Capital Township

Capital Township

The village of Cantrall is an outgrowth of the Springfield & Northwestern Railroad, and was laid out on its completion to that point, its plat being recorded under date of October, 1872. Joseph Cantrall, Oliver Canterbury, W. H. H. Holland, Thomas Glasscock, Thomas Claypool, B. F. Holland, John T. Canterbury, and James M. Sewell were the original proprietors, in whose names the plat was recorded. It embraced the whole of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter, part of the west half of the north part of the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter, the south part of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter, and the southeast part of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section eight; also the southwest part of the northwest quartei", and part of the west half of the southwest quarter of section nine, township seventeen, range five.

The village is pleasantly situated, but its proximity to Springfield has tended to prevent its growth to any great extent. It has now two church edifices, a school house, four business houses, and a number of dwelling houses.

Village Op Sherman

The extension of the Springfield & Alton, now the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, from Springfield to Chicago, caused a number of villages to spring into existance, among the number being that of Sherman, so named in honor of Mr. Sherman, of Sangamon county. The village w^as platted in September, 1858, and comprised the north part of the east half of the southeast quarter of section twenty-five, township seventeen, range five.

The history of Fancy Creek township is continued by short biographical mention of a large number of the best known residents, including their ancestors, many of whom have passed away.

JIar7no7ias AlMre, farmer, post office, Sherman, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 180-i, son of Adam and Margaret (Hornbeck) Alkire. By their marriage there were eleven children, six sons and five daughters, viz: Michael, Samuel, John, David, Adam, Harraonas, Betsy, Dolly, Sarah, Margaret, Judy; mother died in 1812, and Adam married Miss Barbara Cherry, by whom he had three children, Lydia, Simon and Isaac; father moved to Ohio where he died. Harmonas left Ohio in 1828, and went to Indiana and remained one year, when he came to Springfield, where he married Miss Martha M. McLemore, and then returned to Indiana, where he remained until 1832, when he moved to Fancy Creek township, where he has followed farming since. Mr. and Mrs. Alkire were parents to fifteen children, nine of whom are living, viz: Mary, James Y., Daniel, William, Albert, Margaret, Caroline, Percilla and Martha. Mr. Alkire has been identified with the county nearly fifty years, and has lived on the same place; has seen the county from its infancy to one of the finest counties in the State. Mr. Alkire has been one of the large farmers of the county, owning twelve hundred acres of land, which he has distributed among his children. The family are members of the M. E. Church. Benjamin Bancroft^ post oftice, Cantrali, section nineteen; was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, March 3, 1821. Son of Isaac Bancroft, who was born April 29, 17*76, and Mercy Coburn who was born March 12, 1781. Native of Massachusetts, where they were married March 5, 1799, when two children was born, Mercy and Betsy. In 1803, his parents emigrated to St. Lawrence county. New York, being the first man that paid for his land in the county, where ten children were born, Jonathan C, Prudence, Lucinda, Alma S., Isaac, Joseph, Timothy, Benjamin and Harmon H., all of which lived to be men and women, with the exception of one, who died in infancy. In 1839, left his home in St. Lawrence county, New York, coming through with teams and making the trip in six weeks, and located in Springfield, where they remained until 1844, when he died. Previous to his death he purchased the land where Benjamin now resides. Mother oied February 10, 1868. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and recived a common school education. He spent two years in Plattville, Wisconsin, where he saved money enough to purchase seventy acres of land. September 19, 1854, married Miss Elizabeth C. Cass, daughter of John Cass, of Ohio, who was born March, 1830. There were five children, two of whom are living, Martha L., Edward T., Maggie, Lucinda C, one of which died in infancy, Edward and Lucinda, of which are living. Mrs. Bancroft died February 3, 187 1. Has one hundred and sixty acres of land valued at $50 per acre. Raises forty acres of corn, fifteen acres of wheat, turns ofl" twenty head of hogs. In politics is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Michael JBarry, farmer, post ofl&'-e, Springfield, was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1843, son of Michael and Honnorah Barry, who came to this country in 1845, and located at St. Louis, where they remained a couple of years; thence to Alton and to Springfield, coming over the Alton Railroad - the first train that ever came over the road. His father died some years since; mother is still living, in Springfield.

The subject of this sketch married Miss Honnorah Couners; she was born in Ireland, in 1845. There are two children - Catharine and William. Has one hundred and seventy-one acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $40 per acre; raises forty-five acres of corn, thirty-five acres of wheat, turns off fortyfive head of hogs, ten of stock, four horses and two mules. Mr. Barry came to the county a poor boy, commenced at the lower round of the ladder, and by hard work and good judgment has accumulated a fine property and home.

Captain John T. Canterbu7y, retired, Cantrali, Fancy Creek township, Illinois, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, on the 27th day of August, 1819; son of Asa and Margaret (Hornback) Canterbury; father a native of Virginia and mother of Kentucky. They were married in Ohio, but commenced their early life in Kentucky, where seven children were born: Isaac, Maria, Carlisle H., Valentine, John, Eliza J., Oliver P. In 1826, his father left his home in Kentucky for the Sangamo country, arriving in the fall, in a wagon and a five-horse team, and located in Fancy Creek township, one mile west of Cantrali, where he entered land and built himself a story and a half log cabin, being one of the finest strnctures on the prairies at that time, where he remained until his death, which occurred October 16, 1856; mother died July 8, 1857. There were four children born in Fancy Creek, as follows: Martha, Margaret, Julia and Abraham Mr. and Mrs. C. were members of the Christian Church, and took an active interest in building it up. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, receiving a limited education. February 22, 1842, married Miss Maranda Brittain. She was born in Fancy Creek township December 12, 1823. By this union there were six children, four of whom are living: John, born March 24, 1843, died March 10, 1864; Asa M., born November 15, 1844; Mary J., born August 1, 1846; Margaret A., born January 10, 1849; Evans E., born August 10, 1851; Wm. II., born September 7, 1853, and died in infancy. Captain C. was commissioned as Captain under Governor Ford. Mrs. Maranda M. died in 1853. He afterwards married Harriet E. Perkins. She was born in 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Canterbury are members of the Christian Church, at Cantrall. Mr. C. has been identified with the councy nearly all his life; has seen it from its wild and uncultivated state, to one of the finest countries in the world; came here a poor boy, but by hard work and fair dealing has made a comfortable property and home; has two hundred and forty-five acres of land, valued at $65 per acre; raises fifty acres of corn and fifty acres of wheat. Pie is one of the staunch Republicans of the county.

Oliver P. Canterbury, farmer and stock raiser, Fancy Creek township, post oi33ce, Cantrall, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, July 21, 1824. He came to this county with his parents when two years of age, where he was raised on a farm. March 9, 1848, he married Miss Elizabeth Council, a daughter of William Council, a native of North Carolina, who came to Sangamon county, and located north of Springfield, in 1821 . She was born in Sangamon county, April 3, 1830. The fruits of this marriage was eleven children, Mary E., born April 10, 1849; Margaret J., born June 14, 1850; Maria, born September 17, 1852; Malissa, born October 12, 1856; Carlisle E., born October 10, 1858, died in infancy; John H., born in 1860; Annie F., born June 4, 1862; Etta J., born July 5, 1864; Wm. R., born July 15, 1868; Nellie, born October 4, 1871; Mertie, born October 31, 1873. Mr. Canterbury is extensively engaged in farming, has thirteen hundred acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $60 per acre, on which he raises six hundred acres of corn, three hundred acres of wheat, turns off fifty head of hogs, yeai'ly. Mr. Canterbury came to this county a poor boy, but by hard work and good management has accumulated a fine property and home and is one of the large and well-to-do farmers of the county. He is at present engaged in the mercantile business in Cantrall, in company with his son-in-law, William Vandergrift, where they carry a general stock. Mr. C. in politics is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Christian Church at Cantrall, Illinois.

G., and Deborah (Mitts) Cantrall, natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Owensville, Bath county, Kentucky, where they were married and where one child was born - Doratha. In the year 1805-6, he moved to Ohio, where there were nine children born, viz: Ann, Elizabeth, Joshua M., Thirza, Adam M., Deborah, Mahala, Susannah, William M.

In 1824, he came to Sangamon county, Illinois, and located in Fancy Creek township, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres ot land, built a log cabin, sixteen by eighteen, where there was a family of twelve persons lived. After coming to the county, two children were born, Maranda and Andrew J. Mr. William G. Cantrall died March 6, 1868; mother died in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Cantrall were members of the Christian Church. He held several local oflices of trust; was one of the county commissioners at the time the State government was moved from Vandalia. The subject of this sketch married Sarah Cantrall, a daughter of Zebulon Cantrall, of Clark county, Ohio, where she was born March 14, 1812. The fruits of this marriage were ten children, viz: Zebulon G., William G., Matilda, Isaac, Jacob M., Joshua G., Mahala E., now Mrs. Geo. W. Baily; SaVah, George A.; four of which are living. Mr. Cantrall came to the county a young man, and has been identified with Sangamon county over a half century, and has seen the wild and uncultivated prairies, broke and brought under a high state of cultivation; has lived on the same farm over forty-six years. Mr. C. owned a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of land which he has distributed among his children. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Christian Church.

Samuel Carpenter, farmer, post office, Sherman, was born in Fancy Creek, Sangamon county, on the 12th day of November, 1824, son of William and Margaret Carpenter, who emigrated to the county in 1819. The subject of this sketch married Miss Ellen M. J. Kerns, daughter of Abner and Sarah A. Kerns, of Ohio, where she was born April 1, 1827. She died March 16, 1853. He again married Martha J. Black, daughter of Rev. Daniel and Diana Short, of Ohio. She was born September 25, 1831. She died July 17, 1873, leaving a family of six children, viz.: Annie S., now Mrs. F. P. Dunlap, born October 3, 1859; William D., born November 27, 1867; Carrie E., now the wife of James H. Reynolds, born October 10, 1863; Martha J., born February 25, 1866; Lena L., born October 23,1870; Mary M., born August 2, 1868. His present wife is Mary E. H. Meriweather, a widow of E. L. M. Johnson, by whom there was one child, Jennie H., born February 22, 1867. She died May 6, 1873. Mrs. C.was born in Springfield, Ohio, November 15, 1835, daughter of J. H. and Elizabeth J. (Hummel) Meriweather, who emigrated to Sangamon in 1838, where he embarked in general merchandising. He died October 15, 1863; mother died August 18, 1868.

Mr. Carpenter is one of the prominent farmers in the township; has nine hundred acres of land, six hundred and forty of which is under cultivation, valued at $50 per acre; raises one hundred and fifty acres of corn, twenty-five acres of wheat; turns out one hundred head of hogs and sixty head of cattle yearly. In politics, is a Democrat. He and family are members of the M. E. Church.

Thomas R. Clay pool, was born on a farm, in Champaign county, Ohio, February 19, 1826. His jDarents moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, and settled in Athens precinct, when he was eighteen months old. He remained here on a farm with his father until 1857, when he struck out for himself. He went to Menard county, Illinois, and improved a farm three miles north of Sweetwater, where he remained eight years, when he sold out and returned to Sangamon county and settled on the farm where he now lives, just north of Cantrall. He was married to Miss Fannie Holland, October 8, 1854. She was born in Sangamon county. She was a daughter of Turner Holland, and Nancy Cantrall. They were both members of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Claypool have had six children, five living, viz: Ida M., now Mrs. Van Meter, residing in Fancy Creek; Clara B., Levi B., Chloe, and Fred. Charley H. Claypool died in infancy. The father of Thomas R., Levi Claypool, was born in Greenbriar county, Virginia. He was a farmer, and died in February, 1867. His wife, Melinda Rollins, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky. She and husband were both members of the M. E. Church. She is still living at Athens, Menard county, Illinois. The subject of this sketch, Mr. T. R. Claypool, has a farm of four hundred and forty acres in Cantrall township, all under good cultivation and well stocked, growing grain, and raises stock for the market. In politics he is a strong supporter of the Republican party, and cast his first vote in 1847, for a Whig President.

John S. Council, farmer and stock raiser, post ofiice, Sherman, was born in Sangamon county, on the 19th day of May, 1822. Son of Hardy, born September 20, 1793, near Tarboro,

North Carolina, was taken by his parents to Tennessee, thence to Barren county, Kentucky, and thence to White county, near Carmi, Illinois. He was married in 1818, to Jane Hanna, who was born February 25, 1795, in Kentucky. They moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving in August, 1819, in what is now Fancy Creek township, preceding his brother William two years. Mrs. Council carried a sack of wheat on the horse she rode besides many household implements. Mr. Council carried all he could in the way of tools and other articles necessary to farming. He commenced improvements by building a camp or rough cabin. He was unable to obtain a plow, but be ing anxious to raise some wheat for a beginning, he took a grubbing hoe or old fashioned mattock, and dug up about one acre and a half near the junction between the prairie and timber, and on the ground thus prepared sowed the wheat brought by his wife, and raised a good crop. When the land was surveyed and brought into market there was a line between his cabin and where he raised his crop of wlieat. He could only enter one piece, and he chose that with the house on it. The land where the wheat grew was entered by another person who never cultivated it, but allowed a growth of young cottonwood trees to start on it, which has made quite a grove that can be seen for several miles, many of the trees are more than two feet in diameter. Mr. Council came in company with Robert McClelland and they cut an ample supply of grass and stacked it for their horses and cattle. They knew nothing of the prairie fires, and before they were aware of the importance of protecting it, their hay was all burned. They kept their stock alive by cutting down elm trees so they could eat the buds. Mr. and Mrs. Council had seven children, two of which died in infancy. The living are as follows: John H., Wesley, William F., Robert and George. Robei't died September, 1881. Mr. Council came to the county a poor man but by hard work and good management accumulated a large property, owning 2,100 acres of land. Previous to his death he gave his land to his children. He died July 26, 1873. Mrs. Jane Council died March 30, 1863. The subject of this sketch was reared -s7 on a farm and received a common school educa- / 1 tion. Married Misa^^dna Lake, a daughter of Bayliss Lake. She was born on June 7, 1831. The fruits of this marriage is five children, four sons and one daughter, viz: James H., Charles F., George R., John W. and Annie F. Mr. Council is one of the large and extensive far- iners of the couuty, owning one thousand one hundred and forty acres of land, one thousand and eighty of which is under cultivation, and valued at -$65 per acre. IVIr. C. has been identified with the county all his life, and has seen it from its infancy to one of the best counties in the State. In politics he is a Republican.

Hardy F. M. Council, farmer, Fancy Creek township, was born in Fancy Creek township, on the place where he now resides, February 10, 1841. Son of William Council, who was born in Tarboro, North Carolina, October 1, 1790, and Mary Growes, of East Tennessee, born June 15, 1802. They were married in White county, Illinois, in 1819, where one child was born, and moved to Sangamon county in 1821, and located north of Springfield, and kept the ferry on the Sangamon river, near where Carpenter's mill now stands. There was a family of twelve children, nine of whom lived to be adults. Shortly after coming to the county, he bought a claim of Jack Cline, which had ten acres broke, and built a cabin, beginning at the lowest round of the ladder, worked up, until he had accumulated a fine property, where he remained until his death, which occurred July 8, 1846.

Mother viied January 95, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Council were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received academic school education. In 1870, married Miss Charity Ray, daughter of James and Susannah Ray, natives of Ohio, born January 22, 1849. There were three children, one of whom is living - Mary Frances, born November 9, 1879. In li62, enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After breaking camp at Springfield, they went to Memphis, where they remained a short time. He participated in the battle of Jackson, Miss., Vicksburg, Black River, second battle of Jackson, and was on all of the marches and fights of the regiment, with the exception of Guntown ; at that time was in the hospital at Memphis. Mustered out at Vicksburg and discharged and paid off at Springfield. Mr. Council has two hundred acres of land, one hundred and sixty under cultivation, valued at $75 per acre.

John Ray Dunlap, farmer, was born in Carter county, East Tennessee, on the 24tb day of April, 1821; son of John and Catharine (Tipton) Dnnlap, natives of Tennessee, where they were married and raised a family of nine children, viz: Isaic, Margaret, Sarah, Tennessee, Ruth, James T., Susannah, Mary Ann. In 1828, his parents emigrated to Sangamon county, and located in Fancy Creek township, whorp J. R. now resides; moved into a log cabin sixteen by eighteen feet, where they remained one winter, where one child was born, Edna M.

He entered land, and made a home and remained until his death, which occurred in 185G; mother died in 1857. They were members of the Baptist church. The subject of this sketch came to the county when seven years of age, and has lived on the same farm for fifty-three years. He married Miss Emily A. Brown; she was the daughter of James L. and Jane Brown, natives of Kentucky, and emigrated to Sangamon county, about 1824; she was born on May 12, 1824. The fruits of this marriage was ten children, eight of which are living, Almira, now the wife of Theodore Allen, of Missouri; James A., a practicing physician of Sullivan, Illinois; Robert, now a theological student, at Lexington, Kentucky; Franklin P., a farmer of Fancy Creek; Eliza Jane, now the wife of George D. Power, of Sangamon county; John, who is attending school at Bloomington; Clarence P., and Olive L., at home.

Mr. Dunlap has been identified with the county all his life, is one of the large and well-todo farmers of the county; has five hundred and forty acres of land, valueil at $60 per acre. Mr. Dunlap has held several locil offices of trust, having represented the township as supervisor two terms. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap are members of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

William L. England, M. D., Cantrall, Illinois, was born in Bath county, Kentucky on the first day of October, 1822, son of Jesse and Hannah (Mei'shon) England, father of English descent, and born in Virginia; mother a native of New Jersey, married about 1798 or 1799. There was a family of nine children all of which lived to be adults; Cornelius M., who died July IS, 1833; Martha, a wife of Charles Bailey, and located in Bath county, Kentucky; Nancy, wife of Martin Honaker, of Bath county, Kentucky; Cath arine, wife of P. B. Hord, of Carter county, Kentucky; Sarah, wife of Chas. W. Honaker, of Lewis county, Kentucky; Eliza, now Mrs. Dunlavy; Annie L., wife of Chas. N. Lewis, a representative of the State Senate, of Kentucky; Stephen J., of Kansas. Father was a farmer, who died in Carter county, Kentucky, October 12, 1859. The Doctor was reared on a farm, his mother, who Avas an intelligent woman and kept medical books to which the Doctor had access, got to reading and fitted himself. In 1843 and 1844, attended lectures at the Cincinnati Eclec- tic Medical College, where he graduated in 1844 with honors In March, 1851, married Miss Sarah R. Everman, she was born April 14, 1828. The fruits of this marriage was eight children, three of whom are living, Laura C, now Mrs. Geo. E. Williams; Annie L., and William L. Dr. England followed his profession in Kentucky for twenty years, when he came to Macoupin county, Illinois, where he remained three years, he thence went to Athens in Menard county, where he remained four years, when he came toCantrall, wherehe has remained since 1873. In politics he is a Democrat. He owns a residence and six lots in Cantrall, Illinois.

John Moore Fisk, farmer, post office, Cantrall, section nineteen, was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1822, son of Eli and Margaret (Moore) Fisk, natives of Tolland county, Connecticut, where they were married. They commenced their early life in Massachusetts, where one daughter was born - Esther L. In about 1817 or '18, they left Massachusetts, and emigrated to Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where the subject of this sketch was born, where they lived for some years, when they removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where another son was born - Eli C. - now of Mason county, Illinois. In 1835, came to what is now Mason county, Illinois, where he took up land and made a farm where he remained until his death, which occurred about 1862; mother died in 1859. In politics, he was an old line Whig. The subject of this sketch received a common school education. The country was sparsely settled, there being only seven votes polled in what is Mason county. On the 27th day of February, 1845, married Miss Sarah Ann McReynolds,of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, where she was born July 24, 1823. By this union there were seven children, six of whom are living - Lucinda F., now Mrs. A. M. Canterbery; Warren C, of St. Louis; Margaret J., Willis E., Esther E., who were born in Mason county, Illinois, and Elmer McReynolds, of this couLty. In March, 1865, moved to Sangamon county, and located on the place where he now resides; has two hundred and twenty acres of land valued at |50 per acre; raises fifty acres of corn, fifty acres of wheat, twelve acres of oats, and turns out forty head of hogs. Mr. Fisk has held several local offices of trust in the township; has represented the town in the board of supervisors. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Cornelius Flagg, farmer and railroad contractor, Fancy Creek township, was born in Oxford, Butler county, Ohio, on the 17th day of May, 1831, son of Abraham, who was born March 2, 1805, and Sarah Hoffman. She was born January 23, 1801, and was married October 11, 1823. There was a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters, viz. : Anne, William, Albert, Maria, Cornelius, Jacob, Sarah, Charlotte, and Ellen, who were born in Illinois. In 1841, he left his home in Ohio, with his family, coming through with teams, stopping at Moses Hoffman's, where he remained a portion of the winter. The following spring, moved to German Prairie, where he rented a farm, which his boy carried on, and himself working at his trade of blacksmithing, where they remained two years, when he moved to Rochester township, where they remained two years. He then moved to what was known as the Beck neighborhood, where they remained until 1850, when he purchased land in Williamsville, where he made a farm, and laid off a portion of it into what is now Williamsville, where he lived until his death, which occurred February 17, 1858; mother died April 24, 1872, The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received an elementary school education. October 8, 1860, married Miss Sarah Kerns, a daughter of Abner and Sarah E. W. Kerns, natives of Ohio, where she was born, December 8, 1828. By this union, there were five children, viz.: John B., born December 18, 1865, died August 26, 1866; Allie, born February 5, 1869; Kerns Abraham, born October 2, 1861; Franklin, born September 28, 1863; Sarah J., born January 80, 1867. Mrs. Flagg died March 14, 1874.

He again married Jane M. Kerns, a sister of his former wife. She was born in Ohio, August 1, 1838. Mr. Flagg has always been an active business man. In his early life, he embarked in farming, which he followed for some years without success, when he engaged in railroading, supplying the Chicago & Alton Railroad with ties, timbers, and wood between Pontiac and Alton, and afterwards followed up the road into Missouri.

Mr. Flagg has three hundred acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and valued at 111 5 per acre. He came to the county a poor boy, but by his own exertions has accumulated a fine property, and has one of the finest residences and best barns in the county. He owns, all together, about eight hundred acres of land in Fancy Creek, Williams and Salisbury townships. He also owns property in Sherman, Illinois, and Armstrong, Missouri.

Christopher Gearity, farmer, post office, Springfield, Illinois, was born in Meath county, Ireland, December 31, 1812, son of Patrick and Bridget (Ward) Gearity, who were married in Ireland, where eight children were born - four sous and four daughters - viz: Thomas, Jane, Christopher, Margaret, Julia, Hugh, Mary and James.

The subject of this sketch came to the United States in a sailing vessel, and landed in New York, where he remained a few days, and then went to Oswego, New York, where he was employed in Kingsford & Son's starch factory, and remained three years. He then removed to Buffalo, New York, where he worked on the lakes, working at odd jobs through the winter, where he remained two years. In 1851, he came to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm by the month for about two years. He then rented a farm. In 183S, he married Miss Catharine Mathews. She was born in Ireland in 1815. The fruits of this marriage were eight children. They left four children in Ireland with his wife's father, viz: Thomas, James, Patrick and Bridget. The children who were born in America are: Martha, Mary, Catharine and Hugh. Mary died in infancy. In 1857 became to his present farm, where he has resided since. He has eighty acres of land, sixty-eight under cultivation, valued at $45 per acre; raises thirty acres of corn, sixteen acres of wheat and turns off eighteen head of hogs. Mr. Gearity came to the country a poor man, but has, through good judgment, accumulated a fine property and home.

Leiois F. Hoffman, farmer and stock raiser, post office, Sherman was born in Ross county, Ohio, September 21, 1829, son of Moses Hoffman, who was born in Greenbriar county, Virginia, November 24, 1798, and Rhoda Turman, born February 14, 1806, a widow of Richard Winn. By this marriage there were nine children, seven of which lived to be adults, while two died in infancy. In 1829, he left his home in Ohio, in a wagon, to which were hitched three yoke of oxen, for Sangamon county, camping out on the way, doing their own cooking, and located on the place where they now live. Their first dwelling place was a camp made out of logs, with three sides, one end being left out, where they built a fire in front, and remained there a portion of the winter. In 1830, he broke thirty acres of prairie and planted corn, which supplied them with breadstuff. The following winter came on the big snow, and the only way that he could gather his corn was to make snow-shoes out of clapboards which he tied to his feet and hauled it in on a band-slod, and, as Mrs. H. said, stowed it under her bed. Mr. Hoffman was an enterprising business man, and at his death had accumulated a property of seven hundred and forty acres of land. He died June 8, 1842. Was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, under Colonel W. F. Elkin, and was commissioned as Captain in the State militia. Mrs. Hoft'man again married Solomon Wood, in 1847. One child blessed this union, Solomon. Mr. Wood died April 18, 1848. Mrs. Wood is still living with her son on the old homestead, where she has lived nearly fifty-two years.

The subject of this sketch married Miss Hannah Ann Gamble, January 17, 1861, the daughter of James and Nancy Gamble, of Holmes county, Ohio, where she was born, November 10, 1838. There were three children, two of whom are living: Leora, born February 21, 1864; Elmer, born June 5, 1868. One died in infancy. Has four hundred and seventy-six acres of land, valued at $60 per acre; raises one hundred and twenty acres of corn; turns one hundred and fifty head of hogs; has on his place three hundred and forty-six head of hogs, fifty head of cattle, eleven head of horses. Mr. Hoffman is one of the large and well-to-do farmei's of the county, and has been identified with it all his life, and has seen its various changes. In politics, he is a Repiablican, and cast his first vote for Taylor for President of the United States. His father was an old-line Whig.

John S. Lake, farmer, post office, Cantrall, section sixteen, was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, January 9, 1840, a son of Bayliss G. and Eliza Lake. The subject of this sketch married Miss Mary C. Brittan ; she was born in Fancy Creek township in 1848. The fruits of this marriage is three living children, Dora, James, and Edith May. Mr. Lake enlisted in the army in 1862, in the One Hundredth and Fourteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company G; was in the Fifteenth Army Corps, under General Sherman, The first general engagement was at Jackson, Mississippi; then at the siege of Vicksburg, and capture; then to Black River, where they went into camp on Bear creek, from thei'e went to Memphis, where they were put on guard duty, where they remained until the spring of 1863. From there went to Guntown under General Sturgis, where they participated in the fight, when he was wounded and taken prisoner, and taken to Mobile, where he laid in the hospital two months, where he had to dress his own wounds for some time, when the wounded had to wash their own bandages, scattering gangrene through the whole hospital. From there were removed to Cahaba, Ala., three hundred miles up the river, where they received better treatment, where they were kept a couple of months. Mr. Lake, with others, was sent to Vicksburg, where he was exchanged, October 24, 1864. He received thirty days' furlough, after which he was ordered to report to Camp Butler, Springfield, where he remained until the spring of 1865, when he was discharged. He has one hundred and sixtythree acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $60 per acre. Raises seventy-five acres of corn, thirty acres of wheat; turns off twelve head of hogs; keeps twenty cattle. In politics he is a Republican.

Uriah T. Lawrence^ farmer, post office, Sherman, was born in Morgan county, Missouri, August 5, 1848, son of Walter and Charlotte (Watkins) Lawrence; he was born in Wales, she in Pennsylvania. They were married in Ohio, and two children were boin - Julia and Jane. About 1840, his parents emigrated to Iowa, where he remained three years. He then removed to Morgan county, Missouri, where he remained seven years, when he came to Williams township, where he rented land and afterward purchased a farm and lived a few years, when he sold out and purchased the property where Mr. Lawrence now lives, and remained until his death, which occurred in 1873; mother died the same year. Mr. L. has one hundred and twenty acres of land, eighty acres of which is under cultivation, valued at $50 per acre. Raises fifty acres of corn, ten acres of wheat, and turns off fifty head of hogs. The children of Charlotte and Walter were as follows: Julia Ann, born April 18, 1838; E. Jane, born September 27, 1840; William IL, born July 14, 1843; Walter P., born December 15,. 1845; Uriah T., born August 5, 1848; John J., born September 18, 1852; Albert D., born February 16, 1855; Mary K., born May 1, 1857; Joanna B., born August 19, 1859. E. Jane, died April 20, 1873. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Re publican. His father wa** an old line Whig. He was a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. lodges.

George McClelland^ farmer and stock raiser, post office, Cantrall, was born on the place where he now resides, on the 27th day of February, 1832; father a native of Ohio, and mother of North Carolina. His father, Robert, was born in 1780. His mother died when he was quite young, and his father died a few years later. He went to White county, Illinois, when he was a young man. Charlotte Council, his mother, was born about 1797, and was taken to- White county, Illinois, where they were married and two children were born. They moved to Sangamon county, arriving August, 1819, and locating in Fancy Creek township, where he took up land and made a farm, where there were thirteen children born, twelve of whom lived to be adults.

Mr. McClelland came to the county a poor man and lived in a log cabin, and by good judgment accumulated a fine property, on which he remained until his death, which occurred October 31, 1858. In politics, was an old line Whig, and afterwards joined the Republican party. Mother died May 15, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. McClelland was among the earliest settlers of the county. George McClelland was reared on a farm, where he now resides. Married Miss Mary C. Brown, a daughter of Benjamin F. Brown, of Kentucky. She was born in Fancy Creek township, July 20, 1837. There were six sons, Fred, Frank, Paul, Arthur, Melvin and Roy.

Has two hundred and thirty acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $65 per acre. Raises one hundred acres of corn, ninety acres of wheat, and has on his place two hundred head of hogs.

Mr. McClelland is one of the large and wellto-do farmers of the county and has been identified with its interests all his life; has seen the prairies from their wild, uncultured state to one of the finest farming countries in the world.

Martin McCoy ^ farmer, was barn in Licking county, Ohio, Jannary 4, 1848, son of Mathew and Margaret (Yates) McCoy, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, and three children were born, George, Robert and Eliza. His parents emigrated to Ohio about 1836, where six more children were born; Mary, Lucinda. Martha, Roenna, Catharine and Martin. In the spring of 1835, he removed to Sangamon county. Shortly after arriving he returned to Ohio on business, when he died. Mrs. Margaret died some years before. They were members of the M. E. church. Martin married Miss Annie F. Brown, a daughter of Benjamin F, Brown. She was born in Fancy Creek township, June 17, 1853. By this union there were two children living, Walter O. and Irena. Mr. McCoy has one hundred and twenty-one acres of land, valued at $75 per acre. Raises fifty acres of corn, twenty acres of wheat, twenty-eight head of stock, eleven head of horses. In the fall of

1862, enlisted in the Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company C,and participated in the battles of Fort Donalson, Shiloh, Jackson, Mississippi, siege of Vicksburg, and was on the march to the sea, and march to Washington and review, was mustered out at Louisville, Ken tucky, and discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio; was in the service nearly three years.

David McRoherts, merchant and farmer, was born in Williams township. May 19, 18£3, son of John and Sarah (Gibson) McRoberts, natives of Ireland, who came to this country in 1849 or 1850, and located in Springfield where they remained a short time, when they moved to Fancy Creek township, where he rented a few years and then purchased property in Sherman and embarked in the merchandising of goods, which occupation he followed until his death, which occurred in 1869. Mother still living in Sherman. There was a family of twelve children, five of whom are living, four sons and one daughter, viz: John, Samuel, Hugh, David and Mary. The subject of this sketch embarked in the mercantile business in 1869, and carries a line of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and everything that is usually kept in a country store; carries a stock of $2,500 and does a business of $10,000 per year. Mr. McRoberts has a farm of one hundred and ten acres of laud tinder a high state of cultivation valued at $V5 per acre. Raises twenty-five acres of corn, twenty acres of wheat, ten acres of oats. In politics is a Democrat.

Samuel Millenger, farmer. Fancy Creek, post office, Cantrall. Son of Henry and Polly (Mickel) Millenger, natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where he was born January 27, 1832. There was eleven children of his father's family, five sons and six daughters, ten of whom lived to be adults, Susannah, Polly, Nancy, William, Elizabeth, Jacob, Henry, Sarah, Harry, Samuel and Catharine. His father died in Franklin county about 1860, at the age of one hundred and one. In 1851, Samuel left Pennsylvania and came to Ohio where he remained one year, and in 1852, came to Sangamon county, where he married Miss Almira Cantrall. She died in 1857, leaving one son, Samuel I. He again married Maranda Cantrall, a widow of Wm. Snelson, by whom one child was born, Chas. H. Mrs. Millenger was born in Fancy Creek township. May 12, 1826. There was four children, viz: Wm. C, Mahala, Debbie and Lucy E. In 1869, enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company C. His first engagement was at the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, siege and capture of Vicksburg, battle of Guntown, Tupelo, Spanish Fort, Ft. Blakely - and served three years - and was honorably discharged at Camp Butler. Has eighty acres of land valued at $50 per acre. Raises twenty acres of corn, twenty-five acres of wheat, turns off twenty-five head of hogs.

Carlisle Mitts, farmer and stock raiser, post office, Cantrall, was born in Sangamon, Fancy Creek township, on the 12th day of March, 1830, son of Cyrus and Martha (Burbridge) Mitts, who emigrated to Sangamon county from Ohio, in 1828; father a native of Pennsylvania and mother of Kentucky, where they were married, where there were two children born, James M. and Jesse. He afterwards moved to Ohio, where tvv'o daughters and one son were born, Jane, Roland, and Elizabeth. In 1829, came to Sangamon county, where there was six children born, viz: Cyrus, Robert, John, Joseph, Martha and Mary. Mr. Mitts purchased land and made a farm in Fancy Creek township. In August, 1852, was accidentally killed a short distance from his home, by a runaway team, by the tongue of the wagon striking him in the back. Mr. Mitts was an elder in the Christian church, and done much in building up the same; mother died in 1862.

The subject of this sketch married Miss Margaret Hall, of Athens, Menard county, Illinois, June 7, 1863. The fruits of this marriage was three children, all of which died in infancy. Mr. Mitts has ninety-eight acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $65 per acre. Mr. Mitts was born here and has seen the county from its infancy to one of the best cultivated counties in the State; can remember when there was not a family living between here and Elkhart. Mr. Mitts has a fine farm and beautiful home, and is one of the well-to-do farmers of the township.

Henry Nave, retired, Cantrall, Illinois, was born in Carter county, East Tennessee, on the 22d day of December, 1812; son of William and Martha (Williams) Nave, natives of East Tennessee, where they were married, and twelve children were born, with the exception of one, which was born in Sangamon county. The children were as follows: Eliza, wife of James Jenkins, of Tennessee; Abraham, married Eliza Bowars, and settled in Missouri; W^illiam, married Jane Crow, and settled in Illinois in 1839; Mary, now Mrs. Godfrey Crow, of Tennessee; Catharine, married Henry Harden and came to Illinois in 1843; Vina, married Eli Fletcher and resides in Tennessee; Delilah, married Eli Underwood, of Missouri; Sarah, married Madison Johnson, and settled in Illinois in 1844; John, of Missouri, who was wounded and died in the Union army; Margaret, now Mrs. Lipps, of Tennessee; Elizabeth, married Leonard Bowars. Mr. William Nave emigrated to Sangamon county in 1843, where he died. Shortly after, mother returned to Tennessee, she died about 1878. Henry Nave married May 29, 1830, Miss Margaret Bowars, a daughter of John L. and Rebecca Bowars, of East Tennessee, where she was born September 12, 1812. They have lived together as man and wife over a half century. There were two children, Martha R., born February 28, 1831, Elizabeth, born March lY, 1836, both of whom died in infancy. In 1832, he left his home in Tennessee, and went to Washington county, Indiana, where he remained seven years, when he removed to Sangamon county, and located in Fancy Creek township, where he purchased eighty acres of land and built a cabin, which stands at the present writing, where he remained until 1876, when he came to Cantrall. Mr. Nave left Tennessee with $20 in his pocket, got as far as Indiana when his means gave out and he had to stop and go to work.

He split rails for 25 cents per hundred and boarded himself. While in Indiana he accumulated about $1,100. Previous to coming, he sold out, taking notes, and by reason of the bankrupt law he lost nearly all he had, again being compelled to commence at the bottom. Mr. Nave was not the kind of a man to set down and fold his arms, but went to work with a good will and accumulated a fine property and home. In politics, he is a Democrat. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

Michael Nolan, farmer, post office, Springfield, was born in Springfield, Illinois, May 20, 1856, son of Patrick and Ann (Grimes) Nolan, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the States some years ago. They were married in Springfield, about 1827. There was a family of two children, viz: Matilda and Michael. In 1861, came to Fancy Creek, where he purchased land and opened up a farm, where he remained until 1879, when he moved to Springfield, when he embarked in the grocery business. Has two hundred and ten acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; raises thirty-five acres of corn, twentyfive acres of wheat, turns out twenty head of hogs. Michael Nolan married Miss Ellen Madden, daughter of John Madden, of Springfield, in 1828. There is one child, Johnny, born March 6, 1881.

George Power, retired farmer, residence on section four. Fancy Creek township, town seventeen, range five, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, on February 18, 1798, and is the son of James Power and Eleanor Dedman. When he was ten years of age his parents moved to Bath county, where his father died three years later. Owing to this and other causes George's educational privileges were YQvy meager. On February 10, 1820, he united in marriage with Nancy Wilcockson, who was born in Bath county, Kentucky, January 13, 1804. In the fall of 1821, they came to Illinois and settled on the farm where they now reside, having occupied it over sixty years. Mr. Power's efl^ects when he landed in the then wild prairie State, consisted of a wife, one son, William, a pair of horses, a half interest in a wagon, and $5.00 in cash. His father-in-law, William W^ilcockson, and family accompanied them, and settled on section nine of the same township. They erected a cabin, and both families occupied it the first winter. When the land came into market, Mr. Power bought sixty-six and two-third acres. This purchase compelled him to part from his last horse and to borrow $16 besides. In the year 1829, he erected the first frame dwelling north of the Sangamon river, in the county, locating it on the southeast quarter of section four. About two years after making his first purchase he borrowed the money to buy the eighty aci'es on which his present house stands. Other tracts were bought from time to time as means and opportunity offered, until the home farm contains two thousand acres, and he owns some four hundred acres elsewhere, as the reward of business energy and persevering toil. The present family residence he built about twenty-five years ago; and it with the other buildings comprising the homestead improvements cost $10,000. Thehomefarmis estimated worth $75 per acre. Besides the twenty-four hundred acres of farming land, he owns property in the village of Cantrall valued at $6,000. Mr. Power served as Second Lieutenant in the Black Hawk war, and held the office of Major many years in the militia organization. He filled the office of justice of the peace nineteen years, during which he never had a decision reversed in the higher courts. Abraham Lincoln tried his first case in law and made his first plea before him. He has always been a pronounced Democrat; voted three times for i^ndrew Jackson. Mr. Power was conscientiously opposed to the late war, but in favor of the preservation of the Union, and contributed liberally to the support of war widows and soldiers' families. Having instructed Mr. Irvin, proprietor of a flouring mill, to let soldiers families have breadstuffs whenever they applied and charge the price to him, he paid him at one lime $600, besides smaller amounts on other occasions. His donations to the cause aggregated $2,000. Mr. and Mrs. Power are the parents of two sons, namely, William D. and James E. Power. William enjoyed the advantages of the primitive schools, in the log school house, and engaged in farming in early life. He read law in Springfield and practiced a number of years. He was elected County Judge in 1857, and^re-elected in 1861. While serving his second term he died with typhoid fever, March 2, 1863, at the age of 42 years, having been born in May, 1821. He was very active during early years of the war in raising recruits for the army. He married Nancy J. Barnett, January 6, 1843, in Sangamon county; they had five children, two of each sex survive. James E. Power has always farmed with his father, and for years dealt considerably in live stock. He was born December 1, 1824, and married Laura Chord, November 9, 1878. She is a native of Menard county, Illinois, born in 1850. They have a son, James W^illiam, born October 16, 1879. The subject of this memoir has made provision for his son James to have one thousand acres of land, and the children of William to have two hundred and sixty each at his decease. In 1879 he constructed a beautiful family vault, on section nine, of his premises. It is built of Joliet stone, at a cost of $3,000, and is the finest sepulchre in Sangamon county. G. G. Seifert, M. D., Cantrall, Illinois, was born in Saxony, Germany, on the 22d day of August, 1846, son of John C. and Christina Seifert. They were married in Germany where two sons and three daughters were born. In 1849 his parents emigrated to the United States and located in Sheboyagan county, Wisconsin, where he bought a farm and made a home. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received an academic education, and prepared himself for teaching, which he followed two years in Wisconsin and three years in Springfield. When twenty-one years of age he commenced reading medicine, under William Hope Davis, M. D., at Springfield, where he remained about three years, when he attended the Eclectic Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated in May, 1871, with honors. After graduating, he returned to Springfield, where he remained a short time, when he went to Athens, where he located and remained two and a half years. The Doctor then went to Springfield, where he followed his profession until he came to Cantrall. Married Miss Jennie Beckeraeyer, who was born in Springfield, November 30, 1853. There were four children, two of whom are living, viz: Emily, born May 25, 1876; Otto H., born April 16, 1880. The Doctor is a member of the Eclectic State Medical Association. He is a member of the Christian Church, at Springfield, and Mrs. Seifert is a member of the German Lutheran Church.

James IT. Thaxton, farmer and stock raiser, post office, Sherman, was born in Allen county, I\entucky, on the 28th day of November, 1823, son of Thomas and Hannah (Williamson) Thaxton; natives of South Carolina. They were married in Allen county, Kentucky, where twelve children were born - six sons and six daughters - seven of whom lived to be men and women, viz: Williamson, George, Matilda, Millie, Thomas, Sarah and J. H., who is the only one living. His father died in Kentucky about 1826. The subject of this sketch came to Sangamon county, in about 1840, being out of the State but one day since. April 10, 1845, married Miss Margaret Hoifman, a daughter of Moses and Rhoda Hoffman. She was born in Clark county, Ohio, January 2, 1827. There were nine children, six of whom are living, viz: Arminda, now Mrs. O. F. Shepard; Clarinda, Mary A., now Mrs. J. B. Van Meter, of Fancy creek; Rhoda Caroline, now Mrs. James Pittman, of Springfield, and Lewis. Mr. Thaxton came to the county when a young man, and worked for $10 per month. In after years, he bought his present farm, and has one hundred and twenty-four acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $75 per acre. Raises forty acres of corn, fifteen acres of wheat, ten acres of oats; turns off fifty head of hogs yearly. In politics, he is a Republican.

Johii R. Van Meter, farmer and stock raiser, postoflice, Cantrall, was born on the farm where he now lives, on the 15thday of December, 1837; son of S. R. and Catharine ( Bishop) Van Meter,who were natives of Ohio, where they married, August 5, 1834, and immediately started for Illinois, with his young wife, and located in Fancy creek township. His father gave him eighty acres of land, and afterwards he entered two hundred and forty acres, making in all three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he owned at his death, which occurred, September 6, 1866; he aga-n married, April 3, 1860, Mrs. Mary A. E. Whitmore, whose maiden name was Kaiser. Mr. Van Meter was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, of 1831 and '32; was an old line Whig, up to the time of the organization of the Republican party, with which he afterward affiliated; at the time that the Know Nothing party was oi'ganized, he with others took an active interest, holding meetings at his house. J. R. was raised on a farm, and received an academic education, January 22, 1872, he married Miss Eliza J. Cressee, daughter of John and Sarah Cressee, now of Springfield, and came to Sangamon county in 1837; she was born in Menard county, Illinois, October 12, 1845. There are two children, Seymour, born October 29, 1872; William F., born October 31, 187.5. Mr. Van Meter is one of the large and well-to-do farmers of the county; has three hundred and twenty acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $65 per acre; raises forty acres of corn; twenty acres of wheat; turns out one car load of cattle, one car of hogs, yearly. Mr. Van Meter makes a specialty of Cotswold and South Downs, and turns his attention to this branch of stock; has three hundred head on his place, and turns out one hundred head per year. In politics, is a Republican, and has represented his township in the board of supervisors, a number of years.

William T. Vandergrift, merchant, Cantrall, Illinois, was born in Athens, Menard county, Illinois, June 27, 1843; son of A. J. and Arminta (Barnett) Vandergrift; father a native of Virginia, and mother of Kentucky; were married in Sangamon county, about 1842, where a family of five children was born, four of which lived to be men and women, Anna Bell, now the wife of F. C. Sherwood, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Thos. J., of Shellsburg, Wisconsin; John S., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; William T., enlisted in the Ninetysecond Regiment, Infantry, Illinois Volunteers, Company I., in 1862, and participated in all the engagements of the regiment, some of the principals being the battle of Chickamauga, Atlanta campaign; with Sherman to the sea; was mustered out at Concord, North Carolina, and discharged at Chicago. In 1805, he married Miss Margaret Canterbury, a daughter of O. P. Canterbury, of Cantrall, Illinois; she was born June 14, 1851. By this union there are three children, Emory C, Arminta and Hardy M, Mr. Vandergrift is at present engaged in merchandising in Cantrall; carries a stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and everything that is usually carried in a country store; handles a stock of 12,000.

William F. Wolf, farmer and stock raiser, post office, Sherman, was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on the 11th day of April, 1851, son of John W. and Rebecca (Wirtz) Wolf, natives of Ohio, where they were married, August 25, 1848. The fruits of this marriage was a family of five children, two sons and three daughters, two of which lived to be adults. Mary J., born January 8, 1850, and the subject of this sketch. The family came to Sangamon county in 1857, and located one-half mile west of Sherman, September 8, 1877, he died; mother still living with her son William F, The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a common school education. When seventeen years of age went to w^ork in the Chicago &> Alton Railroad wood yard. In 1870, ifiarried Miss Sarah E. Cox. She was born in Marion county, Kentucky, November 17, 1847. After marrying, Mr. Wolf embarked in farming, which he followed for six years, when he commenced selling goods in Sherman. The first store was kept by John W. Wolf as early as 1860, which he followed until his death September 8, 1877. William F. run the store until March, 1881, when he sold to Mr. McRoberts. The last year being in company with S. E. Prather, since which time he has followed farming. His property in Sherman is valued at $2,000. Mr. Wolf affiliates with the Republican parly, and was elected Constable, which office he held for eight years. Mr. Wolf has twenty-four acres of corn, which will average sixty bushels to the acre. Mrs. W. F. Wolf is a member of the Baptist Church.