History of DeWitt County Illinois: with biographical sketches of prominent representative citizens of the county.  Chicago: Pioneer Publishing Co., 1910

Note: These biographies were transcribed as written and may contain errors.  We welcome your corrections concerning factual data.  Just send an e-mail to the County Coordinator, and be sure to give us your name and return e-mail address.

Submitted by Judy Simpson unless otherwise noted.

Biographies G - H - I

JOHN A. GALAWAY.  (Volume II, Page 140)

John A. Galaway, one of the prosperous young farmers of Nixon township, whose home is on section 32, has spent the greater part of his life in DeWitt county, being born here on the 26th of November, 1872.  His parents were John and Ann (Rainey) Galaway, both natives of Ireland.  The father was born in 1844 and on his emigration to America, about 1867, settled in Sangamon county, Illinois.  He is still living, but the mother, whose birth occurred in 1837, died in April, 1909, and was laid to rest in Weldon cemetery.  They were the parents of seven children, four of whom still survive: James, now a resident of Morgan county, Illinois; Sadie, who is at home with her father; John A., of this review; and Frank, a resident of Nixon township.

During his boyhood John A. Galaway attended the common schools of DeWitt county and early became familiar with all of the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist.  He remained with his parents until twenty-seven years of age, when he was married on the 21st of February, 1899, to Miss Lena Olson, whose birth occurred in Piatt county, Illinois, May 28, 1875.  Her parents were Nelson and Sophia (Holbridge) Olson, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this volume.  To Mr. and Mrs. Galaway were born two children, but the younger died in infancy.  Clarence, born September 22, 1900, is now attending school.  The wife and mother, who was a remarkable woman, passed away December 1, 1907, and was buried in Weldon cemetery.

For the first three years after his marriage Mr. Galaway engaged in farming upon rented land in Nixon township, owned by his father, but in 1903 he and his father purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, that township, and here he now resides.  They have erected thereon good and substantial buildings and are placing the land under a high state of cultivation.  Besides this property our subject owns two hundred and four acres in Sangamon and Morgan counties in partnership with his brother Frank. He is a very industrious and energetic farmer and is a business man of good ability, whose success in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts.

Mr. Galaway has been called upon to serve as road commissioner and by his ballot supports the men and measures of the republican party.  He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternities and is a member of the United Brethren church, to which his wife also belongs.  She was to him a faithful companion and helpmate and her untimely death was mourned not only by her immediate family but by a large circle of friends and acquaintances as well.  Mr. Galaway is devoted to his home and family and is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

CHARLES A. GALE.  (Volume II, Page 258)

The energies and efforts of Charles A. Gale have been exerted along lines which have not only promoted his own advancement but have proven of benefit to his fellowmen, and he is today regarded as one of the most influential and prominent citizens of Weldon.  A native of Ohio, he was born in Pickaway county, on the 30th of March, 1863, his parents being Joseph Thomas and Harriet (Morris) Gale.  His mother was also born in Pickaway county in 1842 but the birth of the father occurred in Virginia.  In 1871 they brought their family to Illinois and settled in Piatt county, where the father carried on operations as a farmer until his death in 1877, being laid to rest in the new cemetery at Monticello.  He was an earnest and faithful member of the Methodist church, to which his widow also belongs.  She is now sixty-eight years of age and continues to make her home in Monticello.  In their family were five children, namely: W. M. and Jennie, both residents of Piatt county; Charles A., of this review; Edward, also a resident of Piatt county; and Joseph T., who makes his home in Decatur.

Charles A. Gale was about eight years of age on the removal of the family to Piatt county, Illinois, where he completed his education in the country schools.  He continued upon the farm until after his father’s death, and on the 1st of January, 1894, removed to Weldon, where he embarked in the lumber business in partnership with James Conway under the firm name of Conway & Gale.  In 1898 he purchased his partner’s interest and the following year bought out the lumber firm of Allan & Hand.  He then erected one of the largest and best lumber houses in the state at that time and enjoyed one of the best retail trades.  In 1904 he sold out to J. Q. Lamm & Son.  For a short time he was also engaged in the grain business in Weldon with Sherman Miller under the firm style of Gale & Miller, and they purchased the V. C. Swigart elevator, which they have since sold.  In 1905 Mr. Gale became interested in real estate and has since carried on business along that line with marked success, handling a large amount of property.  He makes a specialty of farm lands and has managed and closed some of the best deals in central Illinois.  His success is largely due to his excellent knowledge of land values.  In June, 1910, he opened an office in Decatur in partnership with his younger brother, Joseph T. Gale, and they now carry on business there under the name of Gale & Gale, while the business at Weldon is conducted under the firm style of C. A. Gale.  Our subject spends about half of his time at each place but continues to reside in Weldon, where in 1895 he erected one of the best residences of the city at the corner of Water and Chestnut streets.  He also owns about a section of land in DeWitt county and is today numbered among the prosperous and substantial citizens of the community.

On the 25th of December, 1895, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gale and Miss Maude Leo Scott, who was born in Morgan county, Illinois, September 6, 1875, daughter of James H. and Katherine (Chrisman) Scott, also natives of this state and now residents of Weldon.  Mrs. Gale is their only child.  Her father is a veteran of the Civil war and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. Mr. and Mrs. Gale have two sons: Paul Scott, born in Weldon, October 31, 1896; and Charles Lavin, born July 22, 1902.  Both are now attending school.

Mr. and Mrs. Gale are active members of the Methodist church and she is also interested in club work.  As a republican Mr. Gale has taken a very active and influential part in public affairs and is now serving his second term as mayor of the village of Weldon.  He has also filled the offices of village trustee and clerk, school director and alderman and has ever been found true to every trust reposed in him, whether of a public or private nature.  He is president of the DeWitt County Poultry Association and is one of the most public-spirited and progressive citizens of the community.  His genial, pleasant manner has made him popular as a public official and his private life has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence and high regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact.  Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

WILLIAM GAMBREL.  (Volume II, Page 324)

A credit to the community in which he lived by reason of his enterprise and business acumen; of worth to his county by reason of his having served it faithfully and well as an officer; of value to the state by reason of his standing among his fellowmen, and, above all, a noble father and husband, by reason of his devotion to wife and family, the name of the late William Gambrel, ex-county treasurer and a man of affairs, is worthy of a place in the history of DeWitt county.

Mr. Gambrel was descended from the old Indiana family, his father. Thompson Gambrel, being one of the oldest and one of the most enterprising residents of Posey county.  William was the second child in a family of five.  Maria, the wife of James Marvel, both deceased, was the eldest of the children.  She and her husband lived at Waynesville, Illinois, at the time of their deaths.  There they reared a large family.  James Gambrel, the third child, married Ann Allen, and lived at Waynesville, where he reared the following children: James, Elisha, Maiden, Nancy and Bertha.  Elisha married Nancy Marvel.  They live near Waynesville, Illinois, and have the following children: Lafayette; James, deceased; and Anna, the wife of Bert Trigg, of Lincoln, Illinois.  Mary, the wife of Nicholas Sylvester, is the fifth child of the family.  She and her husband make their home in Nebraska.

Mr. Gambrel was married to Miss Mary A. Marvel, the daughter of Prettyman and Rebecca (Barr) Marvel, of Waynesville township, the pioneer settlers of DeWitt county, having settled in the Kickapoo valley in 1828.  Mrs. Gambrel is a sister of Mrs. Nancy (Marvel) Teal, of Barnett township, the first white child born in DeWitt county.  The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gambrel number sixteen, and they form one of the largest families of the county.

Thompson Gambrel, the eldest, was born June 10, 1853, and died March 4, 1859.  Rebecca married John Lanterman, who lives in Aurora, Illinois, and their children are: Charles, deceased; and Hattie, the wife of Lee Cox, of Aurora, Illinois.  James, the next child, died aged two years.  William, born March 28, 1859, died August 15, 1892.  He was one of the leading attorneys at Clinton, Illinois, and leaves a widow, who was Miss Laura Sweeney, and a son, Harry.  Nancy Elizabeth is the wife of W. O. Horn, of Spokane, Washington, and their children are: Mary, Nellie, Ray, Paul and William, the latter two having died in infancy.  George married Etta Escue, who died without issue, and he later married Miss Ida Dick.  They make their home at Aberdeen, South Dakota, and are the parents of the following children: Charles, Kenneth and Donald.  Charles died aged five years.  Maria lived but three years, her death occurring March 27, 1870.  Levina married I. J. Atchison and lives west of Waynesville, Illinois.  She has one child, Ethel, the wife of John Hammit.  Ada married George Trigg and lived in De Land, Illinois, at the time of her death, which occurred January 31, 1900.  Besides her husband she is survived by three living children: Eva, Charles and William.  One child, Lora, died in infancy.  Eva, the next of the Gambrel children, was born July 4, 1871.  She married Charles Marvel and made her home near Tabor station at the time of her death, which was August 16, 1899.  Besides her husband she is survived by a son, Ralph.  Thomas Franklin, who lives at Aberdeen, South Dakota, married Emma Bloy and they have one son, George William. Laura E. is the wife of John Longworth, of McLean, Illinois, and their children are: Earl, Fern, Ethel, Lois and Wilbur.  Walter Calvin married Rose Edna Haas, the daughter of J. W. and Josephine (Berryhill) Haas, of Beason, Illinois, the date of the wedding being September 28, 1899.  J. W. Haas was the son of Jacob and Mary (Hatfield) Haas, of Piqua, Ohio, who came to Illinois in the early years of the settlement of the country and located near Elkhart.  They reared a family of nine children: Mayo, Alice, Grace, Minnie, Rose Edna, Roy B., Jay, Ethel and Bessie.  The child born to Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Gambrel is Lois Josephine.  Anna Bell, the wife of Harvey Thompson, of near Wapella, Illinois, is the fifteenth child of William and Mary Gambrel.  Her children are: Guy, Hobart and Rolland. Minnie, the youngest, makes her home with her mother at Tabor station.

William Gambrel was born October 10, 1833, in Posey county, Indiana, and died September 7, 1909, in DeWitt county, Illinois.  He came to DeWitt county, Illinois, from Indiana with his parents when about fourteen years old, settling on a farm about one mile east of the village of Waynesville.  There he lived until his marriage, working upon the farm and aiding his father and brothers in making the place one of the finest farms in the country.  After his marriage he started out for himself, purchasing a tract of one hundred acres of rich land near Waynesville.  His first year’s crop paid for the land, which has now become very valuable, though at the time he purchased it the land was not worth more than twenty dollars an acre.

Continuing his careful work as farmer and business man, Mr. Gambrel prospered until at one time he was the owner of a half section of land near Tabor station, Illinois—the old Gambrel homestead—and five thousand acres of fine grazing land in Texas, near Forth Worth.  From his western land he frequently shipped trainloads of cattle to the eastern markets without the aid of any other stockman, as his ranch was a finely equipped one for the raising of stock.

Mr. Gambrel held a majority of the township offices, serving as school director, highway commissioner and in various other capacities.  He was twice chosen as county treasurer, a position which he filled with credit to himself and the county.  He was also nominated by the republicans for the office of state treasurer but was defeated by a few votes, his opponent practically conceding his election at the first returns.  Mr. Gambrel was one of the oldest Masons of the county, having become a member of the Waynesville lodge, No. 172, in 1881.  Honored and esteemed by all who knew him, his life was filled with deeds of kindness and thoughtfulness.  During the last fifteen years of his life he lived retired from active farming, devoting his attention to the grain business, which he conducted at Tabor station.  His son, W. Calvin Gambrel, was associated with him in this enterprise and still conducts the business at Tabor.

See his obituary.

JOHN D. GARRELTS.  (Volume II, Page 188)

With that energy and strength of purpose which everywhere characterizes the sons of the Fatherland, John D. Garrelts, a German by birth but an American by choice of country, has won for himself an enviable position among the self-made men of DeWitt county.  He operates a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in section 31, Nixon township.  Born in Germany, January 2, 1868, he lived there until he was fourteen years old, at which time he emigrated to America with his parents, John and Gasky (Meyer) Garrelts, both of whom were natives of Germany.  The father was born in July, 1825, and died in Illinois in February, 1904, while the mother, who was born ten years after her husband’s birth occurred, died in 1895, in Tennessee.  On September 1, 1882, the couple had come to America and settled in Decherd, Tennessee.  Later they located on a farm in Franklin county, that state, where the mother died.  The family came to Piatt county, Illinois, in 1885, and the father rented land and engaged in farming up to the time of his death.  There were five children in the family, four of whom are living: Grace, now the widow of G. Goken, lives in DeLand; Fannie, the wife of Gus Heikens, also lives in DeLand; James lives in Tennessee; and John D. completes the family.

John D. Garrelts had received his early education in the schools of Germany before the emigration of the family to America and his knowledge of English has been self-acquired.  Until he was twenty-eight years of age he remained with his parents, working upon the several farms which his father operated.  He then married Miss Addie Dickey, a native of Ohio, born in December, 1871, and a daughter of Albert and Lois (Munger) Dickey, both natives of Ohio.  Her father died in Tennessee.  Mrs. Dickey makes her home with her daughter, being now in the sixty-eighth year of her age.  There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dickey three children, of whom Mrs. Garrelts is the eldest, the others being Kate, wife of William Kellerhals of Oklahoma; and Elizabeth, wife of William Von Remtzel, living in Nebraska.

After his marriage, which took place in Franklin county, Tennessee, in 1896, Mr. Garrelts lived in that county for three years.  Then he came into Illinois, settling in Nixon township, DeWitt county, where he rented a place for a time, then went to DeLand, where he remained four years.

It was four years ago that he rented the farm he at present occupies, which consists of one hundred and twenty acres, belonging to Samuel Fair.  Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Garrelts all save the eldest were born in Illinois.  They are as follows: Albert Dickey, born September 12, 1897, in Franklin county, Tennessee; Edward, born in Piatt county, Illinois, December 15, 1901; Alice Marie, born August 1, 1904, in Piatt county; and Lois, born in this county, March 15, 1910.

Mr. Garrelts has always followed general farming and has made quite a success of it as is evinced by the appearance of his farm which is in a high state of cultivation and well improved in every detail.  He is a republican in national politics but independent in local affairs, voting rather for the man than the party he represents.  A director of the township schools, he is interested in promoting the system to the greatest extent possible and is foremost in matters which have to do with the betterment of the educational system.  He and his family are church members, Mr. Garrelts being connected with the Baptist denomination, while his wife was reared in the Methodist faith.  Able and trustworthy in every respect, he has a wide circle of friends who know him as an energetic, forceful and self-made man.

BENJAMIN F. GARVER.  (Volume II, Page 238)

The name of Garver is a familiar one in the business circles of Farmer City, for since 1869, or a period of forty-one years, father and son have been identified with the drug trade of this city, and Benjamin F. Garver is successfully continuing the business which his father started.  Mr. Garver was born in Monticello, Illinois, his natal day being December 16, 1865.  He is the third in order of birth in a family of three sons and three daughters, whose parents were Samuel B. and Elizabeth (Gay) Garver, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio.  In his early life the father followed farming in Piatt county, Illinois, and in that section of the state enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Seventy-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1862.  The principal engagements in which he took part were Chickamauga, Stone River, the siege of Vicksburg and Chattanooga.  He was three times wounded and served at the front until the close of hostilities, making a creditable military record.  After the close of the war he returned to his home in Piatt county, but in 1869 came to Farmer City to join his brother in the drug business, which had been started here the year previous.  For many years he was actively identified with the store but in 1906 removed to Decatur, Illinois, where he has since lived retired.  While still a resident of Farmer City he served as representative in the general assembly in 1900 and was elected for a second term.  He is a Mason and also belongs to Lemon Post, G. A. R., at Farmer City.  In religious belief he is a Methodist, in the faith of which his wife died on the 5th of June, 1901, when sixty-one years of age.  Although Samuel B, Garver has severed his connections with Farmer City, he is still remembered by his many friends and acquaintances here, who know him as a most honorable and upright man.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Garver were born six children, as follows: Alice, deceased; John U., a resident of Chicago; Benjamin F., of this review; Nancy Jane, the wife of T. S. Mitchell, a minister of the Methodist denomination, now located at Edinburg, Illinois; Charles, who has also passed away; and Nellie May, who became the wife of Ed C. Robinson but is now deceased.

B. F. Garver, the subject of this review, was a little lad of three years when he was brought by his parents to Farmer City and in this place he has since made his home.  He began his education in the public schools and completed the high-school course, being the first male graduate in this city.  Having in the meantime decided upon the profession of pharmacy as a life work, to this end he entered the College of Pharmacy in Chicago, graduating from that institution in the winter of 1888-89.  Returning to his home in Farmer City, he entered his father’s drug store and in 1891 became a partner of his father, the business being conducted in that manner until 1906, when the son purchased the latter’s interest and has since conducted business alone.  He carries a full line of drugs and druggists’ sundries and commands a good share of the trade in this line in the city.

On the 9th of September, 1894, occurred the marriage of Mr. Garver and Miss Lela Reed, who was born in LeRoy, Illinois, a daughter of John L. and Estella Reed.  This union has been blessed with one daughter, Frances Estella.

Mr. Garver is prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen and the Red Men.  He gives his political support to the republican party.  He is a lover of all manly outdoor sports and in this manner finds rest and recreation from the routine of business life.  Unassuming in manner, he is most courteous and pleasant and is popular among his numerous friends and acquaintances who are found not only in the city where almost his entire life has been spent but in various sections of DeWitt county.

PETER J. GILLEN, M. D.  (Volume II, Page 82)

Dr. P. J. Gillen, a prominent and successful physician and surgeon of Clinton, was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 10th of April, 1868, his parents being John and Frances (Gross) Gillen, likewise natives of that country.  Peter Gillen, the paternal grandfather, was a farmer by occupation and died in Germany at the age of seventy-nine years.  His wife, Mrs. Catharine Gillen, passed away when sixty-four years of age.  Their children were seven in number, namely: John, Jacob, Nicholas, Catharine, Magdalena, Mary and Wendell.  Joseph Gross, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Germany and likewise followed farming as a life work.  He died at the age of sixty-four years, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Sebastian, was called to her final rest when fifty-six years old.  In their family were the following: John, Elizabeth, Catharine and Frances.

John Gillen, the father of Dr. Gillen, brought his family to the United States in 1874, locating at Metamora, Ohio, where he was actively engaged in business as a farmer and stock dealer.  His demise there occurred in 1906, when he had attained the age of eighty-four years, while his wife, who survived him for only eleven days, was seventy-nine years old at the time of her death.  Both were faithful communicants of the Catholic church.  They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely: Magdalena, the wife of Jacob Klein, of Metamora, Ohio; John, also a resident of Metamora, Ohio; Peter, living in Delta, Ohio; Nicholas, who resides in Delphos, Ohio; Wendell, who makes his home near Winnipeg, Canada; Rev. J. Gillen, of Cairo, Illinois; Frances, who is the widow of Byron Barhite and lives in St. Louis, Missouri; P. J., of this review; and Catharine, the wife of Louis Stapleton, of Swanton, Ohio.

Dr. P. J. Gillen, who was a little lad of six years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, was reared at Metamora, Ohio, and attended the public schools at that place.  Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he began studying to that end and in 1898 was graduated from Marion Sims Medical College of St. Louis.  In 1909 he likewise pursued a post-graduate course at St. Louis University.  He first located for practice in Columbia, Illinois, and later removed to East St. Louis, Illinois, which city remained the scene of his professional labors until he came to Clinton in August, 1909.  He purchased a handsome residence at No. 305 North Center street and also has an infirmary adjoining his home property.  That the public has confidence in his professional skill and ability is indicated by the liberal practice accorded him.  He is very careful in diagnosing a case and his judgment is seldom, if ever, at fault in predicting the outcome of disease in any specific instance.  Moreover, he performs his duties with a sense of conscientious obligation and is meeting with gratifying success in his chosen field of labor.  He has constantly promoted his ability through reading, research and experience and also promotes his knowledge through the interchange of thought and experience as a member of the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

On the 17th of October, 1906, Dr. Gillen was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Elizabeth Burch, whose birth occurred on Kaskaskia Island, Randolph county, Illinois, her parents being Ignatius and Amanda (Close) Burch.  The paternal grandfather, Joshua Burch, who was a pioneer settler of Randolph county, Illinois, lived to attain the venerable age of eighty-six years.  Unto him and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Bridget Tewel were born five children: William R., John H., Ignatius, Joshua and James, all of whom grew to maturity.  William and Louisa (Blais) Close, the maternal grandparents of Mrs. Gillen, removed from Ruma, Illinois, to Kaskaskia, where they passed away at a ripe old age.  They had three sons and two daughters, namely: William, Henry, George, Amanda and Louisa.

Ignatius and Amanda (Close) Burch, the parents of Mrs. Gillen, were natives of Kentucky and became early settlers of Randolph county, Illinois, the former following agricultural pursuits on Kaskaskia Island.  Mrs. Burch passed away on the 2d of February, 1900, when forty-nine years of age.  Both she and her husband were Catholics in religious faith.  Unto them were born eleven children, five sons and six daughters, eight of whom still survive, as follows: Julia, the wife of George B. Mulholland, of St. Louis; Ada, the wife of Peter Cattlet, of Kaskaskia; Charles, likewise a resident of Kaskaskia; Virginia; Mrs. Gillen; Daniel I.; Joshua I.; and Ruth.  Dr. and Mrs. Gillen have two children, Dolores Beulah and Joseph James.

Fraternally the Doctor is identified with the Knights of Columbus, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, with which his wife is also affiliated.  He adheres to a high standard of professional ethics and enjoys in large measure the confidence and good will of his professional brethren as well as of the general public.

FREDERICK S. GIRARD.  (Volume II, Page 69)

Frederick S. Girard, now successfully engaged in general farming on section 12, Nixon township, was born on the 1st of March, 1874, in Miami county, Kansas , his parents being Nicholas and Viana (Provins) Girard.  The mother, who was a native of this state, died on the 20th of March, 1910, at the age of fifty-five years, but the father is still living.  He was born in France in 1824 and came to America about 1858.  When the country became involved in Civil war he manifested his allegiance by enlisting in the Union service and was at the front for about four years and eight months, participating in the battles of Gettysburg, Shiloh and Corinth.  He was also with the Army of the Potomac .  For over thirty-five years he made his home in DeWitt county, where he followed farming, but since 1907 he has lived at the Soldiers’ Home in Danville Illinois.  In religious faith both he and his wife were Catholics.  Their family consisted of eleven children, eight of whom are now living, namely: Ida May, the wife of William Hitchcock of Clinton, Illinois; Frederick S., of this review, and Edward, a resident of Macon county, Illinois, who are twins; Joseph, of Denver, Colorado; George, of Springfield, Illinois; Alfred and Albert, twins, the former a resident of Weldon and the latter of Monticello, Illinois; and Ogle, also of Weldon.

Being brought to DeWitt county at an early age, Frederick S. Girard is indebted to its public schools for the early educational advantages he enjoyed.  He remained with his parents until he attained his majority and for four years was employed by the month as a farm hand in this county.  After his marriage, however, he commenced farming upon rented land and has since successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, devoting considerable time to stock raising.  He now rents one hundred and sixty acres of Andrew Allan and has resided upon this place for seven years.

On the 5th of February, 1899, Mr. Girard married Miss Clara M. Stone, who was born in Piatt county, Illinois , June 6, 1877, a daughter of Isaac and Lydia (Hensen) Stone.  In this family were four children, all of whom are still living, namely: Joseph Hensen, now a resident of Oklahoma ; Christina, the wife of Phil Day, of Weldon; Susan, the wife of Edward Gregory, of Solomon, Illinois ; and Clara M., the wife of our subject.  Mr. and Mrs. Girard have two children, Vernell, born in DeWitt county, September 23, 1901; and Frances, born November 13, 1905; while one child is deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Girard hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.  He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and Mrs. Girard is a member of the Royal Neighbors.  By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party and takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs.  He is well known throughout the community and is held in the highest esteem.

CHARLES GLENN.  (Volume II, Page 43)

Among the residents of DeWitt township who after many years devoted to agricultural pursuits are now living retired is numbered Charles Glenn, whose home is on section 20.  He is still, however, the owner of one hundred and thirty-three acres in this township but has laid aside all business cares and is enjoying a well earned rest.  He was born on a farm near Hallsville in Ross county, Ohio , March 19, 1844, and is a son of James and Barbara (Hall) Glenn.  The father was probably also a native of the Buckeye state but the mother was born in Pennsylvania and at a very early day accompanied her father, John Hall, on his removal to Iowa [ Ohio ?].  Mr. Hall purchased a tract of land in Maple Swamp at what became known as Hallsville, the town being named in his honor.  He started to ditch the swamp and the work has since been carried on until the property is now one of the best farming districts in that section of the state.

In early life James Glenn, the father of our subject, followed farming and also owned and operated a sawmill.  As early as 1854 he came to DeWitt county, bringing his family with him, the journey being made by wagon, but not being pleased with the country he remained here only three years and then drove back to Ohio, taking with him the cow which he had brought to this county three years before.  He had been influenced to come to this region by his uncle, Elias Hall, who had married Maria McKinley, a niece of James McKinley, who was also the uncle of William McKinley, afterward congressman.

On the return of the Glenn family to Ross county, Ohio , Charles Glenn worked with his father upon the home farm.  Feeling that his country needed his services, he laid aside all personal interests in August, 1862, and enlisted in Company C, Seventy-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He participated in a number of important engagements, including those at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville , where he heard the shot that killed Stonewall Jackson.  He also took part in the battle of Gettysburg, where his regiment lost half of their men, and was under Hooker in the southwest.  He was in the midnight charge at Chattanooga, also in the Atlanta campaign, and marched to the sea under General Sherman.  When the war was over he participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C., and then returned home.  While at home on a veteran furlough during his service he contracted measles and was confined in the general field hospital at Chattanooga, where the attendants wrote to his relatives that it was not likely he would live.  While on picket duty in front of Savannah he received a flesh wound in the hip and at Resaca , Georgia , was shot through the coat sleeve, the ball passing through the side of his coat and lodging in the butt of his gun, which was knocked from his hand.  He kept that ball until in camp at Washington, D. C., after the grand review, when he lost it.  Hostilities having ceased and his services being no longer needed, he was mustered out at Louisville Kentucky, and honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.

After his arrival home Mr. Glenn realized the need of a better education and wanted to enter the public schools but this the directors refused him as he was then past twenty-one years of age.  In 1865 he induced his father and uncle, Charles Hall, to again move to Illinois and this time the family settled in Harp township, DeWitt county, where the father spent the remainder of his life, though he never purchased land here.  Our subject spent about four years in McDonough county, Illinois, having charge of his brother-in-law’s farm, and while there he was first married May 15, 1866, to Miss Miranda Johnson, a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and a daughter of Absalom and Susan (Jerome) Johnson.  By this marriage three children were born, but one died in infancy, and the others are Alice, who makes her home with her father, and Emmett, who married Laura Jordan and lives in Clintonia township, this county.  He has two children.

After spending about four years in McDonough county, Mr. Glenn returned to DeWitt county and purchased twenty acres of land in Harp township, but shortly afterward both he and his wife were taken ill and the latter died.  He was again married March 20, 1873, his second union being with Miss Catharine Mills, who was born in Barnett township, a daughter of Thomas Mills.  The children born of this union are: Elmer; Lizzie; Sherman; Austin; Sadie; Alvin; Frank; Edgar; Stella, who died at the age of fourteen years; and Catharine, who died in infancy.  Mr. Glenn is one of a family of fourteen children, including four pairs of twins, and he has an aunt, Mrs. Margaret Hall, of Weldon Illinois, who is one of triplets.

After his second marriage Mr. Glenn spent eleven years in farming in Warren county, Iowa, but at the end of that time returned to Clinton, Illinois, and for the following two years operated rented land.  He next removed to the C. H. Moore farm in Dewitt township, and he and his sons have since had that farm under their control.  In 1901 he purchased his present place and has since greatly improved the residence and built a new barn in 1903.  He has also made a fish pond, covering about two or three acres, which is well stocked with fish, and from this he cuts a large amount of ice each winter.  At Atlanta, Georgia, he had the honor of casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has since been a stalwart supporter of the republican party but has always refused to become a candidate for office.  He has always been found as true to his country’s interests in times of peace as in time of war and after a useful and well spent life, well merits the rest that he is now enjoying.

GEORGE G. GOBLE.  (Volume II, Page 146)

Among the progressive and up-to-date farmers and stock raisers of DeWitt county is numbered George G. Goble, now carrying on operations in DeWitt township, where he owns a valuable tract of two hundred and sixty acres, lying partly on sections 30 and 31.  He was born on a farm near Waynesville, Illinois, February 7, 1859, and is a worthy representative of a worthy pioneer family of this state.  His father, Isaac Goble, was a native of New Jersey and a son of Jonathan and Rebecca A. (Johnson) Goble, with whom he came to Illinois when a young man, the family settling in Pike county.  On the 1st of February, 1849, he married Miss Jane Tozer, a native of New Hampshire and a daughter of Elias and Betsey (Fifield) Tozer, who also settled in Pike county at an early day.  On leaving that county Mr. and Mrs. Goble removed to Waynesville, where they made their home for eight years and on selling out there the father purchased eighty acres of land in Nixon township, DeWitt county, in 1864, for which he paid twenty-five dollars per acre.  To the cultivation and improvement of that property he devoted his time and energies until 1900, when he removed to Weldon, there passing away in 1907.  His wife had died in 1900 and both were laid to rest in the Weldon cemetery.

During his boyhood George G. Goble pursued his studies in the common schools near his home and remained with his father until twenty-four years of age, when he was married on the farm which he now owns and occupies, the wedding ceremony being performed October 30, 1884.  His bride was Miss Lillie Nixon, a daughter of William and Margaret (Johnston) Nixon.  Her father was born in Ross county, Ohio, and was a son of John and Leander (Southward) Nixon, who were born and reared near Wheeling, West Virginia.  Mrs. Goble’s mother was born near London, Ohio, and was a daughter of George Johnston.  Mr. and Mrs. Nixon were married in Madison county, Ohio, and in 1848 came to DeWitt county, Illinois, and settled in what is now Nixon township, which was named in honor of Mrs. GoblE’s grandfather, John Nixon, who had come here prior to the time her father made his location.  Mrs. Goble was born on the farm where she now resides, January 18, 1863, and the place has continued to be her home, for after her marriage Mr. Goble rented the land and in 1899 purchased eighty acres at sixty-two dollars and fifty cents per acre, while Mr. Nixon gave to them another eighty acre tract.  This property is now worth about one hundred and forty dollars per acre and is well improved and under a high state of cultivation.  Mr. Goble uses the latest improved machinery in carrying on his farm work and is up-to-date and progressive in his methods.

There are five children in the family of our subject and his wife.  The eldest son, Clyde, received a common-school education and on reaching manhood married Miss Harriet Whitehead, by whom he has one son, Cecil.  They make their home in Nixon township.  Ada, the oldest daughter, married Roy Smallwood and lives on a farm near Wapella.  Roy Clinton, Miriam Jane and Harry Lee are all at home with their parents.

Since casting his first presidential vote for Garfield in 1880, Mr. Goble has always affiliated with the republican party and is well informed on the questions and issues of the day.  He was elected and served as road commissioner for six years, during which time the Swigart and Glenn bridges were built.  In 1906 he was elected supervisor of DeWitt township and filled that office most acceptably for two terms but refused to again become a candidate.  During his incumbency he was a member of the committee on roads and bridges and on the poor farm.  He is a charter member of Mozark Lodge, No. 96, Knights of Pythias, in which he has filled some minor offices, and in 1910 he and his wife attended the dedication of the Orphans’ Home at Decatur.  The family is one of prominence in the community where they have so long made their home, and their lives have been such as to merit the high regard in which they are held.

JAMES M. GOODRICH.  (Volume II, Page 319)

For more than twenty-two years James M. Goodrich has been identified with the development and improvement of the farm on which he now makes his home, this tract embracing one hundred and twenty acres, located in Waynesville township.  He was born in Ohio , February 23, 1842, a son of Henry and Amy (Phares) Goodrich.  The former was born in the state of New York , January 12, 1786, his parents being Joel and Irena Goodrich, who were likewise natives of the Empire state.  The father spent his entire life in the state of his nativity and after reaching mature years engaged in farming, which continued to be his occupation throughout life, his death occurring about 1850.  His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amy Phares, was a daughter of Robert and Mary Phares, natives of Ohio , and by her marriage she became the mother of six sons and three daughters, the record being as follows: Carmi, the eldest, was born March 22, 1822.  He wedded Miss Margaret Foreman of Ohio , and unto them were born four daughters.  He passed away at the advanced age of eighty years but his widow still survives and now resides in Illinois .  Irena Ann, born on the 9th of February, 1824, died in Ohio at the age of twenty years.  Robert P. was born May 24, 1826, and died in Kansas at the age of seventy-two years.  He wedded Oroline Bell, of Ohio , who died in Kansas in 1906.  They had one son and one daughter who lived to mature years.  Samuel P., born April 23, 1830, died when eighteen years old.  Joel P., born March 3, 1832, lived to the age of seventy-three, passing away in Nebraska .  He wedded Mary Elliott of Ohio , who still survives.  They had four sons and one daughter, who reached years of maturity.  Mary Catharine, Born December 18, 1835, died in childhood.  Elizabeth K., born April 17, 1837, became the wife of Austin W. Bell, of Ohio .  They removed to Iowa in 1891, and Mr. Bell’s death there occurred in 1905, while Mrs. Bell died in that state in 1898.  They had one son and two daughters.  Henry Allen, born July 23, 1839, in Ohio , died in Hallsville Illinois, in 1909.  He was three times married, his first union being with a Miss Bowman, of Illinois , by whom he had one son and two daughters.  His second wife lived but a short time after her marriage and for his third wife Mr. Goodrich chose Mrs. Anna Updyke, of Illinois , by whom he had three sons.  Her death occurred in 1905.  James M. is the youngest in order of birth.

James M. Goodrich began his education in the schools of Ohio , continuing his studies after the removal of the family to Illinois .  He was a little lad of but eight years when his father died.  He was reared to the occupation of farming, which, with the exception of one year spent in the butchering business in Waynesville, has continued to be his life work.  In 1879 he became the possessor of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Waynesville township but he later sold forty acres, the home place now embracing one hundred and twenty acres.  Mr. Goodrich has made many improvements on his farm, which is now one of the valuable and productive properties of this section of DeWitt county.

Mr. Goodrich manifested his loyalty to his country during the Civil war when he enlisted for service at the front, becoming a member of Company D, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry.  He took part in twenty-two engagements, notable among which were the battles of Resaca and Dalton, Georgia, and Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain and Franklin Tennessee.  He was mustered out at Salisbury North Carolina, and received his discharge at Springfield Illinois, after which he returned home and resumed the pursuits of civil life.

In 1880, in DeWitt county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Goodrich and Miss Helen M. Finfrock, a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Cass) Finfrock, natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois respectively.  The father settled in Mt. Pulaski , Logan county, during the early period of its development and later removed to Sangamon county, where he reared a family numbering six sons and one daughter, the latter now Mrs. Goodrich.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich have been born five daughters and two sons.  Ola Agnes, whose birth occurred July 11, 1881, died in infancy.  Bertha Helen, born October 1, 1882, was married October 21, 1908, to C. S. Troutman, of Decatur Illinois, their home being near that city.  Lumen Earl, born May 22, 1884, was married on Christmas day of 1905 to Ada Vincent, a native of Illinois .  They have two sons, the family residing in Waynesville township.  Alice Cary, born August 18, 1886, became the wife of W. C. Musser, of Decatur, on the 23d of February, 1910.  Eunice F., born March 23, 1889, was married December 31, 1907, to Lester Wampler, of Waynesville township, by whom she has a little daughter, Lois Ruth.  Mary Lois, born May 9, 1892, and Willis McKinley, born October 22, 1894, are still with their parents.

The Republican party finds a stanch supporter in Mr. Goodrich.  In religious faith he is a Presbyterian, his first relation being with the church at Elm Grove, which he joined in 1876, but he later transferred his membership to the church in Waynesville, and for the past twenty-four years has been an elder.  He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Frank Sampson Post, No. 298, G. A. R.  It is to the enterprise and character of such citizens as James M. Goodrich that DeWitt county owes her advancement along agricultural, political and moral lines.  Coming here more than fifty-three years ago he has not only witnessed the progress that has been made from year to year along these lines, but has been an active participant in or is familiar with many of the events which have left their impress upon its history.

VANCE R. GRADY.  (Volume II, Page 64)

The agricultural interests of DeWitt county find a worthy and successful representatives in Vance R. Grady, who carries on farming in Texas township and was born in the homestead which he still occupies.  His birth occurred on the 30th of September, 1863, his parents being John D. and Sarah (Wray) Grady, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania .  The father, whose natal year was 1825, followed agricultural pursuits in the Keystone state until about 1854, when he came to Illinois , settling in DeWitt county.  Shortly afterward he bought eighty acres of the farm which is now in possession of our subject and later extended the boundaries of the place by additional purchase until at the time of his death it embraced two hundred and forty acres.  he was called to his final rest after having resided within the borders of this county for more than a half a century, passing away in 1898.  It was in this state that he wedded Miss Sarah Wray, whose birth occurred in the year 1831 and who came to Illinois with her parents.  She still survives her husband and is a well known and highly esteemed resident of the community in which she makes her home.  Her children were six in number, two of whom died in infancy.  The others are as follows: Thomas C., who wedded Miss Ella Mitchell and resides in this county; Vance R., of this review; Minnie, who is the widow of William Cramer and makes her home in Macon county; and Clara, the wife of Seymour McKinney.

Vance R. Grady attended the schools of this county in the acquirement of an education and after completing his studies worked with his father on the home farm until the latter’s death.  The property has since been in his possession and he has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement, generous harvests annually rewarding his untiring labors.

In 1887 Mr. Grady was united in marriage to Miss Love Seits, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Solomon and Mary Seits, who were likewise born in the Keystone state.  They came to Illinois in 1868, settling in Macon county, where the father passed away in 1887 and the mother in 1901.  Unto them were born ten children, three of whom yet survive, namely: Mrs. Gertrude Hood, living in Champaign county, Illinois ; Mrs. Grady; and Mrs. Ida Madden, who makes her home in Vermilion county, Illinois .  Mr. and Mrs. Grady became the parents of six children, the record of whom is as follows: Walter, who was born in 1889 and passed away in 1904; Lloyd and Floyd, twins, who were born in 1891; Ferne, whose natal year was 1893; Ella, whose birth occurred in 1896; and Velma, born in 1898.

In politics Mr. Grady is a democrat, believing firmly in the principles of that party.  He has resided here continuously from his birth to the present time and his life, lived in accordance with high principles and spent in useful endeavor, has been of valuable service to the community and proves him deserving of the respect he enjoys.

JOHN D. GRAHAM.  (Volume II, Page 206)

Fifty-eight years have passed since J. D. Graham first came to DeWitt county and in that time a great improvement and many changes have taken place in which he has participated, as he was a young man in the prime of life when he located here.  His fortunes have developed and increased like those of the county and today he is one of the heavy landowners of Creek township.  He is now living a retired life, so far as active farming goes, but resides upon his fine estate in sections 2, 11, 13, 14 and 24, where he manages the cultivation of nearly five hundred acres of farm land.

Mr. Graham was born in Ohio, December 3, 1828, a son of Samuel and Lucy (Dammison) Graham, both of whom came to this county in 1852.  His father was a native of Virginia, born in 1804, and passed away in DeWitt county in 1860.  Mrs. Lucy Graham was a native of Maryland, where she was born in 1802, and she died in this county in 1882.  Both are buried in the Lisenby cemetery, Creek township.  Of the seven children born to Samuel and Lucy Graham but three are now living, of whom J. D. Graham of this review is the eldest.  Kesiah is a widow of William Lisenby and Harvey is a resident of Creek township, being equally interested with his brother in his land.

The early life of J. D. Graham was spent in Ohio, where he attended the public schools, at the same time assisting in the duties of the farm, as his brothers were small and his father was a cripple.  Until he had attained the age of twenty-eight years he handled his father's estate.  When the family came west in 1852, he took charge of the work of improving their new home and continued to work upon it until he was married.  That important event in his life occurred March 1, 1866, Miss Rebecca A. Van Ness, a daughter of Cornelius and Rebecca Van Ness, becoming his wife.  Mrs. Graham was born in Ohio, August 11, 1843, her parents having removed there quite early in life from Vermont.  Both her father and mother lived to be quite old and died in Ohio.  There were seven children in the family of Cornelius and Rebecca Van Ness, four of whom are still living; Ellen, who is the widow of Samuel Guy and lives in Nebraska; Lucy, who is the widow of Abraham Davenport and lives in Kansas; George, living in Ohio; and John, also of Ohio.  John Van Ness is a veteran of the Civil war, having served throughout its entire length.  Mrs. Rebecca (Van Ness) Graham, fourth child of Cornelius and Rebecca Van Ness, died at her home in Creek township, April 5, 1909, her remains being interred in the Lisenby cemetery.  She was a very estimable woman.  A member of the Christian church and a devout Christian woman, she gave freely of her time and labor to the furtherance of church work.  She was a member of the Ladies Aid Society of the church and took part in all the charitable work of the community.  She was a good wife and a devoted mother and her death brought sorrow not alone to her husband and family but to a wide circle of friends and neighbors.

Mr. and Mrs. Graham were the parents of four children, two of whom are now deceased.  Those living, both born in Creek township, are: Samuel C., born May 15, 1875, who makes his home with his father; and George F., born in April, 1879, who married Miss Linnie Shaw and also makes his home with his father.

Following his marriage Mr. Graham settled in Creek township, buying forty acres for his first venture.  He has steadily added to the original farm until today he is the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of land.  The well kept buildings, as well as the fine residence upon the place on section 2 have all been built by Mr. Graham since taking charge of the farm and the entire place is in excellent condition, reflecting great credit upon the energy and ability of its owner.  Allied with no one party politically, he votes for the man or the measure always.  A veteran of the Civil war, Mr. Graham has a record of having participated in several of the more important events of that stirring conflict.  He enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the sieges of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia, and in many minor engagements and skirmishes, as did his brother, James H. Graham, who served through the entire five years of the war in Company C, Forty-First Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  The success in life which Mr. Graham has achieved is due entirely to his ability to perform hard work coupled with an equally great ability to endure privations and with sound business instinct.  He has won not alone success but also the respect of a wide circle of friends and neighbors, among whom he has lived for more than half a century.

WILLIAM F. GRAY.  (Volume II, Page 280)

Among the younger and yet representative attorneys of Clinton is numbered William F. Gray, who was born in Nixon township, DeWitt county, Illinois, on the 31st of October, 1877.  The Gray family is of Irish lineage and the grandfather of our subject always remained a resident of the Emerald isle, both he and his wife passing away there when in middle life.  Their son, William Gray, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, and was about nine years of age when he crossed the Atlantic to America, being then an orphan boy.  He landed in New York city and earned his own livelihood by working in a stone quarry.  After a short time he began selling pocket combs on the street and later was a pack peddler.  In this way he traveled extensively through the southern states and also engaged in trade with the Indians in the west.  He traveled through the Indian Territory and Oklahoma before the war and subsequently settled in Sullivan county, Indiana, where he met and married Miss Harriet Jennings, who was born in Marion county, that state.  Her father, Abel Jennings, lived in Sullivan county during the pioneer epoch in its history.  He had formerly been captain of a vessel on Lake Erie, but he and his wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Wilsey, spent their last days in Sullivan county, Indiana, his death occurring when he was fifty-six years of age, while Mrs. Jennings passed away in her sixty-second year.  They were the parents of ten children and by a former marriage Mr. Jennings had fourteen children.  As stated, his daughter Harriet became the wife of William Gray, who, three months after their marriage, entered the army, serving in two different regiments during the Civil war.  He enlisted at the outbreak of hostilities, but after a short time was discharged on account of physical disability.  He then reenlisted and was at the front for about four years.  Following the war he located in Sullivan county, Indiana, where he remained until he found a long lost brother, Worship Gray, whom he had not seen for twenty-five years and who was then living in DeWitt county, Illinois.  William Gray then came to this county, where he engaged in farming and in buying cattle until 1893.  He then retired from active life and settled in Weldon, where he and his wife still make their home.  Selling his eighty-acre tract of land, he invested the money in town property and for a few years he was engaged in the grocery business in Weldon but is now living retired.  He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church.  Their family number five sons and four daughters: Fannie, the wife of Lewis Edwards of Weldon; Emmett, a merchant of that place; Abel, who is living in Creek township; Marie, the wife of Charles Costley of Weldon; Nora, the wife of George Gray of Weldon; William F., of this review; Walker E., whose home is in San Francisco, California; Eugene T., of Weldon; and Clara, who died when but two years of age.

William F. Gray was reared on his father’s farm in the vicinity of Weldon and after attending the district schools became a pupil in the Weldon high school, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1897.  He afterward engaged in teaching for several terms in DeWitt county but regarded this merely as an initial step to further professional labor and entered the Northern Indiana School of Law at Valparaiso to qualify for practice.  He was graduated in 1903 and devoted the following year to teaching school and the further reading of law in Clinton.  Since his admission to the bar, in 1904, he has practiced continuously with a growing clientage that is indicative of the skill that he has displayed in the work of the courts.  He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and precision, is strong and logical in argument and clear and cogent in his reasoning.

On the 25th of September, 1906, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Julia Baker, daughter of James and Ella (Edwards) Baker, and they now have one son, James William Gray.  Mrs. Gray was born in Creek township, DeWitt county, Illinois, and was one of two children, the younger being Edwin Baker.  Her father was a native of England and was a son of John Baker, who was born in that country and on coming to America, settled at Eagle, Wisconsin, where he reared a large family.  One of his sons attained the notable height of six feet and six inches.  The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Gray was a native of Illinois, where he followed farming.

Mr. Gray belongs to Weldon Lodge, No. 746, A. F. & A. M.; Weldon Lodge, K, P.; and the Clinton Lodge of Elks.  His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he is now serving as city attorney.  Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church and they reside at No. 609 North Jackson avenue, their home, which they own, being a most hospitable one and a favorite resort with their many friends.  In his professional career Mr. Gray has made steady progress and his earnest effort, close application and discriminating study constitute the basis of his advancement.

LEVI WYMAN GREEN.  (Volume II, Page 381)

Levi Wyman Green, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Tunbridge township, is one of the early settlers of DeWitt county who has been prominently identified with its development and upbuilding.  He was born on the 26th of January, 1847, in Vinton county, Ohio, being a representative of one of the foremost families of that locality.  His brothers and sisters were as follows: Eli, now a resident of Marengo, Iowa; Albert who lives at West Bend, that state; Rufus, of Stroud, Oklahoma; Ezra, of North Dakota; Mary, the wife of David Copper, of Chestnut, Logan county, Illinois; Laura, the wife of E. T. Jett, of Tunbridge township; Dessie, the wife of William Smedley, of Indiana; Annie, who lives with Mrs. Copper at Chestnut, Logan County, Illinois; Matilda, who was married and lived in Ross county, Ohio, at the time of her death; and Joel, who also died in that state.

On reaching manhood Levi W. Green was married, November 26, 1871, to Miss Sarah Isyphine, who was born on what is now the old Jenkins farm in this county, December 18, 1847, her parents being Levi and Mary (Hutchin) Davenport. She comes of a very old and distinguished ancestry, the Davenports having originated as a distinct family about the time of William the Conqueror, when they emigrated from Normandy and settled in the county of Chester, England. The first representative there was Ormus Davenport, who received large grants of land from his sovereign for meritorious military service about the year A. D. 1086. From that time down to 1597 the family continued to reside in or near Coventry, England, and were at all times loyal to their country and their king. John Davenport, a descendant of Ormus Davenport in the sixteenth generation, had two sons; John, born in 1597; and Christopher, born in 1598. These two boys were educated at Oxford University and were both of a religious turn of mind, though diametrically opposed in their beliefs, as Christopher became a Franciscan monk and was chaplain to Charles I, and later to Charles II after his restoration, while on the other hand John Davenport was an earnest Protestant and at the early age of twenty years became assistant clergyman in one of the London churches. Soon afterward he was made vicar of St. Stephen’s church on Coleman street, London. He became one of the most active and influential Puritans and for his belief suffered much at the hands of those who were seeking to stamp out Puritanism. With many others he was forced to flee to Holland for safety and in June, 1637, with several of his parishioners he landed at Boston and the following April removed to Connecticut, where they founded New Haven. It is recorded that on Sunday following their arrival at that place Rev John Davenport preached his first sermon in America at what is now the intersection of College and George streets. He continued in the active ministry in New Haven and Boston until his death, which occurred on the 15th of March, 1670. He left one son and four grandsons, from whom are descended most of those bearing the name of Davenport now scattered throughout the United States. One of his descendants, Nathan Davenport, was born in 1768 and in early manhood removed to Schoharie county, New York, where he was married about 1796, and to him and his wife, Phoebe, were born nine children. He died in 1817. Levi Davenport, his eighth child, was born January 15, 1812, and at an early age was apprenticed to the cabinet-maker's trade at which he subsequently worked for a number of years. He had no opportunity of procuring an education other than what he acquired by his own personal efforts while working at his trade, and a few months when he attended a subscription school after he attained his majority. About 1835 he commenced preaching as a minister of the Christian church and traveled throughout Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama as an itinerant preacher. About 1842 he came to De Witt county, Illinois, and was married in Decatur, September 3, 1846, to Miss Mary F. Hutchin, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Hutchin, also pioneer settlers of De Witt county. This union was blessed with five children, namely: Kate, the widow of J. C. Williams, of Kenney, Illinois; Djalma, a resident of Creston, Iowa; Belle, the wife of J. H. Williams, of Wichita, Kansas; Anna, the deceased wife of Dr. William Craig, of Kenny; and Sarah I., now Mrs. Green.

Eight children have been born to our subject and wife, who in order of birth are as follows: D. Carl, a resident of Colorado City, Colorado, married Alice Maud Kerr and had one son, Carl. Lillie is the wife of W. J. Miller, of Rowell, and they have two children, Maurine and Maurice. Albert, a resident of Lane, Illinois, married Eva Yocum and has one daughter, Leota. Hallet, a resident of Rembrandt, Iowa, Married Mamie Pingle and has three children, Clifford, Noland and Merle. Newton, who makes his home in Brooklyn, Indiana, Married Eva Byerly and has one daughter. Bunn, Fuller and Clifford are all at home with their parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Green began their domestic life on a farm in the extreme southwest corner of Tunbridge township, four and a half miles from Kenney, and there they continued to reside until four years ago, when they removed to their present place, which is the old Davenport homestead lying a mile west of Kenney. Mr. Green is a man of quiet and industrious habits and is an honored member of several fraternal organizations including Kyle Lodge, I.O.O.F., of Kenney; De Witt Lodge, A.F. & A.M.; the Modern Woodmen of America; and the Court of Honor. His wife is also a prominent member of the Eastern Star, the White Shrine, the Pythian Sisters, the Rebekahs and the Court of Honor, while religiously she is connected with the Christian church.

Submitted by Mike Malerich

CHARLES R. GRIFFIN.  (Volume II, Page 287)

Among the native sons of Illinois who justly bear the proud American title of a self-made man is numbered Charles R. Griffin, for at the early age of fourteen years he became dependent upon his own resources, facing the necessity of providing for his own support, and through the intervening years battled earnestly and energetically to attain the degree of success which is now his.

A son of James A. and Mattie (George) Griffin, he was born in Tunbridge township, DeWitt county, on the 24th of April, 1878. His grandparents on his paternal side were early settlers of DeWitt county, making their home in Kenney, and lived to reach a ripe old age. His maternal grandfather was a native of Ohio. James A. Griffin, the father of our subject, was born in Illinois and lived for a number of years in Tunbridge township, DeWitt couth, where he followed the occupation of farming until the time of his death. During the Civil War he put aside all personal and business interests and responded to the country's cry for aid, serving in the Union army as a private. His wife, who was a native of Ohio, still survives and makes her home in Bloomington, Illinois. In their family were four sons: Wesley, a soldier in the regular army; Dozier, of Des Moines, Iowa; Charles R., of this review; and George, who passed away in 1886.

On the farm upon which he was born, Charles R. Griffin spent the first five years of his life, and then removed to Normal, where the succeeding nine years were passed. At the age of fourteen years, owing to the necessity of his providing for his own livelihood, he went to Bloomington, where he remained until 1895, and then went upon the road, traveling in various capacities throughout a number of states and for one season representing the Wallace Shows. In 1897 he met with an accident which left him physically handicapped for life. While setting up some machinery he was injured by the machine starting up, costing him the loss of his right hand and forearm. He returned to Bloomington, where he spent one year in recuperating, and then, nothing daunted by his misfortune, he entered the employ of the Railroad News Company, representing that firm upon the road for four years, after which in 1900, he came to Clinton, remaining in their service in this city until 1905. In January, 1907, he entered the office of the Decatur Herald in Clinton, having charge of their circulation department, and he remained on their pay roll until the 1st of May, 1909. At that time, desiring that his efforts should more directly benefit himself, he purchased the news stand of Mrs. Burnett and has since conducted a growing and successful business. He carried a complete line of newspapers and periodicals, and his is one of the popular and well patronized enterprises of the city.

In politics Mr. Griffin supports the principles of the republican party and that his fellow citizens have recognized his ability and integrity is indicated by the fact that he was elected to the office of city treasurer, filling that position from the 1st of May, 1907, until the 1st of May, 1909. In April of the latter year he was elected city clerk and is now serving in that capacity. Called to positions of trust and responsibility, he has ever discharged his duties with marked ability and fairness, for he has at all times been actuated by a spirit of loyalty and integrity. He holds membership with the Fraternal Order of eagles and is well known throughout the community, where he has a large circle of warm friends who entertain for him high regard and esteem.

BENJAMIN F. HALL.  (Volume II, Page 160)

Benjamin F. Hall, deceased, was for many years a well known farmer of Harp township and was a man honored and respected by all who knew him.  A native of Ohio , he was born in Ross county, August 22, 1850, and was a son of Charles Hall, also a native of the Buckeye state, where he continued to make his home for many years.  On reaching manhood the father married Miss Beckie Polen, who was born in Ohio .  On coming to Illinois the family settled in DeWitt county and the father became the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the present residence of Mrs. Benjamin F. Hall.  Upon that place he continued to live for several years, his time and attention being devoted to agricultural pursuits, but his last days were spent in retirement at DeWitt, where he passed away in April, 1894.  He had survived his wife some years, for she died on the 14th of March, 1882.  They were the parents of four children, namely: Benjamin F., of this review; Emanuel, who married but is now deceased; Mary, the wife of Wesley Fink, a resident of Iowa ; and Nelson, who now makes his home in Canada .

It was during his boyhood that Benjamin F. Hall accompanied his parents on their removal to DeWitt county, Illinois , and here he grew in manhood, acquiring his education in the district schools.  After putting aside his text-books he worked for his father on the home farm until after his marriage, when he located on his father-in-law’s place, consisting of eighty acres, continuing his residence there until after Mr. Miskelly’s death.  He then removed to the farm where his widow now resides and passed away four years later, in 1895.  In his farming operations he met with good success, being a very industrious and progressive man, and he employed the latest improved machinery in the cultivation of his land.  His political support was given the men and measures of the democratic party, and he took an active and commendable interest in public affairs.

It was in 1875 that Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Anna Mary Miskelly, a daughter of Seward and Anna E. (Simpson) Miskelly, natives of Ohio and Maryland , respectively.  Her parents were married in the former state and from there removed to Illinois in 1854, locating in Harp township, DeWitt county, where Mr. Miskelly purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the farm on which his daughter now resides and which belongs to her and her mother.  Here he continued to make his home until called to his final rest in 1892.  His widow is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-five years and resides on the farm with Mrs. Hall. 

Six children were born to our subject and his wife, namely: Viola, born August 25, 1877, is now the wife of John Thomas, whose farm adjoins the homestead; Alwin [Alvin], born March 2, 1879, is now in New Mexico; Nora, born March 7, 1882, is the wife of Cashius Johnson, of Harp township; Nellie, born December 22, 1884, married Brutus, the brother of Cashius Johnson, and they have two children; Oliver, born February 13, 1889, married Maud Davenport of this county and has one child; and Harvey [Harley?], born January 2, 1892, is at home with his mother.

Mrs. Hall now manages the farm, while her son-in-law rents most of the land.  She has a nice home, which is shared by her mother and youngest son, and the family is one of prominence in the community where they reside.  She is a woman of good business ability and sound judgment and is held in the highest esteem by all who know her.

JONATHAN R. HALL.  (Volume II, Page 14)

Prominent among those who have made the history of DeWitt county and rated as one of the finest of judges and attorneys that have ever graced the bar of the county, was the late Judge Jonathan R. Hall, of Barnett township.  Able and conscientious as a jurist, he was, above all a man of the people.  Gifted with a keen perception, he early in life saw the possibilities of DeWitt county, and worked with his eyes looking ever toward the future.  Even as he worked he strove always to have those about him realize the important part which their efforts would play in the future development of the county.

Jonathan R. Hall was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, November 13, 1827, a son of Mahlon and Ann (Walraven) Hall.  His father was a son of Darius Hall, of Kentucky, where Mahlon was born.  Darius was the son of Mayland Hall, who was descended from the Hall family of England.  Records in the possession of Luther J. Hall, the youngest son of Jonathan Hall, and who owns and lives upon the old homestead in Barnett township near Hallsville, show that Governor Charles Scott, of Kentucky, granted to Mayland Hall, land to the extent of two hundred acres in Henderson county, Kentucky.  This grant was made in 1799, and the paper bears the date of July 24.  The document is in a remarkable state of preservation.  Another of the records of the Hall family which is in the possession of Luther Hall is a patent grant for forty acres of land which Darius Hall, son of Mayland, received from President Martin Van Buren.  It is dated March 20, 1837, and is for land situated in Henderson county, Kentucky.  Mahlon Hall received three patent grants of eighty acres each from President Andrew Jackson, October 8, 1835.  These grants were for land in DeWitt county, Illinois, and from this small beginning the father of our subject increased his holdings until, at the time of his death, he was the owner of more than two thousand, two hundred acres of the most valuable farming land in the county.

Jonathan R. Hall was the youngest of a family of thirteen children.  The year following his birth his father came to DeWitt county, locating near Salt creek in a stretch of timber which bordered on the open prairie.  Mahlon Hall was twice married.  By his first wife, Sarah Parker, he had the following children: Darius, Aquilla, Ambrose, Dixon, Caleb, Henry, Polly, Eliza and Elizabeth.  His second wife was Hanna Reed, by whom he had: James M., Mahlon R., Jonathan R. and Susan.

Jonathan R. Hall’s early education was received at a subscription school, which his father practically maintained, the teacher, who lived at the Hall homestead, instructing not only the Hall children, but those of all the neighbors within traveling distance.  Completing his education by diligent study pursued during his spare moments when he was not engaged in farming with his brothers and his father, he speedily made himself master of the contents of the law books which were then available.  His father bought eighty acres of land from Elisha Butler in 1834 and it is this portion of the estate which is now the site of the homestead.  It was a year later that the father took out the land patents for the remainder of the land which comprised the original estate.  It was while Jonathan was very young that DeWitt county was formed by taking a portion of Sangamon and Logan counties.

On the 30th of March, 1848, Jonathan R. Hall married Miss Eliza E. Thornley, a daughter of Morton and Anne (Walraven) Thornley, who came to DeWitt county about 1825.  Here her father entered two hundred and forty acres of prairie land and a like amount of timber land.  Mrs. Thornley was from Maryland and of German parentage.

Mr. Hall was elected to the bench of DeWitt county while still a comparatively young man and was serving his second term as judge when he suffered the illness which terminated his life February 23, 1875.  While filling that position he underwent many thrilling experiences, notably with highwaymen, who, thinking that he carried money in his saddle-bags, frequently waylaid him, but always he managed to escape both with life and money, as he seldom carried any amount on his person.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall: William, of Barnett township; Rosalie, the wife of Samuel Sumners, of Clarion, Iowa; George W., living in Kirkella, Manitoba province, Canada; Mahlon R., who died at Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, in 1910; Molly, who married John Irwin, of Hallsville; Luther J., who married Ada White; and Della, the deceased wife of David Hartley, of Hallsville.

Luther J. Hall and Ada White were married October 11, 1897.  She is the daughter of William and Julia (Lewis) White, of Barnett township, and a granddaughter of Eli and Nancy (Moore) White, of Bourbon county, Kentucky.  Her brothers and sisters are as follows: Harvey and Anna, both deceased; Louis A., of Fargo, North Dakota; Percival, deceased; Bertram, of Sheridan, Oregon; Claude, of Hallock, Minnesota; Fay, the wife of Lawrence Hall, of Hallock, Minnesota; and Zora, the wife of Bernard Jenkins, of Barnett township.

The Hall family is probably the best known of any of the pioneer families of the county, Judge Jonathan R. Hall having been a very prominent figure in the political and business world at the time he died.  During his lifetime he was a very warm friend of Abraham Lincoln, the latter frequently making the Hall home his headquarters while riding the circuit.  Judge Hall laid out the village of Hallsville, which was named for him, although he always insisted that it had been named for the family and not the individual.  His record as attorney and judge, as well as that of good citizen, is known to all the older members of the DeWitt county bar, who pay highest tribute to his worth as a representative citizen of the county.

LAWRENCE S. HARROLD.  (Volume II, Page 169)

In the early development and improvement of DeWitt county the Harrold family has borne an active part and are numbered among the pioneers.  Here Lawrence S. Harrold was born on the 1st of January, 1866, being a son of Jesse F. and Mary V. Harrold.  The birth of the father occurred in Indiana on the 18th of January, 1838, but at an early day he left his native state and came to Illinois, settling in DeWitt county, where he purchased land, and throughout life engaged in farming, owning and operating one hundred and eighty acres at the time of his death, which occurred May 18, 1910.  During the Civil war he manifested his patriotism by enlisting in the Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was made captain of Company F.  He participated in many important engagements and remained at the front for three years, being honorably discharged in 1865.  On his return home he resumed farming and took quite an influential part in public affairs, being elected state senator from DeWitt county in 1880 on the greenback ticket.  Later he gave his support to the republican party.

At the usual age Lawrence S. Harrold entered the public schools of this county and continued his studies until he had acquired a good practical education.  On leaving school he worked with his father on the home farm until twenty-five years of age and then commenced farming for himself.  In 1892 he went to southwestern Nebraska , where he carried on the same occupation for five years, but at the end of that time returned to his native county.  In 1907 he purchased twenty acres of land in Harp township, which forms a part of his present farm, while his wife inherited one hundred acres.  Upon this place he has since engaged in general farming and to some extent is interested in the raising of stock.  He is progressive in his methods and has an up-to-date and model farm.

Mr. Harrold was married on the 28th of January, 1891, to Miss Minta Nixon, a daughter of Thomas and Edith Nixon, who were natives of Ohio but became residents of Illinois at an early day.  Of the six children born of this union five are still living, while Lulu M. died in infancy.  The others are M. Edith, Helen, LeDelle, Harold S. and Mildred.

The republican party finds in Mr. Harrold a stanch supporter of its principles and he has served as commissioner of highways for one term to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.  He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at DeWitt and is also identified with the Masonic lodge, No. 261, at that place.  He endeavors to live up to the principles of both his church and his lodge and is a man who commands the confidence and high regard of all who know him.

CHARLES T. HELLER.  (Volume II, Page 165)

Charles T. Heller, whose home is on section 13, Nixon township, has throughout his active business life been prominently identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of this section of the state.  He was born in McLean county, May 18, 1868, his parents being C. M. and Angeline (Fling) Heller.  The birth of the father occurred in Clark county, Ohio , October 2, 1839, and on coming to Illinois in 1856 he settled near Towanda in McLean county, where he still continues to make his home.  There he was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Fling, a native of that county, born in 1841, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom all are still living, namely: Fannie, the wife of W. B. Stover of McLean county; Minnie, the wife of Charles Hilts, whose home is in Bloomington; Charles T., of this review; Clara, the wife of William Hilts, a resident of DeWitt county; Edwin, whose home is at Alburnett, Iowa; Nettie, at home with her parents; Della, the wife of Herbert Wakefield, residing at Heyworth, Illinois; and Ethel, Leila and Emogene, all at home.  The parents are members of the Methodist church and are people highly respected.

Charles T. Heller received a common-school education in the public schools of McLean county.  While attending school he assisted his father in the farm work and in feeding cattle.  He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which was celebrated March 21, 1894, to Miss Minnie Cameron.  She was also born in McLean county, February 9, 1874, a daughter of J. E. and Alice (Jones) Cameron, who are still living in McLean county, of which Mrs. Cameron is a native, being born May 8, 1851.  The father, however, was born in Virginia December 6, 1844.  Their family consisted of eight children of whom six are still living: Minnie, the wife of our subject; Hattie, the wife of C. F. Womack of McLean county; Maude, the wife of George B. Strayer of McLean county; Lottie, the wife of Alva A. Reed of Piatt county; and Luella and Harry Guy, at home.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Heller have been born two children: Tolbert, who was born in McLean county, December 21, 1894; and Ruby L., who was born August 25, 1896, and died December 25, 1896, death being caused by a fall which she received December 24.

After his marriage Mr. Heller engaged in farming upon rented land near Fletcher, Illinois , for two years, but in the spring of 1896 came to DeWitt county, where he has since made his home, operating a farm of three hundred and twenty acres belonging to George P. Davis.  He also operates one hundred and sixty acres in Piatt county, which he owns.

Mr. Heller served as school director for a number of years.  In regard to his political views he has always been a democrat.  He affiliates with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, while his wife belongs to the Pythian Sisters and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  As a business man Mr. Heller has always been found prompt and reliable and the success he has attained is but the merited reward of his own industry, perseverance and good management, for he started out in life for himself in limited circumstances and all that he has achieved has been gained through his own well directed efforts.

GEORGE W. HELMICK.  (Volume II, Page 209)

One of the most progressive and enterprising business men of Farmer City is George Washington Helmick, proprietor of the Maxwell Garage.  His entire life has been passed in DeWitt county, for he was born in Rutledge township on the 27th of August, 1859, and is a son of Elihu and Mary (Tremble) Helmick, natives of West Virginia and early settlers of this county.  His paternal grandfather was Adam Helmick, while his maternal grandfather was John Tremble.  Throughout his business career the father of our subject engaged in farming and stock-raising and met with most excellent success.  The year 1846 witnessed his arrival in Illinois and the following year he settled in Rutledge township, DeWitt county, where he took up a tract of government land, paying one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre.  As time passed he steadily prospered in his farming operations and added to his property until he became the owner of about sixteen hundred acres of very valuable and productive land, the most of which he divided among his children.  After a useful and well spent life he passed away in Farmer City in November, 1906, at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife died in 1904 at the age of eighty-two years.  They were earnest and consistent members of the Methodist church and were highly respected by all who knew them.  The father was honored with various township offices and served as supervisor for some time.

In the family of this worthy couple were seven children who reached years of maturity, namely: Eliza Jane, now the deceased wife of William Vance; Elizabeth, the wife of James Bland of Farmer City; Anna Z. V., deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Warman; Simeon Clark, also a resident of Farmer City; George Washington, of this review; Charles Albert, of Gibson City, Illinois; and Francis Marion, deceased.

Upon his father’s farm in Rutledge township George Washington Helmick passed the days of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm boys, acquiring his education in the district schools of the neighborhood.  He remained with his parents until after he attained his majority when he and his brother Charles rented the home place, which they operated together until 1885, in which year both were married, and Charles then located upon another farm, while George continued to reside upon the old homestead.  At his father’s death he received three hundred and thirty-one acres of land which he still owns, with the exception of a tract of fifteen acres of timber which he has sold.  He continued to actively engage in agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1910, when he established a garage in Farmer City, which he is now conducting, and in connection with the automobiles which he carries he also handles carriages, buggies and harness.  Although his business here is of short duration he has already built up an excellent trade and has come to be regarded as one of the leading business men of the city.

On the 29th of October, 1885, Mr. Helmick was united in marriage to Miss Louaine Fuller, who was also born in Rutledge township, her parents, Daniel and Sarah (Foley) Fuller, being early settlers of this county.  Her father died in 1897 but her mother is still living.  In their family were four children, namely: John W.; Nancy Jane; Louaine and Emma.  Mr. and Mrs. Helmick have one daughter, Minnie E., now the wife of Stewart E. Kelley, who is conducting a jewelry store formerly operated by Mr. Overstreet in Farmer City but now owned by our subject.

Besides his business property and his valuable farm Mr. Helmick now owns and occupies one of the finest homes in Farmer City.  His time and energies have always been given to his business affairs in a manner that has brought him substantial results and those whom he has met in business circles as well as in social life entertain for him high regard and respect.  He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as steward, and of which Mr. and Mrs. Kelley are also members.  Mr. Helmick belongs to Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 126, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically is identified with the democratic party, but at local elections he usually supports the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices.  He is a strong temperance man and always gives his support to any measures or movements which he believes calculated to advance the moral, intellectual or material welfare of his community.

LOTT R. HERRICK.  (Volume II, Page 86)

Lott Russell Herrick, a well known representative of the legal fraternity in Farmer City, his natural and acquired ability winning for him a creditable position as a member of the DeWitt county bar, was born in this city on the 8th of December, 1871, his parents being George W. and Dora O. (Knight) Herrick, natives of Indiana and Illinois respectively.  His paternal grandfather was Lott Herrick, who for some years made his home near Norwalk in Huron county Ohio, and from there removed to DeKalb county, Indiana, becoming the first county judge there.  He was a soldier of the war of 1812 and continued to make his home in DeKalb county until he died at an old age.  His wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Sutliff, also lived to a ripe old age.  They reared a large family, including: Orson I.; Mrs. Catharine Goodell; Mrs. Electa J. Ryan; Albert; Henry J.; and Mrs. Coates.  Our subject’s maternal grandfather, Robert Russell Knight, was a native of Ohio and a farmer by occupation.  On coming west at an early day he settled near Farmer City and was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Santa Anna township for some years, dying upon his home place at the age of over sixty.  His first wife, who was the grandmother of our subject, bore the maiden name of Mary Huddleston and after her death he married Esther Johnson Danner.  By his first union the only child now living is Mrs. Herrick.  The children of the second marriage are: Robert Frank; Mrs. Agnes Philipy; Mrs. Ida Gillispie; Mrs. Fannie Mittan; Claude; and Mrs. Belle Chubb.

It was in 1868 that George W. Herrick, our subject’s father, came to Illinois and the following year took up his residence in Farmer City, where he engaged in teaching school for one year, having previously followed that occupation during the scholastic years of 1868 and 1869.  Being admitted to the bar, he engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in DeWitt and adjoining counties for many years and became recognized as one of the leading attorneys of this section of the state.  During the Rebellion he enlisted as a member of Company E, Fifty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry and later was made captain of Company D, Fifty-first Missouri Infantry.  He remained in the service for nearly three years and was taken prisoner at Richmond, Kentucky, but was soon afterward paroled.  Later in life he took a prominent part in the Grand Army of the Republic and also belonged to Farmer City Lodge, No. 710, A. F. & A. M.; Farmer City Chapter, No. 175, R. A. M.; and Clinton Commandery, No. 66, K. T.  By his ballot he supported the men and measures of the democratic party.  In his family were eight children, namely: Lott R., of this review; Blanche E., the deceased wife of George Wilson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Dwight O., of Laramie, Wyoming; Lyle G., of Farmer City; Hope, the wife of J. E. Henry of Louisville, Kentucky; George Wirt, of Farmer City; Wayne D., also of this city; and one who died in infancy.

Throughout his life, Lott R. Herrick has continued to make his home in Farmer City and was graduated from the high school here in 1888.  He then entered the literary department of the University of Illinois and after his graduation there in 1892 matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was graduated from that institution in 1894.  He was then admitted to the bar and began practice in Farmer City in partnership with his father, continuing together until the latter’s death, since which time he has retained the old firm name of Herrick & Herrick.  His devotion to his clients’ interests is proverbial and he gives to them the benefit of unwearied industry and wide legal learning.

On the 2d of April, 1896, Mr. Herrick was married to Miss Harriet N. Swigart, also a native of Farmer City and a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Davis) Swigart, early settlers of this place.  Her father, who was born in Ohio, followed the occupation of farming and also engaged in the banking business.  He died in 1906 at the age of seventy-five years, but his widow still survives him.  Their children were: Carl, Otto H., Edwin S., Ernest, Charles, Harry, Lora S., Willis and Harriet N., all of whom are still living, while two have passed away.  The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Herrick are Mildred Catharine and Harriet Helen.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Herrick has always affiliated with the democratic party and on that ticket was elected county judge in 1902, but in 1904 resigned on account of his father’s death.  He, too, is a member of Farmer City Lodge, No. 710, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias.  He is appreciative of the social amenities of life, yet he makes his profession his chief concern and his devotion to his clients’ interests is the salient feature in his successful professional career.

LYLE G. HERRICK.  (Volume II, Page 195)

Lyle G. Herrick, associated with the firm of Herrick & Herrick, well known lawyers of Farmer City, was born in this place on the 14th of March, 1881, and is the son of George W. and Dora O. (Knight) Herrick.  On the paternal side his grandfather, Lott Herrick, was a native of Massachusetts and of Scotch-Irish descent.  Leaving the New England states, he removed to Norwalk, Ohio, building the first log cabin at that place.  Later he became a resident of DeKalb county, Indiana, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar.  He became one of the prominent attorneys of that locality and served as county judge of DeKalb county for some time.  Both he and his wife continued to make their home there until their death.  In their family were nine children.

Robert R. Knight, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Kentucky but at an early day came to DeWitt county, Illinois, locating on a farm near Farmer City.  Throughout life he followed agricultural pursuits and died at the age of sixty-three years.  He was twice married, his first wife dying when comparatively young, and by that union he had one child, Mrs. Herrick.  For his second wife he married Esther Danner, by whom he had six children, namely: Robert Frank; Mrs. Agnes Phillipy; Mrs. Ida Gillispie; Mrs. Fannie Mittan; Claude, a resident of Wabash, Indiana; and Mrs. Belle Chubb.

Upon his father’s farm near Newville, DeKalb county, Indiana, George W. Herrick grew to manhood but at an early day came to Farmer City, Illinois.  During the dark days of the Civil war he enlisted in the Indiana Volunteer Infantry but later joined a Missouri regiment, becoming captain of his company.  After the cessation of hostilities he returned home and took up the study of law.  He was subsequently graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and opened an office in Farmer City.  He was successfully engaged in practice in DeWitt county for about forty years and was a man of prominence in his community, taking a very active and influential part in public affairs.  He was married in Farmer City to Miss Dora O. Knight, a native of Illinois, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom two are deceased: Lott R., a prominent attorney of Farmer City; Blanche E., the deceased wife of George Wilson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Dwight O., of Laramie, Wyoming; Lyle G., of this review; Hope, the wife of John E. Henry, of Louisville, Kentucky; George Wirt, of Farmer City; Wayne D., also of this city; and one who died in infancy.  The father died here as a result of a runaway accident in 1904 at the age of sixty-five years.  He was an active and faithful member of the Methodist church, to which his wife also belongs, and was a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias and was a stanch supporter of the democratic party and its principles.

In the city of his nativity Lyle G. Herrick passed the days of his boyhood and youth and was graduated from the high school in 1898.  He then pursued a course at the University of Illinois at Champaign, where he was graduated in 1903, and later attended the law school of the Chicago University for one year.  Since then he has pursued his law studies in the office of his brother, Lott R. Herrick, at Farmer City.  He was married on the 16th of January, 1908, to Vernele Norris, also a native of Farmer City, where her parents, Dr. A. L. and Augusta E. (Carter) Norris, made their home for many years.  Her father died here, December 16, 1909, but her mother is still living.  In their family were two children, the elder being Carter.

Mrs. Herrick holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Herrick belongs to the Sigma Chi college fraternity and to the Phi Delta Phi.  Politically he follows in the footsteps of his father, supporting the men and measures of the democratic party, and is regarded as one of the leading young men of Farmer City.

CORNELIUS HOFF.  (Volume II, Page 45)

On the roster of county officials in DeWitt county appears the name of Cornelius Hoff who filled the position of treasurer and has won high encomiums by his prompt and capable discharge of all the duties devolving upon him.  He was born in Ashland county, Ohio, August 9, 1841.  His parents were Jacob and Susan (Spielman) Hoff, both natives of Maryland.  The former was a son of Michael Hoff, who was born in Germany and learned and followed the distiller’s trade.  He married Amanda Bennett and, coming to America, they resided for many years in Ashland county, Ohio, where they died at an advanced age, Michael Hoff having been more than seventy years of age at the time of his demise, while his wife had passed the eightieth milestone on life’s journey.  Their family numbered eight children, including five sons: Abram, Michael, Daniel, George and Jacob.

The last named was a miller by trade and in the ’40s removed from Maryland to Ohio where he lived until 1861.  In that year he arrived in Illinois, settling near Maroa, in Macon county where he carried on general farming.  In early manhood he wedded Susan Spielman, a daughter of John and Susan Spielman, who were natives of Maryland and spent their last days in Ashland county, Ohio.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hoff were members of the Lutheran church and were widely recognized as valued citizens of the community in which they made their home.  The former died at the age of sixty-five years while Mrs. Hoff, surviving her husband for some time, passed away in 1891 at the age of seventy-three years.  They were the parents of eleven children, but only four are now living: David S., of Decatur, Illinois; Cornelius; Simon, living in Wichita, Kansas; and Margaret, the wife of John Lavy, of Glasgow, Kansas.

Cornelius Hoff was reared upon his father’s farm in Ashland county, Ohio, and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.  He attended the district schools and assisted his father in the farm work up to the time he attained his majority.  He then married and engaged in farming on his own account in Ohio for one year, after which he removed to Illinois, settling in Texas township, DeWitt county.  There he lived for nearly forty years, raising a crop each year, a fact indicative of the productiveness and value of Illinois soil and the untiring energy and capable management of Mr. Hoff.  He first purchased eighty acres of land which he improved, and as his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm by an additional purchase of forty acres.  At length he sold that land and bought three hundred and twenty acres in Sac county, Iowa.  After disposing of that property he purchased four hundred and eighty acres near Mitchell, South Dakota, which he sold in the fall of 1909.

On the 22nd of November, 1860, Mr. Hoff was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Howard, a daughter of John and Hannah Howard.  Mrs. Howard was born in Ashland county, Ohio, while her parents were natives of Ireland.  By her marriage she became the mother of the following children: Marion, the eldest, died at the age of twelve years.  Calvin Franklin, who was killed on the Wabash Railroad, had married Rose Everhart and had four children.  William, living in Clinton, married Maggie Conner and they have two sons, Edward and Charles.  Anton W., an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, married Annie Thomas and they have one child.  Oscar, who follows farming, married Miss Moody and they have two children.  Grover C., a member of the Clinton bar, married Miss Mattie M. Macy and has one son, Grover Paul.  Joseph died in infancy.  Elmira is the wife of William Whitehead of Chicago.  Mary is the wife of A. C. Geiling, who resides three miles northeast of Clinton and they have four children: Elmer, Cornelius, Belle and Lela.  Belle is the wife of Byron Miller of Creek township and they have four children.  Louisa, who died when twenty-two years of age, was the wife of Charles Cross and had one child, Harry.  Lucinda died in infancy.

Retiring from agricultural life, Cornelius Hoff removed to Clinton in 1902, having been elected sheriff, in which capacity he served for four years.  In 1906 he was chosen county treasurer, so that he has remained continuously in public office for eight years.  He had previously served for one year as township assessor, was road commissioner for six years and for five consecutive years was township collector of Texas township.  He also served as school director for eighteen years.  In politics he has always been a democrat, unfaltering in his advocacy of the party, for he believes that the adoption of its principles will best conserve the public good.  Over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.  The endorsement of his services is given to him in his reelections to office and he has proven capable and trustworthy, meeting every duty that has devolved upon him and using the prerogatives of office as far as possible for the promotion of the public welfare.

GROVER C. HOFF.  (Volume II, Page 118)

Grover C. Hoff, who became identified with the legal fraternity of Clinton in September, 1909, has already won a gratifying clientage as an attorney.  His birth occurred near Maroa, in DeWitt county, Illinois, on the 11th of July, 1885, his parents being Cornelius and Margaret A. (Howard) Hoff.  A sketch of the father appears on another page of this work.  Mr. Hoff of this review was reared on the home farm in Texas township and obtained his early education in the district schools.  In 1903 he was graduated from the Maroa high school and the following year completed a course in the Clinton high school.  He then entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad company working in the freight department for three years.  Having determined upon the legal profession as a life work, he entered the Bloomington Law School in the fall of 1906 and was graduated from that institution in 1909.  The same year he was admitted to the bar and in September, 1909, located for practice in Clinton, where he has since remained, enjoying an enviable and growing clientage.  He is well versed in the various departments of jurisprudence, is strong in argument, ready in resource and logical in his deductions.  He always prepares his cases with great thoroughness and when he enters the court is well qualified to withstand the attacks of his opponents.

On the 2d of October, 1907, Mr. Hoff was united in marriage to Miss Mattie M. Macy, a native of Vinton, Iowa, and a daughter of Oliver and Lillian (Wengert) Macy, who were born in Ohio and Iowa respectively.  The paternal grandfather, John Macy, was likewise a native of the Buckeye state.  Unto him and his wife, Mrs. Margaret A. Macy, were born the following children: Sarah, Mary, Horace, Ira, Emeline, Eunice and several who died in early life.  Three of their sons, William, Enos and Alfred, lost their lives while defending the interests of the Union in the Civil war.  Jacob Wengert, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Hoff, was a native of Iowa and a farmer by occupation.  In early manhood he wedded Miss Margaret Heiner, by whom he had three children: Charles, Jennie and Lillian.  Oliver Macy, the father of Mrs. Hoff, was twice married, his first union being with Miss Frayda Robert, by whom he had three children: Eva, Laura and Robert.  By his marriage to Miss Lillian Wengert he had six children, namely: Frayda, Mattie, Lucile, Cecil, Roland and William.  Oliver Macy now resides in Normal, Illinois.  Mr. and Mrs. Hoff have one son, Grover Paul Macy.

Politically Mr. Hoff is a stanch democrat and his aid and cooperation can always be counted upon to further any movement or measure calculated to advance the general welfare.  At the present time he is spreading the assessment for street paving and improvements.  In professional circles he has already attained a creditable position for one of his years and it is almost certain that a bright future lies before him.

PHILIP M. HOLLOWAY.  (Volume II, Page 394)

Philip M. Holloway, who is a mail carrier on the rural route out of Farmer City, is a highly respected citizen and one of the few remaining veterans; of the Civil war.  He is a native of Illinois, born in McLean county on the 30th of October, 1842.  He is a son of Jorial and Susan (Hand) Holloway, the former a native of Tennessee.  The latter was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Hand, pioneer settlers of McLean county.  Mrs. Hand in the early days practiced medicine, often traveling fifteen and twenty miles on horseback to visit her patients.  Mr. and Mrs. Hand reared a large family of children and lived to an old age.  The father of our subject followed farming as a life work and became one of the first settlers of McLean county, there entering land from the government which, in time, became very valuable.  In 1854 he removed with his family to Farmer City and died here in 1886, when sixty-three years of age.  His wife died in 1892 at the same age.  They were consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the faith of which they died.  Their children were: Barbara L., the deceased wife of Charles Huddleston; Philip M., of this review; John W., a resident of Bloomington; Jennie, who is the wife of Z. T. Lillard, of Los Angeles, California; and Marion, a resident of Bakersfield, California.

Philip M. Holloway was a lad of twelve years at the time of the removal of the family to DeWitt county.  He began his education in the schools of McLean county, completing his studies after coming to DeWitt county.  At the outbreak of the Civil war, a young man of enthusiasm and patriotic spirit, he offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Company I, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for more than three years.  He participated in the battles of Drury’s Bluff, was in the siege of Charleston under General Gilmore, was in the Peninsular campaign and in the battles of Yorktown and Winchester, Virginia.  He had many exciting experiences during his services at the front and for twenty-seven days was under fire at Charleston.  He was also in numerous skirmishes and at the battle of Fort Sumter received a wound in the head, resulting in concussion of the brain, from which injury he has never fully recovered.

Following the close of hostilities, Mr. Holloway returned to his home in DeWitt county and engaged in farming in Santa Anna township for a short time.  He then acted as express agent at Farmer City for sixteen years, while for a similar period he engaged in the ice business.  For the past seven years he has been a mail carrier on Rural Route No. 3 from Farmer City and is a most capable and trustworthy employee.

Mr. Holloway has been twice married.  His first union was with Miss Hannah Waller, their wedding being celebrated on the 28th of June, 1866.  She was a daughter of Captain E. L. Waller and became the mother of one daughter, Maude, who died at the age of fifteen years.  On October 23, 1909, Mr. Holloway was married to Mrs. Mary Collins, nee Ellis, who was born in Ohio.  They occupy a home in Farmer City which Mr. Holloway erected in 1875 but which has recently been remodeled into a fine modern structure.

Mr. Holloway is a stanch supporter of republican principles and for one term served as mayor of Farmer City and for one term was tax collector.  Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist church, while Mr. Holloway is a member of Farmer City Lodge, No. 126, I. O. O. F., and of De Witt Encampment, No. 59, M. W. A.  He is also a member of Lemon Post, G. A. R., of which he was the first commander.  A man of strong conviction, he is opposed to misrule in public affairs and has labored earnestly for the welfare of his home city.  In whatever relation of life we find him, whether in the government service, in business circles, or in social and private life, he is the same honorable and upright man, commanding the esteem and respect of all with whom he is associated.

OSCAR W. HOWARD.  (Volume II, Page 372)

Many a man is content to be able to trace his ancestry back to pioneer or Revolutionary days only on one side of the parental stock.  Not only is he content but he is usually proud as well, yet there are those who can show a family tree, every branch of which sprang from ancient and honorable sources.  Such a person would be Oscar W. Howard were he to devote much time or study to his genealogy for he is both of pioneer and Revolutionary stock and is also distantly related to a noted English family.

Born September 20, 1865, in Kenney, Illinois, Mr. Howard has lived practically his entire life there.  His early education was secured in the public schools, after which he started in the hardware business in the building which at the present time is occupied by the post office.  In 1901 he erected his present brick building and moved into his new quarters.

Mr. Howard is a son of the late Peter and Mary Elizabeth (Bodkin) Howard, of DeWitt county.  His father came to DeWitt county in the winter of 1831 from Ohio, settling on a farm one mile east of the present site of Kenney when ten years old, with his father, Joseph Howard, of the famous Howard family of Kentucky.  With Peter at the time of his coming to DeWitt county were: Benjamin, William, John, Reuben and Frank, his brothers, and his three sisters: Rachel, who at the time of her death was the wife of James Rucker; Jane, the wife of Samuel Huff, of Aurora, Nebraska; and Anna, the wife of G. P. Brahm of Nebraska.

The mother of our subject came to this county with her parents, William and Nancy Bodkin, from Ohio several years later than the Howard family, her people being descendants of the Revolutionary stock of Bodkins of Virginia.

Oscar W. Howard was married December 31, 1888, to Phene T. Turner, a daughter of James R. and Rachel J. (Hutchin) Turner, also early settlers of DeWitt county.  Their children are: Enid Turner and Jean Dallas.

James Turner, father of Mrs. Howard, was a Pennsylvanian by birth, who came to DeWitt county with his parents, William R. and Elvina (Magill) Turner.  William, R. Turner was a direct descendant of William Bums, a brother of the poet, Robert Bums, on his maternal side.  James R. Turner came to DeWitt county in 1839.  He was born October 22, 1822, and died August 23, 1893.  He was a veteran of the Mexican war, enlisting at the outbreak from Decatur and serving throughout the campaign under the command of Colonel Isaac Pugh.  At the outbreak of the Civil war he organized a company of' one hundred and twenty-five men, just twenty-five in excess of the number required, and was made captain of Company B, One Hundred and Seventh Volunteer Infantry of Illinois, serving under the command of Colonel Snell.  He was several times wounded but served out the entire enlistment.  His wife, Mrs. Rachel J. (Hutchin) Turner, was born September 26, 1831, in Jacksonburg, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Bre1sfoard) Hutchin.  Her father was a son of William Hutchin, who came from Bucks county, Pennsylvania, to Jacksonburg, Illinois [Ohio], by wagon during early pioneer days.  Sarah Brelsfoard was a daughter of William and Maria Bre1sfoard, both of whom were pioneer settlers of DeWitt county.  Mrs. Turner was educated by a private tutor at her home, where many of the children of the other settlers also came to receive instruction.  She recalls Abraham Lincoln very well, as he was in the habit of stopping at the Hutchin home for lodging and meals as he traveled about the circuit on his way from Springfield to Clinton.  The young lawyer would stop over night with his firm friend, Thomas Hutchin, who heard him make his maiden speech at Springfield.  Mrs. Hutchin made a very palatable mush-cake in those days and these cakes were the delight of young Lincoln, who made much of her cooking and who ate the cakes with the regularity of his visits.  Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Hutchin differed in politics, yet remained firm friends.

Thomas and Sarah Hutchin had the following children: William, who died in Wyoming; John, who died in DeWitt county, Illinois; Charles, who also died in DeWitt county, Illinois; Thomas, who died from exposure to which he was subjected during his service in the Mexican war; Isaac W., who died in .Clinton, Illinois; Nancy, deceased, who was the wife of Ninian Peddicord, of Kansas City; Missouri; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Levi Davenport, one of the pioneer settlers of DeWitt county, Illinois; Catherine, deceased; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Jordan Methlin of Kenney, Illinois; Rachel Turner; and Miss Icyphene, of Kenney.

Mrs. Turner’s children are: May, the wife of Scott Nearing, of Kenney, Illinois; Sallie, wife of Dr. William Craig, of Kenney, Illinois; Manford E., of Oklahoma City; Charles Lee, at home; Icyphene, wife of Oscar W. Howard, of Kenney; William, deceased; John W., of Bloomington, Illinois.  There are ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

O. W. Howard has served as road supervisor of Tunbridge township for three terms, has been a member of the school board of Kenney for twelve years and is at the present time secretary of the board.  He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Kenney and is now the treasurer of the lodge.  At all times he is foremost in the ranks of those seeking to better conditions affecting the community in which he lives.  A progressive and alert merchant, he yet finds time to look after the interests of the schools which, under his direction and aided by his associate on the board, have come to be recognized as second to none in the community.

Liberal in his views, Mr. Howard has allied himself with no one church, giving toward the support of all who may be in need.  A fair insight into the character of the man may be had when one hears of a stranded wayfarer who is told, by a sympathetic though poor resident of the township, “Just wait ’til Orrie Howard comes.  Everything will be right then.”  And always it is so.

Submitted by Mike Malerich

WILLIAM HOWARD.  (Volume II, Page 264)

Industry, perseverance and economy have constituted the basis of success for William Howard, who is now living retired in Farmer City but who throughout a long period was identified with farming interests, his possessions now aggregating eight hundred and twenty acres of valuable land.  He was born in La Salle county, Illinois, June 17, 1854, and in both the paternal and maternal lines comes of Irish ancestry, his grandparents on both sides having lived and died in Ireland.  His parents, Thomas and Bridget (Kelley) Howard, were likewise natives of the Emerald Isle, and their family numbered five children, namely: Peter, deceased; James, of Streator, Illinois; Mary Ann, the wife of Thomas Flannigan, a resident of Lostant, this state; Catharine, the wife of Edward Flannigan, of Munster, Illinois; and William, a resident of Farmer City.  In his native country the father followed farming but after emigrating to America he located in Louisiana, where he did contracting.  The year 1851 witnessed his arrival in La Salle county, Illinois, where he again resumed farming operations, passing away in that county in 1866, when about sixty years of age.  His wife survived for many years and died at the advanced age of eighty-four.  They were communicants of the Catholic church.

William Howard, the youngest member of his father’s family, was reared in La Salle county on the home farm, early being trained in the work of the fields.  His early education, acquired in the district schools of La Salle county, was supplemented by one year’s study in the State Normal at Normal, Illinois.  Following this period, he worked at farm labor, being employed by the month for five years.  He then began farming on his own account by operating rented land until 1882, in which year he went to McLean county, Illinois, purchasing there one hundred and sixty acres in West township, which he still owns.  This, however, proved but the beginning of his later success, for as the years passed by and he accumulated some money, he invested in more land until his possessions now comprise eight hundred and twenty acres, valued at two hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre.  For almost a quarter of a century Mr. Howard was identified with farming in McLean county but about five years ago abandoned business pursuits, since which time he has lived retired in Farmer City, his invested interests bringing to him an income that supplies him with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

On the 28th of February, 1876, Mr. Howard was united in marriage to Miss Julia Kennedy, who was born near Ottawa, in La Salle county, Illinois, a daughter of Frank and Catharine Kennedy, whose other children were as follows: Mary, Lizzie, Cornelius, John, Kate, Annie, Aggie, Frank, William and Joseph.  The parents were both natives of Ireland and on emigrating to America, located in La Salle county, where the father passed away at the age of sixty years.  The mother spent her last days in Farmer City, being called to her final rest when seventy years of age.  The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Howard has been blessed with five daughters and one son.  Mary, the eldest, is the wife of Anthony Trenkle, by whom she has four sons, Willard, Raymond, Wayne and Robert, the family residing in McLean county.  Catharine lives on the home place in that county.  Julia is engaged in teaching in Chicago.  Alice is the wife of Martin Maloney, by whom she has a daughter, Mary.  They make their home in Santa Anna township, DeWitt county.  Laura is attending school; Austin, the only son, is operating the home place in McLean county.  The parents are members of the Catholic church.

In politics an ardent democrat, Mr. Howard has always manifested a deep concern in public affairs.  For twenty years he served as school director, being actively interested in the schools in order that his own and other children might receive an education suited to the demands of the time and that they might start out in life well equipped for the strenuous service of this exacting age.  He is truly a self-made man, for he started out in early manhood emtpy-handed but with a firm purpose to win.  He so utilized his opportunities and saved his earnings as to accumulate a valuable property, which supplies him with a splendid competency for old age and at the same time enables him to give his children a good start in the business world.

CLYDE E. HUDDLESTON.  (Volume II, Page 256)

The growth and development of a city depends largely upon its commercial enterprise, and the men who are most helpful in the work of public progress are those who are capably and honorably controlling legitimate mercantile enterprises.  Of this class Clyde E. Huddleston is a worthy representative and Farmer City is proud of his record, for he is one of her native sons.  He was here born October 18, 1868, a son of Reuben and Elvira (Arnold) Huddleston.  The paternal grandfather was Henry Huddleston, who was one of the earliest settlers of DeWitt county, being engaged in farming near Farmer City for many years.  He wedded Miss Elizabeth Clearwaters, and they reared a family of four children, the mother dying in middle life, while the father lived to an advanced age, passing away in Farmer City.  Their family included Reuben Huddleston, who became the father of our subject.  He was born in Farmer City and after reaching mature years studied medicine and for several years practiced his profession here, while later he practiced for a time in Champaign, Illinois.  In 1881 he removed to Miami, Florida, where he has since practiced.  It was during his residence in DeWitt county that he enlisted at Farmer City for service in the Civil war, remaining at the front four years and making a most creditable military record.  He wedded Miss Elvira Arnold whose parents were early settlers of Stephenson county, Illinois.  Their union was blessed with three sons: Harry A., a resident of Douglas, Arizona; Clarence L., who makes his home in Miami, Florida; and Clyde E., of this review.

Clyde E. Huddleston accompanied his parents on their various removals, being but two years of age when they left Farmer City to make their home in Champaign.  As above stated, a few years later they removed to the south and it was in Bartow, Florida, that the son was reared, his literary education being acquired in the schools of that city.  He subsequently learned telegraphy and for fifteen years was in the employ of a railroad company in the south.  On the expiration of that period he returned to his native place—Farmer City—and, deciding upon the profession of pharmacy as a life work, he entered the College of Pharmacy in the University of Illinois at Champaign, graduating from that institution with the class of 1898.  Immediately returning to Farmer City, he purchased the drug store of Stiller Brothers and from that time to the present has been identified with the business interests of this place.  He carries a complete line of drugs and other commodities usually found in a store of this character, conducting his business along modern methods, while his push and square dealing forms the basis of his success.  He also owns a valuable farm of two hundred and fifty-one acres in Rutledge township, which he operates.

On the 11th of May, 1892, Mr. Huddleston was united in marriage to Miss Oddie McDonald, a daughter of John and Mary E. (Johnson) McDonald.  Four children have been born to this union, Russell M., Maurice L., Jack K., and Roger C., but the last named was drowned when but twenty months old.

In politics Mr. Huddleston is a republican and for one term served as treasurer of Farmer City.  His fraternal relations connect him with Farmer City Lodge, No. 710, A. F. & A. M.  The name of Huddleston has long been an honored one in Farmer City and Clyde E. Huddleston fully sustains the reputation that was borne by his father and grandfather in DeWitt county.

GEORGE W. HUGHES.  (Volume II, Page 370)

The value of the local newspapers in the upbuilding of the best interests of any community is universally conceded.  In the production and conservation of advancement in all normal lines of human progress and civilization there is no factor which has exercised a more potent influence than the press, which is both the director and the mirror of public opinion.  In the Register the city of Clinton has a newspaper which is vital, enthusiastic and progressive, ever aiming to advance the interests of this favored section of the state and standing at all times as the champion of the general good as opposed to class prejudice or favoritism.

As editor of the Register, George W. Hughes needs no introduction to the readers of this volume.  He was born in Clermont county, Ohio, near the town of Goshen, June 9, 1853, and is one of the six children of William and Margaret (Cain) Hughes.  His paternal great-grandfather was of Irish descent and was a native of North Carolina.  In early manhood he married a woman of German ancestry and they emigrated to Ohio, arriving in Cincinnati in 1778, making the journey on horseback, using pack saddles.  Their children were Levi, Nathaniel, Isaac, James, John, Jesse, Sebina and Cyrus.  The family located on a farm near Goshen, sixteen miles from Cincinnati, where some of their descendants still live.  Our subject’s grandfather, James Hughes, was a soldier of the war of 1812 and was at Fort Defiance at the time of the victory of Commodore Perry on Lake Erie.  His brother John served in the Revolutionary war until its close.  James Hughes married Miss Catherine Johnson, a relative of Andrew Johnson, who became president of the United States on the death of Abraham Lincoln.  To them were born eight children: John, James, Silas, William, Jacob, Rebecca, Anna and Jane.  Our subject’s maternal grandfather was also one of the early residents of Clermont county, Ohio, where he carried on the work of tilling the soil.

William Hughes was born in the Buckeye state and in early life learned and followed the shoemaker’s trade but subsequently gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits.  Arriving in Illinois in 1853, he settled in Texas township, DeWitt county, where he owned and cultivated one hundred and thirty-five acres of land.  His first home was a log cabin, but in time this was replaced by a good two-story frame residence and other buildings equally well suited to the specific needs.  The farm became a finely improved property, to which he devoted his energies and attention until his death, which occurred in 1874, when he was sixty-three years of age.  His wife remained upon the home farm until January, 1892, when she took up her abode in Clinton, and in November of that year she passed away at the age of seventy-four.  Both were consistent members of the Christian church and Mr. Hughes was active in community affairs, filling various township offices.  His family numbered five sons and one daughter—Albert M., Nelson R., Warren F., George W., Perry H. and Mary Eliza, all residents of Clinton.

George W. Hughes was only three months old when brought by his parents to DeWitt county and here upon the home farm his youthful days were passed, while in the district schools he acquired his preliminary education.  Later he supplemented his early training by study in the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington and in the Springfield (Ill.) Business College.  Through five winter terms he engaged in teaching school and a year later he and his brother, Perry, purchased the Clinton Register, coming into possession of the plant and paper in September, 1885.  His brother had been employed in the office for two or three years prior to the purchase, so that practical experience well qualified him for the work and ready adaptability enabled George W. Hughes soon to master the tasks that devolved upon him in this new connection.  The partnership between the brothers continued for eighteen years, at the end of which time G. W. Hughes purchased Perry’s interest and took as partner his brother, Nelson R., so that the style of Hughes Brothers has been continuously maintained since 1885.  The paper was established under its present name in 1868.  It is democratic in its political support and is published weekly, while a general job printing office is conducted in connection, there being fine equipment for that work.  The paper enjoys a large and increasing circulation and an excellent advertising patronage.  Nelson R. Hughes was county superintendent of schools one term and Perry was postmaster during President Cleveland’s second term.

On the 28th of September, 1893, Mr. Hughes was married to Miss Eliza B. Shaw, a daughter of Achilles B. and Harriet (Mills) Shaw.  Mrs. Hughes was born in Macon county, Illinois, while her father was a native of Clermont county, Ohio.  He was an early settler of Macon and DeWitt counties, residing in Macon county until 1882, when they came to DeWitt county, his home being now in Texas township.  Of his five children four are yet living, namely: John B.; Eliza B.; Dudley H.; and Susan A., the wife of L. E. Gengelbach.  Mrs. Hughes is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Hughes has always been an advocate of democratic principles and for four years served as justice of the peace.  He was afterward made a candidate for state senator but, his district being strongly republican, he was defeated, though the majority was reduced five hundred.  His residence in DeWitt county covers a period of fifty-seven years, so that he has witnessed almost its entire development from a wilderness to its present condition of progress and prosperity.  In his twenty-five years as editor and publisher he has done much in molding public opinion, advocating and supporting many measures which as progressive factors in the life of the community cannot be overestimated.

SHERMAN G. HULL.  (Volume II, Page 55)

Sherman Grant Hull, conducting a successful drug business on the public square of Clinton, has been identified with mercantile interests in this city since 1893 and has conducted the business on his own account since 1895.  He was born three miles west of Wapella, in DeWitt county, Illinois, March 6, 1867, and is the second in a family of two sons and three daughters.  His parents are Joshua C. and Adaline (Harrold) Hull, both natives of this state.  The former is a son of Elijah Hull, a native of Ohio, of Scotch-Irish descent, and he has made farming a life work.  He married Martha Cantrell and their children are Levi, Joshua, Thomas, Porter, Sarah and Emma.  The Harrold family from which Sherman G. Hull is descended in the maternal line was established in Virginia at an early day.  The grandfather, Eli Harrold, however, was born in Illinois and made farming his life work, always remaining a resident of DeWitt county where he died at the age of seventy-three years.  His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah J. Nelson and died when about seventy years of age.  Their four children were: Keziah, Mary, Adaline and Clara.

Joshua C. Hull has been a life-long resident of DeWitt county and in his youthful days early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.  He has always followed the occupation to which he was reared and still owns the old farm upon which he reared his family.  It was a tract of land of two hundred acres well improved and he derives therefrom a substantial income but he and his wife now live retired in Wapella.  He was a soldier of the Civil war, serving with Company E, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for eighteen months.  He was shot through the right lung at the battle of Britton’s Lane and was soon afterward honorably discharged because of disability occasioned by his injuries.  He had previously participated in a number of important battles of the war.  On returning from the south he resumed farming but is now enjoying a well earned rest and in the community where he resides is numbered among the prominent and influential citizens.  Unto him and his wife were born five children: Minnie A., who is the wife of C. W. Samuels of Clinton; Sherman G., of this city; Edna V., the wife of Charles Duzan of Sheldon, Missouri; Anna J., the wife of M. L. Argo of Mexico, Missouri; and Emmett K., who is living on the home farm west of Wapella.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Sherman G. Hull.  In his boyhood and youth he attended the district schools and assisted his father until twenty-three years of age.  His professional training was received in the College of Pharmacy from which he was graduated with the class of 1893.  Coming to Clinton, he then engaged in clerking in the drug store of Dr. J. C. Myers for about two years after which he purchased an interest in the drug store with M. G. Taylor with whom he was associated for a year and a half.  He then purchased his partner’s interest and has since conducted the store alone, having now a fine trade and enjoying a steadily increasing business.

In March, 1896, Mr. Hull married Miss Lilly Mae Harrison, who was born at Wapella, while her parents, E. G. F. and Emily J. (Carman) Harrison, were both natives of Illinois.  Her father was a descendant of the same ancestry from which William Henry Harrison sprung and the family was represented in the Revolutionary war.  Unto him and his wife were born four sons and three daughters: Charles E.; Edward I.; Elbert G.; Frank; Lilly Mae; Ruby J., the wife of George W. Edwards; and Florence, the wife of William L. Nichols.

Mr. and Mrs. Hull now have two interesting little children, Cecile B. and Emily Adaline.  The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Hull also belongs to DeWitt Lodge, No. 84, A. F. & A. M.; Goodbrake Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M.; Clinton Council, No. 74, R. & S. M.; Clinton Commandery, No. 66, K. T.  He served as worshipful master of the lodge in 1909 and is a prominent and active working member in the craft.  He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and gives his political allegiance to the republican party.  He lives at No. 505 North Center street where he erected an attractive home in 1908.  He deserves classification with the progressive and representative business men of the state, making creditable progress in the field of labor which he has chosen as his life work.

WILLIAM A. HUMPHREY.  (Volume II, Page 177)

The descendant of an Irish gentlemen of the old school, who, in order to secure that freedom of speech and action long desired, yet which his environment in the old country forbade, forsook his lands and estate in the land of his birth and started life anew in the great, free country across the water, W. A. Humphrey, a grandson of that stirring patriot, Thomas Humphrey, of Belfast, Ireland, may look back upon his ancestral record with pride.

He was born in Champaign county, Ohio, December 7, 1846, and is the second child in the family of four, his brothers and sisters being: Thomas, deceased, who was an esteemed resident of Tunbridge township; Harriett Elizabeth, the wife of F. E. Penny, of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Joseph A., of Marshfield, Missouri.  The father was William C. Humphrey, the eldest of a family of five children.  His brother, George C., now deceased, was a veteran of the Civil war, having served throughout the entire period in the Ninety-fourth Regiment of the Illinois Volunteers.  He lived in Wellington, Kansas, at the time of his death.  James P. died in Ohio.  Joseph died at Pueblo, Colorado.  Elizabeth, the youngest of the family, was first married to Alexander Kirkpatrick.  Several years after his death she married Percy Gordon, of Clinton, Illinois, who was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the capacity of first lieutenant in the Ninety-fourth Regiment of the Illinois Volunteers.

William C. Humphrey, the father of our subject, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1818 and died in Clinton, Illinois, in 1891, having come to DeWitt county in 1854.  His father, Thomas Humphrey, emigrated to this country from Belfast, Ireland, in 1790.  Conditions became intolerable there for him although he belonged to the landed gentry and did no manual labor during his entire life, as had his fathers before him.  Yet his thoughts were all for the improvement of his people, so he emigrated to America in company with his wife, Nancy Patterson, and their three children, born in Ireland.

The couple settled in Erie county, Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Humphrey died in 1816.  The following year, Thomas Humphrey married Nancy Mayse, though he was seventy-five years of age at the time, and to them were born five children.  In 1819 the couple went to Ohio, then, practically a new country, Mrs. Humphrey carrying William C., then an infant, on her lap as she rode along on side-saddle.  They settled in Champaign county, where the family lived until William came to DeWitt county.  Thomas Humphrey lived to be one hundred and twelve years of age.

William C. Humphrey, the father of our subject, was married to Margaret Hoover, who was a descendant of the Hoovers of Greenbrier county, West Virginia.

W. A. Humphrey was married to Miss Anna E. Border, a daughter of William and Rebecca (Chenoweth) Border of DeWitt county, Illinois.  She was one of a family of six children, the others being: Angeline, the wife of Thomas Groves, of Burlington Junction, Missouri; Minnie, who became the wife of Alfred Warner, of Decatur, Illinois; Ashbury, who died in Clintonia township, DeWitt county; Miss Lydia M., of Wellington, Kansas; and Luella, who married the late John T. Stewart of Wellington, Kansas.

To Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Humphrey there have been born four children, one daughter and three sons.  They are: Leona G., an accomplished young woman who makes her home with her parents; R. H. and R. R., twins, living in Bloomington, Illinois, and Tunbridge township, respectively; and W. H., who makes his home with his parents.  There is one grandchild in the Humphrey family, Robert Lowell Humphrey, a son of R. R. Humphrey, of Tunbridge township.

W. A. Humphrey began farming in 1867 and continued to devote his entire attention to his splendidly maintained place west of Kenney until 1891, when he went to Dallas county, Iowa, where he resided until eighteen months had elapsed, when he returned to his home in Tunbridge township, this county.  He continued to operate his farm until 1906, when he engaged in grain buying with a son until 1909, when he retired permanently from business.

Mr. Humphrey is known as one of the most successful men of the western section of DeWitt county and is especially noted for his ability as a practical and scientific farmer.  His place, the management of which he yet retains, assisting his son in its development and care, is one of the most modernly equipped and splendidly maintained of any to be seen in the locality.  Its splendid condition testifies to Mr. Humphrey’s untiring efforts and to his splendid ability.

URIAH E. HUNT.  (Volume II, Page 298)

Uriah E. Hunt, now successfully engaged as a contractor and builder in Weldon, is one of Illinois’ native sons, his birth occurring in Jasper county, June 30, 1849.  His parents, William and Margaret (Timmons) Hunt were both natives of Ohio, born in 1818 and 1816 respectively.  About 1837 they came to the Prairie state and settled in Jasper county, where the father followed farming until his death in 1852.  The mother long survived him and died in 1893 at a very old age.  Ten children were born to this worthy couple but only three are now living: Nathan, a resident of Canada; Mary, the wife of William Day of Coles county, Illinois; and Uriah E. of this review.  Two sons entered the Union service during the war of the Rebellion, Francis and William Albert, the former of whom enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventh and the latter in the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  Francis died at Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1863 and though William lived to return home, he contracted measles and died in 1867.  James H. Hunt, another son, entered the regular service after the war and died at Fort McKavett, Texas, in 1875.

During his boyhood Uriah E. Hunt pursued his studies in a log school-house in Jasper county, which was a primitive structure, supplied with the rudest kind of benches and heated by a large fireplace.  On leaving home he turned his attention to farming, which he followed for thirty-one years in Jasper, Coles, DeWitt and Macon counties, but for twenty-three years of that time lived on one farm in DeWitt county.  He became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land in Nixon township but sold that property and bought land in North Dakota, which he improved.  On his retirement from farm labor he removed to Weldon and has since turned his attention to carpentering and building, in which business he has met with excellent success, erecting many beautiful homes in the town and throughout the surrounding country.  His own home was purchased in 1905 and besides this he owns a shop in Weldon and is today one of the well-to-do citizens of the place.

Mr. Hunt was married on the 24th of December, 1868, to Miss Lucy A. Beem, who was born in Jasper county, October 14, 1847, her parents being J. Hugh and Sarah (Vannata) Beem, natives of Ohio, who came to Illinois after our subject’s parents had located there.  Her mother died in 1862 and her father in 1875, both being laid to rest in Cumberland cemetery, Coles county.  They had eleven children, seven of whom still survive, namely: Lucy A., the wife of our subject; John, a resident of the state of Washington; Elizabeth, the wife of Frank Whirley of Mattoon, Coles county, Illinois; Samuel and Isaac, both residents of Nebraska; Kate, who is the wife of Joseph Smock, of Kansas; and Elijah, a resident of Colorado.

Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, who in the order of their birth are as follows: Henry Albert, born in Coles county, October 30, 1869, now lives in Nixon township.  He married Florence Baker and has five children, Vernice, Cecil, Gladys, Velda and Basil.  Lisette, born in Coles county, October 7, 1871, died October 3, 1872, and was buried in Charleston, Coles county.  Eva, born in Coles county, January 24, 1873, is now the wife of William Baker of Weldon and has five children, Delia, Norah, Francis, Esther and Eva.  Emma, born in Coles county November 27, 1874, is the wife of Gibson Monroe of Macon county and has six children, Wilber, Ethel, Lela, Ernest, Yula and Lucy A.  Doran, born in Macon county, June 26, 1876, lives in DeWitt county.  He married Rose Hendricks and had five children, of whom three are still living, Lawrence, Norma and Elsie.  Charles, born in Macon county, March 15, 1878, makes his home in DeWitt township, this county.  He married Meta Polland and they have three children, Lucile, Earl and Lotus.  Maude, born in Macon county, September 16, 1880, married Charles Adams and lived in Clinton, but died at the home of her father in Weldon, June 23, 1907, leaving two children, Charles W., born in Macon county, July 3, 1901; and Homer D., born in DeWitt county, June 19, 1902.  They now live with their grandfather Hunt.  Robert O., born in DeWitt county, May 7, 1882, married Rosa Pearl and makes his home in North Dakota.  He has two children, William and Lee.  Ada, born in DeWitt county, January 23, 1884, is the wife of Wyatt Holcom of Weldon, and has one son, Densel Ray.  Elizabeth, born in DeWitt county, November 19, 1886, married Eugene Thorpe, a resident of Creek township, DeWitt county.  William G., born in DeWitt county, October 29, 1888, is now a clothing merchant of Weldon and lives at home.  Lester E., born in DeWitt county, September 29, 1891, is a machinist and chauffeur, residing at home.  All of the children received a good education, some of them graduating from the high school, and the two youngest sons are now members of the Weldon band.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Hunt has been a stanch supporter of the democratic party and its principles and has been honored with the offices of supervisor, road commissioner, assessor, collector, school director and town trustee, having filled the last named office for four years to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.  He is a prominent Mason and is now serving as treasurer of his lodge.  He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and to the Modern Woodmen of America and is past consul in the latter order.  Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Protestant church and he is a trustee of the same.  Throughout life he has been a very industrious man and the success that has come to him is certainly well merited for it is due entirely to his own unaided efforts, for on starting out in life for himself he was without money or influential friends to aid him and his prosperity is but the just reward of his perseverance and enterprise.

MARSHALL HURLEY.  (Volume II, Page 239)

On the list of Farmer City ’s retired citizens may be found the name of Marshall Hurley, who has lived in a comfortable home here since 1901.  He still retains possession of his farm of two hundred and ten acres in Santa Anna township, which formerly constituted the old homestead.  He was born in Santa Anna township, October 17, 1852.  The paternal grandfather of our subject was Dennis Hurley, who was born in New Jersey , in April, 1796.  About 1814 he removed to NewarkOhio, there remaining until 1830.  It was while still a resident of that place that he was married in 1816 to Miss Mary McConnell, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania , September 20, 1797.  In 1830 they came to DeWitt county, Illinois , settling in what is now known as Hurley’s Grove, which was named in his honor.  He entered land in Santa Anna township and was here engaged in farming until his death on the 27th of June, 1867, when he was seventy-one years of age.  His wife had passed away many years before, her demise occurring July 6, 1850, at the age of fifty-three.  Their family numbered fourteen children but only one is now living, David Hurley, of Saybrook.  Following the death of his first wife, he was twice married.

His family included Lewis Hurley, who was born during the residence of the family in Ohio and was brought to Illinois when in his infancy, the family home being established in DeWitt county in the year 1830.  He was reared on the home farm in Santa Anna township and at the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861, became a member of Company I, Thirty-ninth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  Beside taking part in many skirmishes, he participated in the following battles: Weir Bottom ChurchVirginia, Darby Cross-roads, Deep Run, Darbytown and Drury’s Bluff, losing his life in the last named on the 16th of May, 1864, when he was little more than thirty-four years of age.  He had been married to Miss Elizabeth Swigart, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Conrad) Swigart, the former a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania , and of German descent.  He was born June 14, 1792.  Mrs. Swigart was born February 26, 1797, and was but removed from that state to DeWitt county in 1849, establishing their home in DeWitt township, where Mr. Swigart was engaged in farming to the time of his death, February 24, 1869, when he was seventy-seven years of age, while his wife passed away March 6, 1875, when seventy-seven years and nine months of age.  Their family numbered eleven children, Matilda, Sarah, William, John, Jacob, George, Elizabeth (Mrs. Hurley), Benjamin, Mary Jane, Jemima and Eliza Ann.  The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Hurley was blessed with five children: Marshall, of this review; Josephine, the wife of Lafayette Thomas, residing near Granby, Newton county, Missouri; Mrs. Ida Watson, of Cheney, Kansas; Owen L., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; and Ransom of Mahomet, Illinois.  As above stated, the father of this family was killed in the Civil war and his wife survived throughout a long period, passing away June 13, 1895.  Both she and her husband were Methodists in religious faith.

Marshall Hurley, the eldest in his father’s family, was but twelve years of age at the time of his father’s death.  He remained on the home farm with his mother and being the eldest child, much responsibility fell on his young shoulders after his father’s death.  He gave to his mother valuable assistance in the operation and management of the farm and eventually became the owner of the homestead, comprising two hundred and ten acres in Santa Anna township.  Throughout a long period he was identified with its development and improvement, and it is today a very productive and valuable piece of land.  Mr. Hurley also owns some timber land in DeWitt township.  In August, 1901, he put aside business cares and removed to Farmer City , where he owns a nice home.

Mr. Hurley is a republican in his political views.  He is now filling his second term as police magistrate, his entire political service being in the interest of the people.  He belongs to the Sons of Veterans and is serving his second term as camp council of this order in the state of Illinois and is also special aid on the staff of the commander-in-chief of the Sons of Veterans of the United States .  He possesses all the elements of what may be termed a “square man”—one in whom to have confidence, a dependable man in any relation and any emergency.

OWEN L. HURLEY.  (Volume II, Page 221)

Few men who have just passed the half century mark have attained that degree of success in life which enables them to put aside all business cares and live retired.  Hundreds fail because they lack the mental mastery of affairs or because they do not have the physical endurance.  However, the reverse is proven in the record of him who introduces this review, for Mr. Hurley is now the owner of three hundred and fifty acres of valuable farming land in Santa Anna and DeWitt townships, its rental supplying him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

He was born on a farm in Santa Anna township, July 25, 1860, a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Swigart) Hurley, natives of Ohio, in whose family were three sons and two daughters, as follows: Marshall, a resident of Farmer City, who is mentioned on another page of this work; Josephine, the wife of Lafayette Thomas, of Missouri; Ida, the wife of Oscar Watson, of Cheney, Kansas; Owen L., of this review; and Ransom, of Mahomet, Illinois.  The father was an early settler of Illinois , being brought to DeWitt county by his parents during his infancy.  He was here engaged in farming up to the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, when, no longer content to remain at home while his country was in peril, he enlisted in 1861 as a member of the Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and, after serving three years, gave his life as a sacrifice on the altar of his country, for he was killed in the battle of Drury’s Bluff, Virginia, when only a little more than thirty-four years of age.  His wife reared their five children and died June 13, 1895.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were Dennis and Mary (McConnell) Hurley who, on settling in DeWitt county in 1830, entered government land and here the grandfather engaged in farming throughout his remaining years.  Their family numbered fourteen children, which included: Jerry, David, John, Lewis, Jane, Adeline, Lydia, Margaret, Caroline and Catharine.  David is the only surviving member and now makes his home in Saybrook, Illinois.

The maternal grandparents of our subject were Daniel and Elizabeth (Conrad) Swigart, the former a native of Ohio .  Like the Hurley family, they were numbered among the pioneers of DeWitt county, settling on a farm here when the homes were widely scattered.  Their labors were effective in developing this section of the state, and they were long numbered among the prominent citizens of the county.  They reared a large family, including Jacob, George, John, William, Benjamin, Matilda, Elizabeth, Mary Jane, Jemima, Sarah and Eliza Ann.

Own L. Hurley, the immediate subject of this review, was but a year old when his father went to the war and was only four years of age at the time of his death.  He was carefully reared by his mother on the home farm in Santa Anna township, and his preliminary education, acquired in the district schools, was later supplemented by a course of study in Lombard University at GalesburgIllinois, followed by one year in the State Normal, at Normal.  He then engaged in teaching, following that profession in connection with farm work for fifteen years, while for one year of that period he was principal of the DeWitt schools.  As he prospered in his undertakings he invested his capital in land and has accumulated three hundred and fifty acres in Santa Anna and DeWitt townships.  He eventually abandoned agriculture and, removing to Farmer City , was for a few years engaged in the implement business here in partnership with his brother Marshall.  He has for the past few years, however, lived retired in a nice home in this city, deriving a good income from his invested interests.

On the 15th of October, 1891, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hurley and Miss Addie Belle Dukes, a daughter of Spencer Davis and Cynthia (Bennett) Dukes, and a native of TuscolaIllinois.  Spencer D. Dukes was a son of Spencer and Elizabeth Dukes, who lived to old age.  They had eight children, Ellen, Elizabeth, William, Spencer D., Michael, Isaac, Marion and one who died young.  Of this family, Spencer D., who became the father of Mrs. Hurley, was a native of Boone county, Indiana.  He served in the Civil war for three years and made a creditable military record.  After reaching mature years he wedded Cynthia Bennett, a daughter of Jesse Ulysses and Margaret (Baugh) Bennett and a native of Kentucky .  They reared five children, William A., John, Charles, James and Cynthia.  The parents lived to advance years.  Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Spencer D. Dukes located in Douglas county, Illinois , becoming some of its earliest settlers, and it was during their residence in that section of the state that their daughter Addie B. was born.  They removed to DeWitt county from Douglas county more than thirty years ago and now make their home in Farmer City .

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hurley have been born one daughter and two sons, Alma Idell, Spencer Vernell and Lewis Howard, and the family occupies a nice home in Farmer City.  Mr. Hurley gives his political support to the republican party.  He belongs to Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 126, I. O. O. F., and to camp No. 253, M. W. A., while both he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs, and Mrs. Hurley is a member of the Christian church.  Mr. and Mrs. Hurley are representatives of old and honored pioneer families of DeWitt county, where his entire life has been spent and where she has lived the greater part of her life.  He stands today as a high type of American manhood, who has won success in life and at the same time has gained the respect and honor of his fellowmen.

ZEANUS N. HUTCHISON.  (Volume II, Page 170)

Wide-awake and enterprising, given to recognizing opportunities and improving them, Zeanus N. Hutchison is now numbered among the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of DeWitt township, his home being located on section 26, eight and one-half miles southwest of Farmer City, where he now owns and operates one hundred and twenty acres of land.  He was born in Fayette county, Iowa , July 5, 1862, but was only three months old when brought to Illinois by his parents, Lewis and Mary (Conray) Hutchison, the family locating in McLean county.  There the father became the owner of a farm in Funks Grove township, upon which he spent the remainder of his days.

Zeanus N. Hutchison grew to manhood in McLean county and was provided with good educational advantages.  He remained at home until twenty years of age, when he was married in Randolph township, that county, November 22, 1881, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Foster, a daughter of Robert and Mary (St. Clair) foster.  Ten children were born of this union, namely: Edith, now the wife of William Coffman, a resident of Nixon township, DeWitt county; Wilbur, who married Miss Elizabeth Kelly and lives in Bloomington, Illinois; Lewis, now a motorman on an electric railway running between Wheaton and Chicago; Harry, who died at the age of nineteen years; Lee, who attended business college in Bloomington for one year and is now at home; Mable, a student at Farmer City high school and now at home; Winnie, who died in infancy; Ursa, who has made a study of oratory and won a gold medal at the age of sixteen years; Grace and Goldie, all at home.

For two years after his marriage Mr. Hutchison engaged in farming upon rented land in McLean county and then came to DeWitt county, where he also operated rented land for ten years.  At the end of that time he purchased his present farm, for which he paid seventy-three dollars per acre, but it is now worth two hundred dollars.  Upon the place he has since erected a good residence and made other improvements which have added to its value and attractive appearance.  In connection with the operation of his own farm he also cultivates another tract of eighty acres.

By his ballot Mr. Hutchison supports the men and measures of the democratic party but is not a politician in the sense of office seeking.  Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Weldon, in which he is now serving as steward, and both take a very active part in Sunday school and church work, Mrs. Hutchison being superintendent of the Sunday school for many years.  He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both are members of the Daughters of Rebekah at Farmer City .  Their earnest Christian lives have won them the respect of all who know them and they have a host of warm friends throughout the community in which they reside.

GEORGE K. INGHAM.  (Volume II, Page 20)

No history of the legal profession of DeWitt county would be complete without extended reference to Judge George K. Ingham, a distinguished attorney of Clinton, who for seventeen years was judge of the county court.  Having great respect for the dignity of judicial place and power, no man ever presided in the court with more regard for his environments than did Judge Ingham.  As a result of that personal characteristic the proceedings were always orderly on the part of every one—audience, bar and the officers from the highest to the lowest.  His opinions are fine specimens of judicial thought, always clear, logical, and as brief as the character of the case will permit.  His mind during the entire period of his course at the bar and on the bench has been directed in the line of his profession and his duty, and thus it is that he occupies a foremost place as a member of the legal profession in central Illinois.

Ohio claims Judge Ingham among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Andersonville, July 19, 1852.  He was one of the four children of Samuel and Nancy (King) Ingham, who were natives of Ohio.  His paternal grandfather, Isaiah Ingham, was born in Pennsylvania and was of English and Welsh descent.  He devoted his life to farming and both he and his wife died in Ross county, Ohio, when more than seventy-five years of age.  They had a family of four children: Samuel; John C.; Mary, who became the wife of Julius Palmer; and Elizabeth, the wife of Samuel C. Swift.  A distinguished representative of the family was Samuel Ingham, a brother of Isaiah, who served as a member of President Jackson’s first cabinet.

The King family from which Judge Ingham is descended in the maternal line is of English origin.  His grandfather, George King, was a native of Ohio and made farming his life work.  Both he and his wife, Mrs. Nancy King, passed away in Ross county, after having attained the Psalmist’s allotted span of three score years and ten.  They were the parents of five daughters and a son: Hester, Mary, Martha, Ellen, Fannie and Mitchell.  Fannie is the only one now living and makes her home in Beason, Logan county, Illinois.

Reared to the occupation of farming, Samuel Ingham devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits save for a period of about ten years when he practiced medicine.  In 1858 he arrived in DeWitt county, Illinois, settling in Waynesville, where he purchased a mill which he operated for five or six years.  He then turned his attention to farming and gave his remaining days to the tilling of the soil.  He died near Waynesville in 1895, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away on the home farm on the last day of 1891, when seventy-two years of age.  Both were consistent members of the Methodist church.  Their children were as follows: Alva C., who died in Macon county, Illinois, in 1907; Susie, who died in 1863, when a young lady; Dora B., the wife of L. K. Cunningham, of Waynesville, Illinois; and George K. of this review.

Judge Ingham was only six years of age when brought by his parents to DeWitt county, where he has now made his home for more than a half century.  His youthful days were spent in the usual manner of farm lads, the district schools affording him his educational privileges, which were supplemented by study in the Wesleyan University at Bloomington.  Before entering that school, however, he had engaged in teaching and after the completion of his more specifically literary course he matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1875.  The same year he was admitted to the bar and located for practice in Kenney, Illinois, where he remained for three and a half years, when he removed to Clinton, where he has since followed his profession.  Although advancement at the bar is proverbially slow he nevertheless made steady progress, his handling of his cases showing great research, industry and care in their preparation.  In 1881 he was appointed county judge to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge John J. McGraw and served for a little less than two years.  In 1886, however, he was again called to that office by popular suffrage, was reelected in 1890. 1894 and 1898, so that he served in all for about seventeen years, when he resigned on the 1st of January, 1902, to enter again upon the regular practice of his profession.  His opinions while on the bench gave evidence of his varied legal learning and wide experience in the courts and the patient care with which he ascertained all the facts bearing upon every case which came before him gave his decisions a solidity and an exhaustiveness from which the members of the bar could not take exception.

On the 7th of March, 1878, Judge Ingham was married to Miss Alice A. Tenney, who was born in Waynesville and has lived in DeWitt county throughout her entire life.  She is a daughter of Boynton and Eliza (Dragstrem) Tenney, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Indiana.  They became early settlers of DeWitt county and here reared their two children, Mrs. Ingham, and a son, Charles B., who died in 1907.  The father was a physician, who passed away many years ago at the age of forty-five years.  His widow lived until 1891 and was called to her final rest when about sixty-three years of age.  Dr. Tenney was the son of Benjamin Tenney, a native of New Hampshire and a farmer by occupation.  The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Ingham was Daniel Dragstrem, a native of Indiana, who carried on merchandising for many years.  He wedded Margaret Copeland and about 1845 they came to DeWitt county, where Mr. Dragstrem established a store at Waynesville, of which he was proprietor for a long period.  Both he and his wife died in Waynesville when about eighty years of age.

Four children have been born unto Judge and Mrs. Ingham but Minnie T., the eldest, died at the age of eighteen months.  Leonard W., the second child, is a graduate of the University of Illinois and of Harvard Law School.  He was admitted to the bar in 1905 and is now the junior member of the firm of Ingham & Ingham, being thus associated with his father in the practice of law.  He married Minnie C. Bridgeman and they have one son, John Leonard.  Rolla T. is assistant cashier of the DeWitt County National Bank.  Helen, the youngest, is attending school.  Judge and Mrs. Ingham are devoted members of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they take an active interest, Judge Ingham serving as elder.  He is also a Master Mason and belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity.  In politics he is a republican and in 1879 was elected to the state legislature.  He is now a director of the DeWitt County National Bank but his interest centers in his profession, in which he has won high honors.  Well versed in the learning of the law and with a deep knowledge of human nature and the springs of human conduct, with great shrewdness and sagacity and extraordinary tact, he is in the courts an advocate of great power and influence.