Quincy Township (part 68 of 74)

William H. Brackensick. For a long period of years the name Brackensick has been identified with the grocer^' trade at Quincy. IMr. AVilliam H. Brackensick has one of the larger and better appointed establishments for the purveying of necessities to the family larder, located at 726 Adams Street, and liis many patrons get the benefit of his long and thorough experience in handling all commodities that are classified as living necessities.

:Mr. Brackensick was born at Quincy July 20, 1869, son of Bernard H. and Elizabeth (Hanbrock) Brackensick. Both parents were natives of Germany. They came to America and located at Quincy in 1856. Bernard Brackensick was a brick manufacturer, one of the pioneers in that industry, and made great quantities of the material which entered into the construction of homes, business houses and other public buildings at Quincy. ^Yith his son August he made the brick in 1869 with which St. Anthony's Church was built in Melrose Township. He died January 21, 1904. His tirst wife, Elizabeth, died June 30, 1872, the mother of seven children: A daughter that died in infancy ; August, a retired brick manufacturer of Quincy ; Louis, deceased ; Annie, wife of Ernest Rothmann, of Quincy; John, a brick layer at Quiney ; Frank, a retired resident of Quincy ; and AVilliam H. In 1873 Bernard Brackensiek married for his second wife Henrietta Riepe, who died July 23, 1884, without children. In April, 1885, he married for his third wife Annie Yahle, widow of Gottlieb Vahle. The third wife of Bernard Brackensick is still living, and by her marriage to him she had one child, Oscar, now living in Quincy.

William H. Brackensick as a boy attended the German School at Quincy and was only thirteen years of age when he became a practical assistant to his father in the brick yard, and in the next two years learned much about the brick making industry and also picked up a practical knowledge of the eai"penter"s trade. As a carpenter he was employed in local building construction for about eleven years. On June 6, 1893, 'Sir. Brackensick entered the grocery and dry goods business, and from that time forward, practically a quarter of a century, his name has been continuously identified with merchandising and chiefly as a grocer. His first store was at 728 Adams Street. In 1904 he sold that establishment and for a year was retired. On January 1, 1905, he formed a partnership with H. F. Stork, grocers, at 805 State Street. June 20. 1905, he sold the stock to his partner, and was again retired until June 16. 1906, when he opened his present high class store at 726 Adams Street, just adjoining the store where he was first in business, twenty-five yeai's ago.

November 27, 1900, Mr. Brackensick married Helen Hagenbaumer. ilrs. Brackensick died June 7, 1907, the mother of five children : Enda, of Chicago ; Jennie, at home; a son that died in infancy: Zella, wife of J. E. Hildebrand, of Quincy; and Jerome, who died in childhood. On August 23, 1908, Mr. Brackensick married a sister of his first wife, Amelia Hagenbaumer. Five children were born to their union, the first two dying in infancy. The thii'd, Mildred, died in childhood, and the only two living are Russell and Floy. Mr. Brackensick is a republican voter and with his family worships in St. James Lutheran Church.

Henry Spaeks has been a diligent and hard working farmer of Adams County for thirty years, and the measure of his success can be found in the farm of generous proportions which he owns and on which he resides in Clayton Township, and another large place he owns in Columbus Township.

Mr. Sparks was born in Columbus Township September 27, 1867, son of Aqnilla and Mary Jane (Akers) Sparks. His mother was born in Columbus Township and was a si.ster of Judge Albert Akers, mention of whose name will be found on other pages. Aquilla Sparks was born in 1834, had a public school education, began his career as a farm worker and later bought a small place in Columbus Township. He kept increasing his holdings until at the time of his death he owned 300 acres and was rated as one of the most successful men of that township. He was a democratic voter and his wife a member of the Christian Church. His wife married for her first husband Lindorf Butts, who was killed as a soldier in the Civil war and left one son Cyrus L. Butts, now living in California. Aquilla Sparks and wife had three children: Heni-j' ; Laura Belle, deceased; and Thomas 0., of Clayton Township.

Henry Sparks grew up on the old farm in Columbus Township and attended the district schools and also the Maplewood High School of Camp Point. He used the training secured in school to teach, and was one of the capable educators working in this comity for seven years. Since then he has given all his time to farming and is now owner of 382 acres in Columbus Township and 160 acres constituting his home place in Clayton Township. Mr. Sparks has a general stock and grain farm, and besides much other good livestock breeds and raises Poland China hogs. He is a democrat in politics, and while living in Columbus Township served as township clerk and has t)een assessor of Clayton Township two terms. He is affiliated with Camp Point Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Clavton.

December 25, Christmas Day, 1888, Mr. Sparks married Miss Flora E. De- Moss, member of a well known family of that name in Columbus Township, and a daughter of W. D. and Mary E. DeMoss. She died March Ifl, 1892, mother of one child, Ethel M. Ethel was born November 16, 1890, is a graduate of the Clayton High School, and is now the wife of Albert G. Beckman, of Concord Township. Mr. and Mrs. Beckman have two children: Ruth M. and Ralph Harold. On October 10, 1895, :\Ir. Sparks married Lillie M. DeMoss, sister of his tirst wife. They have one son, Orrin D.. who was born October 9, 1897, and is a graduate of l)oth the Maplewood High School and the Gem City Business College, and is now assisting his father in the management of their farm.

Adam Speckhart is another son of the prominent pioneer of Fall Creek Township, John Speckhart, Sr., whose career is sketched on otlier pages. Adam Speckhart now owns the old homestead, nine miles southeast of Quincy, and was born there October 1, 1849. He inherited the old farm, and with that as a basis has extended 'his holdings until he now has six farms, three near the old homestead, one on the bottom lands, and still another in Kansas. Much of this land is rented and altogether it comprises about 1,000 acres. He has substantially improved several of the farms with buildings. His farming has been along the line of stock raising.

Mr. Speckhart .spent his early life on the old farm and attended school at Craigtown. He has never sought public office and in voting has usually been an independent democrat. He is a deacon in the Bluff Hall Congregational Church.

:\Iarch 3, 1878, Mr. Speckhart married Miss :\Iary E. Bock, daughter of Daniel and Fredericka Bock. Mrs. Speckhart was born in Melrose Township and was nineteen years of age at the time of her marriage. Her father was a native of Waldeck and her mother of Baden, Germany, ilrs. Speckhart, who died February 4, 1916, became the mother of eight children. Catherine, born December 5, 1878, is now the wife of William Albsmeyer, of Melrose Township, and has one daughter, Marie Charlotte. Mary Elizabeth, born in November, 1880, is the wife of Nicholas Kaltenbach, of Fall Creek Township. P'red "William, born January 29, 1883, is a bachelor still at home. Anna Margaret, born May 22, 1885, is the wife of Fred Schnellbacher, and they live on an adjoining fann to her father. Wilhelmina, born November 7, 1887, is the wife of Christian Kaiser, and they live with her father and operate one of the farms, ilr. and Mi's. Kaiser have four children, Harold Russell, ^Marion Adolph Frederick, Mary Louise and Doris Anna Amelia. Henry, bom in 1890, and Emma, born in 1892, died in infancy. Carl, born January 25, 1894, married ilaiy Jane Spencer, lives on one of his father's farms, and has one child, Harlow Adam.

Amos Sharp. In the intervals of his farm activities in Concord Township Amos Sharp has found time to serve the interests of his fellow citizens in the office of supervisor. He has been active sinc« early manhood as a democrat. He was first elected supervisor when twenty-six years of age. and after a lapse of time he wa.s elected for another period of eight years. His good service in that position is well remembered, and is the basis of much of the esteem paid him.

^Ir. Sharp's farm is in section 16 of Concord Township, and in that one locality he has had his home since he was six months old. He was bom in

Yorkshire, England, and is a son of Amos and Hylas (Nelson) Sharp, also natives of Yorkshire. They were married there and had four children, John, Ellen, Jane and Amos, all born in England. Amos was born April 15, 1871. lu the fall of that year the family took passage on a boat at Liverpool, crossed the ocean to New York, and soon came out to Concord Township in Adams County. Some years prior to that Thomas Sharp, an uncle of Amos, Sr., had located in the county, and there was another uncle, John, in the county. Edward Sharp also came to the county prior to his nephew, Amos. Thus the Sharp family has become well known in Adams County. Edward Sharp was born in England in 1807, and settled in Adams County about 1837. He was one of the pioneer fruit growers of the county.

Amos Sharp, Sr., and wife spent their lives in Concord Township as farmers. He died May 24, 1886, at the age of fifty. Hylas Nelson, his wife, was born July 15, 1836, and died March 15, 1912, at the age of seventy-six. They were members of the Church of England and he was a democrat. Of their children Jennie became the wife of William Keen, and at her death left two daughters. The living children are: John, a farmer in Concord Township, and the father of three sous and two daughters, two of the former being now in the war. Ellen is the wife of Theodore Kesting, a retired farmer at Clayton, and thej' have a son, George. The next is Amos. Richard N. is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, in which he served three j-ears, and is now living in Quincy. He is married and has two daughters. Hylas is the wife of Charles Beckman, a farmer of Concord Township, and they have three sons and one daughter. Eliza married Louis Childs, lives in Kansas City, Kansas, and has two sons and two daughters. Emma E. is the wife of Charles Amen, of Concord Township, and is the mother of one daughter.

Amos Sharp, Jr., received his education in the old Colpitt School. He lived at home with his parents to the age of twentj--six. In 1898 he bought his fine farm of eighty acres in section 16, and here he has made his home and developed some notable improvements. His residence is a seven-room house, and he also has a large stock and grain barn and also a stock barn. This farm is appropriately named the Lone Sycamore Farm. It is highly cultivated, growing large crops of corn, wheat and oats, and he keeps some good stock.

In Columbus Township January 12, 1898, Mr. Sharp married Miss Elizabeth Hocamp. She was born in that township September 11, 1874, and received her ediieatiou in the Oakwood District School. She is a daughter of John__ and Hannah W. (Von Holt) Hocamp, both natives of Germany. They came to the United States when young people and were married in Quincy in 1873. After that they moved to Columbus Township, bought 240 acres of land, and Mr. Hocamp literally improved his fai'm from the wilds. He was one of the hard working and highly esteemed citizens of the community and died November 2, 1915. His widow, now sixty-seven years of age, and some of her children still live at the old home.

^Ir. and Mrs. Sharp have one daughter, Reta Alene, born September 22, 1903. She attended the Colpitt District School and is now in the second year of high school at Clayton. The family are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Sharp is affiliated with the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen orders at Clayton.

John A. Volleath. A name that henceforth will have as much significance in American history as Bunker Hill or Gettysburg is Chateau Thierry, where in the summer of 1918 the American forces bore the brunt of the fighting which turned back the tide of German invasion which had been steadily progressing toward Paris for three months. Chateau Thierry is first in the list of Frencli names which will always have their place in American school books.

It was at that vital point on the western front June 9, 1918, that an Adams County boy, a member of the invincible Marines, Oscar Vollrath, fell while bravely performing his duties. Oscar Yollrath was a corporal and in charge of a squad, and while superintending the placing of a gun was killed by a shell concussion. He was buried by his own comrades with full military honors. He had well earned the esteem of his comrades by his soldierly conduct, and had all those virtues which make up the character of the good soldier. He was a young man of liberal education, having attended in addition to the common schools near his home the Gem City Business College at Quiucy, and in 1915 had graduated from the Central Wesleyau College at AVarreuton, Mi.ssouri. He enliisted in March, 1917, before the war was formally opened against Germany. He went into the National Guard but soon found oppoi'tunities to become a member of the Marines. For a time he was stationed on the Kaiser Wilhelm, a steamship taken over by the United States from the German government, and later was assigned to the Marine Unit co-operating with the French on the western front.

The name and record of this soldier of Adams County is appropriately con- .sidered at the beginning of the sketch of his father, John A. VoUrath, wiio for manj' years has been one of the successful farmers of ^Nfelrose Township. The Yollrath home is nine miles southeast of Quincy, and the old farm where John A. Yollrath was born and also his son Oscar has been in the possession of the family for nearly seventy years. John A. Yollrath was born there May 27, 1868, sou of John and Marie (Kerkman) Yollrath. John Yollrath was born at Berg Sponlieim, Kreuznach, Rhenish Prussia, June 28, 1816. He received a liberal education in Germany, and on July 11, 1840, arrived at New Orleans. He remained in New Orleans six years and was employed there as a teacher in the Lutheran parochial schools. The climate of the South not agreeing with him, and as the wages he received did not compensate for other advantages, he came north to Quincy and resumed employment as a teacher in the German schools. He also worked at the carpenter's trade for a time. On December 10, 1847, in Quincy, he married Miss Marie Kerkman, who was born at Heidbrink, Rosenberg Kurhessen, Germany, March 31, 1824. She had come when a girl to the United States -nnth her parents and with her brother Frederick. Her brother Frederick became a prominent minister of the ^Methodist Episcopal Church, and was serving as presiding elder when he died at the age of twentyseven. He was laid to rest in the Woodland cemetery and left a wife and two children, one of them, Caroline, being a widow living at Des Moines.

In 1849 John Yollrath bought land included in the present Yollrath homestead, and soon afterward took possession and began the long task of developing a home. He cleared away the woods, gradually enlarged the scope of cultivation, erected substantial buildings, and in time had a good farm of 167 acres. While farming in the early days he also taught district school, and some of his own children were his pupils. He always maintained an active interest in school affairs, serving as school director, as justice of the peace, and in other local offices. Ho was a republican in polities. He was one of tlie most active and faithful members of the IMethodist Church at Slill Creek, and both he and his wife were teachers in the Sunday school, and for many j'cars he was superintendent of the school. He was also a loeal minister and often filled vacancies in the pulpit as a preacher He never accepted any salary for this church work. Besides farming he employed his leisure in work at the trade of carpenter and cabinet maker, and one evidence of his handiwork is still at the old home in the shape of a neatly contrived cupboard. John Yollrath died July 15, 1904, when upwards of ninety years of age. His widow passed away March 2, 1910, also at a good old age. They had a family of eight children : Hannah, widow of August Meyer, living in Payson Township ; Caroline, widow of August Sittler, of Lincoln, Nebra.ska; Heniy, who had a farm near the old homestead and died September 4, 1918 ; Marie, who died at the age of seven years ; Martin, of ^lelrose Township ; Sophia, Mrs. Charles Young, of Quincy ; Lizzie, Mrs. Edward H. Meyer, living near the old home: and Jolni A.

been spent on the old farm. He rented the land from his father some years, and later bought 117 acres from his father. He devotes it to general farming, and it is one of the best kept places in ^Selrose Township, ilr. Vollrath is a republican, served one term of two j-ears as township assessor, and has been a meml>er of the township committee.

November 24, 1892, he married Miss Ida ileyer, whose maiden name was Bush, but from the age of twelve years was reared by ilrs. August ileyer, a sister of Mr. Vollrath. ill's. Vollrath died in 1903. the mother of five children. Oscar Vollrath was the oldest of those children and was born December 2. 1894. He was therefore not yet twenty-four years of age when he fell on the field of glory in France. Lydia, the second child, is a stenographer in the office of the Surgeon General at Washington, D. C. Elmer is an automobile dealer in Quiney. Harvey and Ida are both at home. On Januarj- 1, 1908, Mr. Vollrath married Anna Reutzel, of Columbus, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Hurler) Keutzel, both now deceased. Her father was li\-ing as a retired farmer when he died. Mrs. Vollrath was born in Columbus Township. They have one son, Ray, now seven years old.

James Henry Gradt, an extensive fanner and stockman in McKee Township, his home being three miles south of Kellerville, represents one of the earlier families settled in this section of Adams County, and his people were among the pioneers of "Western Illinois.

Mr. Grady was born on his present farm and on the site of his present house October 6. 1861, son of James Monroe and Ellen (Jones) Grady. Both the Jones and Grady families came to Brown County. Illinois, about 1837. They were all from North Carolina. The grandfather, John Grady, was born in Davidson County, North Carolina, October 15, 1802, and spent his last days in the home of his son James M. in Adams County, where he died April 21, 1882. John Grady married a Miss Briggs, who died of cholera in 1852 or 1853. James Monroe Grady was born September 6, 1823, and died February 21. 1897. On Februarv 14, 1846, he married Ellen Jones, who was born in North Carolina December 14. 1830, and died November 19, 1880.

It was in 1859 that James M. Grady settled on the present farm in ilcKee Township. He acquired 365 acres, only a few acres at that time being in cultivation. There was no house, and in everj- sense of the term he made the farm, hewing it out of the wilderness. The rest of his years were devoted to that labor and he continued active until the year of his death. He was well preserved both physically and mentally, as was his father also. James M. Grady served as a justice of the peace for some years, was a democrat and was active in the Good Hope Baptist Church. Both John and James M. Grady were keen and enthusiastic huntsmen and sportsmen. In the early days they killed deer and turkey, and they were fond of going on the hunt even in old age. On the present farm of James Henry Grady stands a relic of pioneer times in the shape of the old log house built by his father. This has a large .''tone outside chimney and is one of the few structures still left of its kind.

James M. Grady and wife had eleven children, three of whom died in infancy. Those to reach mature years were: William R., who went out to California and located at Noyo: John F.. living at Elmonte, near Los Angeles: Julia A., wife of Jacob Hughes of Bakersfield, California : Hattie E., who became the wife of Charles Grady and died in middle life; Rosetta, who married Henry Gabel, of Topanga, California : James Henry : Beda, ilr?. Robert Dennis ; and Abbie E., Mrs. Frank ilcNeff. of Siloam, Illinois.

James Henry Grady has spent most of his life on the old homestead. He acquired his education in the local district schools and as a boy worked out as a farm hand. Later he entered the service of the Singer Sewing Machine Company at St. Louis as a machinist, and was in that line of work until 1884. in the meantime, in 1883, he bought the present farm, the old homestead, and has lived on it steadily since 1884. His good judgment and ability have enabled him to acquire more laud until he now has 424 acres in a body. This is a fine stock farm and he also has ten acres of productive orchard. He handles cattle, sheep and hogs and consumes practically all of the feed products on the farm. While he lias never been a seeker for public honors, he has served as school director for twenty-four years and is still on the board. He is an independent democrat and was a member of various committees in war relief work and liberty loan campaigns in the recent World war.

In 1891 ilr.' Grady married I\Iary I\IcXeft', who died live years later, the mother of two children, Irvin and Stella. In 1903 ^Ir. Grady married ^laggie Noble, of aicKee Township. They have one daughter, Edith. The son Irvin attended high school one year and at the age of seventeen became a rural mail carrier and was in that service until he was called into the army April 3,

1918. He was first sent to Galveston, Texas, and in July was sent overseas to France. He was in the Trench Mortar branch and received his final training in France, where he remained until the close of the war. He held the rank of first class private, and received his honorary discharge February 3,

1919, and is now living on the farm with his parents and has resumed his former occupation of rural mail carrier, ilr. Grady's daughter Stella is the wife of Kussell Jones, of Siloam, Illinois. The daughter Edith is now a student in the Maplewood High School at Camp Point and had the distinction of winning the county contest in spelling in 1917, being then only thirteen years old.

August C. Husemann is one of the native born citizens of Adams County, and his is the record of an industrious and upright career identified for many years with Melrose Township. He and his wife now have one of the beautiful and attractive farmsteads of that township. In earlier years they worked hard, were content with simple comforts and necessities, and were willing to sacrifice many things in order to secure a home, rear their children properly and have a competence for their later years. In all this they have succeeded, and they deserve the respect and honor paid to hard working and excellent citizens.

:\lr. Husemann was born ;\lay 12, 1869, seventh in a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters, born to Philip and Anna Husemann. All the children but one are still living and all residents of Adams County. They were educated in the common and parochial schools and the sons are all practical farmers.

Philip Husemann was born in the City of Berlin, Germany, and on reaching his majority left the fatherland and came to the United States. He took passage on a sailing vessel at Bremerhaven, and after a voyage of fourteen weeks landed in New Orleans, whence he came up the Mississippi River to St. Louis and a short time later continued on up the river to Quincy. He had no capital but his industrious disposition, and sought his early advantages in the new world and as a farm laborer for Mr. Demaree. The years brought tlieir rewards, and eventually he was able to buy sixty acres of land, assuming a heavy debt and paying 12 per cent interest. He afterward bought another fifty acres, all in -Melrose Township, his home being in section 8. He was a republican, and he and his wife were charter members of St. Jacob's German Lutheran Church at Quincy. He died after an honored and respected career Fel)- ruar>' 26, 1913, and his wife in July, 1906. Both are now at rest in the Green Mount Cemeter}^

Mr. August C. Husemann was educated in both the parochial and common schools, and for thirty years has applied all of his intelligence and industry to the business of farming and stock raising. He has recently begun the development of a good herd of Shorthorn cattle on his farm. His place comprises forty acres, lying li'o miles from the city limits of Quincy. Its improvements and the value of the property represent the joint labors and efforts of Mr. Husemann and his good wife.

April 17, 1895, at Qiiincy, he married ]Miss Amelia E. Bringer. They have one son, Harvey H., who was edneated in the common and parochial schools and is a youth of much promise and ability and in him center the hopes and fondest desires of his parents. He is also a member of the German Lutheran Church of Quincy. Mrs. Husemann was bom in Melrose Township September 27, 1868, daughter of Harmon and Anna (Brandt) Bringer. She was one of six children, two daughters and four sons, all living and all residents of Adams County. Her father was born in Germany, coming to the United States in young manhood. He arrived in Adams County practically empty handed, but in time had advanced himself to the ownership of a good farm in Melrose Township. His first purchase was sixty-five acres and later he bought another forty acres. He developed the land from practically a raw state to one of the good farms of the county, especially well known for its fine livestock. He and his wife were members of the Salem Memorial Church, and he was one of its charter members. Politically he voted as a republican. The death of Mrs. Husemann 's father occurred January 1, 1909. Her mother was born in Holstein, Germany, and was a small girl when her parents came to the United States and settled in Adams County. She died July 17, 191G. Both parents now rest in the Green I\lount Cemetery.

Mrs. Husemann was educated in both the German and English languages. After her marriage she and Mr. Husemann started out with no capital but with resolution to give a good account of themselves and make the most of their opportunities. These ideals have been attained and in 1918 the.y are enjoying the fruits of their well spent years and good farm without a dollar of indebtedness against it. Mr. Husemann is a republican, having cast his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison. At different times he served as a member of the County Convention. He has been director of the public schools for twenty-one years, and is clerk of the board and earnestly supports the cause of public education at every opportunity. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church at Quincy. Many of the most progressive farmer citizens of Adams County now own their own cars, and the Husemanns have one of the fine Cadillacs, which extends the scope of their enjoyment and social privileges so that the attractions of the city and the homes of their remote friencls ai'e practically as accessible as were the homes of their closest neighbors only a few years ago.

William Kimble is one of the generation of younger farmers of Adams County, and in a few brief years during the present great era of prosperity has marched rapidly towards independence and toward an important share in the success and prosperity of the American agriculturist.

He was born in Schuyler County, Illinois, IMarch 6, 1881, a son of Samuel and Hester (Hill) Kimble. His father was born in Ohio in 1845 and his mother in 1851. They came with their respective families when young to Schuyler County, Illinois, married there, and in 1887 sold their farm and moved to Adams County, locating in Northeast Township, on a place of eighty acres. They finally sold that homestead and retired to Golden, where the father died in 1912. His widow is still living in Golden. They had seven children : Rosa, I\Irs. Edward Ford, of Golden ; Flossie, wife of Lyman Glenn, of Bowen, Illinois; Marion, of Bowen; Elzy, of Bowen; William; Clarence, of Bowen; and Annie, wife of Max Crossland. of Bowen.

William Kimble spent his boyhood chiefly on the farm near Golden and attended the public schools of that village." Since manhood his best efforts have ben employed in agricultural enterprise. In 1915 he bought his present farm of eighty acres in section 6 of Houston Township. He handles practically all the land himself, using it for producing the staple crops and the raising of good live stock. Mr. Kimble has a number of pure bred Chester White hogs and also some of the Duroc Jersey swine. He has so far not par- ticipated to any extent in politics or ever been a candidate for ofSce. He votes independently in local affairs and in national politics is a republican.

Mr. Kimble married Miss ^land Cunningham, daughter of Andrew and Anna Cunningham, early settlers of Hancock County. The mother is still living on tlie old farm near Bowen. Mrs. Kimble died in 1908, and her only child died in infancy. On December 23, 1915, Mr. Kimble married Jlrs. Nellie Willard Robinson. She was the mother of one son by her first husband, named Hamill. Mi-s. Kimble is a daughter of William iladison Willard, and member of that well known familj^ in Houston Township concerning whom much is said on other pages of this publication.

Orv.vl Boling. Of the families that have been longest identified with the agricultural community of Columbus Township, that of Boling is conspicuous. A number of the name have lived in Adams County, and of the present generation one of the leading farmers of the township is Orval Boling, whose home is in section 20.

He was born at the old Boling homestead in Concord Township ]\Iarch 6, 1882. His grandfather, Deloss Boling, was a native of Kentucky and came to Adams County when a young unmarried man, locating in Liberty Township, where he married Miss Hughes. She was born in Adams County. The.y began life on a farm near the village of Liberty, and as pioneers they had to take the land in a raw condition, clear and break it out, and used oxen for that labor. All their children were born in Liberty Township. Later the family moved to Concord Township. The children of Deloss Boling were William, Thomas, Jackson, Jefferson, George, Fannie, Elizabeth and Harriet. Of these Harriet, Jefferson and George are still living. Deloss Boling undertook to improve a new farm in Concord Township, and he died there when about seventy years of age. His widow later removed to Galveston in Hancock County, and died at the home of her daughter Fannie when past ninety years of age. Both the grandparents were members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Grandfather Boling was a democrat, and that line of politics has been adhered to by his children and grandchildren.

Jefferson Boling, father of Orval, was bom in Liberty Township Februarj- 17, 1851. He attended as a boy the Rock School at Liberty. He married in Concord Township Mrs. Mary (Hanke) Schieferdecke. She was born in Adams County August 12, 1852, and was three times married. Her first husband, William Vering, died in the prime of life, leaving two sons, Fred and William, both of whom are married and are fanners in this county. Her second husband was Louis Schieferdecke, who died when still in the prime of life. His two children were Louis and Amelia, both of whom live in Adams County, are married and have children.

After his marriage Jefferson Boling lived on the old homestead in Concord Township until 1905, when he bought the old Robinson farm in Columbus Township. There his wife died in Jul.v, 1911, at the age of sixty-one. Since then Jefferson Boling has lived retired in tlie village of Columbus and is now sixty-eight years of age. He is a member of the Christian Church. His children are: Orval, Elpha, wife of Loren Marshall, of Columbus Township: Arthur, who was born December 25. 1886, and died unmarried at the age of thirty-one; Lawrence, who lived on his father's homestead in Adams County for a number of years, and is married and has a son, Gaylord ; Iva, wife of Robert McParland, of Columbus Township, and the mother of two daughters. Maxine and Frances; Elmer, now a soldier in camp at Newport News, Virginia

Orval Boling gi-ew up in Concord Township, and five years ago bought the old Naylor farm in section 22 of Columbus To^vnship. Recently he sold that place, and in the fall of 1918 began occupation of the old homestead southeast of Columbus, where he operates 168 acres. This is one of the best farms of the township, has a well improved home and two large barns, well fitted for grain and stock.

Mr. Boling married in Columbus Township Miss Ethel May Wheeler. She was born near her present home August 4, 1885, a daughter of William and Elda (Marshall) Wheeler. Her parents now live in the village of Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Boling have four children: Halford, born August 8, 1906, a promising youth and a good student in the seventh grade of the common schools; Ala'bel F., born April 29, 1908, is now in the fifth grade of the public schools; Gladvs :\Iay, born December 4, 1909; and Gerald Wheeler, who was boni AugiLst 18, 1911, both of whom are also in school. Mr. and Mi-s. Boling are members of the Christian Church at Columbus, and he is serving as deacon. His political atSliatious are with the democratic party.

August Henry Heitholt. One of the good homes in southern Adams County which reflect the enterprise and ability of the owner is that of August Henry Heitholt in Fall Creek Township, a "mile east of Fall Creek Station and twelve miles east of Quincy. ^Ir. Heitholt has spent practically all his life in Fall Creek Township, and his people have been in Adams County for seventy years.

Mr. Heitholt was horn not far from his present home August 16, 1873, son of John Henry and ^Mary (Groteguth) Heitholt. John H. Heitholt was born in Germany March 8, 1833, and was educated in his native country. In 1846 he came to" America by sailing vessel to New Orleans, and thence up the river to Quincy. For five or six years, being without capital, he worked on farms on monthly wages. In 1860 he married Miss Mary Groteguth, daughter of Philip Groteguth of Fall Creek Township. They were the parents of five children, and they were all young when their mother died in February, 1875, at the age of thirty-five.

After his marriage John H. Heitholt acquired the eighty-acre farm where his son August was born and which is now owned by the latter 's brother William. John H. Heitholt made all the improvements there, cleared off the timber and brush, and increased it eventually to 160 acres. His first home was a log house. This was the old William Hughes farm, and included about fifty acres of fine bottom land. John Heitholt also bought 100 acres of bottom land tliree miles away. For his 160 acres he paid $7,500. He eventually succeeded in clearing and making a fine grain farm of his bottom land. John H. Heitholt was a very progi-essive man in local improvements. He was one of the promoters of and served until his death as a commissioner of the Fall Creek Drainage District, a project which resulted in the reclamation of 6,000 acres of highly productive land. He was succeeded as commissioner by his son Aug-ust iHenry. John H. Heitholt was a democrat in politics, and served as road commissioner for twenty-three years and also as a school director. He was a very active member in the Blufl" Hall Congregational Church, being one of its organizers and serving as trustee or deacon. John H. Heitholt married for his second wife Elizabeth B. Speckhart, a member of the well known and ])rominent Speckhart family of the county. John H. Heitholt died in 1907, and his second wife passed away in February, 1918.

The children of his first marriage were: Hannah, whose first husband was Mr. Walbrink, and she died in middle life, the wife of George Keil ; Carrie married William Cornwell, of Ursa Township, and their twin sons, Elmer and Wilmer, are now wearing the khaki with the United States army : ]\Iollie is the wife of Fred Schnellbacher, of Fall Creek Township ; Lizzie married French Gibbs, of Quincy; and Augiist Henry is the youngest and was about a year and a half old when his mother died. His father also had three children by his second wife : Emma, who died at the age of thirty-five, the wife of Charles Luce; William, on the old homestead farm; and Anna, wife of William Kaltenbach. of Fall Creek Township.

After the death of his mother August Henry Heitholt was taken to the home of his mother's sister, Mrs. Samuel Renecker, for two years. He then returned to his father and step-mother, and he and his sisters have always had the most kindly memories of their step-mother, who was in very truth a mother to them. His j-ears up to the age of twenty-tive were spent at home, and during that time he attended the local schools.

At that age ^Ir. Heitholt married Matilda Uebner, daughter of Casper and Elizabeth Uebner, and sister of Adam, Amia and Andrew I'ebner of Fall Creek, Mrs. "William Kaltenbach, and Mrs. William Watson of Fall Creek and Mrs. Charles Schmidt of Freeport, Kansas. Mrs. Heitholt was born in Fall Creek Township. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Heitholt rented land for four years, and then bought their present farm from Joseph Hughes. This is also a part of the old William Hughes estate. It had an old house, and since then Mr. and Mrs. Heitholt built themselves a good home, also a barn, and have effected many other improvements. Their land is excellently situated, just a quarter of a mile back from the main Bluff Road. At the present time he has 238 acres, including 160 acres formerly owned by his father. His farming is chiefly in grain and hogs, and he raises about 100 hogs annually.

ilr. Heitholt served as tax collector one year, has been a member of the school board for several years, and was elected and served continuously for eleven years as super-\asor, until he finally retired from the office in the spring of 1918. He has also for three years been chairman of the Road and Bridge committee. He is a democrat, an active party worker and a member of the County Central Committee. He and his family are members of the Bluff Hall Congregational Church, of which he is a trustee.

]\Ir. and ^Irs. Heitholt have one son, Carson Henry, born January 16, 1902, now in high school. Another member of their household since their marriage has been Mrs. Heitholt 's sister, Mi.ss Anna Uebner.

John T. Smith. While he represents one of the old and prosperous families of Northwestern Adams County, John T. Smith has not depended upon a family name and its influence to promote his individual prosperity in life. AVith the aid of a capable wife he began with very small capital and has actually cleared and developed a tract of land that was formerly of no special value or usefulness, and is now owner of a farm whose productiveness speaks for itself. His home is in Ursa Township, four miles north of Ursa.

He was liorn in this township April 18, 1854, and is a son of the late Benjamin A. and Delilah (Spears) Smith. His father, long a prominent citizen of Ursa Township, died on his farm home in section 14 of Ursa Township ilareh 25, 1911. He was born in Kentucky December 12. 1830. His parents were Caleb and Mary Ann (Reuck) Smith, also natives of Kentucky. About 1840 Caleb Smith moved to Hlinois and located on a farm seven miles east of Carthage in Hancock County. He lived there until his death in 1894, and his wife passed away in 1884.

Benjamin A. Smith was reared in Illinois from the age of ten, had a public school education in Hancock County, and in 1850, at the age of twenty, moved to Adams Count.v. At that age he located in section 14 of Ursa Township, and that locality continued to be his home for over sixty years. July 23, 1851, he married Miss Delilah Spears, who was born in Kentucky August 7, 1828, daughter of John and Catherine (Grimes) Spears. Her father died in 1870. Delilah's only brother, Abraham Spears, died a few years ago in Ursa Township. Benjamin A. Smith during his active lifetime kept a large and well appointed farm, comprising 136 acres, and expended most of his energies upon its improvement and cultivation. He continued active until well past the age of seventy. His wife died December 12, 1917, and of their four children, three grew to maturity : John T. ; Sarah E., who died in December. 1913. the wife of Lorenzo Worley, who is still living in Ursa Township; and Levi A., who was born January 23, 1865, married Alice Young, and now occupies the old Smith homestead.

John T. Smith was reared and educated in this county, and spent most of his years at home until his marriage. June 7, 1876, he married Ella A. Camp- bell, who died February 26, 1911. Oa September 10, 1913, he married Elizabeth May Byrd, who was born in Quiiicy, a daughter of Doctor Byrd, a prominent old time physician of that city. ilr. Smith's children are all by his first wife. Ollie Ma.v is the wife of Willard J. Smith, a carpenter and farmer at Ursa; Grace Bessie is the wife of Irving Agard, an Ursa Township farmer ; Charles E. is a farmer and a member of the school board ; Levi A. married Viola Kime. The sons are now partners with their father in the operation of the farm.

It was in September, 1878, that Mr. Smith bought sixtj- acres of bottom land included in his present farm. He paid $40 per acre. At that time it was covered with willows, there was no drainage, and practicality none of it had ever been devoted to successful production. He fenced, cleared, and worked steadily year after year in making a farm. Within the last two years this land has been placed within a drainage district and is now one of the most fertile tracts in the county. Beginning with sixty acres Mr. Smith has added from time to time until he now has a well balanced farm of 227 acres. For the last sixty-seven acres that he bought he paid $200 an acre. This indicates the general advance in land values, largely representing improvements made. In 1902 Mr. Smith erected a good substantial home, and his bam was built in 1906. The bottom lands produce abundantly of corn and wheat, and every year he has a large number of Poland China hogs for the market. At the time of their marriage Mr. and ilrs. Smith had about $1,000 as their capital, and that became tEe first pa^auent they made on the sixty acres of laud. The rest of his prosperity represents the value of his own labors and good management. He also owns eighty acres of timber land in section 31, six miles away from his home farm. Mr. Smith is a democrat but has never sought public office of any kind and has no church affiliations. He has been affiliated with the Ursa Lodge of Odd Fellows since 1892, and aside from farming and home life he takes his recreation chiefly through an occasional hunting trip.

William W. Witt. Some of the oldest and best known American names in Adams County are represented by William W. Witt, a resident of Quincy, but whose activities for many years have identified him with farming in the north part of the county and with extensive operations as a buyer and shipper of grain and live stock. In that business he is associated with his brother Samuel 0. of Keene Township. William W. Witt has his farming and land interests in Houston Township, owning 160 acres of well improved land with a good set of farm buildings. The brothere have other lands in the county. For the past three years Mr. W. W. Witt has occupied a nice home at 2001 Hampshire Street in Quincy.

He was born in Houston Township of this county in 1869, and was reared and educated in the local schools. His experience since boyhood has largely consisted of farming and stock raising, and he early developed a special capacity and skill as a dealer in live stock.

His parents were George and Sarah A. (Thompson) Witt. His father was born in Adams County and the grandparents came here in early days from Virginia, locating in Houston Township and doing their part as pioneers. The grandparents were members of the jMethodist Church, and both of them died in Houston Township. George Witt grew up in Houston Township and married his wife at LaBelle, Missouri. She was born there, where her peoj^le had located in the early days.

After their marriage George Witt and wife established a home of their own in Houston Township, and later took pos.session of his father's old estate. George Witt spent many industrious and profitable years in that locality and died when about sixty years of age. He owned one of the fine farms and had a leading position as a stock raiser and dealer for many years. The record of the children of George Witt and wife begins with George Emmett, who is now living in California. He is an inventor and manufacturer of a special type of furnace for burning crude oil, and extensively used in ships and manufacturing plants. He is married, and his daughters are Blanche and Ina, both married, and Blanche has children of her own. Adelia, the second child in the family, is a graduate of Knox College and taught in Adams County and at Fresno. California, before her marriage to C. W. Vaughn. :\Ir. and Mrs. Vaughn reside at Berkeley, California, and in connection with his brother-inlaw ]\Ir. Vaughn is in the real estate business. The next in age of the family is William W. Witt. Samuel 0., above referred to as a business associate of William W., has one of the high class farms of Keene Township. He married for his first wife Nellie Tomas, of Adams County. She died at the age of twenty-seven, leaving one son, Roy B., who is now in special training for the war at the University of Illinois and has a non-commissioned rank. Samuel 0. Witt married for his second wife Ruth Johnson, and has a sou, Samuel 0., Jr.

William W. W^itt married in Keene Township Celia Andrews. She was born in Keene Township and was reared and educated there. Her grandfather was James Andrews and her father, William A. Andrews, both natives of Pennsylvania. William A. Andrews was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1849, and was brought to Adams County, Illinois, by his parents in 18.55. James Andrews located iu Mendon Township, and he and his wife spent the rest of their lives there, dying at a good old age. They were members of the Lutheran Church. William Andrews grew up iu Mendon Township, and married in Keene Township Sarah J. Wilcox. She was born in Mendon Township, daughter of Thomas and Jane Wilcox. Sarah Wilcox was born in 1851. Her father was a native of England and her mother of Ireland. They were married in Adams County, and were substantial farmers of Keene Township for many years, where they died in old age. They were members of the English Episcopal Church, and had eight children, five of whom are still living. William Andrews after his mai-riage located in Keene Township and acquired a valuable farm of ninety-six acres. He died there when only forty -seven years of age. He was a republican in politics. After his death his widow married Samuel H. McClung, and they are now living retired in Mendon Towniship. ]\Irs. W^itt's mother is very active in church. William A. Andrews and wife had the following children : James T., born ^March 10, 1875, owns and occupies the old homestead in Keene Township and married Bertha Fletcher, of Mendon. Their children are : William, who is serving in the United States Navy on the battleship North Dakota, Fletcher, Celia, Grace and Paul. The only o^her child of William A. Andrews is Mrs. Witt.

Mr. and Mrs. Witt had four children : William Everett, who is attending the Gem City Business College; Sarah Vaughn, born in 1901, and a student in high school ; Forest 0., born in 1904, a freshman in the Quincy High School ; and Clifford Seldon, born in 1909, a grade school pupil. Mr. Witt is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the ilodern Woodmen of America at Loraine, and his brother Samuel is identified with the same fraternities. As a family they all are members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Witt is a member of the Eastern Star.

Frederic M. Penrleton, M. D., has found the reward which goes with a long and active service in the profession of medicine. For over twenty years he has practiced at Quincy, and his fame has steadily grown and spread as a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Doctor Pendleton has a splendid suite of offices in the Sterns Building, and has every facility needed to supplement his skill and special experience in his line.

Doctor Pendleton represents an old American family that has been in this country' for ten generations, going back to Major Brian Pendleton, who came from England and was a soldier in some of the early colonial wars. The heads of the subsequent generations were : Captain James ; Joseph ; William : Captain Joshua of the Revolutionary war ; Joshua, Jr. ; and Charles Pendleton, grandfather of Doctor Pendleton. Charles Pendleton spent his life as a farmer and stock raiser in New York State. His son, Kev. Henry Pendleton, was born at Lansingburg, near Troy, New York, in 1832. He grew up there, acquired a good education, and in early life was a mechanic. He married Harriet Smith, who was born in the same place and in the same year, 1832. About 1860 the family moved to Minooka, Illinois, where his parents had spent a brief period in earlier years, and here the father engaged in the hardware business. He also studied for the ^lethodist ministrj-, and was licensed to preach and carried on the work in connection with the hardware business at ilinooka, Illinois, until he was accidentally killed in a railroad wreck near there Jamiary 25, 1864. He was only thirtj'-two years when he died. His oldest daughter, Mary, died six months later. His widow passed away Januarj^ 7, 1917, at the advanced age of eighty-five. Doctor Pendleton has two sisters: Mrs. Carrie J. Coop, of Oklahoma, mother of two married daughters; and Mrs. Lula C. ^Morgan, who lives at White Bluff, Tennessee, and has two daughters.

Doctor Pendleton spent his early years at Minooka, Illinois, attending high school there, and completed his education in the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington. From there he entered Eush iledical College at Chicago, where he completed his course in 1883. Doctor Pendleton was engaged in the general practice of medicine at Magnolia, Illinois, for eleven years. Eealizing the greater value he could give to his services by specialization, he spent some time in the study of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and received his diploma in 1895. At that date he came to Quincy and since then has been the leading specialist in those diseases and fhe treatment of those organs. He is a member of the Comity, State and National Medical societies and is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Oto-Lar.vngology.

May 22, 1884, Doctor Pendleton married Miss Almira Dirst, daughter of ]Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Dirst. She was born at Galena, Ohio, but was brought to Illinois when a child of five. After graduating from the high school at ^linooka she attended school at Morris, Illinois, graduating from the Conservatory of Music there June 13, 1883. ilrs. Pendleton's mother, Ann Dustin Dirst, is a direct lineal descendant of the famous colonial heroine, Hannah Dustin, of Haverhill. Massachusetts, whose braveiy is commented upon in every American school history. Mrs. Pendleton is also a direct descendant, in the eighth generation, of George Abbott, who emigrated from Yorkshire, England, about 1640, and was among the first settlen^f Andover, Massachusetts. Mrs. Pendleton is at present the regent of the Dorothy Quincy Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at Quincy, Illinois, and has been very prominent in this order for a number of years. She is also a member of "The Round Table," one of the oldest literary clubs of the city. Doctor and Mrs. Pendleton have two daughters. Nettie V., the older, is a graduate of Quincy High School and of Knox College at Galesburg, and is the wife of Kenneth Duncan, of Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Duncan is a teacher in the Chicago High School. They have two children, Donald and Ruth. Miriam, the younger daughter of Doctor and Mrs. Pendleton, is a graduate of the Quincy High School, who completed her education in the Illinois Woman's College and is now attending the Art Institute at Chicago.

Doctor Pendleton while exceedingly busy with the responsibilities of a large medical practice has done much as a leader in Masonry in Illinois. He is a past master of Lodge No. 103, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Magnolia and is past master of Bodley Lodge, No. 1, at Quincy. He has served as grand lecturer of the State Grand Lodge for several years.

George W. Fletcher. One of the ancient admonitions to children was "to igrow up and inherit the land and prove worthy of the inheritance." As a rule the young people of America, while willins to grow up and inherit their portion of the soil, have been rather disposed to leave the land and en.joy the proceeds thereof without reckoning whether their service make them worthv of the

Land that was cleared and eutivated by his grandfather and was owned by his father is now being capably managed and farmed l)y George W. Fletcher, one of the best known and most progressive citizens of Honey Creek Township. Mr. Fletcher's farm home is four miles northeast of Mendon. This is a very interesting locality in the noted Bear Creek Valley. The Fletchers made their settlement there more than three-quarters of a century ago. The founders of the family in this county were Charles and Eveline (Moore) Fletcher. Charles Fletcher was bom in Oliio November 1, 1812, and his wife was bom August 20, 1813. They lived in Southern Ohio for a number of years, but in 1842 came with wagons and teams to Western Illinois and bought land in section 4 of Honey Creek Township. The first home of the family was a log cabin 16 liy 16 feet, and furnished with the rude and simple comforts of our forefathers. Charles Fletcher wa.s a man of much enterprise, and selected this land largely because it contained an excellent mill site. Adjoining the mill stream he erected a two-story mill frame, operated first by water power and later by steam, and he installed machinery for a custom grist mill and also a saw mill. All the other farmers and grain raisers took their grist to the Fletcher mill, and the surplus was hauled by ox teams to market at Quincy. It was a very prosperous business for many yeai-s. About 1868 the mill was moved to Coatsburg, though the building wasleft largely as it was. After retiring from the milling business Charles Fletcher moved to ^linnesota, locating at Worthington, but after a few years returned to Warsaw, Illinois, and died there in his ninetieth year. His wife passed away at the age of seventy-eight. He was a democrat in politics and served as township supervisor and in other township offices. Altogether he acquired some 600 or 700 acres of laud, and operated it on an exteiusive scale as a farmer. A great many of the early homes and barns were built with lumber sawed at his mill. Charles Fletcher and wife had two sous, Joseph and Warren. Warren spent his life in several states and localities, part of the time in ilissouri, also lived at Warsaw, and died at ^Mendon, where his son Arthur is the present postmaster. The daughters of Charles Fletcher and wife were: Hannah, who married John Shiver, and they lived on the old homestead some years, later going to Minnesota and finally to Missouri, where he died, and she is living in Warsaw, Illinois ; j\Ielvina, who has never married and lives at Warsaw ; and Ellen, Mrs. George Van Valor, whose home is near Hamilton, Illinois.

There are few residents in Honey Creek Township and adjacent communities who do not have a grateful memory of the late Dr. Joseph Fletcher, whose life was distinguished by devoted services in his profession and who was also one of the upright and high principled citizens of Honey Creek nearly all his life. He was born in Clermont County, Ohio, February' 6, 1834, and was about eight years old when brought to this county. He practically grew to manhood in the atmosphere of the Fletcher Jlill, and worked at the milling trade from the age of fifteen until he was thirty. His big ambition, however, was to become a physician, and such time as he coiild spare from the mill he utilized in studying medical works and in 1864 entered the St. Louis Jledical College, from which he graduated three years later. A well qualified physician, he was content to settle dowai in the old connmmity and home of his father, and from there his services radiated ovit over the surrounding territor>\ He also lived at Mendon for a time, and for over forty years was in active practice. His professional work was largely done in the era before improved highways, telephones and automobiles, and he made most of his journeys on horseback. It is not known that he was ever deterred from making a professional journe.y on account of impending hardships incident to storm and bad roads. One time while fording a stream his horse became mired, and he got off to help the horse, saved the animal but lost his saddle bags and all his medicines and implements. He was especially successful in the treatment of typhoid fever eases. He was a well known and honored member of the County and State Medical societies. But his devotion to his profession was never able to wean him from liis love of the land and of agi'ieulture, and he acquired most of the homestead owned by his father, including the old family residence. That home was built by Charles Fletcher about seventy years ago, and the lumber was cut at the Fletcher Mill. Doctor Fletcher served as township collector and supervisor, was a democrat and an active member of the Congregational Church.

His long and useful life came to a close September 26, 1910, at the age of seventy-six. On January 5, 18.54:, he married Elizabeth Hardy, who was l)om in Adams County December 11, 1832. Her parents were Baptist and Thamar (Patterson) Hardy, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina. Baptist Hardy married in Teimessee, and in 1827 came to ]\Iendon Prairie in Adams County. His name is associated with the verj' earliest pioneers of the county. In 1831 he moved to Keene Township, and lived there until his death July 22, 1873. His ^\-ife died August 11, 1876. All of the nine Hardy children grew to maturity. Baptist Hardy was a justice of the peace and was a man highly honored by his fellow citizens. On coming to Adams County and locating on the edge of the timber in Mendon Prairie he had as his nearest neighbors members of the Chittenden family and Joel Benton. The first night here the Hjardy family slept on the gromid, and their log house was furnished with a minimum of furniture, a dry goods box serving as a table. Baptist Hardy's living children are two sons, Frank, of Breckenridge, Illinois, and Baptist Heniy, of Loraine. Mrs. Joseph Fletcher is the only surviving daughter.

Dr. Joseph Fletcher and wife had four children : ^larj^ Ellen, wife of Thomas Hoyes, and they occupy part of the old Fletcher estate ; George W. ; Joseph "Warren, who became a physician and died at Ursa at the age of thirty-eight ; and Sarah Elizabeth, who died at the age of twenty-eight, the wife of Will Kells.

While there have not been many abnormal events to mark the career of George W. Fletcher, his life is significant for that very reason. He was bom at Quincy October 23, 1857, and has spent practically his entire life on the old Fletcher homestead in Honey Creek Township. He has cultivated the land, has earned its fruits and has done .something toward making the land and the community better for his presence. He owns 163 acres of the old estate, and is also operating other portions of the old farm. He is a mixed farmer, handling both livestock and grain crops, and while his energies have been concentrated upon farming he has served as school director, is an active member of the Congregational Church at Mendon, and has passed all the chairs of his lodge of Odd Fellows and has sat in the Grand Lodge.

October 18, 1877, Mt. Fletcher married Martha Gilmer, who was born in Keene Township, a daughter of William and Sarah (Hyatt) Gilmer, both now decea.sed. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher have two daughters: Emma is the wife of Dr. Thomas Triplett, who enjoys a successful dental practice at Salina, Kansas, and Nellie is the wife of Frank Nichols, a merchant at Long Beach, California.

Justinian Nath.\n Harris. It is a familiar economic law that any improvement made to property by the owner redounds not only to his individual benefit, but to the benefit of the entire communitj-. A good house, a substantial barn, good fences, well tilled fields, high class live stock, are all assets of a community, and they serve as stimulants toward bringing the general average up to the individual example. It is for this reason that the people of Adams County as a whole have some particular interest in the farm estate of Justinian Nathan Harris in Lima Town.ship, in section 14. This farm, as many people are aware, lies six miles east of the Village of Lima, 414 miles northwest of Loraine, and six miles north of Mendon.

Its owner and proprietor is familiarly kno^^^l in that community as "General" Han-is. He was born in Morgantown, Kentucky, April 8, 1853. and came when three or four years old to Illinois. His father. Dr. D. ;M. Harris, was born in Kentucky in 1827 and took up the study of medicine in 1847, graduating from St. Louis Medical College in 1850. After practicing in Ken- tucky for a time he moved to Illinois in 1853, locating at Basco, then called Somerset. It was through his suggestion that the name of the community was changed to Basco. Three or four years later he moved to Iconium in Appanoose County, Iowa, and that village was named according to his suggestion. In 1859 he returned to Illinois and settled at Tioga in Hancock County, just north of the Adams County line, and practiced medicine over that community, including part of northern Adams County, for nearly forty years. He died at Tioga at the age of seventy-six. He also kept a drug store at Tioga for many years. Doctor Harris married Mary E. Thornton in 1851. She died in 1863. They had one son and three daughters: Justinian N., Crete, Arlie and Effie. Crete died unmarried, having always lived with her father. Arlie married Ira Woodworth, and they live in Grand Junction, Colorado. Effie married William Shipe and now lives at Elvaston in Hancock County.

Doctor Harris was a strong democrat and in early life a southern sympathizer. His old friends remembered him kindly not only for his services as a physician but also for his breadth of mind and great interest in everything that concerned humanity. He was better read than most physicians, and was well versed in histoiy. He accpired a large amount of property in and around Tioga, including a number of village lots and about 400 acres of farm land. These farms he bestowed upon his children.

J. N. Harris grew up at Tioga and lived with his parents until he was thirty-two years of age. For one year he attended Christian University at Canton, Missouri. Even as a boy he took charge of the work of his father's farm, and managed the property and lived at home until he was thirty-two. At that age he married Miss Dora Conover, of Lima Township. Her father, Norris 'Conover, was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, December 29, 1831, and came with his parents in 1837 to Lima Township. He grew up there and in the spring of 1854 married Miss Sarah Bragg, daughter of Benjamin Bragg. The Braggs were one of the earliest settled families in Adams County. Norris Conover after his marriage located on a farm IVo miles west of Lima, and lived there forty years. He died about 1904 and his widow passed away in Quiney. Mrs. Harris was born on an adjoining farm and was twenty-six at the time of her marriage.

Mr. and ilrs. Harris in 1885 moved to their present farm. Mr. Harris had operated this land in conjunction with his brother-in-law, Ira Woodworth. All the land has been owned by Doctor Harris, and he built his son and his daughter each a house, the architecture being exactly similar. J. N. Harris had as his share of the farm 160 acres, and he has managed it for over thirty years. For two years he left the farm in charge of a renter while he lived at Mendon in Chariton County, ilissouri. Mr. Harris has 280 acres in one body, though divided into farms, one of which is operated by his son. Mrs. Harris received a sixty acre interest in the old Conover estate. The Harris farm is operated on thorough business principles, and cattle and hogs are its chief product. The house which his father built Mr. Harris has extensively remodeled, and its general architectural plan is of the colonial style. It is a home that deliglTts the eye and is built with a degree of permanence and comfort that few city homes excel. The interior finish is all of cypress, the wood everlasting, all the floors are laid double, the windows have bevel glass plate, there is furnace heat, and the opinion is frequently expressed that it is the finest house in the northern part of Adams County. The qualities which distinguish the home are also carried into the farm buildings proper. Mr. Harris is an extensive user of cement, and all his hog houses are constructed of that material, and he builds these houses suitable and adaptable both to hogs and cattle. Mr. Harris is a man who appreciates a home not only for its material comforts but for its general setting and atmosphere. The Harris house stands on a fine elevation, affording many wonderful views of the surrounding country. Mr. Harris among his farmer friends is conceded to he a thoroughly practical and business-like man, and it is not inconsistent with this character that he takes a deep joy in the sunsets and cloud effects which may be viewed from his home. In his home life and in his farm activities he has found the best interests of life. He is a member of the IMasonic Order and of the Christian Church of Loraine, and is a democrat, though he expresses his belief liberally and has never sought partisan honors.

ilr. and Mrs. Harris have two children: Norris and Kuby. The son Norris is an independent farmer on a portion of his father's place, his home being a quarter of a mile distant. He married Beatrice Fletcher, daughter of William Fletcher, of Lima and granddaughter of E. J. Vinson, of a well known family whose name frequently recurs in these pages. Mr. and ilrs. Norris Harris have one child, Eunice. Norris Harris finished his education with two years in the Illinois University. The daughter, Ruby, was educated in the schools of Loraine, but since the death of her mother, November 2, 1911, has had full charge of her father's home and studies and looks after his every comfort and item of welfare.

Patrick Henry Burns. The place he owns, the extent of his acreage, its improvements and general management indicate that Mr. Burns is one of the leading farmers of Adams County. His farm is a mile south of Beverly Village in the township of that name and seven miles northeast of Barry. Mr. Burns is a comparative newcomer to Adams County, and is an example of a man who spent many years as a renter, farming other men's land. Since he laid the foundation of his prosperity in that way, he evidently was no ordinary farm tenant and renter.

Mr. Burns was born in New York City March 18, 1856, son of Henry and Mary Burns, both of whom were natives of County Down, Ireland. They were married in Ireland and came to the United States about 1851. When Patrick Henry was one year old his parents moved west to Walworth County, Wisconsin, and his father spent the rest of his life on a farm there. He died at the age of sixty-five. The mother of Patrick Henry died at the age of thirty-five, when her son was four years old. He grew up in the home of his stepmother, whose maiden name was Johanna O'Brien, a native of County Cork, Ireland.

He attended the local schools of Wisconsin and leaving home at the age of twenty-two moved to Henry County, Illinois, and worked there four years with one employer, named D. L. Murchison. As a farm hand he was paid $20 a month the first year, $16 the second year, $22 the third year, and the fourth year he worked two months in tlie winter for his board and was paid $24 a month for ten months. Combined with the qualities of good workmanship he had a saving disposition, and put away on the average of $200 every year from his wages. Thus he had $800 capital to start him. He farmed for himself one season before his marriage.

In 1883 Mr. Burns married Ida M. North, of Bureau County, Illinois. They then rented a large farm of 270 acres. near Kewanee. After four years on that farm Mr. Burns went to Cheyenne County, Nebraska, and homesteaded, taking five years to prove up his claim. That was during the trying period, when the Nebraska settlers were beset by drought and nearly every other pestilence. His wife's health became impaired in Nebraska and he then went south to Oktibaha County, Mississippi. After one year he returned to Henry County, Illinois, and was again a renter there for seven years. He then went back to Mis.sissippi, but spent only a year. His longest period of farming as a renter was done at Kewanee. Illinois, where he rented one place for sixteen years. Then in March, 1915, not liking the idea of paying $250 an acre for land, the price of improved farms in Henry Countj^ he came to Adams County and bouglit his present place at $100 an acre. It is the old John Penny farm, containing 235 acres. Mr. Burns has since bought another forty acres, giving him 275 acres of his own, and with eighty acres leased he has operated on an extensive scale. He built a new modem home, with all conveniences, with hot and cold water, Delco lighting system and every facility for comfort and con- venience. He has also built a stone silo and is one of the leading stock growers and feeders in the county. He keeps Duroc Jersey hogs, marketing from 100 to 130 every year. He also feeds cattle and sheep. All of Mr. Bums' interests are centered on the farm. While living in Nebraska he served a term as county commissioner, and he cast his first vote for General Grant but ever since has been a democrat. However, he is liberal in polities and frequently votes for the man rather than for the party.

Mr. Burns lost his first wife April 9, 1904. June 15, 1905, he married Jennie I. (Fell) Murchison. She was born near Toulon in Stark County, Illinois, and grew up on a farm there. Her first husband was Clarence ilurchison, who died in Iowa. She has two sons by that imion : Edwin A., who volunteered for the army in June, 1917, and trained at Camp Logan; and David L., still at home.

Mr. Burns during the life of his first wife adopted a daughter, Bessie V., in infancy, and she lived with him until her marriage to Orlando Dye. Mr. and ih's. Dye now live at Kewanee, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Burns have three children, all of school age, named Helen, Robert and William. ]Mr. and Mrs. Burns are devoted to their home and family. His only fraternal affiliation is with the Improved Order of Red Men. ;\Irs. Burns was reared in the Congregational Church and was one of the active workers in the church, being a teacher in the Sunday School and was also an active member of the Christian Endeavor. She became a member of the Methodist Church of Beverly, Illinois, in March, 1917.

John W. Myers. One of the prominent and influential citizens of Quincy, who has long been active in business affairs, is John W^. Myers, president of the Reliable Incubator and Brooder Company, and alderman from the Sixth Ward.

John W. flyers was born at Noveltj', Missouri, January 17, 1861. His parents were Alva 0. and Elisus (Bliss) Myers. The mother was born in New- York, and died during the infanc.v of her son, John W. The father located in Missouri in the early '50s and during the Civil war served as quartermaster in the Third Missouri Cavalry. After coming to Quincy he became well known in the building trades, and was a building contractor for many years His death occurred in this city when he was eighty-one years old. John W. was the youngest of his parents' four children, the others being: A daughter who died in childhood; Clarence A., who is a resident of Chicago; and Edward C, who died at Centralia, Illinois, where he was railroad yardmaster. The father was a second time married, and by the last union had a son and daughter, Frank and Nettie.

John W. ;\Iyers was quite young when his parents located at Quincy. He attended the public schools and at an unusually early age began to be selfsupporting, finding his first work as a bell boy in the old Quincy Hotel. He then learned candy-making, and at this trade worked for seventeen years and three months for the confectionery firm of Clark & Morgan, and was regarded by the house as one of the best salesmen. In the meanwhile he had become quietly interested in the poultry business, and then in the incubator and brooder business, beginning in a small way in his own barn, and as his interest grew he determined to go into the business more extensively, resulting in his rental of a four-story building on Fourth Street for the purpose. As his poultry yards increased Mr. ilyers became more and more interested in the use and manufacture of incubators, his first venture in the incubator business being with the Reliable in 1893, with his brother Clarence.

Mr. Myers then resigned his position with Clark & Morgan and turned his talents, his energj^ and capital into the incubator business. The Reliable machine proved a success and ilr. Jlyers' business judgment has long since been thoroughly vindicated. In 1896 the Reliable Incubator and Brooder Company lost their building by fire, but on the same night new quarters were secured under a five-year lease. A factory was built on Second and Vermont streets on a ten-year lease. In 1908 the company erected a building with dimensions of 273 by 90 feet, with an ell of 50 by 90 feet, of stone construction, two stories in height. Plans are under way for the erection of a new factory that will give not less than 35,000 feet of floor space, at Twenty-eighth and Chestnut streets, the old factoiy having been sold to the Moorman Stock Food Company. The Reliable incubators are sold all over the world and !Mr. ;\lyers has patents covering points of manufacture. Since these incubators were exhibited at the World's Fair, Chicago, they have received the highest honors at all poultry shows in the United States. Much of the success of this business must be credited to the good judgment and perseverance of Mr. Myers.

Mr. Myers was married February 21, 1885, to Miss Agnes E. Reynolds, who was born at Quiucy, Illinois, and they have had eight children born to them, namely: Mable, who is the widow of F. E. Rupp, of Quincy; Lillian E., who is the wife of Edward Skinner, of Quincy; Margaret E., who is the wife of "William Browner, of Quincy; Agnes, who is deceased; and John, Frederick, Edmund and Lawrence, all of Quincy and attending high school and college.

In politics Mr. Myers is a republican. On numerous occasions he has been chosen for party promotion, but being a very busy man he has accepted few honors of a political nature, although at present the Sixth Ward is profiting through his business ability and judicious citizenship. He is a member of the Rotarj' Club, and fraternally is identified with the Elks, the Woodmen of the World and Modern Woodmen of America.

Samuel H. Bradley. Around the name Bradley has centered many of those activities and influences which have given strength and character to- the community of Mendon. The Bradleys are a family of leaders, were among the first to build churches, support schools, uphold law and order, in addition to the routine tasks of the pioneer involving the clearing of the forests, the draining of the swamps, and the supplying of business facilities.

It is necessary to go back into the dim pioneer past, more than eighty-five years, to note the first arrivals of the Bradley family in this county. The heads of the family were Samuel and Elizabeth Bradley, who both had the same family name and were distantly related, being descendants of Isaac Bradley, who came from England to America in 1674 and settled at New Haven, Connecticut, in 1683. Daniel Bradley, grandfather of Samuel H. Bradley, served as a patriot soldier of the Revolution, and a diary which he kept during part of his service is still carefully preserved by his descendants.

In 1831 Samuel and Elizabeth Bradley left their old home in Connecticut, and after a long journey fraught with many hardships reached Adams County, and in the spring of 1832 bouglit land two miles west of the present Village of Mendon. Samuel Bradley was one of the leaders in a notable colony of New England people, which included also Col. John B. Chittenden. They brought with them their New England stui"diness of character and their devotion to religion, and it was at a little log cabin of Samuel Bradley that the first meeting was held February 7, 1833, for the organization of a Congregational Church in Mendon. This church organization was finally effected in the home of Colonel Chittenden February 20th of the same year. Thus was established one of the oldest Congregational churches in Illinois, and one of the most important centers of religious activity in Adams County. The Bradley family have always been keenly interested in this church, and the late Samuel H. Bradley was a liberal contributor in time and money to the building of the recent church edifice.

Samuel and Elizabeth Bradley when they came to Illinois were accompanied by their five children, Daniel, Charlotte, Sarah, Elizabeth and Grace Ann. Charlotte was born February 23. 1808, and died February 9, 1897. Sarah was born February 15, 1815, and died March 20, 1903. Elizabeth was born September 12, 1817, and died November 23, 1892, the wife of John L.

Arnold. Grace Anu, the youngest daughter, was born February 15, 1820, and married Marvin B. Harrison, by whom she had two cliildreu, Marvin B. and Henry S. Mrs. Harrison died a few yeai's ago.

The only son of Samuel and Elizabeth Bradley was Daniel Bradley, who was born at East Haven, Connecticut, in 1810, and had just reached his majority when he accompanied the family on its westward migration to Adams County. He bought land adjoining his father's farm on the west and made it his home until the spring of 1852, when he moved to the Village of ]Mendon. There he became one of the leading merchants, and in the spring of 1866 bought an interest in the flouring mill later known as the Pearl Mill of Mendou. He was principal owner of that mill at the time of his death, which occurred January 26, 1867. In his character Daniel Bradley has been described and is remembered by some of the older residents of Adams County as a man of strict integrity, honorable in all his transactions, acting always from principle rather than policy, generously benevolent and public spirited, and seizing evei-y opportunity to encourage and assist in enterprises that woulcl advance the true interests of the community. He began voting as a whig, later was stanchly allied with the free .soil party and in 185-4 attended the famous Bloomington Convention which organized the republican party in Illinois. He returned from the convention and took an active part in organizing the party in Adams County. In 1834 he united with the Congregational Church at Mendon, and was one of its most active supporters and faithful workers the rest of his life.

In 1S34 Daniel Bradley married Miss Josephine Brown, a native of Rensselaer County, New York, and daughter of Daniel and Hulda (Tanner) Brown. She was a direct descendant of Stephen Hopkins, who came over in the ilayflower in 1620 and was one of the signers of the JIayflower compact, ilrs. Daniel Bradley was a niece of Jeremiah Rose and Rufus Brown, both of whom were among the earliest settlers of Quincy. Rufus Brown for a number of years kept the log hotel which later became the Quincj- House, and was finally supplanted by the Newcomb. It was in this pioneer tavern that Miss Josephine Brown lived from 1831 to 1834, when she married Daniel Bradley and went to live in their log cabin on the prairie. She was also of Revolutionary ancestry, having had two grandfathers in the colonial army. Mrs. Daniel Bradley died April 10. 1896, at the age of ninety years.

The children of Daniel Bradley and wife were seven in number: Sarah, born August 23, 1836, married W. W. Benton, of IMendon, and died August 7, 1866. The second in the family is Samuel H. Bradle.v. Ellen, born November 14, 1840, is now the only survivor of her generation living at ilendon. She made her home with her mother and brother Samuel and is still occupied at the old homestead where she has lived since 1876, the house having replaced one that was destroyed by wind and which occupied the site of the family home established in 1856. Augustus C. Bradlev was born October 1, 1842,' and died August 29. 1859. Amelia, born Januarv' 29, 1846, died in infancy. Josephine B.. born June 11, 1847, is a resident of Galesburg, Illinois, and married in 1868 E. S. Kimball. She has two children, Edith B. Kimball, who was bom March 16, 1874, married December 6, 1899. George M. Strain, and has two children, George Bradley Strain and Josephine Brown Strain. Daniel B. Kimball, born December 1, 1878. married December 23, 1903. Laura E. Dolbear. They have one daughter, Florence. Daniel B. Kimball is now a major in the Quartermaster's Department of the United States army. Daniel A. Bradley, the youngest of the family, was bom February 26, 1855, and died at McPherson, Kansas, in 1905. He married November 29. 1876, Laura Young daughter of Dr. Peter and Caroline Y. (Miller^i Young. Doctor Young is now deceased and his widow and daughter. Miss Bradley, live at Mendon.

Samuel H. Bradley, who was bom in ]\Iendon Township October 11, 1838, and died March 3, 1913, possessed and exemplified many of the splendid vir- tues of his ancestors, and his life meant much to his native county. As a young man he was associated with his father in the store and in 1866 became partner in the milling business, and he gradually extended his enterprise until he was one of the chief dealers in grain, coal and other products in that part of Adams County. He continued a grain merchant until his death.

Samuel H. Bradley should be especially remembered as the first volunteer from Mendon sworn into the United States service on Lincoln's first call following the fall of Fort Sumter. He enlisted in April, 1861, under Gen. B. M. Prentiss as a member of Company A under Capt. John Tillsou in the Tenth Illinois Infantry. Later he was first sergeant of Company A, under Capt. Henry A. Castle, in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Infantry, under the command of Col. John Wood. For many years Mr. Bradley was an honored member of Mendon Post, Grand Army of the Republic.

He was also active in public affairs, and for eighteen years was a member of the board of supervisors. For fourteen years that service was consecutive until he resigned in June, 1904. He was an uncompromising republican in politics, and rendered many services to his party. For all the activities that made him a public character he was modest and had few ambitions to satisfy beyond the rendering of service conscientiously and to the extent of his ability. He stood high in ]Masonry, being affiliated with ilendon Lodge No. 449, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Mendon Chapter No. 57, Royal Arch Masons ; was a district deputy grand master; was a member of El Aksa Commandery No. 55, Knights Templar, at Quiney, and Mendon Chapter No. 153, Eastern Star.

Ch.vrles H. Wittler. There are a number of men in Adams County whose careers might be taken as an illustration of the truth that it is not lack of opportunity or any quality of political or social conditions, or any other ordinary practice, that stand in the wa.y of successful accomplishment. One of these is Charles H. Wittier, of Ellington Township, who has raised himself into the class of independent farm owners though he began life with practically no capital and has shown a degree of enterprise, initiative and good judgment that are sure to reward any man who keeps working steadily along one line.

Mr. Wittier has a farm of eighty acres in section 9 of Ellington Township. It is all improved except a ten acre woodlot. He has fields that produce corn, wheat and oats, clover and timothy, has a large stock and grain barn 36 by 42, and other outbuildings, and his home is a very comfortable two-story, twelve-room brick house. This is the only farm Mr. Wittier ever owned. He bought it in 1909 from Harry Morton, now living in Quiney. Many of the improvements have been made under Mr. Wittier 's ownership, and it is with well justified pride that he views his accomplishments. He is a stock man, keeping Hereford cattle, and also good horses and hogs. His neighbors esteem I\Ir. Whittler not only for his material accomplishments but also for his higli moral ideals, his record as an honest, fair dealing gentleman, and those qualities have given him a reputation all over that part of the county.

Mr. Wittier is a son of the late John Frederick William Wittier, wliose career is rehearsed on other pages. He was born in Ellington Township ilareh 10, 1879, and attended the old Washington School District. Mr. Wittier is hn all around genius in mechanical lines, and that of course has been a big factor in his success as a farmer. He is a good painter, and has the ability to repair practically all his own machinery.

On November 23, 1904, in Quiney, he married ]\Iiss Sarah E. Allen. She was born near Carthage, Illinois, September 4, 1883, but grew up in Ellington Township and also attended the Washington schools. She has lived in Adams County .since she was four years of age. She was three years old when her father died, and her motlier afterward married O. C. Miller. Mr. and ]Mi's. I\liller are now retired farmers in the Village of Columbus, lioth active members of tlie Christian Church and Mr. Miller is a republican. ;\Irs. Wittier has two brothers, Charles aud Clarence, the former a fanner in Honej- Creek Township and has three children, Virginia, Helen and Otis. Her brother Clareuee is a rural mail carrier out of Coatsburg, aud is married and has a daughter. Doi-othy. Mrs. Wittier "s mother by her second marriage has several children : Cyrus Miller, who is married and has two children ; Elmer, a widower with two sons; Elizabeth, wife of Jack Easton, of Galesburg, Illinois, aud mother of two sons; and Lawrence ililler, who works for ilr. Wittier.

]Mr. and Mrs. Wittier are the parents of three youug children ; Irma ^'iola, born October 14, 1905, now in the sixth grade of the public schools; Eleanor Flora, born May 15, 1909, a student iu the fifth grade; aud Richard Charles, born August 4. 1915. The family are membei's of the Ellington Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Wittier is a democrat.

Fred Schb.\der. As a practical man of affairs there is uo better kuowu resident in Liberty Township than Fred Schrader, whose home is on a farm 3Vi miles southwest of Liberty Village, ilr. Schrader is doubtles most widely known over Adams County because of his extensive operations as a thresherman. He knows the threshing business in every detail, aud has handled and used almost every type of outtit since the flail and threshing floor yielded to power machinery for separating grain from the straw.

Mr. Schrader was born in Jlelrose Township February 2, 1854. His father, Theodore Schrader, a native of Germany, came to Adams Count.y when a young man and married Barbara Wolf, daughter of Jacob Wolf. They then settled on the Wolf farm aud Theodore eventually bought it. He died there when about forty years of age. He and his wife had four children : Frederick, Jacob, Henry and Sophia. Barbara Schrader afterwards married William Manigold.

Fred Schrader remained at home to the age of twentj--six. From the age of seventeen he had an active experience in threshing for twenty yeai-s. He was first associated with his father, and at the age of twenty-three he bought a half interest in an outfit, and later conducted it with his stepfather and brother. The first outfit he ever owned was horsepower, and he wore out several machines, and always bought the most improved type. His field of operations covered all of Melrose and Fall Creek townships, and he threshed grain up and down the river bottonis for miles. For seven years ^Ir. Schrader lived on a rented farm in Richfield Township. After he was married he lived three years in Richfield Township, then moved to Liberty Township on the Butts place, and lived there seven years. His health becoming impaired, he lived a year near Liberty, and then Ijought a small place near that village. Six years ago he bought his present farm, the Wash Enlow farm of seventy-five acres. On this farm he has reconstructed all the buildings, has a large new hay bam, and has every improvement needed for comfort and business efficiency. He raises some high grade live stock. I\Ir. Schrader has never been an office seeker, though he served as a member of the school board at Liberty. He is a democrat.