Seven Hickory Township

Seven Hickory Township

This is one of the largest townships in the county. It is six sections wide from east to west, and is nine sections long. It contains, therefore, 54 sections, or 34.560 acres, none of which is waste land. With the exception of one or two groves, of which mention will be made hereafter, the entire township is prairie. It is, therefore, slightly undulating in its surface, and possesses an unusually rich, productive soil. Taking the township as a whole, there is not a finer body of land in the county. The surface is sufficiently undulating to admit of drainage, and the soil of sufficient depth to preclude its wearinor out.

The only streams of water to be found are Greasy Creek, in the northeast part ; the head of Flat Branch, in the northwest, and Cossel and a branch of Riley Creek, in the southwest. None of these flow through the township, but all head in it, and leave the town from three different directions. This fact establishes another, viz. : that the central part is high land, and sloping in all directions. The town, compared to others, is new, having been almost entirely unsettled until after completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, in whose grant of land it lay. The township took its name from a remarkable grove of hickory-trees situated toward the southwest part. This grove is said to have originally consisted of seven immense trees, standing alone in their grandeur, monarchs of all they surveyed. Tradition has it, too, that they were a prominent landmark in early days ; and, further back than the time of the white man's rule here, they were the shrine and camping-place of the aboriginal sons of the forest. Early emigrants going across this part of the State found them rising before them as monitors pointing out the country before them. Earlier than the emigrants were the surveyors, who came over this section of Illinois when yet a Territory, and who marked the grove on the plats they made of the country. Before them were the scouts and hunters, forerunners of a civilization destined, one day, to supplant the red men. These adventurers found the grove composed of the curious number of hickories, and note it in their annals of the country. From their size when seen by settlers about 1824 or 1825, they must have been more than a century old, and if so, were here when the country was captured from the British by Col. George R. Clark, 100 years ago.

Another small grove, known as Anderson's Grove, exists in another part of the township. It is, however, quite small, and has never yielded trees above a mediocre height and size, or of a quality suitable for building purposes. A curious growth of sassafras-trees has sprung up on the farm of Jesse O'Hair since he settled there. He says he cannot account for the trees, as he knows of no one planting any roots of that tree, or dropping any seed. He supposes the growth came from seeds dropped by birds, or roots left by Indians or travelers. At any rate, the trees have come up in the last quarter-century, and are of a good size. Mr. O'Hair has them fenced about, and uses the grove for a shade for stock. He is quite proud of its existence, and counts it a valuable adjunct on his farm.

Aside from what has been mentioned as timber-land, the entire town is prairie. When the first settlers came to the county, they found it a trackless, almost treeless, plain, variegated with here and there a small grove or a single shrub. It was covered with a luxuriant growth of grass, waving in the prairie breezes, the home of the wolf, deer and buffalo. A'^oid of life, save in its savage state, it indeed fulfilled the description of Irving, whose matchless essay on the prairies stands unequaled. These wastes are now the homes of plenty, and, under the hand and influence of civilization, are the finest parts of the county.

During the interval between the settlement of the timbered parts of the county and the open portions, the prairies were the scenes of many exciting wolf and deer hunts. The former animals were a foe to young pigs and poultry, even after settlers came out here to live. They ravaged hen-roosts with brazen impunity, often in broad day, but more commonly at night. They also evidenced a desire for fi-esh, tender pork, and depopulated pig-sties with as much effrontery as they did hen-roosts. To exterminate them, grand hunts were organized. A company of men, sometimes over a hundred in number, mounted on horses, followed by all the dogs and boys who could come, surrounded a certain portion of country, often quite extensive, and gradually closing in the circle, drove all before them. In early times, they would have sometimes a dozen wolves and as many deer in the doomed circle. When the line had been properly closed.

a fire from guns and pistols was opened on the animals, care being taken not to shoot over a certain level. The real fun began when two or three ventursome wolves broke the lines and made tracks for liberty and life. Then no shooting was allowed. They must run down the wolf, and that meant a trial of speed and mettle. An ordinary wolf would outrun nine horses out of ten in an even race, and but few dogs could hope to catch him. The exhilarating sport - the spectacle of numbers of horses galloping across the plain in full tilt, after a wolf - gave spirit and vim to the participants, and made the day not easily forgotten. Deer-hunts were conducted by parties only, who depended on their skill as hunters to capture them, and not on the speed of horses or the excitement of a day's sport. As the country filled with settlers, these pastimes gradually died out, as the game disappeared, until now they are a thing of the past.

The prairie is now covered with cattle and fields of grain, and in place of the wild beasts and wild men who once made it their home, the white man finds opulence and ease as a reward for his labor.

Settlement

No permanent settlement seems to have been made here until about 1850. Before that date, as far as we have been able to learn, what few persons came into the bounds of this town came here to herd cattle,* and do not seem to have made any permanent residence. The prairie portions of the country were used for this purpose long after the settlers came, they preferring rather to pasture than to cultivate it. About the time of which we speak, however, the attention of emigrants was more particularly directed to this part of the West, as it was found the prairies could be more easily cultivated, when once broken, than the timber-lands. The soil was free from roots and stubs, and more productive. Hence, plows adapted to the turning of the prairie sod began to appear, and farms were entered where not a tree stood.

Samuel and John Rosebraugh settled in the southwest part of this township in 1850 or 1851, and with William and Jack Coons, Abner Brown, Benjamin McNeal and Milo Mitchell, may be considered the pioneers of this part of the county, if we may rightly call settlers of that date pioneers. These families, with a few others, came here, opened farms, erected houses and began life - not in log cabins, but in houses that mark the second era in this country. They built frame dwellings because these were cheaper than any other then, and because there was no timber near them from which to get logs to build cabins. They, therefore, did not experience the vicissitudes of a pure pioneer life here. The country was then emerging from an era of hard times and coming to a basis of real prosperity. Railroads were in operation in the Eastern and Middle States, and had even superseded the river travel as far west as Illinois. At Chicago, now the metropolis of the West, one railroad was in operation, and was earnestly extending its lines westward. Charters were being granted to other roads, which were now actively engaged in opening the country. The agitation regarding the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad was claiming the attention of the people and their Representatives in Congress. The agitation culminated in 1852 in the immense grant of land given to that road. Its history is presented elsewhere in these pages, and to it the reader is referred. Suffice it to say, as soon as the route was determined, the country through which it passed settled as if by magic. The lands embraced in the grant extended into Seven'Hickory^Township, and as soon as they were thrown upon the market, were rapidly taken up. Mr. Jesse O'Hair says that when he came here, in 1854, he does not think there were over a dozen voters in the entire precinct, and these were nearly all in the southern part. He remembers the families we have mentioned, but thinks there were verv few others. Those who were here as herders of cattle, lived elsewhere, and could not be counted as residents. They all went to Charleston to vote and for all their trading. When the land came under the control of the Illinois Central road, being partly in their grant, and buyers finding out its exceeding richness, it did not wait long for purchasers. Mr. O'Hair says to attempt to tell individually who came in from 1854 to 1859, the year the township was created, would be to enumerate about one hundred families. From this, it will be seen how rapidly the country was taken up - twelve or fifteen voters in 1853 and 1854, nearly one hundred in 1859. That tells the story of its settlement. W. E. Adams says that in 1855, he went to the north part of the township to see after some cattle, and found the farm of J. E. Wyche, fenced, in a measure, and occupied by a tenant. Judge Adams says it was the farthest farm north in the township, and was somewhat isolated, being out alone on the prairie. It was used for a stock farm. He was back there four or five years after, and the prairie was "full of homes." Each one who came erected frame houses, and began on a farm all prairie. Hence their beginning was entirely different from any who began life in the forests. Here no cabins were built ; no hunts for bee-trees and game in the woods occurred : none of the elements of a life on the pioneer plan, as commonly experienced in this part of Illinois, are found. We will, therefore, not go into a needless repetition of the life of the first settlers here. It is given in the biographical part of this book more fully than we can hope to gather it, and to that part of the narrative we would refer the reader. The people came after the railroads were opened, thus avoiding the long journey of those that preceded them. Before they were completed through this county, emigrants came to Terre Haute by way of the railroads, and from thence to their destination in their wagons.

After the creation of townships, in 1859, the voting-place was made at what was termed the Nicholas Schoolhouse, where it was continued until the Center Schoolhouse was erected, when that place was made the polling-place, and is now used.

Before leaving the history of the township, we will note an event, occurring in 1864, viz., an unusually severe wind and storm. It is referred to in the history of Mattoon, where it did much damage. There it scattered fences, tore down trees, unroofed and blew down buiklings, in one case carrying the house clear off the floor, leaving the family - Benjamin Tiff's - on the floor without any protection. Where it went through the woods, it made a " clean sweep," taking down everything in its way. Several persons were injured, and some stock killed. Within the memory of the " oldest inhabitant," it is the severest windstorm that ever visited this region.

Just as soon as a sufiicient number of persons were found in the township to warrant the erection of a schoolhouse, one was built in the southwestern part. This was about the year 1855, some assert a year later. It was a neat, frame building, and accommodated, at first, a large extent of territory. About a year after it was completed, the rapid influx of settlers commenced, and, within a year's time, several houses were erected. School was opened under the freeschool system, that having been established over ten years. No subscriptionschools, supported entirely in that manner, were ever taught here. As the lands in this township always brought an excellent price, the sale of the 16th Section brought the township a good school-fund, as will be observed in the statistics we present. The township supports excellent schools now, and, as the excellent character of the people attests, they are repaid for the outlay. The statistics to which reference is made are from the office of the County Superintendent of Schools, and are as follows :

From the foregoing table, it is evident the population of the township is nearly two thousand, an excellent growth in less than thirty years' time.

There are only two churches in Seven Hickory Township, though a few are just over its border in other townships, in whose histories they are noticed. The two to which reference is made are the Methodist and Christian Churches. The first of these, the Olive Branch Church, was organized about 1865 or 1866, possibly earlier, and, for a time, like all early churches, held services in the members' houses. Afterward, the schoolhouses were used. In 1869, a very comfortable frame church was erected, which is yet occupied. Rev. Wallace was among the ministers here about this time, and was one of the active participants in its erection and dedication. The congregation is now in a good condition every way, and supports regular services. Its rapid growth is attributed, mainly, to the sudden settling of the township, and to one or two prosperous meetings.

The Christian Church, known as the Rural Retreat Church, began by holding services in persons' houses, who were professors of this creed. Soon, a start was made, a congregation established, and the meetings transferred to the schoolhouses. As the growth, at first, was somewhat slow, no house of worship was erected till 1865 and 1866. The membership is now about fifty. The first preacher here was Rev. Jesse Campbell, whose successors were Joseph Hosteetler and Nathan Wright, the present Pastor, who now lives in Paris.

A Bit Of Railroad History

A few years after the close of the late war, the people of this township, like many others, concluded a railroad, running north and south through their territory, would be a good thing in many ways, and, finding a desire existing in Charleston for a northern and southern outlet, concluded to levy bonds to aid in its construction. Charleston had a watchful eye on the county seat, which Mattoon was zealously trying to get, and saw in the proposed road a fine opportunity to secure that necessary part of her existence. The bonds were voted for, to run a series of years, to bear a good rate of interest, and for them the township was to have a railroad running southward from Tuscola, through Charleston, to some good point. After the project had gotten well under way^ and, we believe, a little work had been done on the proposed route, it was noticed by a large part of the citizens in the south part of the township that the road would be better for all were it changed and run to Danville. The people of Charleston concurred fully in this idea, as it was undoubtedly better for them. It gave them an eastern outlet then, as well as a northern one, and brought them more directly in communication with the coal-fields. The route was changed, then, to go north a little over half-way through the township, then bear northeasterly and proceed as directly to Danville as the nature of the country would allow. No sooner was this broached, however, than the people in the northern part of the township raised a remonstrance to such a proceeding. They did not care to be taxed to support a road that did not come directly to them, and prepared to contest the payment of the bonds. The upshot of the whole matter was, the case was taken into court, where it now rests. Meanwhile, work and all preparations on the road have stopped. The people of Charleston are confident it will be yet resumed, and that one day the railroad will be built. Should the change of route invalidate the bonds, others can be raised, say they, and as the road would be of great advantage to the county seat, strenuous efforts will be made to complete it.

Commercial Interests

Although no town has ever been started in this township, it can boast of a store and a blacksmith-shop. The former was started by John Mason, about eight years ago, who saw an opportunity to enrich his exchequer and do some good for his neighbors. He has a very good country store, filled with all sorts of goods wanted by the farmers. His stock is decidedly miscellaneous in character, as all such stores are apt to be, as a miscellaneous taste and want are to be satisfied. He carries on a system of exchange, also, getting the products of the farmers, and selling them in Charleston to produce-dealers.

The blacksmith-shop is run by J. H. Davidson, and is said to be a good one. It, like the store, saves farmers coming several miles to the county seat for "odd jobs ; " and, as there are a good many "odd jobs," and as Mr. Davidson makes wagons, he has plenty to do.

These two employments are the only ones pursued in the township, outside of farming. The country is pre-eminently an agricultural one, and, as cattle and hogs are the main staple, corn is the principal cereal grown. Could a turnpike-road be built through the township to Charleston, it would be an excellent investment, as many products could be brought there that the farmers are obliged to forego or wait till good roads come. Some talk of utilizing criminals, confined in the Jail waiting trial, on the construction of such a road is heard. It would not only keep them, but would benefit the country.

nine months, and, in tlie fall of 1870, he came to his present place and has lived here since. He has held no office, except connected with the road or school. He owns eighty acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management.

GEO. H. TERRY, grocer, Humbolt ; is a native of Hamilton Co., Ohio. In August, 1875, he came to Coles Co., and settled here in Humbolt and engaged in his present business ; July 15, 1874, he married Miss Dolly Wells, of Humbolt, 111.; they have one child, viz., Mary L. During his residence in Ohio, aside from obtaining his education, he was principally engaged in teaching school.

1832 ; he married Miss Clara Jane Bugh Nov. 1, 1864; she was born same place Jan 11, 1838; they have three children, viz., Laura, Elmo and Eva. He lived in Ohio until 1854, when he came to Illinois and settled in Crawford Co., where he lived one year ; he then went to Dakota and engaged with a Grovernment surveying party ; he camped for two and a half years, where Yankton now stands ; he lived in Dakota until 1859, when he went to Colorado and engaged in mining, and lived there until 1864, when he returned to Ohio, and in 1865 he came to Coles Co., 111., and settled on his present place and has lived here since. He has been Township Collector one year and School Director some five or six years. He owns 160 acres, in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management.

GEO. W. BAKER, farmer; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Philadelphia, Penn., May 30, 1824. He married Miss Susan Bell Aug. 26, 1846; she was born in Floyd Co., Ind., March 12, 1830, and died March 9, 1863 ; they had six children, three living, viz., George B., Wm. A. and John v.; his present wife was Mrs. Shaw, formerly Miss Jane Hancock ; they were married Oct. 19, 1863; she was born in Floyd Co., Ind., Jan. 17, 1830 ; she had by former marriage five children, two living, viz., Flora J. Shaw and Sarah E. Shaw. He lived in Philadelphia about fourteen years, when, with his parents, he moved to Floyd Co., Ind., where his father engaged at his trade of shoemaking; he lived there until 1859, when he went to Spencer Co., Ind., and engaged in farming, remaining six years ; he then returned to Floyd Co., and, after remaining two years, he came to Illinois and settled on his present place, and has lived here since; he owns 308 acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management. His parents, Stephen and Mary Edwards Baker, were natives of Philadelphia and Maryland ; they were married in Philadelphia ; in 1837, they

A. J. BRADFORD, farmer and stockraiser ; P. 0. Hinesboro, Douglas Co.; the subject of this sketch was born in Greene Co., Penn., Nov. 12, 1832. He married Miss Susan S. Emory March 31, 1854; she was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Dec. 24, 1836 ; they had eight children, seven living, viz., Henry M., Mary J., B. Emory, Charles C, S. Edwin, John B. and Perrie ; Lineous W. died Oct 10, 1865. He hved in Pennsylvania about sixteen years, when, with his brother-in-law, he went to Ohio and settled in Licking Co,, where he remained until 1857, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles (now Douglas) Co.; remained one year, when he came to his present place, building on the Coles Co. part of farm ; in 1876, he came to his present residence ; he owns 240 acres, which he has earned by his own labor and management. His parents, Henry and Mrs. Hannah Morris Bradford, were natives of Pennsylvania ; he died in 1839 ; she is living near the old homestead with a son.

March 1, 1832. " He married Miss Elinor Stiff Jan. 28, 1864 ; she was born in Perry Co., Ohio ; they have five children - four livina;, viz., Lillie D., John H., Eliza M. and Mary F. ; he lived two years in Pennsylvania, when, with his parents, he moved to Ohio, and, in 1838, they came to Illinois and settled in Edgar Co., where they lived until 1849, when they came to Coles Co., and settled about two and a half miles west of Charleston, and in 1854, they came to Seven Hickory, and settled near the present place. John H. Bush was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1837. He married Miss Polly Ann Jarvis Oct. 27, 1874 ; she was born in Illinois ; they have one child, viz., Loyal Nelson; in 1862, he enlisted in the 123d 111. Inf.; was in the service three years ; after one year's service he was sent to the hospital, remaining six months ; was then transferred to Invalid Corps, and acted as guard. Nelson Bush was born in Edgar Co., 111., May 8, 1846, and in company with his brothers has always lived witli his parents ; their parents, Jonathan and Eliza Lee Bush, were natives of Pennsylvania ; he died Oct. 6, 1856 ; she died in January, 1872.

COL. JOHN COFER, of Areola Tp., Douglas Co., 111.; the subject of this memoir was born near Cave Spring, Bullitt Co., Ky., July 9, 1804; his parents, Thomas and Mrs. Sarah Winn Griffin Cofer, were natives of Virginia and Maryland. Dec. 1, 1825, he married Miss Mary Eleanor Macgill, who was born in Annapolis, Md., Feb. 7, 1807 ; her parents, Robert and Mrs. Helen Stockett Macgill, daughter of Dr. Thomas Noble Stockett, of Annapolis, were residents of Maryland. The Colonel's early education was limited, but his thirst for knowledge made him a good student, and he soon became a profound thinker, a logical reasoner and ready writer. He was a consistent Wliig as long as that gallant party retained its organization ; he represented Hardin Co. in the Lower House of the Legislature of Kentucky, in 1838, 1839, 1848 and 1841, and Hardin, Meade and La Rue Cos. in the Senate of that State from 1848 to 1850 ; being a farmer, he became the champion of the great interests of labor and production, an advocate of economy in public expenditures, a system of general education, internal improvements, and charitable institutions ; as a member of the committee on internal improvements, he originated and aided in drafting and passing the charter of the Louisville & Nashville R. R. Co., now the most prosperous corporation in Kentucky; when railroad enterprises were untried in that State, he was sent as one of a committee to investigate the operations of such roads in the East and West, and made an able report thereon, which, with his earnest and eloquent appeals to the people along the line of the proposed road, contributed largely to induce them to vote subscriptions of stock which secured the building of the same. In 1854, he removed to Illinois, and became Postmaster at Rural Retreat, in Douglas Co., Elector on the Fillmore ticket in 1856, and on the Bell and Everett ticket in 1860, since which he has been Independent in politics, though generally acting with the Democratic party ; devoted to the Union of the States, he opposed, with manly firmness, nullification, secession and emancipation (unless gradual and accompanied by colonization); in 1871-72 he represented Douglas Co. in the General Assembly with his accustomed zeal and ability ; through strictly temperate habits and indomitable energy, he has been successful in business, providing homes for all of his children, of whom six out of ten are Hving, viz., John S., who married Miss Mary K. Wyeth, and lives near Areola, 111.; Mary H., married Rev. D. T. Shirley, and lives in Cook Co., Texas; Thomas N., married Miss Rachel E. Combs, and lives in Coles Co., 111.; William H. H., married Miss Maggie J. Daly, and lives in Cook Co., Texas; Henrietta M., married Mr. Thomas Midwinter, and lives in Areola Tp., Douglas Co., 111.; Susan A., married Mr. H. M. McCrory, and lives in Texas. The Colonel retains a competency for himself and wife in their old age. He has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church for more than fifty years, and has the proud satisfaction, while remembering that he has been the architect of his own fortune, to know that he has so lived as not only to win but also to deserve the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.

Co., Ohio, March 2, 1822. He married Miss Margaret Heminger March 27, 1843 ; she was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, Sept. 4, 1819; they had five children, four living, viz., Addie D., Jasper C, Sarah F. and Charles L. He lived in Ohio until 1864, when he came to Illinois and settled on his present place, and has lived here since ; he owns 182 acres in this county, wliich he has earned by his own labor and management ; his parents, Thomas and Sarah Lot Carney, were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married May 22, 1808 ; they moved to Ohio in 1816, and settled in Delaware Co., where they died April 15, 1862. and May

THOMAS N. COFER, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O. Areola; the subject of this sketch was born in Hardin Co., Ky., July 20, 1839. He married Miss Rachel E. Combs Nov. 23, 1870 ; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., July 29, 1851 ; they have three children, viz., Thomas N., Jr., William E. and John C. He lived in Kentucky until the spring of 1854, when, with his parents he came to Illinois and settled in Coles (now Douglas) Co., at Rural Retreat, where they lived about three years; he then moved to a farm near by, where he remained until 1870, when he moved to his present place, and has lived here since. He owns 320 acres, which he has earned by his own labor and management ; he is a son of Col. John Cofer, whose sketch will be found in this work.

JACOB K. COTTONHAM, farmer; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Floyd Co., Ind., Nov. 15, 1831. He married Miss Sallie Ann Fowler March 5, 1855; she was born in Coles Co., 111., Dec. 13, 1843 ; they had seven children, six living, viz., William E., Margaret L., George A., Joseph U., Charles D. W. and Hervey F. He lived in Indiana until 1855, when he came to Illinois, and settled in Coles Co., near Charleston, and engaged in brickmaking, and continued in the business nearly eight years, when he engaged in farming ; in 1874, he came to his present place, and has lived here since ; he owns 120 acres here and 49 in Charleston Tp., which he has principally earned by his own labor. His parents, Andrew and Margaret Grant Cottonham, were natives of Kentucky and Virginia ; they were married in Indiana ; they came ta Coles Co. in 1855 ; he died Aug. 29, 1869 ; she is living herewith her son. His wife's parents were James and Susan Ann Lumbrick Fowler ; were natives of Tennessee and Coles Co., 111. (probably), they being in this county at a very early date ; they died in 1843 and 1848, respectively.

ANDREW J. CRAIG, farming and stock ; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Morgan Tp., Coles Co., 111., Sept. 11, 1846. He married Miss Sarah I. Zink Sept. 27, 1872; she was born in Grand View Tp., Edgar Co., 111., Aug. 9, 1848 ; they have three children, viz., Luther Z., Franklin H. and Arthur E. He was born on the farm and lived there until 1856, when, with his parents, he went to Sims Tp., in Edgar Co., and lived there until he was 21, when he came to his present place, and has lived here since, the place being wild land when he settled ; he has 160 acres under cultivation and well-improved. His parents, Isaac N. and Elizabeth Blayer Craig, are spoken of at length elsewhere.

J. J. FOSTER, farming and stock ; P. 0. Areola ; the subject of this sketch was born in Lawrence Co., Ind., May 18, 1831. He married Miss Catharine Beggs Jan. 31 , 1859 ; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., May 10, 1838, and died May 14, 1866 ; they had three children, viz., Eugenia, Sarah M. and Dela J. ; his present wife was Miss Melinda C. Beggs ; they were married Dec. 18, 1867; she was a sister of his first wife ; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., Sept. 3, 1839 ; they have three children, viz., Orestes, Claudius B. and Ida C. He was born on the farm and lived there for twenty-five years, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles Co. near his present place, where he engaged in farming, and remained for seven years ; he then moved to his present place, and has lived here since. He has held the office of School Trustee for eleven years, and is now serving his third term as Supervisor of this township. He owns 310 acres of land in this township. His parents, William and Mrs. Sarah McCormick Foster, were natives of Virginia, where they were married ; they moved to Clarke Co., Ind. and remained two years, when they moved to Lawrence Co., Ind., where they died ; Mrs. Foster's parents were Jamos and Mrs. Matilda Drummond Beggs ; they were natives of Clark Co., Ind., where he died ; Mrs. Beggs is living there on the old homestead.

JOHN FOREMAN, farmer; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in the District of Columbia March 17, 1823. He married Miss Harriet E. Richardson Oct. 10, 1842; she was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, March 24, 1820; they have seven children, viz., William T., John R., Joseph, Isaac P., David B., Thomas N. and Edward P. He lived in the District of Columbia until he was 12 years of age; he then moved to Fayette Co., Ky., with his parents, who engaged in farming, and he remained until 1853, when he came to Illinois and settled in Charleston, where he lived two years while improving his farm ; he then came on his present place, and has lived here since. In 1865, he was elected Supervisor of Seven Hickory Tp. ; he was also one of the first two Justices of the Peace of this township, being elected in 1860, and served four years; he has also served as Commissioner of Highways and Township Trustee. He owns 260 acres in this county. His parents, Joseph and Mrs. Chloe Payne Foreman, were natives of England and Virginia ; they were married in the District of Columbia ; they moved to Fayette Co., Ky., in 1834, where his father died ; his mother died in Lexington, Ky.

JACOB HARRY, farmer and stock; P. 0. Humbolt ; the subject of this sketch was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Jan. 14, 1816; he married Miss Susannah Tobey, Aug. 1, 1839; she was born in Washington Co., Md., Dec. 15, 1819. They had eleven children, nine living, viz., Jefferson, Madison and Amanda, Hiram, Nathaniel, Franklin, Clinton, Stephen A. D. and Nelson. He lived in Ohio until 1855 ; he was raised on the farm and also learned the brickmason's trade ; he then went west, visited Kansas and finally settled in Callaway Co., Mo., near Jefferson City, where he engaged in farmin"', remainins one year; ho then, in 1856, came to Coles Co., 111., and settled in Humbolt Tp., where he farmed until 1865, when he came to his present place ; in 1867, he was elected Supervisor of Seven Hickory Tp., and held the office for three terms ; he owns 167 acres in the township ; his parents, Jacob and Mrs. Mary Davis Harry, were natives of North Carolina, where they were married ; they moved to Ohio in 1811, where both have since died.

GEORGE C. KEMP, farmer and stock ; P. 0. Areola ; the subject of this sketch was born in Ohio Co., Ind., Aug. 25, 1846. He married Miss Minerva D. Stone Oct. 14, 1866; she was born same place Dec. 6, 1845. They have three children, viz., Theodore, born April 16, 1869; Laura B., born Dec. 4, 1875, and Charles C, born Nov. 8, 1877. He lived in Indiana until September, 1868, when he came to his present place ; he owns 349 acres in this township, which includes the original 200 acres given him by his father Ezra, who located it in quite a novel way - setting out from Indiana on horse, he stopped over Sunday with a farmer living in the timber about eight miles east of here, of whom he learned there was vacant land about eight miles west, but no one there to show it, and no marks to distinguish either land or distance ; but they conceived the plan of putting the horse at a certain pace and keep him westward for a certain time, when he would be on the land, and in this way located the same ; he (Ezra Kemp) married Miss Tryphena Scranton ; both were natives of Ohio Co., Ind., where they were married ; he died Feb. 1, 1870; she is living in Rising Sun, Ind.

JOB W. M ASSEY, farming and stock ; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Cheshire, England, June 28, 1822. He married Miss Sarah Gould Dec. 4, 1847 ; she was born in North Molton, Devonshire, England, Feb. 23, 1827, and died Aug. 8, 1877. They had six children, viz., William H., now living; Job Francis died at the age of 17, child died in infancy, Nannie now living, George E. died at 18 months of age and Joseph Charles died in his ISth year, from the kick of a horse. He lived in England about six years, when, with his parents, he came to the United States and settled in New Jersey, at Bellville, where his father engaged at his business of contracting machinist, he contracting to furnish machinery for some large calico print works located there ; he also took extensive contracts for cotton-mill machinery in Tennessee. In 1835, they moved to Wappinger's Falls,

DutcWss Co., N. Y., where he lived eighteen yeavs, except one year (184-1), when he traveled in England with his brother, who was an invalid. His parents died during his residence at the Falls. In 1853, he went to Newburg, and engaged in model making, remaining three years, though part of the time he worked in New York City. In 1856, he and his brother, Henry, came West, looking for a location for a general merchandise business. After visiting several points, Dubuque, Iowa, was selected, but owing to the death, of his brother, the business was not opened, and he determined to go into the farming and stock business, and after looking around, he located on his present place in 1857, and has lived here since, though from 1861 to 1871, he principally carried on model-making in Chicago, his family residing here. He has been Assessor four terms. School Director some eight to ten years, also Justice of the Peace for seven years, He owns 120 acres in this township, well improved and stocked, which he has earned by his own labor and management.

T. J. McMILLIN, firm and stock ; P. 0. Kural Retreat ; the subject of this sketch was born in Clai-ke Co., Ind., April 6, 1840. He married Miss Margaret J. Combs Dec. 16, 1862 ; she was born in Clarke Co., Ind., June 17, 1841 ; they had three children - two living, viz., Rosella and Maggie P. ; he lived in Indiana twenty years ; he then moved to Illinois and settled in Coles Co., near the Humbolt line, where he engaged in farming, and remained until 1863, when he came to his present place, and has lived here since. He owns 240 acres in this township, which lie has earned by his own labor and management ; his parents, William and Mrs. Jane Chambers McMillin, were natives of Kentucky ; when they were married, they moved to Indiana, where his mother died in 1853 ; his father is living in Clarke Co., Ind., on the old homestead.

J. M. MOCK, farming ; P. 0. Charleston ; the subject of this sketch was born in Hocking Co., Ohio, April 1, 1839. He married Miss Catharine J. Zimmerman Nov. 22, 1866 ; she was born in Coles Co., 111., near Ashmore, June 17, 1843 ; they had six children - four living, viz., Sarah C, Edward W., Oscar B. and Florence I. ; he lived in Ohio until he was 15 years old> when, with his parents he moved to Coles Co., 111., and settled near Oakland; this was in 1854 ; they engaged in farming, where he lived until 1860 ; they then moved to Lafayette Tp., remained until 1861, when he enlisted in the 21st 111. Inft., and remained in the service over four years ; he was made Corporal during the third year's service, and was made Captain after his re-enlistment ; he was in the battles of Stone River, Resaca, Chickamauga and Atlanta campaign, also Franklin, where he was wounded. He owns 160 acres in this county ; his parents, James T. and Sarah Honnold Mock, were natives of Virginia and Ohio ; he died Sept. 21, 1873 ; she has since married Mr. John Hurst, and is living in