Rosamond Township (part 1 of 2)

Rosamond Township

The town was first surveyed and platted Oct. 25th, 1860, by C. A. Manners, for B. R. Hawley and Phordice Boutwell, the original proprietors. There was left a lot for a public square and one for a public school building.

The town is beautifully situated on an elevated tract, commanding a very good view of the surrounding country. It is quite a grain shipping point, and at one time there was a good flouring mill. The mill is yet standing, but is in a rather dilapidated condition.

There are two neat and comfortable churches, viz : The Methodist and the Congregational. There is also a good public school building and a number of nice residences.

The Haywood elevator was erected by S. M. Haywood »fe Son, in 1875, and is now owned and operated by C. D. Haywood. It is constructed for handling all kinds of grain, with a capacity of 16 000 bushels.

AV. W. Powell erected an elevator in 1879, with a capacity of 15,000 bushels, which is constructed on the most improved plan, and said to be the best in ojjeration in the county.

Jeremiah H. Murry

JEREMIAH H. MURRY. Mr. Muery's ancestors were of Welsh descent. Three brothers, Henry, Charles and John Murry, emigrated from Wales to America in the year 1773; of these, John Murry was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He was eighteen years old on coming to America. He served five years in the Revolutionary war, and among the battles in which he took part was that of Bunker Hill. lu common with the soldiers of the American army, he was compelled to undergo considerable privation and hardship, and among other incidents related of him it is said that on one of the forced inarches which the enemy made, he lost his shoes in a swamp, and for a whole week afterward stood guard and performed ins duties as a soldier in his bare feet. After the Revolution, John Murry settled in Washington county, Maryland, and married Elizabeth Bostetter. Jacob Murry was the name of Mr. INIurry's father. He wa.s born in Washington county, Maryland, near Hagerstown,

December 1st, 1784. AVhen a young man, he went to Franklin countv, Pennsylvania, and married Catharine Hallman. Jacob and C'atharine Murry were the parents of fourteen children, all of whom grew to be men and women, married and had families. Jacob Murray, in 1837, moved to Tuscarawas county, Ohio. He died in Seneca countv, Ohio, February 10th, 1864, and his remains now repose at Fort Seneca, Ohio, on the old battle ground, the scene of Gen. Harrison's engagement with the Indians. His wife, Catharine Murry, w\as born in the year 1792, and is still living in Seneca county, Ohio, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.

Jeremiah II. IMurry was born in Franklin county, Penn.sylvania, March 8th, 1813. Free schools had in his boyhood not yet been established, and but little attention was paid to education. He was the oldest of the family, and as soon as he was large enough, was obliged to help with the work on the farm. Con.sequently, he attended school not more than three months altogether, and for his education he is iiulebted mostly to his own efforts. On the lllh of May, 1833. he married Ann C. Wolfkill, who was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, near Gettysburg, on the loth of June, 1812. Her great-grandfather on her father's side came from Wales, settled in Pennsylvania, took part in the Indian wars before the Revolution, and was killed by the Indians, at Fort Littleton, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. Her grandfather was Peter Wolfkill Her fother, Henry Wolfkill, was a farmer in Adams County, Pennsvlvania, and married Elizabeth Guidtner, daughter of John Samuel Guidtner, who was pressed into service as a tailor during the Revolution, lived to be nearly ninety-three, and died in P^ranklin county. Her fother, Henry Wolfkill, was drafted into the United States service during the last war with Great Britain. He was a man of more than usually good musical talents, and belonged to one of the regimental bands. He accompanied the army to Black Rock, as it was then called, now the city of Buttiilo. Through exposure, (the soldiers being compelled to sleep on rushes at night to keep themselves out of the water) he was taken with a fever, which occasioned his death. Mrs. Murry still has in her possession the old original fife, whose piercing music enlivened the march of the American soldiers in their campaigns against the British. Mr. Murry was farming in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, till 1837, and then moved to Tuscarawas county, Ohio. There he became the owner of eighty acres of land. In 1856 he came to Illinois, and on the first day of September of that year settled where he now lives, on section 6 of Rosemond township.

The prairie on which he settled is called the Buckeye prairie, from the fact that it was settled mostly by Ohio people. In the fall of 1856, between his house and Pana, not a furrow had been drawn nor a house built. Mr. and ]Mrs. Murry have had ten children. The names of those living are as follows: John R. Murry, now farming in McPherson county, Kansas ; Ann Elizabeth, now Mrs. D. F. Stockbridge, of Springfield ; Catherine Rebecca, of D. S. Wolfkill, of Waverly, Morgan county ; Joanna S., wife of Z. F. Bates, of Locust township ; and D. F. Murry, w ho is now practicing law at Morrisonville. Five are deceased - Cynthia Isabelle died at the age of four years and four months, in Stark cnunty, Ohio; Sarah Alice died at the age of nearly seven ; Rosa, at the age of three years and two mouths ; Aramintha F. was nearly seven years old at the time of her death. Jacob W. Murry, the fourtli child, was a young man of unusual talents. In his eighteenth year he entered Wittenberg College, Ohio, in which he was a student for a year; he taught school several years in this county, and intended to continue his collegiate studies and enter the miHiistry. His career was, however, unfortunately cut ^liort, Ajiril 6th, 1860, by typhoid fever.

In his political principles, Mr. Slurry has always been a democrat. His first vote for president was cast for Gen. Jackson. Both he and his wife adhere in their theological belief to the Lutheran denomination, and Mrs. Murry, from girlhood, has been a subscriber and reader of the Lutheran Observer, the old organ of the Lutheran denomination.

JOSEPH W. McELROY Wa.s born in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 1st of August, 1839. Hls ancestors on his father's side were of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, Robert McElroy, was born in Pennsylvania, and at an early day became a resident of Ohio. He married Mary McFaddeu.who born and raised in Ohio, and whose father was one of the early settlers of that state. By this marriage there were ten cliildren, of Joseph W. McElroy was the youngest. In the spring of 1840, when the subject of this sketch was about eight months of age, his father moved with the family to Illinois and settled in Pike county. In that part of the state Mr. McElroy was raised. His father died when he was between eleven and twelve years old. The neighborhood where the family resided was thinly settled, and the schools offered inferior advantages in the way of obtaining an education. Most of his knowledge was obtained by his own eflbrts. He lived at home till his mariiagc, which occurred on the 16th of February, 1860, to Miss Emma Pence, a native of Preble county, Ohio, but who was living in I'ike county in this state at the time of her marriage.

In the spring of 1860 he moved to Morgan county, where he was engaged, in farming till 1862, when he came to this county, and first rented land in Rosemond township, and in 186-t purchased 80 acres in section 18, on which he has since resided. He is now the owner of 200 acres, part iif which lies in Greenwood township. He has had seven chililrcn, of whom four (William, Alice, IMinnie, and Charles) are now living. He is one of the representative citizens of Locust township

He was originally a republican, and his first vote for President was cast for Lincoln in 1860. The last few years he has occupied an independent position in politics, adhering to the views comimmly maintained bv the national greenback organization. He is opposed to monopolies in every shape, and in favor of relief from the oppressive influences which the money-power and gigantic corporations exert over the body of the people.

Louis Guth

This gentleman, who is at present engaged in the drug business at Rosemond, became a resident of this county in 1859. He was born near the village of Ehrlbach, in Alsace, on the 25th of Sept., 1831. Alsace at that time was a part of France, and so he was born a French subject, though since the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 it has been annexed to Germany. His parents' names were Francis Guth and Lena Fluck; his mother died in 1839 when he was about eight years of age, and his father married a second time. Of the five children by his father's first marriage, Mr. Guth is the nnly one now living.

The vear 1842 marked the emigration of the family from Germanv to America. They settled in La Salle couuty, in this state, where Mr. Guth spent his l)oyhoiid. He never attended school after coming to this country ; the only schooling he received was in German's'. La Salle county was at that time a new county, and in the district in which he lived no school had yet been established. In 1850, when nineteen, he went to Millington in Kendall county, and began learning the tra<le of a wagon-maker. After learning this trade he worked at it in the tnwu of IMillington till 1859.

While living there he married Caroline Krebs, who was born in Baden, Germany, on the 22d of January, 1836. Her father was Hironimus Krebs, and her mother's name before marriage Bcncdicte Bayer. Mr. Krebs emigrated with the family to America in 1848, and after living one year in Eric, Pennsylvania, came to Newark, Kendall county, in this state, in 1849, and from there moved to Jlillington. Her father was a cabinet-maker.

At the beginning of the war of the rebellion he was living at Rosemond, and on the 13th of July, 1861, he eidisted for three years in Company M, 3d Illinois cavalry. Clustering in at Camp Butler at Springfield, his regiment was sent thenee to Mis- suuri, and from that ^tate moved down into Arkansas. TIk' first battle in which he took part was that of Pea Ridge. After that engagement his regiment was in camp for a time in south-western Jlissouri, and then proceeded to Batesville, Ark., where he was stationed from May to July, 1862. From Batesville he was ordered to Helena, Arkansas, where he was seized with a serious attack of the lung fever. So critical was his condition that he was removed to the hospital, and after laying there four weeks he was discharged from the service, by reason of disability, on the 29th of Oel., l.S(;2. He returned to Roseraond, and gradually regaining his health he re-enlisted in February, 1864, and rejoined Iiis old conipanv and regiment, at Memphis, Tennjes,see. He subsequently served in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi, and took jiart in the battle of Tupelo. In the summer of 1864 his regiment was sent to Kentuckj', and at Paducah embarked on a boat for Nashville, at which place the force arrived just as the battle of Nashville was over. At the close of the war he was in Mississippi. The war department determined to send the 3d Illinois cavalry against the Indians, who at that time were troublesome on the frontiers of Jlinncsnta. From St. Louis the regiment went by boat up the Mississippi to Minnesota, and on the 4th of July, 186.5, left Fort Suelling in pursuit of the savages. The campaign extended as far west as Fort Bcrthold on the Mis.souri river, and north within thirty miles of the British line. Returning to Fort Snelling he received his discharge in October, 1865.

He came back to Rosemond and resumed work at his trade, but found that his health had become so impaired that it was difficult to withstand the labor required. Accordingly in 1869 he disposed of his wagon-making business, and moved on a form within a mile of Ro.semoud. In 187.S he returned to the town of Rosemond, and engaged fn the business of buying grain. In 1875, in jiartncri-hip with Charles Dunsford, he began the drug business. Since Jlr. Dunsford's death in 1877 he has carried on the drug business b}' himself.

He has always been a stanch and steadfast member of the republican party, and has been connected with it from its earliest organiza- tion ; his first vote for President was cast in 1856 for Gen. Fremont, the first candidate for the Presidency presented by the republicans.

Mr. Guth is a man of quiet and reserved disposition, and a good citizen. For the game of chess, one of his chief sources of recreation, he possesses great fondness.

Lemuel Parsons

Was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, December 5th, 1825. His father, Lemuel Parsons, and his mother, Achsah Richards, were both natives of Berkshire county. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of nine children. His education was obtained principally at the Westfield Normal School. Leaving home at the age of twenty, he took charge of a school at Green river, Columbia county. New York. For several years afterwards he was engaged in teaching in the States of New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, the most of the time in Connecticut. In 1854, he went to Brandon, Mississippi, as professor of mathematics in the Brandon High School. In 1855, he became associate principal of the Baton Rouge Collegiate Institute, a large and flourishing school for lioys at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He kept that po.sition till the breaking out of the war of the rebellion occasioned his removal to the north. A sister had settled at Rosemond, while visiting whom in 1858 he had purchased a tract of .land which forms part of his present farm. He came to Rosemond in the summer of 1861, and has since been engaged in farming. Turing the war he was enrolling officer for Rosemond township. From 1865 to 1874, he was Justice of the Peace, and was again elected to that office in May, 1879. From 1870 to 1877, he represented Rosemond township on the Board of Supervisors. Since his residence at Rosemond he has been connected with the Congregational Church, and is a member of the Board of Trustees and Superintendent of its Sunday-school. He was first a whig in politics and afterward a republican. His wife, Mary Ellen Moxley, a native of New London, Connecticut, whom he married at Groton, Connecticut, on the 1st of September, 1857, died on the 26th of January, 1880.

Robert S. Ewing

IviKE many of the residents of Rosemond, Mr. Ewing hails from the good old State of Ohio. His ancestors on his father's side formerly lived on a farm which passed the boundary line between MarN'land and Pennsylvania. The dwelling-house was in Pennsylvania, and the spring close by in Mar3'!and. Alexander Ewing, the father of Robert S. Ewing, was born in Pennsylvania, and in that state married Susan A. Hutton. This marriage took place about the year 181 5. In the year 1819, he moved out to Ohio, and settled in a part i f the state which was then wild and thinly inhabited. He made a farm in the heavy timber. This farm was in Jefierson county, on the line between Jefferson and Harrison. The pike road between Steubenville and Cadiz ran past the place, and it was not sixteen miles from Steubenville. Oa this farm, on the 7th day of August, 1834, was born Robert S. Ewing. After living thirty-two years on the same place, in 1851, his father moved westward, and found a home in Pike county, in this state, nine miles north of Pittsfield, where he became the owner of a large and valuable farm, and where he died on the 9th of May, 1865, at tlie age of nearly seventy-seven. Mr. Ewing's mother died in Pike county, in the early part of the year 1873, at the age of about seventy-two.

He was the eleventh of a family of sixteen children, composed of seven brothers and nine sisters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. The first seventeen years of his life were spent in Ohio. He worked on the farm in the summer and attended school in the winter till he was sixteen. After coming to this state in 1851, he had his home with his father till his marriage, which took place on the 21st of March, 1861.

The maiden name of his wife was Caroline Simpson, daughter of James Simpson and Mary Noble. Her grandfather, John Simp.son, emigrated from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, to Harrison county, Ohio, where he was one of the pioneer settlers. Her father was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in the same house in which his daughter, Mrs. Ewing, was subsequently born. Her mother, Mary Noble, was born in Ireland, and came to America when a small child in the year 1822. Jlrs. Ewing's parents are now living at Rosemond.

After his marriage, ]Mr. Ewing lived for a couple of years on a farm adjoining the old homestead, and then moved back to his father's old farm on which he lived till he left Pike county. In 1868, he came to this county, and bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in .section eleven of Rosemond township. This was raw prairie land without improvements. Forty acres had been broken and put in wheat, but this was the only attempt which had been made toward putting it in cultivation. In the summer of 1868, he built his present residence, into which he moved the following September. He devoted his attention to the cultivation and improvement of his farm, and is now the owner of a fine and valuable tract of land. In 1875, he and his wife paid a visit to Kansas, and tlieir bealtli becoming somewhat inqiaired. Mr. Ewing, in 1876, leased his farm for three years with the purpose of residing in Kansas during that time, there recovering the health of himself and wife, and then returning to Illinois. Accordingly he bought eighty acres of land in Harvey county, Kansas, on which he erected a dwelling-house and other improvements, but having some difficulty with the lease of his farm in this county, he returned to Illinois in JIareh, 1877, and has since been living on his farm in Rosemond township.

He is one of the substantial and representative farmers of this part of the county. He has been iudustriuus anil energetic as fai as permitted by ill health, from which he has suffered to some extent for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Ewiug have had eight children, whose names are as follows: Maggie A., Benjamin S., Emma E., Carrie J., James G., Robert E., John ^I. and Jacob H. The oldest daughter, Maggie A., was born in 1862. When .seven years of age she was taken with a disease of the spine, from which she suffered for several years, and from which she died on the 28th of June, 1875. In politics Mr. Ewing has always been a republican.

Thomas N. Lakin

THOMAS N. LAKIN. Thomas N. L.iKiN was born at Freeport, Harrison countv, Ohio, on the thirteenth of August, 184.3. His father, T. N. Lakin, was also a native of Ohio. His mother, Mary A. Pepper, was born in Ohio, and was the daughter of Henry Pepper, who was of German descent, and moved from Virginia to Ohio, and was one of the earliest settlers of Harrison county in that State ; he moved from Harrison to Tuscarawas count}', where he died. Mr. Lakin's mother died when he was only a few days old, and he was thereupon taken to raise by his uncle, Joshua Pepper, now one of the old and respected citizens of Rosemond township. In the year 1854 Mr. Pepper removed from Tuscarawas county, Ohio, to Illinois. He settled in the full of the same year on section thirty-one of Locu.st township, and occupied a frame house which had been built in the fall of 1853, and which was the second frame house ever erected on the Buckeye prairie. Mr. Lakin wa? abjut eleven years of age when he accompanied 'Sir. Pepper's family to Christian county. He had attended school in Ohio from the age of five years, and after coming to Christian county went to the Buckeye school, which was principally under the instruction of H. L. Mull. In the fall of 1862, at the age of nineteen, he entered the State Normal University at Normal, Illinois, which instituti<m he attended till the summer of 1863. On the ninth of August, 1863, he married Rebecca Hunter, daughter of William Hunter. Mrs. Lakin is a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio. In the fall of 1863 Mr. Lakin took charge of a school in Locu,st township, and with the exception of a couple of years, has been engaged in teaching in Locust and Rosemond townships, from that time to the present. During part of the years 1865 and 1866, he was in the mercantile business at Princeton, and in 1867 and 1868 at Rosemond. He has also been engaged in farming. In his political principles he has always been a member of the republican party. His first vote for President was cast for Lincoln, in 1864. In 1868 he served as assessor of Rosemond township. He has six children, three girls and three boys.

His uncle, Joshua Pepper, to whom ]Mr. Lakin in his early life was indebted for a home, is now one of the oldest settlers on the Buckeye prairie. He is now living on section five of Rosemond township, at the age of seventy -six.

]OUTH FORK Township lies due west of Taylorville, the county seat. It is bounded on the east by the South Fork of the Sangamon, south by Bear Creek and King townships, west and north by Sangamon county, and the South Fork of the Sangamon. The soil is rich, fertile and productive, the larger portion of which was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber. Considerable timber is yet found along the margin of the streams. The township is drained by Clear creek and the south fork of the Sangamon and its tributaries, all of which streams run in a northern and north-west direction, and finally lose their waters in the Sangamon river. This township, as organized, embraced all that portion of the countv lying west of the South Fork of the Sangamon river, including a part of the four townships, 13 and 14, and ranges 3 and 4 west. It contains an area of about eight miles square ; it has been known and called the " South Fork Precinct," since the organization of the county.

Fikst Settlers

here and made the fir^t settlement, in the year 1818. Mr. Hanon improved the tract of land now better known as the Esquire Council (arm. He built a cabin, plowed a little patch of ground, with an old barshear plow, between two hazel thickets, for a " truck patch," where his widowed mother, wI>o accompanied him to his new home, set out some "shillotts," a species of onion, tans?y, "old man," and other "v'earbs," brought along. Alexander Matthews, who came with Martin Hanon, built a cabin the following season, and, in course of time, put a " housekeeper " in it. The following comprises the names of some of the families who first settled in this portion of the county. John S. Sinnet, Claiborn Matthews, and his sons, Eli and Alexander, and Kinchen came soon after Hanon in 1818. In 1819 came Jake Gragg. Samuel Miller, the father of Daniel and Martin Miller, settled in this locality in 1823. Solomon and John Meads in 1824. In 1825 came John Johnson; he first settled what has since .been better known as the old Ralston homestead. Jacob Wydick, Mt, Chapman, George Vandeveer, Charles Vandeveer, Robert Richardson, AVilliam Richardson, Sr., .John Finley, Andrew Finley, Isaac Leaeham, George and Samuil Cockelree.se, .Joim Durbin, .John Z. Durbin, Jacob Ca-

The liichai-dson connection was quite numerous, and tliis circumstance gave the name "Richardson settlement," by which that section of the county was known for years. These families settled on the prairie in WIS. They were zealous members of the Methodist Church, and at an early day organized a society. Robert Richardson, Sr., AVni. Richardson, Sr., and John S. Sinnet were leading members. The first meetings vvere held in private houses, and after a time Robert Ricliard-son, Sr., set about building a church. Amus and Jesse Richardson, his sons, aided him in cutting and hauling logs to Elgan's Mill, and then, at night-time, were granted the privilege of running the mill, free of charge, in sawing necessary lumber for the churcli. This good old father in the church worked faithfully, and witliout remuneration, in building the little old " meeting-house," which .-tood so many years as an antiquated landmark. In time it gave place to the present Bethany Church. In a dilapidated form it was moved away, having served well its purpo.se as a house of worship. It was the first church built in the county, and around it clustered many memories of olden times. The new Bethany M. E. Church, ten miles west of Tavlorville, was erected in the summer of 1867 ; it is a commodious building, and lias a seating capacity of 500. Its cost was 84,000.

First Wedding celebrated in this township was that of Eli Matthews to Miss Susan Hanon, on the 21st of April, 182-3. They were married by Rev. William Roberts; the license was issued by C. R. Matheney, County Clerk, at Springfield. This was the first organized township (T. 14, R. 3i for school purposes, and the election of school officers in the county.

The fir-st .school-house was located a few rods south of Esquire Council's place. It was made of rough logs, and noted for its large fire-place, taking up the whole end of the building, the chimney being made inside. The first school taught in this building was by Silas Alexander. Subsequently John H. Davis, Sr., and John M. Ta3'lor taught here. Some years after its erection the house burned down, and a neat frame school-house was built a short distance-from where the old one stood, which was the pride of the neighborhood ; it was noted for its literary exhibitions. In it were delivered frequent lectures, and under its ho.spitable roof flourished a debating society. Some of the participants of these exercises, outside the township, were H. M. Vandeveer, Daniel Miller, William S. Moore, Dr. C. Goudy, and others. In it were taught, during the long winter evenings, " Singing Geography " and singing schools. But this house, with all its pleasant associations, has been numbered with the things that were, and another more commodious and elegant has taken its place. Judge H. M. Yandeveer was one of the log cabin teachers in this township in early days.

This township had its sensations. It is related that two of its citizens traded wives. Two aged peojjie, '- Grandtiither Chapman " and wife, noted for their limgevity, each being over one hundred years old, were residents of this township. They lived above Esquire Council's; their two sons, Hiram and Lintz, also resided in this township.

Abram Hart was one of the pioneer settlers of South Fork, and was especially noted as a great bee hunter. The " Timber Field, ' of traditionary fame, is located in this township. It is situated in the bottom timber, a short distance below Ralston's bridge, on the east side of the stream. The old clearing has been noticed by the passing traveler for many years. In early times there was a small improvement with the log cabin and rude surroundings made by the old pioneer, John Waddle, in 1824, a relative of Enquire Shad. Campbell. He disposed of his claim to John Baker, who lived on it several years ; Mr. D. Baker, the aged father, lived with his .son. Tradition has it that he was an old soldier of the Revolutionary war, and that his remains now repose in that sequestered, lonely old field, with no stone to mark the spot of this brave defender of his country in her hour of trial. Its occupants have all long since passed away, and a rank undergrowth covers the place ; the tall, overhanging trees around alone singing their requiem. Several fiimilies, at a later date, settled in that vicinity. But they live in continual dread of the annual floods. In the memorable great rise of the Sangamon, in the summer of 1875, it nearly submargjd th; cabin of Jamas Chandler, causing him to bsat a hasty retreat before the rising, surging flood, with his ftimily and eff'ects. John Burris' house was filled with water several feet above the floor, and a large tree forced open the door. It was with extreme difficulty that he rescued his family from the roof, and ferried them to a place of safety. The water at Ralston's Bridge and bottom was twenty-five feet above low water mark, and Mr. Ralston said it was five feet nine inches higher than ever before known to the oldest inhabitants.

Stone Quarrkii. - One of the finest stone quarries in the county is located near the Ralston Bridge. The stone for the foundation of the present court-house was taken from it. In earlier years most of the lime used in the county was burned at this quarry. Theledgs of rocks had quite a notoriet}' in the pioneer days for its den of rattlesnakes.

Mills. - In early times there were three ^vater mills in this township. Elgan's Mill was the first and most notable of these, situated on the South Fork of the Sangamon, some ten miles north-west of Tavlorville. It was a saw and grist mill, built in the year 1833, by William Wallace and Dabney Knuckols. After operating it a year or two, they disposed of it to Martin Hanon and Eli Matthews, and they in turn sold it to Jesse Elgan, in 1833. He ran it for several years, and disposed of it to Alexander Humphreys. It next passed into the hands of Capt. Gordon, in 1857, who subsequently converted it into a steam mill, locating it about one hundred v'ards further down the river. Since then it has been sold and removed, and now no vestige of this once noted water-mill remains. Capt. Gordon also carried on the first store in this to\vnship. This Capt. Gordon was convicted of piracy and kidnapping slaves during the war of the rebellion, and was hung in New York City.

A few* miles further up the river, and about six miles west of Tavlorville, was a saw and grist mill owned by Levi Hinkle, an old pioneer settler. The third was Whitecraft's saw and grist-mill located on West Clear Creek. Its erection was undertaken by riuthlione ami his son-in-law, Geo. Maddox, but completed by M'hiteeraft. This mill was a great convenience to the early inhabitants.

jS'p/too/.s. - The county court at its December term, 1839, appointed Robert Richardson, Sr., Benjamin Robertson, and William Harvey trustees of schools in township fourteen, north, range three, west. It was the first organized township for school purposes. Esquire Council for many years was its treasurer. This township with otiiers suffered with having depreciated state bank paper on hand. The legislature passed an act March 4, 1843, authorizing the school comniLssioner of Christian county to loan on tlie best terms in his power, any note or notes of the state bank of Illinois received for debts due on school fund in any township, but in no event for a less amount than fifty cents on the dollar.

the house for safety, barring his door against tlio tliieves. The robbers were disguised with blackened faces. This store is located on the S. E. quarter, Sec. 4, T. 13 R. 3 W., about one mile southwest from Ralston's. John H. Davis, Sr., formerly a resident of this township, and at one time a school teacher, died in Taylorville, Jan 20, 1866, aged 79 years. A. B. Humphreys, at one time owner of the " Elgan Mills," died at his residence iu the western part of the township, Oct. 8, 1865, aged 60 years.

First Officers. - The first precinct officers were elected Aug. .5, 1830. It then included all of the Bear Creek country, and polled about ninety votes. Aquilla Council and Presley Peek were elected the first justice of the peace; Amos Richardson and John L. Cagle were elected constables ; the latter resigned and Jackson Wilson was elected to fill the vacancy in Aug. 1841. Amos Richardson resigned, being elected sherift'in 1842, and P^leven Elgan was elected May 2, 1S42, to fill the vacancy. According to the census of 1870, South Fork contained a population of 1279. The number of votes polled in 1876 at the presidential election was 315 The lauds in this township were originally surveyed and certified July 12, 1821.

A post-office and village is located ucar the center of T. lo-3, and is a great convenience to the inhabitants of South Fork as a local trading point and for mails. Here resides Dr. J. H. Dickerson, one of the leading physicians of Christian county. He is also postmaster, and engaged iu merchandizing at this point.

Coustahles. - yk'htAas Padget and G. A. Call, elected in 1873; W. H. Tweedy, 1874; Wm. N. Calloway, 1876; Nicholas Padget, re-elected 1877; Sandford Sharp, elected 1877.

Among the old settlers of Christian county, now residing in South Fork, we mention the following, and the time they came to the county : W. F. Gore, a Kentuckian by birth, settled here in 1830. Robert Preston Langley, Sr., also a native of Kentucky, came here in 1829. His wife, Minerva A. Pittman, was born in Clark county, Ind., and came to Christian county with her parents in 1826. A. Ralston became a resident of South Fork in 1834. He was born in Washington county, Indiana Leason Adams, another old settler, a North Carolinian by birth, located here in 1833. His wife, Amelia Ralston, a native of Indiana, became a resident here in 1834. The Whitecraft family were also among the early settlers. J. C. Whitecraft, a Kentuckian, came here in 1835, and Joseph A. Whitecraft moved from Sangamon county here in 1856.

Improvements. - In South Fork may be found some of the best farms and farm improvements in the county. We call the attention of the reader to the illustrations of farm scenery belonging to this township ; also to the biographical sketches of several of the old settlers and prominent men who have done so much toward the development and improvement of this part of the country.

Biographical Sketches

The Whitecraft family have been the pionoLTS of three states, viz. : Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois. Their ancestors came to America from England at a period anterior to the revolutionary They settled in Pennsylvania. John "Whitecraft, the grandfather of the present family, was born in Lancaster county. He was a hatter by trade. Being of an adventurous disposition he concluded to forsake the comforts of his home and try the life of a frontiersman. Accordingly about the close of the revolutionary war, he emigrated to Tennessee. A short time afterward he removed to Bath county, then known as Montgomery county, Kentucky. Here he remained until his death. He married Jane Kiucaiil. By this nnion there were six children, two sons and four daughters.

John Whitecraft, his .son, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Tennessee. He was in his eighth year when the family removed to Bath county, Kentucky. John grew to manhood and married Rachel Arnett, who was a native of Clark county, Kentucky. The Aruetts were of Scotch-Irish descent, the ancestors of whom settled in the Carolinas at a very early period in the history of that section of the country. By this marriage there were six sons and one daughter, four of whom are still living.

John AMiitecraft was a man who loved freedom of thought and action, and hated that which partook of the nature of oppression. He therefore at an early age imbibed sentiments hostile to the institution of slavery, as it then existed in the Southern States. In order to escape its baneful influences, and that he might raise and educate his children in a manner corresponding to his ideas of right, he concluded wisely to leave the South, and come to the free North.

Strong and sincere in his resolution, in 1834 he came to Springfield, Illinois, and from that point, in company with Alexander Humphreys, traveled over Sangamon county, carefully examining the <juality aud nature of the soil, and looking out for a desirable location. When he came to the north part of what is now known as South Fork township, he was so favorably impressed with that ])art of the country, that he purchased a quarter section upon which there was a small clap-board house, a view of which can be seen on another page. In September, 1835, he moved his family from Kentucky to a place two miles south-east of Springfield, Illinois, where they remained until April,. 1836, when they removed to their new and w hat has proved to l)e their home to the present time. Mr.

Whitecraft, soon after the purchase of the first quarter, entered the north half of seection thirty-six. He afterward became the owner of other tracts, and when he died was possessed of considerable land. He was a man of enlarged views and good business qualities. He belonged to the rigid faith of the old Scotch Presbyterians, and was devout and full of that stern courage that made men martyr.s to principle.

Like all his class he was honest and exact, doing unto others as he would have others do unto him. In his domestic life none were kinder or exhibited more parental aflection. He died July 25tli, 1847. His wife, and the mother of the present family, survived him many years. 8he died September 22d, 1870, in the eightieth year of her age. Joseph A. is the eldest of the family. He was born in Bath county, Kentuck}-, January 11th, 1819. The other members of the family are John C, who is a farmer and resident of South Fork township ; Silas M. and George W., residents of Springfield, and Jane M., only sister, widow of John Williams. She has two children, both boys, named Chester G. and Oscar Williams.

Joseph A. had but few advantages in his youth for receiving an education. He attended the common schools of his native state, and received such learning as they could give. It must be remembered that the school system of that da}- was not up to the high standard that it is at present. The country was sparsely settled, and school-houses were few and far between. Then too, the youtii of the land had to become producers, and help to provide for themselves and members of the family. They matured early, and became stalwart yeomanry at a time when they are about ready to enter upon their education.

The subject of this sketch has h\ close observation, in a measure, remedied the lack of opportunities in his youth. That together with his love of reading, and desire for information, has rendered him a well-informed man upon the current events of the day. He is a man of good business habits and methodical, and being possessed naturally of a large share of good sound common sense, which he has applied to his business relations in life, he has, per consequence, been more than ordinaril}' successful in the accumulation of property.

His father, as intimated above, was an anti-slavery man, and fought the svstem that made men chattels on every occ;isiou. His repugnance and dislike to that peculiar institution was transmitted to bis children. They at an early age ranged themselves on the side of freedom and human rights, and lived to see that hated curse go down amidst the thunders and horrors of war. Joseph A., in his early manhood, gave his support to the old line whig party, as more nearly representing his views. His first presidential vote was east for William Henry Harrison in 1840. When the whig party went down aud the young republican giant sprang into existence, he was among its first advocates and adherents. He has always remained firm and true to its principles. He belongs to the party and votes the ticket for the principles that underlie and support the organization, and not from any desire to share in the spoils of office that fall to the party in power. The Whitecrafts do not belong to that class. They vote from a sense of duty. They prefer to enjoy broad acres, well tilled, fine stock and beautiful homes, to the uncertainties and perplexities of politics and politicians.

Mr. Whitecraft may be regarded as one of the pioneers of Christian county. When he came here he was young and in the full flush of young manhood. Nearly a half century has fled by on the wings of relentless time. Then the broad expanse of uncultivated land was overgrown with rank grass, and filled with miasmatic swamps. Then were seen droves of deer that gazed upon man with open-eyed wonder. The only sound that broke the stillness was the wild turkey calling to itsmate, or the dismal cry of the wolf as he prowled near the few scattering farm-houses. Now the landscape is dotted over with thrifty villages and dwellings. Where the grass was then, now waves the golden grain ; above the fever-producing swamps hangs the rich bloom of the tasseled corn, and on all sides is heard the busy hum of husbandry. What a wonderful change, and all within the memory and the time that Joseph A. Whitecraft came into the county.

Forty-four years ago he came here and made this his home, and lived among this people, and in all those years, so even has been the tenor of his way, that it is doubtful if he has made one downright enemy. In his intercourse with men he is a kind-hearted man, - one whose home is open to you, and whose acquaintance it is a genuine pleasure to make.

He belongs to that school of old Kentucky gentlemen who have always been noted for their open hospitality and the kimllv welcome they extend to all.

His highest ambition in life has been achieved, and that is to be a practical farmer, possessing broad acres, well tilled, good stock, health aud happiness. No man in the community stands higher in the estimation of his neighbors than he, and all accord him the reputation of a straightforward, plain, honest man.

Williaji H. Growl

Is a native-born Illinoisan. His place and date of birth was Sangamon county, April 14, 1845. His father, Joseph Crow], was a native of Washington county, Maryland. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and one of the patriotic defenders of his country. The Growls on the paternal side are of German extraction, and on the maternal English. Mr. Growl the elder came to Sangamon county in 1834, and located at a point east of Rochester, where he remained until his death, which event occurred September 10, 1865. He was a farmer and stock raiser, in which he was very successful. He married Mary Ann Dillehant. She was born and raised on the Eastern shore, ^Maryland. By this marriage there were fifteen children, eight of whom are living. The subject of this sketch is the youngest in the family. He remained at home engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1868, when he came to Christian county, and purchased a half section of land in Section 19, T. 13, R. 3 W., and in the following spring he built a dwelling-house upon it, and has remained there to the present. On the 10th of January, 1871, he married IMiss Sarah E. Miller, who is also a native of Sangamon county. Her father, Samuel Miller, was born in Loudon county, Va , and her mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Jones, was a native of Kentucky. The Joues' family came to Illinois at a very early day, and are among the first settlers of Sangamon county. There have been born to W. H. and Sarah E. Growl four children. Their names are: Laura, Samuel Joseph, Charles Franklin and Eva Mabel Growl. Mr. Growl is not a member of any church organization. He believes in doing to others as he would have others do unto you, and believes that if that maxim is lived up to a man has within him a good share of the essence of genuine Christianitv. In politics he is an ardent and reliable republican. He cast his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant, in 1868, and since that time has voted the republican ticket in all state and national elections. Mr. Growl is among the prominent farmers and stock raisers of his township. He has a beautiful farm, well tilled and ia a most excellent condition. A view of his residence can be seen on another page in this work.

The subject of the presout sketch is one of the leading and prominent men of South Fork township, and a representative man of the county. The Dickersou family, on both sides are of English- Irish ancestry, and were originally from Maryland. John S. Dickerson, the father of Dr. John H., was a native of Kentucky. He came with his father to Indiana at an early date in the history cf that State. From Indiana he came to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he married Mary E. Bell. After his marriage he returned to Indiana, where he remained for three years, and then came back to Sangamon count}', where he still resides. The Doctor is the eldest in a family of sis children, all of whom have reached maturity. He was born in Davis county, Indiana, June 24th, 1847. He received a fair education in the schools of Sangamon county, and at the age of sixteen years he entered the State normal school at Bloomington, Illinois. It was his father's wish and desire that he should adopt teaching as a profession. He remained in the normal school two years, then returned home and taught school one term, and at the same time commenced the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. H. O. Bolles, of Springfield, Illinois. In the fall of 1868 he entered the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, and graduated from that institution on the 23d of February, 1870, with the degree of M. D. He returned home, and the same year located and commenced the practice of his profession in Bear Creek township. Christian county, Illinois. Nine months later he came to South Fork township, and located at a point since known as Blackburn, where he has continued the practice with great success to the present.

came to his j)rescnt locality a comparatively young man, with nothing but his knowledge received from books, and a thorough training in the best medical schools in the country. This, and his energy and industry, was his only capital. His determination to succeed has brought its reward. On the 3d of March, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Humphreys. She is a native of Sangamon county, Illinois, but was a resident of South Fork township at the time of her marriage. Dr. Dickerson is an active member of the ancient and honorable order of Masons.

In politics he is a sound and uncompromising democrat, thoroughly in accord with the principles of his party, and a stanch believer in the ultimate success of that grand old organization. He has through boyhood and maturer years given his adhesion to that party, and he sees no good reason to doubt that its principles must eventually succeed, if the freedom of the country is to be maintained, and the ideas of the founders of the republic perpetuated- His prominence as a man, and worth as a citizen, received recognition by being elected to represent his township in the board of supervisors. He has also held various other offices in his town.ship, and in all of them carefully looked after the interests of his people. He is a man who could safely be trusted with the interests of the people in any position that his friends might be ])leased to honor him with. Among the people where he is best known he is respected for his intelligence, energy, and directness of purpose. In his manners he is a pleasing gentleman, with good address and fine appearance. His character is above reproach. As a physician he takes high rank in his profession.

The George family were originally from Virgiuia. His father, Edward George, was a native of that State. At the age of six years he removed with his father's family to Kentuck}^ wliere he remained until about 1831, when he came to Illinois and settled on Spring Creek, Sangamon county. His death occurred in June, 1875. He married Catherine Whaley. The subject of this sketch is the youngest in a family of six children. He was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, September 6th, 1846. He attended the schools of his district and worked upon the farm until his seventeenth year, when he enlisted as a private in Company " M," 16th Illinois Cavalry. The company rendezvoused at Camp Butler, then was ordered to Cincinnati, and from there to Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, where it entered upon active service. The company then was a part of the 3d Battalion, 16th Illinois Cavalry, under command of Major C. H. Beers. The command was sent on the errand of driving out the rebels, and opening up Powell's Valley, extending from the Gap into Virginia, for the foraging trains. They were met by the 64th Virginia, a mounted regiment that was guarding that section of the country. This was in the fall and winter of 1863. In the battle that followed the rebel command was beaten and driven through Jonesboro, and the 16th Cavalry remained upon guard until a large and overwhelming force, under command of the Confederate General Sam. Jones, was sent out against it. In the engagement against this superior force the entire command left alive were captured and taken prisoners. They were taken to Libby prison, in Richmond, and from there sent to Belle Island, where they remained two months, and from there they were taken out, packed in bos cars, and taken to Andersonville. Here, in this loathsome pen, C. C. George, in company with his fellowprisoners, spent eleven long and terrible months. The suiferings that they endured are almost beyond the power of pen to describe.

Into this narrow pen, covering an area of fifteen acres, were crowded as many as thirty-five thousand men, with no drainage or means of carrying off the accumulation of filth, scarcely any tents or covering, insufficiency of food, and that of the wor.st kind, ragged, half-naked, full of vermin, and suffering from hunger and thirst, breathing the pestilential and foul vapors arising from the filthy and over-crowded stockade, is it any wonder that strong men wilted, sickened, rotted, and died, with no more care paid them than if they were so many beasts of the field? We challenge all civilized or barbaric ages to produce a record more foul or systematically inhuman than the treatment of union prisoners in the pen at Andersonville. It is a blot and stain on the boasted civilization of the nineteenth century that man's inhumanity to man should cause such terrible and fatal suffering. The subject of our sketch passed his eighteenth birthday here. He was the youngest of his comrades. Six of them went out from his neighborhood and joined the command to do battle for the right. They entered Andersonville together. He was the only survivor ; the rest were literally starved to death. He yet bears in his system the effects of his torture ; nor will he be able, notwithstanding his fine and rugged physical form, to eradicate t'ne poison from his system. From Andersonville he was taken to Savannah, and from there to Millen, and then back to Savannah, where he was among others paroled. He was sent to the parole camp at Annapolis, Maryland, and went into hospital, and then came home on a thirty days' furlough. He was ordered, through a mistake, to the camp of distribution, at Alexandria, and from there was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, and from the latter place was ordered to his regiment, then stationed at Pulaski, Tennessee. The command was then, until the end of the war, almost continually engaged in scouting and capturing guerillas and bushwackers. He was mustered out in

August, 1865, and returned home to Sangamon county. He tlien went to work upon a farm, and was lierding cattle for several seasons. He then commenced trading in stock, and fanning, and has continued in that business to the present time. In 1868 he came to Christian county, and stopped with his brother, and continued in stock trading. In 1870 he purchased eighty acres of land on Bear Creek. On the 1st of March, 1874, he removed to section eight, town thirteen, range three, west, where he at present resides. On the 19th of October, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Aunie E. Mason. She is a native of Sangamon county, but has been a resident of this county since she was three years of age. Two children are the fruits of this marriage. Their names are John Edward, and Claudie May, aged respectively eight and six years. In politics he is an ardent republican. He represented his township in the board of supervisors in 1879. As a man and a citizen Mr. George is much respected.

John White

The subject of this brief biographical sketch is a native of Dickson county, Tennessee. He was born February 29th, 1828. His father, Craig White, was a native of the same state as was also his father before him. Craig AVhite removed his family from Tennessee to Illinois in 1830. He settled in the south-east part of Sangamon county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. lie was an unusually active and industrious man, and succeeded in amassing con.siderable wealth. In 1860 he practically retired from active life. He removed to Pana, Christian county, where he remained until his death, which occurred August 1.5th, 1878. He married Sally Lane, who was born in North Carolina. She died November 6th, 1870. John White is the fifth in a family of eleven children, six boys and five girls. Three of the children have survived the parents. John was but two years of age when his parents came to Illinois. His school days were exceedingly few, and his opportunities for receiving an education very limited. He was compelled at an early age to become self-supporting, and help to provide for the large family. The lack of opportunities in his youth for study has, to a considerable extent, been remedied and overcome by his habit of close observation and fondness for reading acquired in bis maturer years ; and now upon the current topics of the day he is as well posted as those who make far larger pretensions. His education has been of the practical kind and not the ornamental. He remained at home ulitil he reached his maturity, and made his father's house his home until he was married. In 1849 he purchased land in Locust Township, near the village of Owaneco, in Christian county, and in the fall of 1850 moved there and began improvements. He remained there for eight years. He sold out then and purchased a half section in Sec. 10, T. 13, R. 4 W. to which he added until he is now the possessor of as fine a body of improved land as can be found in the county. There he has resided up to the present time, except one year, 1865, which he spent in the lumber business in Pana, 111. The business of his life has been that of a practical farmer, stock raiser and stock feeder. He has also been engaged in stock trading and shipping.

On the 5th of September, 1850, he married Elizabeth Hatchett, of Sangamon county. She was born in Virginia. Her father, Harrison Hatchett, removed to Illinois in 1832, when she was one year old. Five children have been born to John and Elizabeth White, four of whom are living. Their names are Fanny, wife of Dr. Drennan, of Pawnee. Hiram, a farmer of this county. Columbus, who is yet at home, an intelligent, well-educated youth just verging into manhood, and Annie, wife of George Setzer, of Sangamon county. In politics Mr. White is a sound democrat, and has stood by that party through evil as well as through good report. He is a man who has always enjoyed to the highest extent the confidence and esteem of the community in which he resided. As evidence of this it may be mentioned that he has been elected to positions of honor and trust, and in all discharged the duties therein involved in a manner creditable to himself and to his fellow-citizens. In 1861, he was elected Associate Justice of the county, and held the office for one term, at the expiration of which he was re-elected and served one year, when the county was reorganized under Township organization. In 1867 he was elected Sheriff of the county, and served one term. He afterwards represented his township in the Board of Supervisors. In his official capacity and as a servant of the people, he looks after their interests the same as if it were his own private business. He is a plain-spoken, straightforward man, and leaves no one in doubt as to his views or position upon any question of public policy. When convinced that he is right, he is uncompromising and immovable. Firmness is one of the characteristics of the man. In his manners he is quiet and of rather a retiring disposition.

John B. Miller

JOHN B. MILLER W.\s born in Hampshire county, West Virginia, January 18th, 1829. His father, Absalom Miller, was a soldier of the war of 1812. He married Nancy Sherwood, who was born and raised in the same state. The family left Virginia and came to Illinois in 1858, and settled in Pana, where they remained a short time, and then removed to Clinton, De Witt county, where they both died on the same day, December 25th, 1874, and were both buried in the same grave. There were ten children in the family, all of whom, so far as is known, are still living. John B. remained at home until the spring of 1856, when he determined to come west to seek his fortune. He arrived in Springfield, Illinois, March 4th, 1856, and hired out to work on a farm. He remained in Sangamon county for three years, when he came to Christian county and leased a tract of land of A. B. V. Humphreys, where he remained three years, after which he sold out his lease, but remained in the neighborhood and continued farming. In 1868 he purchased eighty acres in section thirteen, town thirteen, range four, west, and commenced its improvement. Ho remained here until 1875, when his failing health admonished him to suspend hard and active labor for some time. He accordingly leased his land and removed to S]iringfield, where he engaged in the butchering business for a while, and then entered the flour and feed business. He remained in Springfield until the spring of 1879, when he returned to his farm in South Fork township and has remained here until the present. On the 27th of November, 1862, he married Sarah Jane Hardin, whose parents were natives of Bath county, Kentucky. They came to Illinois in 1855, and settled in Christian county. Three children have been born to John B. and Sarah J. Miller. Only one survives. His name is Wallace T. The others died in infancy. The subject of this sketch was originally an old line whig in politics. His first presidential vote was cast for General Winfield Scott in 1852. On the formation of the republican party he joined its ranks, and has from that time voted with that party. jMr. jMiller's life has been spent upon the farm, except the few years that he W'as a resident of Springfield. In 1875 he purchased eighty-one acres in tlie south-east part of the same section in which his other eighty acres are. In his life he has by hard work, and the practice of economy, secured to himself a comfortable competency, which has all been the accumulation of his own toil. In his neighborhood, where he is best known, he is regarded as an honest man and a worthy citizen.

Among the old settlers aud prominent agriculturists of Christian county that deserves mention in this work is John C. Whitecraft. He was born in Bath county, Kentucky, March 10th, 1824. He was the son of John and Rachel Whitecraft ; his ancestry on the paternal side are of Irish, and on the maternal, English extraction. But his forefathers settled in America long prior to the Revolutionary war. John Whitecraft, the father of the subject of our sketch, was born in West Tennessee ; his father's name was also John, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Tennessee at an early day, where he lived for a number of years ; he then removed to Bath county, Kentucky ; his son John, the father of John C, was then a child of five years of age. He grew to manhood in Bath county, and was married there to Rachel Arnett, a native Kentuckian ; her father, Ahijah Arnett, was a native of Virginia ; be emigrated to Clark county, Kentucky, at an early day, when Kentucky was inhabited principally by the Indians. Mr. Arnett returned to his native land to obtain sufficient money to enter land in Kentucky. As he was making the journey back from Virginia to Kentucky alone on horseback, in a dense wilderness, he was waylaid, murdered and robbed. The early settler of that day not only had the hardships to endure incident to a new country, in making improvements sufficient to live comfortably, and watching the Indians, but they were constantly in dread of desperadoes, who would commit murder and robbery with impunity, the consequence being that the Indians were credited with all such lawless deeds committed, whether they were guilty of the crimes or not. John and Rachel AVhitecraft raised a family of seven children, six sons and one daughter, of which the subject of this sketch was the fourth. John Whitecraft was a farmer, and raised his family to agricultural pursuits. He emigrated from

Kentucky with his family to Illinois in 1835, and settled in what is now Christian county; he located on section 25, town 14, range 4, where he improved a farm of six or seven hundred acres, and lived until July 24th, 1846, when he died. His wife survived him nearly thirty years, and then met an untimely death, as her father did before her, but under unlike circumstances, upon September 23d, 1875. She had been attending the fair at Springfield, and was returning home, in company with her son and other members of the family, when the horses became frightened and unmanageable in consequence of a train passing in the city ; the wagon was turned over; Jlr. Whitecraft received serious injuries, while the occupants of the wagon were more or less injured, Mrs. Whitecraft being killed outright. She was nearly seventy-nine years of age at the time of this lamentable occurrence. John C. Whitecraft was between eleven aud twelve years of age when his father settled in Christian county, and has since resided within a short distance of the old homestead. His advantages for receiving an education were very limited, as schools at so early a day were far from the point of excellence that they have since attained, but by close application he gained a good general education. He went to the first school taught by Judge Vandeveer, in the Finley log schoolhouse; in 1836, was in the school-room when the sudden change in December of that year took place ; it became so cold he could not go home, so he remained in the school-room over night. That cold day was his last day at school, and the last school taught by the Judtre. At the age of twent3'-six he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Jane Williams, upon the 10th of January, 1850. She was a daughter of Joseph and Judy Williams, and a native of Sangamon county. By this union they had one child, Joseph W. Whitecrafl. Mrs. Whitecraft died March 16th, 1856. Mr. Whitecraft was again married April 7th, 1859, to Mrs. Catheriue Cruwiltr, a native of Teunessee. They had a faniil}' of four children born to them, one of whom survives, namely, Mary Jane. IMrs. Whitecraft died Aug. 1st, 1877. Mr. Whitecraft lived at lioiiie with his mother until his first marriage; he then bought the farm he i.s now living on ; gave three dollars per acre for it and began farming for himself; a business he followed successfully until the fall of 1877, when ho turned the management over to liis son, Joseph W., is now running the farm. Joseph was married Oct. 7th, 1874, to Miss Mary E. Pmith, a native of Kentucky ; they have two children, viz: Eliza Jane and Bertha Alice. Mr. Whitecraft in politics is a stanch republican ; he cast his first vote for Henry Clay. He has never aspired in politics nor permitted his name to appear on a ticket for election to otBce, his aspirations having been solely confined to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Whitecraft is a man yet in the prime of life, and bids fiiir to survive many years. lie still takes an active part in the practical pursuits of farming, having succeeded in making one of the best-looking farms in the county, his dwelling possessing an air of comfort and luxury. Personally he is a genial, pleasant gentleman, and has the advantage of knowing how to live after suflering the hardships, privations and discomforts peculiar to a life of a self-made \Yestern farmer.

A. A. Taylor

A. A. TAYLOR Was born in Bath county, Kentucky, October 17, 1818. Charles Ta}dor, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania. He, in company with his father, removed to Tennessee, where they remained one year, then went to Kentucky, where the father remained until 1856, when he came to Illinois and settled in Christian county, and remained here until his death, which occurred April 13, 1866. He married Mary Arnett, who was also a native of Kentucky. She died Sept. 3, 1868. Two children were the fruits of this union - the subject of this sketch and Sarah E., wife of Presley T. Hardin, who is a farmer and resident of Buckhart township in this county. Mr. Taylor received a fair education in the pioneer schools of Kentucky, and labored upon the farm. On the 5th of February, 1845, he married Miss Cassias Workman. She was also a native of Kentucky, and died May 18, 1871. Ten children were born to them, all of whom are living. Their names are : James M., who married Cynthia Adams, now a resident of Crawford county, Kansas ; Mary B. widow of the late Milton M. Moores ; Rebecca C. ; Emma E., wife of James Perkins ; EllaH.; Sarah E. ; Charles H. ; IvachelDora; Willie L., and Maxey A. Taylor. In March, 1874, Mr. Taylor removed from Kentucky to Christian county, and purchased a farm in Section 18, Town 13, R. 3 W., where he has remained to the present. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a democrat. He was formerly an old line whig. He cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840. In 1877 he was elected to the responsible positionof supervisor of his township. He has also held other offices in his township. In whatever position he has been placed he has always zealously guarded the interests of his constituents. Mr. Taylor as a man and citizen is greatly respected by all who know him.

family i« Washington county, Indiana. In 1834, he came to Illinois, and settled on Sec. 10, T. 13, R. 3 W., where he remained until his death in 1846. He married Rebecca Harmon, who was of German extraction. She was born and raised in North Carolina. She died in 1863. Eleven children were in the family, six of whom are still living. Leason Adams is the eldest. He was born in Ash county, N. C, July 1, 1816. When he came to Illinois he was in his eighteenth year. In 1836, he entered the land upon which his dwelling now stands. In 1838, he built a house, a part of which is still used as a sitting-room for the family. On the 27th of February, 1840, he married Amelia Ralston, daughter of Gavin and Cvnthia Ralston. He was a Scotchman, and came to America when he was eighteen years of age. He settled in Washington county, Indiana, where Mrs. Adams was born. He brought his family to what is now known as Christian county, in 1833 or '34. He was during his life a prominent man in the county. Ten children have been born tn Leason and Amelia Adams, nine of whom are still living. Their names are : Gavin, a farmer of this county ; Francis, a farmer and resident of Crawford county, Kansas ; Cynthia, wife of J. M. Taylor, farmer and stock shipper, Kansas ; Cecil, farmer and resident <if this county ; Rebecca, wife of I. J.Perkins of this countv ; William B., farmer and resident of Crawford county, Kansas ; Nannie, James and Alexander yet at home. Martha Jane was the eldest daughter. She was the wife of ^lat. Hardin. She died February 23, 1860.

In 1848, Mr. Adams made the second purchase of land, and since that time has added to it until now he is regarded as among the largest farmers in his township. He was formerly an old line whig, and cast his first presidential vote for William H. Harrison in 1840. He remained a whig until the war when he joined the republican organization, and is yet a member, politically, of that body. He represented his township in the Board of Supervisors for two terms. While a member of that body he had the reputation of being a painstaking and efficient officer, and one who looked carefully after the interests of the people. His business through life has been that of a farmer and stock raiser, in both of which he has been very successful. He started in life poor, with nothing but strong hands and energy to back them, The first land he bought was with money earned at hard labor on a farm, at wages ranging from eight to twelve dollars per month. He was saving, economical and careful, and made judicious investments, and the result has been success. Both he and his excellent wife are members of the Christian Church.

Leason Adams

LEASON ADAMS. The Adams family are of French ancestry. The grandfather of the present sketch came over with the Marquis De La Fayette, and him fought for the independence of the country. After the closed he settled in North Carolina. His son Francis remained there until about the year 1825, when he removed with his

William F. Gore

William F. Gore was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, Oct. 31st, 1828. His father, John Gore, was a native of North Carolina. He came with his father to Kentucky, where he married Sophia Barton, who was born and raised in the latter state. In the fall of 1830, he came to Illinois and settled near where Taylorville now stands, and engaged in farming. He subsequently removed to Sec. 12, T. 13, R. 3 W., where he remained until his death, which occurred Dec. 16th, 1856. His wife died soon after he came to Illinois. He afterwards married Mary Young. By the first marriage there were eight children, six of whom are living. By the latter there was one child, a daughter. The subject of this sketch received a limited education in the subscription schools of the county. He remained at home at work upon the farm until the breaking out of the late war, when on the 8th of July, 1862, he entered as a private in Co. "A" 115th Regiment U. S. Infantry. Upon the organization of the company he was elected Second Sergeant.

On tlie 28tli of February, 18G3, he was promoted to First Sergeant (if the company. He remained in the service until the ch)se of the war, and was mustered out June 11th, 1865. The regiment reudezvouscd at Camp Butler, and from there was ordered to Covington, Ky., and during the winter was on duty in different parts of the state. From Louisville the regiment embarked in transports, snd went down the Ohio river and up the Cumberland to Nashville, Tennessee. The regiment was a part of what was known as Gtueral Granger's Reserve Corps. Gen. 15eard was the first Brigade Commander. The first regular battle in which the regiment participated was at Chickamauga, where tliey suffered severely in killed and wounded. Company A. entered the battle with forty-eight men in the ranks, and after the battle the next morning but twenty-four reported for duty. After this battle the regiment became a part of the Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, under command of Gen. Stanley, attached to the army under Gen. George H. Tliomas. At Resaea the 115th and two other regiments were charged upon bv an entire Division of the rebel forces. In tiie language of the subject of this sketch, it was the " hottest place lie ever was in." After tlie siege and capture of Atlanta the regiment went back to Nashville, and assisted in the defeat and annihilation of Hood's arniv, and pursued him to Huntsville, Ala. Th3 pursuit la^^ted from the 17th of December to the 6th of January. From Huntsville they moved up to Ball's Gap in anticipation of meeting Johnson and from there to Camp Harker, Nashville, where the regiment was mustered out, and returned home. Mr. Gore was badly wounde<l on the 20th of September, 18U3, at the battle of Chickamauga. He went back to Nashville where he was placed in the hospital. Alter his recovery he rejoined his regiment at Shell Mound, Tennessee. That was the only time he was absent from duty. He participated in every battle in which his regiment engaged. That Mr. Gore was a gallant and brave soldier, we have no doubt. He belonged to that class of western farm boys that went out to do service for their country from a sense of duty. They were steady, quiet, orderly men. They had that cool courage that often turned threatened disaster into victory. When they went into line of battle they went there to stay. Their wiry-nerved physical frames could stand any amount of exposure and fatigue. In short, there was never marshaled on this continent or any other, a more brave intelligent body of men, who were cooler in action or more resistless in a charge than the weste.-n yeomanry in the late war.

In politics Mr. Gore is a republican. He voted for Gen. Zachary Taylor in 1848. He is a farmer. That has been the Inisiness of his life. Mr. Gore is a man who is respected by tlie entire community and wherever known.

Orix Gifford

ORIX GIFFORD. The Gifl'<n-d I'arnily are natives of New York. Jo.^liua Gifiord married Phche Lampman. He removed to Ohio in 1831, and settled in Delaware county, in the town of Berkshire. In 1840 he removed to Jay county, Indiana, where he died in 1853. The subject of this sketch is the third in a family of six children, five of whom are living. Corydon, the youngest son, was a member of the 32d Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and was killed In the battle of Shiloh. Orin was born in Delaware county, Ohio, November 3d, 1835, and remained at home until after the death of his father, when he came to Alton, Illinois. After remaining there one year he went to Greene county, where he remained two years. He was then for a while a resident of !Macoupin county. In June 1858, he married Matilda Jcmes, who was a resident of Macoupin county at the time of her marriage. He removed with his faniilv to Iowa, where he remained eighteen months, and then returned to Macoupin county again, and remained there until Slarch 1st, 1874, when he removed to Christian county, Illinois, and .settled in South Fork township, where he b mght land and has continued to reside to the present time. His marriage has been blessed with two children, one living named Rosalie. Nancy died at nine years of age. Sir. G., and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He is also a menjber of Fayette Lodge No. 107, order of A. F. and A M. He was elected Justice of the Peace for his township in 1878, and is the present incund)ent. He is a man wlio is universally respected in the community in which he resides.

Alexander Ralston

The subject of this sketch was born in Washington county, Indiana, October 1st, 1819. Gavin Ralston, his fiUher, was a Scotchman by birth, and was educated in the best schools of Edinburo-h. He came to America in 1813, and settled in South Carolina, where he was overseer of a large plantation for four years. After this time he removed to Washington county, Indiana, where he engaged in milling and carrying on the distilling business. In 1833 or '34 he came to Illinois, and settled in section three, town thirteen, range three, west, of what was then a part of Sangatnon county, now Christian. There he remained until his death, which occurred June 26tii, 1845. He was a man of more than ordinary accomplishments, was liberally educated, and was considerable of a linguist. His business qualifications were much superior to his neighbors, and he was frequently called upon to make calculations and attend to business which was beyond their knowledge. He was one of the first county commissioners when Christian county was formed. On the 30th of October, 1817, he married Cynthia Vandeveer, who was born in Adair county, Kentucky, October 30th, 1800. Her father, John Vandeveer, was a native of South Carolina, but came to Kentucky while yet young and .settled on Green River. In 1815 he moved to Washington county, Indiana, where Cvnthia Ralston was married as above stated. Mrs. Ralston is still livin" on the place where they first settled in 1834, and is a smart, vigorous woman in full possession of all her mental faculties despite her four score years. She is the mother of ten children, four of whom are living. Alexander is the eldest of the family. He was fifteen years of age when he came to Illinois. His brothers, Gavin and A. V. Ralston, are residents of Crawford county, Kansas. His sister, Amelia, is the wife of Leason Adams, an old settler and substantial farmer of South F'ork township. The subject of this sketch has remained on the old homestead to the present time. He is recognized as one of the old citizens of the pioneer era of this county. In politics he is a republican. His first presidential vote was cast as an old line whig for William Henry Harrison in 1840. In 1856 he joined the republican party, and since that time has voted that ticket.

ilr. Ralston's occupation has been that of a farmer. He is a plain-spoken, hospitable gentleman, and is regarded among his neighbors as an honest and trustworthy man.

V. B Crowl

V. B CROWL Was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, -\pril 8th, 1S36. He comes from an old and patriotic stock. His great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution, his father of the Black Hawk war, and his brother Upton of the ^Mexican war. Joseph Crowl, his father.

was a native i.f Wasl)iii-ton omiity, >[(l. He (anio to SaiigaiiKiii fouiity ill IS-'U, and settlotl iu what i.s known asCodiniV tnwnship, four miles oast of Rocliestcr, on the Springtiehl ami Terre liaiite road. lie was a blacksmith by trade, but afterwards abandoned it and engaged in farming and stock raising, in which he was very successful. He died Sept. 10, 1805. He married Mary Ann Dillehant. She was born and raised on tlie Eastern Siiore, Maryland. She is yet living on the old homestead in Sangamon county. V,y this marriage there were fifteen children, eight of whom are living. The subject of this sketch remained at homo ui.til April, ISli:!, when he rented the farm owned by his brother, Mr. Crow). He remained there four years, then moved to the place where he now lives, where he has remained to the present. On the '.)tli of I'eliniarv, 1SG4, he married Eliza C'rowl, by whom he had two ehihiren. Their names are Helen Elizabeth and Autluir Brittenbaugh Crow I. .Airs. Crow! .lied Dee. 14, 1875. On the 20th of June, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Catharine Saunders. She is a native of Loudon county, Virginia. Her father, James AV. Saunders, is dead. Her mother is still living in the same place. In politics he is a thorough and sound republican. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 18G0, and has steadily voted the republican ticket. Mr. Crowl is among the prnininent an<l inflaential stock raisers of his township. He is a man wlio enjoys to a large extent the confidence and esteem of the entire community.

ItOBERT F. COFLIX, (I)i;(/i.', Was born November 6, 1811, near the little town of Skaneateles, in Onondaga county, Xew York. His parents died when he was quite voung, leaving him dependent upon his own energies to mould that character which should follow him through life. He enjoyed but few advantages for an early education. But every sheaf of facts, gathered in his younger days, he stored up for future use, which in later life he applied in counsel to his rising family. His early years were spent in Onondaga and Cayuga counties, New York, working on a farm, attending school, and in learning and working at the blacksmith trade, which he chose as his vocation of life, up to 1837, when he came to Illinois in a one-horse buggy. He designated Illinois in h'S youthful mind's eye as his home, and upon his arrival being well pleased with his choice, after viewing many portions of the state, which he accomplished by horse and stafe, finally settled in Springfield, and gained a livelihood by '-Striking while the iron was lu.it."

From that time on, many of the early settlers of Sangamon county will remember his career. He prosecuted his trade, though not lucratively, till 1849, at which time ho went to California, in the rush that is .so memorable. He walked more than 2,000 miles of the route. They were six months on the I'oad, during which time he encountered the usual liardships of the western bound man, cxce|)t combat with Indians, which their little band fortunately escaped, though very narrowly several times. An incident occurred when the eonipany with which he traveled ctimc within one or two hundredmilesof their destination, which demonstrates that firmness of decision which all acijuainted with him knew to be one of his characteristics. The journey had been long and tedious; the osseous frames of the oxen supported nothing but yoke and hide. The major ty of the party were in favor of leaving the oxen to care for themselves, abandoning the wagon, taking what they could carry on their backs, and completing the journey on foot. "I," said he, wliile once relating the event, "seeing that such a dissolution would render us an rasv prey to the Indians, told tlii boys that tho-e who wished could go, l)at 1 would stay with the team until the journey was completed." The rest of the party, seeing his determination, resolved to stick together until the last; and when they arrived tliey let their oxen fatten and sold them to good advantage.

He returned from California by sea, ai.d across the Isthmus of Panama and, after a voyage of four months arrived at Springfield, having boon ab-ent nearly two years. He immadiately resumed his former labors, but he only worked about two years, when he moved on a farm in the western part of Christian county, where he resided, excepting about a year, until his death. This has been the most quiet and happiest portion of his life. He improved his farm with the choicest of fruits. In 1801 he traded his farm for another adjoining it upon the west, and immediately began planting forest and fruit trees, so that it soon afforded conveniences. In 1872, in company with his wife, he visited his native state for the last time. i\i the fall of 1874, while coming from Taylorville with a load of lumber, he was thrown from the load wdien crossing a culvert, and the hind wheel of the wagon passed over his back and shoulder.s. From this injury he never fully recovered, and it finally caused the stroke of paralysis wdiich resulted in his death Dec. 7th, 1876.

Ls a native of Hardin county, Kentucky, and was born February 14, 1809. Elijah Allen, his father, married Elizabeth Scott. Her family were from Virginia. (_)n the jiaternal side his grandmother was a Kendall. They were a prominent family of IMaryland. Elijah Allen moved with his family to Missouri about 1819. He returned the next year to Logan county, Kentucky, where he remained until 1820, and in the fall of that year came to Greene county, Illinois. (_)ne year later he moved to Sangamon county, and stopped one year on Sugar Creek and made a crop, theu returned lo Greens county, where he stayed until his death, which occurred February 21, 1850. His wife died January 13, 1849. Both were living with the subject of this sketch at the time of their death.

U. R. Allen remained in Logan county until 18^0, when he came to Illinois. He was here during the winter of the deep snow, and recollects it well. While on the road helping to move his father's family from Sangamon county back to Greene county, he was notified that he was drafted for service in the Black-Hawk war. He reported for duty. His company was a part of the regiment under command of Col. Jacob Fry, and belonged to the third brigade, which was under the command of Gen. Henry. The company entered the service in June, and were discharged the last of August. He remained in Greene county until. 1835, and woiked at the carpenter trade. He then went back to Logan county and remained there until 1841, when he returned to Greene county, built a wagon-shop and worked at the trade of wagon-making. He also engaged iu saw-milling, farming, etc., until December 18, 1861, when he came to Christian county and settled on Sec. 12, T. 13, R. 3 W., and engaged in farming, at which he continued to the present time. (Jn the 4th of August, 1836, he married Eliza Jane Coffinan. Her familv were originally from Pennsylvania. Her father, Adam Colfman, went with his father to Tennessee while yet a boy. He afterwards moved to Logan county, where Jlrs. Allen was born. Eleven children have been born to U. B. and Eliza J. Allen, six of whom are living. ^Yilliam Jackson Allen is the oldest sou; he is now a resident of Farmer City, Illinois. Ho w^s a brave and gallant soldier of the late war; was a member of Co. "A," 61st Regt. Illinois Infantry, and was severely wounded in the battle of Murfrecsborough, Tennessee. He entered the service in 1861, veteranized with liis regiment and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He entered as a privata and was mustered out as 2d Lieutenant of his compau)'. Samuel Jefferson is a farmer of this countv. He was also a soldier in the late war. He enlisted in ]862, in Co. "A," 115th Regt. Illinois Infantry, and remained in the service until the close of the war. Mary Melvina, only daughter, wife of Thomas J. Langley, a farmer of Christian county ; George P., now a resident of Kansas ; Edward D., a resident of South Furk township, and James Lvigan yet beneath the parental roof. i\Ir. Allen in religious matters does not subscribe to any of the formulated creeds, but is of the universalist belief. In politics he was an old line whig, and cast his first vote for Henry Clay in 1832. Since the republican party has Q^me into existence he has been a member of that political organization. He is not a politician. To use his own words, he would not have an office that would not honor him, or accept an office that he could not honor. Mr. Allen is a great reader, and is therefore a well-informed man on almost any topic. He is an agreeable and very entertaining talker, and a hospitable gentleman. He has accumulated sufficient of this world's goods to make him comfortable in his declining vcars.

Was born in Bath county, Kentucky, June 17, 1842. William Hardin, his father, was also a native of the same state. He came to Illinois in 1860, and settled on the Ulrick farm, five miles north of Mrs. Hardin's present residence. He afterwards removed to South Fork township, wdiere he remained until his death, which occurred February 15, 1874. He married Fatsey Flemniing. She died March 0, 18G3. There wer3 seven children in the family. George W. was the sixth. He remained at home until 1861, when he enlisted in Co. " K," 124th Regt. Ills. Vols, as a private. He remained in the service until the close of the war. On the '-'A of September, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E Phillips. She is a native of Sangamon county, Illinois. Her father, William Phillips, was born iu Baltimore, Maryland. He was a voung man when he came west with his father's family. He married Caroline Smith, who was born and raised in Sangamon county. Mrs. Hardin is the eldest daughter in a family of six girls and one son. By the marriage of Geo. W. and Marj- E. Hardin there have been five children born to them. Their names are : Fatsey C, Allie B., Hiram Herbert, Rupert Raymond and George Oliver Hardin.

George W. Hardin was cruelly and foully shot by a ruffian named James H. Batty, on the public highway, on the 3d day of March, 18/9. He was brought home and survived until April 7th, 1879, wdien his spirit took its flight to the world that lies beyond. His body was followed to the grave and buried by the niejnl^ers of the Pawnee Lodge, No. 675, A. F. & A. M., of which body he was an active and beloved member. His murderer fled the country after the confession of the crime, and has not yet been apprehended and made to answer at the bar of justice for his inhuman act Mr. Hardin was cut down in the prime of life and vigorous manhood. He was aged thirty-seven years. He was very domestic in his habits, a loving husband and a fond and affectionate father.

A. M. Council

Is a native-born citizen of Christian county ; he was born in the north-west part of South Fork township, April 27th, 1853. He is the son of Aquilla and Sarah E. Council. Aquilla Council was born in Halifax county. North Carolina, June 5th, 1805. His father, David, emigrated to Tennessee about 1813, and settled in

Montgomery countv. Aquilla Council was raised to agricultural ]Mirsuits. He received such an education as the common schools of that day afforded. At the age of twenty-two he was united in marriage to JSIIss S.irah E. Milugin, a native of D'.xon county, Tenn. The Melugins were early settlers in Tennessee, and of Irish descent. After his marriage Mr. Council began farming in Tennessee, and in 1830, desirous of moving to a country where land could be more easily obtained, he, with his wife and two children, emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon county, in what is now Cotton Hill township, near the South Fork of the Sangamon river, wdiere he remained two years ; then moved about four miles further up the river and settled on section 29, town 14, range 3, and when Christian county was organized, the cut-off from Sangamon m:ide him a resident of Christian county. He improved a farm upon the above named section, where he lived until his death, July 13th, 1857. His wife still survives him, a hale and hearty old lady of sixty-nine years. Thiy raised a family of seven children, five girls and two boys, viz. : Amanda, Rebecca E., Sarah E., Elizabeth, Aquilla M., William T. and Amelia. Mr. Council was a man of the strictest integrity, and one in whom the people placed all confidence. For about sixteen years he filled the office of Justice of the Peace. He represented his town,ship, in the county Board, for a number of years, with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the people. The subject of our sketch now lives on the old homestead, the place where he was born. At the age of nineteen he joined the army in the late civil war. He was in company D, under Captain Daniel DeCamp, 130th Ills. Vols., Col. Nilcs having command He was in the first brigade, second division, and thirteenth army corps. He was in several engagements ; among the most noted the siege of Vicksburg, and battle of Jackson, ]Mississippi ; in the engagement incident to the Red river campaign, was taken prisoner near JMansfield, Louisiana, and taken to camp Ford, Texas, where he remained about fourteen months. He passed his twenty-first birthday in this prison. After his exchange he was sent to New Orleans, but was subsequently ordered to camp Butler, Illinois, where he was mustered out of service at the close of the war. He immediate- ' ly returned to his home in Christian county. Christmas day, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Williams, a native of Sangamon county, and daughter of I. B. Williams. By this union they have a family of two children - Phiebe and William. Mr. Cjuneil is one of the prominent young farmers of South Fork towusliip. A view of his place can be seen in another part of this work. In politics he is a republican.