Kickapoo Township

Kickapoo Township

Town 9 north, range 8 east, took its name from the creek which flows through it. Kickapoo is an Indian term and signifies red bud. The stream was so named from the abundance of that shrub that grew along its banks. The townsljip dates its settlement from 18.34. John L. Wakefield, now of Radnor, claims to have been the first settler, in that year. Francis Pond. George (). Kingsley, came to the township in the Fall of 1834, and kept bach, and shook with the ague in a cabin on the farm where Mrs. Mary Kingsley now lives. John Cnyle and Israel Pinckney came the same Fall. The former settled on the farm now owned by Joseph Voorhees, and was afterwards one of the proprietors of Kickapoo village. Mr." Pinckney built his cabin on S. E. of Sec. 12. He came from New York city. TheKingsleys were natives of \''crmont. They both married and reared famlies, and died in tiie townsliip, George in IHtiH, and Francis in 1873.

Others soon followed tiiese first pioneers. Samuel Dinnon came from Connecticut in 1838 and located on Sec. 10, where he still resides. Gideon Thomas, father of John A., came to the townshij) in 1844 and settled where J. A. Thomas now lives.

Hales Mill. - In 1834 William Hale, then sheriff of Oswego county, N. Y., being West on official duty, visited the Kickapoo valley and selected a mill site at what is now the upper end of Pottstown. He returned home, resigned his offioe. and in the Spring of 183."> came back accompanied with George Greenwood, John Kasioii, and Waldo Holmes, and erected a saw mill on the site that year. The following Winter material was jjrepared, and in the Spring of 183o a flouring mill was raised. He brought the necessary machinery and his family by wagon from Albany, N. Y., that Summer, and the mill was completed and set to running in tlie Spiing of 18;iT. It was visited liy settlors for a radius of thirty miles, and was crowded with Inisiness. The water supply giving out in 1848, steam was substituted, and Mr. Hale controlled the property until his death, in 18.')9. Tiie mill was converted into a ilistiller}', which was destroyed by tiie in 1807.

Mr. Hale donated a tract of land for burial, religions, and school purposes, and erected a small house thereon. .\ R(!V. Mr. Heggs was one of the first preachers to visit the Hale's Mill settlement. He held services there and organized a Methodist society, which flourished a number of years, and at one lime eoiilained one hundred and fifty niembeis, but is now extinct.

Kickapoo Village

Tlie village plat was laid off in July, 1836. The plat was entered for record in the name of John Coyle. The town site is in the southwest quarter of Sec. 6. About onehalf of this quarter section was laid off in town lots with a public square in the center. Tiie first house on the village site was erected by Mr. Jenkins on the site now occupied by Valentine Schlenk's hotel property, long known as the Kickapoo House. The original building is included in the hotel building. It was designed for a storeroom, and was used for that purpose for a short time by Mr. Jenkins, when additions were made for hotel purposes.

Baptist Church. - This church society was formally organized on the 29th day of March, 1851. Irregular services were held previous to this date at various places, as a good many Baptist people had settled in the vicinity of the village. The organization sermon was preached by Elder H. G. Weston.

The following were tlie constituent members: Moses Smith, Evan Evans and wife, Thomas Fallyn and wife, Anthony Fallyn and wife, Joseph Fallyn, George H. Frye and wife, John Ford and wife, George W. Weston and wife, Elizabeth Bell and Fanny Huxtable. Soon after a subscription was circulated and a frame house of worship was built, and completed in 1853, during the administration of Elder Freeman as pastor.

The present membership is about thirty-five. Services are held every alternate Sunday, Elder Armstrong of Stark county officiating. John Marshall is church clerk.

G-erman Catholic Church. - In 1861 the German Catholics hereabouts bought the ground and the standing walls of the Episcopal church edifice, which had been burned, for -$324, and at once commenced to reconstruct the building. Rev. Father Fronenhofer was priest at that time, and under his careful management the edifice was comijleted in the Fall of 1862, for the sum of $842, making the cost of the church edifice thus far $1,166. In 1869 an addition was made to the church building costing $1,725.

The lots and old parsonage building adjoining the church were bought in 1862 for !|350. The house was remodeled and repaired. August 4, 1876, the church authorities contracted with Gottfried Herweg, of Peoria, for the erection of the present parsonage at $1,600. The society includes forty-five families. Rev. Father Anton Schmitz has been the officiating priest since September 20, 1877. A good school is maintained in connection with this church about nine months of each year, in which both German and English is taught.

Episcopal Church. - The first church edifice erected on the village plat was the Episcopal Church, built in 1845. The settlement of Bishop Chase at Jubilee, and the erection of a college there, influenced a goodly number of people of the Episcopal faith to locate in the vicinity. They erected a house of worship which continued in the possession of the Episcopal people for fifteen years, until partially destroyed by fire in 1860. The ground and the standing brick walls were sold to the German Catholics, by whom it was re-constructed, the old walls forming a part of their present very handsome church edifice.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - The first M. E. services here were held about 1843. At that time Kickapoo was included in what was then known as the Brimfield Circuit, Rock River Conference. The first services were conducted by a Rev. Mr. Whitmon, at the iiouse of William Young. In 1854, Rev. Henry Somers was presiding elder of the Kickapoo Circuit, and Rev. P. F. Rhodes, preacher in charge. Under the ministerial labors of Mr. Rliodes, guided by Mr. Somers, the present church edifice was commenced and completed in 1855, at a cost of $1,662. It was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Johnson, of

Peoria. The present membership at the Kickapoo appointment is about twenty-five members, and a well conducted Sabbath school, James Dunseth, superintendent.

Enijlish Lutheran Church. - The Lutheran church edifice was built in 1867, at a cost of $2,2o0. Regular services were maintained until the Spring of 1877. Since then, services have been held at irregular periods. The Missouri Lutherans hold services in this church edifice every two weeks.

Edwakds Station

This is a mining and railway station on the Peoria and Galesburg division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad, and is located on section nineteen. By rail it is fourteen miles, and by wagon road, ten miles, west from Peoria. It is not a regularly laid out town, but more of a mining hamlet. The houses are built with but little regard to the points of the compass. The first man to settle here was Is;iac Jones, who built a cabin on the side of the hill, very nearly where Wilkinson & Wantling's coal shaft is operated. He died in 1840.

In 1853, two years after he commenced business at the Station, E. I). Edwards built a steam flouring mill here, which was successfully conducted until 1866 or '67, when itwas destroyed by fire. It has never been rebuilt.

Coal Mining. - In 1860, Dr. Wilkinson commenced buying coal bearing lands in the vicinity of the Station. He bought from time to time, as such lands were offered, until he now owns nearly 1,000 acres of coal bearing land adjacent to the Station.

In December, 1870, Dr. Wilkinson had completed arrangements for a thorough development of his mining interests, and associated Isaac Wantling, an experienced miner, with him in their management. Active operation.s were commenced in January, 1877, and successfully prosecuted ; they possess a capacity for supplying twenty car-loads of coal per day, which can be indefinitely increased. There are two drift veins of four and five feet in thickness that are easily accessible, on the Wilkinson lands, the extent of which is unknown. Each one of these drifts, as far as worked, will yield 1,000 bushels of coal to each square rod, or 40,000 tons to tlie acre.

M. E. Church. - The first services were held at the Station and the society organized by Rev. J. Kearns and his colleague. Rev. Mr. Sedor, in l!-;67 or '6fi. The class numbered twelve or fifteen members. James Grecnough was the first class leader. Regular services are held in the school-house every two weeks. A Sabbath school has been carefully fostered and steadily maintained, until it numbers sixty-five members; A. W. Thayer, superintendent.

Temperance Reform Club. - The Red Ribbon Reform movement was inaugurated in February, 1879, and at the close of the year the membership numbered about one hundred.

The population of the place is about one hundred and fifty. School is maintained from six to nine months each year. S. S. Edwards, postmaster; A. W. Thuyi-r, railroad and express agent.

Schooh. - In 1851, Mi.ss Sarah Smith taught the first school at Hide's Mill, occupying a cooper shop as the school-house. Previous to that what pupils there were went to the Kingsley school-house some distance west. A few locust trees are now the only reli^ to mark the location of the old school-house.

In 1H40, Mr. Samuel Dimon, who came to the county and neighborhood in 1838, hauled the logs for the first school-hou.se erected in what is now district No. 1. Miss Harriet Hitclicock is believed to iuive been the first tcaclur in tiial first school-house.

Mr. Dinion subsequently wielded the birch and ferrule as teacher for two or three quarters iu the same building. A fine brick structure now takes in its place.

Besides this school-house, the school-houses at Kickapoo, Edwards Station and Pottstown, which are elsewhere mentioned, there are four other districts, making a total of eiglit districts in tlie township.

The first school-house in district No. 5, was located on the northwest quarter of Sec. 9, a frame structure, was erected in the Spring of 1 851, at a total cost $260. The first school in this building commenced in the Fall of 1851 - H. Gregory teacher.

This school-house served the purposes of the district until 1877, when the present frame structure was erected on the same ground at a cost of i510.

The school-house in district No. 0, is situated on the southeast quarter of Sec. 16. It is a frame building and was erected about August, 1860, at a cost of $300. The first school commenced in the Fall of 1860 - a man named Pehamer, teacher.

The school-house in district No. 7, is located on the northeast quarter of Sec. 33. It is a frame building, was erected in the Summer of 1867, and cost $500. Miss H. Pritchard taught the first school that Winter.

The school-house in district No. 8, is a frame building and located on the northwest quarter of Sec. 13. It was erected in the Summer of 1867, at a cost of $528. The first school was taught in tlie Winter of 1867-8, by Miss Hattie C. Hamison.

Ooal Mines and Mining. - At the site of the old mill there is now quite a village, whose inhabitants derive tiieir subsistance from mining the coal that abounds in such measureless profusion beneath tlie hills of the Kickapoo. The first coal mining done at that point was by Jacob Darst about 1849 or '50. In minec's parlance, he began "stripping" about that date and continued it about five years. Frederick Ruprecht and John Woolenscraft purchased from him some bluif land and commenced "drifting" the same 3'ear. In 1851, Ruprecht bought his partner's interest and operated the mine two years, when he sold out to Anderson Grimes and Judge Bryant ; they in turn sold out to Samuel Potts, who has been the heaviest operator since that time. By reason of his large mining interests, the place has become generally known as Pottstown. Henry Vicary operates a mine which was opened about 1850, and known as the Vicary lower vein. Mr. Potts and Mr. Vicary, who represent the leading coal banks, are both Englishmen and had mining experience in their native country. Until within the past two years the product of these mines was exclusively sold at the Peoria market, and hauled by wagons; but having constructed a tramway to his mine, Mr. Potts ships by rail to various points abroad. Tiie supply is thought to be inexhaustible. Parker & Clifford operate a mine, employing eight men to whom they pay $5,184 per annum.

has been chiefly quilt up by Mr. Potts for the use of his operatives and their families, since 1869. In 1875 Mr. Potts began the manufacture of brick, which has since been quite an important business in the hamlet. William H. McLaughlin opened the first store in tiie place in Marcli, 1872. Having changed hands several times, the business is now conducted by Joseph Middleton.

The Red Ribbon Club. - Tlie temperance reform movement reached Pottstown in August, 1878. It met with a hearty encouragement by nearly all the most influential citizens; a club was organized and is in a healthy condition.

The Patrons of Husbandry have two quite flourishing lodges in Kickapoo. No. 446 was chartered May 16, 1873, and was organized with thirty members. In tlie Fall of 1S79 the membership was thirty-five and the lodge in active working order. It holds stock in the Peoria grange store.

Orange Cr range, No. Sio. - This grange was organized, with about forty members, January 10, 1874. It now numbers over fifty. The lodge owns a hall in seliool district

The Bi<^ Hollow Butter and Cheese Factory Company was or<janized in 1878, with a capital stock of 81.'),0U0, and erected a building 30 Ijy 'jO feet. It hegan operations iu May, 1878, and has a capacity of 10,000 pounds of milk, or 1,000 pounds of cheese per day.

BASLER NICHOLAS, farmer and grapegrower. Sec. 10, P. O. Kickapoo. Mr. Itasler is a son of Philip and Eve Easier nte Stough, and was born in Germany, 31st May, 1825. He spent the years of his minority in his father's vineyard, and was thoroughly educated as a grape grower. He immigrated to America in the twenty-second year of his age, and landed at St. Louis, remained a short time and then went to Cincinnati, O., where he found employment among the vineyardists ol that city for eight years. He united in marriage with Miss Catherine, daughter of Godfried and Magdelena Kinck nee Houk, on the 2gth day of February, 1851, and came to lUinoisand settled at their present home in April, 1855. They had, 'little but their German pluck with which to commence their home,but they fought bravely and well. They settled on wild land covered with a thick growth of small trees and underbrush. Mrs. Kasler, although a small, frail woman, often helped her husband with the grubbing hoe, and otherwise in clearing the land, as well as in the planting and harvesting seasons. They worked and saved on their forty acre farm, and now own 120 acres valued at $30 per acre. A part of the old homestead is devoted to grapes and small fruit, which yield handsome profits. They were raised in the faith of the German Luthern Church, to which they still adhere. They have two children. John was bom at Cincinnati, O., and September, 1852, and Robert was born at the present homestead 2nd December, 185S.

BELL GEORGE, farmer. Sec. 18, P. O. Alta. Son of William and Mary Bell nee Stephens, was born in Ohio, 15th December, 1833. His father was a journeyman tanner, and moved froih place to place as he could find employment. As soon as he was old enough, George commenced to work at whatever he could find to do, but mostly among the farmers of the neighborhood where his father lived, so that it may be said he was educated as a tiller of the soil. On the 18th day of March, 1857, at Cincinnati, O., he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of John A., and Elizabeth Harris n^f Leslie, who was born in Fayette Co., O., i8th May, 1S3S. In September of that year, 1857, they came to Tazewell Co., this State, remained there one year, and then went to Des Moines Co., Iowa. After three years in Iowa, they came back to Illinois, and have since remained in Peoria county. A part of the time they lived in the city of Peoria, where Mr. Bell engaged as fireman on a ferr)' boat, and part of the time as engineer at the potter)*. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company G., 77th Illinois. The war closed in April, and Mr. Bell returned home in June. During the remainder of that year he engaged as a common laborer, and in the Spring of 1866, he leased a farm of R. M. Cole, which he occupied five years. In 1871, he moved to Abram Fry's place in Kickapoo township, which he occupied until the Spring of 1878, and then became a tenant on the farm of Robert Campbell in Sec. I, Kickapoo township, on which he remained until the Spring of 1880, when he removed to his own quarter section as above, which he had previously purchased. This tract of land is valued at $25 an acre. They have had seven children, Elizabeth Jane and James William, twins, were born 23rd May, 1859, John Franklin, born 28th February, 1861, Ida May and Elmer Ellsworth, twins, born 13th February, 1863, Elmer E., died nth July, and Ida M.iy. nth October, same year, Luella Augusta, born 17th August, 1867, Cornelius Leslie, born 8th March, 1873. Mrs. Bell was baptized in the Baptist faith, to which she still clings. Mr. Bell has no church membership, Politicially he is an independent Democrat. Itcrftman II. farmer, Peorlx was bom in Franklin county, Pa., January 9, 1836. In the last days of October, 1S43, the family left Pennsylvania to find a home in Illinois, traveling from Chambersburg to Pittsburg in a one-horse wagon. From Pittsburg they came to Peoria by boat, arriving in December. Temporary provision was made at Peoria for the accommodation of the mother and smaller children, and about five o'clock of a cold, stormy day, the father and three of the older children, including Peter, set out on foot for Kickapoo village, which they reached about II o'clock, and found shelter at John Schlenk'sold pioneer hotel. A few weeks later the family settled on a tract of land purchased in Rosefield. where the children were raised, and on which the father died, in December, 1874, at the age of seventy-five years. The mother is still living, at the age of eighty. She has eight living children, fifty-eight grandchildren and sixteen greatgrandchildren. Peter Best, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in Rosefield, with such school advantages as the times aflTorded. On the 21st December, 1858, he married Mary, daughter of Adam and Margaret Eisenbour nee Geiger, who was born in Baden, Germany, i6th June, 1839. They lived two years on the Best homestead, and remained in the township until iS6g. when they came to Kickapoo, and in 1870 to their present place. They now own 505 acres of land, valued at $35 an acre, besides valuable personal property. Democratic in political sentiment, and Catholic in religious faith. They have nine children- Adam J., born Sept. 27, 1859, educated at Parish's Peoria Business College, and graduated therefrom May I, 1S79; Jacob F., born July 17, 1861, Elizabeth A., August 6, 1863, Joseph V., Sept. 12, 1865, Matilda M., July 2, 1067, Peter M., November 24, 1S69, Anna M., April 3, 1872, Mary A., Aug. 20, 1S74, Frances B,, Jan. 25, 1878.

BURDETT JOSEPH, farmer, P. O. Peoria, son of John and Sarah Burdett. ntt Sharman. was born at Sutton Bassett, Northamptonshire, England, September 7, 1826. He attended the free schools of England from the time he was six and a half until he was eleven and a half years of age, and was then set to work on a farm, and at the age of seventeen years commenced working in the mines. July 22, 1849, he married Ann, daughter of John and Martha Fowles, nee Bagley, who was born on the 20th day of July, 1829. In the early Spring of 1850, he left England and his wife to make a home for her in America; landed in New York on the iSth day of May, proceeded to Ohio, and there found work by which he earned money enough to carry him to Illinois, and arrived at Peoria in November of that year. Worked in AquillaMoflfatt's coal mines, as a miner for two years, September I, 1851. his wife joined him. In 1853, he commenced operating in coal on his own account. In 1S57, he purchased the first So acres of the present homestead ; began to improve it in 1S60, and came to live on it in February, 1863. He has since added another 80 acres, making 160 acres in the home place, which is highly cultivated, and valued at $50 an acre ; also owns another l6o acres in section 27, valued at $25 an acre. Politically Mr. Burdett is an uncompromising Democrat; was elected supervisor in 1S68, and reelected six years in succession ; in 1879 ^^ ^^s again elected. Mr. B. is also a practical farmer, and an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and has been Master of the South Kickapoo Grange, No. 446, since its organization, May 16, 1873. He is also president of the Peoria County Grange Co-operative Association, and a member of the Big Hollow Butter and Cheese Manufacturing Company. They have had ten children ; Joseph, born in England, 6th May, 1850 ; married Jane Benn, 5th July, 1S71 ; Josephine, born Peoria county, 15th December, 1852, died nth March, 1864; Arthur, born 19th June, 1854. died ist October, 1S55 ; Anna, born loth February, 1S56, married William Benn, 5th July, 1879; Sarah, born 7th November, 1S57; Alfred, born nth September, 1859, ^^^^ 23rd December same year ; Stephen A. D., born 29th January, 1861 ; Isaac, born 27th September, 1862 ; John, born i8th April, 1864; Martha, born 8th March, 1866; died 4th April following. The father and mother were baptized in the Church of England.

is a son of Thomas and Elenor Edwanls, net Scott, and was born in Hampshire county. Va., Feb. l8, 1527, and came with his parents to Kosefield township in the Spring of 1S35. In 1857, when the Peoria, Oquawka and Burlington, now the C, B. & Q., Railroad, was completed, he removed from the farm to Edwards Station, where he opened a grocery and provision store, and was appointed station agent by the railroad company ; was also appointed the 6rst postmaster in the place. In the Spring of 1862, he removed his family back to the farm and enlisted in Co. K. 77th Illinois. He was elected second lieutenant, and subsequently promoted to first lieutenant, and served three years, fourteen months of which time was spent in the rebel prison at Camp Ford, Texas ; rations were sometimes nothing but a handful of corn a day to each prisoner. After returning home he engaged in farming until February, 1877, when he again removed to Edwards Station and opened a general store. He was appointed postmaster the same year, in which capacity he is still serving. December 18, 1851. he married Miss Mary J., daughter of Rev. Jacob Schamp, who was born May 4, 1825. They have had seven children - Florence Virginia, born Nov. 21, 1852. died Sept. 29, 1853; Thomas Justin, born Dec. 23, 1853; William Henry, born Oct. 6. 1S55; Mary Susan, bom Feb. 23, 1857; Isadorejane, born Aug. Q, 1859; Charles Hamilton, born Dec. 23. 1861; Edward David, born April 17, 1 366, died March 2, 1867. Mr. Edwards is Republican in political failh and practice. Mrs. Edwards is a member of the M. E. Church. Engeike F. coal operator, P.O. Peoria.

EVANS ISAAC B. coal miner, Pottstown, P. O. Peoria, was bom in Glamorganshire, Wales, Nov. to, 1821. His parents, Isaac and Jemima Evans, nte Waters, came to America when he was three years old, settling in Florence, Washington county, Pa., where they remained ten years. At the age of fourteen, Isaac was apprenticed to the trade of a machinist. At the end of eighteen months he lost his eyesight. He subsequently traveled a number of years, seeking such employment as his impaired eyesight would permit, finally settling in Canton, III. In 1S64-5 he had his eyes treated by Dr. J. Perrin Johnson, of Peoria, who succeeded in restoring the sight of one eye after five years of blindness. In 1868 he came to Pottstown, where, on Dec. 24 of that year, he married Eliza, daughter of Wm. S. and Sarah Jones, nee Potts, who was born In England, Nov. 22, 1843. Mr. E. returned to Pott>tnwn in 1875, <"i^ dealt in groceries and nolions. Me served one term as constable, and was elected and is now acting as justice of the jieacc ; is also operating a leased coal mine. He has three children - Sarah Ann, born July 26, 1870; Geo. K., born May 27, 1876, and Leon L., Dec. 29, 1878.

FINCK JOHN, farmer and grape grower. Sec. 10, P. O. Kickapoo. son of John and Magdalena Finck, nee Houk, was bom near Wurtemburg, Germany, Dec 19, 181 7, and was educated as a German farmer. He came to America, spent three years in Penn., then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and remained about four years, during which time, in 1653, he united in marriage with Catharine Fredericka Raff, who was born in Germany, .\ug. 18, 1834. In 1S56 they removed to Illinois and settled at the present homestead and commenced to make a farm in the timber and brush, and by their united industry have a comfortable home. They had eight children - John William, bom at Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 19, 1855, Fritz J., bom'at the present home, Jan. 2, 1857, John, bom Nov. 19, 1858, Robert, bom Feb. 27, 1861, Caroline, born Feb. x8, 1863, Louisa Frederika, born Feb. 4, 1866. Nicholas, bom June 4, 1868. David, born April 5. 1870. Mrs. Finck died Sept. II, 1874. The parents were raised in the faiih of the German Lutheran Church. Politically Mr. Finck has always been Republican. He owns forty acres of land, part of which is devoted to grape growing, valued at $30 an acre. FltiBcralci Robt. farmer. P.O. Peoria.

Kickapoo Directory

where he was joined by his wife and child in November, and where they have continued to reside, except a few months spent in Colorado by Mr.G. in 1878, engaged as above. They have had four children - Agnes, born in Fozeley Tamworth, England, Dec. 7, 1S61, George Washington, born at Hale's Mills, April 13, 1864, Harriet, born Aug. 22, 1S65, died Nov. 27, 1S79, Sarah Ann, born Oct. S, 1870, died Dec. 23 following. Mr. G. is Republican in politics. He owns fifteen acres of land, valued at $75 an acre.

HALLER CHRI.STINA M. farmer. Sec. 11, P. O. Peoria. Mrs. Haller is a daughter oijacob and Christina Koerner, nee Grill, and was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, May 2, 1823. When she was eight years of age her parents came to America, and settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, On the 15th of May, 1842, she united in marriage with Conrad Haller, a butcher, and remained at Cincinnati until 1850; came to Illinois and stopped in Peoria until March, 1851 ; then settled on the present Haller homestead, on which the second cabin in the township was erected, in 1S34, by John L. Wakefield. They had eight children - Jacob, born March lo, 1S43, died February 23, 1844; Conrad, bom January 20, 1845; Frederick, born April 19, 1846; Jacob, (2) born January 17, 1848, died June 2, 1849 ; George, born January 20, 1850; Catharine, born October 8,1851; Rosina, born April II, 1853; Christina, bom November 27, 1855. Mr. H. died November 9, 1855. The daughters were educated for the profession of teaching, at the Peoria Normal School, from which they graduated with honors. The Haller family, parents and children, were raised under the religious teachings of the German Lutheran Church. The homestead embraces 160 acres of highly improved land, worth $50 per acre.

old, and when Judge Hale came to Kickapoo, in September, 1S36, was about nine years of age. She was as carefully nurtured and educated, and as liberally provided for as if she had been an own child, and she cherishes the memory of her adopted father very sacredly. She possesses an apt and ready mind ; has written several poems of merit. One poem, dedicated to the memory of her eldest son, DeSilva, " Her Boy with the Nut-Brown Hair," who died a soldier in Florida, was a wail from a loving mother's heart. It found a place in the columns of many a newspaper, and is still preserved in many a scrap-book as a gem of real worth. On the 28th day of April, 1844, she was united in marriage with Jesseniah Holmes, who died in March, 1875. They had seven children: DeSilva, who enlisted in the U. S. Army and died in Florida ; Martha, who married John Wolstenholme ; Pauline, who married James Phillips ; George D., Ira and Edward. Mrs. H. owns l6o acres of land, valued at $50 an acre.

HOWARTH RICHARD, farmer and stockgrower, Sec. 30, P. O. Edwards Station. The subject of this sketch is a representative man of an English community in this township, the individual members of which are noted for their economy, thrift, prosperity and high moral character. He was born in Lancashire, England, April 12, 1824, and is the sixth son and one of twelve children of Richard and Martha Howarth, nee Greenwood, who were married in 1805. He was born and raised in a mining district, to which business he was educated. His family sailed from Liverpool on the 23rd day of February, 1842, and after stopping a while at St. Louis, reached Kickapoo in September, and settled on the farm he now occupies. Their first American home was a sod house, which was in great contrast with his present large stone residence. In 1844, sickness came upon the family and at one time they were all down together, not one of them being able to help the other. The father and Samuel, one of the sons, died within a week of each other, in .\ugust of that year. The memory of the neighbors, James Clark, the Bensons, and Bishop Chase, is dearly cherished by Mrs. Howarth, for kindness in that lime. The mother died in May, 1851. Richard Howarth commenced to Americanize as a miner and farmer, and so continued until 1867-8, when he abandoned the former. On the 25th day of October, 1849, he married Alice, daughter of Thomas and Ellen Lonsdale, nee Halstead, who was born in Lancashire, England, October 10, 1828, and came America in 1843. They commenced life on the Howarth homestead, which they have always occupied, and where, by their industry and economy they have acquired an extensive and valuable landed property. They have had two children : Samuel, born August 29 iSso.died August 21, 1851 ; Martha Pollen, born December 24. 1 851, married William Taylor. April 12, 1876. Religiously, the family are of the Protestant faith. Politically, Mr. H. is a Republican.

JOHXSOX JOHN, Sen., retired, res. Sec. 36, P. O. Chillicothe, is a well preserved representative of physical manhood. He was born in Campbell county, Kentucky. 5th November, 1797. In 1799 his parents, William and Eunice Johnson nre Petty, removed from Kentucky and settled in what is now Switzerland county. Indiana, where he grew to manhood. Mis educational advantages were confined to the subscription schools of the period. On the 25th of December, 1823, he united in marriage with Miss Hannah, daughter of Caleb and Jane Mounts «« Walleck, who was born in Fayette county. Pa., 22d March, 1805. In September, 1831, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson loaded all their household effects on an ox wagon and in company with two or three other families they started (or Illinois. They arrived at Peoria on the 7th day ol October, 1831, and soon after Mr. J. rented a farm from Peter Menard, above Mossville, which he occupied for three years. He continued in that neighborhocKi until 1S36, and then made a claim to a tract of 240 acres of land near the present site of Jubilee College, which he purchased from the Government in 1837. Here he improved and occupied the farm until 1S41, when he sold the land to Bishop Chase, and purchased 200 acres in Sec. 13. Kickapoo township, residing there until their removal to his present home in March. 18S0. While a resident of Indiana, Mr. Johnson served four years as Lieut. -Colonel of the 44th Regiment Indiana State Militia, and the old records testify of his efficiency as an officer. He also scr%'ed three years as deputy sheriff of .Switzerland county. Since his residence in Peoria county, he has filled almost every oflfice in township government. He was elected justice of the peace in Kickapoo township in the Spring of 1851, and continued in that capacity by re-election from lime to time until his removal to Hallock township, when he resigned. Religiously he is a Uaptist in faith. Politically, is > staunch Democrat. .Mr. Johnson has been the father of ten ions and daughters, Crawford, born 2nd November, 1824, died loth March, 1859; Jane, '>°^" >6th September, 1836. married Eli Albertton, loth November, 1845 ; Marion, born 28th March, 1838, married Mary Hell in 18C2; Perry, born 2d December. 1S29, married Harriet Roberts in 1851, and both died

. JOVES HENRY W. farmer. Sec. 34, P.O. Peoria. Henry Jones, the father of the subject of this sketch, was of Welch parentage, and was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, where be grew to manhood, and married Sarah Zinn, who was of German and English extraction. They immigrated to Ohio about 1S04. and settled in Gallia county, where Henry W. was born on the 7th of February. 1819. In November, 1831, they came to Illinois and settled at Peoria, spending the first Winter in a small log cabin that stood at the foot of the Main street bluff. In April. 1S32. they moved out to the Rocky Spring (on the F.irmington road) and settled on what is still known as Jones' Prairie, where Henry W. grew to man's estate. He has lived in that immediate neighborhood ever since, and is justly entitled to be regarded as one of the old scltlns. He has been closely identified with the growth and development of Limestone and Kickapoo townships. On the 30th day of October, 1843, he married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Reuben and Nancy Miller nte Sturgeon, who was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, 28th December, 1S21. In 1844, they moved from Limestone to this township ; spent the Summer of 1845 in J*> Daviess county; came back in the Fall of that year, and in 1846, settled on their present farm. From a .stumpy quarter-section, Mr. Jones has made a handsome and attractive farm, the result of his own industry and mechanical ingenuity. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had twelve children : Clarissa C, was born November 15, 1843. married Francis Peppard, June, i860; Lovina, born February 15, 1845, married Charles Daly, November, 1869; Amanda V... born March 8, 1847, married Thomas Newcomb. (third husband) July 24, 1876: Charles P., born July ;. 1849. man ied Miss Caroline Daly, November 17, 1869; Lucinda, born March 31. 1851, married Robert Acol, June iS, 187}; James H., born February 31, lSs3, married Alice Brown, December 1, 1878; Malinda J., born February 34, ISJS; John F., bum November 38, 1856, died

March 5, 1867 ; George N., born September 15, 1859, died August 5, 1S61 ; Anna, born April 8, i86l, died in infancy; Adaline C, born February 23, 1863, married William Edwards, January 6, 1879; Euphemia B., bom November 27, 1865. Mrs. Jones' grandfather, when she saw him last in 1829, was Ii6 years of age, and her mother lived to be eighty-seven. Mr. Jones' mother lived to be eighty-nine. Protestant in religious sentiment. Mr. J. is a Republican of the liberal type. He owns 1S9 acres of land, valued at $40 an acre. He has held various local offices, such as town assessor, etc.

JOSS GEORGE, farmer, Sec. 34, P. O. Peoria, is a son of Coradin and Anna Joss, k« Men, and was born at Andeer, Switzerland, May 21, 1826. He received all the advantages of the common schools of his native country, and one year in a school devoted to the study of tree culture, and was awarded a second grade diploma, to earn which two or more years were usually required. He still preserves as a memento of his school days, a book with tree drawings, essays on their nature, the best means of cultivation, yearly growth, etc., drawn and written by him, that is a model of penmanship. At seventeen years he was apprenticed to the carpenter trade. When he had served three years, a rebellion broke out against the government, and he was drafted into the army for six years, as was then the custom in Switzerland. When he had served three years, he bought the remainder of his time and came to America, arriving at Peoria in October, 1849, and until 1S71, engaged at the trade of a carpenter in this State and Wisconsin. He has been twice married ; first on the 6th of November, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth Lenenberger, a country-woman of his. This wife died without issue October 6, 1855, and on the 24th of December, 1864, he married hispresent wife, Elizabeth, daughter ol George and Emily Breidenstein, nee Kleinsmith, who was born at Niederscheldt, Germany, February 14, 1836. Five children have blessed this union: Anna, born October i8, 1865; George Theodore, born August, 1867 ; Amelia, born September 20, 1869 ; Margaret Henrietta, born September 16, 1871 ; William Tell, born October 13, 1873. In 1871, they came to occupy their present home and farm of 160 acres, valued at $35 an acre. Religiously, they are of Protestant faith.

KEACH CHARLES, farmer. Sec. i, P. O. Peoria, born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., June i, 1833. His parents were Henry and Lucy Keach, nee Hall. In the Fall of 1846 his father, with a view to bettering the condition of his family, came to Illinois, and being pleased with the country around their present home, erected a shop in Radnor township, and began forging a home for wife and children. In the Fall of 1847 he returned to New York, sold his possessions, came back, settled near his present residence, engaged in blacksmithing and farming until age and infirmity compelled a cessation from labor. Charles remained at home assisting as blacksmith and farmer. In November, 1854, he went on a visit to his boyhood home, and while there married Laura Jane, daughter of \Vm. Doty, and returned with her to his father's home in Radnor. She died in September, 1S58, leaving one child, William E., born Nov. 28, 1856. During the years subsequent to 1854, Charles was engaged principally in farming. On the 25th of March he married Marion Ann, daughter of Abram B. and Georgietta Fash, nee Smith, born in Peoria, Feb. 8, 1842. The very next week they began as farm tenants in a log cabin on the 80 acres next north of their present residence. Mr. Keach is one of those who touch nothing that does not turn to good account. In the Spring of 1864 he bought his present homestead, on time, with not even a nickel towards making the first payment. But they were promptly met. He has added other lands until now he owns 260 acres and the prettiest home site in Kickapoo township, valued at $75 an acre. His present wife has been a true helpmate in all things. Though raised in the city, with little knowledge of farm life, she took naturally and kindly to farm duties. Mrs. K. was baptized in the faith of the M. E. Church, but is not now a communicant. Mr. K. believes in practical Christians, with hearts and hands always open to the relief of suffering and distress wherever found, regardless of creed. Politically Mr. K. is an independent Democrat. They have four children, Effie Georgietta, born Jan. 18, 1863; Chester Burton, born Oct. 6, 1S64 ; Cora May, born Oct. 27, 1867, died Aug. 28, i86g; Jessie Irene, born Nov. i, 1869.

KINGSLEY CHARLES M, farmer, Sec. 8, P. O. Edwards Station, son of George O. and Fanny Kingsley, nee Earns, was born in this township, Dec. 9, 1843, where he was raised and educated as a farmer's son. In August, 1862. he enlisted in Co. K, 77th Illinois, and served until the close of the war. He participated in a number of engagements, a full account of which will be found in the regimental history elsewhere published. He was mustered out of the service at Alabama, July 10, 1865, and arrived at home on the 29th, since when he has engaged as above. On the 22d of January, 1868, he united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua and Mary Jane Brown, ttee King, who was born in Rosefield township, July 22, 1852. They have had six children, Eli Chester, born Jan. 30, 1S69 ; Charles W., Dec. 14, 1871 ; Cynthia, Nov. 5, 1873 ; Lillian, Jan. i, 1875 ; George O., Nov. 20, 1877, died June 12, 1878; Fannie, born J»n. 27, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. K. are of protcsiant faith. Folitically he is a Democrat, true and steadfast. He was elected town assessor in the Spring of 1876, but did not qualify in consequence of sickness. He owns 338 acres of land, valued at $30 an acre.

KIXG.SLEV FAXNY, farmer, P. O. Peoria. Mrs. Kingsley is the third child and daughter of Benjamin an<l Harriet Eams, tut Smith, and was bom at Willoughby, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, June 18, 1825, and came to La Salle county, this State, with her parents in June, 1840. In the beginning of January. 1S41. she married George O. Kingsley, son of Perley and Anna Kingsley, nee Mason, who was bom at Hrattleboro, Vermont, February 14, 1810. He came to Peoria county and settled in the Kickapoo valley in 1833. He was thoroughly educated in the schools of Vermont, and was qualified both by nature and education for any position in life. His name is intimately associated with many ol the public improvements and buildings of the county, as well as in other ways. He was the contractor for the mason work, viaducts, etc., on the Illinois and Michigan canal, when it was building, and during the time was associated in a dry goods store at Marseilles, with William Pierce, which was the second general store opened at that place. The honor of making the first farm improvements in the Kickapoo valley belongs also to George O. and Frank P. Kingsley. On the 5lh day of May. 1841, Mr. Kingsley and his wife landed at Peoria from a steamboat, and the same day came out and occupied the cabin of which mention is made in the general history of this township. In the beginning of 1842 they moved up to the site of the home now occupied by Mrs. Kingsley, where she has ever since resided. Mrs. Kingsley has been the mother of five children - Cynthia, was born November 30, 1841, married John Kirkman in October, 1858; Charles Mason, was burn December 9, 1843, married Lizzie Brown, of Rosefield, January 22, 1868; James, was born January 26, 1846, and died at nine months ; Harriet Romania, was born .May 13, 1850, married William Spurck, August, 1869; George I'liney, was born April 26, i860. Mrs. Kingsley is not religiously connected with any church. Mr. Kingsley's death is noted in the general history of Kickapoo township.

KOEKNKK CHKISTIAN, farmer, .Sec. 9, P. O. Kickapoo, is a son of Jacob and Christina Koerner, nee Krill, and was born at Bald Mill, near Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio, March 27, 1834. When he was fourteen years of age his parents removed to Peoria county, and he has ever since resided in the neighborhood where he now lives. On the 25th of March, 1858, he married Miss Nancy Ann, daughter of John and Elizabeth Stringer, who was burn at Moss- »ille, August 24, 1839. Five children were born of this union - John, was bom February »6, 1859; Christine Elizabeth, was bom February 26, 1861 ; Mary Ann, was bom June 21, 1866; David William, was born December 21, 1872 ; Thomas Christian, was bora September 24. 1876, and died January 28, 1877. Mrs. Koemer died April 7, 1877. Mr. Koerner was raised in the faith of the German Lutheran Church, but is not identified with any religious organization. He is Democratic in politics. He owns 100 acres of land, valued at $30 an acre.

KOERNEK D.WID, fanner. Sec. 15, P.O. Kickapoo, is a son of Jacob and Christina Koemer. nee Krill, and was born at Bald Hill, Hamilton county, Ohio, October 15, 1635. In the Fall of 1848 his parents removed to Illinois and settled on the farm he now occupies. On the nth of December, 1S60. he married Miss Louisa Siebold. who was bom at Fellback. Germany, July 17, 1837. When she was about three years of age her father came to seek a new home in America. After two or three letters from him, the last one da'.ed at New Orleans, all tidings of him were lost and the supposition was that he died suddenly, with nothing on his person by which he could be identified. When Louisa was in her seventeeth year her mother sent her to America, intending to come hersell if her daughter was pleased ; if not, she promised to send her money to carry her back to her German home. Louisa was pleased, however, and wrote her mother that she had found a good home, but before the mother could complete arrangements to come, she sickened and died. In time Louisa found a home in the family of John Stringer for nearly three years, and from which she was married. David Koemer and Louisa Siebold had six children - David, born March 6, 1863, died May 29, 1871 ; Jacob C, born September 4, 1863 ; Caroline Kosina, born November 30, 1865 ; Frederick William, bom July 21, 1868; Louisa Chiistina. born April 24, 1873; Mary Elizabeth, b»rn July 5, 1879. The parents were both brought up in the German Lutheran Church. Politically .Mr. Koerner is a Democrat. He owns 340 .acres of land, valued at $30 an acre. The parents of .Mr. Koerner both died on this place, and were buried in a handsome plot of ground set off for that purpose in their life lime.

L..\SER AUGl'ST, firmer. Sec. 22. P. O. Kickapoo. was born at Erfurt, Prussia, .'Vug. 28, iSaS, His parents weie Wilhelm and Louisa LiLser, nee Orphal. He was educated at the muster school until twelve years of age, and then entered the lower or under class of the gymnasium, where he studied two yean. His father was a gardener and seedsman, and when August was fifteen years of age he began an apprenticeship to that trade. At nineteen he entered the Ptus- sian army and served three years. Came to America in his twenty-second year, landing at Buffalo, and worked at the Oakland nursery and greenhouse; thence he went to Ross county, Ohio, as gardener for Doctor Thatcher. In the Fall of 1856 he went to New Orleans as a private gardener ; soon after came to Peoria and had charge of B. L. T. Bourland's greenhouse for two years ; then worked for John Griswold two years, and laid off the grounds and planted the trees on that much admired homestead. In January, r862, he removed to his present residence with a view to making it a fruit farm. In the Spring of 1856, he married Sophia, daughter of Elias and Maria Bartholenman, who was born near Erfurt, Prussia, Dec. 26, 1827. They have had five children - Henry, born May ig, 1858, drowned Sept. 23, l85;, while trying to save a younger brother from drowning; Lizzie, boin July 14, i860, died in Peoria, Sept. 1861; Rudolph, born Feb. 8, 1862, drowned Sept. 23, 1865 ; Lizzie, 2d, born May 9, i863. Religion, Protestant ; politics. Republican. Mr. Laser makes botany a study ; owns eighty acres of land, worth $2,500.

LONSDALE RICHARD, farmer. Sec. 32, P. O. Peoria, son of Thomas and Ellen Lonsdale, k« Halstead, was born near Aislington, Lancashire, England, 26th Sept., 1817, and commenced life as a handloom weaver at the early age of eight years. At eleven he entered a cotton mill at Elwood, Lancashire, where he was employed in various capacities for twenty-one years, thirteen years of which he superintended the engines that furnished the power for two large mills, remaining there till he came to America in 1849. He arrived at Peoria 14th Nov. of that year, and joined his father's family in Kickapoo. He occupied rented land until the death of his father in March, 1S63, when he succeeded to the ownership of the Lonsdale homestead, and has added other land, until he now owns 560 acres, valued at $25 to $35 an acre. When Mr. L. reached Kickapoo, he had but little means, and he has acquired his possessions by industry and careful economy. On the 25th day of Dec, 1838, he married Miss Ann, daughter of John and Betty Wadsworlh, Ovenden, and a faithful helpmeet she proved in their struggle in America. Mrs. Lonsdale was born in Yorkshire, England, 24th April, 1819. Her parents were hand-loom weavers, and from childhood she learned lessons of industry and economy. Eleven children were born of this marriage : Martha, born 5th Feb., 1840; Colonel, born 12th July, 1842, died 9th July, 1843 ; Ellen, born 3d Aug., 1844, died 8lh March, well, by whom lie had four children : Thomas E., Elizabeth, John, and Kicliard, all of whom slill reside in England. He buried his wife in Ihe Fall of 1863, and in the Sprinj; of 1S69, immigrated to America, arriving at I'eoria, August 7lh of the same year, and settled in Kickapoo. He has always been a consistent professor of religion, and since obtaining his citizenship has generally voted with the Republican party, lie has always conducted himself as a good citizen of his adopted country.

MAS.SING >IATIIIA.S, farmer and grapegrower, Sec. 16, P. O. Kickapoo, son of Andrew and Mary Massing, nte Greoei, was bom on the river Kliine, Prussia, October 16, 1812, and bred a farmer. In the Spring of 1840, he immigrated to America and settled at the present site of .Mossville, and engaged as wood chopper and common laborer. He bought his first horse from Captain Moss, and paid for it in clearing land and making rails. The wheels of his first wagon were made from sections sawed from a large oak tree ; there was not a particle of iron in the entire make up uf the vehicle. In March, 1S41, he united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and Catharine Klein. She was born at Kreisnocht, Prussia, November 27, 1819. They remained at Mossville until 1843 ; lived two years on the bluff farm of Captain Moss, and in 1847, came to the site of their present comfortiible home, which was worked out of the timber and brush. They now own 260 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. A part of the home place is devoted to grape growing, and a part of their other land is underlaid with coal. They have had nine children : Matliias, born August 28, 1842 ; Andrew, born June 6, 1843, died at three months; Andrew, the second, was burn October 13, 1844, and died at the age of thirteen years; Elizabeth, born May 15, 1847, married Frank German, November 23, 1868; Edward, born February 27, 1849; Catharine II., born September 3, 1853; Frederick, born April 25, 1S55 ; Mary, born April 5. 1859, married Henry Dailey, in 1879 ; Frank, botn April 5, 1869. Parents and children are members of the Catholic Church. Politically, Mr. Massing is a Democrat.

grocer and wliolcsale and retail dealer in coal, I'oltsto»n, I', O, Peoria. The subject of this sketch is the architect of his own fortune and essentially a self-made man. He is Ihe son of Joseph and Bridget Middleton, ttte Connors, and was born in the city of Peoria 23nd September, 185$. His mother died when he was about seven years ol age. Soon after, he quit the common schools and commenced to earn his own IiTing by working among fanners and whatever he could find to do. In 1874 he came to Pottstown and engaged to drive a coal-hauling team, in which capacity he continued lor some time ; then formed a partnership with Frank Stcmplin, and commenced the manufacture o brick. In 1878 Stcmplin was succeeded by George Potts. In 1879 Middleton withdrew from the business and, with other parties, leased a coal bank from Samuel Potts, senior, and commenced business as above. His wife I.ucy, to whom he was married on the fourteenth of November, 1876. is the daughter of Samuel and Ann Potts, nte Padgeter ; was born 24th July, 185S, They have one child, John Henry, who was born 25th August, 1877, Mr. Middleton is an advocate of morality and temperance in all things.

MILLEK JOHX F. blacksmith, village of Kickapoo, P. O. same, was born in Germany, 15th March, 1842. his parents being Henry and Catherine Miller, «<-«- Creager. They came to Ameica when he was a year old, and settled first at Pekin, where they remained three years ; then removed to Limestone township, this county, John remained with parents till he was 17, then engaged with Frank Wilkenhamer, of Peoria, to learn the trade of a blacksmith. When the war came on, he enlisted as a blacksmith in the nth III. Cavalry, and scr^-ed four years. Upon being discharged he returned to Peoria, and in 1866, in company with Frank McCann, commenced a shop at Smithsville, and staid two years. He married 7th June, 1866, with Irene, daughter of George and Lydia .\nn Toland. She was born in Perry county. Pa., 23rd Feb., 1845. After making several removals, Mr. Miller settled, in 1S74, in Kickapoo, where he now resides and carries on business. They have had seven children: Stephen born 25th March, 1867; William Henry, born 19th May, 1868 ; John Adison, born 23rd September, 1869, died l6th .August, 1870; James Otto, born t9th August, 1S71, died l6th August, 1873 ; Clara Irene, born 23rd October, 1S73 ; Charles Martin, bom I2th January, 1875 ; Laura, bom 37lh September, 1877, Mr. .Miller's father died iSjS, aged 76, and his mother, in 1S71, aged 87.

MILL Kit MOKTI.>Ii:U M. farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 25, P. O. Peoria. The subject of this sketch is the son of Frederick A. and Sarah \. (C lifton) Miller, anil was born in Newport, Campbell county, Ky., Feb. 3, 1S37. When about sixteen years old he went to work in an oilcloth maiiufaclor)', and worked at that trade for two years. He then spent two years at the trade of painter, and afterwards joined hit father upon a farm in the same county, and remained there until 1857, when he came to Illinois and settled upon what is known as the Hickoiy Grove Farm, ia

PEPPARI) FRANCIS, coal miner, Edwards Station. A son of Francis and Bridget Peppard, k« Rale, was born in county Longford, near Dublin, Ireland, 27th September, 1S37, and came to America with his sister Elizabeth, in 185 1. Halted first at New Orleans, then came to Peoria, where he remained a short time, and then went to Logan township, where he stayed about four years, and then to Kickapoo township. In the Spring of 1S5S, he went to the head waters of the Missouri river in the employ of the American Fur Company, where he spent that Summer. Four months of that time they saw neither bread nor domestic vegetables of any kind, but subsisted entirely upon wild meats, fish, etc. He returned from that trip late in the Fall, and on the 12th of May, 1859, married Caroline, daughter of Henry N. and Rebecca Jones, who was bom in Limestone township, 15th November, 1843. They have had thirteen children, six of whom died in early infancy. The seven living children are, Edward, born 17th October, 1863; John, 19th February, 1867; Frances, 15th May, 1870 ; George, 22d February, 1872 ; Caroline 5th May, 1874; Charles, 15th April, 1876; Robert Emmett, 8th November, 1879. ^'^- Peppard is a Catholic ; his wife is a Protestant. Politically he is a Democrat.

POOLE GEORGE, laborer, village of Kickapoo, P. O. same, son of Thomas and Mary Poole, n/f Pritchard, was born in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England, Feb. 6, 1825. At St. Saviour's Church, Tetbury, April 28, 1S53, he was married to Mary Ann, daughter of Stephen and Ann Smith, who was born in Gloucestershire, England, Aug. 11, 1827. They came to America in 1854, .settling first at Pulaski, N. Y.; remained there two years and came to Peoria; lived for a time on the Knoxville road, between Peoria and Kickapoo; settled in the village of Kickapoo in 1868. They have had three children - Eliza Ann, born Jan. 8, 1854, died and buried at sea on the voy.-ige to America ; William Henry, born June 8, 1856, and married

Mary Elizabeth, daughter of James and Elizabeth Kingdom, nef Brown, Aug. 17, who have two children, Elizabeth Ann and Harriett. The parents, George and Mary Ann Poole, were baptized in the Church of England. Mr. Poole has never been naturalized ; his son William H., is a Democrat. Mrs. Wm. H. Poole was born in the village of Kickapoo, July 26, 1857. Her mother died Dec. 17, i860, and her father on Dec. 26, 1878.

POTTS GEORGE, brick maker and coal miner, Pottstown, P. O. Peoria, is a son of Samuel and Ann Potts, n« Padgeter, and was born in the parish of Foleshill, England, July 24, 1856, and came to what is now Pottstown with his parents in 1857. For the last three years he has been engaged in making brick in Summer and mining coal in Winter. He married Anna Cody, and has had by her two children - Samuel, born Feb. 2, 1877, and Joseph M., born Dec. 21, 1878. Mr. Potts, like his father, is an energetic business man.

POTTS SAMUEL, coal operator, Pottstown, was born in Bredon, Leicestershire, England, Dec, 24, 1821. Ann Padgeter, his wife, was born in the parish of Foleshill, county Warwick, England, March 28, 1831. They were married in the parish of Foleshill, by Rev. James Harris, Oct. 13, 1844 ; came to America in 1S56 ; stopped in the mining regions of Pennsylvania until 1857, and then came to Hale's Mill with eleven dollars in their cash box. Mr. Potts was an experienced miner and quickly found employment. From a common miner, with no capital but his industry and English pluck, he has come to be the owner of some two hundred acres of coal land, and the employer of many men. His enterprise has developed the coal interests at Hale's Mill, and made the village at that point, and has been careful to foster and encourage every undertaking that promised to result favorably to the county and township of his home. Politically he is a Democrat ; has served as supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Potts have had fourteen children; Hannah, born Nov. 28, 1845, died Oct. 14, 1S66; Susan, born Nov. 7, 1847; Sarah, March 15, 1850; Samuel B., Sept. 6, 1851 ; Mary Ann, March ig, 1853, died Oct. 4, 1854 ; John, born Jan. 23, 1855, died Feb. 22, 1855 ; George, born July 5, 1856 ; Lucy, "July 24, 1858 ; John Henry, Feb. 2, 1S60, died .Sept. 16, 1861 ; Eveline E., born Nov. 17, 1861 ; Isadore Leviney, July 17, 1863, died Sept. 13, 1864 ; Michael, born March 15, 1865, died in early infancy; Eliza Menetta, born Nov. 28, 1866; Leah, March 31, i86g.

POTTS SAMUEL B, coal operator, Pottstown, P. O. Peoria, is a son of Samuel and .\nn Potts, nfi' Padgeter, and was born in the parish of Lowe, England, Sept. 6, 1851, and came to -America with his parents in 1856, and to Pottstown in 1857. In his eighth year he commenced to drive a coal team, and daring all the years of his minority worked hard at whatever his father had in hand. His opportunities for going to school were limited, but he made good use of such advantages as were offered. On the 15th of Feb. 1870, he married Leah, daughter of George and Ann Randle, net Woodhouse, who was bom in the parish of Foleshill, England, in July, 1851, and came to America in June, 1865 ; they have had four children : Samuel, bom Aug. 25, 1871, died Oct. 26, same year ; George, bora Jan. 24, 1873 ; Lucy Minetta, bom June 28, 1875, 'l>'<i Ju'y 24, following ; Lillie May, bom May 24, 1878. Methodistic predilections. Independent Democrat.

SCOFIELD JACOB, farmer and stock, grower, Sec. 29, P. O. Edwards Station. The subject of this sketch is the eldest son of Samuel and Ann Scofield, nee Greenough, and was bom at Heyworth, Lancashire, England, December 30, 1821, and was educated to the local express business, which he followed until he immigrated to America. On the 14th of January, 1842, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas and Ellen Lonsdale, nee Ilals'.ead, who was born the same year with (^ueen Victoria - February 7, 1819. They immigrated to America in 1844, coming the entire distance to Peoria, with the exception of the 6rst eight miles, by sail and steam vessels, arriving on the 14th of June, In coming up the Mississippi from New Orleans they were passengers on the steamer Macedonia, which took lire just below Natchez and burned to the water's edge, and from which the passengers barely escaped with ihcir lives - most of them with nothing but their night clothes. Scofields lost nearly all their luggage, but by returning to the burning boat after he had once got to the shore, Mr. S. succeeded in securing what money they had, which had been hidden away in a barrel for safe keeping. When the Scofields reached their journey's end they had $Co, with which to commence life. After a lew days rest among their friends, Mr. Scofield went to work as a common laborer at $10 per month, one-half cosh, and one-half store pay. Mrs. S. also went out to service at $1.50 a week, and worked thus for two years. After two years of hard times, they purchased forty acres of land, built a cabin, and commenced for themselves. Before the cabin was finished, they both fell sick. Their cabin had neither doors, windows, fire-place nor cooking-stove. In clear weather those who took care of them cooked their food out of doors ; when it was rainy and bad, a plank was lifted from the floor, a fire kindled there and the cooking done inside. After their recovery, they set to work with renewed energy and industry ; and prosperity has followed them to the present. Other land was purchased from time to time until they now own 360 acres, which is well improved, with good stone residence, etc., and well stocked. They have never had any children, but have adopted and raised three to manhood and womanhood, and recently adopted a fourth one - Carrie Barker, a bright-eyed, pretty and intelligent orphan of twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Limestone Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Scofield has always voted with the Democratic party since he was naturalized.

SLOUGH HENRY CLAY, farmer, Sec. 13, P. O. Peoria. Son of Jacob and Ann Elizabeth Slough, nee Cype, was born in the city of Peoria, September 23, 1836. When he was about twelve years of age his parents removed to Richwoods township, where he grew to manhood. On the 26[h of July, 1S57, be married Miss Maria, daughter of Isaac and Abigail Pratt, who was born in Peoria county, January 30, 1839, and soon after removed to their present resident. On the 2d of September, 1862, .Mr. Slouch enlisted in Co. E, 77th Illinois, and served three years in defense of the Union, fourteen months of which time was spent in the rebel prison at Camp Worth, Texas, where he suffered all the tortures coarse and scanty rations could bring, lie and his comrades were released from that prison pen on the 17th of May, 1SC5; reaching Springfield about the 3d of June, and were allowed to come home to spend the Fourth with their families and friends. They went back to Springfield on the 5th and were mustered out on the 6th. Since then Mr. S. has engaged in improving his farm and adding, by purchase to its original acreage. lie now owns 160 acres, valued at $40 an acre. He is Republican in politics, and liberal in religious belief. They have had seven children - Edgar H., bom September 20, iSjS, died, July, 1859 : Maria Louise, born July II, i860; Henry Francis, April 7, 1S63 ; Abbie Richmond, May

14, 1866; Ann Elizabeth, December 25, 1867 ; Adelia Edith, June 4, 1869 ; Louis Herbert, December 13, 1874. Mrs. Slough was raised under the religious instructions of the M. E. Church.

SLOUGH JACOB W. farmer andstockraiser, Sec. 13, P. O. Peoria, son of Jacob and Ann Elizabeth Slough nee Cype, settlers of 1834. Was born in Harrisburg, Pa., 22d April, 1829, and grew to manhood in Peoria Co. In April, 1851, he went to California, remaining four and a half years, coming back in 1855. He married 1st Oct. 1856, Elizabeth Fulton, daughter ofjosiahand Augusta Fulton nee Hughes, who was born on the Fulton homestead in Richwoods, 14th June 1836. Her father is now the only surviving pioneer settler of i8ig. Soon after marriage they settled at their present home, on land his mother entered from Government in 1836. He remained there about eighteen months, when he started on another trip to California for his health, and after an absence of nine months returned in June, 1859, and farmed the Slough homestead until iS65, when he removed to his own place in Sec. 13, Kickapoo. They have had six children, William, born igth Nov. 1S57, George, 12th March, i860, Mary A., 29th June, 1862, Emily J., 22d May, 1864, Joseph H., 25th March. 1866, Nellie C, loth Dec. 186S. Politically, Mr. Slough was a Republican from the time that party was organized, but about 1878 he became a Greenbacker, and is now strong in that political belief. While living in Richwoods he held the offices of town clerk, collector, school trustee, and school director, and in Kickapoo filled the office of assessor for four years. He owns 160 acres of land valued at $30 an acre.

SMITH ROSY Mrs. farmer. Sec. 5, P. O. Kickapoo. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of John and Catharine Kerrott nee Fagan, and .was bom in county Down, Ireland, 14th October, 1813. Her parents were farmers and from her earliest years she has been accustomed to farm life. On the 14th of April, 1833, she married Patrick Smith, the son of a neighboring farmer, and the next day started to America. They first stopped at Albany, New York, and after thirteen months in that city went to Trumansburg, Tompkins county, where Mr. Smith engaged as a common laborer for four years. They then came to Illinois and lived a few months in the service of Bishop Chase at Jubilee College. In the Fall of 1838 they came to the neighborhood in which she now lives, and where they purchased their first home, a log cabin which they occupied seventeen years. Then for two years they lived on a place now owned by Andrew Heintz, then back to the old place, and in 1857 occupied the present residence. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been intimately associated with the improvement and development of the country around Kickapoo. Mr. Smith died 20th January, 1861, at the age of fifty-one years and ten months. Mrs. Smith has been the mother of fifteen children, eight boys and seven girls, Francis, born 13th April, 1835, died 2d November, 1837; Mary born 2gth July, 1836, married William Fox in 1863, died 25th September, 1878 ; Catharine bom 13th March, 1838, died nth October, 1839; Anna, born in Peoria loth March, 1839, married Patrick Bennett in l86i ; Francis, born 2ist November, 1840, married Miss Margaret Murphy, in September, 1866 ; John, born 12th August, 1S42, married Miss Mary Hill, February, 1S68 ; Elizabeth, born June, 1844, married William Murphy in the early Winter of 1863-4 i Catharine, born 26th December, 1845, married Richard Elwood, 28th April, 1868 ; James, born Sth January, 1847; Edward, born 12th November, 1848; Rosy, born 7th April, 1850, married Peter Hill, 2Sth May, 1876 ; William, born 14th August, 1852 ; Patrick, born 2d June, 1854 ; Margaret, born 30th August, 1856 ; Charles, born 23d January, 1858. Members of the Catholic Church. Owns 263 acres of land in the home place, and twenty acres timber in Sec. 16. Total value $13,380.

SPURCK ELIZA AJOf, farmer, P. O. Edwards Station ; daughter of John and Patience Van Horn nee Hanson, was born in Zanesyille, Muskingum county, Ohio, 1st December, 1811. On the 2d day of June, 1831, she married William Spurck (son of Peter and Mary Spurck) a young merchant of Zanesville. They came to Illinois and commenced merchandising in Peoria, continuing until 1855, when they purchased the farm now owned and occupied by Mrs. Spurck. The union of William Spurck and Eliza Ann Van Horn resulted in the birth of seven children : Mary L. A., born 7th November, 1833 ; Martha, born 12th November, 1836, who has been twice married. Her first husband was William R. Swinnerton, with whom she crossed the plains to California, being among the first passengers over the Union Pacific railroad. Mr. S. died in California, and his widow returned to Kickapoo, and four years later married Judge S. Bailey, of Macomb. Adam, born 25th October, 1839, married Mary Thompson ; William, born April, 1842, married Harriet Kingsley, August, 1869 ; Amelia, born 13th November, 1844, married Nathan F. Heard, of Worcester, Mass.; John V., born l8th of May, 1848, died at eighteen months ; Cora P., bom 1st November, 1854, married^ Crescens G. Pitt 19th June, 1878 ; John L., born 9th April, 1857, died at the age of eighteen years from injuries received by being thrown from a horse when he was five'years of age. Mr. Spurck died several years ago. Mrs. Spurck is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

History Of Peoria Cootty

Sec. 32. P. O. Peoria, u the fourth child and third son of Richard and Joana Stears, tut Pillman, and was bom in Wuemworthjr, DeTonshire, England, 2d October, 1837, and was raised as an English fanner. His education in letters was confined to four years schooling between his seventh and eleventh years. At the latter age he was set to work on the farm, and kept engaged at that until eighteen years of age. He then ran away from home, and engaged with a neighboring farmer at sixty cents a week for seven months, returned home, and at the age of nineteen joined what was known as the Yeoman Cavalry. He served seven years, won the rank of Corporal and then resigned ; then rejoined his father, and engaged as a farmer and cattle dealer until his family, consisting of father, mother, two brothers and three sisters, came to America in 1S69, landing at Peoria on the Sth of May, and settling as above. The father died on the 19th of June following. His sister Ann died 17th September, 1S69 ; the son \\'illiam died October 10, the same year, and the mother died 19th March, 1S78. On the Sth of November, 1877, he united in marriage with Mrs. Angeline H. Manville, ntt Beecher. who was bom in Connecticut, 13th May, 1S42. She was married to her first husband 1st day of May, 1S60, by whom she had three children : Lillian M. was bom 17th Februar)-, 1861 ; Eva L.. loth August, 1S64, and Minnie, 15th October, I S68. During her widowhood she was postmistress at Summerville, this county, from 1873 to 1877. Their union resulted in one child, Richard Henry, who was bom 30lh September, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Stears were both raised under the religious teachings of the Episcopal Church, are reg\jlar attendants of Christ's Church, near their residence. Mr S. is Democratic in politics. He owns one hundred and forty acres of land, valued at $50 an acre.

STE.\R RICHARD, farmer and stock grower. Sec. 32, P. O. Edwards Station, son of Richard and Joanna Stear. nee Pillman, was bom in Devonshire, England. Sept. 28, 1829, where he was bred a farmer. He left England in the Spring of l8;o, and arrived at Peoria on the 1st day of June, coming directly to the neighborhood of his present home, and began as a farm laborer. He worked one year for John Pillman, and then started a breaking team following thai business for two seasons. He sold his team and engaged eighteen months as a farm laborer ; then worked six months as a coal miner. December 23, 1855, he married Miss Elita, daughter of Robert and Ann Ford, net Western, who was bora in England, Dec. 15, 1S34, and came to America in the Spring of 1855, landing at Peoria on the Sth of May. For several years after marnage they were farm tenants in Limestone township. In 1867-8, they bought eighty acres o( land where they now live. Built a cabin, which was their first home, and commenced clearing up the farm. A part of the land is coal bearing, and for two year*, in the Winter season, Mr. Siear mined coal at night and hauled to Peoria by day, as a means of living. He also operated a threshing machine, and the first season had one of his feet crushed in the cogs, which laid him up eleven months. When su65ciently recovered he resumed his threshing machine operations for three years, and since then has been engaged exclusively in farming and stock growing. He now owns 120 acres, valued at $25 an acre. They have seven children - John W., bom March 22, 1856; Wm. H., June I. 1858; Thomas, Sept. 2, i860; James, Jan. 9, 1863; Robert, Dec 21, 1865; Eliza, Feb. 26. 1872, and Alice Ann, Dec. 16, 1875. Politically he is a Greenback Democrat.

STRINGER JOHN, farmer. Sec. 9, P. O. Kickapoo. Is a native of Bullitt county, Ky. He was the third child of Reuben and Delila Stringer, ntt Owen, and was born on the 3d day of November, 1806. His father died when he was eight years of age, leaving the family in humble circumstances. Edward Stringer, the grandfather of John, with the concurrence of his children, provided in his will for the liberation of the slaves he owned ; that those who were too young to care for themselves should be gi%-en into the keeping of humane persons, to be kept until they were twenty years of age, and then to go free. After the death of Reuben Stringer, the support of the family fell upon the widowed mother and the older children. John remained at home with his mother until twenty-one years of age, his twenty-first birthday occurring on Saturday, Nov. 3, 1827. Soon after attaining his majonty, he went to Louisville, where, in the Winter of 1827-8, he drove a team for $7 per month, including boarding and w.-ishing. .\t that time there was a good deal of excitement about the lead mines of Wisconsin and northwestern Illinois, and John Stringer and John Coyle, who had married Stringer's only sister, took passage on a steamboat early in the Spring of 1828 descended (he Ohio river to the Mississippi, thence up the Mississippi and Fever rivers to Galena. At Galena a Dr. H ill, of Cossville. Wis., placed the hull of a keel-boat at their disposal, and the rest of the journey to Cossville was made in that frail craft. They remained at Dodgeville and vicin-ty until the beginning of July of the next year, but did not do more than make a living, and concluded to abandon the mining region, and to try their luck somewhere else. They loaded their household effects on a two-horse wagon, and, without any definite point in view, journeyed southeast, and reached the present site of Mossville on the 15th of July, 1829. where they halted. At that time Mr. Stringer's possessions consisted of a wardrobe he could carry in a handkerchief, an ax, and an iron wedge. In the Winter of 1829-30, he " squatted" on the southwest quarter of Sec. 34. in what is now Medina township, and commenced to make farm improvements. That Winter he cleared and fenced twelve acres, which he plowed and planted to com in the Spring of 1830. He made a good crop, and there has never been a season since that he has not had com to sell from that farm. By the time the land was ready for sale, he had made and saved enough to pay for the land, which still remains in his ownership. In 1832, the Black Hawk war came on, and he was one of the seventy-five men in the county liable to military duty, and was elected corporal in Capt. Ead's Peoria company, and was one of the last men to leave the field of Stillman's disastrous defeat at Stillman's Run. He still has in his possession the rifle he carried in that campaign. On the 27th of June, 1837, he united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Zed and Elizabeth Harris of Bullitt county, Ky., where she was born on the 17th of June. 1S18. They remained at the Mossville farm until the 6th day of March, 1846, then removed to the farm they now occupy. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. S. has ever been inside of a railroad car. He has never been sued at law, nor his taxes ever become delinquent. The spirit of Kentucky hospitality and generosity is ever present in Mr. Stringer's home. He commenced in the world with nothing ; but his industry and economy has rewarded his old age with competence. Their marital union was honored with five children: Nancy Ann, bom 24th August, 1S39, married Christian Keener, 25th March, 1S58, died 7th April, 1S77 ; John H., bom 31st February. 1843, married Miss Anna M. Grundy^ 25th December,i865, diedfrom the eCfects of an accidental gunshot wound, 4th March, 1866 ; Eveline, born 21st Febmary, 1845, died 15th September, 1S54; Thomas F., bom 20th April, 1847; Mary E., bom 12th May, 1852. Mr. Stringer was raised under the influences of the M. E. Church, but neither himself or wife are members of any religious society. Politically, Mr. S. has always adhered to the Democratic party. Besides the Mossville farm, of 175 acres, valued at $40 an acre, he owns 2go other acres, including the home place, valued at $50 an acre.

STRIXGEK THOMAS F. farmer. Sec. 9, P. O. Kickapoo, son of John and Elizabeth Stringer, nee Harris, was born at the present Stringer homestead, 20th April, 1847. His education was received at the common district school and plow handle. He is unmarried and devotes his time and industry to the farm and care and comfort of his parents. He has been called to fill several positions of local trast and responsibility, in all of which he earned the meed of "well done thou good and faithful sen-ant." He visited the Pacific Slope in the early part of 1875, and during the visit acquired a fund of information respecting the country " beyond the Mississippi " and the Rocky Mountains that is invaluable. In every particular the subject of this brief sketch is a prototype of his honored father - an honest man.

THAYER A. W. telegraph operator, railroad and express agent, Edwards Station, is the second son of William T. and Susan Thayer, nee Gear. He was bom at Marshall, Highland county, Ohio, 24th May. 1841. When he was about fifteen years of age, his parents removed to Powesheik county, Iowa, and settled on a farm three years ; then removed to Canton, Missouri, where he entered the ofEce of the Reporter newspaper of that city, as apprentice. When the war of the rebellion came on the Reporter and its management became of ill-repute, and he quit the office to seek employment elsewhere ; worked for a time in the office of the Quincy Herald, then until 1S65, in various other offices as a journeyman printer. In the Fall and Winter of 1S64-5. he secured a "case" in Macomb, where, on the 26th of January. 1865, he married Miss Martha Walker, who was bom in that citj' Sth March, 1845. Her parents. John D. and Jane Walker, nee Sample, were among the first settlers at Macomb. They remained at Macomb till 1870, part of the time working as a printer, and part as a farmer ; then removed to Bardolff, where he engaged as switchman, and learning telegraphy. In Febmary, 1S72, he was badly crushed between two cars, from the effects of which he will never fully recover. In October, 1873, he had so far recovered as to be able to resume telegraphing and other office work, and was assigned to the agency at Edwards Station. They have had four children, two living : Willie W., who is learning telegraphy, was bom 27th January, 1866, and Charles Albert, bom 26th March, 1S69. Mr. and Mrs. Thayer are members of the M. E. Church. He is a Republican. His father, eighty years of age, and his mother, seventy years of age, are members of his family.

VARDEX P.\TRICK, farmer. Sec. 19, P. O. Edwards Station. Mr. Varden and wife were bom in Ireland. He came to .America in 1S50. and engaged as a railroad laborer. March 25. 1852, he married Judith Carroll, and began life with less than fifty dollars. They first kept house in what had been a railroad boarding shanty, and Mrs. Varden said, "It seemed a palace, for it was our first home." For six years he worked on the railroad, or at whatever he could find to do, and in 1858 settled as above, having bought it in 1857. Their united industry and economy has secured them a good home, and all the comforts of life. They are members of the Catholic Church, and Democratic in political faith. Their land is valued at $50 an acre.

VICARY HENRY, farmer and coal miner, Pottstown, P. O. Peoria. Son of Henry and Ann Vicary. «« Gipps, wxs bom at Cornwall, England, May 23- '833. He was educated as a wool-comber, and in 1851 he came to America and settled in Delaware county, Penn. ; in 1864 he came to this township and settled on what is known as Jones' Prairie, engaging as a farmer and lime-burner two years. In 1866 removed to Pottstown and engaged in present business. July 3, 1857, he married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Alice Lonsdale, who was born in Lancashire, England, August 29, 1839. They have had nine children - Alice Ann, born in Delaware county. Pa., November iS, 1859, married Jacob Waits, December 25, 1877; John, born January 20, 1862; George Washington, bom February 22, 1864 ; Ellen, born June 30, 1866 ; Mary, born July 5, 1868; James, born January 2, 1871, died in infancy; Henry, born August 28, 1873; William, born March 7, 1876; James Everett, bom August 17, 1879. ^If- ""d Mrs. Vicary are adherents of the Church of England. Politically Mr. Vicary is a Republican. He owns eighty-nine acres of land, a part of which is coal bearing, and a hotel property, the aggregate value of which is $10,000.

VORHEES JOSEPH, farmer, Sec. 6, P. O. Kickapoo. Garrett Vorhees, the father o( the subject of this sketch, was bom in Somerset county, N. J., on the glh day of June, 1763 ; served in the closing years of the revolutionary war. About 171^, he married Miss Parscll, and in 1791, immigrated to the West and settled in Columbia, Hamilton county, O. (Cincinnati at that time consisting of but a few cabins, and was called Fort Washington), and lived there in a station two years, engaged as a teamster for General Wayne's army. In 1794 moved to the land which he occupied at the time of his death, Dec. 14, i86t, in the ninetyninth year of his age. He had nine children by his first wife, and after her death he married a Miss Jerusha, daughter of Charles Kugg, who was born on Long Island. The issue of this marriage was three children - Joseph, Garrett ami Harvey. Joseph was born Feb. 25, 1815, and was raised and educatc<l ne.ir Kcading, Hamilton county, C, on the farm where his father died. In the Fall of 1839 he came to Peoria county, and in the latter part of that Winter purchased the farm on which he now lives. On the loth of March, 1840, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Minney and Sarah Rynear&on, net Carroll, who was born near the old village of Scipio, Franklin county, Ind., August 19, 1623. In 1834, she came with her parents to the present site of Mossville, remaining there three years, and then removed to Rosefield township. After their marriage they spent about eighteen months in Ohio, then returned to the home they now occupy. They have had twelve children - Garrett H., born Jan. 3, 1841, roamed April II, 1865, Miss Emily Cook, who was bom in Devonshire, England, Aug. 28, 1843; John R., bom March 23, 1843, died Feb. 23, 1845: Jerusha A., bora Sept. 24, 1845, died March 24, 1847; Laura Ann, bom July I, 1848, died March 9, 1849; William M.. bom July II, i8;i; Algenan S., born Jan. 28, 1854, died Sept. 7, 1S56; Martha .\nn, born May 20, 1856, died Oct. 16. 1858; Elizabeth, born Sept. 30. 1858, died Nov. 20, following; Joseph E., bom Nov. 5, 1S59, died April 4, 1S60; Mariah H., born Jan 20, 1862, died March 4 following ; Charles E., bom March 8, 1863, died Aug. 17 of the same year; Joseph M., bora March 29. 1868. Mr. V. is an adherent of the Presbyterian Church; Mrs. V. of the Methodist Church. Politics, Greenback. He owns 470 acres of land, valued at $40 an acre. Mrs. V. owns eighty acres in her own right, valued at $50 an acre.

WELLS JACOB H, retired, P. O. Kickapoo, son of Thomas and Judith Wells, net Colby, was bom in Newchester, now Hill, New Hampshire, June 3, iSll. He comes of a long lived race, his father living to past eighty years. In 1824 he removed to West Randolph, Vt., and while there worked out among the farmers until 1834, when, for two years, he drove a sixhorse team, freighting from Vermont to Boston and back. April 3, 1836, he was married to Susan L. Connor, of Andover, N. H. In 1S38 he removed to Illinois, settling in that year in what is now Rosefield township, Peoria county, and is therefore one of the oldest settlers in the county. He has had three children, two girls and a boy - Susan Christina, born Oct.

10, 1845, now in the railroad ticket office at Kansas City ; Emma Medora. born .\pril 12, 1847, died Oct. 20, 1S72. His wife. Susan 1... died Feb. II. 1 849. She taught the first school ever taught in Rosefield township, in the Benj. Miller neighborhood, in the Winter of 1842-3. After the dejth of his first wife, Mr. Weill removed to Kickapoo township, March 29, 1866, and was married to Jane R. Dawson, formerly McClandish, who died Aug. 27, 1S77. While he lived in Rosefield he filled the office of constable, and was elected to the same office in Kickapoo. He has also filled the office of town supervisor two years and a half, six months by appointment and two years by election. Since i86qhehas filled the office of town clerk. In politicsheisaGreenbacker. Mr. Wells is a noble representative of a class of mem fast fading out. He was honest, trustworthy, and possessed the confidence of his immediate fellow citizens, always holding some office of tru.st and responsibility.

WHITTEMORE DANIEL, farmer, Sec. 23, P. O. Peoria ; son of Daniel and Sarah Whittemore, nte Corgin, was bom at Thomson, Windham county. Conn., October 5, 1815, where he grew to manhood with such educational advantages as the country and the times afforded. After he was twenty-one years of age, he served three years at the trade of shoemaker; and on May 2, 1S41, he married Betsy, daughter of Job and Betsy Irish, >iee O'Brien, who was born at Goshen, Conn., September 7, 1814. In May, 1848, they came to Illinois, and settled on section 11, this township; two and a half years later, removed to section 23. In 1854, in consequence of bad health, he sold out, took a tour through Iowa and Wisconsin, returned and purchased his present farm, and settled down to the hard work of clearing up another farm. He has had four children ; Nancy Jane, born February 5, 1842, married Frederick Winkler, July 20, i860'; Daniel Eugene, born August 2, 1S46, died April iS, 1848; Delancy, born August 12, 1S48 ; Sarah Lugene, born December 6, 1851, married George H. Peterson, December 6, 1877. Mrs. Whittemore died July 15, 1873. Mr. Whittemore devoted several years to the study of botany, adopting Gray's manual as his text book, and has become familiar with all flora native to the township. The Whittemore estate consists of 100 acres, valued at $35 an acre. Protestant in religion. Independent Republican.

WILKINSON J. H, M. D., Edwards Station, is 3 son of Joseph and Eliza Wilkinson, net Harlon, and was born in Warren county, Ohio, July 20, 1823. In 1828, his parents removed to Indiana and settled in Parke county, where he worked on his father's farm until his sixteenth year, at which time he entered Indiana Asbury University at Greencastle, where he spent five years teaching .school at intervals as a means of support. Soon after passing his twenty-first birthday, he commenced the study of medicine with Drs. Allen and Weaver, at RockviUe, in Parke county ; attended lectures at the Louisville Medical College and graduated in three years. In 1848, he came to Kickapoo village and commenced practice, which he successfully prosecuted for thirty years, when he retired to take general management and oversight of his farms, coal mines and store at Edwards Station. He owns about one thousand acres oi valuable farm and coal land, the average value of which is about $75 P^f acre. He married Miss Isadore E. Edwards, daughter of Thomas and Elenor Edwards, nee Scott, who was bom in Hampshire county, Virginia, May 19, 1829. Her parents came to what is now Rosefield township in the Spring of 1S35. Dr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have no children. They are members of the M. E. Church and active Sabbath school and temperance workers. Politically, he is a Republican.

ZERWEKH FAMILY, farmers, Sec. 22, P. O. Peoria. The mother of this respected family is Rosina, daughter of Moritz and Dorothea Steinle, nee Wunsch, and was born at Unterturkheim,Wurtemberg, Germany, 23d February, 1823, and on the 20th day of July, I S43, was married to John Jacob, son of George and Christina Zerwekh, nee 'Diener, who was bom in the same town 2Sth April, 1820. This marriage united two of the first families of their native town, the portraits of their immediate ancestors being accorded a place in the royal art gallery. Mr. Zerwekh was a vine-yardist and co-owner of a cement quarry. In the Winter of 1S52-3 he disposed of his interest in Germany, and immigrated to America, arriving at Hagerstown, Maryland, on the nth day of April, 1853, where they remained a year ; then came to Peoria county and purchased a home in Sec. 23, this township, which they occupied until 1874. They had some means, which, with economy and industry, enabled them to secure a good and comfortable home. In the Fall of 1864, Mr. Zerwekh was drafted into the army, and on the 2Sth of November bade his family good-bye, and joined the regiment. He was taken sick soon after he reached Chattanooga, Tenn., and'died in hospital at that place, 25th January, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Zerwekh had eleven children that grew to manhood and womanhood, and one that died in early infancy : Jacob G., born i8th February, 1S44 ,married Mariah Whiting, 20th October, 1871 ; Rosina D., bora 29th November, 1846; John, nth April, 1848, married Mary Whiting, 29th November, 1874; Christian F., born 6th September, 1849, died from injuries received by a kick from a horse, 24th September, 1S67 ; Wilhelmina J., born i8th December. 1850, married Michael Bauer, 3d December, 1874. (Mr. Bauer died in Wichita county, Kansas, from peison administered by a man named Conway, 31st December, 1879.) Chris- tiana I)., born 30th March, 1852, married Charles Buschow, i8th February, 1878 ; William, bom 24th March, 1854; Henry, born 9th January, 1856 ; August, bom 1st May, 1858, and Carl, bom 9th May, 1863. On the 14th of December, 1865, Mrs. Zerwelch re-married with George Henry Graze, by whom she had one child. Christian F., who was bom 28th March, 1869. In March, 1874, the family removed from the old home place on Sec. 23 to their present residence, where .Mr.

Grare, the second husband, died 24th March, 1875. On the 28th of April, 1873, Mrs. Z. left Peoria to visit her old father and old home in Germany, her father then being eighty-three years of age. Her father died in 1879, »ged eighty-eight years. Mrs. Z. owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. Th« family are adherents of the German Lutheran Church.