Mr. Bryant was a volunteer in the Black Hawk war, in the Second Illinois Regiment, under General Alexander. He was in the battle of Bad Axe. His company was the one that cleared the island, the last forlorn hope of the Indians. His stories and remi¬ niscences are blood-curdling. His experiences have made him very bitter toward the Indians.

Jackson Bryant , born in White County, Jan. 19, 1823, is a son of Daniel and Sibbie (Newell) Bryant. He resides on the o d homestead, where he was born and where his parents both die He was married Nov. 29, 1843, to Julia, daughter of Robert and Hannah (Dagley) Harris. To them have been born ten children - Milton, born Feb. 17, 1845; Marcus, Nov. 6, 1846; Margaret, Sept. 27, 1848; Lory (Mrs. J. F. Mitchell), July 25, 1850; Char¬ lotte (deceased), June 13, 1852; Alfred, Dec. 10,1854; Martha (deceased), April 23, 1857; one died in infancy; Marietta, April 2 1861; Julia, Jan. 22, 1864. Mr. Bryant has given his children the best educational advantages to be obtained in this section of the country. All of his sons have been school-teachers. Alfred was at one time principal of an academy in Guthrie, Ky. He there rented a college and kept it one year. He is now head book¬ keeper of a large grain house in Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Bryant's father died in 1830, aged fifty-seven, and his mother in 1874, in her ninet}r-second year.

Alexander' Callvert (deceased) was born April 23, 1783, in Virginia, and was a son of Mary Callvert. He married Nancy Mahew, who was born in 1790. Their children were - James G., Sally, John Alexander, Patsey H., George A., Aaron H., Amos H.>

William P., Elizabeth E. All are dead but William, who is living in McLeansboro. Andrew died April 24, 1856; Nancy, Jan. 27, 1844; James G. was born June 12, 1806, and married Jane B. Phipps, March 13, 1828. The children born to them were - Adaline L., born Dec. 5, 1828; Wm. Munroe, died in infancy; Sarah Ann, born Jan. 29,1832; Nancy Jane, born Jan 25, 1834; James G., died Sept. 10, 1834. His widow married Robert Spence, whose sketch will be found in its proper place. Mr. Callvert lived near the Emerson place, near Stoke's.

John Wesley Clark was bom in Concord Precinct, near Emma Township, June 4, 1835, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary A. (Leathers) Clark, natives of Davis County, Ky. He was educated in the district schools of his day. He was brought up on a farm and also learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed till his twenty-first year. He then attended school for two or three years. He was married in his twenty-fourth year, to Mahala A., daughter of Asa and Jane (Brant) Martin. They have had six children - Mary J., Hattie A., Luella, Rachel A1 chora, Charles Wesley (died in infancy), Grade M. (died at the age of three years). Mr. Clark owns 360 acres of this township, 200 acres under cultivation. Mr. Clark is a practical, well-informed man. In order to get his start, he taught school fall and winter terms and farmed summers for eleven consecutive years. His children are receiving the benefit of his experience. Two of his daughters are engaged in teaching with marked success.

Henry S. Dagley , bora in Herald's Prairie Precinct, Nov. 29, 1833, was a son of Captain Samuel and Jane (Webb) Dagley, who were among the earliest settlers, Captain Dagley coming to this section with Joseph Boone in 1811, and probably helped to build the fort. After staying there a while he went back to Kentucky (Barn County, near Peter's Creek), when Thomas and his family (the father) moved to New Haven, with Boone in the fort, Boone being his son-in-law. The history of New Haven, if all could be written of the early Indian exploits and pioneer trials and hardships of those early few, [and of Captain Samuel Dagley, would be very inter¬ esting, but much of it has died with them. Captain Dagley mar¬ ried Jane Webb, daughter of Asa Webb, it being the first marriage in the precinct. Henry S. received a common school education in an old log house at Union Ridge.* Henry S. being the young¬ est son was always on the home place, on which he and his family now live. He was married Aug. 28, 1858, and his father died

Sept. 5, following. He married Sarah H. Eubanks, of Indian Creek, daughter of John and Sarah (Wren wick) Eubanks. Their children are - George K., born Aug. 4, 1859, married W. Y. Questel, and has one child, Ethel I.; Sarah J.. born Sept, 11, 1861, died in infancy; John E., bora April 4, 1863; Samuel J., Aug. 25, 1865; Robert W., Feb. 25, 1867; Flora Agnes, Nov. 28, 1870. Mary, March 25, 1873; Henry Powell, Dec. 12, 1875; Cora Lee, June 15, 1878; Louvisa, Dec. 12, 1880. Mr. Dagley has a farm of 260 acres. In several portions of it are to be found Indian mounds, some of which have been opened and remaining relics taken therefrom. The neighborhood is known as the Dagley neighborhood for miles around. He is a member of the Cumber¬ land Presbyterian church at Union Ridge.

Jonathan S. Dagley , perhaps the largest wheat-grower in White County, and certainly one of the most successful farmers, is a son of Samuel and Jane (Webb) Dagley. He was the sixth child of a family of eleven children, and was born Aug. 20, 1827. Oct. 12, 1848, he married Catherine, seventh daughter of James and Mary Trousdale. She was born Dec. 2, 1828. Their children were - Vir¬ ginia, born Dec. 27, 1849; Mary Ann, born July 12, 1852; Solon Jones, born Jan. 31, 1854; an iufant son, born Jan. 25, 1856. His wife died Feb. 1, 1856. Dec. 1, 1856, he married Susan Jane Lasater, third daughter and thirteenth child of James and Susan Lasater . She was born Jan. 16, 1837. To this union have been born - Charles, Aug. 20, 1857; an infant daughter; James Lasater, born Dec. 19, 1861, died Feb. 16,1882; Milton Edmore, Sept. 7, 1864; Franklin and Fannie Belle, born Aug. 3, 1866; Emma, born Oct. 20, 1868; Jonathan Boone, born Sept. 15,1877.

Samuel Dagley , Sr. (deceased), was born in Peter's Creek, Bar¬ ren Co., Ky., Oct. 2, 1797, and was a son of Thomas Dagley, a native of Ireland. His mother was a native of Scotland. Of Scotch-Irish descent, the Dagleys, like all their race, have energy, strong common sense and practical worth. Thomas Dagley was baggage-master for General Washington in the Revolutionary war. During the march of the British there were guards placed over his wife's house to protect it from the ravages of the troops. He moved to New Haven in 1812 with his family of five children - Sara (Mrs. Joseph Boone), Rebecca (Mrs. William Withrow), Hannah (Mrs. Hugh Withrow and afterward Mrs. Robin Harris), Ruth (Mrs. Carter Smith), and Samuel. New Haven was then called Boone's Fort, from Joseph Boone, the first settler. Mr. Boone was a brother of the famous Daniel Boone. As one of Thomas Dagley's daugh¬ ters married Joseph, Daniel was necessarily brought to the settle¬ ment, and many interesting stories are told of him by his relatives here. Samuel Dagley slept with him the night he was twenty-one. Samuel was married March 2, 1817, in New Haven, to Jane Webb, a daughter of Asa and Mary (Block) Webb, who was born Jan. 14, 1796. To them were born ten children - Rebecca, born Dec. 17, 1817; Mary Ann, March 22, 1819; Sarah, Nov. 25, 1821; Elizabeth, Aug. 20, 1823; Samuel, Sept. 25, 1825; Jonathan Boone, Aug. 20, 1827; Louisa and Lucinda, May 22, 1829; Robert W., Nov. 7, 1831; Henry S., Nov. 29, 1833; Lavisa J., Jan. 13, 1838. Samuel Dagley died Sept. 5, 1858, and his wife, March 2, 1881. Both are buried in Union Ridge Cemetery.

Solomon L. Garrison was born in Barren Co., Ky., June 7, 1808. He was a son of James and Rachel Garrison. They moved to White County at a very early date, settling in what is now Emma Township. He is one of the very few pioneers who are liv¬ ing. In conversation with Mr. Garrison we found him to be a man of practical common sense, and of unquestionable integrity. He retains his faculties to a remarkable degree, and his reminis¬ cences of the early pioneer days and early schools are very inter¬ esting.

John Ghraham , bom Sept. 13, 1814, in Fayette County, Pa., is a son of John and Elizabeth (Thompson) Graham, natives of Scot¬ land and Ireland. He received a common-school education, and worked on the farm till his eighteenth year, when he went to Elizabethtown, Pa., and learned the shipwright's trade ; worked at his trade on land eight years, and was then steamboat carpen¬ ter twenty-three years, working on many boats and experiencing the dangers of many storms. He has been on three different boats where the boilers burst, killing many, the last one killing twenty-seven. Securing a competence in this rough life, he came West and bought a farm, and settled down to a quiet life. He also deals quite largely in grain, having charge of Brown's Station on the Wabash Railroad, his son-in-law, B. I. Brockett, running the farm, and he the grain depot. Mr. Graham married Miss Jane Wilson, of Pittsburg, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Grant) Wilson, of the same State. Their family consisted of two sons and this one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have one daughter - Virginia Belle, now Mrs. B. I. Brockett, and living with her parents. 3 r children are - Laura B., Graham D.. Jane B.

Etta M., Edward L. and Nellie B. Mr. Graham and Mr. Brockett own land on section 31, Carmi Township. Mr. Graham ran a steam¬ boat for seven years between St. Louis and Ft. Benton, Montana, a 8,600 mile route ; this brought him from civilization to the wild lands of the warlike Sioux, Blackfoots, Winnebagoes, etc., and where elk, deer, and buffaloes abounded; has had skirmishes with the Indians, and the boat, City of Pekin, was shot into many times. He was also on a steamboat, The Belle Peoria, taken into the service of the United States, and served as ship carpenter during the war; was before Vicksburg six weeks; also on the Ten¬ nessee River in the region of Morgan's guerrilla raids, but escaped unmolested. Mr. and Mrs. Graham and Mr. and Mrs. Brockett are members of the West Union United Presbyterian church.

Robert Grant , born April 17, 1796, near Cambridge, England, came to America in December, 1818. Upon their approach to the Jersey shore, between Big and Little Egg harbor, they ship¬ wrecked. After landing he came via Pittsburg, and down the Ohio to Shawneetown. June 10, 1827, he married Frances Wood- Salsbury, a native of New York. They had four children - Mercy E., born March 29, 1828, married B. L. Patrick, of Carmi, June 18, 1845, and is now deceased; George and Susannah F. both died in childhood; Thomas A., born April 10, 1839, married Sarah A. Bennett. Mrs. Grant died Jan. 30, 1841. Mr. Grant married Sarah M., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Parker) Thompson, natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Grant was born in Sumner County, Tenn., and came to this county in 1841. She has since resided within two miles of her present home. Mr. and Mrs. Grant have had nine children - Margaret S., born Aug. 30, 1844 (deceased); Robert R., born Jan. 30, 1846, married Fannie E. Rice; George W., born Dec. 20, 1848 (deceased); Richard B.,born Dec. 14, 1850, married Fannie A. Campbell; John E., born Feb. 24, 1852, married Phoebe J. Bowman; William J., born March 14, 1854, mar¬ ried Margaret Downing, who died, and lie married Rhoda A. Blackard; Sarah E., born Nov. 25, 1856 (deceased); Mary Augusta and Charles Augustus, born April 5, 1859; Charles died in child¬ hood; Mary married Andrew J. Knight.

Robert R . Grant , born in White County, Jan. 30, 1846, is a son of Robert and Sarah M. (Thompson) Grant. His father was a na¬ tive of England, and came to this country in 1818, coming direct to this county, where he died Dec. 22, 1878. Robert R. was mar¬ ried Sept. 24, 1868. to Fannie E., daughter of Cary and Lucinda

(Sallee) Rice. They have four children - Franklin, bom June 29, 1870; Elmer Aug. 2, 1872; Aswell Curtis, Feb. 3, 1877; Charles W., Sept. 8, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Grant are both mem¬ bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He is one of the Directors of the School Board. Mr. Grant has lived in this county the most of his life, and is one of its influential citizens. He ha a nice farm of sixty acres of improved land.

William E . Greer , son of Henry and Parleeaurilla Parleeann (Buttery) Greer, both natives of Tennessee, is a native of this county and has always resided here. He is the second son of a family of two sons and four daughters. His early life was spent with his father. He married Mary, daughter of Willis C. and and Elizabeth (Mars) Ward. Mr. and Mrs. Greer have four chil¬ dren - Edward, born Dec. 25, 1871; Oscar, April 13, 1874 ; Al¬ bert, Oct 13, 1877, and Sarah J., April 13, 1880. He has a farm of 204 acres, most of it fine timber, only about seventy-five acres being cultivated. The ravages made upon the forest during the last ten years, will, if continued, greatly enhance the value of timber land. Mrs. Greer's father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Illinois. They had a family of nine children - Mary, Ann P., Joseph, Thomas, Benjamin and Jane still living, and Emily, George and James, deceased. Mr. Ward died Aug. 19, 1882. Mrs. Ward is living in Carmi.

Franklin Hale, born in West Tennessee, Dec. 29, 1825, is a son of Asa and Elizabeth (Chapman) Hale, natives of Virginia and North Carolina. His grandfather, Simon Hale, was in the whole Southern campaign of the Revolutionary war. He died in 1842. in his ninety-ninth year, in White County. His father, Asa Hale, came to this county in 1830 with five children, Franklin being the fourth. He was married Aug. 7, 1841, to Sibbie, daughter of James and Polly (Regan) Bryant. To them were born six children - James B. ( surveyor of Gallatin County for the past ten years), William (deceased), John (deceased), Sarah Ann E. (Mrs. Geo. W. Harper, deceased), Asa F. and Lewis. Mrs. Hale died in the fall of 1870, and Dr. Hale married Mahala, daughter of Daniel Bryant. They have had two children - Martin I. (deceased and Marshall. Mr. Hale has given his children all the advantages to be obtained in this section of the country. He and his family are all members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He was School Director of Buckeye District for twelve years, at the date of the ending of subscription and the beginning of free schools.

Abraham Hall, born Jan. 29, 1857, is a son of William and Mary (Bryant) Hall. His early life was spent on the farm and in going to school. He married Sarah J., daughter of Franklin and Ellen (Phipps) Pomeroy. She was the second of their nine chil¬ dren. When Mr. and Mrs. Hall were married they settled on section 1, of this township, where they are making for themselves a nice home. They have two children - Ethel, born April 14, 1880, and Ettie M., born Aug. 20, 1882.

John W. Hall , born Oct. 26, 1854, is a son of William and Mary (Bryant) Hall, of Emma Township. He lived at home during his minority. He received a common-school education. He married Ellen Edwards, daughter of Berry and Sarah (Miller) 'Edwards, of Enfield. She was the youngest of their fifteen children. To Mr. and Mrs, Hall have been born four children - Mary, died in infancy; Sarah A., born Aug. 19, 1877; William B , born June 13, 1879; Lula M., born Oct. 19, 1881. Mr. Hall is engaged in farming; ha6 about fifty acres. He is an industrious, intelligent young man.

Pinkney B. Harris, born in what is-known as the Dagley set¬ tlement, Herald's Prairie, Feb. 13, 1836, was a son of Richard and Minerva (Webb) Harris, the father a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Kentucky. The two families moved to White County when the children, Richard and Minerva, were both young. Richard and Minerva Harris raised to maturity ten children, eight daughters and two sons - Nancy, Lina, Mary, Harriet, Lucy J., Pinkney B., Richard M., Julia, Sarah and Eliza. Pinkney B. spent his early years on the farm. His education was received in the early subscription schools. When the news came of the bom¬ bardment of Fort Sumter he, with the many other patriotic men, resolved that his country needed his services, and enlisted Aug. 14, 1861, in the Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry, Company D, Captain Whiting, taking his place in the ranks as a private. His regiment was in the memorable battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. At Shiloh he was slightly wounded; had many other hair-breadth escapes, having a lock of hair cut off by a minie, bul¬ let holes in his coat at Donelson, and one through his coat and another through his pants at Shiloh. After fourteen months of service he was promoted by election to Second Lieutenant, serving in that capacity during the rest of the service. He was in the war about three years, being mustered out at Natchez, Miss., Septem¬ ber, 1864. He returned home and took up his life-work of farm¬ ing. He married Emma Etta Mead, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Lafayette Mead. To this union have been born - Perry, born Nov. 27, 1878, and Winnie, born in 1882. Mr. Harris is now farming about sixty-five acres of improved land.

Richard Monroe Harris , son of Richard and Minerva (Webb) Harris, was born in Herald's Prairie, Feb. 25, 1838. His father was a son of Robert and Lucy (Stubblefield) Harris, natives of Rockingham County, N. 0. Mrs. Harris wa9 born Nov. 11, 1759. They lived and reared their family in North Caroliua. Mr. Harris died in the early part of the present century. They had nine chil¬ dren - Nancy, born Jan. 4, 1780; Robert, Dec. 2, 1782; Richard, Nov. 11, 1785; Elizabeth, Aug. 12, 1787; Thompson, Dec. 21, 1789; Susanna, April 20, 1792; Fanny, March 16, 1795; John, Jan. 10, 1798; Polly, July 9, 1800. The eldest son came to Illi¬ nois and prospected some, and then Richard came and put in a small crop, and returned to North Carolina, reported favorably, and soon returned with his mother and a portion of the family, in¬ cluding Nancy (Mrs. Alexander Trousdale), Susanna, or Aunt Sukey (Mrs. Wm. Taylor), and Polly (Mrs. Wm. Trousdale), all married in this county. Mrs. Harris resided and died on the place where Richard now lives. Richard was married in 1826, to Mi¬ nerva Webb, and went to housekeeping on the home place, the sisters all having married and left home. To them were born - Nancy, Sept. 22, 1827 (Mrs. J. A. Bryant, deceased); Lina, Dec. 30, 1828; Polly, Aug. 20, 1830 (Mrs. D. M. McGhee, deceased); Harriet, May 17, 1832 (Mrs. R. L. Scott, deceased); Lucy Jane, Feb. 7, 1834 (Mrs. C. S. Bryant, deceased); Pinkney B., Feb. 13, 1836; Richard M. , Feb. 25, 1838; Julia and Sarah, Oct. 5, 1839 (deceased); Eliza, July 15, 1843 (Mrs. G. W. Bryant). Richard Harris, Sr., was a well-known citizen, and a regular minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church for about thirty years. He died March 29, 1856. His wife died in the fall of 1873. Richard, Jr., married Elizabeth M., daughter of Alfred and Mary A. (Lang¬ ford) Pearce, of Indian Creek Township, Jan. 13, 1876. They have two children - Mary Adaline and George Spencer. Mr. Harris is farming the original purchase of the family, having 150 acres, eighty of which are well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have both been members of the Presbyterian church for twenty years, or more. Robert Harris was a Revolutionary soldier, serving under the different generals that commanded the Southern army. Richard can remember of his father drawing a pension for his mother reg¬ ularly till his death.

Henry F . Hart , born Jan. 12, 1846, was the fourth child and second son of one of White County's oldest and most sturdy pio¬ neers. He spent his early life till his nineteenth year with his father, doing the ordinary farm work and attending the district school winters. He was married March 9, 1869, to Frances E. Napier, daughter of F. E. Napier. She was educated in this town¬ ship and was married in her fourteenth year. To them have been born five children, three living - Clara, born Aug. 29, 1871; Ola, born July 14, 1876; Gladys, born June 1, 1882; Lina, born July 16, 1874, died when five years old, and one died in infancy. Mr. Hart has sixty acres of improved land mostly under cultivation.

Benjamin T. Herring , son of Nathaniel and Mehitable Herring, was born in Guilford, Me., Aug. 1, 1816. He came to Illinois in 1840, located in Galena, and worked in the lead mines and at his trade for twelve years; then in 1852 came to White County. He was married Aug. 7, 1846, to Elizabeth T., daughter of Ezekiel and Jane Porter, born July 20, 1825. She died leaving two children - John Alexander and George Washington. He married again, Sept. 27, 1854, a lady with exactly the same name as his first wife, - Elizabeth T. Porter, born April 25, 1829, daughter of John and Rebecca Porter. Sept. 25, 1858, he married his third wife, Eliza¬ beth J., daughter of Reuben and Esther Lowery, born Sept. 25, 1830. They were the parents of five children - Margaret Jose¬ phine, born Oct. 2, 1860 (Mrs. Homer Inboden); Chena, Aug. 29, 1862 (deceased); Sira Nevada, Aug. 12, 1865 (deceased); Benjamin F., May 27, 1868; Hardena L., Sept. 28, 1870. Mr. Herring died in this township Sept. 5, 1880. His wife and children still reside here. The boys are intelligent, enterprising young men. This fall (1882) they started a sorghum mill, using the Evaporator, of Mansfield, O., and Krantz mill, of Evansville, Ind. They work night and day and are doing well. John A. enlisted in the late war in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana In¬ fantry. He was mustered out at Nashville and has never since been heard from.

Robert Coleman Hoskins (deceased), known throughout this sec¬ tion as Coleman Hoskins, for many years a preacher of the Old School Baptists, was born in Kentucky, July 14, 1805, and was a son of James A. Hoskins, whose wife, a native of Virginia, was Rebecca Smith. Coleman came to White County when a young lad, his parents moving in at that time. The family consisted of eight daughters and four sons. His mother was English descent. He was married Nov. 4, 1830, to Margaret S. Vought, who was born Feb. 19, 1811. Their children were - Eliza J., born Oct. 29, 1831, now Mrs. Hugh Austin; Rebecca N., born Sept. 10, 1834, now Mrs. Henry Coles; Martha E., born April 12, 1837, now Mrs. John Lowry; Mary, born Feb. 28, 1839, now Mrs. Charles Austin; William Franklin, born Nov. 4, 1841; Francis M., born April 25, 1844, married Henry Spence; died Jan. 31, 1882. Mrs. Hoskins died Nov. 2, 1844. His second wife was Mrs. Lucretia Chapman. Coleman Hoskins died Sept. 11, 1853.

Champney Hughes (deceased) was an old veteran in the Mexi¬ can war, who, after an honorable discharge, received a land war¬ rant from the Government as a pension for services. He married the lady who is now the widow Lee, by whom he had two children - Mary J. and Oliver C. Upon his death the estate reverted to the children and the widow. Mrs. Hughes married for her second husband Jesse F. Lee; was his second wife. Their children were - Jesse, Thomas, Emanuel, Francis, OliverS., James, Orville, Sarah T., Thomas J. Mr. Lee died July 22, 1874. Much credit is due to Mrs. Lee's eldest daughter, who has succeeded in buying out the heirs, and now owns her father's original grant. This has been done by hard work and honest frugality. Her mother resides with her on the old homestead.

John H. Kisner was born in Monongalia County, Va., April 7, 1828, a son of Frederick and Rhoda (Williams) Kisner, both natives of Virginia. They moved to Posey County, Ind., in 1853, and in the fall of 1859 came to White County. They had a family of five sons and four daughters, four sons and three daughters still living. John H. has spent his entire life in farming. He received a common school education; has worked and gained for himself a good home with most excellent buildings. He was married to

Charlotte Musgraves, a native of Virginia. They had four chil¬ dren - Charles Henry, married Ophelia Shelton, and resides on his father's farm; James Wesley, living in Kankakee County; Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. George Bullock, of Pope County; Cornelia, and John W. Mrs. Kisner died in Herald's Prairie Township, in 1868. He then married Martha, daughter of J. Collard, formerly of this township. Their children are - Benjamin F. and Monroe. His wife died in January, 1871, and in March, 1871, he married Malinda Hart, also a native of this township. They have four children - Theopholus, Jesse Frederick, Lewis Hancock and George. Mr. Kisner owns the southeast quarter of section 5. His father is residing with him. He has been a member of the Meth¬ odist Episcopal church for thirty-eight years. In April, 1882, his house, which was built in 1881, was totally destroyed by fire, but in sixty days he had the present one finished and ready to move into. Mr. Kisner enlisted in the Eighty-seventh Illinois Volun¬ teer Infantry; was mustered in at Shawneetown. His regiment was engaged on picket, advance guards and scouting; was at the surrender of Vicksburg; at Jackson, Miss.; at New Orleans, and Brazier's City, where they went into camp; from there on the Red River expedition, under Banks; from there to White River; then back to Morganza; then to camp, at St. Charles. From this time till their discharge they did scouting duty. They were dis¬ charged at Springfield, July 3, 1865. Mr. Kisner was also in the terrible battle of Pleasant Hill, Ark., where so many brave Illinois boys fell.

James M. Leathers, farmer, section 18, was born Sept. 20, 1826. He was the youngest son of a family of fourteen children. His parents were William and Rachel (McDaniel) Leathers. James, being the youngest son, remained on the farm and cared for his parents. His mother died March 8, 1859; his father May 13, 1872. His early years were hard. He received his education in the subscription schools of an early day. He was married Oct. 24, 1851, to Mary Ann, daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Stokes) Birch. Their children are - Luther, born Oct. 14, 1852; Ellen, Oct. 15, 1854, now Mrs. George Bowers; Emily, born Dec. 24, 1856, married P. Philipps; William, born Jan. 1, 1859 (deceased); Jehu, bom July 28, 1861; Charles, born May 6, 1864; Nora M., bom Aug. 13, 1866; Ephraim, born June 22, 1869; Eben, born June 3, 1871, died in infancy. Mr. Leathers has a tine farm of 242 acres, 175 of it improved. Three of his sons are at home. On bis farm are several graves. Mrs. Leathers9 parents were natives of Virginia and North Carolina, and had eight children - Lucinda, William, Elizabeth, Stokes, Susan A. (died in childhood), Samuel, Malinda, Mary A. Mr. and Mrs. Birch were members of Mr. Leathers9 family at the time of their death. They are buried in the Rice Grove cemetery. Mr. Birch was blind several years prior to his death.

John Leathers , bora in 1815, was a son of William and Rachel (McDaniel) Leathers. His father was a native of Orange County, Va., and his mother of Maryland. They moved to Nelson County, Ky., and from there to this county, when John was about twenty years old. Their family was - Matilda, Mary (Mrs. Benj. Clark), Maria (Mrs. John Collard, deceased), Betsey (Mrs. Marcus Gill, deceased), Jane (now Mrs. Marcus Gill), William (deceased), David (deceased), Henry (deceased), John and James, of this town¬ ship. When Mr. Leathers came here the land office was at Shawneetown. He bought an improvement of William Nevet, and further improved it. There he lived and died, and now his son James resides on the place. He and wife are buried in Lick Creek cemetery. John Leathers was married to Parzanft Pearce, daugh¬ ter of Colonel Hosea and Sally Pearce, natives of Tennessee. Their children were - Emma, Mary, Caroline. Phoebe, James, John and Marshall. His wife died in 1862, and he married Nancy, daugh¬ ter of William and Mary (Buckingham) Mitchell. They have had three children - Washington, and two that died in infancy. Mr. Leathers has always been a hard-working, upright citizen, and has gained for himself a good home. Marshall and Washington are both at home. Mr. Leathers' son John was in the Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and conducted himself with valor and courage. He is since deceased.

John Marlin (deceased), a native of Ireland, was a son of John and Rachel (Graham) Marlin, who came to this country in the early part of this century, and settled in South Carolina, where he lived and died. His family consisted of Mary Margaret, Jane, Rachel Nancy, Sarah, Hugh, John, Hamilton, Ralph, David, Henry, Robert and William. John married Lilly Ann Wiley, a native of South Carolina, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Mor¬ row) Wiley. Their family consisted of eighteen children that grew to maturity. When Mr. Marlin came to Illinois he had but a very small capital. Getting as far as Herald's Prairie, he fed his horse on something that killed it. This prevented the family going farther. Mr. Marlin then attempted to purchase cooking utensils, but found that he could not pass the money he had - it being the date when wild-cat currency was floating about. He finally leased a farm and also worked with B. Orebs on shares. From this small beginning he collected a large number of acres of some of Herald's Prairie's best land, all of which is in the hands of the widow or heirs. The children born of this union - Rachel Elizabeth (de¬ ceased), born 1848, married Thomas Pool; Francis W., born Sept. 22, 1850 ; Mary J., born Feb. 28, 1853 (deceased); James Hamilton, born Jan. 31, 1855; John Morrow and Lilly Morrow, born Nov. 18, 1857; Samuel Marshal, born Nov. 14,1861; David McCone, born April 9, 1867; Edwin A., born April 15, 1869; Arabella Alice, born Aug. 5, 1871. Mr. Marlin enlisted in the Eightyseventh Illinois Infantry, Company I, Captain Graham commanding. He was disabled while in service by a mule's falling on him, which probably ultimately caused his death.

Asa Martin (deceased) was born in North Carolina, Feb. 18, 1810, and came to White County at an early day. His parents were John and Rebecca Martin. They had a family of four sons and four daughters, Asa being the eldest son. He was married in January, 1834, to Jane Bryant, a native of Kentucky, born June 11, 1818, and a daughter of Daniel and Sibbie (Newell) Bryant. Mr. Bryant's family consisted of nine children - James, William, Henry, Daniel, Jr., Jackson, Kate, Matilda, Mahala and Jane. This family came to White County in 1816, and Mr. and Mrs. Bryant both lie buried in Herald's Prairie cemetery. After Mr. Martin's marriage he lived on a rented farm two years, then bought one, when he built his own house - a single hewed-log cabin - near the west side of section 18. There they lived until, in later years when their worldly goods were increased, they bought the place where their son Marion now resides. They had seven children - John C., born April 11, 1835; Daniel, born Feb. 13, 1837 ; Edmund, born Sept. 27, 1838; Western, born July 6, 1841; Mahala A., born Dec. 13, 1842, married John W. Clark; Sarah Jane, born Aug. 20, 1845, married Francis M. Trotter; Marion, born Oct. 16, 1847. Mr. Martin died in 1866 and is buried in Walnut Grove cemetery. Mrs. Martin is still living, a pleasant lady, a type of the old school pioneers.

Daniel Martin is a native of White County, having been bora within the territory now Herald's Prairie, Feb. 13, 1837. His par¬ ents' names were Asa and J ane (Brant) Martin. His mother's father was Daniel Brant. Asa Martin's family consisted of five sons and two daughters, of which Daniel was the second son. His life, during his minority, was spent with his father. His early school days were spent iu a school-house of primitive design, several terms being in the old puncheon-styled floor and furniture. He was married, when near his twenty-first birthday, to Elizabeth Nelson, a native of Evansville, Ind., who moved to White County in early years. They had eight children - Albert S., Frank L., Samuel D., Asa, Mary, Rosy and Aurilla; all are living at the present writ¬ ing. His wife died in March, 1878. He married for his second wife Mary S. Block, of this township, daughter of Washington and Lucinda Block. One child has been born to them - Lucinda. Mr. Martin has at present 130 acres, having recently sold forty acres of his fine farm, and crops it all but a few acres. He is member of the Missionary Baptist church of this township, of which there is a large society.

John C. Martin, son of Asa and Jane (Bryant) Martin, was born April 11, 1835, in what was Herald's Prairie Precinct. He received the early training of a farm life. In his nineteenth year he went into partnership with Mr. S. L. Garrison in a general store at the latter's residence, on section 8, and on the public road, the Sliawneetown and Carmi road running directly past his door at that time. At the breaking out of the Rebellion, Southern Illi¬ nois being near the Kentucky line and inviting to the raids of Con¬ federate foraging and raiding parties, it was deemed advisable to decrease their stock and close their business. Mr. Martin was with Mr. Garrison about four years, under the firm name of Mar¬ tin & Garrison. After this he commenced farming in this town¬ ship. He has been a number of years on his present place on section 7, owning 165 acres on sections 7 and 18. He was married Feb. 14, 1855, to Rachel Garrison, a daughter of Solomon L. and Margaret (Block) Garrison, whose sketch will be found in this work. The young couple lived a few years with Mr. Martin's father. They have now as comfortable and enjoyable a home as can be found in the township. To them have been born seven children, only two of whom are living - Emily, now Mrs. Siliman, of Indian Creek, and Femettia, bora May 81, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Missionary Baptist church, of Herald's Prairie. From sickness, caused by a long spell of fever or ma¬ laria, Mr. Martin does not enjoy good health, and is therefore at resent doing more mental than manual work.

John M. Marlin , born Nov. 28, 1857, is a son of John and Lillie A. (Wiley) Marlin. His father was a native of Ireland, and his mother of South Carolina, of Irish descent, her father coming from Ireland. His father came to this county in 1853. He started for some more northern county, but while stopping over night at Mr. Wrenshaw's, his horse died from the effects of eating frost¬ bitten corn. He had only $7.50 in money, and that was the wild¬ cat u Continental." He could go no farther, and so had to settle. He tried to buy some household and cooking utensils, but no one would take his money. He went to work first with Mr. Crebs on shares, and in a couple of years bought himself a place. He, by careful management and hard labor and an industrious family, se¬ cured considerable property, so at his death he left his family in comfortable circumstances. John M. bought out his brother's in¬ terest this last season, and now has a nice home and is well started in life. He was brought up on the home farm, and is an industri¬ ous, energetic farmer.

Western Martin , son of Asa and Jane (Bryant) Martin, was born July 6, 1841. He was reared on a farm and to all the hard work pertaining thereto. Since his ninth year he has never missed sowing or harvesting. He lived at home until his twentieth year. March 22, 1862, he married Emily Ross, daughter of Rob¬ ert and Maria (Brockett) Ross. Mr. Ross's family consisted of eight children - Elizabeth, John, Emily, Mary, Martha, Benjamin, Lenora and Agnes. John and Agnes are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Martin commenced housekeeping in Indian Creek Township, on the Daniel Bryant place where they lived seven years. They then came to this township and lived on the Fairfield road seven years, then moved to their present place on Lick Creek. Their children are - Henderson, born Feb. 12, 1863; Lucy, June 13, 1865; Mary, Jan. 29, 1867; Allie, Dec. 18, 1868; Carson, Oct. 6, 1870; Elam, Feb. 22, 1872; Arthur, July 6, 1873; Dora, Sept. 15, 1875; Theo¬ dore W., May 28, 1878, died in infancy. Mr. Martin worked with his father on the Cairo & Vincennes Railroad helping prepare a mile contract. They had a contract for twenty years, but the com¬ pany changed the beds a little to one side, and thus defaulted the bonds and defrauded the men of their honest toil. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are both members of the Missionary Baptist church. Their life has been a quiet one, spent in this county, but they have a good home and pleasant surroundings, and all that is needed to make life desirable.

Benjamin F. Medlin , born in White County, Dec. 14, 1836, was the eldest son of Jesse and Eveline (McGhee) Medlin. His father died when the children were small. The family remained together till Benj. F. was twenty-one, when he left home to make a home for himself. His brothers were George W., Marion, Henderson and Milton. The two latter were in the late war, Henderson dy¬ ing there. Milton is his only living brother. In August, 1859, he married Martha E., daughter of Joseph Harvey. Their chil¬ dren are - Stephen A. Douglas, born Sept. 19, 1860; James Fran¬ cis, Sept. 23, 1862; Cornelia J., April 20, 1864 (deceased); George W., Jan. 1, 1866; William C., March 8, 1869. Mr. Medlin owns about 500 acres of land, 380 in Herald's Prairie, and the balance in the big bottoms below the Little Wabash, which he has gained by a life of honest industry and hard toil.

Charles Melvin , son of John and Lucy (Knight) Melvin, was born in Yanderburg County, Ind., Nov. 20, 1821. His parents came to White County about 1825. April 5, 1850, he started over¬ land to the gold regions with two others; Toliver C. Goldson and Joseph Cadle joined the party at St. Joseph, Mo. They left the latter place May 16, and reached Weber Creek in October, be¬ ing about 160 days on the way. He remained in the West, mining, about seven years, and then came home via Panama and New York City. In 1858 he married Mary, daughter of Samuel T. and Eliza Boyd. They have three children living - Frank, Nellie, and Lowell. The grandsire Boyd was of Irish descent Mr. Mel¬ vin has 100 acres of improved land. He has a fine peach orchard of Heath cling seedlings; also orchards of apples, pears and plums.

W. J. Mitchell , son of William and Mary (Buckingham) Mitch¬ ell, natives of Tennessee, was born in Barren County, Ky., April 20, 1845. When he was sixteen years old his parents came to White County. He worked on the farm till his twenty-fifth year, when he married Eliza J., daughter of James Brockett. They had one daughter - Aurena, born Feb. 22, 1873. Mrs. Mitchell died, and Aug. 16, 1876, he married Mrs. Rebecca J. (Pool) Pearce. They have three children - Emma, bom Aug. 10, 1878; Magnolia, March 21, 1880; Annie, April 21, 1882.

Rosea Pearce , born April 16, 1798, was a son of James and Betsey (Gomar) Pearce, natives of North Carolina and Maryland, and grandson of James and Jemima Pearce. Hosea came to this county from Tennessee in the fall of 1817, and determined to set¬ tle here. He was married Feb. 2, 1818, to Nancy, daughter of

Hezekiah and Silvia (Moore) O'Neal, natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce were the parents of nine children - Caroline, born Nov. 2, 1818; Morena, Oct. 14, 1820;Bathanna, Jan. 29, 1822; Prussia A., May 17, 1825; Russia B., Feb. 11, 1827; Penelope, July 15, 1830; John H., May 14, 1833; Martha, March 17, 1836; Hosea, Sept 2, 1839; Anna, April 29, 1842. Mr. Pearce was a Colonel in the Black Hawk war, and was in the battle of Bad Axe. He was a member of the Old School Baptist church for half a century, also his father before him. He was the founder of the Herald's Prairie church, and built the first church cabin, the re¬ mains of which are still on the old homestead. He was Sheriff of White County six years, executing the sentence pronounced by Judge Wilson upon the person of Win. D. Ledbetter. He was a quiet, unassuming citizen, and one greatly respected by all who knew him. He was for many years a member of the firm of Hosea Pearce & Son, in the store now carried on by his grandchildren. He died July 5, 1875, aged seventy-seven years.

Hosea, J. Pearce , son of Hosea and Nancy Pearce, was born Sept. 2, 1839. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry. He was in twenty-nine different decisive engagements. The record of his regiment is one of which any man might be proud. He married Rebecca J., daughter of John and Sarah A. Pool. To them were born four children - Belzori, born April 29, 1867; Oras, Dec. 12, 1868; Otis, Feb. 24, 1871; Idora, April 8, 1873. Mr. Pearce died Sept. 9, 1876. Mrs. Pearce married Joseph Mitchell.

Prussian A . Pearce (deceased) was born May 17, 1825. He was a son of Hosea and Nancy (O'Neal) Pearce. Prussian A. married Malinda E. Logan, April 24, 1850. She was a daughter of Alexander and Malinda E. (Goggin) Logan, natives of Kentucky. To this union were born seven children, all sous - James A., born March 6, 1851, died in 1869; Jewell, born June 1, 1856; Dexter, born March 4, 1858; Hening, born Nov. 29, 1861; Henan, born March 8, 1864 (deceased); Timothy, born April 7, 1866, and the seventh son, born in 1872, died in infancy. Prussian Pearce was a man of strong, original thought and practical in its application to every day matters. His convictions were always on the side of justice and truth, and he was faithful to his convictions. He was a most estimable citizen, scrupulously honest in all his dealings, and in matters involving principal was as unyielding as the hills. He left an estate, the largest in the township, embracing something like 1,100 acres, the greater portion of which is under cultivation. His widow still lives at the old homestead. His son Jewell carries on the farm renting portions of it. He lies buried in the Herald's Prairie church yard.

Frwncis C. Pettypool , bom in Herald's Prairie, Feb. 15, 1843, was a son of Braxton B. and Celia (McGhee) Pettypool, natives of Tennessee. His grandparents, Thomas Pettypool and Parent McGhee, were natives of Virginia and moved to Tennessee at an early day. Braxton Pettypool was married three times. The children of the first marriage were - A. Maria, Thomas Francis C., Daniel, Mahulda, Tilitha C., Sarah E., John H. (deceased). His second wife was Polly Ann Gatlin Tichenor. Their children - were - Joel R, Ezekiel, Marshal, Newton (deceased). His third wife was Mary, daughter of John Jones, of Jefferson County. Their children are - Lear, Dora and Hardon. He has been a resident of Jefferson County twelve years. Francis O.'s early life was spent in this county on a farm and going to school. When nineteen years of age he enlisted in Company I, Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry. He married Mahala E., daughter of James W. Hart, one of White County's oldest citizens, who makes his home with his daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Pettypool have three children - Thomas C., Edgar L. and Vienna A. The Tennessee bend has the reputation of being the hot-bed of fever and ague, and its inhabi¬ tants of being pale and sickly, but Mr. Pettypool has lived there his entire life, except while in the army, and he has always been remarkably healthy, which goes far toward proving the fallacy of the statement. He has a fine apple orchard, containing 200 or more trees, all grafted. He lias 180 acres of cultivated land, and is one of Herald's Prairie's best farmers.

Lock Phipps was born in Logan Co., Ky., May 16, 1813. His parents were Lock and Jane B. (Biven) Phipps, both natives of Maryland, of English extraction. His mother was a relative of the Litchworths, of Maryland. They came to Kentucky in 1799. Their children were - Mary, Elizabeth, John, Sally, Nathaniel, Jane B., William M., Lock, and Caroline. They came to this county in 1818, before the State was admitted into the Union. They were both members of the Methodist church, as are many of their family. Mr. Phipps died Feb. 22, 1828. His wife kept the home until the marriage of her youngest child (Mrs. James Greer), then broke up house-keeping and lived with her children. She died at Carmi in September, 1837, and is buried beside her hus- band, on the old home place, known as the Judge Emerson farm. Lock lived at home until his nineteenth year. He learned the trade of a blacksmith and worked at it in Carmi thirteen years. He was married Nov. 15, 1832, to Paulina Johnson, daughter of William and Elizabeth Johnson, of White County. Their chil¬ dren are - John W., bom Oct. 18, 1833, drowned at Padncah, July 22, 1862, a soldier in the war; Elizabeth J., born Jan. 25, 1836; Sandus A., born Jan. 25, 1839, died Dec. 4, 1858; William W., born in March, 1841; Mary L., born Oct. 9, 1842; Alice F.,born Oct. 4, 1844; Albert R, born Feb. 27, 1847, died Sept. 8, 1879; Barnett F., born April 18, 1849; Richard M., born Aug. 30, 1851; George E., born May 1, 1854. Mr. Phipps owns forty-two acres of fine land on the west side of the township line.

Taylor Phipps , a son of Nathaniel P. and Mary (Black) Phipps, wash orn in Herald's Prairie Precinct, April 24, 1849. Nathaniel Phipps was a son of Lock Phipps, a native of Maryland, who was one of White County's oldest settlers, coming from Kentucky in 1818. He first married Susan Gott, daughter of John Gott, also one of the very earliest pioneers. By this wife Mr. Phipps had seven children. Nathaniel, by his second wife, had ten children - George W., Lawrence M., John S., Lock, Sara J., Charles, Susan, Taylor and Scott, William, and Thomas, who died in childhood. Taylor married Mary E. Walker, Dec. 24, 1869, and they have three children - Lena, born Oct. 2, 1870; Aurilla, born April 2, 1873, and one born Jan. 8, 1875. Mr. Phipps is an industrious man, a kind husband and thoughtful father, and a diligent and di¬ gestive reader.

James W. Pool is a son of John and Sarah A. (Eubanks) Pool, natives of Kentucky. His grandfather, William Pool, was a na¬ tive of Maryland, and moved to what is now Louisville, Ky., building, as is authentically stated, the first cabin on that site, in company with Samuel Shew. They each brought sixty negroes with them, but finding them unprofitable, sold most of them to emigrants. Mr. Pool removed to Bowling Green, where he and Mr. McCleardy were the original patentees. He had a family of ten children, seven born in Maryland, the rest in Kentucky. He soon after came to Gallatin Co., Ill., where he died. John Pool married Sarah A., daughter of James Eubanks. They were the parents of ten children - Frances Ellen (Mrs. S. Hale), James W., Nelson D., George T., Louisa (Mrs. James .Chapman), Sarah Ann (Mrs. Henry Rainey), Mary Ann (deceased), Roenna (Mrs.

Jesse Lowell), Rebecca J. (Mrs. Hosea J. Pearce), and John (de¬ ceased). Nelson D. and George T. were both killed in the late war. Nelson D. was killed by the kick of a horse while attend¬ ing to the keeping of telegraph lines intact. George T., a vet¬ eran, was wounded before Nashville, having a leg shot off, and dying twenty-one days later. James W. lived at home till his twenty-third year, when he followed the river between this connty and New Orleans, trading in chickens, two years. In 1849 he married T. L. Brockett, daughter of James Brockett. To them have been born seven children, six reaching maturity - John W. (married Florida Spence, daughter of John Spence), James Fred (married Margaret Buttery, daughter of William Buttery), Thomas Alex, (deceased), Ellen (married James M. Buttery), Nelson D., Solon Ellsworth, and Joseph 0. (deceased). Mr. Pool has 150 acres of land, 120 of it under cultivation. He has been School Di¬ rector of No. 3 for twelve consecutive years. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.

Thomas Pool , Jr., is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Collard) Pool and a grandson of William Pool and William and Betsy Collard. Thomas Pool came to White Connty when eighteen years of age, and married here. His family consisted of seventeen chil¬ dren, only six now living, Thomas, Jr., being the sixteenth child and the youngest son now living. Mr. Pool was in the Black Hawk and Mexican wars. He received injuries in the latter which eventually caused his death, but for his valor he never received a pension. He died Nov. 30, 1874, aged seventy-four years, and his wife followed him one month and twenty-one days later. His wife was a member of the Herald's Prairie church forty years. Aug. 20, 1802, Thomas, Jr., married Rachel E., daughter of John and Lilly A. Marlin. To this union were born four children - Francis C., Mary J., Andrew E., and Sally. Mrs. Pool died April 16, 1875, and Mr. Pool married Mrs. Mary A. (Teachner) Newcomb. They have four children - Thomas, James W., Washington and Hannah. Mr. Pool enlisted before he was seventeen years old in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry. He was wounded in the first battle - Corinth. The Sixth and Seventh Cavalry participated in the Smith and Grierson raid. At Tickfaw Bridge Mr. Pool had his horse shot from under him. Every horse in the company, save two, was either killed or crippled. Lieutenant-Colonel Blackburn received nine shots in his body and fifteen in his horse. The Seventh was in

Leonard Pyle , born Dec. 31, 1828, in Jackson County, Ohio, is a son of Nicholas aud Margaret (Wishon) Pyle, natives of Virginia and Maryland respectively. They had a family of two daughters and six sons, Leonard being the eldest. His father and family came to White County, March 1, 1840, and resided here until his death. Leonard Pyle married Minerva Robinson, a native of this township. She died in October, 1871, leaving eight children - John R., Margaret, Emanuel B., Jasper M., Shannon, George R., Elam (now deceased) and Adelaide. He married for his second wife Mrs. Mary E. (Camrael) Eubanks. She had two children - Cora and Charles Eubanks. Mr. Pyle is at present one of the County Board of Supervisors, having been elected to this office at four different elections; has also been School Director for several years. Politically he has always been a Democrat, casting his first vote for Pierce. He is one of the largest land-owners in the town¬ ship; has 417 acres of fine land. He is a prominent and influential citizen, always ready to do what he can for the good of his township.

Nicholas Pyle , youngest son of Nicholas Pyle, was born in Indian Creek Township, White County, Jan. 6, 1849. His life has been that of a farmer, a quiet but industrious life, and he is rich in the happiness of a home and family. He owns 165 acres on sections 8 and 4, Herald's Prairie Township. He married Eliza, daughter of Isaac W. and Virginia (Waters) Towell, both natives of this county. Their family consisted of thirteen children, Mrs. Pyle being the fourth. Mr. and Mrs. Pyle are the parents of six children - Eleander, born Sept. 7, 1870; Ellison, born April 25, 1872; Etta, born March 16, 1874; Starlus, born Jan. 9, 1876; Uselus, born Jan. 19, 1877; German D., born Nov. 12, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Pyle are both members of the Missionary Baptist church of Carmi. All but twenty acres of his land is cleared from timber and is well cul¬ tivated. Politically he is a Democrat.

Lewis Questdy born in Gallia County, O., July 29, 1825, is a son of John B. and Elizabeth (Fuller) Questel. His grandfather, Nicholas Questel, was born and reared in Paris and emigrated to America in 1790. It was just prior to the Revolution in France, and he being a young man of forethought determined to take no action in the matter, and so he and his wife departed for America. At that time an honorable company had been formed for the sale of lands, highly-colored pictures of the beauties of the Sciota Val- ley being spread abroad; at the same time a bogus company went to France to sell lands to would-be emigrants. The Qnestels were among the victims of this latter company. They landed in Phila¬ delphia, from there went to Pittsburg, thence on a flat-boat down the Ohio. While on the latter they learned of the swindle. Some of the company returned to France, others to different parts of this country, and those who were penniless landed in Ohio and built themselves cabins, and fortified themselves against the Indians. This was the founding of the present city of Gallipolis. They organized themselves, and for five years kept guard against the In¬ dians, when mad Anthony Wayne gave them a drubbing on Picka¬ way Plains and they sued for peace and withdrew above the Green¬ wich line; under these circumstances John B. wa6 born and reared. His family consisted of twelve children - Nicholas, Margaret, John, Caroline, Thomas, Lewis, Henry, Rozine, Frances, Elizabeth, Alexander and Sarah. The parents both died in Gallia County. The maternal grandfather, Mitchell Fuller, was one of the few who took their muskets and met the British on Lexington Green, being notified by Paul Revere. He was wounded in the ankle, but appeared at the battle of Bunker Hill as Drum Major. At this battle he had seven bullet holes through his knapsack, clothes and drum, but came out unharmed. He never received a shilling for his services, and as late a9 1850 there stood on the old military books: moneys due Mitchell Fuller, etc;. He died in Virginia. His widow moved to Ohio and married. Lewis Questel married Nancy, daughter of Nicholas Thivener, for whom Thivener, O. was named. To them was born one child - Nancy. Both mother and daughter lie buried in Ohio. Mr. Questel married a second time, to Sophronia R., daughter of Simon Burlingame, of Ohio, formerly of New York. Their children are - Simon B., Lewis J., John. Marietta A., Henrietta S., Edmonson Theodore, Francis E., Ells¬ worth. Mr. Questel came to Illinois in 1856. He has a farm of 160 acres, 125 under cultivation. In his political views he is a Republican.

Cary Rice was born in Kentucky in 1789, and came to White County about 1830. He was married in 1818 to Frances Lewis, a native of Kentucky. They had five children - Jane ( Mrs. Thomas Brockett), Lucretia (Mrs. Wm. Thompson), Sylvester (married Elizabeth Hudson), Martha (Mrs. Geo. Bailey). Thomas W., three of whom were born in this country. His wife died in 1842. For his second wife he married Lucinda Sallee, daughter of Oliver P.

and Elizabeth (Willis) Sallee, natives of Virginia and Kentucky. Their family consisted of thirteen children. Both died in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Rice was born a daughter, Fannie E., born July 25, 1853. Mr. Rice died Aug. 2, 1881. He was a member of the Old School Presbyterian church.

Jasper N ' Robinson was born in Herald's Prairie Township, Jan. 31, 1840, a son of John and Susan (Collard) Robinson. His early life till his seventeenth year was spent on the home farm. He then went on the river, working on and latterly piloting a flat-boat from different points on the Ohio to New Orleans. Aug. 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, G. W. Trafton commanding. His company was in the trans-Mis¬ sissippi division, and in about twenty-nine different engagements, some of which were Nashville, Franklin, Tenn , Clinton, La., Coffeeville, Miss., etc. They left Camp Butler with 100 men and a recruiting list of forty-four, and but seventeen were left to be mustered out. He was mustered out Dec. 23, 1864. At the cloie of the war he traveled ten years as commercial traveler for Kahn & Co., wholesale grocers of Evansville Ind. He is now farming on the old homestead; has about 120 acres with about 100 of it under cultivation. He was married Aug. 16, 1866, to Laura Clark. She died and May 2, 1 872, he married Florence Nichols, of New Columbia, Massac Co., Ill. They had one child, now deceased, His wife died Aug. 25, 1876, while on a visit to her mother. June 5, 1878, he married Hattie Smith, of Equality, Gallatin County, Ill. They have two children - Julius and John. Mr. Robinson's father was a native of Liverpool, England, born in 1800. He came to America in 1815, or at the close of the war of 1812; was a midshipman in the British navy. He landed at New Orleans and came up the river to Illinois on the first steam¬ boat, and at the time General Jackson sailed from New Orleans. For nine years, or until 18*26, he followed keel-boating, one trip taking four months, floating down with the current and cordelling or pulling the heavy barge up stream, with ropes. In 1826 he mar¬ ried Susan Collard, a native of Grayson County, Ky., a daughter of Richard and Sarah (Downs) Collard. Iler parents moved to this county during her childhood, where they have since died. They brought a family of three sons and ten daughters with them; others died in infancy before their coming here. After Mr. Robin¬ son's marriage he went into fanning which he continued till the Black Hawk war, when he enlisted and served till Black Hawk was captured and his liordc dispersed, at the battle of Bad Axe, Iowa, opposite Prairie du Chien. He then took up the hoe and shovel again till the Mexican war, when he enlisted in the Illinois Mounted Volunteers, under General Lawler, then Captain. This was an independent company. He served thirteen months, or until the close of the war. He was wounded at Tampico. He returned to Herald's Prairie, Aug. 15, 1848, and to his farm. Dur¬ ing his absence his wife and five children remained on the place. Though too old to enlist during the late war, the spirit was there, and his love for the Union was as strong as though fewer years were his. He has had twenty children born to him only three of whom are living - Jasper N., now living on the homestead; John and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Brown.

Henry W. Spence, born Dec. 18, 1840, is a son of Robert and Jane (Phipps-Colbert) Spence. He lived at home till his twentyfirst year. In his twenty-second year he married Frances M., daughter of Rev. Coleman Hoskins. He went to work on a farm of forty acres on Yellow Creek; lived there seven months, when he enlisted in Company I, Eighty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was mustered in at Shawneetown and moved South Jan. 23, 1863, for Memphis. Mr. Spence was taken sick with the prevailing disease before reaching Memphis, and was in the hospital a week; then on duty till after the siege of Vicksburg, when he was given up and sent to Memphis to die, but his indomitable energy and pluck brought him again out of it. He was furloughed for thirty days, and then joined his regiment and started for the Red River, under Banks. Upon the retreat of the regiment after the battle of Pleasant Hill, Mr. Spence was hidden behind a log, blazing away at the rebel advance; being so busily engaged he failed to hear the order to retreat until the rebel infantry were flanking them. While he was firing his last shot the rebels discovered him and started for a charge, driving a volley of minies at the log, tearing and throwing the bark in his eyes. Seeing himself alone (after shooting forty rounds), he started to reacli the rest of the regiment. It led him across an open field of about eighty acres. They yelled for him to stop, but he, believing in dying rather than surrender, kept on, dropping before each round. In this way he reached Robinson's Battery, who gave the rebels in pursuit grape-canister, checking the retreat, and so held till the main body of the army came up. On looking himself over when safe he found bullet holes in his pants. He believed in doing his duty, and served honorably till the close of the term* He was mustered out at Camp Butler, July 3, 1875. He then returned to the farm, where lie has since remained. To him have been born nine children - Charles Henry, born Oct. 3, 1862; Nancy E., born Apr. 3, 1866; Margaret J., March 2, 1868; Luraett, March 30, 1870; Fulton F, Apr. 3,1872; Wm. Leander, April 25, 1875; Lewis Coleman, Jan. 16, 1877; Daisy, Oct. 15, 1880; Marlia, Oct. 3, 1881. But two are living, Charles and Lewis. Mrs. Spence died Jan. 31, 1882. Mr. Spence has seen more hardship and affliction than comes to the ordinary lot of man. He is a man morally and bodily brave. He has never been well since the war but he will not apply for apensiou. His war record is of the whitest color.

Isaac T. Spence, born in Herald's Prairie Township, Jan. 13, 1848, was a son of John A. Spence. He resided at home during his minority, and received less than four months' schooling in that time, but, by 6elf preparation was sufficiently informed to enable him t q obtain a teacher's certificate. He taught school till he was admitted to the bar. During vacation he was in the law office of Conger & Crebs. He was also enabled to go to college. He was admitted to the bar of the Southern Grand Division June 8, 1877. Previous to this Mr. Spence had practiced be¬ fore Justices of the Peace, and had served oner term in that capacity. He has been Notary Public nearly eight years. He has a large practice and is the first resident lawyer of this township. He was married Jan. 3, 1870, to Sarah C., daughter of William Leathers. They have four children - Clara, Mary, Randall T. and Lollie. Mr. Spence owns 295 acres of fine land. His practice amounts to $1,500 a year. His will-force is great, and he is highly respected by all who know him.

John A. Spence, eldest son of Robert and Jane (Wilson) Spence, was born Sept. 22, 1822, near Sacramento, Indian Creek Township. His early life was that common to all pioneer lads, being born in the day when schools were rare and poorly taught in this section, and hard work was the order of the day. In 1829 his father moved to Carmi. He lived with his father till his twenty-second year, and learned his father's trade. He then commenced trading in chickens, paying seventy-five cents per dozen for hens and fifty cents for young chickens, and shipping them to New Orleans. He followed this one winter and spring; then came to his present place and commenced clearing the land. He was married in 1846 to Cynthia Leathers, bora May 22, 1830, and the youngest of four¬ teen children of William and Rachel (McDaniel) Leathers, natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Spence are the parents of twelve children, ten still living - Isaac T., Flori¬ da (now Mrs. John W. Poole), Rolin, Mary (Mrs. Rev. James B. Green), Isabel, Frances, Rosa, Kolp, Krat, and Levi. Isaac T. married Sarah Leathers, a daughter of William Leathers, Jr. Mr. Spence is the largest land-owner in the township, having over 800 acres of its best land. He enlisted in the late war, Aug. 22, 1862, in Company I, Eighty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in at Shawneetown; was in camp about four months; from there went to Memphis; the next fall they were mounted and called the mounted infantry, carrying the same musketsand a navy revolver. He was with Banks on the Red River expedition when lie made such a precipitous retreat, causing the joke to go the rounds, " Where did you get the Banks collar I" After that Mr. Spence was transferred to the Commissary Department, in which he served till his regiment was mustered out at Camp Butler, July 3, 1865. He has served his township as School Trustee many years; was Supervisor in 1876. He is a charter member of Norris City Lodge; was initiated in 1862.

Robert B . Spence (deceased), known as Barnet Spence, was born in what is now Indian Creek Township, Sept. 20, 1824, and was a son of Robert and Jane (Wilson) Spence. His early life was spent on the farm of his father. His education was limited, as schooling was hard to be had in those early days. He was married Oct. 10, 1849, to Adaline L. Collvert. They moved to the Collvert farm, near the Emerson and Stokes' estate, and lived there till 1855, when he moved to the present place, where he died, and his widow and children reside. They were the parents of nine chil¬ dren - James R., born Aug. 19, 1850; Alexander P., Sept. 11, 1853; Ella J., Sept. 6, 1855 (Mrs. John W. Chapman); Oliver O., Dec. 4, 1858; John C., Feb. 4, 1861, died April 11, 1882; Charles M., Jan. 29, 1863; William F., and Rebecca F., Dec. 7, 1866; an infant, born in November, 1872, died in infancy. Mr. Spence had 401 acres in White County, and forty in Johnson County, which he had earned by hard work, pluck and the help of a careful wife. When he was first married he had just $100, and a third of an eighty. The first year of their married life they lived on $50. He was in favor of all improvements; bought the first reaper and drill in the township, and made the first molasses. Politically, be- fore the war he was a Whig, and since the war was a Douglas Dem¬ ocrat, but always voted for who he considered was the best man. He was School Director sixteen years. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian. Mrs. Spence is a member of the Baptist church. He was trustee of the building of the Herald's Prairie church. He died Oct. 31, 1878. He was an influential man in the affairs ot his township, and is greatly missed. Mrs. Spence has had the responsibility of the farm for four years, and discharges the duties with marked ability. At the commencement of the war Mr. Spence was sick, but after getting better he wished to enlist, but was ad¬ vised by his brother to remain at home and care for the widows and children of the dead soldiers.

Robert Spence (deceased) was born in Linlithgow, Scotland, in 1796. His parents were both natives of Scotland. His mother's maiden name was Haggin. He learned the wheelwright's trade in early life, serving an apprenticeship. After that he studied architecture, and worked with a Mr. Luce in Edinburgh. He came to America in 1817, landing in New York City, where he worked at the carpenter's trade, together with architecture. He also worked in Utica, N. Y., helping to build the first bridge across the Mohawk River. While in New York he made the acquaint¬ ance of James Jordan, and they started together in 1819, and went across the Catskill and Allegheny mountains to Pittsburg, Pa. From there they went down the Ohio, to Cincinnati. At the latter place he heard of New Orleans as a good place for carpen¬ ter work, and started for there. The water being low in the Ohio at the falls at Shawneetown, the Captain concluded to tie up, and Mr. Spence, hearing of St. Louis, and being advised to go there, started, carrying his tools in a lumber cart; but failing to get transportation clear through, he left his tools at Robert Wilson's, near Sacramento, and went to Carmi, then a village of a few houses. Here he worked at his trade, and assisted in building some of the ancient houses there to-day, and also worked in a water-mill. He married Jane, daughter of Robert and Rebecca (Robinson) Wilson, natives of North Carolina, of Irish and English descent. Jane was the eldest of five children. When first married Mr. Spence settled about a mile southeast of Sacrament* -, on Congress land. He lived there two or three years, and then traded with his fatherin-law for another improvement north of it, where he lived till 1829, and theu sold it and moved to Carmi. He bought laud and built a house near where the graded school now stands. He lived there till 1842, working at his early trade. Mr. and Mrs. Spence had seven children - John A. and Robert B., born on his first set¬ tlement; Helen H. and William F. on the second, and Rebecca, Archibald H. and James (twins), in Carmi. James died in in¬ fancy. Mrs. Spence died tsvo years later. He married for his second wife, Mrs. Collvert, widow of James CJollvert, of Carmi, a daughter of Lock Phipps, a native of Kentucky. They were the parents of live children - Mary, Henry W., Charles N., Solon L., and Edmund R. In 1842 he moved to section 20, on Lick Creek, where he remained till his death, in 1869. He owned 325 acres at the time of his death. He was a member of the Old School Presbyte¬ rian church. Mrs. Spence was a member of the Methodist Epis¬ copal church. She died in 1882. Mrs. Spence had three children when she married Mr. Spence - Adaline L., Sarah A. and Nancy J. Collvert. An anecdote is told of him: He was a great joker and an easy sort of a man, and was liked by everyone. A tailor in Carmi, named Hamilton, was a mau who could never take a joke or be bothered without getting angry. Mr. Spence joked him about something, and Hamilton challenged him to fight a duel. Mr. Spence thought it over and took the challenge home to his wife. She read it and wrote the reply, stating that as Spence was the head of a family of small children, if killed, he could not be as easily spared as she; if Hamilton would meet her she would try to appease his wounded pride and dignity. Upon Hamilton receiving this he packed up his irons, goose and needles and left the town, never again returning. Mrs. Spence was one of the most good-natured women in Carmi, as well as a very powerful woman physically, and the joke took well.

Don C. Smithy born in Chautauqua County, N. lr., waB a son of Benjamin and Phoebe Smith, who moved to Illinois when he was but a lad. Don was a carpenter by trade, and built several houses yet standing in Herald's Prairie. He was one of the contractors of Herald's Prairie Baptist church. He enlisted in the Eightyseventh Illinois Infantry, Company F. He was ever a willing soldier, doing his duty whenever called upon, and doing it well, with no flinching. He is highly spoken of by his comrades living, both as a man, a soldier, and a neighbor. He enlisted as a private, but was promoted to Second Sergeant, which position he held when mustered out, June 16, 1865. He married, April 20, 1871, Joseph¬ ine Murphy, daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Cowan) Murphy, natives of Brecken bridge County, Ky. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born - Mary B., March 1, 1872; Annie, Aug. 24, 1874; Lucy, March 29, 1876. He died, aged thirty-nine, Jan. 1, 1877. His widow is still living on his place, which consists of 160 acres, of which 100 are improved land, her two brothers, Joseph H. and David H., carrying on the work. Mrs. Smith's father, Joseph Murphy, was born April 17, 1813; married Nancy Cowan, Oct. 28, 1834. She was bom March 24, 1816. To this union were born - William E., John D., Richard J., Elizabeth F., Josephine L., Oliver P., Jeremiah, Lucy A., Charles M., Jasper N., Joseph H., Nancy

I. and David H. He died Aug. 10, 1862. Mrs. Murphy lives with her daughter, Josephine. Her father was Edmund Cowan, of Louisville, Ky., an old Revolutioner.

John W. Smith , son of Henry S. and Cynthia (Mitchell) Smith, natives of New York and Tennessee, was born in Herald's Prairie, May 7, 1836. His parents were married in this county, it being the second marriage of both of them. His father's first wife was Lavisia Boone, daughter of Joseph Boone. His mother's first hus¬ band was G. B. Linsicomb, a native of Mississippi. By this union there were three children, only one living, a daughter, who married

J. B. F. Smith, of Gallatin County, and is living in Nevada. Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Smith were the parents of four children - John W., Marietta (Mrs. Y. O. Salsbury), Elbert N., and Alice (de¬ ceased). Mr. Smith died Aug. 20, 1844. Mrs. Smith was married to her third husband, Lewis S. Bayley. They had three children - Isaac, George, and Cynthia A. Mrs. Bayley died in the spring of 1880. John W. Smith being left a half-orphan, and being the eldest child was thrown on his own resources at an early age. In his fourteenth year he commenced to work for himself. He went to work for J. B. Dagley, at $4 a month for the first year. From this small beginning has come one of the representative men of White County. Feb. 27, 1856, he married Rebecca W., daughter of Lewis and Judy Hedges, of Gallatin County, born Jan. 11,1834. To them have been born eleven children - Emulns Idola, born Dec. 20, 1856 (deceased); Judith A., Jan. 27, 1859 (deceased); Cynthia A., Oct. 3, 1861 (Mrs. J. H. Taut, deceased); Orlena E., Nov. 14, 1863; Isola, Feb. 12,1866; Isaac F., Aug. 1, 1868; Lester, June 13, 1871; Edward, March 27, 1873 (died in infancy); Henry Orval, March 4, 1874; Oscar, July 20, 1877; Ina, March 31, 1879. Mr. Smith has a pleasant home, fine buildings, and farm of 160 acres, eighty under improvement.

John Thomason was born in Smith County, Tenn., Jan. 2, 1889, and was a son of David L. and Jane (Osborn) Thomason. He was the fourth of their five children. The family came to what is now Emma Township in 1841, and ten years later came to Her¬ ald's Prairie. His paternal grandfather was John Thomason, for whom he was named, and was of Welsh descent. His maternal grandfather was John Osborn, of Irish descent. They were both in the Revolutionary war, going from the Carolinas under Greene. They were in the battle of Georgetown. John's educational priv¬ ileges were limited, but as he grew older and was thrown on his own resources, he developed a wonderful degree of practical com¬ mon sense, which he has used to a good advantage. He lived at home till his sixteenth year, when he commenced to work for the farmers in his neighborhood. When he was twenty he worked on a farm for himself, and in 1860 married Elizabeth, daughter of Walter and Sally (Ward) Miller. In 1862 he enlisted in Com¬ pany F, Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry. He was out about ten months, when he was taken sick with a fever, chronic diarroeha, and afterward the measles. Although desiring to remain in the company he was discharged. His health lias never been good, but he will not apply for a pension. In 1865 he bought a farm of 120 acres in Carmi Township; in 1869 he bought 120 acres in Herald's Prairie; in 1875 bought fifty acres more, and in 1879, seventy more. He is now living on the Renshaw place, the oldest settled farm in the county. He owns now 240 acres, about 200 of it improved. There are two graves on his place, those of Eben and Elizabeth (Collard) Renshaw, marked by tombstones put there in 1862.

William Traex , son of John and Margaret (Carbaugh) Truex, was born in Franklin County, Penn., Jan. 5, 1820. His father moved to Monroe County, O., in 1824. His family consisted of ten children - Allan, Obadiah, William, Isaac, Martha, Charlotte, Rebecca, Andrew (deceased), Henry and John. William's early life was spent on a farm, attending schools, and later, in teaching in the district schools. 'lie was married in 1840 to Rebecca, daugh¬ ter of John and Mary (Berry) Yost, of Ohio. Their early married life was spent on the farm. In 1855 he was appointed Superin¬ tendent of Monroe County Infirmary, which position he held till 1864, when he resigned and came to White County, Ill. Since coming here Mr. Truex has been a preacher in the Christian church five years, and occasionally preaches now. He has been

Tax Collector, and at present is County Coroner, elected in 1880. During this time he has also had the care of his farm of eighty acres. He reared eleven children to maturity - Juliana (Mrs. George English), Mary E. (Mrs. J. M. Leathers), Charlotte (Mrs. Thos. Brock), Nancy C. (Mrs. Peter Parkhurst), Piety T. (Mrs. Martin Parkhurst), Lucinda (Mrs. McGhee), Barbara E. (Mrs. John Bryant), Mrs. Simpson Evans, Susan (Mrs. John Devant), Elias B. and Terzia A. (Mrs. Geo. Dowman, of Gallatin County).