Toulon Township (part 4 of 6)

John Jordan, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Lyons) Jordan, was born near Zanesville, Muskingum county, ()., February 20, 1832. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, who in 1812 had resided in Muskingum and Vinton counties, Ohio, and migrated thence to Iowa. Returning east in 1857 they settled in Valley township, Stark county, Illinois, his father dying here June 17, 1883, aged 83 years, leaving two sons and two daughters. John Jordan received his early education in Ohio. He visited this county in 1852, and again in 1855, a year later, in 1856, settled m Valley township, where he was engaged in farming for several years, until his retirement in 1876, when he came to Wyoming, and four years later joined Sylvester F. Otman in their present extensive business. He was married in Ohio to Miss Frances E. McCraw, a native of Vinton county, Ohio, and a daughter of Alexander McCraw, of that county. They are the parents of two sons and three daughters, namely ; Julia E., wife of W. T. Dittman, of Valley township ; Martha, who married S. M. Stancliff, of Iowa, now deceased ; Robert C, in the lumber trade here, and Lavin E., at home. Mr, Jordan served in Company B., 7th Illinois Volunteer Infantry for six months as referred to in military chapter ; served on the school board of his district in Valley township ; was road commissioner and township supervisor. Since his settlement at Wyoming he served as supervisor four years, and is now re]n'esenting Essex township on the County Board. H-e also served two years in the council of Wyoming. He is a member of DeWolf Post, and present Quarter-Master ; a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter and of the O. E. S.

George Kerns, the son of William and Mary (Drummond) Kerns, was born in Ross county, Ohio, January ti, 1838. When sixteen years of age he removed with his ])arents to Stark county, and for some six years remained upon the farm of his father, in Toulon township. At twenty-two years of age he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Wrigicy, the daughter of Edmund and Alice (Iloworth) Wrigley, \vhose sketch appears elsewhere. She was born at Ilooley bridge, England, in 1839, and remained there until seventeen years of age, and then removed to America with her father, soon after her mother's death, settling Avitli them in Stark county, and remained at her father's home until twenty-one years of age, and then, as before stated, was married to our subject. After their marriage they removed to their present farm, which at that time was a raw, unimproved place, and since have made their home here. Under the management of Mr. Kerns the prairie has changed to one of the pleasantest places in the township, and their beautiful home and neat surroundings attest the energy and thrift of the ovvner. But one child has been born to them, Minnie A., who still resides at home.

Politically Mr. K. is a Republican, and a member of the Congregational church, as is also Mrs. K. and daughter. Mrs. K. is also a member of the Women's Missionary Association. The family is one widely known and very highl}^ respected. Mr. Kerns })ossesses a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, within the corporation lines of Wy- oming. Mr. Kerns' }3aternal grandparents were natives of Europe, and upon reaching manhood emigrated to Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Eoss county, Ohio, about the year 1793, and purchased a hirge tract of land, and engaged in the raising of cattle, which he drove to Philadelphia, across the Allegheny mountains. While here he was married to Miss Sarah Winders. They removed to lioss county, Ohio, where he continued the raising of stock. Here he died in the year 1824, in his seventy-sixth year. His wife followed him several years later. AVilliam, the iifth child of the family, was born in Ross count3% Ohio, in the year 1800, and lived upon the farm of his father until 1823, when he took as his wife Miss Mary Drummond, the daugliter of Benjamin and Ann (Kerns) Drummond, who was born in Philadelphia in the year 1807. Her parents were natives of Xew Jersey. She was born 1778 and he about 1775. From New Jersey they removed to Pennsylvania and settled in Philadelphia, where he followed his business as a marble cutter. From Philadelphia they removed to Ohio, Ross county, where he died about the year 1837, in his sixty-third year. His wife lived until 1852, when she also died, aged seventy-four. The family consisted of eight children, three of whom still live, and but two in Stark county, Mary and Benjamin. Mary, the mother of our subject, remained at home until her marriage to the father of our subject. They remained m Ross county, where Mr. K. was a farmer and stock raiser, until 1853, when they removed to Stark county and settled in Wyoming, but removed to a farm in Valley township, some eight vears later. Here, in 1872, Mr. Kerns died after a short sickness. After her husband's death Mrs. K. remained upon the farm until 1885, when she has made her home with her children, of whom she had nine, six still living, four in Stark county : Abner in Essex township, our sul)ject in Toulon township, James in Essex, and Richard in Essex township. Mary resides in Spi'ingfield, 111., David in Kansas. Mrs. Kerns has been an active member of the Methodist church over seventj^-two years. Benjamin Drummond was born in Philadelphia in 1805. Removed to Ohio with his parents, where he was married in 1829, and for five vears remained in Ohio, and then in 1834 removed to Stark county, and since has resided here, exceptmg some three years which he spent in Ohio. Since 1860 he has made his liome in Wyoming. Eleven children came to his home, nine of whom still live; one hoy dying in the army and one otlier entii'ely losing his health. Mr. D. is a strong Republican, never voting but for one Democrat (^Jackson), and has voted at every Presidential election since 1827. His first wife was Polly Cox, who died in 1865, having become the mother of ten of his children. His second wife was Jane Donald, who bore him one child, d3nng in 1871. His present wife was Mrs. Margaret Johnson, who for twenty-two years has been a resident of Stark county. Mr. Drummond has been a member of the Methodist church some sixty five years, and has never been drunk in his life nor used profanity.

Mrs. Maria Kightlinger^ sister of Messrs. John and Carson Berfield, died at her home in Yates City, July 16, 1880, aged eighty-one years. She, with her husband, came from Pennsylvania to this county in 1837, living here two years, when they moved on a farm of their own in Knox county, where they lived until about ten years ago, when they moved to Yates City.

Wesley King, son of John and Rachel (Hixon) King, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, August 18, 1821. His father was a native of Loudoun county, Ya., who at eighteen years of age located in Ohio, and accepted a call as preacher of the Methodist church. His grandfather was Eeuben King, of Yirginia, a farmer and official of Loudoun county; while his mother, Rachel, was a daughter of Timothy Hixon, of Ross county, Ohio. Wesley King was educated in Fayette county. On November 11. 181:1, he marr ed Miss Eliza, daughter of Peter and Eliza (Bateman) Brown, of that county, who moved thither from Yirginia, where Mrs. King was l)orn. Their children are, Salenia, Avife of Thomas C. Hepperly, of Ringgold county, Iowa ; Albert W., engaged in mercantile work ; Isaiah, a farmer of Penn township ; Peter, a farmer of Burhngton, Coffee couiity, Kan.; Alice, wife of J. W. Clarke, of that county ; James E , merchant, AYyoraing, 111.; John W.. a merchant of Quitman, Mo.; Ehzabeth A., wife of W. R. Terpening, of Geneseo, 111.; Alvaretta, wife of Alonzo Pettit, of Quitman, Mo. Their grandchildren numljer twenty-five. Mr. King was horn and raised on the farm cleared l)y his father. In 1847, he and Mrs. King moved to Hardin county, Ohio, where he farmed until 1854, when he moved to Wyoming with his family, purchased land in Yalley township, which he sold and bought a farm on section 30, Penn township, in I860, and was an active agriculturalist and grower of fine stock there until his i-etirement in March, 1879. For yeai's, in fact, since his settlement here, he has identified himself with tlie old and new agricultural societies. He has been a jjrominent memljer of the Methodist church since 1 842, has served in townshi]) offices and on the school board of his district.

Alhert W. King, son of Wesley and Eliza (Brown) King, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, November 2, 1846. ( Vide slietch of Wesley Kingpin this chapter.) He came with his j^arents from Hardin county, Ohio, to Stark county. 111., in the spring of 1851, arriving at what was then known as the "Adam Day Farm," in Yalley township, on April 24, and received a practical education in this county ; at the age of sixteen years took charge of a district school ; two years later he visited Independence, Mo., and entered Ezra Brown's store there, where he worked for one year. This Mr. Brown was his uncle, who took extra pains to teach his young visitor the principles of Missouri trade. On returning to Stark county, he took charge of a school ; again was clerk in the employ of Scott tfe Wrigley, whose interest he, with Svlvester F. Otman, purchased February' 1, 1869. This partnershij) continued until April 23, 1874. On June 1, following, he embarked in Inisiness, and made the beginning of the i)resent extensive trade of King Bros. August 1st of the same year James E. King became his partner. Mr. A. W. King was married September 16, 1873, at Kewanee,

111., to Miss Mattie E. Stone, of that place, who was then teaching- in the public schools of Wyoming. This lady is a native of Geauga county, Ohio. Their children are Fred Stone, Nina Louise and Albert W., the latter dying in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. King are members of the Conoreo'ational society, and in all social matters which comes within the range of woman's work she is a zealous and intelligent laborer, both being members of the Eastern Star Chapter and interested in temperance work. Mr. King is a member of the E. and A.M., Royal Arch Chapter, a Knight Templar, a member of the new lodge of Modern Woodmen. He has been an active member of the Central Agricultural Society, of the City Council and of the School Board.

James Esra Kiruj^ born in Stark county, Octol)er 13, 1855, married Miss Clara B., daughter of Harvey Pettit, to whom one son, Ralph King, was born. This lady died in 1884, in full communion with the Methodist Episcopal church, and her remains interred in the Wyoming cemetery. Recently he mai-ried Mrs. Maud (Nelson) Weller, daughter of Major H. C. Nelson, of Canton, 111. Mr. King is a member of the Central Agricultural Society and junior partner of the firm of King Bros., Wyoming, 111.

George Steele Lawrence, son of Vincent G. and Abigail (Parker) Lawrence, of an old New Jersey family, was born in Warren county, N. J., June 9, 1838, and educated in that state. In 1856 the parents with three sons and four daughters moved westward, and located four miles northwest of Sheffield, in Bureau count3\ where one daughter was born. Mr. Lawrence, sr., subsequently located at Princeton, where he died March, 17, 1882, years after the death of his wife, the mother of Geo. S. Lawrence, who died January 18, 1864. The subject of this sketch entered mercantile life at Neponset, in 1860. A few years later he engaged in business at Ramsey, 111.; in 1866 opened a store at Kewanee, which, in 1868, he disposed of, and moving to Toulon, has continued in business down to the present time. Mr. Lawrence was married at Kewanee, to Miss Alvina E., daughter of Squire John P. Potter, a pioneer of Henry county. They have two children- - Abbie Young and Bessie Potter Lawrence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Potter are members of the Methodist E])iscopal church. Mr. L. is an old member of the Masonic society, is interested in Texas lands, carries on a stock business, and is here connected \vith the carriage and wagon Iniilding industry as well as carrying on an extensive general store.

Caleh M. S. Lyon, born at Northampton, m what is now Fulton county, N. Y., February 28, 1816, is the son of Ezra and Hannah (Bass) Lyon, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter a daughter of Jeremiah Bass, of Fulton county, N. Y. The grandfather of Mr. Lyon, also named Ezra, was a farmer of Connecticut, residing near New Haven ; while his father carried on a fai-m in connection with his trade of blacksmith. Caleb grew to manhood in his native county, and there in his father's shop learned blacksmithing. In 1837 he set out on his western journey to visit his uncle, then a farmer of French Grove, Peoria county, and arrived there June 20, 1837. Without delay he pushed on to Elmore, (Rochester) resumed work at his trade and remained there four years. There he married Miss Lora

Maria Cushman, daughter of Joshua Cushman, an artisan of East Leljanon, N. H. After a term of four years of a pioneer blacksmith's life at Elmore, he moved to West Jersey" township, purchased and improved eighty acres, and there raised and educated a family of four sons and three daughters, of whom all are living except one daughter. Prior to 1804 he had increased his landed property to 300 acres, and dis- ])Osed of the shop, which he built on his first farm here. He was elected Count}" Treasurer in 1863, receiving a majority over the democratic nominee, R. J. Dickenson, of 489. Prior to this he served as justice of the ]3eace and supervisor oi West Jersey, and since moving to Toulon in 1864, has filled that office as well as that of supervisor as shown in the sketches of West Jersey and Toulon townships. A reference to the history of the schools here will point out his services to education. Mrs. Cushman Lyon died in 1847, leaving one son and one daughter, I). C. Lvon, a farmer of Green countv, the head of a familv of five children, and Lora Antoinette, who married M. P. Davidson, of Calhoun county, la., died leaving two sons. His marriage with Miss Sophronia E. Rhodes has been blest by five children, nameh^ ; Effie, wife of Sylvester McKeighan, of this township; Frank W., a lawyer of Minneapolis, Minn.; Clyde P., a farmer of Dallas county, la., each the head of a family ; Morton, a student, and Maude Eliza, a school girl. It may be said of Mr. Lyon that a more useful citizen never visited the military tract to stay.

Davis Lovnnan^ born in Highland county, Ohio, Februarv 3, 1827, came to Knox county, 111., in 1837, moved in 1851 to Toulon, and went into the mercantile business. In 1853, he was united in marriage Avith Miss Anna Williams, of Knoxville, which union was blessed by three daughters and two sons, one of the latter dying in 1801. He leaves two brothers and two sisters living; a brother in California or Oregon, a sister in Butler county, Neb., another in Omaha, and his brother William here, his companion, four children, many relatives, and a multitude of friends. For twenty-six years he was a citizen of Toulon, living a portion of the time in the place and a part on his beautiful farm of 320 acres, now owned by John AVhitaker. For a time he was engaged in merchandising, then dealing in real estate, stock buying, grain buving, and lastlv that of fine stock-raising on his Green Lawn farm. About the j^ear 1870 he sold his property here and moved to Algona, la., a year later moved to Duncan, 111., where he engaged in merchandising until 1878, when he moved to Hastings, Xeb., and engaged in the real estate business, and there lived to the time of his death, October 26, 1886.

James K. LaShells, who came to Wyoming in 1844, is now a resident of Ijiggs, Butte count}^, Cal. His son Oscar is editor of the Biggs Independent^ one on the Chicago Mail, and Edward a ]:»lacksmith at Biggs. Cora May LaShells, born at Wyoming in 1866, died in California in 1886.

'-''Doctor'''' J. I. Lhjldfall <lit?(l in January, 1886, at San Antonio, Tex. He was born at Tiskilwa, Bureau county, in 1856, where his father, a fourth-breed Wyandotte, and mother, a white woman, then resided. In early years, he formed the acquaintance of the "Original Indian Doctor," Mc Bride, and learned from him the tricks of the " Big Medicine Man " Lightfall married Hannah Fredericksen, a Swedish girl, of Bureau county, who eloped with another man. His second wife was equally frolicsome.

William E. Legg, \vho erected a blacksmith's shop where the postoffice now stands, and also built for himself the iiouse in which Dr. Bacmeister resides, moved to Clarks, Neb., and there died May 11, 1883.

Mrs. Caroline Lyon, widow of Laton Lyon, born in Saratoga county, N". Y., in 1818, married in 1839, came to Toulon township in 1854, died here February 14, 1878.

Mrs. Minerva Lyon, wife of Elias Lyon, of Toulon, died December 4, 1881. She was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1832, married Lyon there in 1852, and came with him to Toulon in 1857.

The Leek fatnily, one of the first to settle on Indian creek, of Spoon river, moved to Hennepin in 1835, after selling their lands to Col. John Henderson. In July, 1836, the latter settled there with his family. Tlie Leeks carriecl on several wheat- and corn-crusliing mills of a very primitive character. That on Spoon river, near the crossing of the Toulon and Wyoming road (subsequently operated by Minott Silliman, and ultimately swept away) was, however, a pretentious concern. Some members of this famil}^ also had a mill at Centreville, in later years.

Richard Masccdl, now of Cambridge, 111., came with his family and brother James to Stark county in 1836, and took up their residence in a cabin belono-in"- to General Thomas. That winter his eldest son was the first to be buried in W3^oming cemetery. The boards for their home in Henry county were sawn at Wyoming from logs hauled thither by the Mascalls.

William. Mahany, one of the pioneers of the county, settled two miles south of Toulon, near the Leek famih% about 1834. In the general history as well as in the sketches of Toulon and West Jersey townships, many references are made to this pioneer and his family.

Colonel D. W. Magee, M. D., son of Thomas and Charity (Matthews) Magee, was born in Dry Valley, MiiHin county, Pa., June 19, 1825. His mother was born in New Jersey, and iiis father was the son of Charles Magee, who was married at Belfast, Ireland, came to America with his family, and took a prominent part in the war of the Revolution with his brotlier Tliomas, wlio returned tc> Ireland after the treaty of peace was negotiated, and at a time when that countiy was bounding forward in the paths of progress under her own government. Charles settled in Pennsylvania and there raised his family of two sons and three daughters, one of whom was Thomas (fatlier of Dr. Magee), one of a family of ten sons and three daughters, of whom seven survive. In 1832 the familv moved to Guernsev countv, Ohio, in IS-l-i to Tuscarawas county, Oliio, and in 1852 to Smithville, Peoria county, where the father died in 1851:, at the age of 74 vears : the mother dving there also m 1872. aged 88 years. Dr. Magee received a common school education in his native county. On coming to Xew Philadelphia, Ohio, in 181:4, he learned the carpenters trade, also read medicine and later engaged in house buildino-. There he married Miss Henrietta, a daughter of Michael Doll, a native of Maryland, and a pioneer of Tuscarawas countv. whose eldest dauo-hter was Mrs. Judoe Hance ol that county. In 1853 he visited California, in 1855 came to Henry, Marshall county. 111., at the invitation of a friend, and engaged in building there until 1858, when he moved to Peoria. From this time until 18()<» he was clerk in the house of J. T. Eobinson ct Co. In the latter year he became a partner in the retail department, which partnership continued until the fall of 1862, when he recruited Company H, 86th I. Y. Inf.; was mustered in as lieutenant-colonel of the regiment and served until 1865, when he was commissioned colonel of the 1:7th 111. Yet. Inf. He remained with this command until the breaking up of the brigade and division organization, when he was placed in command of the post at Selma. Ala. He was brevetted brigadier-general for distiniruished service and assiofued to command the district of Montg-omery, Ala., with headquarters at Montgomery, which position he held until his retirement in Februarv, 1866. On returnino- he engaged in mercantile work. In 1867 he was appointed postmaster at Peoria, holding the jwsition until 1877, when his second term ex]nred. he then enii'ag'ed in the wholesale flour trade. In 187'.* he took a course of medicine at Push ]\[edical College, Chicago, was admitted to practice before the State Board that vear, and moving to Wvoming, established his office there. In June, 1846, he left Ft. Wayne. Ind., as a soldier for the Mexican War. went on the Rio Grande Expedition under Colonel J. P. Drake, and served until June, 1847. He served as Commander of the first G. A. R. Post at Peoria ; is a member of the Army of the Tennessee and of the Cumberland, and lielongs to the Masonic Society since his majoritv. He has always been a republican in political life. His children are Thomas E. Magee, an accountant and bookkeeper of Peoria ; William X., of Chicago, and Mrs. Clara Parmley of Peoria.

Wi/h'a//i JIason, son of Jacob and Catherine (Biddinger) Mason, was born in German township. Fayette countv, Penns3'lvania. Xovember 9, 1806. His father was a native of that county, and mother was born near Martinsburgh. West Yirginia. His grandfather, Martin Mason, came from Germany to Maryland with his parents, ten years before Braddock's campaign. At the age of thirteen years he assisted in taking supplies to Braddock's camp, was captured by the Indians two weeks befoi'e Braddock's defeat, taken to Fort DuQuesne. thence to Canada, and held there until the defeat of Montcalm before Quebec. In his travels he met white men at Pittsburgh, Fort DuQuesne and other points, then supposed to be uninhabited. On returning he re- niaiiied at home until his marriage, when he moved to Fayette county, Penns3dvania, and took up land by the " Tomahawk Right," had his claim surveyed and recorded for $75, and there for a number of years had to fight the Indians. -lacob Mason, the youngest of his nine children, was the father of three sons and one daughter, of whom the subject of this sketch is the senior. In 1814 the family moved to a point four miles north of iVshland, Ohio, thence to Richland count}", Ohio, where he was justice for many years, and where they remained nntil September, 1837, when the family moved to Farmington, Illinois, where his father died in October, 1839, and his mother some years later. Their children are, William, of Stark countv ; Martin, of Yates City ; James, of Farmington, Ills.; and Nancy, who married Jefferson Trickle, and died in this county. William came to Stark in August, 1837, purchased land two and one-half miles south of Lafayette, 270 acres, a cabin, ten acres of corn, fenced, and twenty-five hogs for $2,200 in five franc ])ieces, and cultivated it for several years, until exchanged for his jiresent farm, south of Toulon, of 370 acres. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Mattie McWilliams, of Washington county. This lady died August 10, 1854, leaving two children, Wallace, married, and Elizabeth - the latter wife of John Black, and mother of one son and one daughter. His ]U'esent wife, Mrs. Matilda (Hoadley) Fowler, is a native of New York state. Her daughter, Abbie, is wife of Charles Hoadley. In early years Mr. Mason was Ensign and Captain of a company of Ohio militia, was one of the original members of the Stark County Agricultural Society, and an active member of the Anti- Horse-Thief Orffiinization of 183'8-48, He has o'one throuoli all the experiences of border and pioneer life, and is now on the sunset side, satisfied that a citizen's duty has always been performed by him.

Wallace Mc WW! a ins Mason, born in Ashland county, Ohio, April 22, 1835, is the son of William and Mattie (McWilliams) Mason. Fie came with parents to this county in the fall of 1837, and grew" to manhood here. At the age of 22 years he took up farming for himself and was married here in 1866, to Miss Sarah Ann Cox, daughter of Enoch Cox, of Essex township. They are the parents of one son - James B. Mason. He is a member of the Stark County Agricultural Society, and with his agricultural interests jjays some attention to horses, cattle and hog gi'owing, owning 175 acres of excellent land on Section 30. In public affairs Mr. Mason has served on the school board of his district for several years. The family lend their support to the Methodist Episcopal church.

John A. Maxjield, boi*n at China, Me., engaged in the coast marine service when a boy ; in 1843 ascended the Mississippi and Illinois to Peoria, and arrived at Toulon in May of that year. In 1845 he married Miss Jane Winter. His son Thomas, now in Kansas, served in the war for the Union.

Thomas II. Majcfell, son of Orrin and Chloe W. (Dexter) Maxfield, was born in Toulon townshij), August 31, 1845. His parents were natives of Penobscot county. Me., from which state the famil}^ came to Knox county. Ills., in 1839. Orrin Maxfield was a son of Eliphalet and Jane (McCrillis) Maxfield, of Old Durham, N. H.. where father was born Jan- uary 1, 1804. He took a leading part in building u]) the county to its present importance. His Avife died November 21, 1872, and lies in Toulon cemetery. Mr. T. H. Maxfield was married here to Miss Sarah Frances, daughter of Russell and Sarah (Clements) Carr, born near Saratoga, New York. They are the parents of two sons and seven daughters, namely : Uh^sses G.. Chloe F., Lillian L., Augusta P.. Susan F.. Vivian P., Thomas B., Cora E., and Miriam E. Mrs. and Mr. Maxfield, with their two eldest daughters, are members of the Congregational church, altliough the elder Maxfield is of the Free Will Baptist faith. He is a Past Grand of the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Toulon, andconected with the organization of the Rebekah degree, his wife being also a member. Of his father's family, George and Orrin served in the war for the Union. The former is now married, and is engaged in the real estate business at Fairmont. Neb.; Susan, who married Thomas J. Wright, is dead ; Charles died in Nebraska ; N. D. Maxtiekl is an agriculturalist near Fairmont, Neb. These, wi h John B. and Orrin constituted this pioneer famil3\ Thomas H. occupies the homestead farm of 160 acres.

David McCance^ whose name occurs so frequently in the mari'iage record, and indeed finds mention in almost every chapter, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1815, died here February 19, 1884, after a residence in the county since 1847.

C. P. 2fcCor'kh\ son of George and Mary (Penny) McCorkle, was born at Wilmington, Del., September 10, 1839. His grandfather was William McCorkle, a native of Londonderry, Ireland, came to the United States when a boy ; was captain in our merchant marine, died years ago, leaving three sons - George, named above, prominent in business life at Wilmington for many years; Thomas, one of the early successful brick manufacturers of Wilmington, and Lindsav, who worked at the harness trade for his brother George. Charles P., the subject of this sketch, is one of a family of twelve children, or the seventh son and seventh child of a family of ten sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, with the exception of three sons deceased in youth. William, the eldest, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., leaving three daughters ; George is a farmer of Bureau County, 111.; Thomas is a dairy-farmer at Tro}", N. Y.; Charles P. of Wyoming, 111.; Sabill, wife of William A. Reed, of St. Louis, Mo.; Henry, hotelkeeper at Chattanooga ; John, of Wyoming, 111.; Maria, widow of the late Henry Reed, of Bureau County, 111., and Edward, of Wright County, Iowa. Charles P. McCorkle received a fair education at Wilmino-ton, and learned the carriao-e trimmer's trade there. In 1858 he visited Missouri, in 1859 went into business in Lake Providence, La., which he Avas compelled to leave early in 1861, owing to the feeling against the North. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Tliirteenth New York Heavy Artillery, and followed the fortunes of that command, both in its artillerv and infantrv service to Julv 18, 1865. After the war he moved to Galva, 111., (where his father had settled in 1864, on his removal from Missouri), and there married Miss Mary Rockafellow, a native of Illinois, daughter of Abram Johnson and Sarah (Newconibj Rockafeliow, natives of ^q\\ Jersey and New Hampshire, respectively. They are the parents of two cliildi'en - Harry and May. In 1870 Mr. McCorkle and family moved to Wyoming, and lias been prominently identified with the social and business circles of the town ever since. A reference to the history of Wyoming and Essex Township, points ont definitely his connection with the council, school board, agricultural Society, Grand Army Post, Masonic lodge. Congregational church, and other permanent and temporary associations connected with the progress of the town and district. Politically he is a Ee])ublican.

Iiohert McKeighan^hova in the parish of Loughgehil, Antrim county, Ireland, June II, 1818, is the sixth son and eighth child of a family of eight sons and three daughters, born to John and Lily (Gault) Mc- Iveighan, of whom all but one son came to the United States. Pobert passed his boyhood in his native country, obtained a fair education there, and at the age of eighteen years came to our shores - landing at Philadelphia, August 14, 1836 - and after spending two years in that city, in obtaining a fair idea of the habits and customs of this country, he joined a 3'oung man (John Matthews), then set out for the west, and eventually located in Fulton county. III, spent a few years in agricultural work and looking around and then located two and one-half miles southwest of Farmington, where he improved a farm, and married Miss Ellen Tuttle, daughter of Samuel Tuttle, a native of Maryland, an old settler of Ohio, as he was of Fulton county. There Mr. McKeighan spent twenty-five years. To them six sons and one daughther were born of whom four sons and a daughter are living - namely - John E., attorney of St. Louis, Mo., who married Miss Ellen Cutler of Ann Arbor, Mich., (whom he met there during liis college days) ])arents of one son and three daughters. Samuel died in his seventeenth year ; Robert H. is a farmer and stock-grower of Toulon ; Ellen is the wife of Levi Silliman ; George died in his twenty-ninth year, leaving widow and son and daughter ; Sylvester JI. is a farmer of Toulon townshi}), and Matthew a farmer and stock-grower of this township. Mr. and Mrs. McKeighan have seventeen grand children. In 1865 he sold his interest in Fulton county, and moved to Toulon, where he had bought 320 acres in 1863. Here their family grew to manhood and womanhood, and for over t^venty years have been prominently identified with the social and agricultural progress of this district.

John Mark IfacMiUen, son of William and Ann (Van Devaeder) MacMillen, was born near Staunton, Augusta county, Va., May 10, 1813. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and mother supposed to have been raised there also. In 1821 his father, three sons and one daughter moved to Fayette county, Ohio., where a second daughter was born - thus ma-king a famil}'^ of five children ; namely: John M., of AVyoming; Samuel, a farmer of McLean county. III.; James, a farmer of Mills county, la.; Mrs. Elizabeth Cramer, who died in Mills county, la., and Mrs. Phoebe Porter of Lancaster county, Neb. John M. McMillen spent his boyhood's years in Fayette county, Ohio, where he married Miss Elizabeth McDonald in 1831, a native of Fayette county, whose parents were pioneers of Ohio. In 1850 he moved to the Wyoming neighborhood, and in 1853 settled two miles south of the town in Essex, wliere. in IS.^o, he built liis residence. In 1872 he rented his farm and moved into W^^oming. Of his seven children, Thomas is a farmer of Crawford county, la.; AVilliam. a soldier of the (jne-hundred and twelfth Illinois Volunteers, infantry. Company E., is buried at Andersonville prison ; Manford W. died at the age of thirteen years ; John A. died in Mills county, la., leaving a family of three children ; Charles is a merchant of Wyoming ; Mrs. Effle A. Dawson, deceased, died in Holt county. ]\Io.: Mrs. ]\Iary A. Haines, widow of Booth Haines, lives at Wyoming, 111.; Mrs. McMillen, a niece of Gov. Duncan Mac Arthur, died in Ma}^ 1885, and was buried in the Wj^oming Cemetery. Mr. ]\IcMillen has served as justice of ]:)eace for several years; as notarv public since 187-1:; on the school board of his district manv vears. and was one of the orioinal members of the Stark Count v Agricultural Society, carrying off some of the first premiums.

Stej)hen W. Maring, son of a revolutionary soldier, who moved to Ivnox county, Ohio, was born there in 1834; moved with his father to Marshall county, 111., in 1850 ; served in Company H. Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry, from 1862 to close of war; came to Toulon in 1865, where he married Sarah Porter.

M. F. Meeher, son of Aaron and Lydia (Sollars) Meeker, was born in Ross county, Ohio, May 7, 1848; his grandparents were Wheeler and Sally Meeker, natives of Connecticut, who settled in Ross count}' in ]>ioneer days, the former serving in the War of 1812, and one of the earlv millwriohts of Ohio. Aaron Meeker was a wagon-maker bv trade ; of his family of four sons and five daughters, three sons and two daughters are hving, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. He ])assed his earlier years in his native county, learned the carpenter trade there, and at the age of twenty-two came to Wyoming, wiiere he has since been enoaoed as a builder and contractor. He was married to Miss Jennie, a daughter of Edward O'Donnell, of Brimtield, 111. They are the parents of Floyd H., Ernest A., and Ada D. In business affairs he is a partner of Mr. Geesey, and has taken a full part in building up the town, among other buiklings on which he has been eno-ao-ed beino- that of the Central Agricultural Societv, A reference to the Masonic history of Wyoming and other pages will point out his close relation with the town since his settlement here.

Major Wheeler K. Seymour Merr'irnan^ son of Daniel and IMartha (Churchill) Merriman, old Massachusetts families, was born near Pittsfield, Berkshire county. May 20, 1833. Here he received a common school education, which was supplemented by an academic course at Williston Seminary, East Hampton. His father died in 1850. In 1853 he moved to Xew Yoi"k state, and in the fall of 1854 to Illinois, where he entered the service of the C, B. ct Q. Railroad company. He was engaged with this company at Galesburg until April 19, 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Illinois Infantry; in August he was elected second lieutenant ; in A])ril, 1862. after the battle of Shiloh, was promoted first lieutenant, and in Se])tember, 1n62, captain of Company H. which position he held for nearly two years. On the regiment veteranizing, he was elected major, completely filling the position until the close of tlie war. He was. in fact, l)rigadier in command of the Second

Brigade of the Fourth Division of his Army Corps from September 13 to October 10, 1804. During his term of service he invested funds in paying enterprises, and came out of the war at least financially strong and with a splendid reputation. Subsequently he lost a good deal of capital, returned to service of the C. 6z Great Eastern, Indiana, until October, 1866, when he located at Princeton as assistant assessor of internal revenue. In February, 1867, he moved to Toulon, engaged in agriculture for three summers and established his present grocery house. Major Merriman married at Princeton in June, 1866, to Miss iMary M., a daughter of John Smith. They have an adopted child E. II. Phelps. Both are supporters of the Congregational church. In addition to a large business, Mr. Merriman owns a well-improved farm of 120 acres. He has been a member of the Town Council and president of the Board for four 3"ears, as related in the official history of Toulon. Major Merriman, when at Corinth, Miss., lost a silver half-dollar, inscribed with his name and rank. In April, 1883, it was handed in as pay for a dinner at Des Moines, Iowa, advertised and thus found its way back to its original owner.

Hon. James Htighes Miller, son of Rev. Allen C. and Mary (Pierson) Miller, was born at Marseilles, Wyandotte county, Ohio, August 20, 1813. His parents were natives of western Pennsjdvania, but for about thirtyfive years his mother resided in Ohio, of which state his father was a resident for about eleven years. They moved to Roscoe, Winnebago county. 111., in October, 1851, where Eev. A. C. Miller preached one year; thence to White Rock, Ogle county, \vhere they resided for many years. There James II. Miller grew to mq^nhood. In the summer of 1861 he was engaged to teach school at La Salle, 111., and again as clerk in a coal office. In the fall of 1862 he was authorized to recruit a company for the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry. He succeeded in raising thirty men (after the call for 600,000 had been answered), a task then difficult in the Peoria district. This compan}'^ was mustered in with the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry, January -i, 1863; but owing to an accident which befell its organize]' in September, 1862, he was not accepted. Mr. Miller then took a position in the McCormick works at Chicago, but in April, 1863, moved to his father's residence in Stark county, (the family coming to West Jersey in 1861), suffering; from the hurt received in the fall of 1862. On arri vino- here he was attacked with hip disease resulting from the accident hitherto mentioned, and for six years was an invalid, and even up to 1871 used crutches. During the time of his illness he studied law for the interest and knowledge such study gave, and was admitted an attorney-atlaw in the spring of 1869, before the supreme coui't of this state. The same year he opened an office at Toulon, and since that time has successfully practiced here. In 1872 he was elected state's attorney, receiving 453 votes over the Lil^eral Re])ublican, P. M. Blair. He was appointed to this office early in 1872 to fill vacancy. From 1870 to 1877 he served as justice of the peace; was counsel for Toulon village several terms and treasurer of the town in 1874. In 1885-6 he was one of the most energetic workers for his party, and was one of the ''steering committee" that succeeded in electing the late John A. Loffan United States senator by the Thirtv-fourth general assembly. He was a member of the judiciaiy, judicial department and election committees, and on this last one was selected to push the election law applicable to cities, villages and towns by the repuljlican members thereof, and also at the request of the citizens' association of Chicago. The Chicago Legal News, of May 1, 1886, speaks of his action in this matter thus : " Among the many men who aided in the passage of the new election law, none are entitled to more credit than Hon. James H. Miller, of Toulon, by his disinterested efforts put forth in its behalf. He was a member of the house, and by speech, vote and influence did all in his power to secure its passage. He made the strongest and most eloquent argument in favor of its passage. When the act had Ijecome a law, and its validity was assailed in the supreme court, he followed it there, and without a hope of fee or reward made a strong and eloquent appeal to the court in its behalf. He concluded his argument as follows: 'Believing that here in this citadel of truth, law and justice, the rights of every citizen, - be he high or low, rich or poor, - will be protected in all of them, by the immutable laws of justice; that questions affecting the construction of the constitution of this state and the political and civil rights and privileges of the citizens depending upon it, are entitled to the fullest and most deliberate consideration when drawn into judicial dii.cussions. - Upon a correct decision of these the security and harmony of our well-balanced system of free and popular government mainly depends. When that shall have been done here, I believe that this act will be found not wantinir, and that it will be construed to be in harmonv with our growth, our institutions and the desires of our law-abiding citizens, and will be approved of by the judicial decision of this honoral)le court; and that the inequalit}^ which now exists in the ballot between the different localities will have been overcome \)\ wise legislation and bv plain, simple and just construction, and that 'folded leaf" will then 'become the tongue of justice, a voice of order, a force of imperial law ; securing rights, abolishing abuses and erecting new institutions of truth and love.' in the great state of Illinois. "' In October, 1870, he was married at Bloomington, 111., to Miss Emma M., daughter of Squire John Kearney, of Trumljull county, Ohio, a lady of high social qualities and earnest in the higher duties of women. Their three children are Wilfred D.. George G. and Harry H. Their second son, Allen Wayne, lies in the cemetery at Toulon. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are Presbyterians in faith, but regulai- attendants at Congregational worshi}). Mr. Miller was reelected in the fall of 1886 to the Thirty-fifth general assembly, receiving 71*.> more votes than were cast for any other candidate in the district, and his majority over his opponent was 1,658 as shown in the political chapter.

Allen Pier son Miller, hovvi'm Crawford county, Ohio, September 16, 1849, is a son of the Eev. Allen CoAven Miller, on\\of the pioneer preachers of northwestern Ohio, and one of the old settlers of Crawford count V. In ISOl Eev. Miller came to Stark county, where Allen P. completed his education and entered mercantile life. In 1871 the latter moved to Cass county, Neb., where lie remained until 1875, when he returned to Toulon and commenced the study of law in the office of his brother, James H. Miller. He was admitted an attorney-at-law January 4, 1877, and appointed Master in Chancery in 1879, which position he held until the spring of 1886. In addition to a good law practice, he carries on an extensive insurance business, and loans on real estate. During his professional career he has been engaged in some of the important cases lirought befoi^e the courts within the last eight years, and enjoys well merited confidence. Mr. Miller was married to Miss Mary S., daughter of William D. and Salome (DeLong) James. They were the parents of seven children of whom four are deceased. Emma F., Cora B. and Cl3^de L. reside at home. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are memliers of the Congregational church, zealous in church work, active in litei'ary and social circles, and earnest in everything which promises to be beneficial to the community. A reference to the societies of Toulon, to the history of the Congregational church and to the ])ages of the general history, will point out the places filled by Mr. and Mrs. Miller within this count}'.

William Mlllei\ born in Jackson county, Ohio, July 14, 1817, is the son of Isaac and Jane (Mclvean) Miller, natives of Yirginia, near Wheeling. The}^ moved to I*ike county from Jackson county, Ohio, about 1824. There William Miller received his education, and there also he married Miss ]S^ancy Mitchell, a native of Ohio, born near Circleville. In 1843 he and wife moved from Pike count}^ to Illinois, located in Stark county, and rented land there until 1840, when he purchased 1(!(> acres in Essex township. Their children, two sons and one daughter, Elizabeth Jane, now the wife of Wilson Trickle, of Essex township ; Eoyal IT., a merchant of Wyoming, and True Alvin, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church in Iowa. They have eleven grand children. Mr. Miller and wife have been worth}^ members of the JMethodist Episco])al church for man}^ years. He has served in school and township offices in Essex township, and even prior to his settlement in this county was interested in the schools of his native county. Originally an old time Whig, he is now a Ilepublican; He was active in the establishment of the Central Agricultural Society, and since 1874, when he took up his residence at Wyoming, has been interested in his new home as well as in the township where he made his first home in Illinois.

lioyal II. Miller^ born in Essex Township, June 2] , 1845, is a son of William and Nancy (Mitchell) Miller, referred to in the history of Essex township, and also in this chapter. He passed boyhood's days in Essex township, and there obtained a practical education. lie carried on his father's farm until 1881, when he engaged in the grocery trade. He was married at Toulon in 1865, to Miss Arabella, daughter of Jacob Kissel, of West Jersey township. They have two children, Allie M., and Delia P. Mr. Miller is a supporter of the Congregational church, but was originar , a member of the 17. B. church of Essex. He has been a member of the Stark count}' Agricultural Society, was su]>erintendent of Sab])ath Schools in Essex, and since coming here, has won many testimonials for his earnestness and ability in Sunday School

William Miner, son of one of the pioneer Baptist preachers of this section, settled on what is known as the Stewart Moore Farm, moved to Toulon, thence to Wvomincr. thence to Chicao-o. where he invented a mineral detector. Died in Southern Missouri, July 31, 1885.

Rev. John Mitchell, pastor of the Congregational church of Wyoming, was born August 15. 1814. at Xcav Milns. Ayreshire, Scotland, of which place his parents. James and Mary (Pollockj Mitchell, were natives and members of the "High " or " Established church of Scotland." The father died in 1849, three years after the death of his wife. Of their four children, John is the youngest. Archibald is still living in Scotland, James in Canada, and a sister died wliile quite young. At the death of his parents John was taken under the guardian care of an aunt, and remained with her until her death. His education was such as to prepare him for mei'cantile life, but he had a stronger desire for literature than for commercial pursuits. At Glasgow, Scotland, he became intimately acquainted with the Kev. J. P. Keeley, who finding his tastes, advised him to study for the ministry. Acting upon this advice he took a further course in literature and eventually a four years' course in theology, and was ordained to the ministry in 1872. He was married June 28, 1869, at St. Martin's church, Worcester, England, to Miss Elizaljeth Burrow, eldest daughter of John Burrow, an enofineer residing near Malvern, Worcestershire. Her father was also a local preacher in the Wesleyan body, which position he held until his death, March 26, 1862. Her grandfather, (same name as her father), now in his eighty-seventh year, still carries on the business of engineering, and is one of the most liberal supporters as well as an honored member of the Wesleyan church. In 1872 Rev. John Miller came to this country, and for some years, preached in Mississippi and Kentucky, accepted a call to become pastor of the Congregational church, YermiUion, Ohio, January 16, 1882, and while there he received a call to the pastorate of the Congregational churcli. Wyoming, 111., which he accepted and still fills most satisfactorily. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are the ]mrents of four children : John Alexander, born in Glasgow, Scotland, June 5, 1S71 ; Jessie Annie, born in Worcester, England, March 22, 1874: Aggie Maud, born in Vermillion. Ohio, October 10, 1882, and Archie Presdie, born at Wyoming. June 13, 1884. The eldest child died in Kentucky, January'^31, 1880, and fies in Greenup cemetery.

JRohert Mitehell,\\\ed at Toulon. July 14, 1882, aged seventy-one years. He settled in Goshen Township in 1838, and resided there until 1881. He was born in Donegall Count}^ Ireland. Mrs. Stowe, now of Kansas, is his sister.

James 2fontooth, sheriff of Stark County, son of Sanniel and Jane CWinters) Montooth, was born in Tvrone Countv, Ireland, Februarv 8, 1831. His grandfather James, and grandmother Elizabeth Beatty, were natives of Scotland, who immigrated when young and were married in Ireland, where he worked at the carjjenter's trade. He was one of six sons, two of wlioni came to America and sewed in the war under Anthony "Wa3^ne. Samnel was born in ITUU, learned his father's trade,, and subsequently the weaver's trade. His wife, daughter of Patrick Winters, a farmer, was born in 1806, her mother being a Stuart of the Scottish family. She married Samuel in 1830, came Avitli him to Philadelphia, Pa., in 1833, and to Elniira in February, 1858. On coming here he ceased to be a tradesman, and devoted his attention to stock-growing and farming until his death in 1885. Of their nine children, six survive. -Tames the subject of this sketch ; Jane, wife of George Reed, of Bradford ; Samuel, of Elmira ; Rebecca and Margaret, twin sisters, the former the wife of Robert, and the latter of Thomas Turnbull of Page County, Iowa, and Charles, residing on old homestead in Oceola. James Montooth received his education in Philadel})liiai, learned the weaver's trade there, and from 1845 to 1858 worked at brick-making. In 1853 he married Miss Marv, dauiihter of John and Mary (Wright) Tomlinson, natives of Ireland. Their children of this marriage were Jennie, wife of Roger Raker, of Kansas, and an infant who died and was buried with its mother in June, 1857. In 1858 he came to Elmira, and settling in the Leason log cabin, engaged at once in agriculture. The following year he began the brick manufacturing industry at where he now lives ; in 1860 joined the "Elmira Rifles" under Captain Stuart, and in June, 1861. entered the United States service, as credited to him in the histoiy of tlie jKineteentli and One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiments of Illinois infantry (vide military cliapter). On the march from Nashville to Murfreesboro, Lieutenant Montooth saved the Colonel of tlie One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois from drowning in the Cumberland river under circumstances that re(|uired the highest degree of strength, tact and courage. On returning from the war he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Joel and Dulcina (Young) Wilson, both natives of New Jersey. Her grandfather was Abner M., and grandmother Elizabeth Lundy. The ancestors of the former are said to have come out with Penn's colony. Elizabeth Lundy was sister of Ben Lundy, the Quaker friend of the bondsmen credited to him in Volume I, Greeley's Histor}^ of the Rebellion, who gave up all he possessed to aid the cause of negro liberty. To this latter marriage eight children were born. Delia E. is wife of William Rennick, of Toulon ; May L., Laura B., James L., Sarah E., Samuel W., and Charles Stuart, reside at home. Mr. Montooth has been engaged in agriculture and brick manufacture ever since the war. In 1859 he purchased fifty acres on Section 1, Toulon, to which he has since added 111 acres. From 1856 to the present time he has been a thorough Re]Hiblican ; but beyond the mterest taken by him in schools and township matters, which naturally made him prominent in the official life of the township, he did not seek for office. In 1886 he was nominated and elected sheriff. In social and religious matters he is a Royal Arch Mason, a supporter but not a member of the M. P. Church, and commander of James Jackson Post, G. A. R., of Elmira. He is practical in all things, and for almost three decades has taken a full share in the advancement of the county.

J. Tr. Morrison, born in Winchester, Ya., in 1830, came to Stark county in 1853, and settled in G.oshen. His parents, J. AY. and E valine (White) Morrison, natives of Virginia, were old settlers of Favette county, Ohio, where they died. They moved to that count}^ in 1836. Mr. Morrison received a practical education in' Ohio, and there married Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Thomas and Ann (Irvine) Hart, natives of Ireland/ This lady was born in Canada in 1834. The Morrison family must be considered earh^ settlers of Goshen, for they resided there several years before their removal to Toulon. In March, 1877, Mr. Morrison received the appointment of superintendent of the county infirmary. His own executive abilit}" and the genial, practical methods of the family have made his term of office thoroughly satisfactory and successful. In December, 1886, he was reappointed superintendent for the year ending March, 1888, and allowed §100 rent for his house at Toulon until tlie proposed new infirmary is completed. In 1865 he enlisted in Company K, Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served at Mobile, Ala., untirFebruary, 1866. In society matters he is a member of the R. A. Chapter, of the Blue Lodge, and of the Odd Fellows's society at Toulon. He is also a member of Wright Post, G. A E. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are the parents of seven children - Leroy F., Martha (now Mrs. Andrew Bradley), Jennie (Mrs. Fred. Ehodes). Belle C, John S., Mary L., and Thomas" W. - all natives of Stark county, and all residents liere except Leroy, who is in Idaho. In the destruction of the infirmary building, December 5, 1886, Mr. Morrison lost heavily in personal property.

N. B. Morse, M. D., born in Knox county. 111., October 16, 1838, is a son of Thomas A. and Harriet C. (Jonesj Morse, natives of Western Kew York ^and pioneers of Illinois, and grandson of Samuel Morse, who came to Illinois in 1816 and settled in St. Clair county, being among the prominent lawyers of the state. He was a lineal descendant of the early ]\Iorses of America in history and a cousin of B. F. Morse. Samuel Morse was prominent in all the early affairs of the state, both public and industrial. Dr. Morse passed boyhood in Knox county on the farm, and obtained a good common school education. He commenced medical studies under Dr. J. W. Scudder, of Prairie City, and continued to until 1802, when he enlisted in Company G, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry as private, and served in the ranks for ten months; was then promoted to orderly sergeant, which position he held when mustered out at the close of the war. He served in all the battles of the cam])aign in which the regiment was present. After the war he reentered Cincinnati Medical College, from which he gi^aduated in 1866-7, and in 1867 commenced practice at Utica, 111. After two years he removed to this county, and locating at Duncan was in active practice for nine years. In 1879. on account of ill health, he removed to Colorado and embarked in mining operations successfulh^ for one year, when he resumed professional duties at Silon Cliff. In the fall of 1882 he sold his interests in Colorado and returned to Stark county. He was married in Knox county, IIL, in 1864 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joel W. Slaughter, of Knox count3\ They have two sons and one daughter - Willie, a student of music; Nettie and Hally D. The doctor supports all churches, is a member of De Wolf Post, Ct. a. E. and of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Wyoming.

James Harvey Newton^ son of Elizabeth (Newton) Newton, was born in Greenbrier county, W. Va., November 3, 1820, where their people l)elonged to pioneer families. There Mr. Newton worked on his grandfatlier's farm until 18-17, wlien coming west he purchased and improved eighty acres on section 26, Goshen townshij), to which he added 200 acres, all now managed by his sons, James Isaac and William A. Newton. He was married at Toulon to Miss Hester A. McCance, a native of Indiana. Their two children are James I., just mentioned, and William A., owner of the meat market at Toulon. James I. Newton married Miss Lucy Thomas, they are the parents of two children, and William A. married Miss Lucy Shinn, parents of three children. James H. Newton, Sr., was a Presbyterian, but now belongs to the Congregational church. He served on the township school board for nine years. His wife is a member of the Christian church at Toulon. In politics he is republican, with strong sympathy for prohibition of the liquor traffic.

Benjamin A. Newton^ born in Susquehanna county. Pa., October 12, 1835, is the son of David and Sarah A. (Brundage) Newton, both natives of Pennsylvania. David was the son of Benjamin and Phoebe (Steai'us) Newton, the American ancestors of whom were from Great Britain and France respectively. This Benjamin was born in 1776, married Sarah Carey in 1802, wlio died the following year, and to them Sarah Newton, (who came to Illinois November 5, 1814, and died February 4, 1885), was born. In 1S04 he married Miss Stearns, and to this union ten children were born. Phoebe, wife of Robert Sharer, came to Illinois in 1835 ; died August 4, 1879 ; Nelson died in Pennsylvania; Sarah wife of Peter Shaver, came in 1835, died in 1879 ; David came in 1844, died in Iowa in 1879 ; Joesph came in 1835, died in 1871 ; Benjamin came in 1835, died in 1869 ; Newman came in 1835, moved to Kansas and died in 1883; Flora, who married Horace Gregory, died in 1848 ; Naoma, wife of Anderson Mounts, resides at Peoria. The grandfather of Benjamin A. settled in Penn township in 1835, and there was a farmer and stock-grower until his death in 1851. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1849. David married Miss Sarah Ann, daughter of John and Phoebe (Brundage) in 1834. Her fa.ther was a Penns3dvanian and her grandfather a soldier of the Revolution, although a native of Great Britain. On account of his services in the American army the British government confiscated his property in England. Her mother was a German. The children of this marriage were Benjamin A., of this township, and Sarah Ann, residing at Peoria. In 1840 he married Miss Ada Delemater, to whom ten children were born, six of whom are living, James in Iowa; Anderson in Nebraska; Isaac, a widower, Stei)hen L., Olive and Ida, all residents of Iowa. Benjamin A. Newton passed his early years at school and on the farm. In 1856 he married Miss Susannah, daughter of William and Barbara (Calerman) Dunn, natives of Kentucky, (who settled near Spi'ingHeld. 111., in 1880, and engaged in agriculture up to the period of his death.) Mrs. ]N"ewton was the youngest, except one, of six children. Her brothers Thomas and William are in Iowa ; James and Daniel and her sister Margaret, who married John Harmon, are deceased. Mr. N^ewton was a farmer until 1865, when he became a mechanical engineer, a trade to which he has given attention for over twenty years. His children are Frank A., of Osceola; Eliza M., residing at home; Lora B., wife of Johnson Harris, of Toulon; Mary S., wife of George Hanchett ; Elbert P. and Fred B., at home. He cast his first vote for Fremont, and since that time has l:)een a pronounced republican. He supports the M. P. church, while Mrs. Kewtoii is a member of the M. E. church. In society matters he is a Mason, and as related in the township history, always prominent in what concerns the schools, the townshi]) or the county.

Jason Montgomery Neivton, son of Perry M. and Rebecca (Haller) ]S'e^^i;on, was born Februar\^ 25, 1855, at Canton, Fulton county. 111. His parents, natives of Pennsylvania, moved to Illinois in early days and were among the pioneers of Canton. The father served in the Black Hawk war, and also in the Civil war, dving in the army some years later. In 1878 his widow married Thomas James, and in 1879 moved to Nebraska. Jason M. Newton received his education at Lewistown, 111., o-raduating in 1872. That vear he came to Wvoming and took a position as printer in the ofKice of the Post^ under E. H. Phelps. In 1874 he worked at the case on the Union and Democrat, at Lewistown. In 1876 he entered the Transcript office at Peoria, and subsequentlv worked on the Journal and Democrat there. In 1880 he revisited Wyoming, took charge of the Pod printing office, holding the position until February, 1885, when he was appointed on the local staff of the Post-Herald. In March, 1886, he assumed editorial charge under Mr. Sandham, whose duties as superintendent of schools did not afford him time to give such attention to his journal as it required. Mr. Newton now holds that position with most satisfactor}' results. In society matters he was connected with the Good Templars from 1880 to tiie time the lodge disbanded. In 1886 he became a charter member of the Modern Woodmen. His three uncles, George and William Agnew and Jason Boyle, served through the war of 1861-5.

Rev. Thomas J. Xesmitli, a resident of Putnam county for twentyone years, died September 22, 1886, aged ninety-one years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and afterwards a minister of the M. P. church.

Mrs. Elhaheth Xixon, Avho died April 20, 1881-, m Iowa, was a native of Virginia, where she was born in 1807. In 1831 she mov^ed to Peoria, and subsequently resided at Toulon with her son-in-law, J. W. Hewett.

Will E. Xi.i-on, one of the founders of the Stark county Sentinel, is the third child of Edward and Margaret (Kenney) Nixon, and was born in Toulon, III., November 14, 1859, and educated in the public schools of Toulon. Learned the printer's trade in the office of the New Era, in 1873, and has been connected at different times with every newspaper since published in the county. The ]mblication of the Sentinel was begun by Blair & Nixon, October 8, 1880, Thomas H. Blair retiring the following spring on account of failing health. In May, 1882, W. E. Nixon also retired from the paper, and the business was continued by J. K. Ilall. He was married NoYeml)er 30, 1882, to Miss Lottie E. lirace, eklest daughter of Oi'lando Brace, county treasurer. Edward Nixon, a native of Virginia, came to Peoria county in 1836, was married there in 1851 or 1852, and moved to Toulon village in 1851, where he died May 8, 1883. Mrs. Nixon, 8r., is hving at Peoria, where two of her sons reside, ller daughter, wife of M. A. Hall, resides at Emporia, Kansas.

James Novalan, son of Michael and Frances (Kearney) Nowlan, natives respectively of Ccirlow and Wexford counties, Ireland, was born at Grafton, Mass., February 6, 1837. In 1810 the family - parents and four sons, moved west and settled on the homestead in Goshen township, where the father died in 1882. Of the sons who came here John died in 1869, aged 29 years. His brother Michael died in 1867. Patrick, James and Willijim have for j^ears held ;i foremost place in citizenship. Edward, David, Michael, Mary, Henry, George and Joseph were born here. Patrick resides at Hastings, Neb., is married, and is the parent of five children. William, Henry and Edward are men of families, residing in Goshen township. Dr. David Nowlan resides at Ilavelock, Iowa. Their sister is Keverend 8u})erioress of St. Mary's school, Baltimore, Md. George is cashier of Burge & Dewey's Bank at Toulon, and Josepli, until recently, has served in the Stark county Neios office. James Nowlan was brought up on the farm, and was subsequently a farmer on his own account for about eight years. In 1865 he entered mercantile life at Toulon, and in company with one or other of his brothers, carried on a large business until 1879, when he left the firm to engage in his present business. He married Miss Nellie A. Plummer, of Yates City, to whom were born James A., and Mary Irene. The family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church, and ckiim in a very marked degree the confidence of the people of all' creeds and classes. It is beyond the limits of this sketch to follow the members of this large family through official life. A reference, however, to the chapters on county societies, pioneers, township and village organizations, churches and schools, will show very distinctly the various parts taken by them in the drama of settlement and progress. ( Vide Jiistory of county and of Toidon and Goshen.)

Thomas A. Oakes, born in Orange county, Va., in 1811, married Mary Carter, of Mt. Yernon, O., in 1838, settled in Warren county. 111., in 1839, died at Toulon, at his tlaughter's, Mrs. C. L. Packer, March 15, 1866.

Sylvester Fniiicis Ottnan, whose ancestors came fnjni (Tcrmany prior to the Eevolutionary War, was born at Stockbridge, Madison county, N. Y., November 5, 1828. His grandfather served in the Kevolution, and was captured by that fierce ally of the English - Theyendanega - or, Joseph Brandt, who was returning fresh from his bloody harvest in the AVvomino- valley. At the aire of seven vouns: Otman moved with parents to ISTew Hartford, N. Y., was educated there, and at the age of eighteen completed his course at the Sanquoit Academv. He taught two terms of school in this countj^ and arrived at Peoria, 111., on his twenty-first birthday, where he presided over the then Third Ward school until May, 1850, when he moved to Wyoming. In 1853 he was elected surveyor and served eight years. In 1857 he was elected justice, resigning to enlist in Company E., One-hundred-andtwelfth Regiment, in 1862. He recruited this compan}^ and was elected captain, which position he held until Xovember 30, 1864, when he took command of the regiment, at the battle of Franklin, Tenn. He commanded until Februarv, 1865, when he was detailed as Actino- Assistant Inspector-General on General Henderson's staff, and this rank he held until the command was mustered out, June 22, 1865. He participated in every battle of his regiment, was never wounded, and only " under the weather " for eleven davs. In 1866 he was elected member of the legislature. In 1869, with A. W. King, he engaged in the general merchandise tra.de here, and for five years carried on a large trade. In 1874 he formed a partnership with A. G. Hammond, which continued for four years. In 1878 he was reelected a member of the legislature, reelected in 1880, thus serving three full sessions and three extra sessions, and having the honor and satisfaction of aiding in sending Lvman Trumbull and John A. Log-an to the United States Senate. Captain Otman formed a partnership with John Jordan in 1881, and since that time has been extensively engaged in the lumber trade. Politically he was Democratic until 1856, when he voted for JohnC. Fremont. His services to the country and county tell plainly that he has been a Republican since that time. He married Miss Emma Denchfield in 1855, to whom one daughter was l)orn - the mother and chihl dying the same week, in September, 1864. In 1867 he married Mrs. Sarah Smith Denchfield, who is the mother of the popular A. ]S^. Otman, now seventeen vears of age. In 1851 he joined the Masonic Lodge here, and is now also a member of the Chapter. He is one of the original members of DeWolf Post here. During the vears 1850-3 he worked at the carpenter's trade, and this work, with his professional labors in school, his military, career, and his commercial experiences, have contributed a share to give to Stark county one of her veiy best citizens. ( Vide general history).

Benjamin Packer^ son of Benjamin and Polly (Johnson) Packer, was born in Plainfield township, Otsego county, X. Y., August 23, 1818 His father was a son of Jeremy Packer of Bennington, Yt., who served through the Revolution against the British, and his mother, a daughter also of a revolutionary soldier, Ebenezer Johnson of Xew York. In 1824 the family moved to Windham county, Yt., in 1828 to Saratoga, X. Y., where Benjamin Avas raised and received a practical education. In 1851 he moved west and pui'chased 160 acres in Toulon township, which he sold, and then })urchased 400 acres. Of this last purchase he exchanged 320 acres for his present property of 240 acres, to which he has added 560 acres, making 800 acres, a part of which he has divided between his sons. He was married in Saratoga county,

N. Y., in 1851 to Miss Hannah, daughter of Ezra. Lyon, who is buried in the cemeter}^ near JSTorthville. Of the ten children born to them, five sons and three daughters are living. Eli is a Baptist minister in Linn county, la., who studied five years at the Univ^ersity of Chicago, and two years at the Northwestern Theological Seminary, Morgan ark; Mortimer A. is a theological student; Ezra Lionel and Charles Lee, both farmers of Toulon township ; Ca,milla May, the wife of IMillar Patterson, of Wyoming ; Frances Hannah, Elmer Benjamin, and Maggie E., still at home. Bv his hrst marriage with JNIiss Rebecca Leggett there were four chddren, two sons and two daughters, three of whom are dead, and one of the daugliters, Sylva Paulina, is wife of Henry Walton of Black Hawk county, residing near Jessup ]iostoffice, Iowa. Mr. Packer is one of the original members of the Stark county Agricultural Society, and one of its most active members and officials. He has been a member of the Baptist Church since the age of eighteen, and Mrs. Packer has held membership since the age of thirteen. Politically Mr. Packer is a Republican. In the history of the township as well as in the general history the parts taken by Mr. Packer in public and religious affairs is very fully shown.

Cliarles S. Payne, son of John and Asenath (Mattoon) Payne, was born at Hartford, Conn., October 25, 1818. His father, a native of Long Island, K. Y., served with distinction in the Revolution, subsequently settled at Homer, N. Y., and erected one of the first buildings there ; thence moved to Hardford, Conn., near which city he died. His mother was of French extraction, and descended from the pioneers of Connecticut. Their daughter, at whose home John Payne died, was the wife of a nephew of Ex-Governor Tom]:»kins of New York. Charles S. Payne spent his boyhood in the east. In his youth he worked in a wooden-screw factoi'v ; at the age of fourteen years lie engaged in sash and blind making ; at the age of twenty years went to New York City, and in partnership with Mr. McKenzie established a Inisiness there, which they conducted until 1845, when Mr. Pa3"ne visited the South. In 1846 or 1847 he traveled to Chicago, via\St. Louis, and there engaged in the lumber, sash, door and blind business. In 1848 he established the first sash and blind factory at Peoria, which he carried on jointly with his Chicago concern - it being related that there he made the first diamond sash manufactured in the West. In 1851 he sold out his western interests and returning to New York City purchased the interests of his former partner, JVIcKenzie, in a large manufacturing house. In 1853 he disposed of this interest, and returning to Illinois, settled on lands in Yalle}^ township, which he liad previously purchased. These lands he improved and cultivated until 1857, when he moved to Wyoming, built and opened a large store here, next erected a flouring mill at a cost of $40,000, laid out a park, established tile works, constructed an opera house, and altogether placed about $100,000 in building up his own industries at Wyoming. The part he has played in the several acts of the drama of citizenship is only partly related here. In the general history as well as in that of Wyoming more precise mention is made of him, even the fact of his monument in the cemetery being erected, let us hope, a quarter of a century before he will seek its shelter, is not omitted. Mr. Payne was married in Xew York city to Miss Elizabeth Angevine by Eev. Dr. Tuttle of the Protestant Episcopal Church. This lady is descended from Cliarles of Anjou and Beatrice, daughter of Raymond de Berenger, famous in French history of the thirteenth centur}'. The Paynes also came of old French stock, surnamed Paien from the well-known skepticism of the familv in relio-ious matters. Mr. Pavne is a democrat of the old school ; but an earnest worker with that party. ( Vide general and township history.

Harvey Pettit, son of Joseph and Polly (Xichols) Pettit, was born at Galloway, Saratoga county, X. Y.. October 4, 1819. At the age of fourteen years he went to Knowlesville. Orleans county, where he served an apprenticeship in a mercantile house. Subsequently, he moved to Westfield, Chautauqua county, X. Y., and there learned the woolen business. From 1840 to 1843 he resided at Xapoleon, O. Returning in the latter year, he married Miss Phoebe E. AVhitman, a native of Xew York state, born at Milton. September 11, 1824 Moved with his family to Xapoleon, O.. in 1844: one year later (1845) to Peoria count}', 111. ; a few years aftei\ they settled in Stark county, where their seven sons and three daughters were raised and educated. Their children are named as follows: William H., of Texas, born in Henry county. 111., January 21, 1844; Susan A., wife of Abram Buffington, of Trego county. Kan., born in Peoria county. 111., February 22, 184(5: Elijah B.. a farmer of Stark county. 111., born in Peoria count}'. 111., October 14, 1840 ; Sylvester L., a merchant of Sterling, Col., born in Bureau county, 111., October 8, 1851 ; Joseph, born in ]\Iarshall county. 111.. October 23, 1853; George C, of Peoria, born in Marshall county. 111.. May 18, 1857; Mary. Arthur and Alonzo, residing at home: Clara B.. who married Ezra King, is dead. She was born in Stark countv. 111.. August 22. 1862; Marv A. was born Mav 29, 1885, in Jasper county, la.; Arthur was born March 13, 1859, in Stark countv. 111. ; Alonzo was born June 10, 1865. in Stark countv, 111.

Dr. Alien 2lcArthur Pierce^ son of Samuel and Maiy Louisa (Mc- Donald) Pierce, was born in Ross county, O., December 19, 1836. In 1847, his father and family of six children moved to Chillicothe. 111., and subsequently to Stark county, where he died September 13, 1879. His widow survives him. while his children, with the exception of Dr. Pierce and his sister, Mary L., reside outside this state. Frank and John are engaged in mining operations in Colorado, and Charles E. is a mill-owner at Pawnee City, Xeb.. where he has a family. Dr. Pierce spent his earlier years in Ross county, O. On coming to Illinois, he devoted himself to study, and at the age of twenty-one entered the office of Dr. Thomas, at AYvoming: subsequently attended Rush Medical colleo-e. and o-raduated from that institution in 1861. The following twelve months were devoted to practice at Toulon, and then he entered the union service as army surgeon, under commission of Governor Yates. In the faU of 1862, he returned home on '* sickleave," and early in 1864 was commissioned first assistant surgeon,

One-hiindred-and-tliirty-nintli Illinois Yolunteer Infantry, in which service he remained nntil the close of the war. Locating at Peoria in 1805, he had his office with Dr. Eobert Boal, was pension surgeon there, and continued in active practice until 1869, when he was induced to move to Galesburg. In 1870, he took up his residence at Wyoming, and has practiced there with marked success for over sixteen years. The (h)ctor is an active member of DeWolf Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Pierce belongs to the Methodist society here. He married Miss Mary W., daughter of 'Squire Isaac Thomas. Their children are Harry L., of the Peoria bar; Marv E. and Jerome T. Pierce, residing at home.

Henry Ranger Pierce, native of New York state, came to Stark county about the year 1849. He resided in soutliern Illinois for several years" jirior to 1819 and was engaged in mercantile life in this state from his boyhood. After coming to this county the gold fever took him to California, where he passed about three years, with success. Returning, he located a farm just north of Toulon and subsequently located in town, where he died in 1861; leaving a family of three sons and one daughter: Isabella A., Harlan AV., Corrance and Harry M., an attorney of Chicago. His wife was Miss Martha A. Catterlin. daughter of Joseph Catterlin, a pioneer merchant, who came from Virginia in 1849, as referred to in this clia})ter. Mr. Pierce was a strong supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church and an old member of the Masonic lodge here. Harlan Pierce spent his boyhood here, and here received a good common-school education, supplemented l\v a course of commercial study at Quincy. He began clerking- at the age of eighteen years, in 1866, in the store' of Hiram Willett ; was subsequently clerk in the store of George S. Lawrence, and again clerk and overseer of the lumber business of the Stark county lumber headquarters, at W3'oming, for three years and a half. Returning to Toulon, in 1885, he engaged wnth his brother, Corrance, in business here.

Henry T. Prentiss, of the firm of Bogue <k Co., AVyoming, was born at Monroeville, O., November 26, 1851. His father, Charles P., also a native of that county and postmaster at Monroeville, is a son of Thomas Prentiss, of Lebanon. N. Y., Avho settled in Ohio in lier pioneer davs. Henry T. was educated in Ohio, and was interested in his father's manufacturing interests until 1>80, when he accepted a position with Bogue <k, Co., at Chicago; coming to Wyoming in April, 1884. He was married at Plymouth, O., to Miss Jennie I3eekman, daughter of 'Squire Abram Beekman, an old settler of that town. Mi\ Prentiss is an important addition to the citizenship of Wyoming- and is well established here.

John Prior, whose cabin in 1842 was transformed into a church, and in 1844 into a school-house, presided over by John W. Henderson, was the pioneer chair-maker of Toulon. Mrs. Shallenberger, referring to him and his home, says : " The fireplace was rough and large, into which good-sized logs could be thrown when occasion required ; a pole, the dimensions of a common hand-s])ike, served as poker, or lever, and an old saw inverted played shovel. Then, as a pointed illustration of the proverb, ' shoemakers' wives always go barefoot,' there never w^as a whole chair seen in this establishment. A numl^er of frames with shingles laid on them accommodated the adult listeners, while a turning lathe in the corner afforded perching places for the little folks. Thus the ]:)eople gathered, the men wearing patches without shame, and the girls in sun-bonnets and coarse shoes, or the little ones without any, and listened to the Powells and Blakes, the Wilkinsons and Boyers of old; but what our memory still retains of those meetings with peculiar pleasure is, the rich, full tenor of Caleb Flint, which, when wedded to some of Wesley's glowing lines, bore all hearts aloft and made a sanctuary of the rough dwelling where we met. ' Brother Prior,' too, was wont to sing with the spirit, if not with the understanding; and we recall an occasion, after fashion or more thorough culture had rendered the congregation a little fastidious as to its music, and a ' Brother Woollascroft ' led well, both the circuit and singing, this 'Brother Prior' was cantering on a measure or so in advance of his leader, despite his earnest gestures to arrest his course. When human nature could endure no more, Mr. Woollascroft said, in his most decided tones, 'Brethren, we will commence that verse again; and not so fast, Brother Prior.' "

Nelson Proid, son of William and Jane (Davis) Prout, was born in Greene county, N. Y., in 1812. Ilis parents were natives of Greene county, N. Y. Mr. Prout moved to Newark, N. J., where he married in 1832, Miss Sarah A. Gardner, daughter of John Gardner, of Newark, N. J. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom were born in Newark, N. J. When the family moved to Stark county in 1855, they were accompanied by two of their girls antl three boys. Albert is in Kansas, Frank is a lawyer in Nebraska, and Fred, who served in the First New Jersey Infantry in 1861, died in Jersey City. All the daughters are married except Miss Anna, who conducts a millinery store at Toulon. Mr. Prout, sr., has been janitor at the court house for the last ten yeai's, and by his precision in all matters relating to his duties, has made himself, in fact, a part and parcel of the court house.

Mrs. Elijali Ransom died at Oregon, 111., November 26, 1881. Francis liennick (deceased), was born near Enniskillen, Fermanagh county, Ireland, April 16, 1819. He lived in his native country till his twenty-second year, when he came to Canada, where on the 16th of April, 1844, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Cousens. of Montreal, and during the time of his residence in Canada, his family of ten children were born, the eldest of whom died there. In the year of 1867. he moved with his family to Stark county, where he continued Lo reside until tiie time of his death, December 21, 1886.

Of Toulon Towkshii'

of Charles and Caroline (Cram) lUiodes. lie was raised and educated in this county and here married Miss Clara Wriglit, a daughter of T. J. Wright, of Toulon, to whom one son- - Arthur Rhodes, was born. He gives some attention to stock growing and has always taken an active part in agricultural matters. Mr. Rhodes has held a membership in the Stark county Agi'icultural Society since coming of age, and is considered one of the most popular of the younger farmers of this county.

31rs. Byrne Itiley^ whose husband died in Ireland while on a visit, in March 27, 1886, is now a resident of Lincoln, Neb. Mr. Riley settled at Peoria in 1840, was a large landholder in this state and owner of ten acres at Wyoming.

James Montis Rogers, born in Mamaroneck, N^ew York state, April 17, 182-1, is the son of Benjamin W. and Hannah (Yreeland) Rogers, and grandson of Benjamin W., also a native of that state, who served in the war of 1812-15. The Yreeland's were one of the Knickerbocker families. In 1837, his father moved to Illinois, settled twelve miles west of Peoria, near Kickapoo town, where he died in 1816, leaving a widow, one son and three daughters. Here James grew to manhood, and received a practical eihication. In 1851, he came to Stark county, purchased land in Yalley townsliip and improved two farms. He has given considerable attention to fine stock-growing, and it is said that his Chester white hogs and short horns have carried off man}^ good premiums. In 1871, he retired from farm life, and locating at Wyoming, carried on a large hardware trade there until 1878, when he retired from business. From 1854 to 1870 he was justice of the peace in Yalley township, meantime served on the school board and as supervisor, represented the township on the county board as related in the sketches of Yalley and Essex townships. In 1882, he was elected police magistrate of Wyoming, a position he has since filled very acceptably. He was married in Peoria county earl}^ in 1817, to Miss Harriet Beall, daughter of Asa Beall, a native of Kentucky. They have an adopted son, Henry J., a farmer here and now the head of a family. During war times Mr. Rogers served actively in collecting funds for the aid of the soldiers, and in other local measures for the defense of the Union. A reference to the sketches of the Stark county Agricultural Society, and of the Central Agricultural Society will point out at once, the parts he has taken in building each organization up. He is also a member of the Blue Lodge, chapter and council at Wyoming ; while Mrs. Rogers is a member of Easter Star. Himself and lady have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years.

William R. Sandham, came to Illinois from Herkimer county, N. Y., in March, 1867, taught school in Henry county several terms, and came to Stark county in September, 1871, to take charge of the Brad- ford schools. In IS, 73 he was chosen principal of the South Side school at W3'oming, which position he held nntil the end of the spring term in 1879. During the last named year he purchased and assumed the editorship of the Wyoming Post. In Xovember 1882 he was elected County Superintendent of schools, and reelected to that office in Xovember, 1886. He was educated in the common schools of the state of New York and at Fairfield Seminary, one of the leading institutions of learning in that state, located at Fairfield, Herkimer county. In Auggust 1873, he applied for and received a state certificate, which entitles him to teach in any school district in Illinois. In the year 1885 he was ap]3ointed a member of the State Board of Education by Governor Eichard J. Oglesby, in recognition of his thorough practical knowledge and ability in school affairs. He was married at Atkinson, 111., Julv 16, 1871, to Miss Rhoda S. Tuttle, a native of Xew Haven county, Conn., then a resident of Annawan. 111. Thev had but one child, a son named Arthur, born December 13, 1874, who died May 15, 1882. A reference to the sketches of "Wyoming and Bradford schools to the chapter on the press and to the political history will point out very definite!}" the important parts taken by ^Mr. Sandham in the latterday progress of tlie county.

Peter Sanne)% born in the Grand Duchy of Xassau, Germany, August 28, 1844, came with his parents to the United States in 1851, and settled with them in Wisconsin, locating for a short time at Milwaukee, but subsecpiently settled at Janesville. In the last named town the youth grew to manhood, learned the harness-maker's trade there, and became, so to speak, an American of Americans. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A. Fortieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and after two years' active service with that command was honorably discharged. In 1870 he came to Wyoming, and worked steadily at his trade here nntil 1886, when he leased the Truax House. In 1881 he was married at Wyoming, to Miss Bertha E. Dalrvmple. They are the parents of three children; Laura E., Rosa M. and John P. Like her husband, she gives much attention to the hotel, so tliat the house is considered one of the best conducted hostelries to be found outside the large cities of the state.

Wiiijield Scott, son of John and Minerva (Hubbell) Scott, was born aL Sidney, Shelby county, Ohio. September 13, 1827. In October, 1836, he came with his mother, Mrs. John Leidley, to Tazewell county, 111., where he received a common school education. In 1844 he entered on the work of carving out his course through life in this State, and traveled in search of something permanent until 1854, when he moved from Adams county. 111. to Stark county, and purchased an 80 acre tract on section 29, Penn township, which he improved. Since that time he extended his land holdino-s considerablv, and has become one of the first growers of fine stock in Illinois. Mr. Scott was married in Adams countv to Nancv Ann Llaines, a native of Virginia. Their children are George E., a farmer and stock-raiser of Penn township, J ohn E., of the same township; William A., associated with his father in the Wyoming meat market, is also associated with him in fine stock-growing' and in the shipment of all kinds of stock ; Charlie F., stock-grower of Ad- air county, Mo.; Emma M., wife of George Mathewson, of Mayhew, Wis.; Frank W., farmer of Penn township ; Adeline A., wife of Frank Davis, of Wyoming. Mr. Scott was always an active member of the conntN^ Agricultural Society, and one of the most prominent buildersup of the Central Agricultural Society, as related in the chapter on county societies. Mrs. Scott is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. He is a supporter of all Christian denominations, is a member of the R. A. chapter, an excellent neighbor and undoubtedly one of the leading spirits among the enterprising men who made Wyoming what it is, and continue to push it forward toward its destined place among the large towns of Illinois.

George IF. Scott., banker of Wyoming, was born July 21, 1832, at Fredonia, Chautauqua county, N. Y. His parents were Ephraim Scott, Jr., and Lydia Sherman, both natives of Ware, Mass., the former of Scotch and the latter of English origin. This Ephraim was a son of Captain E]>hraim Scott, a soldier of 1812, who commanded a company at Buffalo, when that post was burned. Miss Sherman's mother was a daughter of Reuben Sherman, a soldier of the Revolution, and a cousin of Roger Sherman, one of tho signers of the Declaration of Independence. There are now in possession of George W. Scott two commissions, - ensign in 1802, and captain in 180<> - issued to his grandfather by Caleb Strong, Governor of Massachusetts. The original owner of these old parchments died in 1838, l)ut without exposing the family to hardships, for altliough a soldier in numner and spirit, looked well to the future of his family. George W. Scott was educated at Millbury Academy, Mass. In 1853 he settled in Peoria county. 111., purchased lands there and engaged in agriculture. Ten years later he moved to Wyoming and entered at once on a most successful mercantile career, continuing in trade for seven years. In 1870 he established the banking house of Scott & Wrigley, and by that close attention and most careful management, which have marked the projectors and proprietors, it is now classed among the leading banking houses of the northwest. Mr. Scott's marriage with Miss Mary C. Cox, a native of Ohio, was celebrated December 23, 1858. Of their five children, they have lost two, while three daughters are living. His thoughtfulness and liberality are exemplified in the educational opportunities and advantages he has placed at the disposal of these children. Nor do these virtues cease here, for his interest in educational matters extends to the whole system and to the whole community. A reference to the school history of Wyoming and adjoining townships points out his services on the board of education for 13 years, while other pages deal definitely with his public and l)usiness career in this county. He has taken a full part in making Wyoming what it is today, and continuing the good work does not permit the failure of any enterprise which promises or gives ])ublic benefit.

MciTtin ShaUejiherger, born in Fayette County, Pa., December 3, 1825, received a common school education in that county, and resided there until April, 1838, w^hen the family moved to Illinois. Mr. Shallenberger is of a Swiss family, from the Canton Uri, one of the original cantons tiiat won independence from the Austrians in 1307.