The Biographical Record of DeWitt County, Illinois, Illustrated.
Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1901.

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.

JOSEPH T. MADDOX. (Volume 1, Page 29)

Prominent among the prosperous and substantial citizens of Barnett township is Joseph T. Maddox, who owns and operates a valuable farm of four hundred acres on section 19. He is one of the most successful stock dealers in the county, and has found that branch of his business quite profitable. A native of Illinois, he was born in Logan county, on the 15th of January, 1848, and is a son of Thomas M. Maddox, who is represented on another page of this volume. Our subject was reared on the old homestead farm in DeWitt county, and acquired his education in the local schools. He remained with his father until about thirty years of age and obtained a good practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits.

Mr. Maddox was married in Logan county, October 16, 1878, to Miss Mary C. Curry, who was born in Gibson county, Indiana, but was reared and educated in Logan county, Illinois. Her father, W. C. Curry, is now a resident of Beason. The children born to our subject and his wife are Elmer, who is now assisting his father in the operation of the home farm; Estella Maud and Dora Elizabeth, both at home; and one son, who died in infancy.

After his marriage Mr. Maddox located on the farm where he now resides, having previously purchased two hundred acres, and to that amount he has since added until he now has four hundred acres of well improved and valuable land. His large and pleasant residence is surrounded by a good set of outbuildings and everything about the place indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner. He has two other farms, one in Atlanta and the other in Waynesville townships, aggregating two hundred and seventy acres, and is a stockholder in the State Bank of Clinton. Throughout his business career he has been interested in live stock, and feeds many head of cattle and hogs for market annually. He also breeds Percheron draft horses and standard bred roadsters, and as a breeder has an enviable reputation throughout this section of the state. Starting out in life for himself with no capital, his record is one well worthy of emulation and contains many valuable lessons of incentive, showing the possibilities that are open to young men who wish to improve every opportunity for advancement. He is a man of good business ability and sound judgment, and to his own well-directed efforts is due his success in life.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Maddox has always supported the Democratic party and its principles, and has taken quite an active part in local politics. He served as county supervisor from Barnett township for nine consecutive years, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, was chairman of the finance committee and a member of various other committees. He has also been a delegate to the county and congressional conventions of his party, and has exerted considerable influence in public affairs. Fraternally he is a member of Wayne Lodge, No. 172, F. & A. M.

THOMAS M. MADDOX. (Volume 1, Page 326)

For almost half a century Thomas M. Maddox has been identified with the interests of Dewitt county, and is still successfully engaged in farming on secton 20, Barnett township. He was born in Gibson county, Indiana, on the 1st of September, 1819. His father, Dr. John W. Maddox, was a native of Kentucky, but at an early day removed to Indiana, where he married Mrs. Jane (Montgomery) Warrick, whose first husband was killed by the Indians in the battle of Tippecanoe on the Wabash river. For a few years the Doctor was engaged in practice in Gibson county, and from there he went to the Red River country. He subsequently came to Illinois and purchased a place in Sangamon county, east of Springfield, but died there before the arrival of his family. When the news of his death reached them they decided to remain in Gibson county, Indiana, and there the mother reared her three children, of whom Thomas M. was the only son and youngest child.

Our subject received a fair common-school education, and at the age of fourteen years started out to make his own way in the world. He was married in his native county in October, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth Teal, who was also born there and was a daughter of Adam Teal. They began their domestic life in Gibson county upon land which Mr. Maddox had leased, but at the end of two years he sold his lease and came to Illinois in 1846. He first located in Logan county, where he brought eighty acres of land and entered forty acres more, and to the improvement and cultivation of that place he devoted his attention for five years. Selling out in 1852, he came to DeWitt county and purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20 Barnett township. Only a few acres in one corner were then under cultivation, but soon acre after acre was placed under the plow until it was all broken. His first home was a small frame residence which in later years was replaced by a more commodious dwelling. He also built a large barn, set out fruit and shade trees, and made many other valuable improvements upon the place. He also owned another farm of one hundred acres, which is now the property of his son, Joseph T., and in connection with general farming he successfully engaged in the raising of cattle, horses, sheep and hogs.

Mr. Maddox's first wife, who was to him a faithful companion and helpmeet for thirty-eight years, died June 13, 1880, leaving three children, namely: John W., who is now carrying on a ranch in Colorado; Joseph T., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; and Nancy Jane, wife of James Hall, a farmer of Hallsville, DeWitt county. Mr. Maddox was again married in Logan county, Illinois, July 14, 1881, his second union being with Miss Ann Sumner, who was born in the same neighborhood as her husband in Gibson county, Indiana, but was reared in Logan county, this state, and prior to the death of his first wife lived in the family for some years.

Politically, Mr. Maddox has been a life-long Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren in 1840. He has never missed a presidential election since that time though he once had to be carried to the polls on account of a broken leg. For three consecutive terms he was an influential member of the county board of supervisors and served on several important committees. He has also filled the offices of highway commissioner and school director, and has ever made a faithful and efficient officer. Religiously his wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church; and both are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them.

HENRY MAGILL. (Volume 1, Page 16)

Clinton has been the home and scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that should serve as an example to those who come after them but have also been of important service to their city and state through various avenues of usefulness. Among them must be named Henry Magill, who passed away on the 5th of February, 1883, after a life of industry, and rich in those rare possessions which only a high character can give. For many years he labored with all the strength of a great nature and all the earnestness of a true heart for the advancement of the county of his adoption, and when he was called to his final rest his best monument was found in the love and respect of the community in which he lived for so many years.

A native of the Green Mountain state, his birth occurred in Middlebury, Vermont, in 1832, his parents being Hugh and Eliza Magill, who emigrated to America from the north of Ireland about 1816. They took up their abode upon a farm in Vermont and there the following named children were born unto them: William; Samuel; Rebecca E., who married C. H. Carpenter; Henry; Mary Ann, who was called Mollie and became the wife of Nixon Denton; and Robert. In 1841 the parents removed with their family to Malone, New York, where the father was engaged in business as the owner of a large cotton manufactory and a general store. In his undertaking he met with splendid success and refused an offer of eighty thousand dollars for his mill property, but there came a time when by fire he lost all and was left a poorer man than when he arrived in Malone, for though his property had been insured, the insurance company swindled him out of the entire amount. In 1851 he went westward to Michigan City, Indiana, where soon afterward he was joined by his family. There Hugh Magill took a contract for grading and tiling the roadbed of the Michigan Central Railroad from Michigan City to Chicago, in which venture he was joined by his sons. When the work had been successfully executed he and his son William went to Bloomington, Illinois, in February, 1853, and took a contract for the building of the Chicago & Alton Railroad from Bloomington to Lexington, under the firm name of the Emery-Magill Company, and later they built sixteen miles of the Illinois Central Railroad from Bloomington to Hudson. The four sons became partners in their father's business and extended their field of operations, opening a large general store in Bloomington, which was managed by Samuel and Henry Magill, while William and Robert assisted the father in the execution of the contracts.

In 1854 the family removed to Clinton, bringing with them a stock of merchandise from the Bloomington store. In 1855 they sold the Bloomington store to Mr. Emery and bought out the firm of Phares & Shorer, at Clinton. This was the beginning of the extensive business so long successfully conducted by the Magill Company, consisting of the brothers William, Samuel and Henry. In the same year the firm of Magill, Denton & Company took a contract to build a portion of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad. In 1858 the firm of Mason, Magill, Denton & Company built a large part of the Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad. The same year the firm of Magill & Company began business as dealers in stock, in addition to their operations along mercantile lines. Each of the brothers had the superintendence of a certain portion of the business, which he successfully managed and thus added to the general capital. William and Robert had charge of the purchase of stock, while Samuel and Henry were in control of the business in the city. Every dollar which they had and every acre of land which was purchased went into a common fund, and by keeping their capital thus united they were enabled to carry on business on a large scale and with greater prosperity.

Henry Magill possessed rare tact and business judgment, and as a financial manager he had but few equals in this part of the state. His brother generously attributed much of the success of the firm of Magill & Company to him and his splendid executive ability and keen discernment. For some time the brothers owned but little land, preferring to use their capital in enterprises that would bring quicker returns, but with their usual foresight they saw that it was only a question of time when DeWitt county farms would be very valuable. Accordingly, they bought new land when opportunity offered, and retaining possession of these, they have seen some of them more than double in value. They owned several thousand acres of the finest land in the county, all of which is under a very high state of cultivation and improved with all the modern accessories and conveniences found upon model farms. In the year 1870 Magill & Company graded the roadbed and furnished and placed the ties and irons for the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad from Clinton to Gilman and Henry Magill was largely instrumental in securing the benefits of this road for Clinton. He was also active in raising the money toward securing the location of the machine shops here, and thus directly and indirectly, he contributed in large measure to the substantial upbuilding and improvement of the city.

On the death of Robert Magill, in 1874, his share of the property was withdrawn from the business for the use of his widow and children and the remaining brothers organized under the name of Magill Brothers. This firm also had an equal interest in the banking house of John Warner & Company. Whatever they became interested in proved a profitable venture. Although they came to the west in very limited financial circumstances, within thirty years they were wealthy men, having control of mammoth business enterprises. The secret of their prosperity is short and simple. It resulted from indefatigable and honest effort, supplemented by almost unerring judgment in business transactions. They belonged to that class of representative American citizens who, while promoting individual success, also contribute in large measure to the general prosperity and welfare, and Clinton is indebted in large measure to their efforts in her behalf. They erected here a fine three-story brick hotel, yet known as the Magill House, and they gave generously to every enterprise which would benefit the city along material, social, educational and moral lines. Although they were not members of the Methodist Episcopal church, they were most liberal contributors to the fund for the erection of the house of worship. The firm ever sustained an unassailable reputation for honesty in all trade transactions, and the word of any one of the brothers was as good as his bond, and that was as good as gold. Rarely have brothers worked together in such perfect harmony; the ability and enterprise of the one seemed to round out and make symmetrical that of the others, and in close companionship they continued their labors with mutual pleasure and profit.

Although he led an extremely busy life, the interest of Henry Magill centered in his home and family. All of his efforts were put forth that he might add to their comfort and happiness. He was married on the 10th of February, 1859, to Miss Malissa F. Bowren, a native of Winchester, Kentucky, and a daughter of Alfred Bowren. She is a most estimable lady, who to her husband was ever a faithful companion and helpmate. The graces of true womanhood, the culture of a nature essentially refined have made her most highly esteemed by all, and in her immediate circle of friends she is greatly loved. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Magill were born the following named children: Hattie Eliza, widow of Charles Finney Amsden; Harry Alfred; and M. Gertrude, wife of Dr. J. D. Moore, a dentist of Decatur, Illinois.

A man of strong character and forceful individuality, Mr. Magill's life was guided by high principles, his example and influence were felt by all with whom he was associated. His judgment was safe and reliable, his opinions were just and his sympathy sure. His was the controlling mind in the business enterprise of the firm, yet there was no spirit of domination in any of his relations with his brothers. He had no aspirations for political honors or office and could rarely be induced to take part in public affairs. The only position he ever filled was that of school director, and he accepted that only when he was led to see that he might do better service for the school when in the office than out of it. Every measure calculated for the public good received his endorsement, and substantial aid was given to all practical movements for the general welfare. In manner he was entirely free from ostentation, and the character of the individual was the only thing which influenced his friendship inviolable. When once his confidence and friendship were given they were given for always unless he found that dishonor sundered the tie. To his family he was most tenderly devoted. Purchasing the old Cushman home, he enlarged and remodeled the residence and in that the family passed seventeen happy years. He then removed it to its present site on North Monroe street, and on the site where it formerly stood he erected a very handsome residence, in which his widow still resides—one of the most beautiful homes in the entire county. The home is surrounded by spacious grounds adorned with beautiful shade trees and beautified by the arts of the landscape gardener. Here Mr. Magill spent his last days. For almost three years prior to his change of climate and medical skill proved ineffectual. He was honored and esteemed not only for his splendid business ability but also for his many manly virtues and genuine worth.

"His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, 'This was a man.'"

HENRY A. MAGILL. (Volume 1, Page 54)

Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished, and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony therewith. In person, in talents and in character Henry Alfred Magill was a worthy scion of his race. Distinguished for the business qualifications which made his father prominent and wealthy, of strong character and marked personal attributes commanding the highest respect and admiration, he spent his entire life in Clinton and was honored by young and old, rich and poor.

The only son of Henry and Fannie Magill, he was born here on the 20th of April, 1864, and at the usual age entered the public schools, where he pursued his studies until sixteen years old, when he entered the dry-goods house of Magill Brothers as a salesman. In that way he mastered the business, both in principle and detail, remaining there until 1884, when he accepted a position in the bank conducted under the firm name of Warner & Company, in which his father was a partner. Failing health, however, forced him to abandon the banking business in 1893, and he was never again able to take up the duties of an active business career, although he performed many services for the city and filled the position of chief executive of Clinton for eight consecutive years. Clinton has never had a better mayor. He was elected to the office in 1890 and on the expiration of the term had filled the office so acceptably that he was re-elected and continued as mayor by popular vote until he had been the incumbent through eight years. His administration was businesslike, practical and progressive. He was ever on the side of progress and reform, and he cooperated, in his official capacity, with every measure advanced for the general good. He never aspired to any other political office save that of representative to the general assembly, but he failed to secure the nomination. He was a most earnest and active Republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. His labors often contributed largely to the success of his friends who were seeking office, and he did not hesitate to assist a capable member of opposite political faith, who was seeking an office in which no political issue was involved. He himself had many warm friends in the Democracy and was always respected for his justice and his fearless defense of his honest convictions.

Mr. Magill was a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge in Clinton and of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in Bloomington, while of the Clinton fire department he was an honorary member.  The Western Fireman, of Chicago, in commenting on his death said: “Everybody who met and knew Harry Magill loved him.  He was for eight years Clinton’s mayor and during that time, by his enterprise and wide-awake business sagacity, he wrought a revolution in the town on public policy and improvement.  He was most enthusiastically the fireman’s friend, taking an active part in the conventions and assisting the committees of the association.   He was a gentleman of wealth, a good entertainer and a worthy, genial and constant friend. ”  A sojourn in the west did not benefit the health of Mr. Magill, as it was hoped, and returning to Clinton he passed away March 2, 1901.  There was much in his life worthy of emulation.  Always reliable, a man of earnest purpose and strong intellectuality, he left the impress of his individuality upon many lines of public progress and Clinton was benefited by his experience, capability and public-spirited devotion.  Those who enjoyed his friendship, and they were many, held him in the highest regard on account of his social, kindly nature, and among Clinton’s native sons one of the best loved was Henry A. Magill.

ROBERT MAGILL. (Volume 1, Page 43)

Holding a prominent place among the successful business men of Clinton in early days was Robert Magill, a member of the well-known firm of Magill Brothers, whose name is inseparably connected with the development and prosperity of the city.  He was born in Middlebury, Vermont in 1833, and was a son of Hugh and Eliza Magill, who were natives of Ireland and came to the United States about 1816.  They were the parents of six children, namely: William; Samuel; Rebecca E., wife of C.H. Carpenter; Henry; Mary Ann, wife of Nixon Denton; and Robert, all of whom were born in Vermont.  On leaving that state, in 1841, the family removed to Malone, New York, where the father owned and operated a large woolen mill, and also conducted a general store, but his property was afterward burned and he lost almost everything.  His sons had been connected with the establishment.  In the hope of retrieving his fortune, Hugh Magill came west in 1851, and was soon afterward joined by his family.  Locating in Michigan City, Indiana, he took a contract for grading the roadbed of the Michigan Central Railroad from that place to Chicago, and in that undertaking was joined by his sons.  For a number of years they were engaged in railroad contracting, and after the removal of the family to Bloomington, Illinois, in 1853, they opened a large general store at that place, which was carried on by Samuel and Henry, while William and Robert assisted the father in the execution of the contracts.

The family came to Clinton in 1854 and opened a store at this place, which they sold the following year and then bought out the firm of Phares & Shorer.  They also began dealing in stock, to which branch of their business Robert Magill gave his personal attention throughout the remainder of his life.  They shipped stock quite extensively under the firm name of Magill Brothers, and conducted all business in partnership, their relation being most harmonious and pleasant, as well as profitable.  Believing that DeWitt county farms would become very valuable, they invested extensively in land, until they owned several thousand acres of the finest land in the county.  On the death of Robert, his share of the property was withdrawn from the business for the use of his widow and children.

Mr. Magill was first married to Miss Clara Seeley, a daughter of Nathan and Betsey (Irwin) Seeley.  She died, leaving one child, Nellie Eliza, a most accomplished young lady, who resides with her aunt Mrs. Samuel Magill, in Clinton, and is a great favorite in society.  She has considerable property in her own right, and is one of the co-workers in the Clinton library.  For his second wife Mr. Magill married Miss Emma Lou DeLand, a native of Ohio and a daughter of James and Emily (Abbott) DeLand, who were both born in Rutland, Vermont, and from there removed to the Buckeye state.  In early life the father was engaged in school teaching in Ohio, Iowa and Missouri, but after coming to Clinton, Illinois, in 1860, turned his attention to stock dealing.  Subsequently he was engaged in the grocery business and still later in the dry-goods and hardware business, becoming one of Clinton’s leading merchants.   He was also interested in railroad contracting and assisted in organizing the National Bank of Clinton, of which he was a stockholder and vice-president.  As a Republican he took quite a prominent part in political affairs, and held the office of supervisor, circuit clerk and mayor.  He died in 1896, at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife in 1872, at the age of forty-seven.  Unto them were born five children: a son who died in infancy; Emma Lou, now Mrs. Magill; Mrs. John Day; Ada M., wife of W.H. Wheeler; John F., who is represented elsewhere in this volume; and Lillie, deceased.  Mrs. Magill was ten years of age when she came with her parents to Clinton, and was principally reared and educated in this city.  She was married to our subject in 1866 and has one son, Fred H., who was born February 23, 1868, and is a popular member of society in Clinton.  He married Miss Pet Gandy, and to them were born two children: Marguerite, who is living; and Fred R. who died in infancy.

Mr. Magill died on the 15th of January, 1873, leaving a large estate, sufficient to secure his son a place among the capitalists of Clinton, and give his widow a handsome income.  She has sold their large residence and farm near Clinton, and has purchased a handsome cottage on West Main street, where she now makes her home, her time being occupied in looking after her property interests and social duties for which her intelligence and culture qualify her, and those intellectual enjoyments to which her taste leads.  She is a member of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Magill was liberal in religious belief, and was a stanch supporter of the Republican party.  Courteous, genial, well informed, alert and enterprising, he was one of the representative men of the county—a man who would have been a power in any community.

Transcribed by Connie Faulk

SAMUEL MAGILL. (Volume 1, Page 32)

Samuel Magill, deceased, did as much to promote the commercial activity, advance the general welfare and secure the material development of Clinton as probably any other individual. As a business man he was enterprising, energetic and always abreast of the times, and was rewarded by an ample fortune.

Mr. Magill was born in Middlebury, Vermont, on the 14th day of July, 1826, and was a son of Hugh and Eliza Magill, who emigrated to America from the north of Ireland about 1816 and settled on a farm in the Green Mountain state. Their children were William; Samuel; Rebecca E., wife of C. H. Carpenter; Henry; Mary Ann, wife of Nixon Denton; and Robert. In 1841, the parents removed with their family to Malone, New York, where the father was engaged in business as the owner of a large cotton manufactory and a general store. In his undertakings he met with splendid success and refused an offer of eighty thousand dollars for his mill property, but there came a time when by fire he lost all, and was left a poorer man than when he arrived in Malone, for though his property had been insured the insurance company swindled him out of the entire amount. In 1851 he went westward to Michigan City, Indiana, where soon afterward he was joined by his family. There Hugh Magill took a contract for grading and tiling the roadbed of the Michigan Central Railroad from Michigan City to Chicago, in which venture he was joined by his sons. When the work had been successfully executed he and his son William went to Bloomington, Illinois, in February, 1853, and took a contract for building the Chicago & Alton Railroad from Bloomington to Lexington, under the firm name of the Emery-Magill Company, and later they built sixteen miles of the Illinois Central Railroad from Bloomington to Hudson. The four sons became partners in their father’s business and extended their field of operations, opening a large general store in Bloomington, which was managed by Samuel and Henry Magill, while William and Robert assisted the father in the execution of the contracts.

In 1854 the family removed to Clinton, bringing with them a stock of merchandise from the Bloomington store. In 1855 they sold the Bloomington store to Mr. Emery and bought out the firm of Phares & Shorer at Clinton. This was the beginning of the extensive business so long successfully conducted by the Magill Company, consisting of the brothers, William, Samuel and Henry. In the same year the firm of Magill, Denton & Company took a contract to build a portion of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad. In 1858 the firm of Mason, Magill, Denton & Company built a large part of the Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad. The same year the firm of Magill & Company began business as dealers in stock, in addition to their operations along mercantile lines. Each of the brothers had the superintendence of a certain portion of the business, which he successfully managed and thus added to the general capital. William and Robert had charge of the purchase of stock, while Samuel and Henry were in control of the business in the city. Every dollar which they had and every acre of land which was purchased went into a common fund, and by keeping their capital thus united they wre enabled to carry on business on a large scale and with greater prosperity.

For some time the brothers owned but little land, preferring to use their capital in enterprises that would bring quicker returns, but with their usual foresight they saw that it was only a question of time when DeWitt county farms would be very valuable. Accordingly they bought new land when opportunity offered and retaining possession of these they saw some of them more than double in value. They owned several thousand acres of the finest land in the county, all of which is under a very high state of cultivation and improved with all the modern accessories and conveniences found upon a model farm. In the year 1870 Magill & Company graded the roadbed, and furnished and placed the ties and irons for the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad, from Clinton to Gilman. On the death of Robert Magill, in 1874, his share of the property was withdrawn from the business for the use of his widow and children, and the remaining brothers organized under the name of Magill Brothers. This firm also had an equal interest in the banking house of John Warner & Company. Whatever they became interested in became a profitable venture. Although they came to the west in very limited financial circumstances, within thirty years they were wealthy men, having control of mammoth business enterprises. The secret of their prosperity is short and simple. It resulted from indefatigable and honest effort, supplemented by almost unerring judgment in business transactions. They belonged to that class of representative American citizens, who, while promoting individual success, also contribute in large measure to the general prosperity and welfare, and Clinton is indebted in a large measure to their efforts in her behalf. They erected here a fine three-story brick hotel, yet known as the Magill House, and they gave generously to every enterprise which would benefit the city along material, social, educational and moral lines. Although they were not members of the Methodist Episcopal church they were most liberal contributors to the fund for the erection of the house of worship. While during their entire residence in Clinton, all the brothers attended and gave most liberally toward the erection and support of the Presbyterian church, of which their wives were active members.

In April, 1854, Samuel Magill was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor M. Seeley, a daughter of Nathan and Betsey (Irwin) Seeley, of Franklin county, New York. During his active business life her father followed farming, and after his retirement came to Clinton. While on a visit to our subject he died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife was eighty-eight years of age at the time of her death, and the remains of both were interred in Woodlawn cemetery, Clinton. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Magill, but Alfred H., who was a clerk in the Warner Bank, died at the age of twenty-seven years, and the daughter died in infancy. After the death of her mother, Nellie E. Magill, a daughter of Robert, came to live with our subject, and still makes her home with Mrs. Magill, to whom she been more than a daughter.

In 1855, Mr. Magill bought the McGraw property at 203 West main street, on which was a small frame house. This he moved away in 1862 and erected in its place the large and handsome residence which his widow now occupies. For many years he was an active member of the blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery of the Masonic fraternity, and served as treasurer of the lodge for some years. He was alderman of the city for a time, but never cared for political honors, though he always gave his support to all enterprises which he believed calculated to prove of public benefit. When, with his brothers, he began business in Clinton, there was not a sidewalk in the place, but he lived to se it become a flourishing town and bore a very active part in its development. He was not only a man of marked business ability, but was exceedingly charitable and benevolent, and his pleasant, genial manner made for him many friends, who esteemed him highly for his sterling worth. His death occurred on the 12th of November, 1883. His estimable wife still survives him, and is loved and esteemed by all who know her.

WILLIAM MAGILL. (Volume 1, Page 23)

The subject of this review needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume, but the work would be incomplete without the record of his life.  No man in DeWitt county has been more prominently identified with its commercial and agricultural interests or has taken a more active part in its upbuilding and development.

A native of the Green Mountain state, Mr. Magill was born in Middlebury, Vermont, September 8, 1823, and was a son of Hugh and Eliza Magill who emigrated to America from Ireland about 1816.  Our subject was the eldest of their six children, the others being Samuel; Rebecca E., wife of C. H. Carpenter; Henry; Mary Ann, wife of Nixon Denton; and Robert.  The family lived on a farm in Vermont until 1841, when they removed to Malone, New York, where the father carried on a large cotton manufactory and a general store.  There he met with excellent success in business until his property was all destroyed by fire, and as the insurance company swindled him out of his insurance, he lost everything.  In 1851 he went to Michigan City, Indiana, and took a contract for grading and tiling the roadbed of the Michigan Central Railroad from that place to Chicago, in which venture he was joined by his sons.  Being the oldest son, William Magill sought employment immediately after his father’s property in New York was burned, and he early developed exceptional business and executive ability.  When the work on the Michigan Central Railroad was completed he and his father went to Bloomington, Illinois, in February, 1853, and took a contract for building the Chicago & Alton Railroad from that place to Lexington, under the firm name of Emery-Magill Company, and later they built sixteen miles of the Illinois Central Railroad from Bloomington to Hudson.  The four sons became partners in their father’s business and extended their field of operations, opening a large general store in Bloomington, which was managed by Samuel and Henry, while William and Robert assisted the father in the execution of the contracts.

After spending six years in Bloomington, William Magill came to Clinton, where the brothers opened a store, but subsequently sold out to Mr. Emery and purchased the stock of Phares & Shorer.  This store they conducted under the firm name of Magill Company, consisting of the brothers, William, Samuel and Henry.  In 1855 the firm of Magill, Denton & Company took a contract to build a portion of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, and in 1858 the firm of Mason, Magill, Denton & Company built a large part of the Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad.  In the latter year the firm of Magill & Company began dealing in stock, and having a special liking for that branch of the business, William Magill gave his attention throughout the remainder of his life to farming and stock buying, in which he was assisted by his brother Robert, while Samuel and Henry had control of the business in the city.  Every dollar which they had and every acre of land which was purchased went into a common fund, and by keeping their capital thus united they were enabled to carry on business on a large scale and with greater prosperity.  Foreseeing the rise in value of DeWitt county property, they bought land quite extensively, and owned several thousand acres of the finest land in the county, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and improved with all the modern accessories and conveniences found upon model farms.  The brothers were also interested in the banking house of John Warner & Company, at Clinton, and met with remarkable success in all their undertakings.  On coming to the west they were in limited circumstances, but within thirty years were wealthy men and their prosperity came as a just reward for their close application to business, and well-directed, energetic efforts.

Mr. Magill was united in marriage with Miss Mary Sims, a daughter of Simon and Christianna (Lambert) Sims.  Her father was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and a son of James and Margaret (Wilson) Sims, the former of whom died at the age of sixty-four years, the latter at the age of sixty.  Simon Sims was manager of mines in Scotland, but on coming to America he settled in Franklin county, New York, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits.  He died when over sixty years of age, but his wife, who was of German descent, died young.  Their children were Isabel, Margaret, Jane, James, Christiana, Jennette and Mary.  Mr. and Mrs. Magill were married in Malone, New York, and became the parents of the following children: (1) Eliza died at the age of twenty-three years.  (2) Christiana is the wife of James Belknap, of Manchester, Iowa, and they have three sons: Frank, William and Bernard.  (3) Henry died in infancy.  (4) William, a farmer of Manchester, Iowa, married Lou Kates and has one daughter, Mary.  (5) Mary Isabel is the wife of Frank Phares, of Clinton, and they have two children, Hugh and Day.  (6) Hugh, a resident of Clinton, married Anna Carroll and they have four children: Hugh Goodbreak, Carroll, Norme and Don.  (7) Callie is the wife of J. J. Pentley, of Manchester, Iowa, and they have five children, Madge, Mazie, Clara, Joseph and Beatrice.

Mr. Magill owned a beautiful home one mile east of Clinton, where he died September 19, 1883, but his wife has since removed to Clinton, where in 1899 she erected a handsome modern residence.  She still owns considerable property, and in the management of her affairs has displayed excellent judgment and good business ability.  Mr. Magill never aspired to office, but was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and ever cheerfully gave his support to those enterprises that tend to public development.  His name was a synonym for honorable business dealing; he was always mentioned as one of the invaluable citizens of the county, and among her leading and representative men his name should be among the foremost.

Transcribed by Connie Faulk

ROBERT MARSH. (Volume 1, Page 467)

One of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of DeWitt township is Robert Marsh, who, since attaining man’s estate, has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of that locality.  He was born in DeWitt township, on the 23d of May, 1850, and is a son of John and Ann Eliza (Forsman) Marsh, both of whom were natives of Ohio.  At an early day the father came to DeWitt county, Illinois, and entered eighty acres of timber land and one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land, which he placed under cultivation.  Upon his farm he first built a log house, in which our subject was born, but later erected a better and more modern frame residence.  He also built a barn, fenced his place, and made many other improvements.  As time went by he acquired four hundred forty acres, two hundred of which he placed under cultivation, but in 1882 he sold out and removed to Kansas, where he bought a quarter section of land, making his home there until his death, which occurred in 1890, when he was seventy-six years of age.  In politics he was a stanch Republican, and he was called upon to fill various township offices of honor and trust, serving a supervisor for some time and as school director a number of years.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge at DeWitt, and was a highly respected man and esteemed by all who knew him.  His estimable wife died when about sixty-seven years of age.

In the family of this worthy couple were sixteen children, of whom our subject is the twelfth in order of birth, and eight of the number are still living.  Robert Marsh grew to manhood upon the home farm and acquired his education in the country schools of the neighborhood.  He gave his father the benefit of his labors in the work of the farm until twenty-five years of age, when he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Bossman [Bosserman].  Her father, Daniel Bossman [Bosserman] was a native of Ohio, and came to this county in 1860, locating in DeWitt township, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, but he later sold that place and bought the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which his widow still resides.  He died at the age of seventy-two years.

Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are the parents of seven children, all living, namely: Charles, Ollie, Thomas, Stella, Daniel, Carrie and Minnie.  All are still at home with the exception of Charles, who is married and resides in DeWitt township.  He has made farming his principal occupation, but he is now engaged in school teaching.

In 1882 Mr. Marsh purchased a partially improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and to its further improvement and cultivation he has since devoted his energies with most gratifying results.  Upon his place he has erected a good residence, the necessary barns and outbuildings, and its neat and thrifty appearance testifies to the careful supervision of a painstaking owner, one who thoroughly understands the vocation he follows.  He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land and also operates a tract of similar size.  Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and gives his support to all measures which he believes will prove of public benefit.

Transcribed by Connie Faulk

SAMUEL H. MARTIN. (Volume 1, Page 370)

Few of Waynesville’s citizens are more prominent or more widely known than Samuel H. Martin, who has been cashier of the Waynesville Bank for the past seven years.  He was born in Logan county, this state, November 29, 1862 and is a son of James S. Martin, who is a leading farmer of that county.  His paternal grandfather James P. Martin, was a native of Ireland, but during his infancy was brought to the United States by his parents, the family locating in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood.  Later he spent some years in Ohio, and then came to Illinois, making a permanent location in Logan county where he was numbered among the pioneers.

James S. Martin the father of our subject, was born in Ohio, in 1837, but was reared in Logan county Illinois, and there married Miss Caroline Hoblit, a native of the county and a daughter of Squire Samuel Hoblit who was another of its early settlers.  Mr. Martin became a prosperous farmer of that county and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death which occurred in 1881.  His wife survived him a few years.  They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom Samuel H. is the eldest.  The others are: Ellen M., wife of George W. Carlock, of Evanston, Illinois; Charles E., a business man of Elwood Indiana; Mary, who died about 1895 and the wife of Henry C. Quisenberry, Jr., a resident of Logan county; Clinton D., a business man of Kansas City, Missouri; and Mellie, who is living with her sister in Evanston.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed upon the old home farm in Logan county and his primary education was received in the public schools of that locality.  Later he attended Lincoln University at Lincoln and the State Normal School at Normal, Illinois, and then took a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton Business College in Chicago.  After leaving school he accepted a position as collector in the First National Bank at Lincoln, and later was promoted to assistant bookkeeper, remaining with that institution until September, 1894, when he was elected cashier of the Waynesville Bank, and by able management has seen it grow strong and able to meet the demands of a progressive city and rich farming community.  In this capacity he has since served.  He possesses superior business ability and stands high in commercial circles.  His attention is not wholly confined to the banking business, for he is interested in a number of different enterprises.  He owns one-sixth of the stock of the Mt. Nebo Anthracite Coal Company at Russellville, Arkansas, where an anthracite coal mine is now in successful operation, it being the only one known in the United States outside of Pennsylvania.  The company ships their coal throughout the west.  Mr. Martin is also the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred and eight acres in Barnett township DeWitt county.

On the 18th of October, 1887, in Bloomington, Indiana Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Miss Florence Payne, who is a native of that state as was also her parents, William L. and Catherine Payne.  She was reared and educated in Bloomington and attended the Indiana State University.  By her marriage she became the mother of three children: Faye E., James P. and Philip S.

Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Waynesville, and fraternally he affiliates with Waynesville Lodge A.F.& A.M.; the Odd Fellows Lodge of the same place; and Keokuk Tribe, I.O.R.M., of Lincoln.  Since attaining his majority he has been identified with the Republican party, and cast his first presidential vote for James G. Blaine in 1884, but has never cared for political honors.  He has served on the town board and also the school board, and is pre-eminently pubic-spirited and progressive, taking a commendable interest in all enterprises which he believes will advance the welfare of his town and county.  His pleasant, genial manner makes him many friends and he is held in high regard by all who know him.

Transcribed by Connie Faulk

JOHN MASON. (Volume 1, Page 443)

John Mason, deceased, was born near Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1807.  His father, Thomas Mason, was a native of Pennsylvania, and never came west.  John Mason was one of fourteen children born to his parents, and while he and his brother George were still small, the burden of support of the family fell upon them, as their father died while still a young man.

Until he was thirty years of age, John Mason worked by the month, and, having then saved up seventeen hundred dollars in gold, he came to Illinois, locating in Clintonia township, DeWitt county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, paying twenty-three hundred dollars for it in the fall of the year 1856.   The following spring he returned to his native state for his wife and children and brought them to the new home.  He located on the farm, which was but slightly improved, the only house being a log one.  The next spring he moved into a little one-story frame house which was fourteen by sixteen feet.  Here the family lived for a few years until sufficient means were gathered together to build a comfortable home.  He afterward added to his eighty acres, and at the time of his death had one hundred and sixty acres in Clintonia township and two hundred and seventy acres near Hannibal, Missouri.

In 1844 Mr. Mason was married in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, to Mary Jane Smith, a native of Columbus, Ohio.  She was a daughter of Nathaniel W. Smith, a native of Virginia, who had removed to Blairsville when it was a small village and resided there for some years.  He was a jeweler and silversmith by occupation.  He died in Decatur, Illinois, at the age of seventy-eight years.

To Mr. Mason and wife were born three children, namely: Robert G., who resides in Englewood, Chicago, engaged in real estate business, married Anna Abbott, of DeWitt county, and they have one child, Maude.  One daughter died in infancy.  Wilson S. is mentioned below.

On March 22, 1884, Mr. Mason died, aged seventy-seven years, and was buried in the Clinton cemetery.  Mrs. Mason died July 23, 1900, at her home and is also buried in Clinton cemetery.  She was a lady of many excellent traits of character.  Mr. Mason was a man of sterling honesty and held the respect and esteem of all who knew him.  They were consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics he was a Republican, but he never would accept office.

Wilson S. Mason was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on May 22, 1851, and was six years old when his parents came west, and he, therefore, received his education in the schools of Illinois.  First attending the district schools, he later went to the Clinton high school and then to the Wesleyan College, of Bloomington.  After completing his education, Mr. Mason took a hunting trip of fourteen weeks through the west with five young men, and during the entire time none of them slept on a bed, it being their intention to follow the life of a hunter in every detail.  Returning home, he worked upon the farm for some time with his father, but later removed to southern Missouri and engaged in the lumber and hardware business at Rockville.  Later he went to Colorado and embarked in the hardware business at Holyoke.  He also engaged in the lumber trade at Julesburg with a partner, but the firm was in existence only a short time.

In 1890 Mr. Mason retuned to DeWitt county and took charge of the old homestead, and since that time he has been engaged in general farming, stock-raising and dairying.  He raises and feeds cattle and hogs for the market, and his product commands a good price because of its excellence.

On November 6, 1878, Mr. Mason was married to Mary J. Judy, of Iroquois county, Illinois, who died March 3, 1881 [1882].  On December 31, 1884, Mr. Mason was married to Miss Addie May Porter, of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania.  She is a daughter of John and Mary Porter, natives of Pennsylvania, who are still residing in Lawrence county, that state, where Mr. Porter is engaged in farming, although for many years he was a blacksmith in that locality.  Mrs. Mason is one of five children born to her parents and she is the youngest in order of birth.  One child has been born to our subject and his wife, Frank B., born October 18, 1888, in Holyoke, Colorado.  Mr. and Mrs. Mason are members of the Methodist church of Prairie Center and he is one of the officials of the church and was very active in securing money for the erection of the church building.  Mrs. Mason, is also active in church work, and is a teacher in the Sunday school.  In politics he is a Republican, but he has never aspired to office.  Fraternally he is a member of Clinton Camp, M. W. A., of Clinton.

TRUMAN MASON. (Volume 1, Page 325)

The subject of this sketch, who was for many years actively identified with the agricultural interests of Wilson township, and is now living a retired life in Wapella, was born July 10, 1842, in Logan county, Illinois on the Tazewell county line.  His father, Oliver Mason, was born in Pennsylvania, about 1817, and was a son of Truman Mason, who brought his family to Illinois about 1827 and first settled in Sangamon county, where he spent two years, and then removed to Logan county, where he purchased land and opened up a farm on the Tazewell county line.  His last days, however, were spent in McLean county.  Oliver Mason grew to manhood in Logan county, and in later years he became the owner of a well-improved and valuable farm of six hundred and twenty acres in Tazewell county, being one of the substantial farmers of his locality.  He married Isabel Adams, a native of Tennessee, who, when a child, came with her parents to Illinois prior to the Black Hawk war.  Her father, Captain John Adams, commanded a company in that war, and was killed in Stillman’s defeat near Chicago, where a monument is now being erected to his memory.  He was also a native of Tennessee.  The father of our subject spent his last years in Armington, Illinois, where he died in 1892, and the mother passed away in 1898.  They were the parents of eight children, seven now living, five sons and two daughters.

Truman Mason, the oldest child, passed his boyhood and youth on the old homestead in Tazewell county, and received a good practical education in the local schools.  During the Civil war he manifested his patriotism by enlisting in August, 1863, in Company A, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee.  For about two years he did guard duty at Memphis, but was also in a number of engagements, including the battles of Holly Springs and Pleasant Hill, Louisiana.  For six months he was ill in the hospital at Quincy, Illinois, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged in June, 1865.  The following two years were spent upon his father’s farm.

In McLean county, on the 11th of October, 1866, Mr. Mason was united in marriage with Miss Jane E. Beard, who was born in Ohio, but was reared and educated in Tazewell and McLean counties, this state, where her father, William H. Beard, was engaged in farming.  Three children blessed this union, namely: Della, now the wife of S. F. Merrifield, who is now operating the Mason farm; Oliver P., at home; and Dora, wife of John A. Hurd, of Wilson township, DeWitt county.

For one year after his marriage Mr. Mason continued to engage in farming in Tazewell county, but in the fall of 1867 removed to a farm in Wilson township, this county, and to its improvement and cultivation devoted his time and attention for some years.  He erected good and substantial buildings upon the place and converted it into one of the most highly cultivated and desirable farms of its size in that locality.  It consisted of one hundred and twenty acres.  In 1899 Mr. Mason removed to Wapella and bought a nice residence, where he has since lived retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil.

By his ballot Mr. Mason has supported the Republican party and its principles since casting his first presidential vote for General U. S. Grant in 1868, and he has ever taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs.  He served several terms as commissioner of highways, and for some years was a member of the school board, having always supported all enterprises calculated to advance the moral, educational or material welfare of his community.  He attends the Christian church and is a charter member of Wapella Post, G. A. R. As a public-spirited and progressive citizen he has always been found as true to his duties of citizenship in days of peace as when he followed the old flag to victory on southern battlefields.

FRANCIS MAY. (Volume 1, Page 191)

Francis May, one of the influential citizens of Harp township, was born July 19, 1835, in Ross county, Ohio.  He is the son of David May, who was born in the same county, about 1799.  His mother, Sarah (Hickle) May, a native of the same county, was born in 1814 and died September 29, 1874.  David May was a son of John May, a native of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors originally came from Germany.  John May, the grandfather of Francis May, moved to Ohio and was a farmer by occupation.  He improved two farms, engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits and became well to do.  He and his wife reared a family of two girls and five boys, of whom David May, father of the subject of this sketch, was one.  John May was an old-line Whig, and took an active part in politics.  He was a good citizen and a sincerely religious man.  He died in Ross county, at the age of eighty-three years.

David May, father of our subject, gained his education in his native state, Ohio, in one of the old log school houses of that day.  After attaining manhood he became a farmer and owned one hundred and twenty acres of choice farm land in Ross county.  In 1855 he sold his property and with his family, by team and wagon, made the overland trip to DeWitt county and bought one hundred acres of land in Clintonia township.  He improved the land and lived there four years, and then moved to Wilson township upon a rented farm, where he lived until 1863, when he then took up his residence in Harp township, on the farm he had purchased.  There he made his home till his death, February 14, 1890, at the age of eighty-four years.  Though not among the earliest settlers of the county, he did good pioneer service and deserves a place in the history of its pioneers.  In religious belief he was a Lutheran and in politics a Whig and Republican.  To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom Francis is the oldest.  His brothers and sisters are Miranda, wife of Isaiah Davenport, who resides in Texas.  Mr. Davenport was a soldier in Company A, Thirty-third Volunteer Infantry, of Illinois, and was in the service four years.  Margaret married James Morrison; he is dead and she resides in Clintonia township, DeWitt county.  Jacob, who enlisted in Company B, One Hundred Seventh Volunteer Infantry, of Illinois, lives in Clinton.  Susan, who married Enoch Betzer, is a widow and lives in Nebraska.  Henry resides in Nebraska.  Cyrus lives on his father's old farm in Harp township; Elsina married Samuel Newell and lives in Clintonia township.

Francis May received his education in Ross county, Ohio, and came to DeWitt county with his parents.  He lived with them till he was twenty-seven years of age, when, on August 6, 1862, he enlisted at Clinton, Illinois, in Company D, One Hundred Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Kelly, and saw very active service.  He started with Sherman on his march to the sea, going thirty miles south of Atlanta, when his corps returned to Tennessee, where they took part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville.  They then went east to Washington, thence down into North Carolina to join Sherman again.  On the way they took the two forts of Anderson and Wilmington, and were present at the surrender of General Johnston.  The regiment was discharged at Salisbury, North Carolina, and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois.  Francis May, the honored soldier, returned home July 4, 1865.  He began farming for himself, and February 22, 1867, he was married to Miss Eliza Baldwin, a daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Williams) Baldwin.  Her father was born in Kentucky and her mother was a native of Ohio.  Mr. Baldwin died in Ohio in 1865, at the age of seventy-three years, and his wife in 1847, aged forty-five years.  They were the parents of eight children, seven boys and one daughter, now the wife of the subject of this biography.  Of the seven boys, six were soldiers, who served in the war of the Rebellion, and the seventh was prevented from enlisting by ill health.  Warren, who enlisted at the first call, was the only one wounded in the service of his country, and he but slightly.  Of the seven boys Enoch, Clark and Warren are now dead.  Uriah lives in Hardin county, Ohio, Jesse in Missouri, Philander in Mississippi, and Henry in Ohio.

Francis May and his wife have a family of five children: Lola, wife of William Kinnamon, resides in Wilson township; Edward married Blanche Shaw and they reside in Harp township; Lottie, Delia and Harry are all at home.

Mr. May owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land with well-kept buildings on it.  He engages in general farming, raises hogs and cattle for the market, and makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle.  He votes with the Republican party.  He is a member of Frank Lowerv Post, G. A. R., at Clinton.  He and his wife are faithful members of the Protestant Methodist church.

CHARLES W. McCORD. (Volume I, Page 82)

One of the prominent dealers in real estate, insurance and loans of Clinton, Illinois, is a native of the state of Illinois and was born in Santa Anna township, DeWitt county, on the 23rd day of June 1842.  He is a son of John and a grandson of James and a great-grandson of James, who was a native of Ireland and a son of Robert, who was a son of John, who in turn was a son of Robert, who in about 1689 was a Highlander and chief of his clan in Scotland, and who met his death at the battle at Killerunkie Pass, in Scotland, during the Rebellion.  His son John took part in numerous wars and died about 1715.  His son’s were John, David, William, Robert, Samuel, Benjamin and James.  These children after the death of their father removed to Stewartstown, County Tyrone, Ireland, and about 1720 John, David and William came to the United States and located in Pennsylvania, John somewhat later moving to North Carolina.  David and William were both killed by the Indians.

The father of these boys, John, was born in Argyle Skye, Scotland.  His coat of arms was a shield of gold in black and white, with three hearts, and three lance heads on it, surmounted by a closed helmet.  The history of the coat of arms is as follows: “It seems to be a very good one with its three hearts on golden ground and its three upward pointing arrow heads, which seem to be typical of an upward aspiration, three, itself is a sacred and spiritual number.  There are first, three distinct folds in the drapery, which, taken with the parts makes seven.  The three hearts, three arrow heads and helmet make seven, another sacred number.  The whole figure in its general outline is that of an upward pointing triangle, which in all religion is symbolical of spirit, but all through the symbolism seems to be good.”  Families of the name of McCord still reside in the County of Tyrone, Ireland, and are all Presbyterians.

James McCord was born in Ireland in 1739 and died at Spring Creek, Overton county, Tennessee, on March 4, 1824.  He went with his father to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, at the age of four years, afterwards removing to Wilkes and Iredell counties, North Carolina, and from there he went to Overton county, Tennessee.  He served in the Revolutionary war and was wagon master general under George Washington.  He married in Wilkes county, North Carolina, Jane Scroggs (or Scruggs), a Scotch lady, who died Novemer 12, 1789.  They had nine children.  Their son James was born in Wilkes county, February 22, 1779, and died in DeWitt county, Illinois, December 3, 1852.  He was married in Overton county, Tennessee, to Mary Moore, on March 29, 1804.  She was the daughter of Charles Moore and was born in Granville county, North Carolina, October 29, 1779, and died in DeWitt county, Illinois, May 23, 1858.  They first settled on Peterman’s Bend, of Obies river, Overton county, Tennessee, where all their children were born.  They moved to Spring Creek about 1817 and to DeWitt county in 1832, on a farm now owned by S.J. Thomas.  At that time there were but six families in this part of the state, namely: Dennis Hurley, John Weedman, Richard Kirby, William Dailey, Robert Cummings and James M. Porter, who are supposed to be the original settlers of this section.  At first they lived in a double log house, with a hall running the entire length of same and a fireplace at either end.  This was later replaced by a frame house, which was considered a good one for those days and is still standing.  In this family were the following children: Charles, James W., William Y., Mrs. Sarah Pool, Mrs. Martha Shinkle, Mrs. Hannah Wakefield, John, the father of our subject, Mrs. Mary Heath and Mrs. Elizabeth Brown.

Charles Moore, the father of our subject’s grandmother, was of Welsh stock, a cooper by trade and served in the Revolutionary war.  He also engaged in making tin canteens for the soldiers.  He married Sarah Smith, a lady of Scotch descent.

The father of Charles W. McCord was born in Overton county, Tennessee, April 5, 1814.  Upon reaching man’s estate he purchased a farm in DeWitt township, this county, which is now owned by Mr. McKinley, and followed farming until within fifteen years of his death, the last few years of his life being passed in the city of Clinton, where he died in March, 1881.  In politics he was an old line Whig and was on one occasion elected by the Democratic vote to the office of justice of the peace, but at that time, as he was the only Republican in the township, he refused to qualify and serve.  He married Sarah S., the daughter of Gabriel Watt, who was a Methodist preacher and a pioneer of this county.  She was born in 1819 and her death occurred in 1896.  To them were born three children, William J., who died at Knoxville, Tennessee, March 18, 1864, while in the service and a member of Company G, One Hundred Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Charles W., our subject; and his twin sister, Marie J., the widow of S.R. Riggs.  She resides at Midland, Texas, and is the owner of a large stock ranch, comprising over forty sections of land.

Charles W. McCord was raised on the farm of his parents and received the ordinary common school education and later attended the Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, College, and then engaged in farming, buying what is now known as the Knob’s farm in DeWitt township, comprising one hundred and twenty-seven acres.  On this he resided for four years, making many improvements, when he disposed of it and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in McLean county, which he improved and on which he resided for four years and then moved to Storm Lake, Iowa, where he carried on farming for eighteen years.  He then lived four years at Storm Lake City and from there moved to Clinton, Illinois, to care for his mother, who was well advanced in years and where he has since made his home.  Shortly after his arrival here he established his present business and has handled a large amount of property in this and adjoining states, and has also conducted a large insurance and loan business, in which he has been very successful.

On Christmas day, 1865, he married Margaret J. Swisher, daughter of Isaac, one of the early and prominent settlers of this county.  A sketch of the Swisher family will be found on another page of this work, together with an engraving of Mr. Swisher.  She died at the age of fifty-three years, October, 1896, at Storm Lake, Iowa.  She became the mother of four children: Ida M. married John A. Struble, of Clinton; and to them were born two children, Harry and Marie.  John died at the age of one year.  Charles Frank, of Iowa, married Kittie Prysk, and to them were born Beatrice, Frank and Myrtle.  Katie Marie died at the age of nine months.

Mr. McCord married for his second wife, October 23, 1900, Mrs. Amanda C. Taylor, the daughter of Dr. C. Goodbrake, late of Clinton and one of its most esteemed physicians and surgeons.  Mr. McCord is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic fraternity, all of Clinton.

JOHN H. McCORD. (Volume 1, Page 329)

One of the most beautiful country homes in DeWitt county is that of John H. McCord, the culture and artistic taste of its occupants being reflected in its appointments, while a gracious hospitality adds a charm to its material comforts.  Mr. McCord, who is a successful farmer and stock-dealer of Santa Anna township, was born December 19, 1838, on the farm where he now resides, and is the only child of William Young and Harriet (Weedman) McCord.

On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to Robert MacCord, a highlander and chief of his clan, who was killed in the battle of Killecrankie Pass, Scotland, about 1689, during the rebellion.  His son, John MacCord, the next in direct descent to our subject, took part in numerous wars and died in Scotland about 1715 or 1717.  His sons were John, David, William, Robert, Samuel, Benjamin and James, who after their father’s death went to Stewartstown, County Tyrone, Ireland, and about 1720 John, David and William came to the new world and located in Pennsylvania.  John later removed to North Carolina while David and William were killed by the Indians.  The coat of arms of this family was a shield of gold and black and white, with three hearts and three lance heads on it, surmounted by a closed helmet.  Families of this name still reside in County Tyrone, Ireland, and all are Presbyterians.

James McCord, great grandfather of our subject, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1739, and was four years old when he came to America with his father, Robert McCord, who was one of the seven brothers previously mentioned.  After the death of their father these brothers changed the family name from MacCord to McCord.  James McCord spent his early life in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and from there went to Wilkes county, North Carolina, where he married Miss Jane Scroggs, who was also of Scotch descent.  Subsequently he removed to Iredell county, the same state, and from there to Overton county, Tennessee, where he died November 4, 1824.  He served as general wagonmaster in the Revolutionary war under Washington.  His wife died November 12, 1789.

In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, one of whom was James McCord, the grandfather of our subject.  He was born in Wilkes county, North Carolina, February 22, 1779, and was married in Overton county, Tennessee, March 29, 1804, to Miss Mary Moore, a daughter of Charles and Sarah (Smith) Moore, the former of Welsh and the latter of Scotch descent.  Her father was a cooper by trade, and during the Revolutionary war made canteens for the army.  After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McCord located at Peterman’s Bend on the Obies river in Overton county, Tennessee, where all their children were born.  About 1817 they removed to Spring Creek, and in 1832 came to DeWitt county, Illinois, locating on a farm in DeWitt township now owned by S. J. Thomas.  At that time there were only six families in that locality, these being Dennis Hurley, John Weedman, Richard Kirby, William Daley, Robert Cummings, James M. Porter, who were supposed to be the original settlers.  The first home of the McCord family was a double log house with a hall through the center and a fireplace at each end.  In later years this was replaced by a good frame residence, which is still standing.  Here the grandfather of our subject died December 3, 1852, and his wife, who was born in Granville county, North Carolina, October 29, 1779, passed away May 23, 1858.  Their children were Charles; James W.; William Y., the father of our subject; Mrs. Sarah Pool; Mrs. Martha Shinkle; Mrs. Hannah Wakefield and John, twins; Mrs. Mary Heath; and Mrs. Elizabeth Brown.

William Y. McCord was born in Overton county, Tennessee, October 29, 1816, and accompanied his parents on their removal to DeWitt county.  In 1837 he entered eighty acres of land on section 31, Santa Anna township, where our subject now lives, and to that tract he added until he had two hundred acres.  His first home, which was a small house, was destroyed by fire in 1862, and he then erected a commodious and handsome brick residence—one of the largest and finest in the county.  He cut black walnut timber and had it kiln dried for the inside wood work, making an elegant finish, as it is all hand work and is still in a fine condition.  In 1861 he set out fruit and shade trees, which now spread wide their branches and add greatly to the beauty and attractive appearance of the place.  This delightful home is on a natural elevation one mile west of Farmer City, and it invariably attracts the eye of the passing traveler.  In early days, after his crops were harvested, William Y. McCord used to take much enjoyment with his neighbors in hunting, and owned several fine horses to be used on such occasions.  He was a fine rifle shot, and deer and other wild game was then plentiful.  He and his neighbors would club together to rid the country of the wolves which killed their stock, and he is said to have brought down more deer and wolves than any other man in this section of the state.  He fenced off a park upon John Weedman’s farm, in which he kept over twenty deer.  When young and getting a start in life he often hauled his produce to Chicago, and then took goods from there to St. Louis by wagon, as that was the only means of transportation at that time.  It required about three weeks to make these trips.  In company with John Weedman, Jr., he erected a flouring mill at a cost of twenty thousand dollars—the first in Farmer City, it being located near the present water works, but after running it nine years he disposed of his interests, and later it was destroyed by fire.  Mr. McCord was a stanch Republican and took a very active and prominent part in political affairs.  He served as township assessor a number of years, during which time the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Peoria Railroad, now known as the Big Four, was built, and he was one of the directors up to the time of his death.  He served as justice of the peace twenty years, and assessor seventeen years, and his official duties were always discharged with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.  He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Farmer City, with which he was officially connected, and gave liberally to the erection of both the old and new churches.  As a citizen of the community in which he so long lived and was so active, he was highly respected for his genuine worth, enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him and was regarded as a man of excellent judgment.

On the 8th of February, 1838, William Y. McCord married Miss Harriet Weedman, a daughter of John and Rachel (Wilson) Weedman.  Her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1790, and was a son of George Weedman, who was of German and English extraction.  At an early day John Weedman removed to Ohio, and in 1830 came to Illinois, locating in Randolph Grove, McLean county, first, but settling in Hurley’s Grove, Santa Anna township, DeWitt county, in 1835.  Here he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer and stock-raiser and died at an advanced age.  He married Rachel Wilson, a daughter of Asa Wilson, who was a native of Maryland, and from that state removed to Ohio and later to Illinois.  Mr. and Mrs. Weedman had ten children, namely: Asa, Harriet, George, Amos, John, Isaiah, Lucinda, Eliza E., Zadok and Thomas S.  The father of our subject died January 18, 1880, at the age of sixty-three, and the mother in September 1897, at the age of seventy-four years.

Reared on the home farm, John H. McCord acquired his elementary education in a log school house of the neighborhood, and later attended the Wesleyan University at Bloomington for one year.  His life has been devoted to farming and stock-raising, with the exception of the nine years when he was with his father in the milling business at Farmer City.  He succeeded to the old homestead, and has added to it until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, under a high state of cultivation.  The fields, devoted to the raising of grain, he now rents, while he keeps the pasture land for his stock, devoting his entire time and attention to the raising of standard-bred horses and a high grade of cattle.  He sells annually three or four carloads of cattle and hogs for the market.

Mr. McCord has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Sarah A. Slick.  Her grandparents, Philip and Mary (Pantelen) Slick, were early settlers of this state, where the former died at the age of seventy-five years, the latter at the age of eighty-two.  Their children were Thomas, William, Isaiah, Samuel, John, Margaret and Mary.  Thomas Slick, Mrs. McCord’s father, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, and wedded Miss Rachel Moss, also a native of that state and a daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth (Dill) Moss.  They settled in Santa Anna township, DeWitt county, in 1862, and ten years later removed to Farmer City, where Mr. Slick died in 1880, at the age of eighty-one years, but his wife is still living.  They had eight children, namely: Mrs. Mary E. Wisegarver, Mrs. Amanda Thew, Hamilton, Mrs. Sarah A. McCord, Mrs. Eliza Graft, Mrs. Almeda Weedman, Mrs. Jane Cook and Marion D.  Mrs. McCord, who was born in 1840, died August 10, 1884, leaving three children as follows: (1) Lora Nettie, now deceased, married William A. Cummings and had five children, Inez, Vida, Shannah, Laura and Harriet.  (2) William H., after graduating at the Farmer City high school, entered the Illinois University at Champaign, where he graduated in mechanical engineering, and then went to California to follow his profession.  He arose so rapidly that he soon found it advisable to take a more advanced course, and for that purpose attended Stanford University of California, where he was also graduated.  He is now superintendent of a very large gold mine near Nevada City, California.  He married Frances Black and they have one son, John Thomas.  (3) Ruby is at home with her father.  For his second wife Mr. McCord married Miss Annie Lee, daughter of Clinton Lee, and to them have been born two children, John Merle and Inez.

Socially Mr. McCord is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and religiously is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as steward and trustee.  The Republican party has always found in him an ardent supporter, but he has never cared for political honors.  He has an enviable reputation as a straightforward, honorable business man, and his advice and counsel are often sought by his neighbors and many friends, who recognize his ability and sound judgment in business affairs.  He is a man of influence in his community and quite popular.

CHARLES H. McCUDDY. (Volume 1, Page 430)

Among the prominent citizens now passed out of life, who have been identified with the growth and development of DeWitt county, Illinois, the name of Charles H. McCuddy takes a leading place.   The birth of our subject occurred in Springfield, Ohio, on May 8, 1832, and he was a son of Isaac and Mary (Whitridge) McCuddy, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and the latter of Massachusetts, although they were married in Ohio.  In 1836 they came to Illinois and settled in McLean county, a short time later moving to Harp township, in DeWitt county, where both passed away and were laid to rest in Woodlawn cemetery at Clinton.  They had a family of ten children, of whom our subject was the third in the order of birth.

Charles H. McCuddy was educated in the common schools of this county, where he grew to manhood, and on January 28, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Surface [Surfis], who was born in Madison county, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Weaver) Surface, both of whom were natives of Virginia and were married in Ohio, where the former died in 1850, at the age of fifty years.

In 1852 the mother of Mrs. McCuddy started with her children for DeWitt county, Illinois, with the intention of joining a son who resided in Texas township.  They were obliged to drive overland, coming along what was then known as the "National Pike," and were about twelve days on the road.  The nights during this trip were passed in small shelter cottages which had been erected for the convenience of the travelers who were continually on the move westward.  The conveyances that [they] came in consisted of three large covered wagons, which conveyed all their household belongings, and a carriage, in which the party rode.  For the younger members this was but a pleasant experience, but the older ones scarcely enjoyed it so much, for at that date the west was considered full of unknown dangers.  The noble and faithful mother passed away in 1881, at the age of eighty-one years, and she was tenderly laid away in the beautiful Woodlawn cemetery.  She had been the mother of four children, namely: George, deceased; Jacob, who died young; John, who is now a resident of Kansas; and Elizabeth, the widow of our subject.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Surface were worthy and consistent members of the Methodist church.

After his marriage Mr. McCuddy lived for two years on a small farm in Nixon township, but later moved to Texas township, where he took up two hundred and seventy acres, about one-half of which was covered with a valuable growth of timber.  The only building was an old log cabin which was occupied but a short time, and now in its place has been erected a commodious and comfortable residence.  This land Mr. McCuddy placed under cultivation and also entered extensively in the breeding of fine cattle and sheep, preferring the Shorthorn cattle and the Oxford Downs sheep.  He proved a good business man, both his farm and stock always being kept up to the highest point of excellence.

In 1893 Mr. McCuddy purchased a desirable lot in Clinton, located in a portion of the town where the surroundings were pleasant and promised to be of greater value, and he erected one of the largest and most elegant residences on South Center street.  Here his useful life ended, in 1897.  With other members of the family, he rests in Woodlawn cemetery in Clinton.

Renting the farm in Texas township, Mrs. McCuddy lives in her beautiful home in Clinton, her son Frank residing with her.  The one daughter of the family was Carrie, who married Jacob Zorger and resides in Indiana.

In politics Mr. McCuddy was a life-long Republican, but never sought office, though consenting to serve in some of the minor positions, such as road commissioner, in order to do what he considered a true citizen’s duty.  During his long life in the county he had built up a reputation for strict integrity, and left not only an ample competency to his family, but, still better, a name reflecting honor upon all who bear it.

WILLIAM H. McFARLAND. (Volume 1, Page 281)

William H. McFarland is one of Clinton’s most highly respected citizens, whose useful and well-spent life has not only gained for him the confidence of his fellow men but has also secured for him a comfortable competence which enables him to lay aside all business cares and spend his declining days in ease and retirement.

Mr. McFarland was born in Fayette county, Ohio, February 19, 1832, and during boyhood was taken by his parents, Jesse and Lavina McFarland, to Marshall county, Illinois, where he was reared upon a farm.  In early life he became interested in the grocery business at Wenona, this state.  He came to Clinton in 1863 and in partnership with Daniel Wright, under the firm name of McFarland & Wright, opened a general store on the present site of Katz’ clothing store.  Three years later our subject sold out and spent eleven years as a commercial traveler.  He next conducted a drug store one year, and at the end of that time formed a partnership with J. D. Rogers, under the firm name of McFarland & Rogers, in the furniture business.  Shortly afterward he purchased Mr. Rogers’ interest, and after being alone for a time he admitted Mr. McIntosh to a partnership in the business, their store being where the firm of Lemon & Harris is now located.  On disposing of his interest in the furniture business Mr. McFarland practically lived retired for seven years but being of an active temperament he tired of this and in 1888 embarked in the same line of trade with M. R. Colwell and Carl Jones under the firm name of McFarland, Colwell & Jones.  They carried on business together until the 1st of September, 1900, when Mr. McFarland sold his interest and has since lived retired.  During the seven years he previously spent in retirement from active labor, he engaged in the fire and life insurance business to a limited extent, and still does a little in the way of life insurance.  In connection with Daniel Wright he built the brick residence adjoining his present home, and subsequently purchased Mr. Wright’s interest in the place, making it his home for thirty years.  He still owns the house, but ten years ago built the handsome residence which has since been his home.  He also erected the adjoining house on the east seven years ago.  He owns other real estate including the block now occupied by Lafferty & Bosserman as a shoe store, erected by him in 1876 on the site of the old Mahan grocery.  In 1892 he erected the two-story brick block now occupied by Colwell & Jones.

In 1851 Mr. McFarland was united in marriage with Miss Eliza, daughter of Ira Wright, of Marshall county, Illinois, and to them were born six children, all of whom are now deceased namely: Sarah, who died at the age of thirty-three years; Ira, at the age of seven years; Curtis, at the age of five and a half years; Benjamin A., at the age of nineteen months; Clara Belle, in infancy; and William, at the age of one year.  Sarah married Augustus V. Lisenby, who was born in this county and served several years as deputy clerk under his father, James Lisenby, and later was elected county clerk two consecutive terms.  Subsequently he went to Fresno, California, and is now cashier in the Fresno Savings Bank.  He built a fine house east of Mr. McFarland, which is now owned by our subject.  In politics he is a Democrat.  For his second wife he married a niece of our subject’s wife, Emma Wright, daughter of Daniel Wright, and to them has been born one son, Carl.

In his political affiliations Mr. McFarland is a Prohibitionist being an earnest advocate of temperance principles.  He has served as alderman of the city, but has never taken an important part in public affairs.  Religiously he is an active and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as class leader and in other official capacities; and socially is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, Encampment and Rebekah Lodge, being past grand of the subordinate branch.  During the long years of his residence in Clinton he has championed every enterprise for the public good, and has materially aided in advancing the social and moral interests of the city.  After a useful and honorable career he can well afford to lay aside all business cares and live in ease and retirement.

Transcribed by Connie Faulk

ALONZO D. McHENRY. (Volume 1, Page 404)

Alonzo D. McHenry, one of the substantial business men of Clinton, Illinois, was born on November 15, 1834, in Muskingum county, Ohio, and is a son of Alexander and Mary Ruth (McHenry) Alexander [?], the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio.  The great grandfather came from the north of Ireland and he was of Scotch-Irish descent.  Both he and the grandfather of our subject were brave soldiers of the Revolution.  Alexander McHenry, the father, was a harness maker by trade.  In 1837 he moved to Illinois, settling in Peoria county, and thence came to Clinton, where he worked at his trade until his death, which occurred in 1857.  The mother died in 1840.   Six children were born to these parents, three of whom are now living, namely: Buretta, who lives in California and married John Smith; B. P., who resides in Clinton; Alonzo D., our subject, who was the third in order of birth.

Alonzo D. McHenry was educated in the common schools of the district in the winter and worked upon the farm in the summer.  When he was about fifteen he lost his mother and he then learned the trade of wagon maker.  During the excitement over discoveries of gold in the west, Mr. McHenry made a trip to Pike’s Peak and although he did not gain much else, he returned rich in experience, in the fall of 1850, and during the succeeding winter gladly worked at whatever he found to do.

In August, 1861, he enlisted at Clinton in Company F, Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry under Captain D. F. Brown.  He participated in a number of engagements, including the battle of Shiloh and was at Vicksburg until after the siege was ended.  He was with Sherman in his campaigns, and at Jackson, Mississippi, he had the misfortune to lose his left leg just below the knee.  Lying wounded upon the field of battle, he was taken prisoner and the only care he received was from his comrades in affliction.  Had his wound not been neglected so shamefully, his leg would probably not have had to be amputated.  On January 4, 1864, he was sent to Jefferson barracks and thence he made his way back to Clinton to resume his life struggle, having given of his best to his country.

In the fall of 1864 he was elected sheriff and after two years he was made deputy sheriff and at the expiration of his services in the latter capacity he was again elected sheriff.  In 1870 he associated himself with the firm of Wolf & McHenry, hardware agents, but after six years he was in business for himself for one year.  His next business venture was with a furniture house and continued in that line until 1882, when he sold his interest and speculated in mules, flour, grain and other commodities, being quite successful.  Later he embarked in the hardware business with a Mr. Wolf, but after a year the latter withdrew and I. N. Barton entered the firm under the style of McHenry & Barton.  This continued until January, 1892, when Mr. McHenry old his interest and retired.

Although not actively engaged in business life, Mr. McHenry is largely interested in some very productive coal mines and is vice-president of the old electric light and heat company.  For a number of times he served as mayor of the city, having been elected on the Republican ticket and has been an alderman for a great many years.  His devotion to his party is well known and he is recognized as a leader in local affairs.  Always taking a deep interest in school matters, he has long been a member of the school board, and for two years served as its president.

On January 5, 1865, he was married to Miss Meline Miller, at Pekin, Illinois, and she was a daughter of John and Ellen Miller.  John Miller was a native of Virginia and his wife of Indiana.  Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McHenry, namely: Ida, who lives at home; Grace, who married D. D. Cole, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and they have one child, Alonzo Dean; Winifred, who married Dr. S. L. Thorp, of Kansas, and they have two children, Vita and Alonzo V.; Mary J., who married Julius G. Royce, in the grocery business at Clifton [Clinton?], and they have one child, Mercialu [?]; Arthur M.  The beloved mother died on March 27, 1880, and is interred in Woodlawn cemetery, having been about thirty-seven years of age at the time of her death.

Socially Mr. McHenry is a member of the Masonic fraternity, DeWitt Lodge, No. 84, and Goodrich [Goodbrake] Chapter, No. 59, of which he has been high priest for the past ten years.  He has also held minor offices in the lodge.  Mr. McHenry is also an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has held the position of assistant commander in the Clifton [Clinton?] post.   He possesses the rare combination of keen business sagacity with open-hearted, open-handed generosity and he is universally respected and beloved for his public spirit and his high moral character.

EUGENE E. McINTOSH. (Volume 1, Page 477) 

Among the representative business men of Clinton, Illinois, is Eugene E. McIntosh, a well-known jeweler, who owns the largest store in his line in DeWitt county. He carries a well selected stock of silverware, clocks, jewelry, diamonds, etc., and enjoys an excellent trade. A native of New York, he was born in Sloansville, August 22, 1865, and is a son of Hiram and Anna M. (Childs) McIntosh. His paternal grandfather was William McIntosh, a native of Connecticut. His father was born in Saratoga, New York, and in early life received an excellent education. For some time he was engaged in the hotel business in Central Bridge and Sloansville, New York, but on coming to Clinton, Illinois, in 1893, he opened a jewelry store under the firm name of McIntosh & Son, his son, William W., being associated with him. He purchased a lot on North Center street, where his widow now lives, but in order to make it a desirable piece of property he had to fill up a creek that flowed across the lot, making it very low. This required hundreds of loads of earth, but it is to-day one of the valuable corners of the city, with its large brick residence and beautiful grounds, shaded by fruit and ornamental trees. Besides this place he owned other property. He died in 1888, at the age of sixty-four years, honored and respected by all who knew him. He commanded the confidence of all with whom he came in contact, either in business or social life, and his circle of friends seemed only limited by his circle of acquaintances. In Clyde, New York, he married Miss Anna M. Child, a native of New York city, and a daughter of Sylvester and Eliza (Carpenter) Child. Her father, who was a shipbuilder, spent his last days in Clyde, where he died when he was forty-five years of age, and his wife at the age of fifty-five. They had seven children, namely: Carrie, Juliet, Anna, Eugene, William, Edwin and Sylvester. Our subject is the youngest in a family of three children, of whom Willie died in infancy, and William W. is now engaged in the real estate business in Akron, Ohio. The latter married Grace Bishop and they have two children, Bishop and Margaret. The parents of our subject were both faithful members of the Presbyterian church, and the father always took a very active part in its work.

Eugene E. McIntosh spent his boyhood and youth in the Empire state, and was educated at Central Bridge, New York, and Jackson, Michigan. At the latter place he also learned the jeweler's trade with his uncle, William W. Child, who was a very successful man in that business. In 1886 Mr. McIntosh started in business for himself at Weldon, this county, and later was located at Gibson City and Fairbury, Illinois. In 1891 he returned to Clinton and purchased his brother's store, the latter having succeeded the father in business here. He has since bought the Burrough's property on the north side of the square and has remodeled it, putting in the first beveled plate glass, and also laying the first concrete sidewalk on the square. He now has an elegant store, well stocked, and also owns two cottages, besides other property here, and is one of the most enterprising business men of the place. Keen discrimination, unflagging industry and resolute purpose are numbered among his salient characteristics, and thus he has won the success which is the merited reward of honest effort. Mr. McIntosh is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Consistory and Mystic Shrine, and in religious belief is a Presbyterian. In 1892 he married Miss Belle M. Wade, of Fairbury, Illinois, and to them have been born two children, Ella Child and Wade Donald.

ARCHIBALD T. McKINNEY. (Volume 1, Page 396)

One of the early settlers and highly respected citizens of DeWitt county, Illinois, is Archibald T. McKinney, who owns and occupies two hundred acres of rich farm land on section 22, Texas township. He is a native of Indiana, born May 24, 1837, and moved from there October 14, 1847, with his parents to DeWitt county, Illinois, they settling in Clintonia township, where they remained ten years.

Our subject is a son of Archibald T. and Polly (Givens) McKinney. The father was a native of Kentucky and came to Indiana at an early day and located in Posey county, where he engaged in farming until moving to Illinois. After coming to this state he continued farming and at the close of his ten years’ residence in Clintonia township he removed to Texas township, where he purchased a farm on section 23. Here he lived until his death, which occurred in July, 1873, when he was seventy years of age. His wife passed away when our subject was only three years of age and is buried at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Both the parents were devout members of the hard-shell Baptist church. Of their eight children, our subject is the only one now living and he was next to the youngest in order of birth.

Archibald T. McKinney remained at the home place until he was twenty-one years of age, and then engaged in farming for himself in Texas township, where he purchased five acres, which he still owns. He added to this piece of land, but rents the property which he farms and has lived upon it for over twenty-two years. He has engaged in general farming and stock-raising, the latter being his principal business for many years. Our subject raises high bred cattle, horses and hogs. For the past twenty years he has been road commissioner and is holding that office at the present time. In politics he is a Democrat and is very active in the working of the party.

On January 22, 1857, he was married to Amanda Cox. She is a native of DeWitt county and a daughter of George and Mary R. (Fruit) Cox. Mr. Cox was a native of Kentucky, as was his wife. They came to Illinois about 1829 and located in Texas township, DeWitt county (then Macon county). They purchased a home just south of Mr. McKinney’s present home. The father died on this farm at the age of forty-eight and his widow survived him and died about four years ago. During her girlhood days Mrs. McKinney lived with her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Thompson) Fruit, who came to Illinois at a very early day and located in Tunbridge township, where they resided until their death, the grandfather dying at the age of eighty-seven and his wife at about seventy-five. He was a farmer all his life and was quite successful. From the time she was two years of age until her marriage Mrs. McKinney made her home with those excellent people and was very much attached to them.

Her paternal grandparents, David and Polly (McGee) Cox, came from Kentucky to Illinois about 1820 and located in Texas township, where both died at an advanced age. During his active life Mr. Cox was a farmer.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. McKinney were as follows: George T., who resides on the home place; John T., who also resides on the home place and has the misfortune of being blind; Charles W., who resides in Clinton, Illinois, and married Emma Lauereaux; Flora, who is the wife of Martin Williams, a retired farmer of Clinton, Illinois; Seymour, who resides in Creek township, DeWitt county, and married Clara Grady, a daughter of John Grady, late of Texas township; Laura, who is the wife of M. B. Jenkins, a farmer of Texas township; Enoch, who died at the age of eleven months; Birdie, who died at the age of nine months; James, who resides in Decatur, Illinois, and married Gertrude Leaden, who is a native of Texas township; Robert, who married Emma Blasingame and resides in Texas township.

All of the children were born in DeWitt county and all except Laura and Enoch were born in Texas township.

When McKinney first came to Texas township it was nearly all wild land and he has seen it developed from its primitive state to one of the richest farming districts in the state. In fact he and his father were among the men who helped make DeWitt county what it is today.

WILLIAM C. McMURRY. (Volume 1, Page 226)

One of the esteemed residents of Farmer City is William C. McMurry, ex-sheriff of DeWitt county and in former years a leading and enterprising business man.  He is now living a retired life for his faithful execution of his business interests in former years brought to him a comfortable competence and now he is enjoying a well-merited rest.  He was born in Sangamon county, nine miles west of Springfield, Illinois, October 2, 1826, a son of William and Elizabeth (Clampit) McMurry.  The father was born in Boetourt county Virginia, and at an early day removed to Kentucky, thence to Sangamon county, Illinois, whence he went to Clinton in 1849, settling on what is now known as the Lewis Campbell farm, where he successfully followed farming.  He was born in 1793 and passed away in 1875, while his wife, who was born in Kentucky, in 1801, died in 1850.   Their children were: James Logan; Elizabeth; Nancy; William C.; Lewis R., who died in 1850; Moses C., who served in the Civil war; Samuel B., who died in the army while protecting the Union; Joseph D., of Baxter Spring, Kansas; Ann Jane, of Baxter Spring, Kansas; Peter A., who was also one of the boys in blue during the war of the Rebellion; and five who died in infancy.  The members of the family now living are William C., Moses C., Joseph D., Ann J. and Peter A.  After the death of his first wife, the father married Mrs. Agnes Bryant, but they had no children.  In politics he was first a Whig and later became a stanch Republican.  Of the Methodist Episcopal church he was an earnest and consistent member, living an exemplary Christian life.

Mr. McMurry, of this review, spent his childhood in Sangamon county, and in 1847 took up his abode in Clinton, where in connection with Joel Hall and T. S. Smith, he built a mill, operating the first circular sawmill in the county.  A year later this was removed to Barnett township, where they engaged in the manufacture of lumber.  Subsequently Mr. McMurry returned to Clinton and erected a mill near the site of the present flouring mills.  This was conducted for some years by McMurry and Daniel Newcomb.  Afterward Mr. McMurry turned his attention to blacksmithing, learning the trade under the direction of Mr. Maxon.  Subsequently he carried on that business alone.  In 1851 he removed to the town of DeWitt, where he conducted a smithy until the fall of 1855, when he sold out, after which he operated the Morrison Salt creek mill.  In 1850 he settled in Mt. Pleasant, now Farmer City.

On the 4th of September, 1861, Mr. McMurry manifested his loyalty to his country by enlisting as a member of Company I, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, with which he served for three years and five months.  He was captured at Drurie’s Bluff, Virginia, and was incarcerated at Libby Prison, Andersonville and Florence, being one the few who survived long imprisonment in those loathsome places, where every hardship was endured.  He was very thin when at last released and had a racking cough, so that his friends feared for his life, but today appears to be a splendid specimen of physical manhood and in appearance resembles a man of not more than sixty-five years.

As soon as his health permitted, Mr. McMurry resumed work at his trade, and was thus employed when, in 1866, he was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of sheriff of DeWitt county.  On his retirement from the county office he located in Farmer City, and was there made city marshal.  In 1877 he was appointed postmaster, and served until one year after the incoming of the Cleveland administration.  He has also been notary public and justice of the peace, but he has retired from office as he entered it—with confidence and good will of the public.  He is now enjoying a well-earned rest, and is a man of upright character, who, in the evening of life, is held in the highest respect by reason of his sterling character.

Mr. McMurry has been twice married.  In 1850 he wedded Jane Cumming, a daughter of the Rev. Paxton Cumming, the first regular minister in Santa Anna township, and who had strong influence in the moral development of the community at an early day.  Mrs. McMurry died in October, 1860.  Her six children were: William, who died in infancy; Edwin, deceased; Ann Eliza, the widow of J. E. Jackson, by whom she had two children, Eugene C. and T. James; Ida Gertrude, who married Thomas Cheney and has seven children, William, Edwin, Ida Gertrude, Edna, Lewis, Martha and Thomas; Martha Agnes, the widow of Frank Gay, by whom she had on child, Murry F.; and James M., who married Fannie McCart and has five children, Julia, Richard, J. Willis, Francis and Harry Lee.  For his second wife Mr. McMurry chose Mrs. Lucinda E. Cumming, the widow of James Cumming and a daughter of James Washington McCord.   The children of the second marriage are T. Eliah and Ruth, but the latter is now deceased.  The former married Edwin Collyer and has three children, William E., Dorothy and Murry G.

Through long years Mr. McMurry has been a representative member of the Masonic fraternity.  He belonged to the old lodge, No. 224, of Farmer City, and served for four terms as its master.  When the new lodge was instituted, in 1857, he became one of its charter members and its first master, and in that capacity he served for several terms.  He was also grand lecturer of the district, and has been most earnest and active in promoting the cause of Masonry.  He also belongs to the chapter.   He likewise holds membership with the Grand Army of the Republic, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as steward and class-leader several times.  He has ever been faithful to the trusts reposed in him, loyal to his duties of citizenship and true to his responsibilities in every relation of life, and his example is well worthy of emulation.

STONEWALL J. McNUTT. (Volume 1, Page 120)

Stonewall J. McNutt, now a resident of the village of Wapella, was for some years successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising in Wapella township, and still owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 25.  He was born in Lewis county, Kentucky, November 26, 1866, and is a son of John McNutt, whose birth occurred in the same county, in 1828, his paternal grandfather, John McNutt, Sr., being one of the early settlers of that locality.  On reaching manhood the father married Miss Sarah Ann Fenwick, also a native of Lewis county, and a daughter of William Fenwick, one of its pioneers.  In early life John McNutt, Jr., learned the blacksmith’s trade, and is still carrying on a shop at Cottageville in his native county, and also owns and operates a grist-mill there.  Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at that place and are most estimable people.

Mr. McNutt, of this review, was reared to agricultural pursuits upon the home farm and acquired his literary education in the common schools of the neighborhood.  Leaving home at the age of twenty years he came to DeWitt county, Illinois, where he worked by the month for two years, and then engaged in farming for himself upon rented land for several years.

At Wapella, December 29, 1896, Mr. McNutt was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Downing, who was born and reared in this county.  Her father, James E. Downing, was one of the pioneers and prominent farmers of DeWitt county, having come here from Mason county, Kentucky, at an early day.  For one year after his marriage Mr. McNutt continued to operate rented land, and then removed to the old Downing homestead, where he successfully engaged in farming and stock raising until the fall of 1901, when he rented his farm and removed to the village of Wapella on account of his wife’s ill health, buying residence property at that place.  In connection with his farming he was successfully engaged in raising a high grade of stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs and Polled Angus cattle.

In his political affiliations Mr. McNutt is a stalwart Democrat and cast his first presidential ballot for Grover Cleveland, but he has never sought official honors.  Both he and his wife are connected with the Long Point Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the official members and trustee, and they take an active part in Sunday-school work.  They are widely and favorably known and have a host of warm friends throughout the county.

WILLIAM METZGER. (Volume 1, Page 237)

William Metzger, a retired citizen of Clinton, Illinois, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Bedford county, February 9, 1826, and is a son of Andrew and Mary Ann (Wortz) Metzger.  The father of our subject was a man that was actively identified with the county in which he lived, and was sheriff of the same at the time of his death, which occurred when he was about thirty years of age.  The mother died about the same age, left four children as follows: Mary Jane, Andrew J., Josiah, and William, whose name introduces this review.  The last named is the only one living.

William Metzger remained at home until he was twenty years of age, when he determined to make his own way in the world.  He first located in Bloomington, Illinois, but only remained there a short time.  In 1846 he removed to Waynesville, DeWitt county, and there secured employment as a journeyman saddler and harness-maker.  He was first employed by Mr. J. Jackson and later by W. P. Hunt, and in 1849 he purchased the business of the latter.

In those days Mr. Metzger’s trade was one of the best, as most of the traveling was done on horseback and saddles were in demand, fences were almost unknown and one could ride in any direction.  Herding cattle was also a common thing and if a quick trip was to be made there was no other way but to go on horseback.  Harness were also very different from what they are at the present time.  The tugs were short with small trace chains at the end, to lengthen or shorten, as one would require.

Machines for sewing were unknown, so that everything must be made by hand, and most of the leather was from the native cattle, being tanned at the nearby villages.  He continued there until 1865, when he sold out and came to Clinton, where he continued in the same business, having purchased the interest of C. P. Ford.  He carried on a very successful business until 1890, when he old out.  At the end of this time, at the request of his many friends, he was made cashier of the DeWitt County National Bank, which position he filled for some time with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the institution.  From the time of the organization of the bank he has been a director, and in 1894 he was made vice president, which position he still holds.

By marriage Mr. Metzger was united with Miss Rachel, daughter of William Cantrall, who came to DeWitt county in the fall of 1835 and took up a tract of land and made farming his life occupation, although he was engaged in stock-raising and dairying to a large extent.  He died on the home farm at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife at the age of sixty-four.  She was a Miss Mary McClure and a native of Virginia.  This couple became the parents of the following named children: Henry; Rachel; Margaret; and William H., who resided on the old homestead in this county.   To our subject and his wife have been born the following named children: Minnie, who died at the age of eight years, and Henry M., who is largely interested in the cold storage business at Grand Rapids, Michigan.  He married Miss Kattie Beaumont.

In 1865 Mr. Metzger located in Clinton.  The town was in its infancy and contained but a few hundred souls.  With the thought that it was sure to become a thriving little city, Mr. Metzger purchased five acres of land northwest of the public square, which he divided off into town lots.  Since then he has disposed of most of it and today it is one of the best resident portions of Clinton.  His own commodious residence stands on a portion of the original purchase.

Socially Mr. Metzger is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias, and since the first meeting has always been present unless he was obliged to remain at home on account of illness.  Since the organization of the Republican party he has been a stanch supporter of its principles and in former years took an active interest in political affairs.  From the very first he has taken an active interest in the welfare and prosperity of his adopted city and has at all times been found ready and willing to do all in his power to further its interests, and now that he has reached old age, he can look back and see that his efforts were not in vain.  Such lives are worthy of emulation.

ABRAHAM K. MILLER. (Volume 1, Page 410)

Since the spring of 1830 A. K. Miller has been a resident of DeWitt county and has therefore been an eye witness of the entire development of the county. He has seen its wild lands transformed into beautiful homes and farms; towns and cities spring up, and all of the interests and evidences of an advanced civilization introduced.

Mr. Miller was born in Grayson county, Kentucky, February 21, 1822, and is a son of John and Nancy (Music) Miller, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Tennessee. The Miller family is of German origin, and was founded in Virginia in early colonial days. Some of its representatives took part in the Revolutionary war, and a maternal uncle of our subject was at the battle of New Orleans during the war of 1812, arriving at the close of the engagement. When about sixteen years of age, John Miller removed with his parents to Kentucky, and later purchased a farm in that state, which he operated until our subject was six years of age and then came to Illinois. He at first located in Macon county, on the present site of the fair grounds at Decatur, the locality then formed a part of Sangamon county. After residing there two seasons he came to DeWitt county in the spring of 1830, and took up his residence in what is now Tunbridge township, where he purchased a farm. Subsequently he resided in Creek township, and later spent a short time in Clintonia township, after which he returned to Creek township and purchased a farm, which he made his home for many years. Both he and his wife were sixty-seven years of age at the time of their deaths. They were the parents of sixteen children, of whom twelve reached years of maturity, and six are still living, namely: Matthew, a resident of Joplin, Missouri; A. K., our subject; Margaret, wife of Jacob Zorger of Weldon, Illinois; John, a resident of Rutledge township, this county; Sarah, wife of Allen Harrold, of Indian Territory; and Martha, wife of John Shinkle, of Springfield, Illinois.

Mr. Miller, of this review, was only able to attend school about three months during boyhood, and this was in a primitive log school house, with its puncheon floor, greased paper windows and huge fire place. He learned to read by studying the speeches and debates of Lincoln and Douglas, and also the Bible and New Testament, and his education has been mainly acquired by reading and observation. When a small boy he began hoeing corn and cotton, and in this way gained a practical knowledge of farming, which he made his life work. At the age of fifteen he commenced watching the best farmers and by copying the methods which they followed, soon became a thorough and successful agriculturist. At this time he also assisted in work on the first railroad attempted in Illinois, from Pekin to Bloomington, but which was abandoned before completion. For many years he broke prairie with oxen, using four yoke of cattle, as horsed could not stand the hard work. On leaving home at the age of twenty-two Mr. Miller pre-empted one hundred and fifty-six acres of land on section 3. Creek township, which he entered with a land warrant at Danville, paying one dollar per acre. Although it was so cheap, he had a hard time just then to raise the required amount. His place was entirely unimproved when it came into his possession, and the first building he erected thereon was a hewed log cabin of one room, sixteen feet square, into which he and his bride moved.

On the 14th of March, 1844, Mr. Miller married Miss Rebecca Jane Welch, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Rev. Thomas Welch, who was a minister of the Christian, or what was then known as the New Light Church, and who preached for many years without compensation. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Miller had but one dollar and twelve cents in cash, and this he paid for the marriage license, the minister performing the ceremony for nothing. Working on a farm until after harvest, he found himself the possessor of ten dollars. Going to Decatur he invested a portion of it in a calico dress for his wife and with the balance purchased household furniture. Mrs. Miller proved a true helpmate to her husband, and their married life, which covered fifty-five years, was an ideal one. Unto them were born twelve children, six of whom are now living, namely: Thomas, the present supervisor of Creek township, who married Margaret Glenn, and is a minister of the Christian church; Nancy, at home with her father; Emeline, wife of Allan Spainhour, of Creek township; Mary, wife of William Brown, of Piatt county, Illinois; Edward, who married Lillie Hoge and lives in Creek township, they have one child, Percy; and Elijah P., who married Mary Cowless and has two children, A. K., Jr., and Martha Rebecca. He lives on a farm with his father. The wife and mother, who was an earnest and consistent Christian and a most estimable woman, passed away May 29, 1899, leaving many friends as well as her immediate family to mourn her loss. She was laid to rest in Lisenby cemetery, Creek township.

On starting out in life for himself Mr. Miller thought forty acres would be as much land as he would require, but as time passed he kept adding to his landed possessions until now he has eighteen hundred acres of valuable farm land in Dewitt county, Illinois, and at Storm Lake, Buena Vista county, Iowa. He has always given considerable attention to stock raising and found that business quite profitable. At the time of his marriage he was in limited circumstances, and as times were hard he took up coopering, which he soon mastered, and by following that trade added not a little to his income. His wife also aided him by making brooms, and in this way they were always able to meet the payments on their land when due and secure a good start in life. For many years Mr. Miller was one of the most active and successful farmers and stock raisers of the county, but is now living a retired life on his farm on section 21, Creek township, enjoying the fruits of former toil.

Religiously he is a member of the Christian church, and was also a member of the Grange as long as it was in existence. In politics he is a strong Jeffersonian Democrat, but would never accept office, save that of school director and road commissioner. He can relate many incidents of pioneer days, which if written would make a large and interesting volume. He well remembers when the family removed from Kentucky to Illinois. They started with their bedding on pack horses and the little children on top of the load, but after traveling this way for a few days they stopped at a cousin's house and bought a wagon, in which the women and most of the children of the party rode, though our subject walked beside the wagon most of the way and drove the cows. The journey was a long and tiresome one, consuming many days, and the family all contracted sore eyes in trying to gaze far over the trackless prairies. In those days the early settlers were far more hospitable than the people of the present time, and at their humble homes a stranger never sought shelter in vain, and the members of the household would do all they could for him. When the Miller family arrived in this county they found only a few wigwams scattered along the creek, the Indians being far more numerous than the white settlers. The land was just as nature left it, and all kinds of wild game was plentiful, including prairie chickens, turkeys, deer and wild hogs. At that time malaria and ague were quite prevalent, and as there were no physicians for miles around the people did their own doctoring with herbs. Being unable to get their grain ground, Mr. Miller pounded it in a mortar to make meal for his father's large family during one winter. He took a very active part in the early development and upbuilding of this county, and is deserving of prominent mention among its honored pioneers and representative citizens.

ARTHUR F. MILLER. (Volume 1, Page 66)

Arthur F. Miller is one of the youngest members of the Clinton bar but his prominence is by no means measured by his years, on the contrary he has won a reputation which many an older practitioner might well envy and is now creditably serving as state’s attorney, being elected to that office on the Republican ticket in 1900 as a successor to John Fuller.

Mr. Miller was born in Holliston, Massachusetts, March 12, 1872, and is a representative of a good old New England family.  His father, Possidonius Miller, was a native of Vermont, and was a direct descendant of an old colonial family, as his grandfather, Ferdinand Miller, was a member of the “Boston Tea Party.”  He was also a native of Vermont.  By vocation the father of our subject was a journalist and for a number of years was engaged in that profession.  He married Miss Agnes Dillon, who was born in Nova Scotia, but came with her parents to the old Bay state when three years old.  She is still living and resides at Cottage City, on the island of Martha’s Vineyard.  Her people were farmers by occupation.  By her marriage with Mr. Miller she became the mother of three children as follows: Celia, who died in infancy; Albert F., who died at the age of nine years; and Arthur F., our subject.

Arthur F. Miller was educated at Trinity College, in Hartford, Connecticut, where he was graduated in 1895.  Coming west he took up the study of law under Judge T. H. Dillon, of Petersburg, Indiana, and was admitted to the bar of Illinois in 1897.  In October of that year he located in Clinton and opened an office.  His faithful attention to his profession soon won the attention of the public, who recognized in him a fitting candidate for the office which he now fills, and he was accordingly nominated and elected in 1900.  In the discharge of his official duties he has given the utmost satisfaction, and in his private practice he faithfully and conscientiously looks after the interests of his clients.

In July, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Rovenia Fosnaugh, daughter of J. A. Fosnaugh, one of Clinton’s leading merchants.  An extended sketch of the Fosnaugh family will be found on another page of this volume.  Socially Mr. Miller is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Mutual Protective League.  He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, who makes many friends, and is held in high regard by all who know him.

Transcribed by Connie Faulk

BENJAMIN MILLER. (Volume 1, Page 52)

Benjamin Miller, deceased, was one of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of Creek township.  A native of Illinois, he was born in Morgan county, on the 27th of December, 1830, and was a son of John and Mary (Slatten) Miller.  The father was born in Casey county, Kentucky, in 1799, and in early life removed to Madison county, this state, where he was married in 1818.  He subsequently spent a few years in Morgan county, Illinois, and from there he came to DeWitt county.  On the 21st of January, 1831, while looking up a new location, he entered a tract of land on section 1, Creek township, of which six acres had been cleared, fenced and broken, and a log cabin, fourteen by sixteen feet, and a log stable, twelve by fourteen feet, erected thereon.  He employed men to break the land, so that at the end of the first season he had twenty acres of land under cultivation, and he set out one hundred apple trees, which he procured near Decatur, this being the first attempt to start an orchard in that locality.  A few of the trees are still standing.   In his family were seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom our subject is the second in order of birth.

It was during the infancy of Benjamin Miller that his parents removed to Creek township, DeWitt county, and he was still quite young when the family took up their residence in Logan county, near the DeWitt county line, where he remained until he attained his majority, his education being acquired in the district schools.

Mr. Miller was first united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pledger, and they became the parents of five children: (1) Joseph, a resident of Piatt county, Illinois, wedded Mary Flynn and has one child, Lawrence B.  (2) George, a resident of Macon county, married Augusta Geade and has had four children, Bessie, Floyd C., Homer H. and Bernard, deceased.   (3) Anna is the wife of James Pulliam of Macon county, and they have seven children, Samuel, who is married, Benjamin, Mamie, Julia, Joseph, James and Luther.  (4) Stephen A. Douglas, a resident of Macon county, married Anna Schuobshall, and to them were born five children: William, deceased; Elizabeth; Benjamin; Ella and Francis Marion.  (5) Ruth died in infancy.  The wife of our subject departed this life in 1865, and was laid to rest in Maroa cemetery, Macon county.

For his second wife Mr. Miller chose Miss Martha Pulliam, who was born January 26, 1843, near Taylorsville, Spencer county, Kentucky, of which state her parents, Gideon and Mary Jane (Gaoff) Pulliam, were life-long residents.  Her father died when she was about five years old and her mother nine years later.  Her maternal grandfather, James Pulliam, was a well-known man in that section of the Blue Grass state in which he lived.  Mrs. Miller is the oldest in a family of five children, the others being as follows: (2) James makes his home in Macon county.  (3) Anna is the widow of G. W. Caplinger and a resident of Lincoln, Illinois.  She has six children, Elizabeth, George Lulu, Benjamin, William and Arthur.  (4) Marion a resident of Kentucky, married Anna Daly, of Spencer county, that state, and to them were born three children: Martha, James and Mamie, but the last named and her mother are both now deceased.  (5) Mildred, deceased, was the wife of Fletcher Layton, who lives in Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois.  She had five children, two of whom are still living, Mary and Gertrude; Bert, Josephine and James are deceased.

Mrs. Miller grew to womanhood in the place of her nativity and in 1865 came to Illinois, locating at Atlanta, Logan county, where she met the man who a few months later became her husband, their marriage being celebrated December 28, 1865.  Four children blessed their union, namely: (1) Charles Y., born February 9, 1867, resides on the old homestead in Creek township.  He married Elizabeth Huffman, and they have six children: Mary Marie, John Henry, Charles Y., Jr., William Jennings, Adela May and Benjamin Franklin.  (2) Mary, born July 26, 1868, wedded David Barclay, Jr., and attorney-at-law in Clinton, who died leaving two children: Martha, who is named for her grandmother; and Helen, who is also named for her grandmother in Scotland.  For her second husband Mary married Fred S. Mead.  (3) Elizabeth, born May 14, 1878, is the wife of W. C. White, a commercial traveler, and makes her home with her mother in Clinton.  She has one child, Marian Catherine, born August 6, 1898.  (4) Benjamin, born April 20, 1882, is engaged in farming in Creek township.

After his marriage, Mr. Miller located on section 30, Creek township, where he purchased land which had been but slightly improved, but it was soon placed under a high state of cultivation.   A large and beautiful two-story frame residence, thirty by thirty-six feet, was erected, ample barns and other out-buildings were also built, and trees set out, making it one of the best improved farms of its size in the locality.  With the assistance of his estimable wife, Mr. Miller steadily prospered, and at the time of his death was the owner of over twelve hundred acres of valuable land, which had been acquired through their combined efforts.

He died on the 11th of March, 1889, and was buried in the Maroa cemetery, where a fine granite monument marks his last resting place.  Politically he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and although he never cared for official honors, he was called upon to serve as township supervisor, and most capably and satisfactorily filled that position for one term.  He was ever faithful to his duties in citizenship, and by the successful conduct of his farming interests not only promoted his individual success, but also advanced the general prosperity.  In his life-span of fifty-eight years he accomplished much, and has left behind him an honorable record worthy of perpetuation.  He was a man of the highest respectability, and those who were most intimately associated with him speak in unqualified terms on his sterling integrity, his honor in business, and his fidelity to all duties of public and private life.

After his death, Mrs. Miller carried on the home farm of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Creek township until 1892, when she removed to Clinton.  She resided in that place for four years, when she removed to the old home farm, where she remained until 1899, when she again moved to Clinton, and has since made her home at No. 606 North Monroe street.  She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of that city, and takes an active interest in all that pertains to the church and its work.  She is highly respected by all who know her, and, like her husband, has a host of friends throughout the county.

THOMAS H. MILLER. (Volume 1, Page 129)

Thomas H. Miller, a leading and influential citizen of Creek township, who is now so efficiently serving as supervisor, was born in that township on the 15th of October, 1845, and is a worthy representative of a prominent old family of this county, being a son of Abraham K. and Rebecca Jane (Welch) Miller, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.  He first attended the old Jack Lane school a mile and a quarter east of the present village of Lane.  This was a log structure with slab benches and puncheon floor, and our subject was a student here for only twenty-one days.   He next pursued his studies for three months in a red brick school house north of Lane, the school being conducted on the subscription plan then in vogue.  He completed his education in the Clinton schools and the Normal College at Normal, Illinois.  He then taught school in Creek township for seven years, and since that time has devoted his attention to farming, starting with forty acres in that township.  He now operates two hundred and fifty-six acres on section 3, Creek township, while his son has charge of eighty acres on section 22.

Mr. Miller was married November 23, 1869, to Miss Margaret Glenn, a native of Ohio, in which state her parents, James and Barbara Glenn, were also born.  During her childhood the family came to this county in 1859, but afterward returned to Ohio, and did not locate permanently here until 1867, when they settled in Harp township, where Mr. and Mrs. Glenn spent the remainder of their lives.  They had fifteen children, all twins but three.  Mr. and Mrs. Miller have seven children, namely: Noel W., who married Rhoda Miller and lives in Creek township; Tessie, wife of George Radley, of the same township; Emmett, Pressey, Charles, Dose and Vesper, all at home.

For thirty years Mr. Miller has been a minister of the Old Christian or New Light church and has always preached gratuitously.  He has been called to points all over the state to deliver sermons on test questions and doctrinal points.  In Politics he is a stanch Democrat, and has been a delegate to various conventions of his party.  He never fails to vote his party ticket at National elections, but at local elections where no issue is involved he supports the best men for the offices regardless of party lines.  For the past twelve years he has efficiently served as school trustee, and has ever taken an active interest in educational affairs.  He is also filling the office of supervisor of Creek township in a most creditable and satisfactory manner, and is a member of the bridge committee and chairman of the committee of abatement.  As a public-spirited and enterprising citizen he gives a liberal support to all measures calculated to advance the moral, educational or material welfare of his township and county, and has always been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him.

ALFED H. MONTGOMERY. (Volume 1, Page 87)

Prominent among the influential newspaper men of DeWitt county is Alfred Homer Montgomery, editor of the Weldon Record.  Many causes contribute to the success of Mr. Montgomery, not the least of which is an extended journalistic experience, an intuitive knowledge of the demands of the reading public and forceful, clearcut, sensible ideas upon leading the interesting questions of the day.  The tolerance and breadth of mind ventilated through the editorials and general columns of the Record challenge respect and attention from all who peruse its well-printed pages, no matter what their individual political and other views.  A hard and conscientious worker, the editor of the Record has trodden no royal road to his present position, but is indebted solely to his own untiring efforts in learning every detail, from the bottom up, of newspaper work.

He was born February 15, 1876, near Middletown, Logan county, Illinois, a son of William and Sarah (Dunmire) Montgomery.  William Montgomery, son of Thomas Jefferson [Montgomery], was one of a family of seventeen children, four daughters and thirteen sons, and his death occurred in 1881, when his son, A. H., was but five years of age.  The lad lived on the home farm until 1884, when he accompanied his mother, now Mrs. R. M. Ewing, and his step-father, to Farmer City, Illinois, where the latter purchased the Farmer City Republican.  Then began the career of the embryo journalist, for at the age of nine years he entered the printing office of the Republican, attending also the public schools as opportunity afforded.  The printing business seems to have been paramount at this time, for upon reaching the sophomore year he abandoned for the present further attempt at school education, and devoted himself exclusively to the affairs of the newspaper office.  After the sale of the Republican his services were enlisted with the Farmer City Record, purchased by his mother and brother, H. E., with his step-father, R. M. Ewing, as editor-in-chief.  After a fitful career of a year and a month in Farmer City under the new management, the outfit of the Record was taken to Weldon, Mr. Montgomery arriving to contribute his share toward manipulating the enterprise in its new quarters in March of 1893.  The control of the Record underwent a change in 1895, owing to the death of Mr. Ewing, at which time a partnership was formed between Mr. Montgomery and his brother, H. E., and continued amicably until the substitution of J. H. for H. E. Montgomery, upon the retirement of the latter to Clinton in 1896.  By mutual consent the Record force was dissolved in 1898, Alfred Homer Montgomery assuming complete control of the sheet.  Since 1899 the periodical has been issued from its new home, a commodious and well-planned office building of brick, fitted with all modern conveniences, and rendered acceptable to the eye by large plate glass windows and elegant appropriate fixtures.

The hospitable and delightful home of Mr. Montgomery is presided over by his wife, formerly Birdie McAboy, of Lane, Illinois, whom he married February 15, 1898.  Of this union there are two children, Helen Irene and Robert William Harrold Yates.  The friends who delight in the surroundings of the beautiful Montgomery home are legion, and the utmost good fellowship, refinement and culture prevail to an unusual degree.

CHARLES E. MOODY. (Volume 1, Page 445)

Charles E. Moody, one of the prosperous and highly respected citizens of Creek township, DeWitt county, Illinois, was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, April 5, 1843, and is a son of John and Martha (Haun) Moody.  The father was of English descent, but was born in this country, while the mother was of German descent.  Early in life he was a school teacher.  He had the misfortune to lose a leg, but this accident did not deter him from farming quite extensively.  His sons moved to Wilson township, DeWitt county, Illinois, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land of what was known as the J. K. Davis farm, in 1856, and to this property the father came.  They all worked to improve the land and erected a log cabin upon it.  Gradually they brought it to a fine state of cultivation, planted an orchard and built various outbuildings and a comfortable home.  The trip the family made from Ohio to DeWitt county, Illinois, was a long one.  They first went to St. Louis on the Ohio river and thence by team to Wapella.  From this town to their destination the journey was made with four yoke of oxen.  The following family was born to the father and mother of our subject: Garrett, a resident of Texas township; Comfort, of Nebraska; Bruce, of Illinois; our subject; and Fanny and Martha, both deceased.

The little education obtained by our subject was from the district schools of the neighborhood, but as they were only log school houses and the teachers very often incompetent and the appliances scanty and poor, the few months of instruction amid the terrible blizzards of Illinois winters of nearly half a century ago did little beyond encouraging a love of books and teaching the rudiments of knowledge.  Early in life he was taught the trade of blacksmith, but has devoted the greater part of his attention to farming.  Eighty acres of his present farm of two hundred and seventy acres were a portion of the old homestead in Creek township, which originally consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of unbroken land.  The home in Wilson township was disposed of at a good price in 1862.  Mr. Moody bought his eighty acres in 1870 and has added to it from time to time.  All of the land is well improved and the buildings and comfortable home have all been erected by him.

During the Civil war Mr. Moody fought bravely for the Union.  He enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain James Hunter at Clinton and was mustered out at Springfield.  His army record is one of which he may well feel proud.

In 1866 Mr. Moody was married to Miss Charlotte Cross, a native of Creek township and a daughter of Solomon and Martha Cross.  Mr. Cross was one of the early settlers of that township and did much to aid in the development of the county.  Mr. and Mrs. Moody have the following children born to them: Henry, who married Emma Tucker and resides in the township; Ida, who married Frank Bowman and resides at Lane station; Everett, who resides with his father; Charles, who married Flora Williams, and resides in Creek township; Nora; Homer; and three children who died in infancy.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Moody are members of the United Brethren church.  In politics he is a stanch Democrat and has served most acceptably as road commissioner and member of the school board.

ARTHUR MOORE. (Volume 1, Page 335)

Arthur Moore, of Clinton, is the only son of the late C. H. Moore who was for many years prominently identified with the interests of Clinton and is represented on another page of this volume.  Our subject was born in Tremont, Tazewell county, Illinois, September 28, 1846, but was reared in Clinton, as the family removed to this place during his childhood.  He received a good collegiate education and a thorough business training, his time being devoted to assisting his father in looking after his agricultural interests when not in school.  He gave such strict attention to business that on attaining his majority he was well prepared to begin the battle of life for himself, having made a close study of the precepts and practices of our ablest financiers.  Preferring an independent career, he accepted a position with Magill Brothers at twelve dollars per month and board, much against his father’s wishes, but ere long was prevailed upon to enter his father’s office as private secretary.  Later he was made superintendent of his father’s vast estate, having charge of his farms, stock, etc.  He oversaw the laying of over five hundred miles of tiling, but this necessitated his being out in all kinds of weather, which finally impaired his health and he was compelled to seek a change of climate.  Since his father’s death, however, he has made his home uninterruptedly in Clinton, that he may have better control of the vast interests left to him.  Here he owns a beautiful residence, which was begun by his father and is constructed of brick.  In 1854 the rear wall was blown down, but was rebuilt the following year, and in 1867 the building was enlarged and improved, making a commodious and handsome residence, one of the finest in the country.  It is surrounded by a spacious and well-kept lawn and shady walks and drives.   In his home farm Mr. Moore has six hundred acres of land, and this is only one of the many fine farms which he owns in DeWitt county.  He has always been a very active and energetic man, and has been able to carry forward to a successful completion whatever he has undertaken.

The highly accomplished lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Moore was in her maidenhood Miss Mary C. Piper, a daughter of Orlando F. and Mary A. (Hawkins) Piper of Macomb, McDonough county, Illinois.   Her father was born in Palestine, Illinois, and from there removed to LaPorte, Indiana.  He died at Macomb in the fall of 1890, at the age of seventy-eight years, but the mother is still living at the age of seventy-three.  They were the parents of eight children, namely: Edward, deceased; Alice B.; Mary C.; Annie, deceased; Walter L., deceased; Charles W., deceased; Lewis; and Orlando H.  The three sons and one daughter died of typhoid fever, but at different times.  Mr. Moore’s home has been a very happy one.  He has always taken great pride in keeping high grade cattle and horses, and has some fine specimens upon his place.  Public affairs have claimed his attention at different times, and he has served as deputy sheriff under Thomas Gardner.   In 1900 he was elected county surveyor and made J. S. Brown his deputy.  He takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare of his city and county, and withholds his support from no enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit.

Transcribed by Connie Faulk

BLISH MOORE. (Volume 1, Page 431)

Among the successful farmers of DeWitt county one of the most prominent is Blish Moore, residing on section 11, Harp township, who has lived in this county for half a century.  He was born in Kirkland, Ohio, July 6, 1826, and he was a son of Isaac and Philena Moore, both of whom were born near Albany, New York.

The Moore family from which our subject sprang was originally from Ireland but settled in Paris.   The great-grandfather came to America and located a little west of the present city of Albany, New York.  He and his entire family, with the exception of the grandfather of our subject, then a small boy, were killed by the Indians.  The grandfather hid in a hollow tree, and, almost dead with terror, traveled two nights and one day to the fort, subsisting upon roots and berries.  He became very useful to the officers at the fort, and during the Revolution was a small scout for General Washington himself.  Our subject remembers distinctly his grandfather telling thrilling tales of his adventures, for he was sent right into the enemy’s camp, he being so small that he could go and come without being suspected.  So successful was he that his little figure became a well-known one in the colonial camp, and many a piece of cake and pie were handed him by her whom the patriotic soldiers loved to call "Lady Washington." When the grandfather grew to manhood he settled in New York and was married there, but, after residing in the state some time, removed to what was later Lake county, Ohio, and there he died at the advanced age of ninety-four years.  He reared a family of five children, of whom Isaac, father of our subject, was fourth in order of birth.

Isaac Moore grew to manhood in New York state, and after the removal of the family to Ohio he virtually took charge of his father’s affairs.  Upon his land the famous Mormon temple was built, and the present town of Kirkland is on the site of the old Moore homestead.  He came to DeWitt county, Illinois, in 1880, and spent the remainder of his life with his children.   He died here at an advanced age, and his wife had passed away in Ohio.  Of his eight children, three girls and five boys, those now living are our subject and Milan, who resides in DeWitt county and is a jeweler of Farmer City.

Blish Moore attended a select school in Ohio, and he received a good education for those early days.  He first worked on a farm in Ohio, and in 1844 came to Illinois, traveling by way of Detroit and Cleveland by water and then by railroad half across the state.  The next portion of the journey was made by stage to St. Joseph, whence he took a boat to Chicago.  At that time Chicago was a town of about five thousand people and the streets were so poor that in going to the hotel a four-horse team was stranded in the mud.  From Chicago Mr. Moore traveled to Peru by stage, and there he remained for some time teaching school.  In addition, he kept books for a firm in that city, but, having an opportunity to come to Clinton, Illinois, by private conveyance, he made the trip, and after arriving here taught school for about a year, and for a year more worked as a wagon maker.  At this time Clinton was a village of some three hundred people.  For two years he clerked in a store, and then, having saved his money all this time, he was enabled to purchase a stock of goods, and took them to Oskaloosa, Iowa, by water as far as Keokuk and thence by stage.  For about a year he remained in Oskaloosa, but he then returned to Clinton and clerked in Mitchell’s store.  In 1851 he engaged in farming in Clintonia township, acting as foreman of the farms owned by his brothers.  So successful was he in his farming operations that in 1871 he purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres of his present farm, to which he has added twenty-five acres more, and now possesses the southeast quarter of section 11, Harp township.  This farm is highly cultivated, and on it Mr. Moore makes a specialty of raising grain and hogs.  He is very successful.

On March 27, 1851, he married Susan McCuddy, of Ohio, who died November 23, 1854.  By this marriage one child was born, Alice, who was born on May 22, 1852, and died when she was about fourteen years of age.  On October 28, 1869, Mr. Moore married Miss Martha Phillips, a native of Ohio, and to them four children have been born, namely: Harry, who died in childhood; Minnie, who died in childhood; Tonie C., a wagon-maker by trade, who married Meda Sline, and they have two children, Blish and Thelma Opal; and Nellie, who is at home.  Mrs. Moore is a member of the Methodist church of DeWitt, and Mr. Moore is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being the first man made a Masonic Mason in DeWitt county, in the winter of 1850.  He has served acceptably as commissioner for three years and has been town clerk and school director, as well as held other township offices.  He is universally respected and beloved for his public spirit and his high moral character.

CLIFTON H. MOORE. (Volume 1, Page 9)

In one of his most eloquent orations Charles Sumner said "Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war." It was the victories of peace which were won by Clifton H. Moore, a man distinguished for his remarkable business ability and sagacity, however, through the channels of legitimate business transactions, in which he gained wealth and at the same time commanded in unusual degree the confidence and respect of his fellow men. During a long and successful business career, characterized by enterprise, he ever maintained an enviable reputation for the highest honor and principle, and no unworthy deed or word ever linked itself with his name, and no citizen of Illinois made better or more unostentatious use of his accumulations. He is entitled to high place of honor among the representative men of this section of the state, for at all times his life was manly, his actions sincere, his honesty unquestioned.

Mr. Moore was born in Kirkland [Kirtland], Lake county, Ohio, October 26, 1817, the eldest son of Isaac and Philena (Blish) Moore, whose family numbered eight sons. His father was born at the old family homestead in Saratoga county, New York, January 31, 1794, and was of English lineage. The grandfather, John Moore, according to the family tradition, was one of a large number of sons and daughters, and when only about six years old was left an orphan, the family at that time residing near the boundary line between Maryland and Delaware. He was reared by an uncle of the name Hyde until sixteen years of age, when he entered military service, and for about ten years was largely engaged in fighting Indians. He enlisted for service in the Revolutionary war when the yoke of British oppression had become intolerable and the colonists had resolved to sever all allegiance with the mother country, and served throughout the entire contest. He was at Fort Stanwux [Stanwix] when it was besieged by St. Leger with his British and Indian troops, and was with General Washington at Yorktown at the time Cornwallis surrendered, which surrender virtually ended the war. Returning to his home, he found that his brothers had all removed either to Virginia or Kentucky. John Moore was a man of fine physique and of great powers of endurance, and was thus well equipped to meet the hardships of pioneer life. He reached the ripe old age of ninety-five years, and was laid to his final rest in Geauga county, Ohio.

Isaac Moore, his son, the father of our subject, became a very successful business man, although little qualified by educational privileges. His natural ability, however, was very great, and as the years advanced he became a prosperous farmer. In 1811 he removed to Kirkland [Kirtland], Ohio, in company with his parents, an unmarried sister and three married sisters and their husbands. There amid the scenes of pioneer life he established his home and accumulated a comfortable competence. He passed his last days in the home of his son Clifton, in DeWitt county, Illinois, dying on the 9th of October, 1882, when almost ninety years of age. He had been three times married. His first wife was the mother of our subject, and they had eight children. Mrs. Moore was a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of Benjamin and Phebe (Skinner) Blish, who were of Welsh descent, the ancestry of the family being traced back to Abraham Blish, a native of Wales, who came to America in 1637. Mrs. Moore was born in 1796, and departed this life May 14, 1832.

Under the parental roof Clifton H. Moore spent his childhood days, and in the district schools near his home began his education, which was later supplemented by a course of study pursued under the direction of a prominent clergyman of Bedford, Ohio. He later became a student in Paynesville [Painesville], Ohio, and in the Western Reserve Teachers' Seminary at Kirkland. Well equipped with a liberal education, he then started out in life, determined to make the most of his opportunities and to gain success. He engaged in teaching in Geauga and Cuyahoga counties, Ohio, and then determined to try his fortune in a more western district. In the spring of 1839 he followed the star of empire on its westward way, arriving at Pekin, Illinois, with a cash capital of less than five dollars. But this counted little to the young man of resolute spirit, possessed of health and energy. He soon secured a school, and while engaged in teaching spent his time outside of the school-room in reading law with the firm of Baily & Wilmot, being admitted to the bar in 1841.

In August of the same year Mr. Moore arrived in Clinton, being the first lawyer to establish an office here, and through many years he maintained his place as the first lawyer of the city, not only by reason of his seniority in years of practice but also on account of his skill as a practitioner and his ability as a counselor. His knowledge of law was comprehensive and exact, and it soon became known that his devotion to his clients' interest was proverbial and that he prepared his cases with the greatest care and precision. He won his first suit and afterward many others of much importance, even though he met in forensic combat such distinguished lawyers as Abraham Lincoln, Judge David Davis and others. The only office which he ever filled was also on the line of his profession, having in 1870 served as a member of the constitutional convention of the state, in which body he left the impress of his strong mind and profound legal knowledge upon the organic law of the commonwealth.

At an early day Mr. Moore also began investing in land, and in this was long associated with Judge David Davis, they together owning at one time thirty thousand acres. His investments were at first small, but proving profitable, he wisely again invested the money thus gained in other land, and in due course of time he won wealth that classed him among the millionaires of the state. His business judgment was rarely, if ever, at fault, and his savings were so judiciously placed that he never failed to realize on an investment. He was exceedingly considerate of his tenants, and never asked of them more than one-third of the crop, or three dollars and a half per acre. So long as they proved themselves honest and industrious they were never asked to give possessions, and some of them remained upon his farms for from ten to twenty years or more. At his death one of them, who had occupied a farm for twenty-two years, said: "I have lost the best friend I ever had." What higher tribute of praise could be given?

While deeply engrossed with his business cares, he was in his home an ideal husband and father, kind, considerate and loving, and he erected for his family one of the finest residences in this section of the state. It stands in the midst of a most attractive lawn adorned with walks, drives, and shade trees and flowers, and one of its most attractive features is the library which fills two rooms and is one of the finest collections of books in any home in the entire state. It contains many rare and interesting old volumes as well as the more standard works. The best food for the mind was all that found its way there, and he had every reason to be proud of his splendid collection of books, the contents of which were very familiar to him. He was a man of scholarly attainments and regarded his books as among his best friends.

Mr. Moore first married Miss Elizabeth Richmond, the wedding taking place August 14, 1845. The lady was a native of Canandaigua, New York, and a daughter of Hiram* Richmond, later of Tremont, Tazewell county, Illinois. Four children were born unto them but only one is now living, Arthur, who is extensively engaged in farming. Mrs. Moore died May 30, 1872, and on the 26th of July, 1874, Mr. Moore wedded Miss Rose Onstein, a native of North Amherst, Ohio, and a daughter of George and Rosanna (Ruhle) Onstein, the former of German descent and the latter of Scotch and German lineage. The father was born in Pennsylvania, became a farmer of Loraine county, Ohio, and died in his seventieth year, while his wife, also a native of the Keystone state, passed away at the age of seventy-five. They were the parents of eight children. Mr. Moore was called to his final reward April 29, 1901, after a brief illness of only five days.

In his political views Mr. Moore was always a Republican, and could undoubtedly have won high political honors had he cared for such advancement, but he preferred to devote his time and attention to his law practice and his property interests. He was a member of DeWitt Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., and his life was in harmony with the principles of the craft which recognized the brotherhood of mankind. He recognized his duty to his fellow men and was charitable, generous and sympathetic. He contributed with free hand to the upbuilding of churches and schools and was a ready assistant to all measures which he believed would promote the welfare of his adopted county. In manner he was dignified and quiet, but his friendship was sincere and unchanging, and everywhere he was spoken of in terms of the highest respect and esteem. Fearless in conduct, honorable in action and stainless in reputation, the life of this man was a beneficent influence in DeWitt county, and his example is one well worthy of emulation.

Note: His full name was Clifton Haswell Moore.

Note: Ann Tindall researched the family of Clifton's wife, Elizabeth, and found that her father was Horace Richmond, not Hiram.

GEORGE W. MOORE. (Volume 1, Page 202)

George W. Moore, now deceased, was one of the leading men of Wilson township, Dewitt county, Illinois, and during his later days he resided on section thirty. He was born in Casey county, Kentucky, in February, 1820, and he was a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Cooley) Moore.

His education was received in the common schools of Kentucky, and although the advantages were few, he managed to secure a good foundation for it, to which he added during his life by reading. In 1830 he removed with his parents to Sangamon county, Illinois, but later moved back to Kentucky, and in 1843 was there married to Miss Matilda Porter, who was born in Casey county, Kentucky. She was a daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Grammer) Porter, both of whom were natives of Virginia, and who were married in their native state and moved to Kentucky, where they lived and died. Mr. Porter was a well-to-do farmer, and he and his wife were the parents of nine children, namely: Isaac; Samuel, deceased; John, deceased; Mrs. Moore; Jefferson, who died in infancy; Abigail, who resides in Casey county, Kentucky; Lucinda, who married James Mitchell and they reside in Washington county, Illinois; James; and Delia, deceased.

After marriage our subject remained in Kentucky for about two years, then returned to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he remained until he removed to Dewitt county just a few days prior to the assassination of President Lincoln. Mr. Moore settled upon eighty acres of land which was partly improved in Wilson township, and there he spent the remainder of his life. His days were peacefully spent in farming and he brought his land into a fine state of cultivation. The buildings upon the place he erected, and he took great pride in keeping the entire farm in excellent condition. The fences were all kept in good order; the hedges neatly trimmed, while his barn and buildings were never allowed to get out of repair. Not far from the house he planted a fine orchard, as well as some shade trees, and his widow, who resides upon this model farm, can see the result of his careful management on every side. Later, Mr. Moore added forty acres to his eighty acres and the farm now consists of one hundred and twenty acres. In addition, he also owned sixty-five acres of timber land in Wapella township, which he partly cleared. From this fine strip of timber land Mr. Moore hauled the last load of wood the President ever used and he was an intimate friend of Mr. Lincoln and never tired of relating entertaining incidents of the great man’s kindly life. No man was too humble for his notice, and in his sad death Mr. Moore always claimed the country received a blow from which it could never recover.

A brother of Mr. Moore married a Miss Sarah Foster, who was a daughter of Abner and Ellender (Moore) Foster, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Foster were married in Kentucky and lived there a few years, then removed to Kansas in the early fifties and there they died, he in 1887 at the age of sixty-five, and she in 1897 at the age of seventy-three years. To the brother of our subject and his wife were born the following family. Elvira married Thomas Highfield and they reside in Kansas. Ellen married Henry Hickman, and they have two children: Rosa Nellie, who married L. H. Longbrake, and they have one child, George Wilbur; and Katie. Mr. Longbrake rents the farm of Mrs. Moore, and they make their home together. Mary E. resides in Kansas. Margaret, John and Abner are deceased. Delia married William Goff, who resides in Kansas. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore, John Hamilton, but he died in childhood.

Mr. Moore was a Republican in politics, but would never accept public office, believing that he could serve his township better as a private citizen and also being absorbed in his duties pertaining to his farming life. Both he and his excellent wife early joined the Methodist church and he always took an active part in its work. The example of a good life well spent is great and no better heritage can be left than an untarnished name. Mr. Moore was a man whose whole life was without blemish. Hard-working and frugal he labored earnestly to provide for his beloved wife and leave her in comfortable circumstances. To his neighbors he was always a kind friend, and no one in need ever appealed to him in vain. His life was above reproach and he died as he had lived, a truly Christian man. In the township, among the church members, and more especially at his own fireside, is this good man missed, and his place can never be filled.

JOSEPH G. MOORE. (Volume 1, Page 452)

One of the largest cattle feeders in central Illinois is Joseph G. Moore, of Farmer City, Illinois, who was born near Concord, New Hampshire, October 6, 1838, and is a son of Jacob and Cynthia A. (Garrick) Moore, a grandson of Joseph Garrick. Jacob Moore, who was a farmer and stock dealer, went to Brown county, Ohio, in 1840, and to Pike county, Illinois, ten years later. He died at the age of eighty-five and his wife when she was about eighty years of age. They had five children, namely: Fanny B., Joseph G., Phoebe K., George H. and Albert H. In all his operations Jacob Moore was successful, as has been his son, our subject.

Joseph G. Moore went to McLean county, Illinois, in 1860 and engaged in farming wild land for some six years, doing this work with oxen. At this time wild game was to be found on every hand. Quite early in his business career Mr. Moore's attention was called to the great profit there was in dealing in cattle by a business transaction in which he was engaged, selling some fifty head which he had bought for five dollars each for thirty dollars a head after keeping them a year. The money he thus made he used in larger transactions and as his profits accumulated he invested in land, and he now owns over a thousand acres, the greater part of which he rents, just retaining a sufficient amount to make good pasturage for the number of cattle he annually feeds. Recently he located in Farmer City, where he owns and occupies a comfortable home, beautifully furnished and surrounded by well cultivated grounds.

Mr. Moore married Miss Sabina Ensminder, a daughter of Philip and Mariah (Myers) Ensminder, both of whom are now deceased, Mr. Ensminder dying when thirty-seven and his wife at the age of seventy-one. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore.

JAMES M. MORRISON. (Volume 1, Page 451)

Among those who have passed to the reward awaiting them none is more worthy of mention than James M. Morrison, of Clintonia township, DeWitt county, Illinois, who was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in 1833.  His father, a native of Ohio, was engaged in the mercantile business at Bellefontaine, but later came to Illinois and located in DeWitt county, where he died.

James M. Morrison received his education in the excellent schools of Ohio and came to Illinois with his parents, living with them in Clintonia township, DeWitt county, until he became a grown man.  When he was married he rented a farm for several years and then purchased the present homestead of eighty acres, which is very nicely kept up and has an excellent orchard and good shade trees, while the buildings and fences are in good condition.  This farm Mr. Morrison devoted to general farming and stock-raising, and he was very successful.

Mr. Morrison was married to Miss Margaret May, a native of Ross county, Ohio, and a daughter of David and Sarah (Hickey) May, both of whom were also natives of Ohio.  Mrs. Morrison lived in that state until she was fifteen years of age, when she came to DeWitt county with her parents and settled in Harp township.  Her education was received in Ohio.  To Mr. and Mrs. Morrison were born three children, namely: Cina married Charles Johnson and they make their home in Champaign, Illinois, where Mr. Johnson is engaged in the Illinois Central shops and they have had one son who died in infancy; Cyrus Henry, who died when eleven weeks old; Charles Elmer, who is farming on the old homestead, married Bertha Thorpe, of Harp township, a daughter of John Thorpe, one of the oldest settlers of DeWitt county, and they have one child, Carl Russell.

The death of Mr. Morrison occurred October 20, 1887, when he was fifty-four years of age.  After his death, until her son took charge of affairs, Mrs. Morrison conducted the farm herself very successfully.  Both she and her husband were earnest members of the Methodist church, in which Mr. Morrison was an officer for a number of years.  In his death the community lost a zealous, public-spirited man, a good neighbor and honorable citizen, while in his home he is mourned deeply and sincerely.  Although a strong Republican in politics and supporting the candidates of his party, Mr. Morrison never wished for office.

JAMES L. MORROW. (Volume 1, Page 208)

James L. Morrow is one of the early settlers and highly respected citizens of DeWitt county, residing on a fruit farm of forty acres on section 13, in Texas township. He was born in the village of LeRoy, McLean county, Illinois, on January 7, 1840, and remained there until he was about twelve years of age, when he moved with his parents to Bloomington, Illinois.

The parents of James L. Morrow were Leonard P. and Sarah E. (Williams) Morrow, the former of whom was a native of the state of Ohio, and came to Illinois about 1830, locating in McLean county. By trade he was a saddler, and he followed that occupation for many years in LeRoy, and later in Bloomington, where he also engaged in the manufacture of brick. Upon coming to DeWitt county, with Thomas Snell he engaged in the manufacture of brick, and one year later engaged in the business alone, following this interest in Texas township until about the time of his death, also doing some farming. His death occurred when he was about sixty-five years of age. Although a stanch Democrat, he had never accepted party publicity, although he was always interested in public affairs and ready to use his influence in the direction of improvements. His burial was in Rose cemetery, Creek township. His widow survived him some nine years and died at the home of our subject, at the age of seventy-two years. For about nine years she had been a helpless but patient invalid, and was the mother of nine children, five of the family still surviving.

James L. Morrow, of this sketch, obtained his education in the district schools of Texas township, and assisted his father both in his farming and in his brick-making operations until his death, and then took care of his loved mother, filling this filial duty with care and affection until her decease. He took charge of the home place and farmed it, and still resides there.

Mr. Morrow has planted his whole forty acres in fruit, and nearly all of his trees are in bearing condition and are yielding great returns. Like his father, he is a stanch Democrat, but has never sought office, although he consented to serve through one term as road commissioner. During that time he proved his capacity and inaugurated many needed reforms.

The marriage of Mr. Morrow was in 1861, in Clinton, Illinois, to Miss Amanda McGowen, who was a daughter of Ford McGowen, who was an early settler of DeWitt county. Mr. McGowen was a carpenter by trade and enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming lieutenant of Company E, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, doing a soldier's duty until the close of the struggle. His death occurred at his home at Princeton, Bureau county, where he had resided for a number of years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Morrow, viz.: Leonard, who resides in Texas township and assists his father in the fruit business, and who married Alice Evans, and they have one child, Cecil; and Philip, the other son, who did not live beyond infancy.

The second marriage of Mr. Morrow was to Miss Sarah Carlock, who was born in DeWitt county, and who was a daughter of George and Margaret (Mann) Carlock. The former was a native of DeWitt county and lived here all his life, engaged in farming, both in Creek and Texas townships, but his death occurred more than a quarter of a century ago, at the age of fifty-four years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Morrow, viz.: Lawrence B., who was born on April 4, 1871, at the home place, in Texas township, and he has lived at home all his life, obtaining his education in the district schools of the township. The youngest son, Frank, died at the age of two years.

Mr. Morrow has a vivid recollection of DeWitt county when it was all prairie and timber land. There were but few buildings, few roads, a very few school-houses, which also served as churches. The men who have changed all these conditions were tillers of the soil. DeWitt county is a testimonial to the energy, the tireless industry and the progressiveness of such men as our subject and his honored father, for they were long leaders in all that served to be of permanent benefit. Such are the men who truly represent this county.

Note from Kathy Ikeda: James Morrow's full name was James Leonard Morrow.  According to 1850, 1860 and 1870 census information, Leonard P. Morrow was a native of Tennessee, not Ohio.  James' first wife was Amanda McGowan, not McGowen, and according to their marriage license they were married on May 8, 1862, not 1861, in "Town of Texas," not Clinton.  The full name of James' father-in-law was Philip Ford McGowan, not McGowen.  P. F. McGowan served as a sergeant and 2nd lieutenant with Company C of the 41st Illinois Infantry Regiment, not as a lieutenant with Company E of the 20th.  James' daughter-in-law's full name was Iva Alice Evans, but she went by Alice.

LEVI R. MURPHEY. (Volume 1, Page 470)

Levi R. Murphey, cashier of the State Bank of Clinton, Illinois, is one of the enterprising business men of DeWitt county, and one who has won and retained the confidence of the entire community. He was born in Frederick county, Virginia, December 28, 1847, and is a son of Hiram Murphey, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Murphey was brought to Illinois by his parents in 1853 and was reared to farm life. He attended the public schools and the high school at Farmer City until he was twenty-two. He then left the farm and taught school in this county and Linn county, Kansas. At the death of his parents, he returned home and engaged in farming. He now owns a farm of two hundred and forty acres. Here he makes a specialty of raising high grade cattle and has been very successful at his work, both upon the farm and in commercial life.

In 1890 Mr. Murphey was elected sheriff of DeWitt county, which office he held to the entire satisfaction of everyone. In 1893 he was made cashier of the State Bank of Clinton, one of the sound financial institutions of the county. While he was discharging the duties of sheriff, Mr. Murphey and his family lived in Clinton, but in 1897 they returned to their beautiful home near Farmer City, and now live there surrounded by the comforts of both city and country life. He has served acceptably as township collector, road supervisor and school director, as well as justice of the peace and treasurer of the township. Mr. Murphey is also treasurer of the Farmer City Fair Association, of which he was one of the organizers.

Our subject was married to Miss Mary M., a daughter of James Bracken, late of Farmer City. Two children have been born of this union, namely: Albert F., who operates his father's farm, and Earl C., who assists his brother. Both are very energetic young men and excellent farmers.

Mr. Murphey is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 710, at Farmer City, and of the Knights of Pythias, No. 60. Both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist church, of which they are liberal supporters. Mr. Murphey is a man in whom supreme trust is placed for he is recognized to be a man of sterling honesty, strictest integrity and a high sense of honor.

WILLIAM W. MURPHEY. (Volume 1, Page 77)

Prominent among the energetic, enterprising and successful business men of Farmer City is William W. Murphey, president of the Weedman National Bank, which is one of the safest and most conservative moneyed institutions of the county.  It was established in 1871 by Thomas Brothers and John Weedman, with a capital of forty thousand dollars, and when Oscar Thomas died Mr. Weedman purchased the other brother’s interest and carried on the business alone, with J. B. Lewis as cashier and teller and W. K. Star as bookkeeper.  On the 30th of November, 1885, it was reorganized as the Weedman National Bank, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, the officers being Mathias Crum, president; V. S. Lindsley, vice-president; and C. M. C. Weedman, cashier.  The bank building, which was a wooden structure, was destroyed by fire August 3, 1894, but immediately a handsome brick building was erected on the same site, into which the company moved January 1, 1895.   It is modern in its appointments throughout, and has the best of deposit vaults.  In January, 1897, Mr. Murphey was made president of the bank and has since filled that office.   In January, 1893, C. M. C. Weedman was succeeded by G. M. Kincaid as cashier, the latter having entered the employ of the company as clerk in 1886 and gradually worked his way upward to cashier, which position he still fills in a most satisfactory manner.  The capital stock was increased to seventy-five thousand dollars in 1890, and there is now a surplus of twenty-five thousand.  Mr. Murphey is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to this concern a high degree of success.  The safe, conservative policy which he follows commends itself to the judgment of all, and has secured a patronage which makes the volume of business transacted over its counters of great importance and magnitude.

Mr. Murphey was born in Frederick county, Virginia, October 15, 1838, a son of Hiram and Grace F. (Mitchell) Murphey, who were also natives of the Old Dominion.  The father followed the saddler’s trade for many years at Winchester and on leaving there in 1844 removed to Sheets Mills, Virginia, whence he came with his family to DeWitt county, Illinois, in 1852, locating in Santa Anna township, where he became a land owner and successful farmer.  He died August 20, 1881, at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife passed away December 17, 1880, at the age of seventy-three years.  Both were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  In their family were the following children: Thomas E. and Deborah, both deceased; Mary E., widow of Alex Holmes; William W., our subject; Robert A. and John P., deceased; Frances M., widow of George Page; Levi R.; and Isaac, who is also deceased.

In 1843, our subject went to live with his uncle, John Smith, one of the honored pioneers of this county.  He was born in Hardy county, Virginia, February 27, 1805, and in 1835 came to DeWitt county, Illinois, and took up his residence in Mt. Pleasant, now Farmer City, opening the first hotel in the place and serving as its first postmaster, the office first being called Santa Anna.  The office was then located on the corner of South Main street and Clinton avenue, where the marble works now stand.  Mr. Smith subsequently followed farming and became the owner of a large amount of land in this county.  He married Miss Mary D. Mitchell, one of the first school teachers in this locality.  As they had no children of their own they adopted our subject and were to him most indulgent parents.  No mother ever loved a child more fondly than Mrs. Smith loved him or was willing to sacrifice more for his happiness.  She died July 31, 1878, aged seventy- seven years, and Mr. Smith died on the 8th of June, the same year, aged seventy-three years.  They were most estimable people and Mrs. Smith was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Smith gave liberally to its support.

Mr Murphey was educated in the public schools of this county, and the Normal School at Normal, Illinois, and later engaged in teaching school for three terms.  His first purchase of land consisted of eighty acres known as the Burford farm, now owned by Mr. Brucken, and he subsequently traded that property for the Bracken farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he yet owns and which he has greatly improved by tiling it and erecting an entire new set of farm buildings.  Upon this place he makes his home and is successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising in connection with his banking interests.

In McLean county, Illinois, October 5, 1865, Mr. Murphey married Miss Nancy Helen Burford, a daughter of Cary and Anna (Shields) Burford.  Her father was a retired farmer of Farmer City.  By this union were born five children, namely: Edwin C., a prominent jeweler and esteemed citizen of Farmer City, who died in 1898 at the age of thirty years; Grace A., who is the wife of Benjamin Overstreet and has three children, Walter, Albert and Pearl; Mary Viola is the wife of Fred Swaney and has two children, Merval and Pearl; and Blanche E., and Wayne W., both at home.

On the inauguration of the Civil war Mr. Murphey enlisted in July, 1861, in Company F, Forty- first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and for gallant service was promoted to the rank of sergeant.   He was twice wounded, first in the left arm at Fort Donelson, and later in the right hip during the siege of Jackson, Mississippi.  These honorable scars he will carry with him to his grave.  He is now a prominent member and past commander of Lemon Post, No. 211, G. A. R. at Farmer City, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also of Farmer City, and is trustee of the Methodist church, to which he belongs.  Politically he is a stanch Republican, and is as true to his duties of citizenship in days of peace as when he fought for the old flag and the cause it represented.

REV. WILLIAM M. MURRAY. (Volume 1, Page 476)

Rev. William M. Murray is the present pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at DeWitt, Illinois, but makes his home in Beason, Logan county, where he is successfully engaged in business as a dealer in buggies, farm implements, etc. He was born on the 1st of June, 1844, in Bond county, Illinois, and is a son of William and Amanda J. (Harris) Murray, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky. The mother died in Illinois. Our subject's grandfather, Morgan Murray, made his home in the Old Dominion, where he died on his return from the Revolutionary war from wounds received in the service.

Mr. Murray, of this review, acquired but a limited education in the schools of Bond and Fayette counties as he was obliged to help in the support of the family during his early life. On reaching manhood he engaged in the stock business and took contracts for getting out railroad ties, being thus employed until he was ordained a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church by the Rev. M. A. Marlow, of Fairfield, Illinois, September 27, 1875. Immediately thereafter he was installed as pastor of the church of Fairfield, where he remained in charge of the congregation for twelve years. Subsequently he filled one or two minor positions, and in 1889 was called to the church at Owensville, Indiana, where he was pastor until May 1897. As a preacher he has been very successful, being a man of pleasing presence and commanding ways, as well as a good orator, and his loss to the congregation at Owensville has been greatly regretted. He came to Beason to accept the pastorate of a much larger congregation, where he believed he could do more good. Here he continued as pastor until April 1, 1901, when he resigned. He has been identified with the DeWitt church since the 2nd of May, 1901. The congregation numbers two hundred and fifty families, and here Mr. Murray has done an excellent work.

On November 30, 1865, Mr. Murray married Anna Green, a daughter of Edmond Green, of Tennessee, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom six survive, namely: Maggie L.; Roy W., who married Miss L. Keys, daughter of J. J. Keys, deceased; Florence; Loretta; Anna; and Carrie. The children have been reared in the Cumberland Presbyterian belief, and are a family of which any parents might well be proud.

Fraternally Mr. Murray is a Royal Arch Mason, and is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Grand Army of the Republic. During the Civil war he was one of the defenders of the old flag and the cause it represented, being a member of Company D, Ninety-eighth Illinois Mounted Infantry, under command of Captain Flood, and served with distinction until hostilities ceased, being honorably discharged September 18, 1865. He enlisted in March, 1864. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He has been a delegate to the general assembly of his church, four different times, and since entering the ministry has given most of his time to his pastoral duties. In the pulpit he is especially gifted on account of his oratorical ability and his pleasing delivery. His discourses are scholarly and effective in their appeals to follow the Master, and he is held in high esteem not only by the people of his own congregation, but by the residents of DeWitt and Beason generally.

SAMUEL MYERS. (Volume 1, Page 139)

Among the highly respected and influential citizens of Clintonia township, DeWitt county, Illinois, is Samuel Myers, who was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, on November 9, 1831, and he is the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Zigler) Myers, both of whom were natives of Adams county, Pennsylvania, and of German descent, who were married in Adams county, Pennsylvania.   The father was a hatter by trade and in 1833 or 1834 he went to Ashland county, Ohio, where he started a hat shop and conducted it for about six or eight years.  After this he engaged in farming and continued farming the remainder of his life.  To Andrew Myers and wife were born eleven children, of whom five are now living, namely; Samuel; Henry, who lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, engaged in the stock business; O. K., died in California and he is buried in Texas township; Beckey married James Nelson, and they live in DeWitt; William, who lives in Nebraska and is a farmer and grocer.  Both parents are now deceased.  The father is buried in Texas township and the mother is buried in Maroa, Macon county.

The little education Samuel received was given him in a three months’ course at a subscription school where the price of admission was one dollar a month.  He learned the hatter’s trade in two years in his father’s shop, and then although only sixteen he entered into an agreement for two years at a salary of twenty-five dollars a year and board, to learn the shoemaker’s trade.  So well was he pleased at the treatment he received that when the two years expired, he remained with the same employer for four years more, and in 1855 came to DeWitt county where he herded cattle the first summer which he had brought with him from Ohio.  In the fall of that year he opened a shop in the village of DeWitt and worked at his trade for about eight years, then sold out and purchased a farm in Creek township of eighty acres in 1863.  This land had been broken and it had a small house on it fourteen by sixteen feet and the farm was located in section 20.  To this eighty acres he later added forty more in the same section.  He also owns eighty acres in section 35, seventy acres in section 8, he owning in all two hundred and seventy acres all well improved and worked by his sons at the present time.  After obtaining his first farm, Mr. Myers began farming and he continued to operate his land until July 1, 1900, when he purchased three lots joining the city limits of Clinton and here built a comfortable house where he now resides, enjoying the good things of life his industry has secured.

Mr. Myers was married June 9, 1861, at DeWitt to Miss Elizabeth P. Torbett, a native of Madison county, Ohio, and she is a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Torbett, and they were natives of Delaware.  These parents had seven children, of whom Mrs. Myers was the youngest.

Mr. and Mrs. Myers have had eleven children, viz.: Jane, who married John Ferrell and they live in Iowa, and he was a soldier in an Ohio regiment, and they have six children; Sherman is a carpenter by trade and lives in Kansas City and married Anna Robinson; Ida, who married John Stone and they live in Iowa and have four children; Joseph Grant, who lives in Creek township and he married Dora Bird and they have two children; Lucy, who married John McIlvenna, and they live in Creek township and have three children; Emma, who married Harry Shields and they live in Macon county and have three children; William, who conducts a grocery store and is postmaster at Lane Station, Creek township, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Charles married Mable Haitsachs and they have one child, and they live in Creek township; Myrtle, a twin to Charles, lives with the father; May, who died June 9, 1876; Lewis, who died August 27, 1879.

Mr. Myers is an enthusiastic member of the Order of Odd Fellows and takes an active part in all matters pertaining to that lodge.  He is a stanch Republican and served as assessor for two years of DeWitt township.  He has also been road supervisor in Creek township and is school director of the same township.  Mrs. Myers is a member of the United Brethren church.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Myers are highly esteemed in the community in which they reside and their pride in their stalwart sons and comely daughters, as well as interesting grandchildren, is worthy of notice and no more beautiful picture could be imagined than these two good people surrounded by the children they have reared by their own hard work and trained by good example to noble manhood and womanhood.

WILLIAM H. MYERS. (Volume 1, Page 134)

One of the leading merchants and the popular and efficient postmaster of Lane, Illinois, is W. H. Myers, who was born in DeWitt county, Illinois, on February 4, 1876, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Torbert) Myers.

The origin of the Myers family was in Germany, but for many generations it has been a leading one in the state of Pennsylvania, and in Adams county, in that state, on November 9, 1831, Samuel Myers, who is the father of our subject, was born.  He was a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Zigler) Myers, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.  Andrew Myers was a hatter by trade and carried on this business in East Berlin, Pennsylvania, for a number of years.  He moved later to DeWitt county, Illinois, and died there at the age of sixty-eight years, his wife surviving him for twenty years.  Eleven children were born to them and Samuel was the second in order of birth.

Previous to their settlement in Illinois, the parents of Samuel Myers lived for a time in Richland county, Ohio, and there the latter attended school and there learned and worked at the shoemaker’s trade.  In 1857 he came to DeWitt county and established a shoemaking business, giving employment to four assistants and continued at the trade until 1863, when he bought a farm in Creek township.  For many years he devoted his attention to farming and stock raising, accumulating in the meantime a valuable farm of two hundred and sixty acres.  On June 9, 1861, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Elizabeth P. Torbett, who was born in Madison county, Ohio, and who was a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Torbett, who were natives of Delaware.  Eleven children were born to this marriage, and our subject, William H. Myers is the eighth in order of birth.  In politics Samuel Myers has always been a Republican, but has attended too closely to his business to find time to seek for office.

The family to which William H. Myers belongs is one well and favorably known in many states.  Nine of the eleven children still survive, these being, aside from himself; Jane, who is the wife of John Farrell, a resident of Hamilton county, Iowa; Sherman, who resides in Kansas City, Missouri; Lucy, who is the wife of John McIlvenna, a resident of Creek township; Ida, who is the wife of John Stone, of Hamilton county, Iowa; Grant, who is a resident of Creek township; Emma, who is the wife of Harry Shields, of Macon county, Illinois; William H., who is our subject; and Myrtle and Charles, twins, the former residing at home, the latter living with his family in Creek township.

William H. Myers received his education in the common schools of DeWitt county, and at the age of twenty-one years began farming, in which occupation he continued for three years.   Then he purchased the mercantile business of J. R. Pennington, who was a leading merchant at Lane, Illinois, and has since that time been engaged in this line.  All his life he has been an ardent Republican, although not an office-seeker, his appointment being an honor conferred upon him by President McKinley on February 16, 1901, when he was made postmaster at Lane.

Socially Mr. Myers is connected with Gilmore Lodge, No. 455, K. of P., in which order he is vice-chancellor; and also is a member of Lane Camp, No. 1728, of the order of M. W. A.  He is one of the energetic and progressive young men of this locality, and is regarded as a truly representative citizen.

AARON NAGELY. (Volume 1, Page 358)

Aaron Nagely, one of Clinton's oldest and most honored citizens, was born in Clark county, Ohio, on the 26th of March, 1817, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Gregg) Nagely, and grandson of George and Sarah (Phares) Nagely. The grandfather, who was a farmer by occupation, was born in Randolph county, Virginia, and about 1819 removed to Ohio, where he became a large land owner, giving four of his sons one hundred acres. The other children he helped by giving them money. Both he and his wife died when about seventy years of age. Their children were Christina, John, Henry, George, Eli, Jacob, David, Sampson, Paulser, Margaret and Zebedee. Our subject's maternal grandparents were William and Margaret (Dunkle) Gregg, who also lived to old age. They were natives of Pendleton county, West Virginia, the former of Irish descent and the latter of German origin. In their family were the following children: William, Elizabeth, Annie, George, Margaret, Mary, Reuben and Zebedee. The father of our subject served in the state militia during the war of 1812, and made farming and stock-raising his life occupation, owning and operating three hundred acres of land in Madison county, Ohio. In the spring of 1850 he started for California, and died there the same year, at the age of sixty-four. His wife died at the age of sixty-nine years. They had six children, namely: Mary, Ichabod, Christiana, Aaron, William and Robert.

Aaron Nagely spent his early life in his native state, and in 1849 came to Illinois, locating in Clinton. His first home here was the old court-house which is now the property of Mrs. Lowery. For some time he was quite extensively engaged in stock-dealing, and as there were no railroads here at that time, he drove his stock to market, selling his hogs mainly in Pekin and his cattle in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. At that time it took three months to make the round trip. At one time he had one thousand hogs in one drove. From 1852 until 1857 he was engaged in merchandising with A. R. Phares, hauling the lumber for his store from Indiana and erecting a building where the National Bank now stands. Later Mr. Nagely turned his attention to brick manufacturing for a short time, and during President Lincoln's administration served as postmaster of Clinton, the office then being located on the present site of Mr. Nichlis' store. On his retirement from office he resumed stock-dealing, to which he devoted his time and energies until he laid aside business cares in 1895, and has since lived a retired life.

Mr. Nagely married Miss Eliza Adams, of Clark county, Ohio, a daughter of the Rev. Eli and Elizabeth Adams. She was born in 1820 and died in 1897. By this union were born the following children: (1) Elizabeth married W. M. Phares and they have five children, Oscar, Edgar, Emma, Eliza and William. (2) Cyrus died in infancy. (3) Mary Elizabeth is the wife of A. Johnson, and their children are Charles, Clarkus, Cadius, Clay, Clarence, Clara, Clinton, Permelia and Eason. They also lost one, Emma. (4) William G. is a resident of Denver, Colorado. (5) Amanda Malissa is deceased. (6) Permelia is the wife of Thomas Bossler, of Los Angeles, California, and they have two children, Eliza and Ray. (7) Jennie is the wife of Thomas Hull, of Clinton. (8) DeWitt Clinton is also a resident of Clinton. (9) Charlie married Miss Ella Robins, of DeWitt, Illinois, and they have two children, Helen and Louise.

The Republican party finds in Mr. Nagely a stanch supporter of its principles, and he served as enrolling officer during the war of the Rebellion. For fourteen years he filled the office of township and city assessor. In 1844 he was made a Mason, and in 1850 helped organize the first lodge in Clinton, No. 84, A. F. & A. M., in which he served as the first junior warden. He and his wife were also among the first members of the Eastern Star chapter. Since 1854 he has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been a member of the Universalist church for four years. In the interests of his business he traveled all over the county on horseback in early days, and has probably traveled more miles in that way than any man in the county. Although now eighty-four years of age, he is still active and energetic and possesses a wonderful memory. He is widely known and universally respected, having a large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout this section of the state.

PARLEY P. NELSON. (Volume 1, Page 433)

One of the prosperous and progressive farmers of Creek township is Parley Pratt Nelson, who was born in Washington county, Illinois, December 4, 1850, a son of Thomas and Lucretia (Mauzy) Nelson. The father was a native of Tennessee and the mother was born in St. Louis, of French descent. The paternal grandfather served in the war of the Revolution.

The father came to Illinois in 1813, when but a boy, with his parents, and located in Creek township, DeWitt county, in 1865, at the close of the Civil war. Here he purchased four hundred acres of land on the high ground, and fenced it and erected two cabins thereon. Later he removed to Mason county, where he died in 1888. His wife died when about eighty-three, and both are buried in Mason county. In politics the father was a Democrat, but never sought for office. Both parents of our subject were consistent members of the Methodist church and took an active part in church work.

To them were born the following children: William G., who lives in Kansas and was first lieutenant in Company H, Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Thomas Lafayette, a business man of Nashville, Tennessee; Augusta, who married Moses Cox, of Kansas; John, who lives in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and was captain of Company H, Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war; Robert, deceased, who was orderly sergeant in the same company and now resides in Denver, Colorado [sic]; James, who resides in DeWitt county, Illinois, and was in Company G, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Mary, who married a Mr. Sales and resides in Lincoln, Nebraska; Benedict, who lives in Fort Dodge, Iowa; Caroline, who married a Mr. East and is now deceased; and our subject.

Until he was about twenty years of age our subject went to school and worked upon the homestead, and then began farming for himself. He now has one of the best farms in the county, upon which he has made all the improvements, erecting the comfortable house, the commodious barn and numerous buildings, setting out the orchard and putting up fences. Upon this property he carries on general farming and stock-raising, owning one hundred and twenty acres of fine land.

On March 26, 1872, he married Miss Susie M. Cloud, a native of this county and a daughter of Daniel Cloud. The mother died when Mrs. Nelson was born, and her father, who was a native of Ohio, came to Illinois at a very early date. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were born four children, namely: Samuel, who died at the age of three years; Effie Etta, who lives at home; and two children who died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Nelson is a Republican, and supports the candidates of his party, although he never has been an office-seeker. He is a man who finds his greatest enjoyment in the companionship of his family and friends, and enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire community.

SAMUEL E. NEWELL. (Volume 1, Page 455)

Among the successful farmers of Clinton township is Samuel E. Newell, who was born September 21, 1849, in Hancock, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Rough) Newell, both of whom died when our subject was a small child. The father came to Piatt county, Illinois, in 1852, and took up land, which he farmed, and also conducted a saw-mill until his death, being a millwright by trade. Ten children were born to the parents of our subject, as follows: William, James, Thomas, and Joseph, all deceased; John, who is in Montana; Caroline, who married Jacob Burgit, and they reside in Missouri; George, deceased; Samuel E., our subject; Almeda, who married Benjamin Grady; and Frank, who resides in Kansas.

Our subject was married [sic] in Piatt and DeWitt counties and also attended a subscription school kept in his own home by a maiden lady, to whom six children were sent. His father dying when he was but a child, he soon had to care for himself, and from 1869 until 1871 he worked upon the farms of the neighborhood. In 1871 he was employed by the Illinois Central Railroad in the neighborhood of Decatur for about a year.

On March 4, 1873, Mr. Newell was married to Miss Cina May, a sketch of whose parents appears elsewhere in this work. After his marriage he rented a farm and in 1883 purchased eighty acres, which forms part of his present excellent farm. To this he added from time to time and it is now all under cultivation. He also has one hundred and sixty acres in Nebraska.

To himself and wife have been born four children, namely: An infant who died in infancy; Ira, who married Miss Anna Powell, a native of this county, and resides near Clinton; and Alla and Leila, both at home. Mr. Newell is a Republican but has never been willing to accept the nomination for office. His wife is an active member of the Methodist church and the entire family is highly respected and esteemed in DeWitt county.

AURELIUS E. NEWMAN. (Volume 1, Page 184)

An interesting and eventful life was that of Aurelius E. Newman, successful farmer, extensive traveler, large land owner, and honored citizen, who came to an untimely death May 6, 1893, in DeWitt county, through the accident of runaway horses. In apparently good health and spirits he left his home in the early morning, his destination being the home of his son-in-law, Elza Craig, about a mile distant, where he intended to get a stalk rake. The wagon struck a stump, throwing him forward on the double trees, and causing the horses to run. It is thought that he was dragged at least forty rods by the frightened horses, who stopped only when one of them fell to the ground, and it was then discovered that Mr. Newman's neck had been broken, and that a wound seven inches long had been made in the side of his head. His long and useful and well-directed life was then recalled amid scenes of greatest sorrow, and the sympathies of the whole county were enlisted for the family to whom his taking off meant loneliness and bitter grief.

Of supposed remote Irish ancestry, Mr. Newman was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, October 1, 1827, and his life spanned sixty-five years, seven months and five days. His parents, Joseph and Frances (Woodard) Newman, were born, reared and married in North Carolina, and in their native state their last years were spent. The father was a farmer and wagonmaker, and it is said of him that he was an expert in his line, and able to make a complete wagon from rough hewn timber. In the parental family were ten sons and daughters, Aurelius being fifth in order of birth. He was reared in his native state and acquired the education of the public schools, remaining on the home farm until 1847, when he faced the responsibilities of self-support with courage and determination. Making his way to Illinois he worked on the farms of Butler county for sixty-two and a half cents a day, and owing to the meagerness of his recompense suffered at times actual deprivation. In 1848 he went down the Mississippi river with a boat load of ice to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, returning afterward to La Salle county, Illinois, where he worked by the month until the spring of 1850. He then started out to cross the plains to California with an ox team, his way being through Salt Lake City to the American river, where he staked out a claim and engaged in mining for a few days. Later he brought up in Eldorado county, California, then to Sacramento, finally arriving at a place called Downey, on the Yuba river, where he prosecuted his search for gold until 1852. The same year he returned east via Panama, and then took passage from Greytown to New Orleans, from where he continued his journey to Charleston, and thence to Rocky Mound, Virginia. Crossing over into North Carolina, he remained for a short time, and before many weeks was back in La Salle county, Illinois.

In 1853 Mr. Newman came to DeWitt county, where he worked by the month for a year, and then bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section thirty-one, Tunbridge township, which he proceeded to improve, and where he lived for many years. In 1865 he bought forty acres in Texas township, upon which he moved his family, and later added a large acreage to this property. This farm was disposed of a couple of years before his death, and he then bought the land now occupied by his wife and children. A man of good judgment and financial ability, he was the soul of industry, as evinced by the fact that solely by his own unaided efforts he accumulated property valued at $40,000. His first land in La Salle county cost him one dollar per acre, and the deed for the same he received the day he became of age.

In 1856 Mr. Newman married Samantha Troxell, a native of DeWitt county, Illinois, and a daughter of Frederick and Jane (Cox) Troxell, who came to DeWitt county in the early days, being among the pioneers. He died in Kansas, while his wife died in DeWitt county. Of this union there was born seven children, four of whom are now living: Albert died at the age of six years; Oliver died when two years of age; Ada is now Mrs. Elza Craig, living on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Texas township, and has one child, Frances; Eldridge lives on the home place with his mother, and has held the office of school treasurer; Luann is the wife of John Davis, of Texas township, and has a daughter, Louise; and Frances is the wife of Benjamin Spicer, a farmer of Tunbridge township. Mr. Newman was a member of the Christian church, and during his entire life lived up to the tenets of the noblest and broadest Christianity.