Buck Township

Buck Township

Maps are so frequently changed in their appearance, nowadays, that we who studied geography but a few years ago are at a loss to trace the places that, to us then were familiar. The rivers designated on these charts still remain the same, but all else is changed. The teacher, almost every time he applies for a new certificate, is obliged to brush up on geography ; and the pupil, whenever a change is made in books, has to take up the study anew. We are always studying this branch. Unlike mathematics or grammar, vdiich seem to have an end, and vrhose rules seem to be, in a measure, fixed, the boundaries of States, counties and townships are as unstable as the banks of the Missouri River themselves, and are shifting and changing with every flood of political or financial disturbance. It is, howrever, both instructive and amusing to look over a map of the country as it was in the olden time. If we compare a map of the eastern coast of the United States, as published by the authority of the British Government in the year 1700, with modern publications of a like char¬ acter, we shall find features so different in the two as would not only be sur¬ prising to people ignorant of the history of the country subsequent to that date, but wffiich v7ould cause no little astonishment in the minds of the wellinformed.

Look at a map of the Northwest during a period just prior to 1765, and you will find it marked as " French Territory." Then, this same territory r from the date named until 1778, is delineated as a " British Province/' After this, from 1778 until 1787, what is now the State of Illinois appears as a part of Virginia. After this, for thirteen years, with a vast amount of other terri¬ tory, it was called the Northwest Territory. In 1800, when our grandfathers were going to school, they were taught to call the whole of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan by the name of ''Indiana Territory; " and by this title it was known until 1809, when the mapmakers again had to change, and Illinois and Wisconsin were called the " Illinois Territory." In 1818, when our fathers began to study geography, the atlases in which grandfather and grandmother studied would no longer answer the purpose, for Illinois had then become a State, with boundaries co-extensive with what we now find them. The changes which have come to the geographical features of the State since its admission into the Union are equally noticeable. The original number of counties was only fifteen ; and, though Edgar has an ancient flavor, it was not one of them. These fifteen counties have been so divided and subdivided that we now have one hundred and two.

When Edgar County was first formed, its northern boundary was north of Chicago, and so continued until 1826. In that year, a slice of about four thousand square miles was taken off to make Vermilion County, and the map had to be changed.

When the county was first organized it contained but five townships, or pre¬ cincts as they were called, and these have been changed and modified, so that we now have fifteen, and not a single one of the original townships remains in boundary the same as originally. The names of the original townships were Pike, Wayne, Carroll, Fairfield and Ripley, and not a single one of these names is retained. An unfortunate spider, having fallen into a bottle of ink, and being lifted therefrom and placed upon a sheet of blank paper would make a map as easily distinguished as the map of this region a half a century ago. Buck Township, at first, lay partly in Fairfield and partly in Carroll. In 1856, it was formed with bounds very different from what we now find them, a portion having been cut from the north and added to Shiloh. The mapmak¬ ers have been further worried by the location of railroads, the building of towns and the laying-out of highways.

The township, as described at present, which, however, we do not guarantee for more than five years, is as follows : It is bounded on the north by Shiloh ; on the east, by Paris and Edgar : on the south, by Grand View, and on the west, by Kansas and Embarrass.

This is, almost exclusively, a prairie township, there being only a few acres of timber in the whole of it. The only streams of water are two small branches of Catfish Creek, the one flowing from the northwest corner, and the other through the southwest. The land is nearly all level, and, in some places, almost too flat for successful cultivation, though good drainage is making this the very best land in the county, as it is the richest. The soil of the whole township may be said to be of the most productive character, and is well adapted to the raising of corn, oats, rye, wheat and other vegetables common to this region. A great deal of pork is produced, and also considerable of fine cattle. At the time of the adoption of the act authorizing counties to organ¬ ize by townships, this was one of the most sparsely settled of the original thirteen. On account of a lack of timber, this land had been neglected. A good deal of prairie was under cultivation, it is true, but no one yet dared to venture clear out on the prairie without also owning a little tract of timber, from which to obtain fuel and lumber for fences and buildings. But when the country was found 'to be literally resting on a bed of fuel, and when the railroads began to be built and to bring in, from the pineries of the north and from other sources, a class of lumber better adapted to the use of build¬ ing than the hard wood nearer home, the fear of the wood destitution on the prairies began to vanish. At the time of which we write, there were but just a sufficient number of citizens in the township competent to hold all of the offices.

Among those who were considered early settlers are remembered Andrew Lycan, Absalom Pitcher, Horace Griswold, William Titchenor, William Cul¬ bertson, Henry Rudy, Uriah Colier, Jacob Hinds, S. R. Metcalf, Emanuel Myers. These were all here before or about 1850. Of course this date, as compared with other townships, is quite modern, the townships on three sides of it having been settled already twenty years or more. Some of these had been early settlers in other parts of the county, and were, therefore, pioneers in every sense of the word. Some of them have been of more than ordinary importance, and deserve more than a mere mention.

Horace Griswold is an example of a self-made man, and every incident related of him but tends to show the strong will and persistence underlying his character which have made him successful. He came out here in 1840, and worked at his trade - that of shoemaker - -in Paris for a time. Then he removed to Grand A iew, continuing to peg away at the same business, as though it was his all. At last he had accumulated some means, and he made a little venture in real estate in this township. This proved successful, and he con¬ tinued to add acre to acre until he now owns nearly a section. An instance of his ability to accomplish large results by simple means is given in a trip which he once made to Connecticut from this place. The distance traveled was 1,040 miles, and the whole trip was accomplished on horseback in twenty-six days, or at an average of about forty miles a day. Where is the young man in Edgar County now who would undertake such a trip to see his mother, or even as a matter of business ." He says he has ridden over the road from his farm to Dudley, a distance of one and a half miles, after his meals, enough to complete the circuit of the earth one and a half times. It is said of

Andrew Lycan, who died in Paris Township, a few years ago, was a car¬ penter. He is remembered to have built, for George Redmon, the first frame house in Paris Township outside of the city. He was for a great number of years, much interested in the County Agricultural Society, and his name will be found often on its records.

Mr. Culbertson has also been a prominent patron of the society, and is noted as a fine stock-raiser. He still resides in the township near May's Station.

Uriah Colier and Jacob Hinds came from Indiana, and settled in the south part of the township. They are good farmers, and have both made money by industry and economy. They are brothers- in-law.

William Titchenor was a man of more than ordinary ability. He was a preacher in the Christian Church. He was also somewhat of a politician, and was elected from this district to a seat in the State Senate, in which office he gave good satisfaction. He removed from here to California about twenty-five years ago, and is, consequently, scarcely remembered, except by the older resi¬ dents of the county.

Simpson R. Metcalf was in the Mexican war, and settled here on his return from there. He lived here about ten years. He has since removed to Douglas County.

Emanuel Myers is what is known as a a good, honest Dutchman." Mr. Myers, by that industry and economy peculiar to the Teutons, has accumulated a good property. He has filled several prominent offices in the township, and has discharged their duties creditably.

By the year 1857, when this township was organized, among those who had also settled on the prairie are remembered Dr. J. M. Boyles, Burt Hol¬ comb, William M. Snyder, John J. Perisho, Moses Burnet, Stephen Trogdon, Elias Morris, W. H. Barnhill, Adam Stewart, Madison and John Clinton, Richard Stanley, William Cline, James Yance, Thomas Marks and H. Breeding.

At that time, the township yet presented a rather wild appearance ; and wonderful changes have come to it since then. There were as yet but few roads and few fences, and the township was but just beginning to show signs of life, indicating that it might sometime take rank in population and wealth with other portions of the county. In places, there were yet sections of land covered only by the tall prairie grass, through which the snakes wriggled, and -in which the prairie-hens hid almost unmolested. A sight which, to those living here now for only a few years would be interesting and novel, was often wit¬ nessed. Sometimes the lighting of a pipe among the dry grass, in the autumn or early spring, caused a scene which rivaled in grandeur the one said to have been originated by Mrs. O'Leary's cow in Chicago, in 1871. Throwing his half-burnt match aside, the smoker would unconsciously kindle a blaze from which he had to run for his life. If the wind were blowing, great sheets of flame would be carried forward, like the angry waves of the ocean, to envelop all that came in its way in fire. The path of the conflagration, too, would widen as it progressed, and animals, snakes, and even birds, stood a good chance of being broiled alive. To prevent these fires from communicating to houses and grain-stacks, it was customary to plow a number of furrows around the plat which it was desirable to protect, and then, on a calm day, burn the grass that lay within the inclosure. Even this precaution sometimes failed, as a strong wind would often project the flame many feet, landing it clear of the already-burnt area, and communicating it to the stacks of grain or hay.

The prairie may be said to have been literally full of snakes, among which was the deadly rattlesnake. In plowing the prairie for the first time, each furrow made would drive the reptiles nearer and nearer together, as the furrows from either side approached each other. Near the last, when the unplowed had become a narrow strip, the gi*ass seemed to be moving with the wriggling things. Most of the prairie snakes were harmless, but the rattlesnake was greatly feared on account of its venom. But few, however, among the large number who have felt the poisonous fangs of this reptile were fatally injured. A true homeopathic remedy, " similia similibus curantur ,' was discovered, and applied with perfect effect. This was nothing more nor less than a production of the prairie, where the venomous reptile was found, and which had been introduced and largely manufactured by one Marrs, of Edgar Township. To fill the patient's hide full of sod-corn whisky, then, was this noble remedy ; and the poison in the one seemed to neutralize the other. As soon as the patient began to feel the bite of the wliiskv more than that of the snake, he was considered out of danger. There is a coincidence, here, between this remedy and the illusion of the victim of drink when he imagines that he has " snakes in his boots," which we have not time to stop and investigate, but which we leave for our readers to reflect upon.

Organization

The following is an exact transcript of the first township record made after the township had been set off by the County Commissioners, and explains itself better than anything we can say :

" Pursuant to public notice, the electors of Pilot Grove Township met at the Buckler Schoolhouse, in said township, on the 7th of April, 1857, adopted township organization and elected the following officers : W. H. Barn¬ hill, Supervisor ; Adam Stewart, Assessor ; Jacob Zimmerly, Clerk ; Richard Stanley, Collector ; Simpson R. Metcalf, Overseer of the Poor ; J. M. Boyles, William Cline and James Vance, Commissioners of Highways; Thomas Marks and William Snyder, Justices of the Peace ; David Lynch and William Buck¬ ler, Constables; H. Breeding, Emanuel Myers and Uriah Colier, Overseers of Highways."

It will be noticed that, in the above record, the name "Pilot Grove" is used. At the first session of the Board of Supervisors after this election, the name was changed to Buck, it having been discovered that another township in the State bore the name of "Pilot Grove." At this time, the officers of the township are : John Rhoads, Supervisor ; Charles W. Curl, Clerk ; Edward Stepp, Assessor, and S. B. Mays, Collector. At present, the number of voters in the township is about one hundred and forty, and the population is near seven hundred.

Village Of Mays

This is simply a station on the Paris & Decatur Railroad, situated near the eastern part of the township. It contains a store, post office and a few dwellings.

And now, to our readers, especially the old settlers, with whom we have had 30 many pleasant chats, we are about to say good by. Our short acquaintance has been so pleasant that, in leaving you we feel great regret that our inter¬ course has thus suddenly terminated. But a few more short years, and you and we will join the ranks of the other old pioneers who have crossed the waters to a newer and better country, and there we will renew this acquaint¬ ance, and perhaps again converse upon the scenes and incidents of this life, as we have upon the earthly past.

The following poem, written by Eugene J. Hall, is so applicable to the experience of nearly every old settler that we are sure they will thank us for introducing it, and will read it with the same pleasure with which it has been * read by us :

The House On The Hill

From the weather-worn house to their heavenly home, Where they wait, where they watch, and will welcome us still. As they waited and watched in the house on the hill.

Town And City Lots

THOMAS J. ADAMS, farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. O. Mays ; was born in Edgar Co., Ill., June 12, 1839 ; during his early life, the chances for an education were very few, compared to the present, but by home study, close observation and experience, has acquired a good business education. Was married May 31, 1857, to Miss Isa¬ bella E. Scroggs ; about this date they moved to Henry Co., Mo., his father going with him, he and his father living together one year ; then Mr. Adams started in bus¬ iness for himself, at farming, with no assistance from his father ; this he followed for two years, and then moved back to Edgar Co. ; here he has since lived, and by close economy and industry, has accu¬ mulated a fine property, owning a farm of 160 acres, valued at $75 per acre; he has a family of seven - Mary B., Geo. W., Jennette, Thomas W., Dora E., James B. aud Charles F. Mr. Adams has seen many of the changes take place from a wild prairie country to a thickly-settled and thriving county, being but now in the prime of life ; is known as y>ne among the better class of citizens of Edgar Co.

WILLIS BRINKERHOFF, farmer, P. O. Redmon ; was born Sept. 9, 1853; is a native of Edgar Co., Grand View being his native township ; lived there with his father until 1875; then came to his present residence. Was mar¬ ried Oct. 7, 1875, to Miss Araminta M. Hanna, of Edgar Co. Has a good commonschool education ; began business for him¬ self in 1875, at farming, which business he has since followed ; he is still a young man, full of life and ambition, stands well in the community, and bids fair to become one among the leading farmers of Edgar Co., being honest, intelligent and indus¬ trious.

M. V. BARR, farmer and grain-buyer; P. 0. Redmon ; is a native of Edgar Co. ; born in Grand View Tp. Aug. 16, 1846 ; during his early life he, with some assist¬ ance from his father, but mostly by his own efforts, accumulated enough money so that at the age of 17 he went to the State University at Bloomington, Ind., and took a regular college course ; here he improved his opportunities and acquired a good edu¬ cation, which he has many times seen the advantage of. Was married July 25, 1867, to Miss Sarah E. Bishop, of Franklin Co., Ind. ; they have five children - two boys and three girls. Mr. Barr began business for himself in Grand View Tp., at the age of 21, as a farmer during the summer, and at school-teaching during the winter months ; this business he followed for about seven years ; moved to Buck Tp. in 1871 ; taught two terms of school, and was then elected Tax Collector of Buck Tp., which position he held for two years ; was then elected Justice of the Peace, which office he has filled with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of the community ; has always done his part toward forwarding any enterprise that he considered for the public good. He has 120 acres of first-class land, valued at about $50 per acre. Mr. Barr is still a young man, stands well in the community, and is known as one among the better and more prominent class of citizens of Edgar

CHARLES W. CURL, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Mays; was born May 2, 1845, in Union Co., Ohio; lived there until 10 years of age ; then came to Ed¬ gar Co. At the age of 17, he enlisted in Co. G, 70th I. V. I.; served his country four months, having enlisted for but three ; received an honorable discharge from the proper authority. Mr. Curl has a good education, having had the advantage of fine schools, and in educating his children goes upon the principle of go to school or go to work. Was married May 23, 1866, to Miss Mary E. Coughanowr, of Lebanon, Ohio ; has two children - Jerrie W. and Mabel H. He began business for himself at the age of 21, at farming ; had but little assistance from his father, but by energy, perseverance and good management, he now owns a farm of 1441 acres, valued at about $75 per acre. Mr. Curl is still a young man, in the prime of life, owning by his own efforts a fine property and a nice home ; is already known as one among the better class and more prominent men of Edgar Co.

W. G. CULBERTSON, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Mays Station ; was born in Kentucky Fleming Co., Aug. 22, 1817 ; lived there until the age of 10, with his parents ; at this early age, he began business for him¬ self; traveled over most of the States, and finally settled in Edgar Co. Was married in September, 1848, to Miss Nancy Ledg¬ er wood, of Sullivan Co., Ind., she being the mother of his present family of children ; she passed away in October, 1873 ; he has since married Miss Rachel Patton, of Paris, Ill. During his early life, the chances for an education were few ; never attended a school after he was 10 years old ; but by energy, perseverance and a firm will to succeed, he has acquired a good business education and a farm of 640 acres, valued at $80 per acre ; he is the oldest living pioneer of Buck Tp., commencing here without a dollar, and now has as fine a farm and farm residence as are in the county ; has a family of six children - William J., Daisy, Annie B., Edward, Florence and Samuel, all of whom are still living with their parents at home.

JOHN CRYDER, farmer and stockraiser, Sec. 12 ; P. O. Redmon ; was born Feb. 24, 1834, in Franklin Co., Ohio ; lived there until 1861 ; then came to Edgar Co., where he has since lived; has a good education ; began business for himself at the age of 20, at farming ; has followed this since, with the exception of spending about two years at Ohio Peniten¬ tiary as a guard. Was married Feb. 4, 1857, to Miss Rebecca Cryder, of Frank¬ lin Co., Ohio ; she died Nov. 20, 1876, leaving a family of ten children - Adell, Levi, Mattie, Elizabeth, Martha, Henry,

Biographical Sketches

James, Lillie, Minnie and John, all at present living with their father. Mr. Cryder began business for himself with no assistance from his father, but by hard work, economy and a firm determination to succeed, he has accumulated a property of 320 acres of as fine land as there is in Edgar Co., which he values at about $50 per acre; Mr. Cryder is known as one among the substantial men of the county, having done his share toward making Ed¬ gar rank one among the first counties of the State of Illinois.

FRANK COLWELL, farmer and stockraiser, Sec. 35; P. 0. Paris; is a native Orange Co., N. Y. ; was born Oct. 17, 1833 ; lived at his birthplace until the age of 10, his parents then moving to Broome Co., N. Y. ; here he remained until he was about 24, then spent one year in Marion Co., Ohio, and then came to Edgar Co., where he has since lived. Was married in June, 1870, to Mrs. Sarah J. Trogdon, of Edgar Co. ; they have one boy - William H. He began business for himself at the age of 17 ; now has a farm of 644 acres of first-class land, valued at about $50 per acre. Mr. Colwell has been in the county about fifteen years ; though not one of the pioneers, he is already esteemed by many friends, and is known as one of the solid, substantial men of Edgar Co.

GEORGE M. CLINTON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 36 ; P. O. Paris ; is of English and Scotch descent ; was born in Kentucky Sept. 30, 1842, in Garrard Co. ; went with his parents, at the age of 5, to j Fannin Co., Texas; lived there about one and a half years; his father came to Edgar Co., and entered land on Section 36; this was in 1849; he acquired his education mostly by home study, hav¬ ing had but little opportunity of attending school until he was 20 years of age. Was married Dec. 17, 1861, to Miss Phebe S. Boyd, of Edgar Co., Ill. ; they have two children - Frankie B. and George B. Mr. Clinton began business for himself when 17, his father having died when he was 14 ; began at iarming ; followed this until 1863. Enlisted in 66th I. Y. I., Co. G; remained in the service until the close of the war ; received an honorable discharge from the proper authority. Followed farm¬ ing two years after close of the war ; then did a grocery business in Kansas, Edgar ,

Co. ; then followed plastering about five years in Paris; then, in 1878, located on his farm. He began a poor boy, and now, by honesty, industry and perseverance, has accumulated a good property, having a farm of eighty acres and considerable prop¬ erty in Paris, in all valued at about $10,000. He is still a young man, full of life and energy, and known as one among the solid men of the county.

URIAH COLLIER, farmer and stockraiser ; P. O. Conlogue ; is a native of Washington Co., Ind. ; is of Scotch and Irish ancestry ; was born Dec. 25, 1825 \ has a common-school education, which he gained principally by home study. Was married March 2, 1843, to Miss Matilda Hinds, of his native county. About this date, he began farming for himself, which business he has siuce followed ; he had no assistance in beginning business for him¬ self, but, by good management, hard work and economy, he has accumulated a fine property of 385 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Collier came to the county in an early day ; has seen and helped to make the change from a wild tract of country to a county ranking one among the best of Illinois; he is a pleasant, congenial man, full of life and activity, and known as one of the better class and more prominent cit¬ izens of Edgar Co.

DAVID B. FITTS, retired farmer ; P. O. Redmon ; now a resident of Redmon, Ill.; is of Scotch parentage ; was born March 27, 1821, in Springfield, Mass.; came to Ohio with his parents at the ago of 10; lived there until 1854; then came to Clark Co., Ill.; lived there about nine years, and then came to Edgar, where he has since lived. Was married Nov. 11, 1846, to Miss Rebecca L. Gib¬ son, of Pennsylvania ; she dying Sept. 2, 1858 ; has three children living by this marriage ; was married again April 4, 1859, to Mrs. C. Horton, of Edgar Co. ; she having come to this county in 1829 ; being among the oldest pioneers of the county. Mr. Fitts has a good education, having had the advantages of attending the free schools of Connecticut. He began business for himself at the age of 21 ; going into partnership with his father in manufacture of woolen goods, in Trum¬ bull Co., Ohio ; followed this business for about twelve years ; then began bis life as a farmer; Mrs. Fitts at the time of their marriage having a farm of 300 acres, par¬ tially improved ; Mr. Fitts has since added to it, now they have a farm of 350 acres, valued at $60 per acre ; has also a good property in the town of Redmon. Mr. Fitts is one of the substantial men of the county and known as one among the better class of citizens.

H. B. GRISWOLD, farmer and stockraiser; Sec. 10; P. O. Dudley; the subject of this sketch is a native of Litchfield Co., Conn. ; his ancestors were among the first settlers of that State ; he served an apprenticeship at shoemaking while quite young, finishing the trade at 19 ; during the time of learning his trade, he gained most of his education by home study ; by close observation and experi¬ ence he has a good practical education ; followed his trade until 1851 ; then made farming his principal business, which he has since followed ; he has made several trips back and forth from his native place to Illinois. In 1840, he rode, on horse¬ back, from Grand View, Edgar Co., to Litchfield, Conn., a distance of about one thousand and forty miles, making the journey in twenty-six days ; he began life for himself with no assistance from his father ; located permanently in Edgar Co. in 1838, being one of the old pioneers ; he has seen and helped to make many of the changes from a wild prairie to a thickly- settled and thriving county ; has 320 acres of first-class land, valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Gris¬ wold is now 65 years old, pleasant, con¬ genial, full of life and activity; is es¬ teemed by his neighbors and acquaint¬ ances and known as one of the solid, sub¬ stantial men of Edgar Co.

WM. S. HEAZELTINE, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Paris ; was born Feb. 16, 1819, in Hamilton Co., Ohio; lived at his birthplace until 13 years of age, his parents moving to Butler Co., Ohio ; lived there until 1869; then came to Edgar Co., Ill., where he has since lived ; at the age of 16, he was unfortunate enough to receive quite a serious cut on the arm, causing lock-jaw for six weeks; this dis¬ abled him so much for work that his father allowed him to attend school for five months ; this being about the only oppor-

| tunity he had of getting any education ; he began business for himself at the age of 21 with no assistance from his father. Was married Feb. 18, 1840, to Miss Lydia Williams, of Butler Co., Ohio; they have three children - John S., Martha A. (now Mrs. S. Lycan), and Amanda J. Mr. Heazeltine is one of the self-made, sub¬ stantial men of the county, owning now 240 acres of fine land, valued at about $75 per acre ; has also given his son eighty acres of about same quality ; has been an industrious and enterprising man, and now can look back with satisfaction upon his efforts to accumulate a sufficient property for his old age.

JACOB HENN, farmer and stock dealer, Sec. 34 ; P. O. Redmon ; is a na¬ tive of Byron, Germany ; came to the United States in 1851 ; lived in Stark Co., Ohio, for two years; removed to Clark Co., Ill., where he remained three years, working at his trade of blacksmithing ; then came to Edgar Co., where he has since lived. Was married in Massillon, Ohio, in 1853, to Miss Barbara Gipe, of his native place ; two boys dead, six liv¬ ing - John H., Philip, William, Ja¬ cob, Louis A. and Charlie. He had no opportunities of getting an education, but by observation and experience, he has be¬ come thoroughly posted in all transactions of business, doing the largest blooded-stock business in Edgar Co.; began business for himself a poor boy, and by hard work and good management he has become one of the most prominent stock dealers of the county. Has 400 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at $75 per acre.

JOHN HENN, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. O. Redmon; was born March 12, 1833, in Byron, Germany ; lived there until 18 years old ; came to Stark Co., Ohio ; lived there about four years ; then moved to Ed¬ gar Co., Ill., where he has since lived ; has a fair education. Was married March 12, 1860, to Mrs. C. Murphy, of Edgar Co.; they have a family of five children - Mary E., Susan C., William H., Elizabeth S. and Ida. Mr. Henn began life a poor boy, but by honesty, perseverance and economy has accumulated a property of 100 acres, valued at $55 per acre; he is one of the old pioneers of Edgar Co., hav¬ ing settled there when the country was new, and was obliged to endure the hardships in-

'JACOB HINDS, farmer and stock¬ breeder, Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Dudley ; was born ir. Washington Co., Ind., March 30, 1828 ; lived there until he was 21 ; has a good common-school education. Was married Feb. 19, 1850, to Miss Susan Markland, of his native county ; they have a family of six children, four boys aud two girls. Mr. Hinds has now in Douglas Co. 206 acres aud in Edgar Co. 275 acres of land, valued at about $50 per acre ; he came to Edgar Co. when the country was new ; was obliged to pass through the troubles and trials incident to pioneer life ; at the time of his settling at his present home, he was almost alone on what is called Grand Prairie ; was obliged to pen his sheep at night to keep them from the wolves ; he has remained upon his old farm, and by industry, economy and good man¬ agement, has a fine property and a nice home, esteemed by neighbors and friends, and known as one of the solid, substantial men of Edgar Co.

JOHN JUMP, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15; P. O. Redmon ; is of English ancestry, his great-grandfather coming from England, and settled in Maryland, his father being a native of that State, also; Mr. J. is a native of Marion Co., Ohio; was born March 16, 1835; came to Edgar Co. in 1852. Was married March 8, 1860, to Miss P. A. Morris, of Rush Co., Ind. ; they have two children - Susan E. and Willie E. His chances of getting an education were very poor, but, by home study and good observation, he has a fair education. During his residence in Buck Tp., he has been elected to the office of Township Collector for several terms. He began business for himself at farming at the age of 21 ; has since followed this business; had no material assistance from his father, but, by hard work, economy and good management, he now has a farm of 120 acres of first-class land, valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Jump is a pleas¬ ant, congenial gentleman, well respected by many friends, and known as one among the better class of citizens of Edgar Co.

place to Edgar Co., Ill., in 1860 ; during his early life, he had no chances for getting an education ; at the age of 21, he began business for himself as a farmer ; followed this business in Ohio for nineteen years, and then came to Edgar Co., Ill., and purchased his present farm. Was married in October, 1843, to Miss Mary Efford, of Hocking Co., Ohio ; she died March, 1848, leaving three children ; in 1850, he married Miss Caroline Judy, of Hocking Co., Ohio, by whom he has nine children, his family now consisting of Samuel, George, Mary, John, Susan, William, Simon, Isabella, Jacob, Bruce, Edward, Sarah and Annie. When Mr. Lindsay came to Edgar Co., the greater portion of the county was wild land ; but he and the rest of the pioneers, have made the county one among the first of the State of Illinois ; by close economy and hard work, he now owns eighty acres of tine land, valued at about $75 per acre. He is now known as one among the steady, straightforward men of the county, ,

W. B. LILLEY, farmer ; P. 6. Red¬ mon ; is a native of Virginia, as were also his ancestors for several generations before him, being originally from England and Ireland ; was born March 13, 1806, in Augusta Co. ; lived in Virginia until 1826, then came to Ohio ; lived there until 1863, then came to Edgar Co., having en¬ tered the east half of Section 14 in 1852 ; though not a regular resident of the county until the last fifteen years, he still may be called one of the early settlers ; during his life-time, has traveled over almost every State in the Union. Has taken quite an active part in political affairs, and has always been very much opposed to the liquor traffic. Was married May 15, 1838, to Julia E. Graham, of Wayne Co., Ohio, she dying Oct. 19, 1865, leaving seven children, four boys and three girls. Began business for himself at the age of 20, at farming ; had no material assistance from his father, but, by his own efforts, he has accumulated a property of 160 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at about $65 per acre. Mr. Lilley is now 72 years old ; has passed a life full of stirring events ; can look back upon his efforts to secure a fair share of property, with satisfac¬ tion, knowing that he has a competency to last his life-time ; he is now known as one of the solid, substantial men of Buck Tp.

WILLIAM M. MAYS, farmer and stock-grower ; P. 0. Mays ; was born Feb. 19, 1825, in Carroll Co., Ohio ; lived there until the age of 15 ; was brought to Ed¬ gar Co., 111., by his parents in 1839, where he has since lived ; he received a fair com¬ mon-school education, and by close obser¬ vation and experience is capable of transact¬ ing all business pertaining to farming, stock-raising, etc. He began business for himself at 22 years of age, as a bricklayer and plasterer ; followed this business about ten years, and then began farming. Was married in February, 1848, to Miss Cath¬ arine A. Henderson, of Washington, 1). C. ; they have a family of nine - John H., Samuel B., Thomas J., James R., William H., Charles E., Mary C., Martha E. and Alice J. Mr. Mays began life with no assistance from his father, but, with a stout heart and willing hands, coupled with econ- ' omy and perseverance, he has accumulated a property of 280 acres of as fine land as there is in Edgar Co., valued at $80 per acre ; he is one of the old pioneers that has seen and helped make the change from a wild prairie country to a county that is | ranked one among the first of the State of Illinois, and is known himself as one among the wealthy and better class of cit- I izens of the county.

EMANUEL MEYERS, farmer and stock dealer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Redmon ; is a native of Lancaster Co., Penn. ; was born Sept. 18, 1826 ; lived at his birthplace j until he was 18 ; came to Indiana and stayed two years ; went back to Pennsyl¬ vania and remained one year, and then came and located permanently in Edgar Co. Was married Dec. 11, 1852, to Miss Mary Heisay, of Dauphin Co., Penn. ; they have a family of eight children - four boys and four girls ; has a good commonschool education ; began business for him- j self when he was 18 ; commenced work on a farm at $4 per month ; now has a prop¬ erty of 455 acres of first-class land, well improved, and fine buildings; land is valued at about $75 per acre. Mr. Meyers, has seen and helped to make the improve¬ ments in the county ; is well respected and known as one of the more prominent class of farmers in Edgar Co.

Madison Co., Ky., came to Edgar Co., Ill., in 1833 ; was one of the old pioneers of the county ; did much to improve it ; at one time, he owned and cultivated several farms. Was married Dec. 11, 1827, to Miss Louisa Bragg, of Virginia. ; they had seven children - two boys and five girls. Mr. Pitcher was a man of energy and perseverance, at the time of his death leaving 201 acres of first-class land, well improved. Mrs. Pitcher is now 72 years old, a very active and pleasant lady ; she can look back with satisfaction upon her efforts to provide for old age and to bring up her family honorably and honest.