Clintonia Township (part 1 of 2)

Clintonia Township

The larger portionia of the history of Clinton township really belongs to the city of Clinton, as the township was not among the first settled, and Clinton soon became the objective point. It was named by Hon. James Allen of Bloomington in honor of De Witt Clinton, formerly a governor of New York, of whom Allen was a great admirer. The first village plat was made October 3d, 1836, by James Allen and Jesse M. Fell, and is decribed as follows: Being a part of the north-east quarter of section 34, township 20 north, range 2 east of the third principal meridean, and was in the form of a perfect square. This was then a part of Macon county, and John D. Wright did the surveying, he then being the deputy county surveyor of said county, since which time there have been fourteen additions made as follows : Brown & Fraley's, Gideon's, Cushman's, Yazel's, Dye's, Rucker's, Ashley's, Slatten's, Madden's, Crang's, Argos', North- West, McGraw's and Madden's second addition.

The first house constructed in the town was a small log cabin, built by James Miller for a store-house, and situated on the west side of the square on the ground now occupied by Dahl & Gay's boot and shoe store. This was in the fall of 1835, just after the first survey was made. It was afterwards used as a carpenter shop, and was subsequently destroyed by fire. Within the old log house was sold the first goods in Clinton. The stock was a meager supply of groceries, notions, etc., usually found in a small country store. That the reader may have a better idea of what constituted a stock of goods at that time, we will relate the following incident as given us by one of the pioneers : "It occurred in 1841, six years after the first goods were sold, and at the time when Judge McGraw was filling the office of County Clerk. At this time mo.t of the merchandise brought to Clinton was bought in St. Louis, transported up the rivers to Pekiu, and from thence across the country to the little inland towns. It became necessary for the county clerk to furnish his oflice with a new heating stove. Every one that came in would have to inquire all about that stove ; where he got it, how much it cost, when he received it, etc., etc. The Judge finally became tired of answering these often repeated questions, and, therefore, posted up a very prominent written notice in his office to this effect : " This stove was purchased in Pekiu, at the cost of .Sr2.50, and was hauled here by William Lane." Everybody coming in would stare and gape at the notice in large letters, then turn to the clerk with an inquiring look, but would rarely venture to a-k any questions.

The first dwelling-house was built by William Anderson, in the spring of 1836, and was situated on the now vacant lot just across the street, north of the Magill Hotel. It was a fair-sized log cabin, and at a later date, when travel commenced, and the country began settling up, Mr. Anderson utilized it for a hotel. This was the first hotel in Clinton. Let the reader imao-ine, if he can, the contrast between this log cabin and the huo'e walls of the ilaa-ill House looming up just across the street from the Hotel lie Log of :Mr. Anderson. The house passed away many years ago, and so has its proprietor. On this lot was dug the first well, and what makes it more historical, it was dug by the wife of JNEr. Anderson and her sister. The writer examined the ground to see if there were any marks of its former existence, but no signs are there. The second hotel was also kept by Mr. Anderson, and situated in the north part of town near the school buildings. This was in 1839, after the county was organized. It was a frame building of small pretensions. It was here that Abraham Lincoln, Judge Treat, David Davis, and other noted lawyers of those times made their headquarters when court was in session.

The first brick building was constructed by John Warner, for a dwelling, in about 1849, and was situated just south of C. H. Moore's office in lot 1, block 21. It is now occupied by Dr. Wilcox for a dwelling C. H. Moore and J J. McGraw built the first brick business house in 1834. It is situated on the east side of the square in lot 2, block 10, a portion of which is now occupied by H. C Wilson & Co.'s wholesale and retail grocery store. Benjamin Church was the first blacksmith. His shop was a small log concern, and situated a little south and east of the public square. This was in 1841. Bjth shop and smith have long since disappeared.

Incorporation. - The first step taken toward incorporating the town of Clinton was in the fall of 18.53. The village then contained but a few hundred inhabitants. It was at the time of the construction of the Illinois Central railroad, and on account of the many lawless acts of the employees on the road, it became a necessity on the part of the citizens of the town to protect themselves against the many overt acts committed by the roughs. A meeting was called, with the following citizens present : Dr. W. W. Adams, Dr. H. Madden, B. T. Jones, Thos. McElhany, Jno. Slatten, Jno. P. Mitchell, Lewis Campbell, W. D. Catterlin, John A. Bean, Alexander Argo, Jesse Stout, John B. Wolf, Wm. S. Messervey, T. Sawyers, Evan Richards, J. B. McKinley, Lawrence Weldon, Cyrus Funk, James Proud, George W. Gideon, and John T. Clark. At this meeting prompt action was taken, notices were posted, and as soon thereafter as the law would permit an election was held, when the follawing officers were elected: John A. Beam, Lewis Campbell, Evan Richards, Geo. W. Gideon, and Eurrell T. Jones.

On organizing, Jno. A. Beam was chosen President, and Lewis Campbell, Secretary. This organization was efl'ected under the authority of the general statute, providing for the incorporating of villages, etc

No special charter was granted until 18-')0, which reads in part as follows ; " An act incorporating the village of Clinton. Be it enacted by the General Assembly, etc., that Evan Richards, Lewis Campbell, John A. Beam, Burrell T Jones, and John Slatten, of the town of Clinton, county of De Witt, are hereby recognized and constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of " The President and Trustees of the town of Clinton, and by that name shall have perpetual succession," etc.

The acting trustees for this year and until the first of April, 18.56, were R. P. Smith, William Chambers, Henry Bell, T. M. Brown, and Lewis Campbell. January 3d, 18.57, another charter was obtained, granting further privileges, and substituted for the charter of 1855. Thomas R. Edmiston, Lewis Campbell, Henry Bell, P. B. Sweet, and William Clagg, by this charter were recognized and constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of " The President and Trustees of the town of Clinton."

Aldermen, Flritf wan! - Hiram P. Smith, Washington Bates. Aldermen, Second «'((/-(/ - Emmett Kent, .James De Land. Aldermen, Third ward - Samuel K. Harrell, Abner Phares. Police Jfii/ixfrate - Jno. J. McGraw. Cifi/ Marshal - George W. Porter. Vifij Treu.inrer - ^. F. Lewis. Street Commi.-<.w>ner -ZcA\-a P. Pollock. City Surveyor - David Richardson. City Aft'y. and e.r-officio Clerk - Michael Donahue. A complete roster of the town officers from its organization to the present time, cannot be given, from the fact of the destruction of the village records in January, 18.58. We will, therefore record the names of the Mayors and Aldermen, from the first city election to present date, January, 1882. 1 siiS. - .l/<ii/i<c - William Hayuie.

History Of De Witt Cot'Xty, Illinois

Aldermen 1st nard - 0 L Kirk, John Killough. Aldermen 2d irard - lohn W. Boren, Joseph Frendenstein- Aldermen 3d ward - S. K. Harrell, Robert Phares.

City Cleric - y. Warner. The first ward constitutes all that part of the city lying East of the Illinois Central railroad. The second ward, all lying North of Main street, and Wast of the Central railroad. The third ward, all that part of the city West of the Central road, and South of Main street. In the second ward, situated in the heart of the city, there are three blocks that have never been made any part of the city, and are assessed as a part of section 27. This anomaly is bounded on the Xorth by Clay street, ou the East by the Illinois Central railway, on the South by North street, and West by JIadison street. Regular streets of the city pass through it as though it were a part of the city proper, and the lines of survey are co incident. Of course the property can not be taxed for city purposes.

What a contract in the size, appearance, and improvements of the town as compared with a little more than a quarter of a century ago. The following we find in the De Witt Courier (the first paper published in the village) of December 18.54: " We are creditably informed that this town is incorporated, and that all are taxed according to what they have, to improve and keep the streets passable, and to build side-walks. To eay that we are suffering for side-walks or pavements would be but telling a blessed truth, and if they are paid for why can't we have them? Who is employed for that purpose, and who has the money?" At this writing the city has many miles of good walks, reaching out in every direction to the extreme limits of the corporation. Street lamps are placed at convenient distances throughout its limits, and fine business houses, churches and residences are among its adornments. With the exception of a few business houses on the North side of the square, all on the square have commodious and conveniently arranged basements.

Clinton Industries, Manufactures, etc., - Machine Shops and Round House of the Illinois Central Railway. - These works are situated mainly within the corporate limits of the city in the North-east part of the town on the Springfield division of the Illinois Central. They were fir.st constructed in 1871, by what was then known as the Gilmaa, Clinton and Springfield railroad. - A part of the works was destroyed by a wind storm in 1876. After coming into the hands of the Central they were re-built and re-modeled, and five additional stalls for engines were added. They cover about two acres of ground, and were constructed at an expense of 880,000. The length of the shops is 200 feet, by 60 in width. The round house is the same in width, and 70 feet longer. The works are constructed in the form of an L, the latter attachment being semi-circular in shape, and contains fifteen stalls for engine.s. The store-room and office is detached from the main building. It is also of brick, 3i.t x 7ii feet, with two offices conveniently arranged in the western part of the building. The railroad company own in all twenty acres of land, on which are situated the reservoir, tank-house, coal-sheds, etc. The former covers two acres of ground, and is always competent to supply the works with plenty of water. An icehouse is detached capable of holding 450 tons of ice. The coal sheds are 900 feet long, and will hold nearly 1000 tons of coal. Two cranes are conveniently placed for supplying the engines with coal. The capacity of the water tank is 50,000 gallons, and is supplied with water by the shop engine pump through a pipe .seven inches in diameter. The works also contain a brick building with tin roof, for the purpose of storing oil and sand, besides a cast-iron turn-table of the latest improved style. In all, 75 men are given employment by these works. W. B. McKenna is the master mechanic ; A. Howard, foreman : and H. C. O'Donald, clerk.

Clinton Tile Factory is situated at the junction of the Central and Wabash railways. They were first established in 1877, half a mile south of the present location, and moved to the present place in the spring of 1880. This industry is owned and operated by F. C. Davidson, and cost 86,000. The factory contains three drying sheds 20x120 feet. It has an engine of 18-horse power, and the latest improved tile machine, and three patent down-and-up draft-kilns. The capacity for manufacturing is 100,000 feet of tile per month, and gives employment to IS men The estimated value of manufactured product for the same time is 82,000. The size of the tile made is from 3 to 8 inches in diameter. This firm supplies a large portion of home demand, besides shipping largely to other jjoints. The shed capacity for drying at one time is 80,000 tile. The works occupy four acres of ground, and when in full blast will consume 1-50 tons of coal per month.

Clinton Agrirulliiral Works were established in the fall of 1874, under the firm name of Walker and Patton, and pa.ssed into the hands of the present proprietor, Mr. Walker, in 1875. They are located on East Main Street, in the east part of town. The first casting made, and the first made in the county, was In the fall of 1880. Prior to this the works were merely used for the purpose of repairing niachine-s, etc , and not as a foundry. The main building is a frame structure except a small part off the east end, one story high, and 24x90 on the ground. It has an engine room attached, 12x16 feet, with a ten-horse steam engine to run the works. This industry gives employment to three men, and yields an income of 85,000.

In the spring of 1858, it became the property of Bergan & Co., and is now owned and operated by J, B. Haldeman. It is situated just across from the junction of the Illinois Central railroad, and the Springfield Division of the same, and north-east from the passenger house. The mill proper is three stories high, with brick basemfnt, and 35x75 feet on the ground, and cost, including machinery, 815,000. It contains three run of stone, with a capacity of manufacturing 70 barrels of flour daily, and gives employment to four men. The engine room is 18x35 feet, and the engine is forty-horse power. It is purely a merchant mill, and ships mainly to the East. The estimated value of manufactured products is 8*55,000 annually.

George Anntttronrj's Carriage Factor;/. - This leadiug enterprise is located on the south side of the Springfield Division of the Illinois Central railway and west of Madison street. The business was commenced about a half mile west of the public square in 1.855, and iu ISG'i, was moved to the corner of Monroe and East Main streets. Iu the spring of 18S1, it was established on the present site. The building is a frame, two stories high, and altogether covers 17,424 square feet of ground Twelve men are employed in the various departments. Both wagons and carriages are manufactured, and the annual value of proiluct sold is estimated at .SloUOO.

Steam Elevator, William Bishop proprietor, was established in 1861, and situated on the west side of the switch of the Illinois Central railroad, and north of the depot. It is a two story building with a brick - one story for a foundation, and the remainder built of frame material, and was constructed at a cost of §12, 000. The main building on the ground is 40x90 feet, with boiler-room attachment 16x35 feet, and one story high. The engine power is twelve-horse, and has the capacity of elevating 5,000 bushels daily. The building has store rooms sufficient to contain 20,000 bushels of grain, besides having cribs detached capable of holding 10,000 bushels of corn. Mr. Bishop also deals in lumber, sash, doors, and mouldings. The building for the latter jjurpose is detached from his elevator, and is 40x6(( feet, and one story in height. He also has an excellent lumber shed 40x60 feet. Three men are given constant eniployment by this industry.

Florist and Gardener, W. W. McAboy, proprietor. The business was established in the summer of 1881, at a cost of 83,000, and located iu block 21, four blocks south of the public square. It has three green or hot houses, each 50 feet in length, through which extend iron pipes heated with steam. The building also has an excellent brick basement for placing the heating apparatus and keeping bulbs, vcLretables, etc. §5,000 worth of plants can be raised annually, and the business gives employment to three hands. Mr. JIcAboy is a practical florist and gardener, and the citizens of Clinton may congratulate themselves for having such an establishment in their midst.

Farmers MI/I. - This mill does both custom and merchant work. It was constructed by Clark and McKinney in 1858, and afterwards passed into the hands of Carl & Rosdail. It is now leased to Sylvester & Boyce, who conduct the business. The building is a two-story, with brick basement, and is 30x36 feet- It has two run of stone, one for wheat, the other for corn, and has the capacity of manufacturing 25 barrels of flour daily, besides from 75 to 100 bushels of meal. The annual value of manufactured product is estimated at 830,000. It has an engine of thirty horse-power ; the mill gives employment to three men, and is situated four blocks directly south of the court-house square.

Brick Yard. - This industry was established in 1870, by James Bell, present proprietor, and located at the junction of Illinois Central, and Wabash railways. The yard occupies one acre of ground and manufactures from the bottom found at the works ; eight men are kept in employment, and they manufacture 500, 000 bricks annually. It uses the hand mould only. Mr. Bell supplies the demand for bricks from the various parts of the country.

Plaiiiiif) Mill - This mill was constructed in 1862, by, C. Funk, who is its present owner, and it is situated a little west of the Illinois Central depot. Its original cost was 83,000. The building is a frame 30x50 feet, and two stories high, besides an engine and boiler room 10x40, one story. The engine is 20 horse-power. Mr. Funk enqdoys in his business five men, and does contracting, building, drafting, etc. There is but one other business of the kind in the county, which is situated in Farmer City.

Carria;;e Maiiufactorii of Morrison & Rhom, and located on East Main street, east of the public square. This manufactory was established by J. R. McErvin in 1856, and came into the possession of the present firm in the spring of 1879. It is a frame building two stories high, and covers an area of 66x150 feet. It also contains out buildiugs, drying sheds, yardage, etc Eight men are employed, and 89,000 worth of manufactued material turned out annually.

Hay Press, situated on the switch of the Illinois Central, north of Bishop's Elevator. This business was established in the fall of 1877, at a cost of 81,800. The establishment is 50x80 feet in size, and has the capacity of pressing eight tons per day, giving employment to five men and three teams. Ships mainly to the Southern States. Wesley Leavitt, proprietor.

Broom Fadori/. - This factory was established in 1880, and located on the corner of East Main and Jefferson Streets. It has the capacity of manufacturing 8,000 brooms annually. It is conducted wholly by the proprietor, G. W. Gash.

Marjill House. - This is an establishment of which the people of Clinton may well be proud, being one of the finest, largest, and best arranged hotels in Central Illinois. It was constructed by the Magill Brothers, at a cost of 835,000, the first work being done in 1871, and completed in 1872. It is a brick .structure, three stories high, besides the basement, and covers half a block. The rooms are large and airy, being forty-five in number, besides three store rooms on the first floor. It is situated just north of the square, fronting on Center Street. The building was originally heated by hot air, the furnaces being situated in the basement. This mode of heating was soon abandoned on account of the expense being too great for the income of the house. The dining room, billiard room, and halls, are large and commodious. The basement is now utilized for a laundry. A. W. Razey is the present efficient landlord. There are two other hotels in the city, the Clinton House and the City Hotel. Both are situated on Center .Street, a little north of the Magill House.

Jno. Warner & Co., Bankets. - This business was established the 1st of September, 1807, and is the oldest bank in the city. It is situated in the south corner of the public square. It contains a fire proof vault, and McNeal & Irvin's best burglar-proof safe with time lock. The capital stock is $50,000, with a surplus of 887,706. The firm transacts all the business of the bank.

De Witt County National Batik is located in one of the best buildiugs iu the city, and situated on the south side of the square facing Center Street. It was chartered in the spring of 1871, with a capital stock of 850,000. It has a surplus of 818,000. Hall's burglar-proof safe with time lock is used, and enclosed within an excellent fire-proof vault. J. T. Snell, president ; Wm. Metzger, cashier.

Hack Line, owned and run by T. S Hutchason. The Hue contains one bus, two hacks, and baggage wagon. Makes all trains both night and day. The barns are situated ou the corner of Monroe and Center Streets, near the Magill House.

Clinton Fire Company, No. 1, was organized in 1874, with the total number of members of Engine Company 19, Hose Company 20. They have a fine hand engine and 500 feet of hose and hose-cart. The company are all well uniformed and excellently drilled for duty. The treasury is well sujiplied with funds sufficient to run the organization for a year or more. The eiigiue biiikling is situateil in the south-west corner of the MagiU Bhx-k, aud is two stories high, 34x66 feet on the groiiml, and constructed of brick. The first floor is used for engine and hose room, with a portion cut off the north end for the purpose of a calaboose. The upper story is divided into two departments for Firemen's Hall and Council Room. The pi'esent officers are as follows : Chief, H. C. Henson ; Captain, James Armstrong ; Secretary, James M. Kirk ; Treasurer, A. \V. Razey ; Foreman Engine Co., Lafayette Ely ; Assistant Foreman Engine Co.. David Edwards ; Foreman Hose Co., Matt. Clive ; Assistant Foreman Hose Co., Jake Bryant ; Pipemau, L. S. Harrell ; Committee of Inquiry, T. B. Mc Elhiuey, A. F. Ely, and Jo.s«ph Metzger. Total membership at this writing, 16 in the Engine Company and 1-t in the Hose.

People's Library Association was chartered in the fall of 1879, with A. W. Razey secretary, who is the present incumbent. It started with a membership of 50, which at this time has increased to 75. Originally the library contained only 100 volumes, but has now over 300. The variety of reading matter consists of the biographies of eminent men, fiction, and standard literature of the day. M. M. Delevis, librarian.

The School Building is an ornament to the town, and speaks in unmistakeable language of the public spirit and enterprise of the people. It was constructed in 1867, and is situated in the north part of the town within an enclosure of five acres. This is really the prettiest part of the city, being high and rolling ground, just suited to the purpose to which it is devoted. The ground formerly belonged to Stephen A. Douglas, and after his death his widow donated her interest in the property to the city for school purposes. The building is constructed of brick, three stories high, besides the basement, and contains twelve rooms graded as follows : four primary, five intermediate, two grammar, and one high school department, aud gives employment to twelve teachers besides a principal. Its cost was nearly §50,000, and originally it was heated by hot-air furnaces, but is now heated with steam apparatus, it being considered more healthy and congenial to the pupils. The basement is used for the generating of steam, and also furnished with rooms convenient for the family use of the janitor. The architecture of the building is pleasing to the eye, containing a cupola and other adornments in keeping with the house and grounds. Good walks lead to it from every direction, and everything about the premises is kept in first-class order.

Wood-Laim Cemetery. - This cemetery contains sixty-five acres of ground, and was formerly owned by George W. Gideon. In 1861 his son, Edwin W., who had enlisted in the army, came home sick on furlough, and soon afterward died. He was the first buried here, and the lot where the interment was made was donated by Mr. Gideon as a burial-place for the soldiers of the war. The site being high and rolling, and favorably situated for a cemetery, the citizens purchased the ground and fitted it up for a city cemetery. The site was well chosen, for no better place could have been selected for miles around. It is situated about half a mile north-west of the business part of the town. The best of side-walks are kept to the very gates of this silent city ; arched gateways of considerable height first catch the eye of the stranger. A sexton is employed, and everything is kept in a manner creditable to the citizens. Many excellent monuments adorn the grounds, the most prominent being situated about central, within the first rise of ground leading from the town. It is a marble shaft, twenty-five feet in altitude, surmounted by a life-sized soldier, standing on guard. The monument speaks for itself, - it is not necessary to read the scores of names engraved upon it to tell you that this is the spot where many a brave soldier is sleeping his last sleep, and that the granite .soldier is standing his watch, for " the army is sleeping." All around the monument small mounds of ground show that many have already been buried here. This is a county enterprise, erected by the citizens of De Witt, and under the auspices of a regularly constituted organization, entitled " The De AVitt County Soldiers' Monument Association," having a president, secretary, treasurer, etc. Every soldier's name, whether he dies in the county or out of it, if he were a resident of the county, after his death, is engraven upon this monument. The corner-stone was laid the 4th of July, 1868, and the monument unveiled just one year from the laying of the corner-stone, and cost .§2,500. According to an act of congress, the general goverment has obligated iiself to furnish all head and foot-stones, free, to the graves of the soldiers coming under the regulations of Associations regularly established. The following is a correct copy of a letter sent to Stephen K. Carter, of Clinton, in reply to a communication between him and the quartermaster general of the United States Army, and is dated June 4, 1881 :

The city also contains several fine church buildings, and two live printing establishments, the histories of which will be found in the Ecclesiastical chapter, and the History of the Press.

Mercantile Houses And Trade Of 1881-2

Dry Goods, Carpels, Dealers in Woolens, etc. - Magill Bros. Wholesale Grocers and Queenmvare. - H. C. Wilson ; Sackett & Hammond ; Gallaher Bros.

Carpenters and Jniiiers - P. H. Atherton, Robert Phares, Henry Bigardus, William Atherton, Thomas Bryant, Davis Eley, Samuel Pettioord, J. A. Day, William Hall, A. Goodrich, E. Atherton, S. K. Harrold, Warren Winslow, Mathew Irvin.

Planlagcnct L'jdge, No. 2-5, K. of P. was organized under dispensation from the Grand Lodge, March 6th, 1872, and chartered January 2.5th, 1873. The following were the charter officers: William Swan, C. C; Samuel Proud, V. C; A. -J. Lewis, Prelate ; A. V. Lisenby, K. of R. and S.; C. C. Stone, M. of F.; Jno. W. Stiles, M. E.; G. H. Gardner, M. A.; Geo. W. Ely, I. G.; John Cawrey, O. G. Total charter membership 13. The present officers are, Richard Butler, P. C; E. G. Argo, C. C; Drew Inman, V. C; F. 0. Pease, Prelate ; H. L. Hunter, R. R. andS.; N. E. Wheeler, M. of F.; William Metzger, M. of E.; Lyman Henry, M. at A.; A. C. Hosmer, I. G.; jM. M. Woy, O. G.; A. W. Razey, Deputy Grand Chancellor for District of De Witt. F. ]M. Burroughs is Grand Master at Arms in Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois. The present membership is 75. The Lodge meets in their Castle Hall, in Warner's Block every Thursday night. The condition of the Lodge financially is excellent, owing nothing, and has 8350 in the exchequer. The past two years have been very important ones to the Lodge, having increased its membership from 3-4 to 75.

A new and important feature has been recently added to this order, entitled the Endowment Rank of K. of P., and is in a growing and prosperous condition, especially is this true with section No. 205, which is composed of the members of Plantagenet Lodge, No. 25. This feature is mainly for life insuring on a safe plan, and at a nominal cost.

De Witt Lndijc, No. 84, A. F. and A. M. was instituted October 8th, 1850. Evan Richards, John Warner, William S. Bates, and several others of the order, residing at or near Clinton, were among the charter members. Evan Richards was appointed by the Grand Lodge the first W. M.; John Warner, S. W.; and William S. Bates, J. W. The original charter and records were destroyed in the great fire of January 185s. A new and special charter was granted June 22, 1859. William W. Hickman was the W. M. The Lodge started out with a membership of 84. The names of the present officers are : A. V. Lisenby, W. M.; T.

B. IMcElhiney, S. W.; A. J. McAboy, J. W.; Samuel Magill, Treasurer ; D. McArtbur, Secretary ; E. Sylvester, S. D.; Philip Wolf, J. D.; A. W. Razey and Geo. W. Scott, Stewards ; A. H.

The present membership is 80- In addition to the chapter degrees, those of Cryptic masonry ai-e also confered in this chapter. The Chapter meets in their Hall, in JNIasonic building, in regular convocation on the first Tuesday evening in each month. The finances of the order are in good condition, they owning considerable stock in the Masonic building.

vened at the court-house with a goodly number in attendance. In organizing William Cottingham wiv-; chosen chairman of the meeting, and Jno. E. Blackford appointed secretary. The meeting then proceeded to elect officers for the prospective association, which were a.s follows: President, Jno. D. Hutcliin; Secretary, Dr. W. W. Adams; Treasurer, William Smith ; Trustee.'^, William Cottingham, E. H. Robb, Ambrose Hall, T. F. Cunditf, A. P. Cushman, D. H. Prouty, Barzilla Campbell, and X. ('. Cane. A constitution was drafted with the usual preliminaries, with a provision that Sl.OO should be paid into the treasury in order to become a member of the association. The following were appointed committeemen to solicit memberships in each pr. - cinct : Creek Nation precinct, T. Lane and Samuel Smallwood ; Waynesville, John Lisk and A. P. Cushman; Long Point, H. Lane and Eli Harrell ; Mount Pleasant, Asa Weedman and Isaac Monnett ; Marion, William Cottingham and William Powers ; Clinton, C. P. Ford and James Barnett.

Perhaps no better history of the rise and jirogress of tliis society could be given, than that published under the auspices of the association in 1880. We, therefore, take the liberty to glean from the same, as great care and regard for facts were exercised by the writer ; in fact, Mr. W. B. Rundle, now secretary of the i a.ssociation,says that it can be relied upon as correct " The first l annual fair of the De Witt County Agricultural Society wns held in the fall of 186(5. At that time it had no enclosed grounds or buildings, but launched out in the most primitive manner Where the late Dr. Porter's residence now starjds was then iiii open fiehl, overrun with smart-weed and dog-fennel. Here tli" ' society drcjve stakes and encompassed it with a stout rope. lusldr of this ring the first fair was held. The regulations for admissiuu were twenty-five cents for each persim, or a season ticket for ii family, one dollar. An outsider could see the exhibition as well as those admitted, but to the credit of the people of that day nearly everybody bought a ticket, an<l did not take advantage oC the facilities of crawling under the rope or attempting to view the exhibition at a distance. The exhibition, like the fair grounds, was a slim affair. A few horses and a meagre nuniluT of horned cattle, comprised the entire list of stock entered fir premiums. A small wagon would have held all the farm products on exhibition. The best display was made by the women, of home-made bread, cakes, butter, domestic cheese, fruits, preserves, flowers and plants. These were arranged on tables situated in the open air. On other tables were specimens of needlework, kuitting. bed spreads, etc Everything was of a practical character, and but very little of the fancy arts. The total amount paid out for premiums ut this fair did not exced fifty dollars.

" This primitive beginning encouraged the promoters of the enterprise, and before the time came for holding the second fair, the society bought five acres of ground south-west of Clinton, the place now owned by E Giddings and occupied by T. N. Byerly. They enclosed the ground and built a few stalls for the accommodation of stock. There was no amphitheater or floral hall, as such luxuries were not then thought of. A small ring was formed, around which the prize stock was marched in .solemn procession. This was a great day for the association, as nearly the whole of De Witt county came to the inauguration of the new fairgrounds."

The interest in the fairs so increased, that five acres soon became too small to accommodate the exhibitors and patrons of the society. Consequently, the old grounds were sold, and the association procured the present site from R. S- Smith. These grounds are handsomely located, and situated about a half mile from the business part of the city. They contain twenty acres, and cost the .society SI, '200 In one corner is situated a fine grove, convenient for the hitching of teams, and a resting-place for those in atten<lance. A half mile track is well kept for trotting purpo.scs ; substantial sheds and stalls are constructed on the south and west sides of the enclosure. A large amphitheater, capable of accommodating five hundred persons, and a roomy floral hall adorn the grounds.

The a.s.sociation has had some reverses to impede its legitimate progress; yet it has been remarkably fortunate in paying its premium-i. as from the first, with the exception of two or three years, it has paid one hundred cents on the dollar. This necessarily gives the society a first-ela.ss reputation among its exhibitors. At the lowest cash value, the property of the society is worth $.5,000, on which there is but a small indebtedness. By a liberal support of the people this indebtedness will soon be wiped out, and the Agricultural Siciety of De Witt county will stand among the foremo.st in central Illinois.

The following are the officers of the association for 1880: - President, James A. Wilson ; First Vice-President. Jacob Swigart; Second Vice-President, H. P. Smith ; Treasurer, Edward Weld; Secretary, Lewis Campbell; Superintendent, John A. Phares; Marshal, Arthur Moore; Directors, George Weedman, George S Newmm, John Taylor, John Vandevort, John Mc- Millan, William G Shaw, D.iniel Fuller, Jacob Parlier, Smith Fuller, Henry Simpson, L. B. Chenoweth, William Haberfield, and J. H. Randolph.

We have thus summed up the history of Clintonia township, from the first blow struck within its territory to the present time, [t will not be difficult for the reader, pioneer, or later citizen, to see the progress it has made. It has the soil, the wealth aud the people to make greater development within the next half century than it has in the past. It is true that it has a railroad indebtedness, but with its growing population and the natural resources of the township, it will not be a heavy burden when due. This bonded debt is as follows: - .S")0,000 was voted to the Gilman, Clinton and Springfield road in 1871, and made payable in twenty years. The same amount was voted for the benefit of what is now the Wabash road, and made payable in two instalments, ten and twenty years. These bonds were issued in July, 1872. 810,000 of the latter will be paid in 1882, there being a sufficient amount already in the treasury to make it comparatively light on the people

Biographical Sketches

Was the first born of a family of eight brothers anil sisters, the children of Isaac and Philena Jloore. Isaac Moore was born in Half Moon, Saratoga coenty. New York, January 31, 1794. His father was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, serving the entire period of its dnration ; he was a man of remarkable physical powers. At the age of ninety he could mount a horse ; at ninety-three he walked a distance of fourteen miles in a half day - was of English ancestry. Isaac Moore enjoyed the slenderest possible opportunities for the acquirement of even a rudimentary education, the entire period of his attendance at school not e.Kceeding four months. Nevertheless, possessing bright mental qualities and a will that brushed aside whatever obstacles confronted him, he obtained, by reading and observation, an education sufficient for the discharge in an efficient manner of the duties of an ordinary life. At the age of eighteen, accompanied by his mother, two married sisters and their husbands, and one unmarried sister, he removed to Kirtland, Lake county, Ohio, and now he is spending the evening of a busy life with his sons in this county. His wife, whose maiden name was Philena Blish, died May 14, 1832. Clifton H. Moore obtained a fair education in the country schools, in which he studied geometry, trigonometry and surveying, and which advancement was supplemented by reciting a few months to a Presbyterian clergyman, and attendance at Painesville Academy and Western Reserve Teachers' Seminary, which was taught in the old Mormon

Temple at Kirtland. During part of this time he was engaged in the labor of teaching. At the age of twenty-one he came to Illinois, locating in Pekin, with less than five dollars in his pocket, where he read law with Messrs. Bayley and Wilmot; was admitted to the bar at Springfield July, 1841. August of the .same year found hira the pioneer attorney in De Witt county. At the time he was without means, but possessed of courage, ambition, a mind richly stored with knowledge, an energy resistless in its character. To work he went - no idhraoments for him, and success has crowned his efibrts. In 1852 he became associated with the Hon. David Davis in the purchase of lands. They jointly own many farms, which are kept in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Moore was a member of the Constitutional convention in 1S70, and contributed much to its deliberations. Politically he has been a Whig, and then Republican. He was united in marriage to Miss Klizabeth Richmond, of Tremont, Tazewell county, Illinois, August 14, 1845. By this union there have been born four children, two of whom, Arthur Moore and Mrs. Winifred Warner, are now living. His wife died May 30, 1871 ; she was the daughter of Arouet Riclimond, of Rhode Island, and was a most estimable lady. He was married to Rose Onstine July, 1873. Eminently publicspirited, Mr. Moore is foremost in everything tending to the growth and prosperity of his adopted home.

was Master of Chancery under appointment of Judge Treat; nor was this all, he was also School Commissioner. His fitness to fill these positions received universal recognition. In addition to these offices Jlr. McGraw was Police Magistrate of the Citv of Clinton six years, and Assistant Asse.ssor under the Revenue Laws for four years. Was elected Judge of the County Court in 1877, which position he resigned April 12th, 1881. In all the places of profit or trust the Judge has held, he has exercised commendable judgment and given eminent satisfaction. Politicallv he is a Republican. His wife died November 25th, 1877. She was a woman of worth, a helpmeet in pioneer times that did honor to the name. By her the Judge had five children, two of whom, Leander S. and Nellie C. are living, and three are dead, as follows: Mary Elmira, who died in childhood: Jane, died May 8th, 1876, and Melvina, his eldest daughter, died September 12th, 1881. Judge McGraw is spoken of so frequently in connection with the county's history and in chapter on Pioneers as to render further account here unnecessary.

In every community there are examples of what maybe accomplished in lifeby mapping out a thorough business course and living up to its reijuireraents. Men who reduce every thing to system depending not upon luck, but upon energy and application to business which insure success. To this class belongs the subject of this sketch. John Warner was born in the valley of Virginia Rockingham county on the 24th day of July, 1819. His parent.* were David and Catharine ( lue Ketner) Warner. Thev were ot German extraction. His father was a farmer^ and here in the beautiful valley were the first sixteen years of John's life spent. In 1835 his father having sold the old homestead started for the AVest; leaving the place of his birth and boyish fancies, on the 3d day of September, their effects stowed in two wagons, they wended their way across the Alleghenies, and passed through Columbus, Ohio, on the 28th of the month, where they encountered a violent snow ^torm, and reached Wayne county Indiana late in October, where they wintered. Here they found everything high in price; the poorest kind of wheat was 82.00 per bushel, and frost-bitten corn 75c. In Jlarch following they moved to Henry county where his father had purchased a farm. One year here, satisfied John with log rolling and plowing among the stumps in the beech woods, and as he had acquired a fair education in the common schools of his native state, he left the parental roof to teach, which he did in the rude cabins that at the time abounded in Indiana, receiving for his service S25 per mouth. At the same lime he commenced the study of medicine under the guidance of Doctors Wyman and Carmine of Anderson, Madison eo.. with whom he remained until 1840. On the 30th of October, he was married to Miss Cynthia A. Gardiner, of Henry county, and on the 2nd of June following started westward with about one hundred dollars in money, two ponies and a very poor carriage, with no particular point in view, simply drifting with the tide - he found himself in the old town of Mt. Pleasant, ( now Farmer City), about the 20th of the month. At the time there were five dwelling-houses and one hotel in the place. The hotel kept by John Smith furnished him shelter until he could procure a house, which he soon after did, a cabin 12 xl2, all told. Here he practiced medicine for two years, when he moved to Clinton, where he has since resided. When wars alarms aroused our country to the danger of dismemberment the doctor promptly enlisted, engaged to raise a company and was made major of the 4lst Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was at the surrender of Fort Henry, - in the battle of Fort Donelson, of Shiloh, of Davis Bridge on the Hatchie river, at the evacuation of Corinth. At Shiloh he contracted that dread scourge of armv life, the diarrhoea, by eating part of an old goose captured and cooked by his servant. The goose had by some means escaped being devoured by the .Johnnies - a fate the doctor yet wishes, it had met, as from the effects of its eating he was compelled to resign his position, aud from which he has scarce recovered. For twelve years the doctor followed his profession in this country, - a profession'he disliked and which he exchanged for more congenial pursuits at the earliest opportunity. From 1848 to 1852 he was clerk of the circuit court, and in 1864-66. was a member of the 24th General Assembly, Illinois. His wife died February 15th, 1865. He was married to Isabella Robinson of Huron county, Ohio, May 28th, 1874. In 1867 he commenced banking operations, in which he has since most successfully continued He is methodical in all things, temperate, indu.-trious, and of that strict integrity which never wrongs a man.

One of the leading merchants of Clinton, has been a resident of DeWitt county since October, 1854. He is a native of Vermont, where he was born July 14th, 1826. His parents were df Irish birth. His father, Hugh Magill, was a manufacturer of cotton goods, which business he prosecuted in Malone, New York, whither he moved when .^amuel was a youth. In connection with this business he also opened a stock nf general merchandise, where the subject of this sketch acquired his business tastes and habits.

The family consisted of four brothers and two sisters, namely : William, Samuel, Rebecca, Henry, Robert, who died January 1.5, 1874 ; and Mary Ann.

Mr. Magill is strictly a man of business. He first came to Illinois, stopping in Bloomington, in 1852 ; and two years thereafter he located in Clinton. Possessed of keen perception and correct judgment, he has been eminently successful in life. He has established a reputation among his fellows for unquestioned integrity of character and high moral worth. In politics he has been a Republican since the organization of that party. He is an esteemed member of the Masonic Order. As a merchant, he has been successful. Twenty-eight years in mercantile pursuits in Clinton have resulted in giving him an enviable trade.

The subject of this biographical sketch was born iu Bntler county, Ohio, October loth, 1841. He came with his parents to De Witt county, Illinois, iu 1849. Here he had fair advautages for the acquirement of an education, under the instruction of Professor Turner- In 1867 he commenced the study uf hiw with E. H. Palmer, and in 1869 was admitted to the bar, becoming at once the partner of William Fuller He was united in marriage to Nancy P. Hutchins, February loth, 1865. By this union there are four children living and two dead. Mrs. Graham was the daughter of .John D Hutchins, a very popular and

Was born August loth, 1806, in Warren county, Ohio. His parents were William and Phebe Graham. His father was a tailor by trade, although he exchanged that occupation for farming. He was born in county Down, Ireland in April, 1757, and died in Warren county, Ohio, in July, 1857 - a centenarian, as his mother before him had been, having died at the good old age of one hundred and one years. He was brouL'ht by his parents to Lancaster county Pennsylvania, in 1759, tlience went to Ohio, becoming one of the early pioneers of that State.

Samuel Graham had but meagre opportunities for acquiring an education in youth, but made the most of his chances. He was married to Hannah Kirbv, November 1st, l'S2y. Bv this

' union there have been born thirteen children, of whom twelve are now living, eight boys and four girls. Two of his sons are attorneys, one a doctor ; the others are following various pursuits. Samuel Graham came to DeWitt county in 1849, and wa,s elected Associate Justice of the County Court in 1853, in which capacity he served sis years, when the adoption of township organization disbamled the court. He next served as Justire of the Peace until 1865, when he was elected County Judge, which office he held acceptably to the people for four years. He is a member of the JIasonic Order. He is in the enjoyment of his own home, where he spends the evening of life in ease and

Society has its born leaders as well as its def'eiidauts; its bulil aggressive spirits as well as its following masses ; its men, fitted by nature to take hold of, and push forward public enterprises as as its muscular working men. To that class, able to ])hin an enterprise requiring skill, and nerve, and carry it forward to a happy realization, belongs Col. Thomas Snell. His whole life has been filled -with surprises to his friends. The story of that life may not be without its good effect. He was born in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, December 26th, 1818. His parents were Thomas and Eliza Snell. His father was a contractor and commission merchant ; he was born in New Jersey and died in Pekin, Illinois. His mother died in Iowa. The subject of this sketch was the fourth of a family of five brothers. All are dead except himself and Joseph, the youngest of the family, who lives in Iowa. His early advantages for acquiring an education were meagre indeed, being only such as were offered in central Illinois in the days of log school-houses, as his father moved to Pekin, then called Townsite, in the year l.S-9. Until 1845 he lived in Pekin and Washington, Tazewell county, when he came to Clinton, where he has since resided, and where he has achieved that success in life which has attended his great energy and tireless industry. While in Washington he followed mercantile pursuits, which business he prosecuted in Clinton until 18.52, when the Illinois Central Railroad was being built. At once he took an active and leading part in railway construction, and one after the other took contracts for building miles of the Illinois Central, the Chicago and Southwestern, 1-50 miles ; Joliet and Chicago, 40 miles; Racine and Mississippi, .30 miles; Ohio and Dayton, 40 miles ; 80 miles of the Bloomington, Lafayette and jMississippi ;

Lafayette and !Muncie, Su miles ; graded and bridged the road from Champaign to Havana, a distance of 101 miles, of which road he was made Pre>ident, the first in its history. Apparently he studied less respecting taking a railway construction contract, than many men do in making a horse trade. His quickness of perception, and keen insight into business stood him well in hand in all these contracts. His restless energy was not satisfied even with all this business, so we find him carrying on an extensive wagon factory in Aurora, which he in company with S. L. Keith erected in 18.5!), and continued until 186.5. At one time he had two hundred and fifty hands employed in the works. Politically he was for years a Democrat ; and in 1860 ran for Lieutenant Governor on the Breckenridge ticket. At this time so valuable were his services rated politically, that general McClellan, at the time President of the Illinois Central Railway, and Stephen A. Douglas, came to Clinton in a special car and offered him any sum he might name, to give his infiueuoe for the Douglas democracy. But no ; money offered no temptation where principles were at stake, and the otter which he spurned only caused him to labor the more zealously in the cause he conceived to be right. Notwithstanding his affiliation with the democracy, as soon as the clouds of war appeared in our national skies, his patriotism found vent in expressions that sent a thrill of cheer to every loyal heart in his vicinity, and his voice was loud for the preservation of the Uniou. In the spring of 1861 the firing on Fort Sumter moved him to words of desperation. "Out upon all rebels, hang them one and all," was his cry. In August, 1862, he raised the 107th regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which command he remained as Colonel six months. Whilst in this posi- tion he rebelled against what he considered the slow movements of the Union Armies and the spirit of conciliation manifested. " Give the rebels no quarter," said he. During the year 1862 considerable grain was shipped south from Illinois. Col. Snell promptly telegraphed the facts to Governor Yates, and said, " Stop the shipment of grain south, or I will." Watchful, vigilant, ever awake to the comfort of his " boys" he was popular with all. Early in the war he declared his prediction that negroes would be enlisted as soldiers - a prediction at the time sneered at by the masses of Union men. He believed in doing everything calculated to strengthen the Union cause and cripple that of the rebellion. In 1864 he almost decided not to vote for Abraham Lincoln, because he was not radical enough for him. Those who knew Tom during the war and heard his sayings, speak of him as being most radically radical, bold, outspoken and defiant. He refused to guard rebel property - declaring it only deserved destruction, as did its owners. Whilst passing through the city of Louisville his regiment lustily saug, "John Brown's bijdy lies mouldering in thegrave,"greatly to the edification of the negro population and mortification of qinixi Union men, whom the Colonel heartily despised. For this, coupled with his orders to his soldiers to burn fences where necessary to their comfort ; forage where foraging would add to their happiness, in defiance of general orders he was arrested and put in jail by General Boyle, commander of the Post at Louisville. -This conquered not his spirit, but he still declared his soldiers had come to fight rebels, not to guard their property. Through the interposition of Lawrence Weldou and Leonard Switt he was liberated, and in 1863 returned to his active citizen life. In whatever he has engaged he has lieeu successful, whether it be building a railroad, playing the politician, running a manufacturing estalilishment, engaged in banking or farming, he is the same wide awake business man. He was united in marriage to a most estimaljle lady iSIiss Sarah E. Church, of Washington, been born five children, three of whom are living, two are dead. His wife died October 11th, 1875. Of her it can l)e truly said, she was one of God's noble women. Her philanthroiMO heart beat in sympathy with distress wherever found. The poor never left her door " empty-handed, heavy-hearted ; " a word of cheer she always had, from the depths of her affection, for one and all. In woman's sphere of usefulness she acted well and willingly her part. Of Col. Suell it may be said, he combines more of the elements of success than are allotted the average of mortals. Reverses never daunt, nor do successes unman hjm.

DR. EDWARD PORTER, (Dece.^sed,) Was born in Sinking Springs, Highland county, Ohio, Feb. 6th, 1833, died in Clinton. March 1st, 1879. His early life was spent on a farm. Being a great lover of books, he gave all his spare time to the study of solid literature ; and this intellectual training fitted him for the sphere of usefulness he filled in life. At the age of seventeen he taught school, having a number of pupils older than himself In 18.51 he commenced the study of medicine. In 1852 came to De Witt county, where he first engaged in farming. For ten years he continued farming operations, all the while devoting much time to the study of medicin° and general literature. In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventh Regiment, Illinois Infantry, and served his country faithfully for two years, when he was discharged on account of physical disability. Returning to his home from the war in 1864 he was nominated as the Republican candidate for couuty treasurer, and elected by a large majority ; and again in 1866 he was re-elected. After the expiration of his second term of service he devoted his entire attention to the study of medicine, and in the winter of 186S-9 he attended a course of medical lectures in Philadelphia in the Homeojiathic College of Pennsylvania, from which institution he graduated with honor. On his return to Clinton he bought Dr. Mitchell's practice and almost immediately took first rank among physicians of DeWitt pounty. He was a careful and conscientious phyt-iciau, and devoted himself to the study of his profession. Dr. Porter was a man of great force of character and strong prejudices, yet the warm impulses of his nature made him a generous enemy while he was the truest of friends. Whatever he believed was right, he believed with his whole soul and gave his convictions the full strength of his manhood. In politics an uncompromising Republican ; in religion an ardent believer in the teachings of Swedenborg ; in medicine a most enthusiastic homeopath, he was a vigorous writer and could ably defend his professional and religous views. His morality was of the highest type, and his voice and influence were always on the side of good government. On June 18th, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucy E. Mills, who survives him. Thc-e were born to them nine children. Dr. Porter's memory will be kept green in the hearts of hosts of old patrons and warm friends.

J. H. WAGGONER, Editor and proprietor of the ('Union J!er/)4ei; was born in the present Whitley township, Moultrie county, then a ]iart of Shelby county, September 1, 1832. His ancestors were of German origin, and resided in North Carolina. His father, Amos Waggoner, and his mother, Narcissa Jay, were born, raised and married in Rutherford county, North Carolina. They came to Illinois and settled on Whitley creek in 1828 . ]\Ir. Waggoner was reared in that part of the county. In 1850, when he was eighteen, his father moved with the family to Sullivan, and died in 1854. Amos Waggoner was a man of good natural ability, though like most of the early pioneers, he was self-educated. He served two or three terms as justice of the peace, and at the time of his death was associate judge. When about twenty-two, Mr. Waggoner took charge of a school and taught three terms. In the spring of 1858, in partnership with his brothers, he purchased the Sullivan Express, which had been established the preceding fall, and was the first newspaper published in Moultrie county ; he was connected with this paper till I860- In 1861 he was elected assessor and treasurer of the county, and served two years. In 1864 he was elected circuit clerk, and was re-elected for three terms, thus filling the office for sixteen years in succession - a longer period than any other county officer has held position in Bluultrie connty. After the expiration of his term of service, he gave his attention to the abstract business, which he prosecuted until last October, when he moved to Clinton, and bought the office of the Clinton Ber/ister. He has inaugurated many improvements in the office, and is giving his patrons an excellent county paper. He was married on the 12th of February, 1858, to Miss Laura E. Henry, daughter of Elder B. W. Henry, one of the early ministers of the Christian church. Jlrs. Waggoner w\as born in Shelby county. There are seven children by this marriage. Mr. Waggoner has always been a Democrat. For more than twenty years he has Ijeen an active and consistent member of the Christian church.

Editor and proprietor of the Clinton. Public, \s a. Dative of Canada, was born in Coteau du Lac on the 11th of I\''ovember, 1834. His father and mother were born in Ireland, and came to Canada but a few months before the birth of their son. His father, Michael Butler, was a soldier in the British army, and died at the age of thirty-four. His mother died in March, 1874, leaving Eichard the only surviving member ofa family of thirteen children. During the early years of the life of the subject of this sketch he fully experienced the keen pangs of poverty. His mother being left a widow with four young children, and without means, had to fight the battle of life with the odds against her. Richard's education was limited, having when he was but ten years old to begin work to help support the family. For two years he worked with a confectioner and baker in Montreal, but his health failing he had to try a change of occuijatiou. He drifted from one class of work to another till finally he became an apprentice in the office of the London Free Press in 1849. From there he went to Hamilton and worked in the Canada Christian Advocate and other printing oiBces. In 1852 he went to Rochester, New York, and from that time to the present has been a resident of the United States, excepting a short time he spent in Hamilton, Canada, before and after his marriage. On the 19th of October, 1857, he was married to Miss Kate Scoll, of Niagara, Canada, the servicer being performed by W. G. Wright, pastor of the M. E. Church. In 1859 he left Canada, and came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked as a compositor in the book room of the Jlethodist Book Concern, and on the Cincinnati Daily Enquirer. On the 1st of March, 1862, he bought the office of the Oxford (Ohio) Citizen, which paper he published, excepting a few months he was in the army during the war, till 1869, when he sold the Citizen and bought the Oberlin Sews. Butler's idea of a newspaper did not suit the faculty of Oberlin College. They wanted a religious paper ; he published a neu-spaper in which the local events of Oberlin had due prominence. In disgust he sold his paper after two years' hard work, to a theological student who had graduated from Oberlin College, and years afterward lost S1,000, through this same religious youth. His recollections of Oberlin are not pleasing in view of that §1,000 he lost by one of its shining lights. He then determined to follow Horace Greeley's advice and come west. His first point was Burlington, Iowa, where for a time he held the position of city editor on the celebrated Burlington Hawkeije. Not feeling at home while working for other masters than himself he came to Clinton, and on the Ist of March, 1872, bought the Clinton Public. During his ten years in Clinton he has met with fair success in business, and is now filling the office of postmaster. Butler is an ardent Republican in politics and a strong believer in the temperance cause. Both of these issues find in him a vigorous champion. He is not a believer in a third party movement to advance the cause of temperance, but insists that the Republicans are the true friends of of all reforms, and that the only hope for success in temperance legislation lies through the Republican party. In the local city elections he advocates the anti-license principle, and with some measure of success, for during the past ten years the city has been under an anti-license administration for more than one-third of the time.

As an Editor and manager of a newspaper, Mr. Butler has demonstrated his ability to give the people of De Witt county an excellent journal to whose support they can graciously contribute.

This country, the asylum for the oppressed of all lands, has been greatly enriched by virtue of religious persecutions throughout different parts of Europe. Perhaps none of these persecutions has contributed more of patriotic zeal in proportion to the number who sought homes here, than that of the old Scotch Presbyterians. Driven from their mountain-fastnesses, they first Bought protection in Northern Ireland, and from thence came thitherward. To this class belong the ancestors of A. L. Barnett. When "William Penn was directing the tide of emmigration to his colony near Philadelphia they joined the movement ; thence went to Virginia. So that John Barnett, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, January 28th, 1781. His wife, Sallie Kenney, was of the same stock with himself About 1789 the Barnetts threaded their tedious way over the mountains to Kentucky, the " land of promise" in the eyes of pioneers, John riding behind his father on a pack-horse. They located in Bourbon county, where Alexander was born October 15, 1810, being the third of the family in order of birth. At present there are but three living : Alexander, James, and Sarah ; whilst Robert Franklin, Mary (^who was killed by lightning), Juliet, Elizabeth, and William have passed away. Mr. Barnett acquired a fair e*lucation when young, which has become rich in experience during his active life. He came to De Witt county in the year 1832. Was elected surveyor (the first in the county,) May 6, 1839, an office he held continuously for twenty years and six months. Then after a respite of almost equal time he was again elected in 1879, and now holds the position. Politically he has been during most of his'life a Democrat, having cast his first ballot for JIartin Van Buren. In 1832 he lost his vote (a fact always regretted, as he was an admirer of Andrew Jackson ), because being on his way from Kentucky to Illinois ; but he had the honor of seeing a number of enthusiastic hoosiers drinking to " Old Hickory's health. Of late years, he has identified himself with the Greenback party. He was married to Elizabeth H. Hall, November 20, 1834, by whom he has had twelve children, five of whom died in infancy - three of them being triplets, and died when quite young.^and there are now living six. His wife is a most estimable woman, a member of the Christian church, and quite an active laborer in the Master's cause. ]Mr. Barnett is possessed of a strong, vigorous mind, excellent constitution and great determination of character. He is a man whom his neighbors love to honor.

Was born in Delaware county, Ohio, December o'Hh, 1840. Her father was a farmer Jby occupation. He was a true, good man, gentle and kind in disposition, and possessed of a high sense of honor which was a controlling principle through life. His education was such as could be obtaiued in the early schools of Delaware. Her mother was a high-spirited lady, ambitious to succeed in life, and measurably well was she rewarded for her efforts. In her youth she had the advantages of the schools of the older States and acquired a very good education ; was quite proficient in drawing and painting. For several years she engaged in teaching in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In the early settlement of Illinois they moved to Ogle county, where her mother died. The family soon after returned to Ohio, where they resided until Jlary was thirteen years of age, when they returned to Illinois, soon after which the father died, leaving four orphan children. This father so thoroughly impressed his own life and character upon his children by precept and example, bringing to his aid the memory of a mother's great worth, as to fit them for life's responsibilities, and enable them to resist when tempted to go astray.

Very early in life Mary conceived the idea of becoming a teacher but her opportunities were so poor that she hardly hoped to succeed. An uncle with whom she lived encouraged her, and in the schools of Clinton, to which place they had came in 18.54, she continued her studies. In 1857 she commenced her career as a teacher, in Texas township. Here she taught two , terms, alternating her teaching with attendance at school. Whilst attending school her uncle and his wife procured for her board and clothes. They were faithful friends and counsellors, ever encouraging, ever helping her. Soon after she attended a term of six months at Conover's Female Seminary at Bloomington, borrowing the money with which to defray expenses, and afterwards teaching to replace it. In 1867 she again became a pupil, this time in the Normal University, at Normal, Illinois, but owing to failing health had to abandon her studies before completing the course. Ill health prevented regular teaching. In 1873, through the influence of Judge J. R. Hall and others, her name was placed before the democratic and granger conventions as a candidate for the county Superintendency of Public Schools. In that convention she was defeated, but a week later when the Republican convention assembled she was nominated, and in the succeeding November was elected. In 1877 she was re-elected, and in November 1880 she was appointed to the position for another year by the board of supervisors. That she has made a most faithful and efficient Superintendent is attested by all familiar with her work. In 1864, after carefully and thoughtfully studying the creed of the Christian church, i. e. the Bible, she accepted it, as an allsufficient rule of faith and practice and was baptized December 30, of that year. Since then her profession of the faith has been a constant inspiration in the labor of her life. In church and Sunday-school she takes a great deal of interest, working earnestly and faithfully for the promotion of her Master's cause.

History Of Be Witt Couxty, Illinois Dr. Christopher Goodbrake

Fkw physicians in Central Illinois enjoy a wider or more honorable reputation in their profession than Dr. C. Goodbrake, or as his army comrades prefer to call him, Major Goodbrake, he having attained this rank as Surgeon in the armv.

As his name would indicate, he is a native of Germany. His father, .John Goodbrake, a citizen of Hemengen, near Stuttgard, in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, was of the number of those who learned to love the spirit of freedom prevailing throughout the United Stales, and eager to share in its blessings, determined to leave the faderland " for a residence beyond the blue waters of the Atlantic. His home in Wurtemberg had lost its charms for him in the light of wondrous stories of America's undeveloped resources; so in 1821 he obtained at Leonberg passports for self and family, in readine.ss to make the voyage thither. So patriotic was he, that upon reaching Amsterdam he refused to take passage in any vessel above which the stars and stripes did not float, hence sojourned there for ten or twelve days, when the Xorthumberland set sail. The trip at that time, required from sixty to as many as one hundred and twenty days, but under the skilful guidance of Captain Otto, the ves.sel reached the port of Norfolk, in the unparalleled time of forty-four days - the quickest time ever made up to that date across the Atlantic, between Amsterdam, Holland, and Norfolk, Virginia. From Norfolk he went to Baltimore, and from that city he made his way by wagon toColumbianacounty, Ohio, where he settled. His family consisted of wife and seven children ; three of whom were boys and four were girls. Of these, the subject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth. He was born in Wurtemberg, June 14th, 1816, so that he was but five years of age when brought to this country. His earliest schooling was under the training of George Ritchey, his next under one of the most skilful teachers of eastern Ohio, .Samuel McGrew. To him the doctor is largely indebted for the formation of studious habits and close application to whatever he assumes to do. His father, too, grand old patriot that he was, instilled into his mind a love for his country that has never forsaken him. A fine scholar himself, he greatly aided his son in the pursuit of his studies, so that by the time the subject of our sketch had attained his majority, he was in possession of a good English education, with a fair knowledge of Latin grammar.

Early in life Christopher determined on becoming a practitioner of medicine, and in 1837 he left his home to enter the office of Dr. J. W. Whitaker, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with whom he remained as a student three years. Having acquired a fair knowledge of medicine, he commenced its practice in Portsmouth, Ohio, where he remained for three years ; thence he went to Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1847, when he came to Clinton, where he has sinc^ resided. Ambitious to excel in his profession, and determined on greater proficiency in its knowledge, he attended a course of lectures in Rush Medical College, during the session of 18.54-5, when he graduated. Upon the breaking out of the war of the rebellion in 1861, he was among the first to oft'er his services to the government ; in fact to him must be accredited the honor of being the fir.st in this county so to do. In response to Gov. Yates' call for volunteers, a number enlisted in Clinton on the 19th of April, 1861, who were organized as company E, 20th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. The doctor's recognized skill secured for him the appointment of Surgeon. In the first engagement participated in by this regiment at Fredericktown, Missouri, October 21st, 1861, the doctor was the only Surgeon on the field till after the enemy retreated. After receiving its " baptism of fire" at Fredericktown, this regiment was in the skirmish at Charlestown. the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh. Corinth. Britton's Lane, Jackson, Champion's Hill, siege of Vicksburg, and Atlanta, in each of which the doctor bore his part-

At La Grange, in the fall of 1862, the Seventeenth Army Corps was organized, with General McPherson as commander, and General John A. Logan as commander of the Third Division ; the doctor being the ranking Surgeon, was apjiointed to the position of Surgeon-in-chief of this Division. This honorable distinction he most worthily held until his resignation was accepted. At the expiration of the term of service for which he had enlisted, June loth, ls64, upon the earnest solicitation of General McPherson, and his Medical Director, coupled with a promise that his resignation would be accepted at the expiration of the Atlanta campaign, he re-enlisted, retaining his position. He remained until September 19th, 1864, when he tendered his resignation. The doctor's horse, " t)ld Roan," was a great favorite with him, having been taken from home, and having carried him through more than three years' service. He was anxious to take him home. Transportation had to be secured, which at the time was a difficult thing to accomplish. General Sherman suggested that another horse would soon fill his place iu the doctor's afi'ections ; but no, take him home he would, he declared, even though to do so he would have to put on a rebel uniform, and thus make his waj' through the country. After much effijrt he succeeded in obtaining the necessary papers, and brought his horse home with him. Since the war the doctor has given his attention to his profession, in which he takes high rank. His contributions to medical science have been well received and favorably commented upon by medical journals. Some of his surgical operations have awakened general interest, and elicited the highest encomiums of fellow-surgeons. The doctor is quite active in medical societies, anxious as he is to promote the interests of the profession. He is a member of the American Medical Association, of the Illinois State Medical Society, of which he was President in 18.37 ; of the Alumni Association of Rush Medical College, of which he was chosen President in 1879 ; and of the De Witt county Medical Society. To him, in fact, physicians of his county are indebted for the organization of a local society, which was organized Jlay 6th, 1856. In honor of his being the founder of the society, he was chosen its first presiding officer; at present he is .Secretary of the society.

He takes great interest in the cause of Education, and in everything calculated to advance the substantial interests of his adopted home. He held the office of Mayor of Clinton for a year, the duties of which he discharged with credit alike to himself and constituents. He served five years on the Board of Education of the Clinton schools.

One of his especial delights is iu the progress of Masunry. He was made a Mason in Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1S42, in Aurora Lodge, No. 48. After coming to Clinton he took his membership, first to Bloomington, then in connection with others, he instituted the Lodge in Clinton. He took the chapter degree in Springfield, Illinois, and was made a Knight Templar in Apollo Commandery No. 1, at Chicago in 1857.

A skilful surgeon ; a physician who keeps abreast of the times ; the doctor lives in the enjoyment of a large practice. A true friend himself, of generous impulses, and cheerful disposition, he has hosts of well-wishers. JIany good and true friends.

Was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1844. His parents were John and Catharine Calhoun, mr Kiner. W . F. Calhoun enlisted as a private in Co. H, 133d Peuna. Vols. Infty. July, 1862, was in the second Bull Run fight, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, after which he was mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service. Soon after he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 20th Penna. Vol. Cavalry, which regiment was sent to the Shenandoah valley in the winter of 1864, and participated in the battles fought by Siegel, Hunter and Sheridau. At the battle of Piedmont, near Harrisburg, Virginia, on the 6th day of June, 1864, the company to which he belonged and Co. E of the same regiment, in a charge on the enemy's rifle pits, captured five hundred men, and in an effort to recapture them, General Jones, commanding the rebel forces, was killed. In this charge Calhoun's horse was killed under him. After this battle the colonel appointed him orderly sergeant of his company. During the campaigns of Sheridan he waa frequently detailed to carry orders across territory in possession of the enemy, and at other times to do scouting service with small details of men. He accompanied his regiment in Sheridan's last raid from Winchester to Petersburg, and from thence to Dinwiddle Court House and Five Forks, where the oth U. S. Cavalry and the 20th Penna. Vols, opened the series of engagements that ended in thesurrender of General Lee's army. An incident of the Doctor's army life is worthy of record. At the battle of Fredericksburg, where his regiment before charging on the enemy at Mayre's Hill was ordered to unsling their knapsacks, his contained a Testament, the gift of his mother, whose name and place of residence was inscribed on the fly-leaf. Another regiment opened the knap.sacks ; one of the men carried the Testament with him, and during the battle was killed. The party burving the dead, thinking the Testament bore the name of the person killed, inscribed that name on the grave-mark, and is so recorded in the national cemetery at Fredericksburg. The Testament was returned to his mother after the war, and by this means the facts were made known. The Doctor came to Illinois in October, 186.5, locating in Ottawa, La Salle county, where he began the practice of dentistry in 1867. There he was married to Miss Blanche Derthick, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, February, 1852. In 1870 the Doctor moved to De Witt county, where he has since resided. For two years he was Mayor of Farmer City. In 1877 he was the Eepublican candidate for county clerk - made a gallant fight, but democrats and greenbackers having combined against hijn. he and the entire ticket were defeated. In 1880 he was chosen chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, and at the State Convention of that year was chosen a member of the State Central Committee. During the campaign he made a number of speeches.

A prominent Attorney of Clinton, wlio died March 20, 1879, was the son of John and Arabella C. Palmer, of Madison county, Ohio, where he was born August 25th, 1825. His grandfather Palmer was a Kentuckian, who located in the Mad Piiver valley country in Ohio in an early day, and preached as a " Christian " minister until his death. His grandfather was possessed of a most remarkable memory : that of historical dates and facts, also of Scriptural passages being wonderful. The children and grand-children of this couple now constitute some of the most wealthy and substantial citizens of JIadison county. E. H. Palmer started in life in comparative poverty. His father died when he was but thirteen years of age, whereupon he lived with an uncle and learned the carriage and wagon making trade. In his boyhood days he was very fond of books, and the great ambition of his young life was to secure an education. While working at his trade he spent his evenings in study, and without the aid of a teacher acquired a good English education. He then engaged in teaching, and by carefully hoarding every dollar he earned above bare living expenses, saved enough to begin a college life. He entered as a student in Dennisou University at Granville, Ohio, and continued until the middle of the junior year, when he entered Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. During his vacations he worked faithfully in order to secure the means required for board and tuition during the succeeding term. At Granville he found a friend in the president, who loaned him money sufficient to pay expenses and to enable him to graduate, which he did in 1851. Mr. Palmer never forgot his friend, and the very first money he earned, after going out to fight the battles of life, was devoted to the payment of this debt. After graduating he was chosen Professor of Mathematics and Languages in an Academy at Raymond, Mississippi, a position he filled acceptably. While at Raymond he became converted to the Methodist faith. In his religious professions-he was ever most active. Here, too, he commenced the study of law, and was admitted to practice at the bar. In 1855 he returned to the North, soon after to Clinton, to visit an old friend, Lawrence Weldon, who introduced him to Abraham Lincoln. The welcome extended him by the large hearted Lincoln encouraged him to cast his lot in Illinois, which he did in 1857 by locating in Clinton. In the meantime he was married to Sarah M. ilitchell, of Springfield, Ohio, on the 19th of June, 1855. He was ambitious in his profession, and took a leading position at the bar in De Witt county. Politically he was an ardent active Democrat, an especial friend of Stephen A. Douglas ; he made some stirring speeches in his behalf when a candidate for office. His great delight was in hischildren, in whose interest no pains or means were spared. Two of his sons, Frank M and Everett B. Palmer, graduated from the State Industrial University, and Illinois College, respectively; the first, in 1876; the second, in 1878 ; Frank was Valedictorian, and Everett B. enjoyed the distinction of being Salutatorian of his class. Frank M. studied law with his father, and was admitted to practice in 1880. Mr. PI H. Palmer was active, restless, ambitious and genial. A kind friend, a devoted father, a conscientious Christian gentleman.

The Liseiiby family may be regarded as among the pioneer families of De Witt county. A. V. Lisenby was born here Sept. 11, 1850. His parents were James and Martha Lisenby, whose maiden name was ilcKiuIey.

James Lisenby, the father of the subject of this sketch, came from Kentucky, where he was born, to Sangamon county, Ills., in 1828 ; thence to De Witt- in 1830 ; in 1833 returned to Sangamon to live with a brother ; thence to the lead mines in southwestern Wisconsin ; and in 1846 to De Witt county, where he has since resided, and where he has held various positions of honor and trust. (VThich see in Civil Chapter). The last year of his service as county clerk, he was stricken down with rheumatism, from which he has suffered continuously, and which has necessitated, at times, change of climate.

in the public schools of Clinton. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah McFarland, Sept. 17th, 1871, by the Rev. R. M. Barnes. His wife, an accomplished lady, is the musical life of the circle of friends with whom she associates. Politically, Mr. Lisenby is a democrat, and on the democratic ticket he was elected county clerk Nov. 1, 1877, an office he fills with general acceptance, and for discharging the duties of which his early training has well fitted him. Prior to his election.to this office, he had been for three years treasurer of the city of Clinton, and also had been engaged in the hardware business. l\Ir. Lisenby is a member of the Masonic Order, in the work of which he takes great interest; also, of the Knights of Pythias. The principles underlying these societies are his guiding stars, and by acting them out in life he is laying the foundation for that success always attendant upon integrity of character and energy.

Honored, as among the pioneer settlers of De Witt county, is he whose portrait graces this page. George D. Smallwood was boru in Ross county, Ohio, March 31st, 1810. His parents were Parmenious and Deborah Smallwood, natives of Jefferson county, Virginia. Their ancestors were among the early settlers of Virginia, and were of Irish extraction. They came to Illinois in the fall of 1825, and located in what is now Macon county. In all. there were fifteen children in the family. Of these, George D was the second in order of birth. Parmenious built a mill on Salt Creek, in what is now Creek township, De Witt county, in 1834, of which George took charge. George had built a cabin in the fall of 1830, near the site of the mill. He acquired a fair common-school education, first in Ohio, then in Sangamon county, this State ; learned surveying, and did much in this line in early times, dividing with Alexander Barnett the laurels of all the early work of this character in De Witt county. He was married to jNIary Ann Brown, daughter of Henry and Jane Brown, who were early settlers of what is now Texas township, March 24th, 1839, by whom he had one child, who died in infancy. His wife died Feb. 21st, 1867, aged 43 years one month and twelve days. Mr. Smallwood has followed the vocations of millinff, in which he was engaged for about fifteen years, farming and surveying. In politics he is a prominent Republican. His first presidential vote was cast for Andrew Jackson ; but, since the organization of the Republican party in 18.56, he has stood by that party. He participated in the Black Hawk War, and when the militia was organized he was appointed Colonel, which position he held several years previous to 1840, when he resigned. Honored and respected of all, Mr. Smallwood is passing

Rev James C Rucker

This much-respected and talented Methodist divine was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, January 6, 1817. His parents were Rev. Ahmed and Nellie Rucker. His father, likewise a Methodist Episcopal minister, was a Virginian by birth. Tradition says that a person named Rucker came from Alsace, France, to America, contemporaneous with John Smith, was shipwrecked off Cape Hatteras, and swam ashore, a distance of seven miles, carrying with him a bottle of French brandy ; that he settled^ in Amherst county, Virginia, and from him sprang the honored family of Rucker, now scattered throughout much of the Union. In the Revolutionary war one Amherst Ruckor, .1 brother of the grandfather of our subject, was a colonel. Just before the close of that seven years' struggle, he visited his home, where he was gladly received by many friends, who with him witnessed a wonderful vision from his house of the surrender of the red-coats to the patriots in mid-air- The sign was to them full of meaning and hope, and served to renew their courage upon return to the field of battle.

James Rucker received a fair education in select schools at Harrodsburg, Kentucky. An incident in his school life shows the character of the boy. He was struck by one SIcConnell, a son of Gen. McConnell. He informed his teacher, who, because of the position and wealth of the offender's father, failed to mete out merited punishment. This made a lasting impression on young Rucker, who from that time forth has hated anything that smacked of the domineering trait of slave-holding. At the age of seventeen, James came to Illinois with his parents, who located in Sangamon county. In 1857 he went to Winchester, where he taught school. Soon after we find him in the law office of Stejiheu A. Douglas as a stu(ient. He remained here two years, when he was admitted to the bar and practiced the profession of law for four years. About a year before he quit the practice, he was converted under the preaching of Rev. Peter Akers, and had no peace of mind until he dropped everything else for the advocacy of the Master's cause. His preaching career commenced in Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, and has continued in various places for a period of thirty-three years. He was married to Miss Rachel Howard, Aug. 29, 1849, by the Rev. John S. Barker. In politics Mr. Rucker is an uncompromising Republican. During the progress of the war he boldly advocated the abolition of slavery, and in a speech made upon the occasion of the ratification of the victory at Vicksburg, said : - " God Almighty has written on the broad face of the sky, in letters of burning light, ' that all men are created free, and that slavery shall be destroyed,'" - at the time a bold utterance, and most efiectively said. At present Rev. James Rucker is leading a quiet life, which he has richly earned by virtue of faithful, earnest work in the past, in Clinton. His wife, a lady of sweet disposition, though of late years a great sufierer, physically, is loved by all who have come to know her ; and, together, they enjoy the society of friends who gather about them, and enter the. evening of well-spent lives.

Some men pass halt' their lives in ileteriuiniiig for what nature fitted them- In the light of William Fuller's success as an attorney conpled with the fact that his admission to the bar was after he had attained his forty-fourth year we opine that he belongs to this class. William Fuller was born Febfuary 19th, 1823, in Greene county, Pennsylvania. His parents, Daniel and Nancy Fuller, were of the good old Peimsyl vania stock of farmers from whom have sprung so many of the energetic men of to-day. His father coupled with his farming operations the vocation of blacksmith, in which he excelled. It devolved upon him to manufacture sickles, scythes and fine work generally. His parents were of Iri--h birth. His father a native of the city of Dublin. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, from whence he was taken at the age of three years to Fayette county. William Fuller was the oldest of a family of eight boys, of whom all but one are now living. He received a fair common-school education. His aptness to learn secured for him the position of teacher in his native county when still a youth. He had the honor of teaching the first free school ever opened in his own district. In November 1S48 he came to De Witt county where he taught for four winters, varying these duties by farming during the summer. He had in his possession a few law books which he most industriously studied, and which laid broad and deep his knowledge of the general law and determined him largely in his choice of a profession. These were yet primitive times in De Witt, and so he found himself chosen as the advocate of many clients in the lower courts, where he gained a fine local reputation as a pettifogger. Pedagogics was his business, but old farmers as they witnessed hie pleadings declared pettifogging his real forte. At one time he enjoyed the largest jiractice of this character, vested in any one individual in the county. In 1S.54 he was elected sheriff of the county, an office he filled to entire satisfaction. Had been elected prior to this time as a Justice of the Peace, which he only held for the brief term of three months, preferring to appear as an advocate to sitting in judgment on cases brought before such a court. In 1867 he was, after an examination, admitted to the bar as an Attorney, since which time he has continually and successfully practiced. In politics he is a Democrat of the strictest order, outspoken, bold and defiant. Has taken a hand in every campaign since he was a boy. His first vote was cast for James K. Polk. He is a member of the Masonic Order. He was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Parker, in Madison county, Ohio, February 23d, 1S46. By this union there are six children living four boys and two girls. Mr. Fuller is a man of courage, enterprise and strict integrity of character.