Braceville Township

Braceville Township

DR. A. H. WRIGHT, dentist, Gardner, was bom in La Porte County, Ind., December If), 1S57, son of Gideon L. and Sarah E. (Concannon) Wright, natives of Indiana. Our subject passed through the common and high school of his native place, and spent two years in college; afterward studied dentistry two years at Valparaiso, Ind. , where he started in business and remained one year. He then went to Joliet, where he remained a year, and. in January, 1882. came to Gardner, where he has a lucrative practice. He votes the Republican ticket. Dr. Wright is the eldest of three children born to his parents. One sister, Millie, is living; the other, Hattie, is dead.

the town of Chatham, Middlesex Co., Conn., May 22, 1858, and was educateed at the high school in his native town. He has one brother, Howard P. Young, born October 12, 1870. In the spring of 1874, the family moved West, and settled in Clifton, Iroquois County, this State. Here the Enterprise was started by the present publisher in October, 1876. The family wishing a change of country, moved to Gardner, in the fall of 1878, where the paper has since been published. The Enterprise, which started as a four-column folio, has been enlarged from time to time, and is now a large sheet of eight columns to the page, enjoying a good run of advertising and a large subscription list. Its editor is unmaiTied, and resides with his parents and brother.

GEORGE P. AUGUSTINE, Postmaster, Braceville, was born December 28, 1811, in Stark County, Ohio ; is a son of John and Margaret (Wishard) Augustine, natives of Pennsylvania, and the piirents of John, George P., Mary, Joseph, Matilda, ilargaret and Oliver P. The mother died in 1844, and the father came West in 1852, locating 640 acres in Braceville Township, this county, as a land warrant for services in the war of 1812. The father was a Justice of the Peace here. Supervisor, and held other minor offices. While in Ohio, the father was Sheriff of Stark Count}-, and was eight ^-ears in the State Legislature ; he died in 1871. Our subject closed his school da3's at the age of twelve years, at which time he was actively engaged on a farm. When he reached his majority, he begin boating on the Ohio Canal, at which he was successful. In 1844, he entered the mercantile business at

Waynesburg, St,ark County, Ohio, and in 18G1 he closed out his business there and applied his time in Grundy County, erecting the first house in what is now the present site of the village of Braceville. The old building is now known as the Milwaukee Hotel. He used this building as a warehouse and for store room ; he bought corn at that time for 9 cents per bushel, and eggs at 3 cents per dozen. In 1876, he closed out said business, and also his coal interests, in which he had been interested since 1865. At the latter, he sustained a severe loss. By economj-, he had accumulated a fortune, of probably $300,000, the greater portion of which lie lost in the coal business. In 1862, he was commissioned Postmaster at Braceville, which position he holds to-day. Was married, in 1847, to Julia Fisher, the result being one child - Elizabeth, who married S. B. Holly (deceased). His wife died in 1872 and since then he has resided with his daughter. In the spring of 1382, he was chosen Justice of the Peace, which position he now holds. He was identified with the Whig partj-, and since then has been a strong Republican. GEORGE W. BOOTH, farmer and stockbreeder, P. 0. Gardner. Among the leading farmers and stock-dealers of Illinois, the gentleman whose name heads this article ranks second to none. He is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and was born Januarj- 13, 1837. His parents, Moses and M3'ra (Hubbell) Booth, were natives of Connecticut, and came to Ohio ai an early daj', where the father died February, 1856, and the mother in this county in 1882. The parents were blessed with three children bj' their union, viz., George W.; Theresa, the wife of Henry Waters ; Emma, the wife of Robert Briscoe, of Marseilles, 111. The mother of our subject was the second wife of Moses Booth, he having married Sarah Judson, the result being several children - Truman, Moses, Samuel, Eliza, Laura, Sallie, et al. Moses B. was in the war of 1812, and he and wife were Presbyterians. George had the chance to attend the district schools in his younger days. At the age of fourteen, he began driving cattle, and at sixteen, he was engaged with F. N. Andrews, of Trumbull County. Ohio. At the age of twenty, he had saved some means, and invested the same in hogs and cattle, which proved successful. April, 18fi3, he took charge of a stock farm for Elias Trumbo, of La Salle Count}-, III, with whom he remained five years, after which he bought 160 acres of land in Greenfield Township, this county. He owned this but a short time, and made several changes before he finallj- settled on his present farm in Braceville Township. Here he began to widen in his stock dealing, and, in 1877, he took in full partnership his son-in-law, L}-man Hawley, which firm name of Booth & Hawley still exists. Their herd of cattle now consists of the following noted families : Rose of Sharon, Pansy, Dulci Bella, Arabella and Seventeens, a class of the first importation from Europe by the Clays. They are also breeding the registered Poland-China hogs, which they ship to different parts of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio and Indiana. The}' are stocking about eight hundred acres of land. Mr. Booth was married, April 9, 1856, to Caroline Rain}-, a daughter of William and Mary (Taylor) Rainy, natives, the father of Ireland, and the mother of Pennsylvania. The parents were blessed with three children - Nancy, Mary and Caroline. Her parents were members of the Seceder Church. Mrs. B. was born May 3, 1838, and her union has given her two children - -Warren (deceased) and Mary, who has one child by her marriage with Lyman Hawley - Maud. Mr. Booth has served his township as Supervisor for eight years, of whicli board he was Chairman seven years. He has also been chosen Town Treasurer of Schools for nine years, and other minor offices. His estimable lady is a member of the Baptist Church of Gardner. He votes the Republican ticket.

JOHNSON BABCOCK, farmer, P. 0. Coal City, was born August 12, 1800, in Rensselaer County, N. Y., is a son of Johnson and Zilpa (Green) Babcock, natives, the father of Connecticut, and the mother of New York. The parents had eleven children, six of whom are living. Johnson attended school awhile during his younger days. He emigrated to Ohio in 1831, and in 1846 he removed to a farm near Aurora, 111., where he rented for three years. In 1848, he bought land where he now lives, and settled on the same in 1849, where he has since remained. Was married October 29, 1826, to Dorcas Messinger, who blessed him with twelve children, six of whom survive - Martin, Mary L., Eleanor, Frederick, Albert and Henry. His wife died January 20, 1872. He has served as Justice of the Peace, Assessor, Town Clerk and other smaller oflfices with credit to himself aiul Iiis friends. He was a Democrat until Buclianau's campaign, since wlien be has been a stanch Republican. His son Albert married Almira Stallman, the result being IMinnie E. and Orin E. and one deceased. This son lives with his fatlier and farms the old homestead. Another son, T. J., was born October 29, 1837, in Ohio, and was married December, 1862, to Martha E. Laj-mon, the result being four children, viz., William A. (deceased), Ralph S., Maranda A. and Thomas T. This son has eighty acres of good land, which he is farming.

SAMUEL BRADBEER, farmer, P. O. Gardner. This representative pioneer is a native of England, and was born April 3, 1821. His parents, Samuel and Jane (Lake) Bradbeer, emigrated to Kendall Countj-. 111., in 1853, where the father died in 1856. The parents were blessed with eight children, viz., Robert, Mary, Elizabeth, Samuel and James, and three deceased. Thej' were members of the Congregational Church. The father was one time in excellent circumstances financially, but was made to sustain quite a loss by some illegal proceedings. He was therefore unable to give his children much chance to obtain an education. Our subject had the advantage of the country schools until he was eight 3^ears old, at which time he engaged on a farm, herding cattle, gathering stones, etc., for which he received only his board for two j-ears. At the age of ten, he was called home to take his older brother's place, he having hired out for long time. In two years, he was set free again to care for himself, and engaged to a farmer for his board and clothing. Later, he was rewarded with £2 of English money per year. In one j'ear more, he received £8, or $40, per year. Two years later, he withdrew from active labor and prospected for awhile in London, and finallj' returned to his parents, and soon engaged to a doctor for about six months. He was then employed as a waiter in a private family at Exmouth for ten years, receiving from $80 to $100 per year. He was married, April 11, 1851, to Sarah Carter, the result being three children - Susan J., Alice and Sarah. Mrs. B. was born in Somerset County, England, January 20, 1815 ; is a daughter of Robert and Susannah (Diment) Carter, natives of the same countr}-, and the parents of three children - Sarah, John and William. Our subject lived in Kendall County, III., for nine j-ears, and then came to Braceville Township, this county, in 1863, where they have since remained. The}' possess now 100 acres of fine laud, the result of their own labors. He is a member and Pastor of the Old School Baptist organization, holding at present the pastoral charge of the Verona church. His wife and daughter Sarah are Methodists. In the person of Mr. B. we have the character of a remarkable self-made man. The first penny he ever had in his life was given him by a cattle driver whom he helped transfer his herd a short distance. This he spent for two English songs, " Farmer's Boy" and "On Fox Hunting. When twelve years old, he would slip books from the library where he was working, and sit by his bed at the barn and read nearly all night. At another place where he worked, he had an alarm clock which he arranged to strike at three o'clock, at which time he would light a candle and sit up in bed and read some book or paper. So earnest was he in the pursuit of knowledge that he and his brother James gathered old bones and broken glass from the fields, which they sold in order to secure the SaturJai/ Magazine, which cost 6 d. per month.

W. D. BRIDEL, farmer, P. O. Mazon, was born June 5, 1826, in England. Is a son of Robert and Mary (Diment) Bridel, who came to Pennsylvania in 1841, and in 1845 to Kendall County, III.; the father is living with his second wife, Alice SutliflF. Our subject is one of five living children from a family of eight ;

Biographical

William D., Isabella, Mary, Rachel, Robert are the names of those living ; their mother died about the year 1858. Mr. Bridel was married, in 18G2, to Caroline R. Towns, a daughter of Aaron and Mary (Green) Towns, natives of New York, and the parents of six children, viz., Joshua, Clarinda. Edward, Sarah, Caroline and William. Mr. Bridel has sis children - William, Mary R., George W., Robert S.. Belle and Lillie E. He settled on his present farm about 185-1 ; he has now 31G acres of fine land ; has been in small offices ; was drafted and hired a suljstitute ; he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Superintendent Wilmington Star Mining Compan}', Coal Cit3'. Mr. Campbell was l)orn April 3, 1848, in Scotland ; is a son of William and Susan (Melroy) Campbell. William began mining when quite young, and had followed the same the greater portion of his life.. He mined at Braidwood as earl3' as 18G7, and, iu 1879, he wa.s appointed Superintendent of the Wilmington Star Mining Company at Coal City, which position he holds, and through his management these mines are turning out about 500 tons daily. He was married twice, the first time to Isabel Clombie (deceased), and the second time to Agnes Patterson, the latter union resulting in four children - Ellen, Arthur, Laura and Fannie.

ALEXANDER CAMERON, farmer, P. 0. Braceville, was born April 12, 1820, in Scotland. Is a son of William and Jane Cameron, natives of the same country, and parents often children, four of whom are living, viz., Alexander, William, Isabel and Archibald. The parents emigrated to Peoria County, 111., in 1833, and farmed iu said county. The father died in 1864, and the mother in 1867 ; the3' were Methodists. Our subject never attended school a single day in his life, yet he has picked up a fair business education. Was married, June 3, 1846, to Julia A. Morrison, a daughter of William H. and Barbara (Usong) Morrison. Mrs. Cameron was born March 28, 1825, in

Pike County, 111. She and her husband settled the present farm in 1856 ; they have 250 acres of fine land, the result of their own efforts ; they have no children. Mrs. Cameron's father left his family in Pike County when she was very small, and traveled along the river looking up land to purchase, and never returned. The partj' who went with him said he died with fever. She lived for some time with Dr. Henry Ross, of Pike County, until twelve 3'ear.s old, and returned to her mother, she having married Ira Ackley, the result being one child - Lydia E., and b3' the former union two children- Julia A. and William. Mrs. Cameron's education is also limited, she having been unable to attend school in her3'ounger da3'S. Mr. Cameron votes the Republican ticket.

REUBEN CARTER, farmer, P. 0. Gardner, was born February 18, 1855, in England. Is a son of William and Elizabeth (Chick) Carter, natives of the same country, and parents of nine children, eight of whom survive, viz., Sarah, Susan, Mary, Elizabeth, Alice, William, Reuben and George. Our subject had but little advantage of school. At the age of ten, he took active labor in the rural pursuits of of life, at 16 cents per day. He came to America in 1871, settling iu Grund3' County. Was married in April, 1880, to Alice, a daughter of Samuel Bradbeer, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. His union has resulted in one child - Mabel. When on his way from his native countr3' to this county, the train on which he was traveling through Michigan was wrecked, and he barely escaped from sudden death, with the loss of the right little finger. He owns eight3' acres of well-improved land, which he bought in 1881 of James Smith. This is the result of his own labors, he having only one shilling left when arriving in this county. He votes the Republican ticket.

natives of England. The parents emigrated to Muskingum County, Ohio, where they died, the mother in October, 1838, and the father in 1845. They had twelve children, all of whom grew up and were married, nine are livings Thomas, Richard, James, George, John, Henry, Phrebe (deceased). Elizabeth, Sophia (deceased), William, Ford and Wary (deceased). The parents belonged to the Methodist Church. Our subject attended the subscription schools in the countr}', getting a fair business education. He worked with his father until the age of twentyone, when he began learning the carpenter trade, which he continued for fourteen years. He moved to Kendall County, III, iu 1845, where he carpentered until 1849, at which time he came to his farm of eighty acres, in what is now ]Mazon Township, which he had purchased of the Government a little while prior to his moving. Here in this neighborhood he has lived and now possesses 240 acres, the result of their own labors. When locating in Kendall County, they had about $300. They settled on raw prairie, and witnessed the scenes of the earlj' pioneers. Was married, in 1839, to Jane Osier, a daughter of George and Jane (HoUenback) Osier, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Virginia, and the parents of four children - Jane, George, John and Nancy. The mother was married, prior to that with Mr. Osier, to Nathan Devore, and the result was two children - Elizabeth and David. Mr. Devore was drafted in the war of 1812, in which service he died. Her mother was married, after the death of Mrs. Cassinghara's father, to John Hartford, the result being two children - Eliza A. and Sarah E. Mrs. Cassingham's mother was a church member of the Methodist Episcopal organization for sixt\' years before her decease, to which the father belonged. Mr. and Mrs. Cassingham have been blessed with eleven children, viz., David H., deceased ; Marshall, physician at Roberts, Ford Co., 111.; Ellen, deceased ; David, deceased ; Mary E., deceased ; Elvira, the wife of Thomas Foster ; Arvillii, the wife of Dr. W. H. Watson, of Caberej', 111.; Alice, deceased ; Ora W., druggist. Ford County, 111.; Clinton, married Melissa La Force ; and E. W. Mr. Cassingham was Supervisor for eight terms, Justice of the Peace several years, and other small offices ; was once solicited and was run for County Judge, and was only sixteen votes behind. He and wife have been connected with the Methodist Church for over forty-four years. He was once Whig, and joined the Republican party at its organization. A brother of Mr. Cassing- 'ham came from Ohio to this count)- on horseback, bringing with him a dog to hunt. The first chase was a wolf, which they caught. Ford, the brother, took the hide from the animal, and started home without his dog, which he thought was either dead or stolen When he arrived at his home, he found his faithful dog awaiting him.

E. H. COTTON, farmer, P. O. Coal City, was born December 3, 1835, in Montgomery County, N. Y.; is a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Sweet) Cotton. The parents were mar" ried January 15, 1815; thej' removed from New York to Braceville Township in 1854, at which time the father erected a blacksmith shop, on the present site of the village of Braceville; he lived for awhile with his son-in-law, Braugham, who had settled here about 1852. The father died in this county in 1870, and the mother in 1872; were the parents of Mary, Sallie, John R., Nicholas, Garrett, Lucinda, James P., David G., Calvin H. and E. H. The father served in the war of 1812. Our subject attended school some during his younger days, and has alwa3-3 been a farmer; he hauled all the lumber from Morris by ox team, from which his father constructed his first house in this county; he was married September 15, 1855, to Elizabeth J. Mitchell, a daughter of John and Lucj- (Patterson) Mitchell; she was one of seven children, viz., Lydia, James, Elizabeth, Margaret, John

Lucy aud Mary. Mr. Cottou settled on his present farm iu 1867, buying eightj- acres of James Barrett, and has since added until he has 240 acres of fine land. His union gave him seven children - Mary E. (the wife of James Sherry, of Iowa), Sarah J., Lida (the wife of Jesse Slutter, of Chicago), John J., Nicholas, Anna and Lillie; his wife died August 20, 1879. He has been Assessor; is now Supervisor of Braceville Township; votes the Democratic ticket; his father was a member of the A., F. & A. M., and was buried by that fraternity.

GEORGE H. CRAGG, farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born April 5, 1840, in Grundy County, 111.; is a son of John and Agnes (Litchhult) Cragg, natives of New Jersey; they came to this county about the year 1832, and erected a log cabin 20x20, which is still standing; here thev witnessed the scenes that make up the life of the actual pioneer, such as going to church in a wagon or sled, drawn bj- ox teams. The father was consumptive, and the greater portion of the labor depended upon Mrs. Cragg, which she performed readil}'. The father was of English descent, and e;irly learned a trade. It has been said he could make almost an^-- thing; he was born March 6, 1803, and was the father of seven children, three of whom survive, viz., Martin, George H. and Louisa. The mother is living; was born Januarj' 7, 1813, iu New Jersey; she yet weaves, having a loom which she used about the time she settled here. George H. had some chance to attend school in a pioneer cabin. At the death of his father, he was sent to school at Wilmington for six mouths; was married, February 17, 18G1, to Rachel Bridel, the result being four children - Alice, Robert, Cora B. and Emma. He has fifty-five acres of well-improved land, and is farming seventy-five acres which belongs to his mother; he enlisted in Company ^, One Hundred and Fifty-six Illinois Volunteer Infantry; he votes the Republican ticket. Further

MARTIN CRAGG, farmer, P. 0. Gardner. Martin Cragg is probably the first white child born in Braceville Township, the date of his birth being January 21, 1836; he is a brother of George H., whose biogrophy appears in this book. His early days were spent as much as was convenient in the log school cabin; he was ver^' fond of chasing the wild animals that were so numerous when he was a iDoy. On one occasion the grey-hounds caught a deer, and Martin was a little swifter on foot than the other boys who were with him on the chase, and on arriving, he bounci'd the wild animal, and the dogs thinking their master could manage it, let loose, and as soon as they did, the deer made a leap with Martin on its back, and away it went for the thicket. The gritty little fellow was going backward, and hung on until the brush forced him off. He was married, December 17, 1861, to Helen N. Caverly, a daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Newell) Caverly. natives of New Hampshire, and parents of four children; Helen onl3- survives; her mother died when she was six ^-ears old, and her fathar was married a second time to Kate Kipp, of Philadelphia, Penn,, the result being two children - William and Louisa; her father died in 1856, and Helen lived with her uncle, Robert Newell, of Boston, until she was fourteen, when she came to Gardner, 111., to live with her uncle and aunt, Sawyer; her marriage with Mr, Cragg has resulted in four children, two of whom are living, viz,, Edward C. and Jennie. Mr. Cragg has bjen Constable of Braceville Township two terms; he owns 170 acres of fine land, th3 most of which is the reward of his own labors. He is raising many plants for sale, having an excellent hot garden; grows entirel}' for the Braidwood market; votes the Republican ticket.

Braceville Towxship

of Hiram and Susannah (Stinson) Drown, natives, the father of Connecticut and the mother of Ireland, and parents of ten children - Oliver, Mar}' A., Susannah, Margaret, James, Jane, Rebecca, John, Thomas and one died j-oung; his parents were Methodists. Our subject attended the district schools; has alwaj's worked on the farm; was married in 1849, to Harriet

A. Thayer, a daughter of Ebenezer and Julia Thayer, natives of New York, and the parents of five children, viz., Harriet, Alonzo, Eliza, Emma and one deceased young. His union gave him seven children, six of whom are living^Julia, Hiram, Melvin, Emma, Frank, Ella and Jane (deceased). He came to Illinois in 1858, settling for awhile near Morris, where he engaged in a brick-yard and other vocations for some time. In 1869, he bought eight}' acres where he now lives, of L. Crossley. where he has since resided. He is now School Trustee. He votes the Republican ticket. His brother Thomas died in the late war, member of Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

JOHN F. DUNLEAVY, farmer, P. 0. Coal City, was born November 22, 1845. in England; is a son of Michael and Sarah Dunleavj', natives of Ireland and the parents of seven children - Martin, Michael, William, Daniel, Jlary, John F. and Ann. The parents emigrated to Wisconsin in 1846, and in 1855 to Illinois, settling where our subject now lives, where the}' died, the father in 1874 and the mother in 1876; they were Catholics. Our subject obtained a fair education; enlisted in Company

B, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, on January 1, 1864, and remained until its close; was never married: has a family keeping house for him; owns 160 acres of fine land. He is raising the Holstein cattle, Poland-China hogs and Clydesdale horses. He votes the Greenback ticket. He lost his health to some extent in the war.

March 21, 1845, was the youngest son of Alexander and Rhoda Easton. His father was a carpenter and farmer, born in Franklin County, Mass., September 25, 1801. Spent his last years with our subject, where he died November 1, 1880. His mother, whose maiden name was Rhoda Plumb, was born March 10, 1805 ; was married when seventeen years old to Joseph Lee, who died in 1843, and on March 27, 1844, she was again married to Alexander Easton. She died in Trumbull County, Ohio June 20, 1851 ; such was her life, that none knew her but to love her. C. C. received his education at the common schools of his native town. Working at carpenter work some with his father, he became quite skilled in the business, so that he has since constructed several houses. When sixteen, he came to Illinois and hired out as a farm hand. In the spring of 1868, he bought a farm of 100 acres in Norton, Kankakee County. In 1874, he rented his farm and moved to Gardner, where he lived a year or so, when he bought 120 acres, where he now lives ; has since added forty acres more and all is under a good state of cultivation. C. C. Easton was married in 1860, to Mary Jane, daughter of John Spiller, whose sketch appears elsewhere in the work. Mr. and Mrs. Easton have three children, two boys and one girl^Addison M., Rowland J. and Rhoda Belle. C. C. is a man of correct habits and uncompromising integrity, warmly attached to home and its environments, for which he amply provides. Mrs. Easton is a frugal, industrious woman, skillfully conducting her household affiiirs, always ready to do her part to make a home and make it happy.

REV. G. R. EVANS, Braceville, born May 20, 1821 in North Wales ; son of Richard and Ellen (Pryse) Evans, the parents of G. R. Sydney, William, Elizabeth, Ellen, Rees and Richard. Our subject attended school in the country and city, aside from his labors on the farm. At the age of twenty, he closed his school days and engaged actively in farming until 1850, when he was married to Ellen Jones, a native of Wales, and soon after engaged in bu3-ing grain on his own resource at Anglesea, Wales, for ten j'ears, at which he was successful for awhile, and then sustained some losses. In 1861, he came to Racine, Wis., where he bought wheat for two j'ears ; transferred from there to Arena, same State, where he built a warehouse and purchased grain for two years. In 1849, he began in the ministrj-, and from Arena he went to Milwaukee, where he took charge of the Welsh Congregational Church for one year ; then to Watertown, Wis., Ixonia and Emmet, and was pastor of a church at each place. In

1872, he was appointed agent for the American Express Compan}' at Braeeville, which he still holds. He is Police Magistrate of this village. Ilis marriage gave him ten children - Sydney, Griffith, Ellen, Kate, Jeunie, Richard (sea captain in Wales), Eliza, Susie, Lydia and Zula. He was Supervisor for Braeeville Township in 1878. Votes the Republican ticket.

SOLOMON HARRIS, boots and shoes, Braeeville, was born November 30, 1824, in South Wales, is a son of Isaac and Ann Harris, who came to this country in 1863 ; the father died in 1876. The parents had thirteen children, ten of whom grew up - Solomon, Joseph, Eliza, Enoch, Mary , Thomas, Jemima, Isaac (deceased), Leah and Isaac. Our subject attended school but little. When quite young, he began mining, which he followed in the old countrj- until May 16, 1851, when he landed at Philadelphia, where he dug coal till January 24, 1862, when he came to Illinois and resumed his labors in a coal mine. In 1881, he engaged in his present business, that of boots and shoes, at which he is succeeding well. Was married, February 14, 1845, to Martha Watkins, a native of Wales, the union resulting in thirteen children - Isaac,

Valentine, Jane, Solomon, William, Thomas, William W., Martha A., Eliza, Hannah, Ann and Annie, Rebecca. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Votes the Repubican ticket.

C. E. HASTINGS, merchant, Braeeville. Prominent among the leading young business men in Braeeville is C. E. Hastings, of the firm of Trotter & Hastings. He was born in 1862, in Pennsylvania ; is the son of Eli and Rachel (Karr) Hastings, natives of the same State, and the parents of Laura, Catharine, S. M., C. E., Jessie M. and Cora B. The parents came to Illinois in 1866, settling in Gardner and afterward in Morris. Our subject attended the schools of Gardner and Morris. He clerked for about three 3-ears in Braidwood. August 2, 1881, he formed the partnership named above, and is meriting a fine trade, having at tills time a general line of dry goods, etc. September 21, 1882, he was married to Lizzie B., a daughter of Capt. L. A. Baker, of Wilmington. He is a pleasant, genial felloif^ and has the respect and confidence of all with whom he does business.

TALCOTT HAWLEY, deceased. Mr. Talcott was born in 1800 in the State of New York; was a farmer, and married Elizabeth Mulford, and came to Lockport, 111., about 1852, and a few months later the}- bought 160 acres of land in Braeeville Township, on which farm the father died in 1859, and the mother in 1874; they were blessed with six children - Ellen and Ljnnan living, and Catharine, William, Daniel and Davis deceased. The deceased and companion had but little means when they located in this county; they used ox teams and all the old farming implements. Ellen owns the old homestead, and is living with William Vanhouton and family, who rents the farm. Mr. V. married Brittanna CuUen.

Homan. The father is a native of Virginia and tlie mother of Ohio. The3' were the parents of three children - Joseph, Emma (deceased, was the wife of W. S. Keay) and W. E. Joseph attended the country schools as much as was convenient. At the age of fifteen, he engaged actively on the farm, which avocation he continued until 1879, when he entered his present business, and is carrying a fine line of hardware. In 1880, his father took a halfinterest in the same, and is still a member of the firm. Our suljject was married September 14, 1881, to Isabel, a daughter of John and Ellen (Keay) Chadwick, by whom he has one child - Herbert W. He was at one time Treasurer of the village. Votes the Republican ticket.

WILLIAM HOMAN, farmer, P. O. Coal City, was born August 22, 1824, in Virginia; is a son of Joseph and Martha M. Homan. natives of the same State. The parents settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1832, where they reared nine children, five of whom are living - AYilliam, John, Walter, Ira and Allen. The parents were Presbj'terians. Mr. Homan had some school advantages. Was married, in 1849, to Martha Hill, a daughter of John and Esther (.Marsh) Hill, natives of, the father Pennsylvania and the mother New York; she was one of eleven children, eight of whom survive - Joseph, Martha, H. D., Clarinda, Lucinda, William. Hugh M. and Esther. Mrs. Homan was born May 22, 1824, and has blessed her husband with two children living and one deceased - Joseph and William E.; Emma, deceased. Mr. Homan settled where he now lives in 1868; has ICO acres of fine land; has held some small offices; he is a Democrat.

FRANK HORAN, farmer, P. 0. Gardner, was born September 9, 1851, in Chicago; is a son of Owen and Mary (Kernan) Horan, natives of Ireland. They emigrated to Chicago between 1833 and 1840; the mother was one of ten children, four living - Mary, Catharine (Mrs. P. A. Fennerty, of Chicago), B. F. and

Ellen, the wife of A. G. Willard. of Chicago. Our subject was one of five children - P. A., Frank, Ellen, John and Lettie. The father followed engineering of lakes and farming, having located where Frank now lives in 1859. At his death, he owned 240 acres of well-improved land, which the family still owns. Frank had some school advantages, and early embarked in farm life. Was married, 1878, to Hannah Walsh, a daughter of Richard and Catharine (McNaraara) Walsh, natives of Ireland. Her father came to La Salle County, 111., in 1848, and her mother in 1837. Hannah and Ellen are the onlj- ones living from a family of six children. Mr. Horan is now Commissioner of Highwaj's. His union has blessed him with three children - Frank, Henr3' and Lester J. He and wife are Catholics; he votes the Republican ticket. His father died August 20, 1862, and his mother is living in Ottawa, III.

0. T. HOUSE, grocer, Braceville, was born June 19, 1857, in Bristol, Conn., is a son of Alfred and Ellen (Taylor) House, natives of the same State, and the parents of four children - Ralph 0., Nettie, Minnie and 0. T. The parents came to Beloit, Wis., in 18G4, and are now residing in Wilmington, 111. O. T. attended school at Rockton, 111. He began the grocery business at Braceville November 20, 1881, and has a large stock of everything that constitutes a flrst-class retail grocery. Was married June 19, 1882, to Lillian Quackenbush. He worked for some time in the paper mills of M. D. Keeney, of Wilmington, by which he obtained the means to start his present fine business. Was a member of tlie I. 0. 0. F. of Wilmington, but severed his connection on account of moving away.

GEOROE LITTLEJOHN, farmer, P.O. Gardner. 5Ir. Littlejohn was born Januar}- 17, 1845, in Scotland; is a son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Wilson) Littlejohn, natives of Scotland and parents of three children - George, Susan an<l Jeanie; the fatiier died Auijust 18. 1869 : the mother was born Februarj- 12, 1810, and is living with the subject; she and her husband helped to organize the first Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, La Salle Countj", and Gardner, this count}-, and he was Elder in the latter. Their children were sent to school at a pioneer building beyond the river, and were compelled to cross the same with a boat, or on the chunks of ice. George was married, Januar}- 15, 1871, to Isabel Smith, a daughter of James and Jean (Menzies) Smith, natives of Scotland; her parents emigrated to this countrj' in 1854, and in 1858 they settled in Greentield Township, this count}-; they were blessed with six children - James, Isabel, Alexander, Robert, Emelineand Albert. Her mother died in 1861, and her father was subsequently married to Mrs. Mary Gleghorn. The parents are Presbyterians. Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohn have three children as a result of their union - Hattie, Mabel and Hugh; they have 120 acres of fine land. He enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fiftysixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry: votes the Republican ticket. Mrs. L. was born !M:iy 21, 1848.

JAMES M. LAYMON, farmer, P. 0. Coal City, was born September 4, 1807, in Clermont County, Ohio; is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Goodpaster) Laymon, natives of Tennessee, and the parents of ten children - James M., Elias, David, Will, Cynthia, John, Rachel, Frank, Cornelius and Jesse. The parents were Baptists. Our subject took chances at subscription schools, and worked on a farm. Was married, in 1825, at the age of eighteen, to Maria Sloan, a daughter of George and Surah (Story) Sloan, natives of Pennsylvania and the parents of seven children - Nellie, Thomas, Mary, Margaret, John, William and Maria ; her parents were Methodists. At marriage, they settled in Ohio, ami thence to Indiana in 1842, settling near Crawfordsville, where they farmed for about four years, and then continued the same in Bartholomew County, the same State, and from there to Miami County. In 1859, they left Lee County, Ind., and came to Grundy County, 111., settling where they now live. Their union gave them fifteen children, eight living- - George, Elizabeth. Will, John, Thomas, David, Martha, Lida J. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church. He votes the Republican ticket. Thomas, the fifth child, was born May 15, 1840. in Bartholomew County, Ind.; was married, April 10, 1861, to Esther Morrison, the result being one child - Elva J. He was in Company K, Illinois Light Rifles and Company K, Illinois Liglit Artillery, etc Lida J. married Thomas R. Curran, the result being Margaret A.. Lydia M. and James H. Mr. C. has been Township Clerk.

LLOYD & REES, merchants, Braceville. Prominently identified with the business firms of Braceville are the gentlemen whose names head this article. John Lloyd was born December 30, 1849, in Wales. Is a son of David and Sarah (Buttrey) Lloyd, natives of Wales, and the parents of fourteen children, seven of whom survive, viz., Mary, Richard, John, Elizabeth, Ann, Davy and Abraham. The parents

' emigrated to America in 1861, settling in Pennsylvania. In 1863, the family came to Grundy County, 111., where the father purchased eighty acres of land lying within the corner of Will, Kankakee and Grundy Counties, after having mined for many years. The parents are living

I iu Braceville, retired from the active pursuits of life. John, of whom we write, mined until about twenty-one years old, when he engaged in other vocations. He began his present business in July, 1881, and on March 13, 1882, he accepted Mr. R. Rees as a full partner, which firm name still exists, having at this time a full line of groceries, dry goods and notions. He was married April 5, 1873, to Sarah A. Rees, a sister of his partner, which resulted in four children, two of whom are living, viz., John and Daniel. Mr. Lloyd was a Justice of the wood Lodges, A., F. & A. M. and U. 0. F., and of Braceville Lodge K. of P., and is D. D. (>. C. in the latter. Rees llees, the junior member of tlie firm, was born November 28, 1854, in Wales, and is a son of William and Sarah Rees, natives of the same countrj-, and the parents of a large family". His parents emigrated to Illinois in 1SG4, and in 1865 they came to Braceville, and are now residing at Braidwood. At the age of nine, our latter subject of this sketch began mining, which he has worked at more or less since. He had some experience as a clerk in a grocery store before forming his present partnership. He had some good school advantages. Was married, January 27, 1877, to Mary Oliver, of Braidwood, Will County, which union has resulted in two children - Lillie and Emma H. He is a member of the Braceville Lodge, K. of P.

A. J. LAGERQUIST, contractor and l)nilder, Braceville, was born January 8, 1840, in Sweden. Is a son of Jonas and Corrie Lagerqui.st, natives of Sweden, and parents of five children, viz., Jonas, Katy, Elias, A. J. and Corrie. Mr. Lagerquist attended school but little, and at the age of thirteen he began the tailor's trade, and soon after worked at carpentering at very small wages. At the age of twenty- two, he engaged in farming, together with his trade. Was married, in 1859, to Caroline Lagerquist, and in the same j-ear he came to America, settling in Kansas, where he farmed until 1864, when he engaged in carpentering in Gardner, this county. In 1875 he settled in Braceville, where he has since carpentered, and has added the lumber trade and house-moving. He owns some good property here His union blessed him with four children - Anna, Anders (furniture dealer at this place), Charles and Caroline L. He votes the Republican ticket.

the parents of James, John, Joshua, Jonathan, Jesse, Jemima, Julia, Jethro, Jabez, Josiah and Joce. It is a remarkable fact that this entire famil}' of eleven children possesses a name commencing with J. Our subject attained an excellent education. He graduated in a law school in his native country, and came to Wisconsin in 1864, and in 1 865 to Braceville Township, this county, where he farmed and mined for several j^ears. In 1863, he was married to Kate Pomero}', resulting in seven children - William, Jerome, Augustus, Jessie, Bertie, Charles and Sealey. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1877, which position he holds yet, together with Township Clerk and Treasurer, Village Clerk, and about ten other minor offices.

THOMPSON MARTIN, retired farmer, P. 0. Gardner, was born August 28, 1832, in New York City. Is son of Alfred and Hannah (Cox) Martin, natives of New Jerse}', and the parents of nine children - John, Mary, Thompson, Henry L., William K., Harriet D., Jane M., George W. and James P. Our subject attended school considerably. At the age of six, he fell from a mill and injured his skull, which impaired his mental powers. Was with his parents till nineteen, when he came to Illinois on a hunting spree, and finally made a settlement, his father buying him eighty acres of land in Braceville Township, which was mostly timbered. Was married to Amanda Cairns, the result being two children - William and Charlie. In 1873, he left his farm and came to Gardner on account of poor health, where he has since remained. He enlisted in Company I, Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantr3', in 1861, and w.-is out over three years. His wife died June 28, 1858, and he was again married, November 14, 1865, to Huldah Sutton, the result being six children - Harriet A., Alberta, Alfred N., John B., Helen E. and Llewellyn. The present Mrs. Martin is a daughter of Nathan and Martha Sutton, settlers here about

1861 ; her mother is living with them, and is hale and hearty at eightj-seven years. He has served in some small township offices ; was Deputy Postmaster once, and carried the mail from Braceville to Craigs. Our subject owned the first log cabin ever built on the prairies in this part of the country ; it was built by Woodward in 1847. The building was used for firewood and hitching- posts in Gardner.

JAMES McKINLEY, boarding, livery and undertaking, Coal City, was born October 1, 1830, in Scotland, is a son of John and Margaret (Brown) IMcKinle}', also natives of Scotland. The parents had ten children - Jane, Margaret, Mary, James, John, Elizabeth, William, Robert, Jesse, Elam. Mr. McKinlej' began coal mining when ten years old. In 1852, came to Pennsylvania, where he miued for four years, transferring then to La Salle, La Salle Co., Ill, and following the same avocation. In the fall of 1856, he was employed for a few months at Morris, Grundy County, after which he farmed in De Kalb County for five years. He abandoned farming there, and after laboring a few months at Morris, he went to Belleville, St. Clair Co., 111., and mined for two years, and from there to Vermillion County, where he mined and bossed the miners for about three years. His next transfer was to Braidwood, Will County, at which place he took an interest in some mines, which proved unsuccessful, and he invested what means he had in a restaurant, which, with other property, he traded for land in Biaeeville Township, where he farmed until 1882, when he left his farm of 240 acres and engaged in his present business, that of boarding, livery and undertaking, having the only establishment of the latter two businesses in the village. Was married August, 1856, to Margaret Haughy, which resulted in six children, four of whom are living - John, James, Margaret and Nellie. Has served as Commissioner of Highwa3's and School Director. Votes the Republican ticket.

THOMAS MORGAN, blacksmith and wagon shop, Braceville, was born October 15, 1825, in Wales, is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Evans) IMorgan, also natives of Wales, and the parents of seven children, viz., Thomas, Evan, Jacob, John, Mary, Margaret and William. Mr. Morgan attended school until eleven 3'ears old, when he took sick with a fever, and was unable to labor until he was twelve, at which time he commenced learning the trade of a blacksmith, which he has followed during the remainder of his life. In 1868, he emigrated to New York, and there worked at his trade. In one year, he transferred to a shop near Akron, Ohio, and from there to Racine, Wis., where he was employed by Mitchell Bros, in the manufacture of wagons for six years. He came to Dwight, 111., in 1880, and a little later, to Braceville, where he is doing a good business. Was married, October 5, 1850, to Maria Williams, who blessed him with tight children, namely, John, Thomas, Evan, William (deceased), Catharine, William (deceased), Maggie and Jane. He has been no office-seeker, and has given his time to his business. He and wife are members of the Welsh Methodist Church, in which he is Treasurer and Superintendent of the Sunday School. He votes the Republican ticket.

E. J. MYERS, livery, Braceville, was born January 29, 1844, in Du Page County, 111. He is a son of Jacob and Elovina (Rhodes) Myers, natives of Lancaster County, Penn. The family came to Du Page County at an early day. Our subject is one of seven children, viz., Mary, the wife of F. Renter; E. J.; Albert; Eliza, the wife of George Hullinger ; Maria, the wife of B. T. Harlej- ; Jacob and Oscar. Mr. M. attended school some after twenty-one years of age, pa3-ing his way by taking care of horses for Dr. Bell, of Naperville. After leaving the Northwestern College, he engaged as a clerk for Kline & Rickert, commission merchants of 156 and 158 South Water street

Chicago. At the expiration of six months, he began tanning for liis undo, Elias M3ers, of Will County, which he continued for two years, and then rented a farm in Do Kalb County. One year later, he rented south of Joliet. January 26, 1881, he was married to Frantie Ramer. of De Kalb County, III., which resulted in one child - Floyd. He came immediately after marriage to Braceville, and opened up a liverj' business, renting an old building. He has continued the same, and has lately constructed a fine stable, to which he has added a fine line of buggies and first-class driving horses. He votes the Republican ticket.

JOHN MATHIAS, saloon, Braceville, was born in 1830, in Wales, is a son of James and Mary (Lewis) Mathias. The parents came to this countr}-, the father in 1862, and the mother in 1863. Thej' were the parents of four children, viz., Ann, John, Margaret and Martha. Our subject attended school until thirteen years old, when he began mining, which he followed the greater portion of his life since. He came to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1860, where he mined for one year, and then came to Morris, 111,, and there engaged with Steel in a mine. He worked at the same business at Braceville for some time. He settled here when there were but three houses to be seen on the present site of the village. He took an interest in mines in Kankakee Countj-. In 1868, he closed his mining career at Gardner, III. Was married January 31, 1869, to Elizabeth Williams, a native of Wales, which union resulted in five children - John, Mary, Thomas, Lottie and Elizabeth. The latter two only survive. He was Police Magistrate of this village for two years, and is now in his second term as Tax Collector, He is a member of Braceville Lodges, I. 0. 0. F, and K, of P., and A., F. & A. M,, of Gardner. He is holding oflBce in the first-named lodge.

T. N. and Belinda (Noyes) Page, natives of New Hampshire. They came to Illinois be tween 1833 and 1837 ; they emigrated West with a wagon ; the mother died March 6, 1880, having blessed her husband with eight ciiildren, seven of whom are living, viz., J. E,, Elizabeth, Ellen, Hannah L., Hiram A,, Fred W, (deceased), Mattie and George R, The father is living in Cook County, where he first settled ; is a Methodist, to which organization his consort belonged ; he was Postmaster at Elk Grove for many years. Our subject attended school some in the country, W^as married, December 28, 1859, to Laura J. Thomas, a daughter of Josephus and Affy (Dyer) Thomas, Her parents came to Illinois in June, 1850. settling in Elgin, Her father died January 18, 1882, and her mother is living in Chicago, Laura J, and Milo are the onlj- children living, Mrs, P.'s parents united earljwith the Methodist Episcopal Church, The great-grandfather Thomas was born in 1736, in Providence, R, I.; was married to Sarah Emerson, of Uxbridge, Mass, He was one of the first legislators of Vermont, Mr. P.'s grandfather Page was Governor of New Hampshire two terms, and his uncle, John Page, was Treasurer of said State for ten years. Our subject made a few ditferent settlements during his sojourn, until 1882, when he located on his present farm of IGO acres in Braceville Township, His union has blessed him with seven children, six of whom are living, viz., Helen M, (graduated at the grammar schools of Chicago, and has taught ten terms), John, Ed L,, Charles D,, Fred W, and Gracie A. He is an active Republican,

CHARLES PRICKETT, farmer, P, 0. Coal City, was born October 16, 1829, in Logan Couut}', Ohio ; is a son of James and Rebecca Prickett. The parents came to Kendall Countj', III,, in 1833, They had seven children, viz,, Elijah, Joel, Charles, John, Aaron, Elizabeth, Jane, He has alwaj's been a farmer. Was married,

February 6, 1858, to Adaline A. Holderman, the result being twelve children, viz., Jane E., George, Byron, Jacob, Rhua, Melissa, Joel, Nellie, Burton C, Rose. Elizabeth, Anthony He settled at his marriage near Morris, this county, and in 1864 he bought his present farm of 160 acres, and has lived on the same since. He has been Highway Commissioner, Tax Collector and Constable ; votes the Republican ticket ; takes an interest in educating his children.

RICHARD RAMSEY, Superintendent coal mines, Braceville, was born November 22' 1842, in England ; is a son of William and Ann (Hackles) Ramsey, the parents of seven children - Margaret, William T., Richard, George, Mary A., Joseph, John. The suliject attended school until eleven years old, and then began laboring in coal mines. He came to America in 1863 with his mother, settling in Morris, this county. He soon after began mining at Pekin, Tazewell County. In 1873) he located at Braidwood, and was made general pit boss, and in 1881 he was appointed Superintendent of the mines at Braceville, which position he now occupies, having under bis charge about a thousand men and three shafts. Was married in 1?67, to Mar^' A. Barly, of Morris, the result being six children - Z. B., William, Sarah, Laura L., Clara M. and Richard. He is a member of the Braidwood Lodge, A., F. & A. M., and Knights Templar of Joliet. Votes the Republican ticket. As a Superintendent, Mr. Ramsey has but few superiors ; he is careful, and is respected by his entire class of men.

H. C. RICHEY, clerk coal company, Braceville, was born January 7, 1841, in La Salle County, 111., and is a son of W. W. and Maria (Thompson) Richey, natives, the father of Ohio and the mother of Norway. The father settled in La Salle County in 1829, and the mother in 1838. The parents had but one child - H. C. The father was married a second time to Eliza Horton, the result being two children - William F. and Cora A. Our subject attended school in the pioneer cabins, with slab seats, slab writing-desks, etc. When fifteen, he began clerking in a store for his father at' Marseilles, and in 1862 he enlisted in Compan}- C, Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantrv, and was out until the close. Was in the Quartermaster's Department. Was captured at La Grange, Tenn., and taken to St. Louis, and was afterward exchanged. On his return from the war, he was with his father for two years, and then built bridges with Alex Bruce, of Jlarseilles, for four years. Came to Braceville in 1871, and kept books for the Braceville Coal Company ; theuce to Henry, Marshall County, engaging with Nicholson & Bruce for three and one-half 3-ears ; from there to Florida for two years, to recruit his health. In 1878, he returned to Braceville, where he engaged as Superintendent of the Braceville Coal Mines until the company sold out, when he was retained as clerk for the present Superintendent. Was married in 18G1 to S. A. Day, the result being three children - F. L., A. D. and Gertie. His wife died in 1868, and he was again married in 1871, to 51. E. Tremaine, the result being two children - Hattie and Belle. Is a member of Marseilles Lodge, No. 418. A., F. & A. M. Votes the Republican ticket.

E. H. ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Coal City, was born April 11. 1834, in Brooklyn, N. Y., is a son of John and Elizabeth (Hayes) Robinson, who came from an English ancestry. Thej' were natives of England, and landed in America the day before the falling of the meteors in the year 1833. They remained in Brooklyn, N. Y., till June, 1834, when they settled in Delaware County, Ohio, on the line between that and Union Countj'. Here the mother died May 10, 1879, aud the father is still surviving. The parents reared seven children - E. H., Alfred J., Reuben, Arthur, Mar}-, Edward and Guido. The father was a wood- carver, and left his farm under the management of his energetic sons, who received for their iudustrj^ about one hundred acres of land. E. H., of whom we write, received a liberal education from his father, who was a graduate of the Old French College of London, England, founded b}- the French Huguenot refugees in that citj- after their escape from the massacre of St. Bartholomew, of whom the Robinsons are descendants. Our subject was married, September 16, 1858, to Lucinda, a daughter of John and Esther Hill. Her parents are of German origin, their ancestors having emigrated to Penn.sylvania some time before the American Revolution, in which struggle thev figured prorainentl}', A pair of the second and a pair of the third generation removed from Westmoreland Count}', Penn., to Ohio about the year 1811. The younger pair, Stephen and Mariam, reared a large famil}-, the descendants of whom are scattered over man}- States. The Hills noted in jBracevilie and Wauponsee Townships are descended from this pair mentioned above. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have two sons as the result of their union, viz., Alfred D. and William R., both of whom are at home. They came to Grundy County March 21, 18(55, and bought a farm in Braceville Township, where they are located, and are the possessors of a beautiful home, containing 240 acres. His rare business talent soon won for him the confidence of the people, w!io soon placed him in their service as Assessor, Trustee of Schools, and other offices, all of which he has held several terms with honor to himself and those who placed him there. He votes the Republican ticket.

FREDERICK SEEK, farmer, P. 0. Gardner, was born September 7, 1843, in Baden, Germany ; is a son of Michael and Catharine Seek, natives of Germany. The parents came to Louisiana in 1853, where the father died, and the mother is living in La Salle Countyi III. Our subject worked upon a farm when quite young. Enlisted in Company C, Eightyeighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service two years, a part of which time he was a sharpshooter. He was shot through the top of the skull. lie helped to capture Mission Ridge, and was with Gen. Sheridan nearl}' one year. Was married, October 27, 1866, to Louisa Colwell, and has six children - Lillie, Frederick, Willie, Minnie, Louisa and Arthur. He settled on his present farm of eighty acres in 1876>; came to this county in 1868, and rented for several j-ears of Cameron. He votes the Republican ticket.

JAMES SHORT, merchant, Coal City. Mr. Short was born November 14, 1874, in Grundy County, 111. Is one of five children by Lemuel and Sarah (Burr) Short, viz., James, W. B., Alvina, Lemuel and William. Mr. Short had but little advantage of school, owing to the scarcitj' of school-buildings in his younger days. At the age of nine, he was put to herd cattle on the wild, unbroken prairie, which was covered with stones. This he followed until about twenty-one years old. He can recall many interesting reminiscences of his early "cow-boy " life. Ou one occasion, he scared up a wolf, and made chase with his pony, and finally drove the wild animal to a thicket. When he alighted from his horse, he noticed that the wolf had bitten the pony's legs, which were bleeding freely. This sad sight aroused Mr. Short's temper, and awakened his love for his prairie companion, which he mounted, and returned to the thicket with a full determination to destroy the beast that had so shamefully lacerated his horse's forelegs. He either found the same wolf or another, and chased him for about four hours over the prairie, whipping and lashing him with his large cow-whip until he had put out one eye of the wild animal, and cut his head so badly that it was covered with blood, and it lay down to rest, at which juncture of the race our little hero alighted, and with stones beat the wolf to death. From this time on the faithful horse would run any wolf that aroused from his lair. This was not all that our subject amused himself at. Every cattle dealer that came along had with him a fast horse, which he would bet on, and ever}' wager was proraptl}' accepted by Mr. Short, and his ponj* always won the race. Over the prairie, where rocks were as thick as hail after a hard storm, would this wirj' little chap run his horse and secure the booty. In 1875, he engaged in cattle dealing for himself, which he has continued since with good success ; he was for awhile in the meat business at Coal City, and in 1880 he opened up a line of dry goods, which he is still running. Was married, in 1874, to Frances Lattimer, the result being one child - Frances. His wife died in 1876, and in 1881 he was married a second time to Mrs. Caroline Clark, a daugliter of William Moore, an old settler of this county. She was married to Loren G. Clark, resulting in four children - Ettie, Gertrude, Henry and Alia. Mr. Short was President of the Board of Trustees when the village of Coal City was organized. He votes the Republican ticket.

T. T. SMITH & CO., hardware merchants, Braceville. Mr. T. T Smith of the above firm, was born September 8, 1846, in Michigan, is a son of T. and Esther A. (Bashford) Smith, natives of New York, and the parents of five children - Oliver N., Harriet A., T. T. and two deceased when young. Our subject obtained a fair education, and spent his younger days on a farm. In 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantr}-, and remained until the war closed. On his return from the war, he engaged in the grocery business, together with dry goods, at Braidwood, with L. H. Goodrich. After severing his connection with Goodrich, he engaged with C. W. & V., at same village for two years ; afterward he managed a farm for Homes & Cod}' for two yeai's, and then was with J. L. Swanburg in the hardware business.

which he bought April 4, 1882, and has since continued the same at Braceville, having at this time a full line of hardware, etc. He has a fine business room with a good hall above, which is used for general meetings. Was married, in 1870, to Jennie Bennett, of Wilmington. She lived but a short time, and he was again married, in 1874, to Lucy Leatherman, the result being Roy L., Zula M. and Oliver T. He is now President of the Village Board, and is Trustee of the Methodist Church ; is a member of the A. 0. U. W., and is Master of the same ; is a member of the Braidwood Lodge, A., F. & A. M.; votes the Republican ticket.

ALFRED VIXCENT, blacksmith, Braceville. Mr. Vincent was born July 5, 1861, in Montreal, Can., and is a son of Julian and Asena (La Rock) Vincent, natives of Canada. The family came to Illinois in 1865, settling at Man'eno, Kankakee County. The parents had nine children - Frank,' Will, Ed, Julian, Alfred, Lillie, Agnes, Lina and Xapoleon. Our subject attended school but little, and learned the carpenter's trade, beginning it when about ten years old. At the age of sixteen he began learning the blacksmith's trade with Thomas O'Neal, of Braidwood, with whom he remained for about three years. In 1882, he began his present business, that of a general blacksmith and wagon, buggy and repair shop, at which he is succeeding admirably, having in his employ two men of experience.

F. S. WATKINS, attorney at law, Braceville, born September 13, 1810, in Maryland ; son of Lafayette and Lydia (Stringer) Watkins, natives of Maryland and parents of six children - Richard G., George W., John G.. Edward, Rachel and our subject, who attended the district schools until ten years old, when he engaged as a clerk for J. Merrill at $10 per month ; here he remained for five years, after which he farmed. In 1831, he came to Pekin, where he clerked, and afterward worked on a i farm in Tazewell County, thence to La Salle

Count}-, engaging in farming, and from there into the same business in De Kalb Count}', thence to Grundy County in 184G, and has lived the greater portion of the time since in Morris. In 1851. he was elected Treasurer of this county, whicli position he filled with credit. Was a member of the committee on Imilding the court house. He moved to Hoyworth, McLean County, in 18GG, where he remained until 1877, at which period he returned to Morris, or rather to his fine farm near Morris, which he sold in 1882, and has since been located at Braceville, wliere he applies his time in some legal business. Was married, in 1832, to Augusta Young, the result being five children - Frederick, Richard G., Augusta, Sarah and Lydia. His wife died in 1844, and lie was again married, in 1846. to Mrs. Joannah Phinney, the mother of eight children by her first marriage - Lydia, Joseph, Chester, William, Martha, Adelia, Emerson and James L. Mr. W. has been a Justice of the Peace for many years, and has served as Town Supervisor. Votes Democratic ticket.

JONAS WATERS, farmer, P. 0. Mazon, was born February 22, 1851, in Mazon Township, Grundy County, 111.; is a son of William and Bethemia (Booth) Waters, who came to this county in 1848, settling in Mazon Township, where the}- remained until death. Henry, Jonas and George are the only ones living from their large family of children. Jonas was left without parents when quite young, and was compelled to work for his own sustenance. Was married, December 3, 1872, to Alvaretta, a daughter of John N. and Susannah (Truby) Whitsel, natives of Pennsylvania, and residents of Goodfarm Township, this county. Her parents have seven children living from a family often, viz., Mary E., Laboua C., Jonathan L., Joannah, Alvaretta, Melinda E., Jane. Christopher T., John E., and William C. Our subject has one child, the result of his union, Clarence B. He has 100 acres of land lying in Braceville and Mazon Townships, the result of his own labors. He bought the same in 1874 of B. A. Crister, who entered it from the Government. He votes the Republican ticket.

A. G. WATSON, agent for Allen Bros , lumber dealers, Braceville, was born October 4, 1855, in Center County, Penn.; is a son of James B. and Elizabeth (Hess) Watson, natives of Pennsylvania, and the parents of four children, three of whom are living, viz., A. G., Belle and R. L.; Blanche, deceased. The mother died in 1865, while the father was in Company G, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry ; he was Orderly in Company B, Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, at the beginning of the war. The father died in 1878 ; he and consort were Presbyterians. Our subject, by applying his spare moments to his books, became able to teach in the country schools, and with the means obtained in that way he was eflabled to attend the Miller.sville Academy, where he received a good grade. After closing his school days, he began learning car-building at Altoona, Penn., which he continued for five years. He then came West, and worked at house carpentering at Joliet for six months. In 1879, he did some carpentering at Braceville for D. Winters, a contractor of Joliet. In January, 1881, he took charge of the lumber business of Allen Brothers at this place, which he still continues. He is serving the people as Village Trustee, and is a Notary Public ; is a charter member of the A. O. U. W., of Braceville ; is a stanch Republican. He was married January 18, 1881, to Kittle W. Thornton, of Joliet.

S. J. WARNER, boot and shoe dealer, Braceville. This energetic young man was born in 1858, in Kankakee County, 111. He is a son of Jerome and Helen M. (Ladd) Warner, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Vermont. They emigrated from Pennsylvania to Will County. They were blessed with three children who grew up and three who are deceased. Those living are Jay, Adelbert and S. J. The latter attended school at Wilmington and Naperville. He clerked some before coming here ; was in the post ofBce at Wilmington, 111., for some time, and was employed in the fire insurance business at Chicago. February 1, 1882, he opened up a line of boots and shoes at Braceville, and is doing a fine business, giving his own personal attention, and, like all who love their vocation, is successful.

T. A. YOUXG, merciiant, Braceville, was born January 19, 1837, in Pennsylvania. Is a son of Aaron and Martha (Harrison) Young, natives of England, and the parents of six children - T. A., John, Mary, Martha, Joseph and Albert. In 1862, subject came to Braceville, where he engaged in the mines. In 1866, he opened the first coal shaft in Kankakee County, on what is known as the Hook farm; " he later engaged in the mercantile business, under the firm name of Young & Price. In three years Price withdrew, and our subject has continued the same since, having now a full line of dry goods, notions, groceries, etc. Was married, in 1865, to Martha Williams, the result being five children - John, William, Thomas, George and Mary. He was once a Justice of the Peace here ; is now a member of the Town Board. Is a member of Braceville Lodge, No. 679, I. 0. 0. F., and Gardner Lodge A., P. & A. M.; votes the Republican Ticket,