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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

History of DeWitt County, Illinois: with illustrations descriptive of the scenery, and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. Philadelphia, PA.: W. R. Brink & Co., 1882.

DANIEL H. ARBOGAST. (Page 236)

Was born in Clark county, Ohio, May 27th, 1827. David Arbogast and wife, the grandparents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of Germany. They emigrated to America and settled in Virginia. The family moved to Ohio at an early day and subsequently moved to Madison county, Indiana, where the grandparents died. Henry, his son (and father of D. H.), was born in Pendleton County, Virginia, in August 1791. He came from Clark county, Illinois, in October 1838, and the following winter settled near Lexington in McLean county. In March following he moved to DeWitt county and settled on section ten in DeWitt township, where he resided until a short time before his death. He died December 6th, 1871, in his eighty-seventh year. He married Mary Huffman, daughter of Christian Huffman. She was born in Pendleton county, Virginia, in 1787. She died April 12th, 1853, in her sixty-seventy year. By the union of Henry and Mary Arbogast there were fifteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity, and eight are still living. Daniel H. was in his twelfth year when the family came to DeWitt county. He here grew to manhood and remained at home at work on his father's farm, until he was twenty years of age, then he commenced working for himself. He worked for the farmers around in the neighborhood, rented land and raised a crop, and did such general work as fell to his hand. He soon after got into handling stock, and was principally engaged in that business from 1855 to 1870. In the latter year he commenced the manufacture of brick, and has given nearly all of his attention to that business since that time. He manufactured all the brick with a few exceptions that are in the brick buildings now standing in Farmer City. Taking all-in-all Mr. Arbogast has been unusually successful. He has met, like most of men, with some reverses, yet has no particular reason to complain of his lot. On the 25th of February 1849 he was united in marriage to Miss Minerva Payn. She was born in Tennessee, May 29th, 1829. She is the daughter of John A. G. and Catherine Payn, who came to Indiana in 1830, and in 1841 settled in Will county, Illinois. Mrs. Arbogast was stopping with her grandfather Payn in this county when she was married. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Arbogast; seven sons and two daughters. Their names in the order of their birth are, Elizabeth J., who is the wife of Arthur Webb; Lydia Ann, wife of John Sweeney; John, who married Susan Muir; Amos, married Mary Griffith; Edward, Sherman, Walter; Grenade who died in his tenth year; and George who died in his infancy. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. Politically he has been a Republican since 1856, when he voted for John C. Fremont. His maternal grandfather Huffman was a soldier in the Revolution, and his father Henry was a soldier in the Indian War of 1817. Mr. Arbogast is a plain straightforward man, and much respected in the community.

JOHN and MINERVA BISHOP. (Page 211)

John Bishop was born at Exeter, England, and was the son of Nathaniel and Ann (Beardsley) Bishop, who had a family of nine children; five girls and four boys. In 1829 Nathaniel Bishop left England for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and settled with his family on the James River. John, a mere youth, found employment in the lumber business so extensively carried on in that vicinity. In 1847, in conjunction with a brother, he came to Illinois and purchased a farm at Elgin, in which occupation he continued until 1853 when, with his brother, William, he launched out into the grain and stock business at Freeport. In the Summer of 1855 they came to Clinton, erected an elevator and engaged in the grain and lumber business, which they successfully operated in partnership together; and no firm stood higher at home or abroad for honesty and liberality in business than that of John and William Bishop.

In August, 1863, John Bishop was united in marriage with Miss Minerva Moore, the daughter of Isaac and Philona (Blish) Moore. Miss Moore came to Clinton about 1848, and resided with her brother, C. H. Moore, until the date of her marriage.

In 1867, John Bishop sold out his interest in business to his brother William, and retired to the peace and quietness of private life. In an imposing building, which he had erected in the north part of the city, he and she spent their time and money in beautifying their house, taking care of their flowers, and entertaining their friends. None enjoyed the society of their friends and neighbors more than Mr. and Mrs. Bishop. Their house was always open, and the closing of their doors by death was regarded as a great calamity to all the social interests of the city. Generous to all, their charities were of that quiet kind which was concealed from all but the givers and receivers. Mrs. Bishop's death occurred in 1880, some time after that of their youthful daughter and only child. Mr. Bishop did not long survive his wife, but died on the 10th of August, 1881.

WILLIAM BOOTH. (Page 213)

The present efficient Prosecuting Attorney for DeWitt county was born in Greene county, Ohio, on the 24th of April, 1849. His father, John by name, was a farmer, who brought his family to this county in 1857, locating in Waynesville township. William Booth attended the common district school until 1864, when, full of patriotic fervor—although both too young and too small to carry a musket—he slipped away from home and became a drummer-boy with Co. I, 145th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. It is related that both himself and an associate got into the breeches he drew when be first became a "soger-boy". He was with the command about five months. Upon his return home, he applied himself to his books with renewed zeal; attending a select school in Waynesville, taught by Prof. Turner, then the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, where he graduated in 1873. To him belonged the honor of being valedictorian in a class of nine. Returning home, he accepted the Principalship of the Waynesville Public Schools, in which position he continued for three years. He next entered the law office of Rowell & Hamilton, in Bloomington, as a student; then went to Springfield, where he continued reading under the guidance of Orendorff & Creighton. In January, 1879, he was admitted to practice at the bar, and at once located in Clinton, where he was elected Prosecuting Attorney. He was dependent upon his own exertions largely in securing an education. At college he refused to join other students in many pastimes engaged in from sheer necessity. At Springfield his last five dollar bill went for board just before his admittance to the bar. The firm with whom he studied loaned him money with which to pay for his license. Possessed of plenty of pluck and energy, he is acquiring a fine practice in his chosen profession, and is making many friends. In politics he is a straightforward and outspoken Republican, one who is proud of having cast his first ballot for Gen. U. S. Grant for President. He is a member of the Order of the Knights of Pythias, in whose workings he takes a lively interest.

CARY BURFORD. (Page 233)

The Burford family, on the paternal side, is of Scotch ancestry and Scotch-Irish on the maternal. Milton Burford, the grandfather of Cary, was a native of Virginia. Soon after the Revolutionary War he moved his family to Kentucky, where his son, whose name was also Milton, married a Shields. In 1807, the family moved to the Territory of Indiana and settled in Harrison county. Cary Burford was the son of Milton. He was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, April 5, 1806. He grew to manhood in Indiana, and there, on the 29th of January, 1829, married Miss Anna Shields, daughter of Jesse and Katie Shields. She was born in East Tennessee, near Knoxville, February 26, 1806. Her family, as well as the Burfords, were pioneers of three states; viz:, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. Mr. Burford, after his marriage, engaged in farming till 1831, when he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits and opened a general store in Mockport, and the next year went to Amsterdam; and soon after moved on a farm, tilled it, and sold goods, in which he continued fifteen years. He was there robbed, had his house burned, and he left that part of the country and went to Missouri and other states. In 1854 he settled in Marion county, Illinois, and engaged in farming until 1865, when he moved to McLean county. In 1869, he moved to Leroy and in 1870 came to Farmer City, and here went into business under the firm name of C. Burford & Sons. In 1873 he practically retired from business, and until his death, which occurred August 23, 1879, lived a quiet life, calmly awaiting the dread summons that was to usher him into a brighter and better life.

At the age of twenty-seven he joined the M. E. Church, and from that time forth lived as a true and devoted Christian. In later years he became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and was ever after a ruling elder in that Christian denomination. In 1873, at the organization of the First National Bank of Farmer City, he became the first vice-president, which position he retained until his death. By the marriage of Cary and Anna (Shields) Burford, there were twelve children, ten of whom reached maturity, two died in infancy. Their names, in the order of their birth, are: Mary Jane, wife of Abraham Fleshman, of Harrison county, Indiana; Catherine Isabel, wife of James Highfill, a resident of same county; Margaret, wife of Thomas Highfill, died in 1864, leaving three children; Anna Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Briley, a resident of McLean county, Illinois; Jesse Hilton, eldest son, is one of the firm of Burford Bros. He married Anna H., daughter of Elihu and Frances Gessford, by which union there are four children, named: Mattie Helen, Cora May, Stella Frances, and Pearl. Cary S., of the same firm, married Miss Barbara L., daughter of Asa and Delilah (Hand) Weedman. They have two children named Nellie and Jessie. Nancy H., the wife of W. W. Murphey; William T. married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Nancy Becket, by which union one daughter living, named Maud. Mrs. W. T. Burford died January 15, 1876. He afterwards married Miss Emma, daughter of A. J. and Jane McWilliams. James C. married Miss Barbara L., daughter of Conrod and Katy Hottle. They have two sons named Guy and Ivan. John H. married Miss Mattie, daughter of Otho and Providence Merrefield. Jesse M., Cary S. and William T. carry on the mercantile business, and are recognized as among the most enterprising and substantial business men of Farmer City. They are all men of well-known honesty of character and, in both business and private capacity, enjoy the confidence and esteem of the entire community. The sons, as well as their father before them, are Republicans in politics and advocates, in both theory and practice, of the cause of temperance. Jesse M. is a member of the I. O. O. F., and William T. of K. of Pythias.

WILLIAM R. CARLE. (Page 265)

The world loves to honor those who through their own exertions and by virtue of native ability acquire enviable positions in life. Success is largely measured by one's acquisition of property, and he who begins in poverty and unaided works his way to wealth is looked upon as successful in life. To this class belongs William R. Carle, who was born in Wellsburg, West Virginia, March 24th, 1832. His parents were John Carle and Rebecca Carle, (nee Miller) natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Ephraim P. Carle, who lived in New Jersey, was a Hollander; his wife, Nancy Clark, was of Scotch origin. William R. was the eighth in order of birth in a family of nine children. His father was a carpenter by trade but forsook its following for the more lucrative business of manufacturing cotton cloth. He erected a factory in Williamsburg and, in company with others, opened a store in connection therewith. In 1857 the company failed, so that William, whose advantages had been good for the acquisition of knowledge, found himself confronting a cold world, penniless. Although poor in means, he was rich in energy, tact and talent. He left his native home for the west; reaching St. Louis he found cholera rearing its harvest of death, and so made his way north-ward to Bloomington. Here he took charge of a public school just outside the limits of the city. For this work, his attainments, commanding presence and excellent judgment well fitted him. His success is attested by many patrons, and further by the fact that his services were in demand. He taught in Major's Grove without interruption, summer and winter, for three years; when having saved some means, he formed a co-partnership with David S. Hord in the grain business. The new firm bought a warehouse just being constructed and had the misfortune to lose it by fire when it was ready for occupancy. With commendable energy they built upon its ruins and within thirty days were in occupation. In 1859 he disposed of his interest to his partner. As indicative of the fact that his a-b-c's in the grain trade was dearly bought experience, he found himself barely square with the world financially upon closing out his share in the business. In April, 1859, he formed a co-partnership with Sabin Taylor, to prosecute the grain trade in Clinton, which they did in the place now occupied by Emmett Kent. He disposed of his interest in July and in August located in Wapella, where he worked for an old Englishman named Dixon for $1.25 per day. At the expiration of two months' service, Dixon proposed a partnership if he would raise one hundred dollars. He at once went to Bloomington, where he was well known, and borrowed the amount on thirty days' time. This business move proved eminently successful and through its means was laid the foundation of a competency enjoyed by the subject of this sketch. Mr. Carle continued in the grain trade until the fall of 1862, when he disposed of it to E. Kent & Co. and bought a stock of general merchandise. In the dry goods trade he continued until 1865, when he again entered the grain trade combining with it dealing in lumber, this time in connection with E. B. Harrold. This arrangement was continued a year, when he pursued the business alone until 1869; when he went to California on account of failing health, returned after a single season's sojourn in the Golden State, and resumed the general merchandise business here. In the fall of 1870, he was elected a member of the 27th General Assembly, by a majority of two hundred and forty votes. As a member, the fine business tact, integrity and earnestness that have ever followed him through life gave him a reputation as an able legislator. The same year, 1870, he was elected President of the Clinton National Bank, a position he held for three years. Mr. Carle has continued in the grain trade since his return from his California trip, and also for part of the time in general merchandising. Politically, Mr. Carle is an active outspoken Democrat, as undeviating in his devotion as the needle to the pole. In religion he is just as firm and faithful to the Disciple's faith, contending earnestly for the restoration of the primitive order of things. Possessed of rare social qualities, unquestioned integrity of character, he enjoys the respect and esteem of hosts of friends. His tall, athletic figure, being six feet four inches in height and proportionally built, commands attention among his fellows. His business career, so uniformly successful since he gained his first foothold in 1869, calls for admiration and emulation.

PETER V. H. COOL. (Page 237)

Peter Cool, the grandfather of the present Cool family, was a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent. He emigrated to Ohio and in 1853 came to Illinois and settled in Bloomington, where he died. He married Sophia Harris, and one of the offspring of that union was Noah H. Cool, the father of Peter. He was born near Zanesville, in Muskingum county, Ohio, and came to Bloomington, Illinois, in 1855; he died in 1880. He married Mary Van Horn, who was born in Virginia, but was a resident of Ohio at the time of her marriage. By that marriage there were eight children, three sons and five daughters; Peter Van Horn Cool is the eldest of the family. He was born in Perry county, Ohio, March 8, 1840. He came with his parents to Bloomington in 1855, and at the age of seventeen commenced learning the trade of baker which he continued until 1862, when he was appointed to the police force of Bloomington and remained on the force for nine years. In 1871, he went back to baking and continued in Bloomington until January 1874, when he came to Farmer City and worked at his trade for J. S. Baltzell, with whom he continued for three years; then worked for David Kelly for two years; then went into business for himself and started a bakery, restaurant, and was a dealer in fancy groceries, and in that business he has continued to the present. He has suffered some serious losses since he has been in business. On the 22d of August, 1880, his stock was burned, entailing a loss of nearly fifteen hundred dollars. His only capital with which to start up again was grit, knowledge of business, and a determination to succeed. On the 7th of May 1862, he married Miss S. A. Doonan, a native of New York, but resident of Bloomington. There are ten children by that marriage, seven of whom are living; three sons and four daughters. Their names, in the order of their birth, are: Adah, Maffett, Elmer, Mary, Fanny, Courtney, Nellie and Joseph Cool. Mr. Cool is a member of the K. of P. and belongs to Kenilworth Lodge, Farmer City. Politically, he supports the men and measures of the Republican party. At present he is a member of the board of aldermen of the city, and represents the 3d ward in that body. He is an advocate of temperance and was elected upon the Prohibition ticket. He was for six months acting mayor of the city.

Mr. Cool is one of the enterprising business men of Farmer City. He has by industry, and energy, and close attention to his business, built up a good trade which is constantly increasing: he is a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, and has many friends in Farmer City.

WILLIAM H. COSTLY. (Page 330)

Whose portrait appears above, was born in Greene county, Ills., Feb. 19,1845, His parents were Win. and Alzena B. Costley. His father was a farmer, a native of Illinois, of Scotch-Irish extraction. He served in the Mexican War. He died November 3d, 1851. Mrs. Alzena B. Costley, nee Brown, was a Kentuckian by birth, and belonged to the family of that name who early settled in Greene and adjoining counties. She is yet living. The subject of this sketch received a fair common-school education, chiefly in Sangamon county. Although young in years when the war broke out, he was patriotic, and in the month of January, 1863, he enlisted in Company "D", Twenty-sixth Regiment Illinois Infantry. With his command he was in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, and through the Atlanta Campaign, with Sherman, to the Sea; winding up his military career at Washington, D. C., where he participated in the Grand Review. He was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 20th, 1865. He was united in marriage to Miss Maggie B. Johnson, an Indianian, December 7, 1865. By this union there have been born five children, two sons and three daughters, namely: Minnie Frances, John Lewis, Mary Ada, Lucy Jane, and Charles Irvin. Mr. Costley is now engaged in farming near the village of Weldon. He began life a poor boy, and by exertion and industry has attained a competency in life. In politics he is a straightforward, outspoken Republican, as he always has been; his first vote having been cast for Abraham Lincoln. He is an active member of the Knights of Pythias, in whose work he takes great interest.

ANDREW M. CUMMING. (Pages 237)

When the Cumming family came to Illinois it was then known as the frontier state, and was yet comparatively a wilderness. The family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Andrew Cumming the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of the town of Rockbridge, Rockbridge county, Virginia. He there married, and in 1812 moved to Tennessee, and there died. His son, Paxton, father of Andrew M., was born in Rockbridge, VA., in 1801, and was a youth of eleven years when the family moved to Tennessee. He there grew to manhood, and at an early age he became converted and joined the M. E. Church. He prepared himself to enter the ministry of the church, and was regularly ordained and appointed to a circuit. His circuit extended into Carolina, and while preaching in North Carolina, he made the acquaintance of Pricella Eliza Davidson, who was a native of Haywood county, and in due course of time they were united in marriage. She was born in 1812; she was a near relative of the noted Vance family, and a full cousin of Governor Vance.

Mr. Cumming determined to leave the South and come North. He was a genuine lover of freedom, and therefore opposed to that human slavery that existed in the southern states, and which was for so many years a blot and stain on our boasted civilization. To escape its baneful influences, and that his children might be reared and educated under the broad shadow of a state and people who opposed it, he came north to Illinois, landing in what is now known as DeWitt county, in the fall of 1836. He located and entered two hundred and forty acres of land, three miles west of Farmer City, in section 31; it was raw, unimproved land. There he remained, opening up his farm and preaching, He continued in the latter for two years, when he was placed upon the list of superannuated ministers. He remained upon his farm until his death, which occurred in 1830. His wife still survives him, and afterward married Rev. David White, who is chaplain for the U.S. Army, now stationed at Fort Hays in Kansas. By the marriage of Rev. Paxton Cumming and Miss P. E. Davidson there were six children, three of whom are living. Andrew M. is the eldest; he was born in Haywood county, North Carolina, February 16, 1830, and was in his seventh year when the family came to Illinois. After his father's death, his brother took the family back to North Carolina, and there young Cumming remained until his fourteenth year, when his mother returned to DeWitt county. At the age of seventeen years he went to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he was regularly apprenticed to the trade of a blacksmith for four years, when he again returned to Illinois, and stopped in the town of DeWitt, in this county, where he opened a shop and carried on the blacksmithing trade. Two years later he came to Mount Pleasant, now Farmer City, and here he carried on the trade for eighteen years, then sold out and engaged in the hardware business, in connection with B. P. Harrison, in which he continued until his health failed him, when he moved upon his farm and followed agricultural pursuits until 1881, when he purchased a stock of boots and shoes in Farmer City, and again entered into mercantile pursuits.

In May, 1874, he, in connection with other leading business men of Farmer City, organized and established the First National Bank of Farmer City. The success of that institution and its solidity and financial standing is well known throughout Central Illinois. Mr. Cumming is its vice-president. On the 24th of August, 1852, he was united in marriage to Miss America, daughter of Silas Waters, of Leroy, Ill. She was born in Vermillion county, Ill. By this marriage there are three children living, viz.: Ella, who is wife of William A. Whetzell, now principal of Paxton Public Schools; William, and S. M. Cumming. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. church. He is an honored member of the ancient order of A. F.. & A. M, Chapter and Council of R. & S. M. Politically, he was originally an old line Whig; in 1856 he joined the Republican party, and has remained a member of that political organization. He has held local offices and has been a member of the board of aldermen of Farmer City. Mr. Cumming, as will be seen by the above, is an old citizen of DeWitt county. He has lived for many years among these people, doing business and acting the part of an honorable and upright citizen. His life has not been without its trials, nor has it been entirely barren of good results. He started in life poor; his only capital was industry, honesty, a determination to do right, and a knowledge of his business acquired in four years of apprenticeship. With that capital he has succeeded to a competency; and it may be added, that in the same time he has firmly established for himself a reputation for honesty, sobriety and honorable dealing, which is a far better legacy to bequeath to his posterity than great riches.

EBER DAVENPORT. (Page 307)

Squire Davenport, the grandfather of the subject of the present sketch, was a native of Vermont. He subsequently removed to New York, where he died. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His son, who was also named Squire Davenport, was born in 1785, in Vermont, and was a soldier of the War of 1812. He left Vermont when a young man, and traveled over the country; and was for a number of years piloting and boating on the Mississippi. He settled in Ohio, but lived in various other states owing to his roving disposition. He came to Illinois in 1829, and settled in Morgan county, and, a few years later, moved to Greene county in same state, and remained there eleven years, then came to Waynesville in 1842. He married Ruth Harris, a native of New Jersey. She died in 1837 in Greene county. Eber is the fifth in a family of eight children. He was born in Morgan county, Ills., Jan. 7,1830. His education was limited to about ten months in all; therefore, his education may be said to be mainly self-culture. He worked with his father at the cooper trade. In 1852 he married, and soon after started in the manufacture of brick, making them by the old hand-process. His business gradually increased, and in 1877 he added the manufacture of tile, in which he has continued to the present. He has given much of his time to the study and improvement of machinery for the manufacture of brick and tile. He patented an improved brick kiln. It is a combination of a down and upward draft, thereby getting the benefit of a return heat, which saves fuel as well as labor. So far, kilns built upon this plan have proved satisfactory. He has always thought that human ingenuity ought to be able to devise means by which the work of horses or their power could be utilized. He is therefore at work experimenting upon a steam propeller, or a wagon driven by steam, for ordinary farm and road use. His experiments, so far, promise to lead to practical and satisfactory results. On the 22d of April, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss A. M. Tinker, a native of Ohio. Her parents, Jonathan and Lucinda Tinker, came to Illinois at an early day. By this union there have been four children, three of whom died in infancy. Lyman Lovejoy Davenport is the only son. He is now in his twenty-first year. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davenport are members of the Presbyterian Church. He united with that Christian organization in his childhood. He is a most profound and earnest believer in the principles of the Orthodox Church, and at all times is ready to combat the heresies and fallacies of the so-called liberal thought— Spiritualism, and other modern innovations and unbeliefs —that have crept into the church. Politically he was originally an old line Whig, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Scott in '52. He soon after espoused the cause of the Anti-slavery party, which action naturally led him into the Young Republican party. He was one of the pioneers of that party, and supported John C. Fremont in 1856. He has represented his township in the Board of Supervisors. He is an advocate of temperance, and has belonged to all the organizations for the suppression of the vice of intemperance, and was the first Worthy Chief of the first Templar Lodge of Waynesville.

Dr. THOMAS W. DAVIS. (Page 267)

Thomas Davis was born October 27th, 1827, in Seneca County, Ohio. His parents were John and Hannah Davis, (nee Kashner). His father, a farmer, was born in Maryland. His grandfather, a Welshman, ran off from home, took to the sea at the age of seventeen and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war, in which he took part as a cavalry man. The military spirit was transmitted to the son, who bore his part in the war of 1812. In 1849, John Davis came to his death by falling from a load of hay. In 1859, the subject of this sketch came to Illinois and located in Wapella, where he has since resided. Until nineteen years of age he worked on a farm, when he went to blacksmithing, which avocation he followed for six years, during which time he husbanded his means with a view to attending Medical Lectures, which he did in the Western Reserve Medical College in Cleveland, Ohio, and from which institution he graduated in 1857. For two years before coming west he practiced his profession in Nevada. He is a member of the County, District and State Medical Societies, and takes high rank among physicians. He was married to Mary Patterson, August 17th 1856, by whom he has three children living, namely: Hippocrates, Veselius and Bursilia. Politically, the doctor is an ardent Republican, a natural outgrowth of the Whig principles impressed upon him in early life. His second presidential ballot was cast for John P. Hale, who was nominated as a Free Soiler Candidate. In religion, he holds to the Universalist faith. He is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Good Templar orders. A skilled and careful physician; an earnest, thoughtful man; a kind and indulgent father; a whole-souled neighbor and friend, Dr. Davis is an honor to his profession.

WILLIAM C. DEVORE. (Page 239)

The Devore family on the paternal side are of French ancestry, and on the maternal side of German descent. Nicholas H., the father of W. C., was a native of Virginia, but removed to Ohio at an early age. He lived in Cincinnati and in Brown county. In 1833 or '34 he went to Chicago, and in 1836 came down to Piatt county, and was there when the town of Monticello was laid out. He was the first post-master of the village. He died in 1842. He was by trade both a carpenter and blacksmith. While a resident of Piatt county he married Miss Susan Barnes, a native of Marion county, Ohio. She was born in 1817, and was the daughter of William and Sarah Barnes, who came to Piatt county in 1833. The marriage took place in 1836. She still survives her husband and is a resident on the old home farm, where the family first settled when they came to Illinois. William C. is the youngest of four children, two of whom are living, viz.: Sarah M. who is the wife of J. N. Bondurant, and the subject of this sketch. The father was born in Piatt county, Illinois, December 28th, 1842. He was raised upon the farm and attended the country schools, wherein he received a fair English education. At the age of twenty-two he commenced learning the printer's trade at the Piatt County Union in Monticello, and afterwards at the Piatt County Republican. He then went to Toledo, Tama county, Iowa, and commenced the publication of a paper called the Tama County Republican. One year later he removed to Farmer City, and assisted John S. Harper to start the Journal. In the fall of 1873 he established the Herald, and continued its publication until August, 1875, when he sold out. In the Spring of 1876 he went to Lovington, in Moultrie county, Illinois, and there published the Free Press, which he continued for three years. In April 1879, be came back to Farmer City, moved material and office here, and continued the publication of the Journal under an arrangement made with its former editor and proprietor. Mr. Devore is a good newspaper man, and has demonstrated his ability to conduct a country newspaper and make it a financial success. He has, since casting his first vote, been an adherent and advocate of the principles of the Republican party.

On the 19th of November, 1877, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mattie A. Stratton, nee Kimler, a native of McLean county. There is one child by that marriage, named Katie Ethel Devore.

AMOS DICK. (Page 201)

Who is one of the prominent retired farmers of DeWitt county, was born in Muhlenberg county, Kentucky February 18th, 1812, and was the son of Peter and Christina Dick. Mr. Dick's father was a native of North Carolina, and of German and English descent. When he arrived at the age of maturity he went to Kentucky where he afterwards married his wife, Miss Christina Shut, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and of clear German ancestry; her forefathers having emigrated to America at a very early date. Peter Dick was a farmer, an avocation he followed for nearly a quarter of a century in Kentucky. He then, with a view to better his condition in life, emigrated to Illinois and settled in Sangamon county; this being in 1829. In the spring of 1831, be moved into what is now Cass county, where he lived until his death, March 1, 1849, aged 68 years. His wife survived him three years, and died December 7th, 1852, aged 64 years. They raised a family of eight children, five boys and three girls, who married and raised families. The subject of this sketch, being the third, was in his seventeenth year when he came to this state. His advantages for receiving an education were limited, but by a close application in after life, he has qualified himself sufficiently to transact most any ordinary business. He was united in marriage January 1st, 1843, to Miss Barith J. Combs, a native of Kentucky; she died September 15th, 1862, leaving four children, viz.: Thomas J., John K., James A., and Ruth J. Mr. Dick was married the second time October 19th, 1869, to Miss Harriet N. Scott, who was born in Sangamon county, Illinois. They have one child, Emma. Mrs. Dick's parents were among the first settlers of that county, having emigrated there in 1819 from Kentucky. The old homestead is a short distance east of where Pleasant Plains in that county now is.

Mr. Dick was educated to farm pursuits, and in consequence has made that his life occupation. He started out in the battle of life unaided, and by hard work, good management and economy he has acquired sufficient of this world's goods to live the remainder of his life in comparative ease. He lived in Cass county until 1865. February of that year, he came to Waynesville township and bought a farm, where he was actively engaged in his chosen vocation, farming and handling stock, until quite recently. He gave each of his children a farm, thereby enabling them to start in life more full-handed than was his lot. He reserved his homestead place near Waynesville, upwards of two hundred acres. In November 1881, he came to Clinton, where he now resides. In politics, Mr. Dick has always been a Democrat. In 1877 and 78 he represented his township in the County Board of Supervisors being the Representative of his township when the Midland Railroad Company sued Waynesville township for $50,000 bonds given by the township, in which suit the company was defeated by failure on part of the company to fulfill their contract. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Dick are members of the Christian Church.

DR. JOHN A. EDMISTON. (Page 199)

Was born in Logan county, Ohio, February 6,1839, where his grandfather, Robert Edmiston, had located in an early day, being one of the pioneers of the county. He in turn hailed from Kentucky. The Edmiston ancestors were originally of Scotch-Irish extraction. Robert Edmiston, the father of the subject of this biography, was a farmer by occupation. John A. received a common-school education, which was supplemented by a partial academic course of instruction at Bellefontaine, Ohio, and Paris, Edgar county, this state. At the age of seventeen years he struck out to make his own livelihood, and found it in teaching. The great west, as Illinois was then known, had its attractions for him, and thither he came; remained awhile in Edgar county, and in 1857 came to DeWitt , where he entered upon the study of medicine with Drs. Goodbrake and an uncle, T. K. Edmiston. During the years 1858-9 he attended a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, and returned to Ohio, where upon the breaking out of the war he volunteered in April, 1861, in the 13th Regiment Ohio Vols., for three months' service. At the expiration of this time, he filled with enthusiasm in the cause of the Union, made his way to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he joined the 20th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He soon after became hospital steward, under his old preceptor, Surgeon Goodbrake. Immediately after the battle of Fort Donelson he was appointed 1st lieutenant, Co. E; went on duty in this capacity the morning of the Shiloh fight; in August was appointed captain, and remained so until the close of the war. After the war he returned to Clinton, and in 1865-6 attended another course of lectures at Rush Medical College, from which institution he graduated February 24, 1866. Soon after he formed a partnership with his uncle in the practice of medicine, which continued until 1870. He then engaged in the drug business, which he followed for five years, and since which time he has practiced his profession. He is an active member of the DeWitt Co. Medical Society, of which he has been several years president. Politically, he is an ardent, outspoken Republican; he is a member of the Masonic order; religiously, is a Presbyterian. He was united in marriage December 17, 1867, to Miss Mary Haynie, a most accomplished lady. Mrs. Edmiston has been for fifteen years leader of the singing in the Presbyterian church, a position for which her talents have pre-eminently fitted her.

Robert M. EWING. (Page 239)

The editor of the Reaper was born in Clark county, Kentucky, July 23d, 1822. The Ewing family were originally from Virginia. He is the youngest son of three children of William and Sarah (Coombs) Ewing. Mrs. Ewing's parents were natives of Loudon County, Virginia. R. M. Ewing had fair advantages in youth for receiving an education. He attended the common schools until his sixteenth year, when he entered college at Georgetown, Kentucky, and remained there two years. In 1841 he came to Illinois and stopped at Quincy and taught school. In the winter of 1841-42 he went to Missouri and the same year returned to Quincy, and engaged in the profession of teaching. In 1844 he went to Pike County, then to Morgan, and at Waverley engaged in manufacturing wagons, in which business be continued for three or four years, then removed to Menard County and taught school. He remained in Menard County until 1862, when he removed to Clinton in DeWitt County. In 1872 he came to Farmer City and engaged in the grocery trade, in which he continued until the fall of 1879, when he established the Reaper, a newspaper which he still continues to edit. On the 27th of April, 1848, while a resident of Waverley, he married Miss Martha M. Chambers, a native of Greene County, Ills. She died July 31, 1878. He is a member of the order of A. F. and A. M. Politically he was originally an old line Whig, and supported Henry Clay for the presidency in 1844. In 1860 he voted for Abraham Lincoln and remained a Republican until 1880, when he supported General Hancock for the presidency. Martin L. Griffith, the publisher of the Reaper, was born in DeWitt County, Illinois, April 10, 1860. He is the son of John and Melinda Griffith. His mother is a daughter of Nathan Clearwaters, one of the pioneers of DeWitt County. His father is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and came to this county when a young man. He is a carpenter by trade, and is also a farmer. Mr. M. L. Griffith learned the printer's art in the office of the Reaper.

Both Messers. Griffith and Ewing may be regarded as the founders of the Reaper. The paper is edited with ability and typographically is neat and clean. It enjoys a good circulation.

EDMUND W. FRUIT. (Page 251)

The Fruit family were among the early settlers and pioneers of DeWitt county. On the paternal side they are of Welsh ancestry, and on the maternal Scotch-Irish. Two brothers, bearing the name, left Wales, and emigrated to America prior to the old French war. Both were soldiers in that struggle, and were with Braddock in his disastrous defeat by the French and their Indian allies. In the battle the brothers were separated, and one was never heard of afterward. John Fruit, the survivor, from whom the present family have sprung after the war, settled in the Carolinas. Thomas Fruit, the father of Edmund W., was born in North Carolina, October the 5th, 1784. In 1802 he went with his father to Kentucky, and settled in Christian county, where he remained until 1834, when he came to Illinois, and settled in what is now known as DeWitt , then a part of Macon. They landed here November 15th, of that year. In 1827, in company with some friends and land explorers, they came to the State and entered land. When he came here to reside permanently, he settled on section 14, in what is now known as Tunbridge township. There he remained until his death, which occurred December the 15th, 1871.

While a resident of Christian county, Kentucky, he married Elizabeth Thompson, the date of which marriage was July the 31st, 1806. She died March 28th, 1866. By that marriage they bad six sons and six daughters. Edmund W. is the eighth in the family. He was born in Christian county, Kentucky, September the 21st, 1823. His education was limited to the common school's, and was of a meager character, and confined to three months tuition, all told. When the family came to Illinois he was eleven years old. From that time forward he was compelled to do a man's work, and help provide for himself and other members of the family. He remained his father's principal support, until he passed his twentieth year. He then purchased forty acres of land and broke it, and in the following winter made rails and fenced it. The next year he broke prairie, and did general work. In the fall of 1844, he went back to Kentucky to m an elder brother, and while there made the acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth Boyd, whom he married on the 6th of March, 1845. He remained in Kentucky eighteen months, which time was occupied in farming and working for his brother. In the fall of 1846, he returned to DeWitt county, settled on his land, and built a log cabin, a view of which may be seen on another page. There he lived for several years, then built a frame-house, and in 1858 built and removed to his present residence. His wife died August the 8th, 1856. By that marriage there were five children-three of whom are living, whose names are Sydney Jane, who is the wife of John Barnett, a resident of Atchison county, Mo.; James A., who married Sarah Jane Stoutenborough, and Mary Elizabeth, wife of Franklin Barnett On the 5th of November, 1857, Mr. Fruit married Sarah E. daughter of Uriah and Jemima Blue. She died April the 28th, 1873. Two children living by that marriage. Their names are Arthur W., and Laura B. Fruit. After the death of his second wife he married Susan E. Blue. She died January the 16th, 1880, without issue. On the 4th of November, 1880, he married Miss Isabel, daughter of Garrett and Sarah Ann Blue. She was born in Hampshire county, Virginia. Politically, Mr. Fruit was originally a Henry Clay Whig. In 1864 he joined the Democratic party, and is still a member of that political organization. In his religious belief he is a Universalist.

Mr. Fruit has been the architect of his own fortune. He started in life poor, but by the practice of industry and economy he has succeeded to a handsome competency. He is the undisputable possessor of nearly fifteen hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in Central Illinois. All of it is well improved and under cultivation. His occupation and highest aim in life was to be a successful and independent farmer, and he has succeeded to that proud position. In stock-raising, particularly in sheep, he has been very successful. Wherever known, Hr. Fruit enjoys the reputation of a good farmer and successful man; honorable in all his dealings, and strictly honest in every business transaction.

DANIEL FULLER. (Page 313)

Among the successful agriculturalists and stockmen of DeWitt county, stands prominently forward the name of Daniel Fuller, who is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1824, and the second in a family of eight sons.

His father and mother, Daniel and Nancy (Whitlach) Fuller, were also natives of Pennsylvania; and the subject of this sketch obtained his education in the district schools of that State. He worked upon his father's farm until he was twenty years of age, at which time he left for Ohio; in that State he bought and fed stock for the eastern market; driving his cattle and hogs when fattened to Pennsylvania. In this enterprise, however, he was not very successful. Finally, returning to his native state, he became the owner of a small farm, consisting of one hundred acres. Thinking he could succeed better farther west, he sold his farm for $900, —and in company with his brothers, Barnett and David, came to DeWitt county in 1850. Their elder brother, William, having emigrated to Illinois some years before, was already occupying a farm in this county. Daniel Fuller did not at once settle upon a farm, but operated in the buying and selling of stock throughout the state; finding a ready market for his cattle and hogs in St. Louis; driving at one time as many as 1700 hogs there.

In 1850, (the year of his arrival in this state), Mr. Fuller purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, in section twenty of Rutledge township, where he now resides. He has since added to his original purchase, until he is now the fortunate possessor of 1400 acres of rich farming land: 1030 acres of which is situated in Rutledge township, the balance in the neighboring county of McLean. Mr. Fuller has exercised good judgment in his selections, and has now the privilege of refusing as much as $50 per acre for portions of it.

In April, 1855, Daniel Fuller was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Foley, a native of Virginia, and daughter of G. L. and Elizabeth Foley, who came to DeWitt county in 1848. By this marriage Mr. F. has a family of four children; all living, viz.: John W. Fuller, born in 1856. Nancy M., (wife of James Vance). Louisa, and Emma F. Fuller, the first and last two named still residing with their parents.

Mr. Fuller has represented the township of Rutledge as supervisor. In politics he has always been a democrat, and cast his first vote for J. K. Polk.

WILLIAM FULLER. (Page 193)

Some men pass half their lives in determining for what nature fitted them. In the light of William Fuller's success as an attorney coupled with the fact that his admission to the bar was after he had attained his forty-fourth year we opine that he belongs to this class. William Fuller was born February 19th, 1823, in Greene county, Pennsylvania. His parents, Daniel and Nancy Fuller, were of the good old Pennsylvania stock of farmers from whom have sprung so many of the energetic men of today. His father coupled with his farming operations the vocation of blacksmith, in which he excelled. It devolved upon him to manufacture sickles, scythes and fine work generally. His parents were of Irish birth. His father a native of the city of Dublin. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, from whence he was taken at the age of three years to Fayette county. William Fuller was the oldest of a family of eight boys, of whom all but one are now living. He received a fair common-school education. His aptness to learn secured for him the position of teacher in his native county when still a youth. He had the honor of teaching the first free school ever opened in his own district. In November 1848 he came to DeWitt county where he taught for four winters, varying these duties by farming during the summer. He had in his possession a few law books which he most industriously studied, and which laid broad and deep his knowledge of the general law and determined him largely in his choice of a profession. These were yet primitive times in DeWitt, and so he found himself chosen as the advocate of many clients in the lower courts, where he gained a fine local reputation as a pettifogger. Pedagogics was his business, but old farmers as they witnessed his pleadings declared pettifogging his real forte. At one time he enjoyed the largest practice of this character, vested in any one individual in the county. In 1854 be was elected sheriff of the county, an office he filled to entire satisfaction. Had been elected prior to this time as a Justice of the Peace, which he only held for the brief term of three months, preferring to appear as an advocate to sitting in judgment on cases brought before such a court. In 1867 he was, after an examination, admitted to the bar as an Attorney, since which time he has continually and successfully practiced. In politics he is a Democrat of the strictest order, outspoken, bold and defiant. Has taken a hand in every campaign since he was a boy. His first vote was cast for James K. Polk. He is a member of the Masonic Order. He was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Parker, in Madison county, Ohio, February 23d, 1846. By this union there are six children living four boys and two girls. Mr. Fuller is a man of courage, enterprise and strict integrity of character.

REBECCA GAMBREL. (Page 301)

The subject of this sketch is the oldest settler now living in DeWitt County. She is the daughter of John and Nancy Barr, and was born in South Carolina, April 21st 1806. Her father was a native of the North of Ireland. He emigrated to America and settled in the Carolinas; afterwards removed to Tennessee, then to Indiana, and in 1837 came to Illinois and settled in Logan County where he died. He married Nancy Hamilton, a native of South Carolina. She also died in Logan County, Ill. Rebecca is among the older children, of which there were eleven. Four of them still survive, viz., Mrs. Gambrel, John, Thomas and Lewis Barr. On the 15th of May, 1823, Rebecca was united in marriage to Prettyman Marvel, who was a native of Georgia. The marriage was solemnized in Indiana. Two years after that event, Mr. Marvel left Gibson County, Indiana, came to Illinois, and settled near where the town of Waynesville now stands. At that time they were the only white residents or people in this section of the country. The nearest settlement was ten miles away. Other settlers, however, came soon after, and together these early pioneers subdued the wilderness and made it habitable for their posterity and coming generations. Prettyman Marvel was born May 8th, 1801, and died July 23d, 1842. In September, 1847, Mrs. Rebecca Marvel married Thompson P. Gambrel. He was a native of Kentucky; from there removed to Indiana, and in 1847 came to Illinois. He died August 31st, 1877. By her marriage with Prettyman Marvel there were eleven children, and none by the latter marriage. Mrs. Gambrel at the age of seventeen became a convert and member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. One year after her marriage with Mr. Marvel he experienced religion, and they both joined the M. E. Church. During the late war she joined the M. E. Church, South. (For a full description of the country, and the settlers, neighbors of Prettyman Marvel, the reader is referred to the Pioneers and History of Waynesville Township to be found in another part of this work.)

William P. Gambrel, one of the active business men of Waynesville, is the son of William and Mary A. Gambrel. He was born in DeWitt County, March 28th, 1859. His education was received in the common schools of the county, and in its High School of Clinton, and one year spent in Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Ill. On the 15th of October, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura E., daughter of R. W. and Catherine Sweeney, residents of Clintonia Township, DeWitt On. By that union there is a child named Henry H. Gambrel. In October, 1879, Mr. Gambrel engaged in the grain business, in which he still continues. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Orders; politically, is a democrat. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Waynesville.

William W. GRAHAM. (Pages 258)

The Graham family on the paternal side came originally from the west of Ireland, and are of Scotch-Irish ancestry. William Graham, the grandfather of W. W., emigrated with his parents to America while yet young and at a period prior to the Revolutionary war. He was a soldier in that memorable struggle. He lived to the great age of one hundred and one years, and Warren county, Ohio. His son, Samuel Graham, father of the present-Graham family, was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1806. His mother's name was Elizabeth Frazier. He remained there until 1849, when he came west, to Illinois, and settled three miles east of Waynesville, in DeWitt county, where he purchased an old log school-house, and converted it into a dwelling. It was then the farthest house out on the prairie, and away from the timber. Dire were the predictions of the old settlers at Mr. Graham's temerity in venturing so far out on the prairie. He, nevertheless, remained there farming until 1864, when he sold out, and improved another place. In 1865 he was elected County Judge. He was for many years Justice of the Peace in Barnett township. At present he has practically retired to private life. He married Hannah Kirby, a native of Warren county, Ohio. Her parents were natives of New Jersey. The subject of this sketch is the fourth in a family of nine sons and four daughters. He was born in Union county, Ohio, November 25, 1837, where his parents moved and lived for four years, after which they returned to Warren county. He was in his twelfth year when the family came to Illinois. His education was limited and confined to the log school-houses of the primitive days of Illinois. He remained at home, at work upon the farm, until his twenty-fifth year; he then engaged in farming for himself in Barnett township, where he continued until 1873, when he removed to Clinton to take charge of the office of County Clerk, a position he bad been elected to by the people. After his term of office expired he moved back to the farm ; then back to Clinton, and engaged in livery business. In October, 1879, he removed to Kenney, and opened a livery, feed, and sale stable, in which he continued until April, 1881, when he sold out; since which time he has dealt a little in stock, but more particularly has given his attention to in duties as Police Magistrate, a position he had been elected to November, 1880.

On the 11th of December, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet C. Cushman, a native of Champaign county, Ohio. She died July 21st, 1876. By that marriage there are three children. Their names in the order of their births are, Clayton L., who is book-keeper in a wholesale house in Chicago; Frank W. is a resident and clerk in Wellington, Kansas; and H. O. Graham, who is yet at home.

On the 31st of January, 1878, he married Miss Rosa E. Edmiston, a native of Bellefontaine, Ohio. One child, a daughter, named Jessie, is the fruit of the latter marriage. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. On the subject of religion he is liberal in his beliefs; politically he is a Republican. In 1873 he was nominated for the office of County Clerk by the party in Convention assembled. The office was not of his own seeking. He was not even present at the convention, but at home on the farm. He was elected by a greater majority than any man on either ticket. In 1880, notwithstanding the town of Kenney was largely Democratic, he was elected Police Magistrate, which is evidence that he stands well in the estimation of the people.

GEORGE W. GRINER. (Page 318)

The Griner family on the paternal side are of German ancestry. James Griner, the great-grandfather of the present family, emigrated from Germany to America prior to the Revolutionary war. While on his passage across the ocean both parents died. He settled in New Jersey, and during the war for Independence was a captain in the service. He emigrated to Indiana soon after that state was admitted into the Union, and there died at the great age of one hundred and ten years. Charles, his son and grandfather of George W., was born in New Jersey. He came West to Indiana, where his parents were living, in 1837, and there died. He had two sons, William and Peter. George W. is the son of William, who married Margaret Brooks, a native of New Jersey, and she died in 1837. By that marriage there were three sons and two daughters. George W. is the youngest of the family. He was born in New Jersey, June 22d, 1835. He lived in Indiana with his father and family from 1837 until 1853, when he was in his nineteenth year. He then came to DeWitt County, Illinois, and here he stopped with his brother-in-law, and worked on a farm. Soon after went to work on a saw-mill. He continued to work around until March, 1856, when he moved to a forty acre tract of land in section thirty-one in Barnett Township, and there he has lived to the present. The land was raw and unimproved, and all of the improvements now on it were put there by Mr. Griner. On the 25th of November, 1855, be was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of George Coppenberger, a native of Tennessee, and one of the first settlers of DeWitt County. He settled on Salt Creek about the year 1825. George Coppenberger married Nancy Henderson, who was a native of Kentucky, and also among the early settlers of DeWitt County. Mrs. Griner was born on Salt Creek, in Tunbridge Township, DeWitt County, May 28th, 1835. By her marriage with George W. Griner, there are six children living. Their names in the order of their birth are, Rachel Jane, born May 22d, 1857, and is the wife of James A. Trowbridge; Charles W. died in infancy; Nancy A., born October 14th, 1860, is the wife of George B. Kimball, a farmer in Barnett Township; George B., born July 16th, 1863; Olive M, born May 29th, 1866; May W., born April 16th, 1870; Myrtie, born July 1st, 1874 Both Mr. and Mrs. Griner are members of the Christian Church. Politically, Mr. Griner has been a Democrat since 1856, when he cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan. He is not, however, a politician, and takes no further interest in politics than to express his opinion through the right of suffrage. Mr. Griner has been remarkably successful in life. He started poor, and had nothing but health and strength, and a determination to rise, and he was above depending upon others. With that idea in view, and assisted by his estimable wife, he has succeeded in gaining a competency, and at the same time has built up a reputation as a fair, honest and honorable man, which is far better, and brings more pure enjoyment than great riches.

MATHEW HAMMITT. (Page 307)

Was born in Morgan county, Ohio, December 13th, 1826. The family is of Welsh descent. They settled in New Jersey, and afterwards moved to Virginia. Benjamin, the grandfather of Mathew, married Ruth Vanmeter about the year 1778. His son Samuel, father of Mathew, was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, April 12th, 1789, and moved to Zanesville, Ohio, while very young. He remained in Ohio until 1833, when he came West to Illinois, and settled in DeWitt county on section 16 in Waynesville township, then a part of McLean county. He died September 26th, 1861. He entered three hundred and twenty acres in sec. 19 in same township, and improved it. He married Catherine E. McElhiney. She was born in Baltimore, Dec. 18, 1791, and when five years old her parents removed to Ohio county, West Virginia, and there grew to womanhood, and then moved to Zanesville, Ohio, when she married Samuel Hammitt, April 4th, 1812. In a few years they moved to Morgan county, and from there to Illinois, near where Mathew Hammitt now lives. Mrs. Hammitt died November 22, 1857. By the marriage of Samuel and Catherine E. Hammitt there were eleven children, four sons and seven daughters. Mathew is the seventh in the family. He was yet in his boyhood when the family came to Illinois. He remained at home assisting his father upon the farm until his twenty-third year. In 1819 he moved to where he now lives. On the tract of land was a small log house, and here he has lived and made the improvements which now beautify this place. On the 6th Dec., 1849, he married Miss Sarah Baker, daughter of Jas. and Christina (Roberts) Baker. Mrs. Hammitt was born in Morgan county, Ohio, Oct. 7th, 1831. Her father was one of the first settlers of Ohio. He came West in 1834, and settled in McLean county, Ills., where Mrs. Hammitt was living at the time of her marriage. There were five children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hammitt, three of whom are living. Their names, in the order of their birth, are: Letitia, who is the wife of H. A. Kephart, farmer and resident of this township; Benjamin, who is also a farmer in this township, married Alice Gates; and Margaret Hammitt.

In religious matters Mr. Hammitt is liberal in his belief. Politically, he has been a life-long Democrat. In 1848 he cast his first presidential vote for Lewis Cass, and from that time to the present has remained a true and staunch adherent and advocate of democratic principles. In 1877 he was elected to represent his township in the Board of Supervisors. He was re-elected in '78 and '79. During his occupancy of this office he has discharged the duties incumbent upon him with fidelity and to the best interests of the entire county. Mr. Hammitt is one of the old settlers of DeWitt county. He has lived here as man and boy for nearly fifty years, and in all that time, among those who have known him best, has borne the reputation of an honest and straightforward man.

ISAM HARROLD. (Page 273)

Virginia, the old dominion state, has contributed her full share of emigrants to Illinois. Especially was this true when the state first attracted attention. From Virginia originally came the Harrolds, and in that state October 23d, 1814 was Isam Harrold born. His parents were Jonathan and Rebecca Harrold. He received a fair common school education in Indiana, where his parents lived for a few years prior to coming to Illinois, which they did in the year 1833, locating in the vicinity of Waynesville. On the 9th of April, 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Lisenby, the ceremony being performed by Squire Peter Crum. By this union there have been born seven children, six of whom, Louisa, Rebecca, Ruth, Winfield S., Nancy and Laura are living. His most excellent wife was of that honored pioneer family the Lisenbys, a family whose influence has ever been felt for good. In politics Mr. Harrold is a Republican. In 1836, when be cast his first ballot be voted the Whig ticket, and says be has never found cause to forsake the doctrines first held by the Whigs and being carried out by the Republicans. In religious faith he is a Universalist, whilst his wife is a member of the Christian Church.

JONATHAN HARROLD. (Page 271)

Whose portrait appears on this page was born in North Carolina October 8th, 1812. He was the son of Jonathan and Rebecca Harrold to whom were born nine children, namely, Absalom, Jonathan, James M., Isam, Mitchell, Mary, Naomi, Eli, and Sophronia. Of these Isam and Eli are farmers in Wapella Township, DeWitt county. James M., is in Vernon county, Missouri; Naomi, now Mrs. James M. Fears lives in California; the other five are dead. The Harrolds are of English and Welsh extraction and were very early settlers in America. Jonathan Harrold Jr. was raised on a farm and educated to farm pursuits. When he arrived at maturity he left his native state and located in Indiana where he married Miss Abigail Bishop. Seven children blessed this union. In 1840 he came to DeWitt county where he engaged in farming. His father came here in 1833, and died in 1838. In 1856 he lost his wife by death, and in 1859 was married to Miss Rebecca Draper. By this last union there were born five children. In 1869 Mr. Harrold moved from where he first located to Wapella township where he lived until his death which occurred October 11th, 1881. His wife survives him and lives on the old homestead. Five of his sons live in Wapella township and farm a large tract of land in partnership under the name of E. B. Harrold & Bros. They are also extensively engaged in the cattle business in Texas. Jonathan Harrold Jr. was a lover of justice as between man and man, was industrious and ambitious to excel in his vocation, and was respected of all who knew him.

CAPT. GEORGE W. HERRICK. (Page 238)

The Herrick family, of which the subject of this sketch is a member, is an old one, and was for many generations residents of the State of Massachusetts. They trace their origin and ancestry from the Norman-French. The forefathers emigrated from England to the colonies in America in the colonial days. Some of their descendants came west from New England soon after the close of the last century. Of these was Ezra Herrick, the grandfather of George W. After the close of the war of 1812 he removed to Huron county, Ohio, where he followed the occupation, of farmer and there remained until his death. His son Latt Herrick, was born in Massachusetts, May 14th, 1795. While yet in his infancy his father removed the family to New York, and subsequently to Ohio where they remained until December 1834, when Mr. Herrick removed to DeKalb county, Indiana, and there died March 22d, 1872. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was with the army operating on the Canadian frontier. In his life he was a man of considerable prominence, and held several offices of honor and trust. He was a devout believer in the principles of Christianity and made a profession of faith, and was in his later years a member of the Congregationalist church. He married Lola Sutliff, a native of Connecticut, but at the time of her marriage, a resident of Huron county, Ohio. She was born October 1st, 1798, and died in August 1874. There were nine children by the marriage of Latt and Lola Herrick, six sons and three daughters., Four have survived the parents. George W. is the youngest of the family. He was born in DeKalb county, Indiana, on October 6th, 1841. He was reared upon the farm and received his early education in the common schools of his native county and therein was prepared for entrance to the Vienna Academy at Newville, Indiana. He remained there until 1861. In the fall of that year he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and remained there through the term. The war breaking out he put aside his books, and in May 1862, he enlisted in Co. E 55th Regt. Ind. Vols. The command was ordered to Kentucky, and in August of the same year Mr. Herrick was taken prisoner at the battle of Richmond; a few days later he was paroled and discharged. He resumed his studies and in the fall of 1863 again entered the University at Ann Arbor and graduated from the Law Department in the spring of 1864. In August of the same year, he went to Princeton, Missouri, and opened a law office. In January and February of 1865 he recruited a company of men for the war, which was known as Co. D., 51st Regt. Mo. Vols. Upon the organization of the company, Mr. Herrick was elected Captain, and duly commissioned by the Governor of the State. The regiment did duty in South-east Missouri, until the close of the war. In 1870 Captain Herrick opened a law office in Farmer City, and here he has continued the practice until the present. He is a respected member of the honorable order of A. F. & A. M. On the 28th of May, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Dora O. Knight, a native of DeWitt county, Illinois, and daughter of Robert Knight. By this marriage there are four children, three sons and one daughter. Their names in the order of their birth are, Lott R., Blanche, Dwight and Lyle Herrick.

Captain Herrick's practice is confined to the general business of law in which he has been reasonably successful.

DAVID W. HICKMAN. (Page 257)

Lewis Hickman, the paternal grandfather of the present Hickman family, was born March 8, 1776. He married Sarah Thompson, who was born December 5, 1782. He came west Illinois, and died here in June, 1841; his wife died a few years later. His son, Rodney Hickman, father of David W., was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, June 19,1809. He came to Illinois and settled about one mile south-west of Clinton, in DeWitt county, where he purchased a tract of land, on which he lived until his death, which occurred October 11, 1842. On the 13th of June, 1837, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ann Wallace, daughter of Col. Andrew and Esther (Campbell) Wallace. Col. Wallace was born in Virginia February 2, 1787; he emigrated with his parents to Kentucky in 1790, and there married Esther Campbell in 1810. In 1812 he was a soldier in the war between the United States and Great Britain, and was in the battle of the Thames. He emigrated to Illinois in 1831, and settled in what is now known as Tunbridge township, in DeWitt county, on the same place where Mr. Hickman now lives. His wife, the grandmother of Mr. Hickman, still survives, and is now in her ninetieth year. Mrs. Hickman was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky. By her marriage with Mr. Rodney Hickman there were three children, two of whom are living. John T., the other son, was born October 5, 1839. He at present is engaged in the loan agency business, in Wellington, Kansas. David Wallace Hickman, the subject of this sketch, was born in DeWitt county, Illinois, May 3, 1838; his early education was obtained in the pioneer schools of DeWitt county of thirty-five years ago. After the death of his father, he was taken and reared by his maternal grandfather, with whom he remained until 1858, when he went back to the Hickman place, near Clinton. In 1864 he went to the gold fields of Montana, and soon after went to Grand Round Valley, in Oregon, east of the Cascade mountains, where he remained through the winter of 1864-65. From there he went to Willamette Valley; he remained in the west until 1867, when he returned, via New York, home, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. In March, 1876, he moved on the old Col. Wallace place, where he still resides. On the 27th of November, 1872, he married Miss Emily Jane, daughter of Henry and Margaret Litsenberger. She was born in Hancock county, Ohio, March 7, 1846. Her parents came to Clinton county in 1856. Her mother died in March, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Hickman have five children. Their names, in the order of their births, are: Anna Margaret, Hattie May, Henry Thomas, Grace and Rodney Elmer Hickman. Politically, he was a Democrat until 1876, when he joined the National Greenback party. In 1872 Mr. Hickman commenced the business of trading short-horned Durham cattle. His herd now embraces fifty head of fine, thorough-bred cattle. He has been very successful so far in the business, and we have no doubt will in time become one of the extensive cattle breeders of the State.

JAMES HIRST. (Page 235)

The subject of the following sketch was born in Leeds, England, January 8th, 1828. He came with his parents Edward and Hannah Hirst to America in 1840, and settled in Edwards county, Illinois. James, in 1848, went to Clark county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and continued there for seven years, then he came west to DeWitt county and worked for the Weedmans until he got married. He then rented land in the township and commenced farming. On the breaking out of the late war he enlisted for three years in company "I," of the 39th regiment Illinois Volunteers. The regiment was organized in Chicago, and from there ordered to St. Louis, and then to the front at Williamsport, Maryland, where the regiment was placed under the command of Gen. Landers. From the latter place the command went to Hancock, then to Black Oak Bottoms, then up the Potomac to guard the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. At Bath, the command was attacked by "Stonewall" Jackson's forces and driven out and back to Martinsburg, from which point they went to Winchester, and were in the battle there, then up to White House Bridge, in the Shenandoah, then made a forced march of one hundred and five miles to Fredericksburg, and the next day were ordered back to keep Jackson from crossing the Shenandoah. From there, marched to Alexandria, then to Harrison's Landing, on the James River. The regiment went into winter quarters at Suffolk, and in the spring of 1863, went to Newbern, North Carolina, and embarked at Buford for Port Royal, South Carolina. Mr. Hirst was discharged at Folly's Island, October 22d, 1863, on account of physical disability, and returned home and re-engaged in farming and stock raising, in which calling be has continued to the present time. On the 15th of January, 1856, he married Ruby Dart; she died in 1863. Three children are the offspring of that marriage. On the 15th of October, 1866, he married Mary E. Kirby, nee Page. She is a native of New Jersey. She had two children by her former marriage, named William Henry and Flora E. Kirby. Mr. Hirst's children by his first wife are named Frances, Mary, Isabel and James Louis Hirst. By his last wife there is one child living, named Jane Winnefred Hirst. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church. He is an active member of the order of I. O. O. F. and also of the Encampment, and has represented both orders in the Grand lodge of the State. In politics he votes the Republican ticket. He has held various local offices, and has been township collector and road commissioner for eight years. In his habits he is temperate, but liberal upon the question of temperance. Mr. Hirst is a good citizen and a reputable man, and has many friends in Santa Anna township.

DR. GEORGE W. HYDE. (Page 197)

William Hyde, the father of G. W. Hyde, was born in Derbyshire, England, November 26th, 1807. He early began his seven years' apprenticeship at the joiners' and cabinet trade, which has always been his source of livelihood. In his early manhood he was a local preacher in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and has since been an active member. He now lives (1882) at an advanced age in Birmingham, England. His uncle, Joseph Hyde, was a Wesleyan Methodist Minister, who was arrested and imprisoned in Whitefield's time for proclaiming the doctrine. He was imprisoned in the Derbyshire prison, and made his escape by scaling the walls surrounding the prison. So wonderful was the feat that the wall was ever after known as "Hyde's Leap."

About 1828 occurred the marriage of William Hyde and Susannah Walker. Five children were born to them: George Walker, Sarah Ann, married to Richard Woodfull, William and Alfred, all now of Birmingham except the first; and Ellen, deceased, who at her death was Mrs. Swain. Mrs. Susannah Hyde died during the last week of 1860; she lies in St. George's churchyard, Birmingham. The writer directs the following lines to the principal subject of these notes, viz. Dr. Geo. W. Hyde: He was born in Packington, in the same house in which his mother had been born. When he was one year old his parents settled in Birmingham. The boyhood of George was spent in the private and national schools of his day till be became 14 years of age. Labor at that time being scarce he sought to aid his parents somewhat financially. He became a billing clerk in a large brass foundry, where he remained some three years. During part of this time he attended the Polytechnic Institute, a night institution of learning. Between the ages of 14 and 15 years he became connected with the Juvenile Temperance Society and Rechabites. He continued in this cause, and when 16 years old was admitted to the adult society of the same name. Being somewhat efficient as a speaker, it was proposed to enter him in the list of regular speakers for the Birmingham General Temperance Society. In order to carry this out, it was necessary he should make a trial speech. At a meeting held at the Temperance Hall on Union Street, Lecturer Murphy presided, and the trial speech was made, which brought out warm encomiums from the chairman, and resulted in his election as a speaker. His various appointments were duly met. Just previous to this period of his life, at the age of 19, exposure brought on a severe attack of typhus fever, which confined him for six months, and which so broke his constitution as to give rise to the frequently precarious condition of his health during subsequent years. At the age of 20, he began to learn the joiner's and cabinet trade with his father. This trade he followed more or less as an actual means of support, but not constantly, his ill health requiring changes in employment, which probably would not otherwise have been made. On his 21st year, November 20th, 1850, he was united in marriage to Sarah Owen, who has ever been his efficient helpmate. She was born October 5th, 1828, between Lionell and Fleet streets, Birmingham, England. Her father, George Owen, was born in 1785, on the border of Wales, near Bristol, and was of Welch ancestry. At 17 years of age he became a sailor, but five years after he became engaged in the Iron Plate Works in Birmingham, where he remained till his death at the age of 58 years. His wife, Nellie (Warren) Owen, was born in Birmingham, in 1790, and survived him till March 4th, 1873.

Shortly before marriage, the subject of these memoirs was induced by an associate to begin the study of medicine. It was about this time that the question of reform in medical practice began to be considerably agitated in England, chiefly through the instrumentality of American physicians. Dr. Wooster Beach, a student of Dr. Jacob Tidd, of New Jersey, founded, 1826, the "New York Reformed Medical College," and soon issued the Reformed Medical Journal. He also early compiled some medical works. His principles were early advocated in Europe, and a class was formed in Birmingham and taught by a Dr. Norris. Advantages were of course limited. Animals were used for anatomical demonstration and clinical experiment. Antivenesection and antimineralism were studied and promulgated. It was the privilege of George W. Hyde, dissatisfied as he was with the existing practice of medicine, to unite himself with this class. Every spare moment was spent in this class work. Two years were thus improved. Although he did not give himself wholly to the practice yet it was his pride to undertake severe cases despaired of by other physicians. His own daughter was not the exception to this case, and no case that came under his care was lost. Strengthened in the practice by his success, he continued the study, taking the medical journal above mentioned, and such other reading as he could afford. The class had frequent correspondence with Dr. Wooster Beach of New York.

A change of climate becoming necessary to his health, Dr. Hyde determined to sail for America. Accordingly, leaving his family, a wife and three children, Mary A., Alfred W. and George Walter, in Birmingham, he set sail June 7th, 1857, and immediately experienced a change for better health. He landed at Point Levi, opposite Quebec, after 9 days and 20 hours sailing in the steamer Indiana.

He hastened by railway to Onarga, Iroquois County, Illinois, arriving July 1st, following. He was then on the frontier, as Iroquois County was new, and frontier life was made real by oxen, breaking plow and experiences generally incident to such occupation. His brothers-in-law, John and Abram Owen, were already in the hardware trade. Soon a co-partnership was formed, the firm being known as Owen, Hyde & Owen. The Dr. was urged to begin practice, but fear of ill health caused him to desist. At the opening of the rebellion, being refused admission to the army, he removed to the country to care for the family of a William Frazee, while the latter served his country as a soldier. The family removing, Dr. Hyde purchased 40 acres-of land on which he built a small dwelling, which he occupied till the close of the war. However, he farmed but little himself, his time being mostly occupied in his medical work made imperative by war's demands.

At the close of the war, he purchased property in Onarga and there lived till he located in Clinton, moving his family November 5th, 1872. In 1876 he enjoyed a course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, receiving a diploma of the institution. He is a member of the State and National Eclectic Medical Societies. As regards his success as a physician in Clinton it is unnecessary to comment. Politically in England he was a Radical as opposed to Toryism. In America he espoused the Republican cause, casting his first vote for the immortal Lincoln, and since has voted successively and successfully for all Lincoln's patriot successors. In petty elections he is oblivious to party, but in National policy has found no party more in consonance with his own views, than the Republican. Religiously both he and wife have been members of the Baptist church since 1849, having been baptized by Dr. Charles Hill Roe, then pastor of Henage street church, Birmingham. He has occupied all official positions within the gift of the church. Both he and wife have been prominently identified with the temperance organization and progress since childhood.

The children have numbered seven. Three, Mary A., Alfred W., and George Walter, born in England, emigrated with their mother in 1859, in the steamship "North America," landing at Point Levi after a voyage of eleven days and eleven hours. William F F., was born in Onarga, and three babes have been buried. The only daughter, Mary A., was married August 15th, 1876 to Mr. S. P. Flemming, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Francis M. JEFFREY. (Page 305)

Was born in Fayette County, Indiana, September 21st, 1832. The family is Scotch descent on the paternal side. William Jeffrey, the great-grandfather of the present family, emigrated from Scotland to America, and was a soldier of the Revolution. He settled in New Jersey when William, the grandfather, was born. He moved to Utica, New York, where William, his son, and the father of Francis M. was born. The grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812, and also in the Indian wars, and was at the battle of Tippecanoe. In 1811 he moved to Fayette County, Indiana, and remained there until 1856, when he came to Illinois and settled in this township. He married Ruth Allen, of New York, by whom there were four sons and four daughters. William, the father of F. M., was the eldest son. He was born in Utica, New York, October 27th, 1807, and died August 23d, 1877. He came to Waynesville Township in 1837, and has followed his trade of tanning, subsequently engaging in farming. He married Harriet DeCamp, who was born March 2d, 1813. She still survives her husband. By that marriage there were twelve children-four sons and three daughters still living. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the children. He worked with his father at the tanning business, and on the farm until 1856, then went to carpentering, and continued at the trade until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted for three years in Co. "F" 38th Reg't. Ill. Vols. The regiment became part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps. He participated with his regiment in the hard fought battles of Fredericktown, Champion Hills, Stone River, Liberty Gap, the first and second battles of Corinth, then in the Atlanta Campaign, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, and Jonesboro, where the time of service of the regiment expired. He was wounded at the battle of Perryville, where the command was repulsed in their attempt to capture a battery. He received two wounds at Stone River. At the battle of Liberty Gap he was one of the sixty men who volunteered to capture a battery. They succeeded, but it cost them one-fourth of the men in killed and wounded. In that desperate undertaking Mr. Jeffrey was wounded in the head. After he was mustered out he returned home and resumed his trade of carpentering in which he still continues. On the 25th of December, 1850, he married Miss Sarah McEntire. She died in March 1857. Two children by that marriage both died. On July 21st, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Alice Kidd, who was born in Miama County, Indiana. She is the daughter of Captain Edmund Jones Kidd, a native of Carolina County, Virginia. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, with the rank of Captain. His wife, and the mother of Mrs. Jeffrey, was Christiana DeCamp, of Vermont. The DeCamps are of French ancestry. There have been born to Mrs. Jeffrey, four sons and four daughters, two sons and two daughters living. Their names in the order of their births are Roxie B., Mabel St. Clair, Edmund Ernest, and Charles Kidd Jeffrey. On the subject of religious belief, Mr. Jeffrey subscribes to none of the formulated creeds, but believes that in doing unto others as you would have others do unto you, is contained the genuine essence of true religion. He is member of the order of I. O. O. F. and Encampment, and belongs to Prairie State Lodge No. 104 and Encampment, No. 23, Atlanta, Illinois. Politically, he has been a Republican since that party came into existence and supported John C. Fremont for President in 1856. This, in short, is a brief history of Mr. Jeffrey. He was a gallant and brave soldier, and is a good citizen, an honest man, and as such enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire community.

ELIAS JOHNSON. (Page 238)

Dennis Hurley was the first settler of Hurley's Grove, which now embraces a part of the land on which is built the town of Farmer City. He was born in New Jersey, April 1796. He was the son of James and Lydia (Riddle) Hurley. About 1814 he went to Newark, Ohio, and remained there until 1830 when he and his family and Richard Kirby and his family came west to Illinois and landed at Randolph's Grove in McLean county, October 1st of the year above mentioned. The first night the Hurley family stopped in an Indian tent, after which Mr. Hand, an old settler of the Grove, placed the Loom house at their disposal where they lived until Mr. Hurley built a cabin. He selected a site near where Mr. Johnson now lives, there put up the cabin and moved his family to it on the 27th of November, 1830; on the same day when commenced falling the deep snow, that is so well known to the old settlers. The following spring he moved across the creek, and when land came into market purchased it. There he lived until his death, June 27th, 1867. He married Mary Donnell in 1816. She was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, September 20th, 1797. She died July 6th, 1850. There were fourteen children the offspring of that marriage, seven of whom are yet living. Of these children was Lydia M. who was born in Newark, Ohio, September 29th, 1822. She was eight years of age when her parents came to Illinois. She married Elias Johnson, February 24th, 1842. He was born in Jackson county, Ohio, February 19th, 1819. Silas Johnson, his father, came to Illinois in 1825 and settled in Vermillion county, and moved to DeWitt county in 1838. Silas Johnson married Elizabeth Craig, of Virginia. Two children have been born to Elias and Lydia M. Johnson. Mary E. is the wife of John McDonald. They have two children named Zua and Oddie. Hester A. was the wife of James Brennan, who died. She then married J. Q. Jones. Both Mr. McDonald and Brennan were soldiers in the late war. Both Mr. and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Johnson is a Republican.

JOHN JONES. (Page 235)

The subject of the following biographical sketch is one of the prominent and influential farmers of DeWitt county as well as an old settler. The family on the paternal side is of Welsh descent. Edward Jones the grandfather, was born in 1751. He came to America when quite a youth. William, his son, and father of John Jones, on the breaking out of the revolutionary war, espoused the cause of the patriots and enlisted under Washington. He remained in the service during the continuance of the war, and by his brave and gallant conduct earned the approbation of the great and good Washington. He was a carrier of dispatches, and was often entrusted with matters of great moment. He conveyed the glad tidings of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown to the Continental Congress, and also to get aid for the sick and wounded. In 1809 or '10 he removed to Kentucky, and subsequently went to Tennessee, and died in Overton county in 1839. He married Susan Clark, who was of French descent and a native of Virginia. She survived her husband but a short time, and died in 1840. There were ten children born to the old patriot. The subject of this sketch is the only survivor. He was born in Mecklenburg county, Virginia, January 14th, 1801. He was a mere youth when his father removed the family to Kentucky. He grew to manhood in Tennessee, and learned habits of industry upon the farm. He remained in Kentucky until 1837, then he came West to Illinois and settled in Rutledge township, which was then a part of Macon county. One year later he moved to a tract of land known as the farm of the Rev. Paxton Cumming. He leased and farmed the land for two years, then moved to Benjamin Newberry's farm on section eighteen. One year later he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of William Jones. It was timbered land except about forty acres, which was prairie. It was raw, without any improvements whatever. Here Mr. Jones and his family settled permanently and commenced clearing and breaking the land, getting it under cultivation, and in other ways making the place productive and habitable. Here the old pioneer still lives, enjoying his eighty odd years, and serenely waiting for the dread summons to join that "innumerable caravan that is moving to the pale realms of shade." In 1825, while a resident of Tennessee, he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Elizabeth Fulington, a native of Tennessee. She is the daughter of David and Sarah (Belcher) Fulington.

There have been three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, all sons. Their names in the order of their birth are Campbell, Preston and Albert. All are farmers and residents of Santa Anna township, in DeWitt county. The subject of our sketch has followed the occupation of farmer and stock raiser, and the family before him generally were tillers of the soil, and some few mechanics. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and has been a professing Christian for a number of years. In the erection of church buildings and in the furtherance and advancement of the cause of Christianity, he has always been liberal and has given freely of his means for that purpose.

Politically he has always voted the Democratic ticket. He cut his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson in 1824, and from that time to the present has not missed a general election, and always and unhesitatingly gave his vote for the nominees of the Democratic party. He is one of the few surviving Jacksonian Democrats, and yet remembers with great pride his vote for "Old Hickory," the hero of New Orleans. Mr. Jones has been the architect of his own fortune. He started in life poor, and received no aid from rich relations nor did he gain a competency by any sudden turn of fortune's wheel, but rather by slow, persistent toil; gathering little by little, living economically and never venturing beyond his means, he at last reached a position of independence and beyond the want or danger of dependence upon others. And in all these years he has just as steadily built up a reputation for great honesty and sterling worth as a man and a citizen. He is kind, sociable and hospitable in his nature, and all who come beneath his roof are made genuinely welcome. Campbell Jones, the eldest son, was born in Tennessee, August 1st, 1828. His education was confined to and received in the log school-house of the pioneer era of the western country. It was exceedingly limited, and yet the stranger is slightly surprised at the varied and extensive knowledge possessed by Mr. Jones. The secret of it is self-culture, extensive and voluminous reading. With the exception of a few years Mr. Jones has lived with his father. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and an advocate of the cause of temperance. Preston, the second son, was a brave and gallant soldier. He enlisted for three years in Co. "I" of the 107th Regt., Ill. Vols. He passed through all the grades and was mustered out as first Lieutenant of his company. Albert is the youngest son. When Mr. Jones came to DeWitt county, Illinois, there were but seven families living in the neighborhood where he settled. What a wonderful change has taken place in the State and county since that time. The story of the rapid improvement of this section of the country and the history of the old settlers who were Mr. Jones' neighbors in 1837 is best told in the Pioneer chapter of this work.

JOHN BRANSON JONES. (Page 303)

The Jones family, on the paternal side, are of Welsh ancestry, and on the maternal, English, and of the nobility while yet residents of England. Peter Jones, the paternal grandfather of the present family, was a native of Maryland; he settled in the Carolinas a short time after the Revolutionary war, where the family remained until about 1804, when they removed to Ohio, and subsequently in 1831 came to Illinois, and stopped in Sangamon county, and in the following spring came to what is now known as DeWitt county, where Peter Jones died in 1842. He married Mary Branson, by which union came John Branson Jones, whose portrait stands at the head of this sketch. He was born in North Carolina December 24, 1799; he came with his father to Illinois, and here settled on Sec. 16, now in Waynesville township, where be bought a claim, and afterwards rented land in same section, and there he lived until his death, which occurred April 10th, 1856. Mr. Jones in his life was in some respects a remarkable man, possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, and was one of those rugged minds that had for its basis much valuable common sense. During the Indian wars in Indiana he was commissioned as captain in the 39th Regiment Indiana Militia, dating from March 3d, 1832. Afterward he came to Illinois, and in 1840 he was commissioned by Governor Reynolds as Colonel of the 8th Regiment Illinois Vols. Col. Jones took great delight in military matters, and on general mustering days was a conspicuous figure on the field where were marshalled the hardy pioneers in mimic array. He married Miss Rachel Thomas, who is a native of Ohio, and was born April 5, 1803. She still survives her husband, and is now in her seventy-ninth year, and a resident on the same place where she settled with her husband over half a century ago. She is a woman of whom it may be said she was a true helpmate and partner of her husband, sharing in his joys and bearing with him the burdens of life with a true womanly spirit. Although suffering for a number of years from physical infirmities which are of such a character as would have borne down much stronger natures, yet so gentle is her disposition, so kind and self-sacrificing her nature, that no sign or word has ever escaped her which might be construed as an expression of discontent or repining at her lot, or that the grievous burden might be lifted from her.

There were twelve children born to John B. and Rachel Jones; Charles W. is the eleventh in the family; he was born on Sec. 16 Waynesville township, DeWitt county, Illinois, February 13th, 1842. His education is mainly self-culture, acquired by extensive and voluminous reading. He remained at home, at work on the farm, until 1861, when he entered in the first call for 75,000 troops to put down the rebellion; he became a member of Co. E of the 7th Regiment Illinois Vols. At the close of his enlistment he returned home, and in the fall of the same year re-enlisted for three years service in Co. D of the 8th Regiment Mo. Vols. He participated with this regiment in the battles of Donelson, Fort Henry, Crump's Landing, Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg. In the latter fight he was wounded in the attempt to storm the works; he was sent to the hospital, and soon after discharged from reason of physical disability caused by the wound. He returned home and re-engaged in farming and stock raising, in which he still continues. On the 27th of February 1875, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Vinson, by which union there are two children, named Rachel and John Branson Jones, aged respectively six and five years. In his religious beliefs, Mr. Jones subscribes to none of the formulated creeds, but is extremely liberal, and takes his stand with the advanced thinkers and the liberal thought of to-day. He is a Democrat, which ticket be voted until 1876, when he wandered from the Democratic fold and voted for Peter Cooper, but in 1880 came back to his first political love and cut his ballot for Gen. Winfield S. Hancock. He takes an active interest in political matters, and in one of the recognized leaders of his party in the county. In 1881 he was elected to represent his township in the board of supervisors, and in the discharge of the duties therein imposed upon him has given complete and universal satisfaction. Mr. Jones is to the "manor born," and is in every sense a genuine type of the Western man. Of broad and liberal views, in sympathy with the masses upon all questions affecting them, fearless in the expression of what he deems right, of ready tact and good address, we say he is the natural product of the broad prairies of the West.

DR. John J. LAKE. (Page 259)

The subject of this sketch is credited with being the third white child born in Hancock county, Ohio. The date of his birth was June 16, 1830. The Lake family are of Irish ancestry. Three brothers of that name emigrated to America, and during the war for independence of the American colonies espoused the patriots cause and became soldiers in that memorable struggle. They fought with Washington from Bunker Hill to Yorktown. Asa M. Lake was a native of Vermont. He removed to Kentucky soon after the Revolutionary war, in which struggle he also participated. Some few years later he moved to the State of Ohio, which was shortly before admitted to the Union. He settled in Jackson county, and subsequently moved to Hancock county and there lived until his death, which occurred about 1854. He married Charlotte Greer, by whom there were seven children, six of whom lived to maturity; and five are now living. Dr. J. J. is the second in the family. He received his early education in the schools of his native county, and at the age of eighteen years he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and remained in that institution for two years. In June, 1852, he came west, and stopped in Clinton, DeWitt county, Illinois, where he taught school; and among his pupils there were many of the present middle-aged men of all classes, who now reside in Clinton. He had prior to this time determined to adopt the profession of medicine as the business of his life, and with that idea in view, in 1855, he entered the office of Dr. Goodbrake, then and yet a practicing physician of Clinton. He pursued his studies diligently through the years 1855 and 1856, and in the fall of the first year named he entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago; and graduated, from that institution with the degree of M. D., February 18th, 1857. He returned to the county and commenced the practice of his profession in the town of DeWitt in this county, and remained there doing a large and successful practice until 1872. He then removed to Kenney, and there followed his profession until a few years ago, when he practically abandoned it, and engaged in farming. Whether he will continue out of the practice it is difficult to say. Our observation is that a man who has been so long in the practice can only quit it when compelled to do so from reason of physical disability or other equally controlling causes. He belongs to the progressive school of medicine, and keeps pace with and is well posted in all the discoveries that are daily made in the science of medicine. He is a member of the American Medical Association; State and DeWitt County Medical Societies. In the summer of 1855 he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Cottingham. She died in 187__. By that union there are four children living; their names are, William, Frank, Charles, and Frederick. On the 8th of September, 1876, he married Mrs. Rebecca Wallace, nee Farris, a native of DeWitt county, Illinois. By the second marriage there are the following children: Fanny Fern, Lillian, and Alitta Beulah. In religious matters Dr. Lake is what might be termed upon the broad-gauge; that is to say, he is liberal in his belief and is in sympathy with the advanced thought of the day on that question. Politically he is most soundly indoctrinated in the principles and theories of the Republican party; he is one of the pioneers of that political organization. He was the secretary of the first Republican meeting ever held in DeWitt county. In 1856 he with a few others had the boldness to cast his vote for the Anti-Slavery candidate— John C. Fremont, and from that time to the present he has on all occasions and at all general elections voted the ticket of his first choice. He is a respected member of I. O. O. F. As before intimated, Dr. Lake has abandoned the practice of medicine, and is now giving all of his attention to farming and stock-raising, in which he has been quite successful. Dr. Lake in his manners and address is a quiet, unassuming gentleman of good conversational powers, and of varied and extensive reading and information.

TILLMON LANE. (Page 325)

Who is among the prominent old settlers, was born in Monroe County, Kentucky, October 14th, 1823, and was the son of Ezekiel and Talitha Lane. In 1827 his father came to, Illinois, and settled in Hamilton County, where he lived until 1835; he then came to what is now DeWitt County, and entered land where the subject of this sketch now lives, in Creek Township, where he continued to reside until his death, October 19th, 1853, his wife having preceded him seven years. They raised a family of seven children, Tillmon being the eldest. He acquired such an education as the schools of his day afforded. He assisted his father on the farm until he arrived at the age of maturity. November 15th 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Thompson, who was born in Sangamon County. They have raised a family of eight children, five now living. Mr. Lane's life occupation has been that of a farmer. In politics he has always been a Democrat. For a number of years he represented his township in the County Board. In 1873 he represented his county in the State Legislature. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian Church. He lives a half-mile north of Lane, a growing, little village he laid out in 1873.

GEORGE B. LEMEN. (Page 279)

Among the pioneers of DeWitt county few names are more highly respected than that of the person whose portrait adorns this page. George B. Lemon, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, Oct. 1st, 1809. His parents were John R. and Rebecca Lemen, who were pioneers in the settlement of Ohio from the mother of States, old Virginia. His father was a farmer, who for years was elected Judge of the County Court, his style of thought and action fitting him for this position. Mr. G. B. Lemen was married to Charity Swisher, March 18th, 1830, in Clark county, Ohio, by the Rev. Robert Miller. The union has been blessed by the birth of twelve children, eleven of whom are now living. Mrs. Lemen died September 23d, 1843. On the 26th of May, 1844, George B. Lemen was married to Mary J. Woods. The Lemons and Swishers came to this county immediately before the deep snow, and in the Chapter on Pioneers, their early life here is treated of. Politically, Mr. Lemen is an out-and-out Republican, to use his own language. A Whig, in times of whiggery, his first presidential vote was cast for Henry Clay, whom he has always considered to be the model politician. Mr. Lemen voted the whig ticket when there were but three Whig votes cast in the county. The unpopularity of the cause daunted him not. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in whose welfare he takes great pride, also of the Masonic Order. In 1837 he was chosen as colonel of the militia of this county, a position he held with distinction to himself until 1848. The last parading was done when beating up troops for the Mexican war. When the war for the Union broke out, Col. Lemen cheered on with voice and act the boys in blue, and had the honor of presiding at the first meeting held in DeWitt county in the interest of the Union cause.

CHARLES S. LISENBY. (Page 329)

Was one of the prominent farmers and business men of DeWitt county. He was born in Monroe county, Kentucky, January 30, 1822, the eldest son in a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters.

The Lisenbey family are of English descent on the paternal side, and on the maternal side Irish. His grandfather, Abraham Lisenbey, was born in North Carolina, and married Rebecca Lyon, a native of Tennessee, in which State Benjamin G. Lisenbey and Margaret Simpson his wife—the father and mother of the subject of this sketch—were also born, but subsequently removed, in the early part of this century, to Kentucky. Benjamin G. Lisenbey brought his family to Sangamon county, Ills., when Charles S. was but little more than six years of age; and, two years later (in 1830), settled in what is now Creek Township, DeWitt county.

Charles S. was industrious and persevering, and his life from youth to age was one of almost incessant labor; and the slight education he received was obtained in the district schools. While living with his father, be improved for himself a farm in Creek Township, preparatory to his marriage; and on the 4th of March, 1847, he married Miss Eliza A. McKinley, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Wm. and Susan McKinley of Farmer City (formerly called Mount Pleasant), this county.

Mr. Lisenbey acquired considerable property, owning one-fourth of the entire town of Weldon, which place he took an active part in laying out and first settling; and his farm lands in the immediate neighborhood consisted in the aggregate of over one thousand acres.

He filled the official position of supervisor from Nixon township several terms. Politically, he consistently adhered to the democratic party. In 1881 he erected an elevator at Weldon, and, with the assistance of his two sons, carried on an extensive business there as lumber, grain, and coal merchants. He was a very industrious, enterprising, liberal man, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his friends and neighbors. His death occurred Jan. 23, 1882, leaving his wife, two sons and three daughters to survive him.

Note: The name was misspelled as Lisenbey in this article.

HON. LEWIS LUDINGTON. (Page 236)

The Ludington family, of which the subject of this sketch is a member, are the descendants of Henry Ludington, a native of England, who emigrated to America prior to the old French war. He was a soldier in that war. At the breaking out of the Revolution he enlisted under Washington, and rose rapidly from one position to another until he became a colonel of a regiment. His command was stationed in South Carolina, and there he participated in the battles of Eutaw Springs, King's Mountain, and the Cowpens. After the close of the war he returned to Putnam County in New York, where he had settled soon after coming to America, and where he died a number of years after. He married an Ogden, of which union was Frederick Ludington, the father of Lewis. He was a farmer and merchant; and lived and, died on the homestead, which still remains in the family. He died in 1852. He married Susan Griffith, a native of Dutchess County, New York. She survived her husband a few years, and died in 1856. There were fifteen children born to them, all whom, except one, reached the years of maturity. The eldest son Harrison and Nelson Ludington came West in 1837, and settled in Milwaukee, Wis. The former rose in prominence and became Governor of the State in 1876. Nelson removed Chicago in 1852 and was one of the first lumber dealers in city. He has attained considerable prominence, and is well, known throughout the West. Lewis, the subject of this sketch was born in Ludingtonville, Putnam County, New York, May 1, 1838, and is the youngest of the family. He received education in the common schools and academies of his native county, and was thus fitted for entrance to college, but not being pleased with the prospect of spending several years in close study abandoned the idea of receiving a collegiate education, and too up school teaching. Eighteen months spent in that profession convinced him that it had no allurements sufficiently enticing, make him follow it as a means of livelihood. In 1857 He came west, and stopped at Bloomington, where he found work in a lumber-yard, at nominal wages. Eighteen months later he returned to New York and spent the winter 1858-9 at home. In the spring of 1859 came back to Bloomington and soon after went to Wenona, Ill., and engaged in the lumber trade and grain business, in which he continued until 1862, when raised a company of one hundred and twelve men for the war. On the organization of the company he was unanimously elected captain. His was the first name on the muster roll. The company was mustered in as Co. H of 104th Regiment Illinois, Volunteers. The regiment joined Buell's forces at Louisville, KY. The first battle in which Co. H participated was at Hartsville, where it and the entire command, numbering fourteen hundred men, were captured by Gens. Hood and Morgan's forces. The rebel General Morgan was so impressed with the gallant conduct of Capt. Ludington that he permitter him to retain his side-arms, a courtesy which was not extended to any other in the Federal command. Five days after the battle they were paroled, ordered to Nashville, and from there sent to Columbus, Ohio, and exchanged, then ordered to report to Gen. Rosecrans at Nashville; order countermanded, and they were sent to Camp Douglas, at Chicago, to guard prisoners, where remained until May, 1863, when they joined Rosecrans' forces at Murfreesboro, and became a part of the 14th Army Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. At the battle of Chickamauga Capt. Ludington was the ranking captain, and was in command as major of the regiment. In the second day's fight, while repelling the charge of the rebels under Longstreet, he was wounded in the left knee, which shattered the joint. He was carried off the field and sent sixty miles, to Bridgeport, Ala., from thence to Nashville, and thence to Chicago. Five months later he reported at Nashville unfit for duty, and by order of Gen. Thomas was mustered out of the service, the date of which was January 19, 1864. He returned to Winona, and in October, 1864, removed to Bloomington. In 1870 Major Ludington came to Farmer City, and engaged in the lumber business, in which he continued until 1878, since which time he has been buying and shipping grain.

Politically, Maj. Ludington is a sound Republican. In 1880 his fidelity to his party, and worth as a man and citizen, received recognition by being nominated and elected to represent the counties of Macon and DeWitt in the 32d Gen. Assembly of the State. He served on several important committees, and was chairman of the committee on public buildings and grounds. He was favorably mentioned for speaker of the House, and had a number of warm personal friends who supported him for that position. He ably defended the Anti-Pool bill, which had for its object the regulation by legal methods of the growing power of monopolies, and to correct the abuses of the pooling system adopted by railroads. He became the chief spokesman and advocate of the bill, and had practically charge of it on the floor of the House. His long experience in shipping over railroads placed him in possession of many facts unknown to many members of the legislature. In that matter, as well as others, it may be said of Mayor Ludington that he sustained the reputation of a careful and prudent member, bringing to the practical work of the House a large share of valuable business experience and much good sense. His actions were always dictated by a just regard for the interests of his constituents and an honest desire to please those who had honored him with their outrages. In doing this he sometimes sacrificed his own interests, but there always remained with him the consciousness that he did his duty, and was faithful to the interests of the many as against the few. He is a respected member of the Order of A. F. of A. M., and also the Chapter. On the 16th of August, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie N., only daughter of George and Harriet (Phillips) Scott. She is a native of Putnam county, Ill. They have one child living, a daughter, named Hattie S. Ludington.

William Y. McCORD. (Page 231)

It is eminently fitting that in a history of DeWitt county proper mention should be made of him whose name heads this sketch. Few men in the northern part of the county exercised more influence for good, or took a more active interest in promoting enterprises that had for their object the increase of the material wealth or prosperity of Santa Anna township, than W. Y. McCord. He was born in Tennessee, October 29, 1816. He came to Illinois with his parents, James and Mary McCord, in 1831, and settled in DeWitt county, near Fullerton. In 1837 he moved to section thirty-two in Santa Anna township. He then entered a tract of land, which he improved, and afterwards added to it, and there he made his home until his death, which took place January 18, 1880. On the 8th of February, 1838, he married Miss Harriet, daughter of John and Rachel Weedman. She was born in Ohio, October 8th, 1819. By that union there was one son, named John Henry McCord, who was born Dec. 19, 1838. He married Sarah A., daughter of Thomas and Rachel Slick, February 4th, 1864, by which marriage there are two children, named Lora Nettie, and William H. McCord. In his life, William Young McCord was an earnest and consistent member o