USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 61
USA > Illinois > Moultrie County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 61
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In 1850 Dr. L. S.Spore built a storehouse just west of the present business house of Andrew Foster on State Street. It was afterwards moved farther east, and is now occupied by Thomas E. Whitney for a furniture room. The first blacksmithing done in the village was by William Spidell; and in the summer of 1851, John Patterson conducted a wagon and general repairing shop in the western part of the village. In the fall of 1851, Stephen Cannon built the second store-house, and put in a general stock of merchandise. This stood on the north-east corner of School and State streets The third store was built by E. Wingate and conducted by Gregory and Foster. The building is now occupied by M. T. Shepherd as a bank. Several residences were later built, that is, up to 1860. But it was not until the railroads were constructed, that it took a decided impetus, since which, and to present writing will be duly noticed at the close of the chapter.
The first school-house erected in the town was about 1854. It was a frame building 24×40 feet, and cost $1300 50. It occupied the site where the present new one now stands ; it was subsequently sold and moved near the Illinois Midland depot, where it is now used for a grain office. The present neat building was erected under the directorship of Stephen Cannon, E. Bridwell, and Wil- liam C. Dawson at a cost of over $5,000. It contains four rooms, and is two stories in height, with belfry and every other convenience of a well regulated house for a graded school. The M. E. Church was the first built in the village It is a neat frame structure, with spire and bell. It was erected in 1857, at a cost of $2200. The Christian Church was the second church building erected, and cost $3,000. It is a frame house 16 x54feet with a tasty belfry, etc. Much honor is due to the following who were trustees, for their aid in its construction ; Noalı Hostetler, Willian Rhode-, and Elijah Wingate. The Seventh Day Advent Church was built in 1873. It is a frame building about 30x40 feet in size, and cost, including grounds, $700.
Lovington Cemetery .- This is situated one and a half miles south of the village, and was first owned and under the control of A. H. Kellar for a private burial-ground. The first person interred here was William, the son of Samuel Montgomery, in the summer of 1837. It remained a long time a private place of burial, but no one was ever refused the privilege of burying their dead here. In the spring of 1880, through the efforts of Geo. Heatherington and some others, three acres of land were added to it, and it became township pro-
perty, with Geo. Heatherington, John Dixon and H. Y. Kellar as trustees, and to be called the Lovington Cemetery.
Incorporation .- The village of Lovington was incorporated in April, 1873 The first election of officers was held June 19, of the same year. The following officers were elected : William Weakley, president; James Foster, W. M. Earp, Z. T. Banks, H. M. Minor and J. N. Bishop, trustees ; T. H. McCord, clerk. The present board are: W. C. Dawson, president ; Samuel Morthland, Frank Landers, John Gibeson, Wm. McMullen and Joseph Michaels, trustees ; L. H. Pollard, treasurer; H. M. Minor, city atty., and J. H. Grove, clerk. The following have been post-masters since Andrew Love, the first appointee: John Love, James Kellar, Elijah Wingate, Stephen Cannon, Mr. Lininger, Geo. Baker, Moses Thayer, C. M. Hamilton and others. W. C. Foster is the present incumbent, and has held the position several years, with credit to himself and pleasure to the people.
PRESENT BUSINESS.
Lovington Steam Flouring Mill -This mill was erected by S. H. Morrell, in 1868, at a cost of about $7,000. It contains two run of burrs, and a capacity of two hundred bushels per twelve hours, and is considered one of the best mills in the county.
Banks .- Merchants' and Farmers' Bank was established in 1872, . by S. H. Morrell, who is the proprietor, and does an immense business. Z. T. Banks is the cashier, who has the entire confidence, of the people. The Time Deposit Bank, was established as early as 1868, when a few years afterwards the name was changed to the Home and Time Deposit Bank, which name it still retains. M. T. Shepherd is the proprietor, and an excellent business man.
The Weekly Enterprise was established November 26, 1879, by Biddlecome & Priest, and is now owned and edited by Biddlecome & Tobey. It is a five column quarto of eight pages. It is neatly executed and ably edited. The Lovington Index was established in 1875, and was the first paper in the township, but only existed a few years.
General Merchandise .- Andrew Foster, F. & J. Landers ; Dick- son & Co., and E. Wingate.
Dry Goods .- Nathan Cheever.
Drugs .- A. R. Pifer, A. F. Thayer, and Hostetler & Bros.
Hardware, etc .- W. E. Horne & Co, McAnnally, Pollard & Co.
Groceries .- L. H. Pollard & Co., and L. G. Brown.
Restaurants .- J. H. Michaels, B. M. Hull, James Daley, and Clark & Bros.
Bakery .- J. M. Songer.
Shoe Shops .- T. H. Curtis, J. S. Parrett, C. S. Hawley.
Millinery -Miss Emma Bensley, Mrs. A. G Foster. Agricultural Implements .- C. M. Ewing, W. E. Horne & Co.
Grain Dealers .- A. D. Rebok, Wm. McMullen, McAnnally, Pol- lard & Co.
Harness Shops. - J. H Gibeson, John Fellible.
Livery Stables .- S. W. Morthland and Dawson Bros.
Furniture .- Thos. E. Whitney.
Meat Markets .- Dawson & Alsmon, Samuel Strickler.
Wagon and Blacksmith Shops .- F. Tally, J. D. Shirey, and T. E. Whitney.
Lumber .- McAnnally, Pollard & Co.
Physicians and Surgeons .- N. D. Cone, S. S. Wallace, M. J. An- derson, T. R. O'Dell, Levi Hostetler.
Dentist .- S. Trobridge. Jewelry .- Spelbring & Pifer. Music Store -J. H. Grove.
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Barbers .- L. Reithmiller, C. W. Hume.
· Undertaker .- W. P. Rittenhouse.
Photograph Gallery .- W. C. Pitner.
Hotels .- Benson House, Mrs. M. E. Benson, Proprietor ; Hamil- ton House, C. M. Hamilton, Proprietor ; Gregory House, C. E. Foster, Proprietor; Lovington Hotel, E. Wingate, Proprietor.
Insurance Agents .- W. C. Foster, H. M. Minor, W. G. Cochran, Isaac Landers.
Sewing Machine Agents .- F. & J. Landers, Spelbring & Pifer, J. H. Grove.
Lovington Cornet Band was organized September 26th, 1877; it has 13 members, and is led by Walter Benson.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Lovington Lodge, No. 228, A. F. & A. M. This lodge was estab- lished November 5th, 1856, and received its charter October 7th, 1857. The first officers were, Wm. B. Porter, W. M .; John Brad- ley, S. W .; James M. Williams, J. W .; Henry C. Shepherd, Sec- retary ; Alfred Thayer, Treasurer ; Wm. B. Peniwell, S. D. ; James Escridge. J. D ; James Bennett, Ty. The present officers are, W. G. Cochran, W. M .; T F. Reynolds, S W .; B. Cheever, J. W .; C. M. L. Hostetler, Secretary ; W. J. Anderson, Treasurer ; Fran- cis Tally, S. D .; C. M Hamilton, J D .; T. W. D. McCravy, Ty. The lodge is in a good financial condition.
Lovington Chapter, R. A. M., No. 171, was established June 1st, 1875, and chartered October 28th, 1875. The first officers were, W. G. Cochran, H. P .; Joel Freeman, King ; D. C. Chase, Scribe ; Geo. Harris, Capt Host ; J. A. Gregory, P. S .; T. N. Funston, R. A. C .; C. L. Nichols, Treasurer ; B. Cheever, Secretary ; J. W. Perett, G. M. 3d Vail ; C. M. Milligan, G. M. 2d V .; T. F. Rey- nolds, G. M. 1st V .; A. K. Campbell, Ty ; M. J. Anderson, Chap- lain. The present officers are, W. G. Cochran, H. P .; D. C. Chase, Scribe ; Francis Tally, C. H .; J A Gregory, P. S .; B. Cheever, R A. C ; J. W. Perett, G. M. 1st V .; T. N. Funston, G. M. 2d V .; F. Landers, G. M. 3d V .; O. T. Atchison, Treasurer ; T. A. Collett, Secretary ; T. F. Reynolds, Ty. This chapter is in a flour- ishing condition.
Lovington Lodge, No. 593, I. O. O. F., was chartered October 14th, 1875. The charter members were as follows : W. W. Wil- kins, N. G .; Lewis Reithmiller, V. G. ; J. N. Bishop, Recording 29
Secretary ; Daniel Funk, Treasurer ; Joseph Speers, Permanent Secretary. The present officers are, J. D. Shirey, N. G. ; John Landers, V. G .; Thomas Curtis, Recording Secretary ; A. G. Fos- ter, Permanent Secretary ; J. H. Grove, Treasurer. The lodge is in good working order.
Mizpah Lodge, No. 185, I. O. M A., was organized the 21st of September, 1878, and chartered on the 18th of November, 1878, with the following officers : Z. T. Banks, W. P. P. ; M. R. David- son, W. P .; C M. L. Hostetler, W. V. P .; Geo. H. Wingate, W. R. S .; F. L. Hostetler, W. F. S .; S. S. Wallace, W. T .; J. H. Dawson, C. M. L. Hostetler, and W. A. Mckinney, Trustees. The appointed officers were W. A. Mckinney, W. Chaplain; C. A. Hostetler, W. C. ; J. H. Dawson, W. I. G., and M. L Wheeler, W. O. G. The present officers are, L H. Pollard, P .; J. G. Dawson, V. P .; F. L. Hostetler, F. S .; C. M. L Hostetler, T .; W. G. Cochran, Chaplain ; C. A. Hostetler, C ; and Jno. A. Giveson, G. Several substantial charities have been dispensed by this society.
Empire Lodge, No. 252, I. O. G. T., was organized March 27th, 1880. The following are the names of the first officers: H. Y. Kellar, W. C. T .; Mrs. H. Y. Kellar, W. V. T .: Isaac Landers, W. S .; Etta Dixon, W. A. S. ; C. P. Yates, W. M .; M. L. Par- geon, D. M. ; Frank Tally, W. F S .; Allen Colore, W. T .; E. Bridwell, W. C .; T. W. D. McCravy, P. W. C .; Annie Stickle, R. H. S. ; Lida Morrow ; L. H. S. ; Charles McCravy, W. S., and Hattie Hostetler, W I. G. The present officers are, J. W. Fun- ston, W. C. T .; Mrs. H. Y. Kellar, W. V. T. ; Etta Dixon, W. S .; H. Y. Kellar, A. S .; J. W. Dawson, W. M .; Laura Bensley, D. M .; C. P. Yates, W. F. S .; J. Clore, W. T .; E. Bridwell, W. C .; Isaac Landers, P. W. C .; Lida Morrow, W. I. G .; Chas. Whit- ford, W. S ; Emma Bensley, R. H. S .; Hattie Gordy, L. H. S .; J. W. Dawson, M .; J. A. Waggoner and Joseph Jerrel, Trustees. Much good has been done by this order .*
We have thus given a brief history of one of the richest and most populous townships of Moultrie. Its population according to the census of 1880, was 2,003, and stands second on the list in the county. With its rich soil, thrifty fariners, energetic business men, and railroad facilities, it stands fair to cope with the best in Central Illinois.
* For the data of the various lodges we are indebted to the secretaries of the same.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
A.M. Mmor
THE subject of this sketch is descended from the Puritan fathers. His forefathers settled on the line between the states of Virginia and North Carolina, where Edward Minor, the father of Henry M. was born. He was left an orphan at ten years of age. He left his native state, when he was yet in his minority, and traveled through the southern states, finally settling in Oldham county, Ky., where he remained until the fall of 1843, when he came to Moultrie county, Illinois, where he had entered eighty acres of land some time before. In the fall of 1866, he removed to Ottawa, Kan., then to southern Kansas, and died October 16th, 1870, in Boonville, Mo., while on his way back to Illinois. He married Ester Brown, a native of Oldham county, Ky. She was born in 1818, and died October 28th, 1846. Mr. Minor, after the death of his first wife, married Lu- cinda Warren, a native of Tennessee. She died in November, 1870.
By the latter marriage there were five children, all living. By the first there were three sons. Henry M. is the youngest, and only survivor of the family. W. T. Minor, the eldest son, was a sergeant in Co. " C," 126th Regt. Ills. Vols., and died April 22d, 1865. John W. was a corporal in Co "B," 41st Regt. Ills. Vols. He died January 16th, 1881. The subject of this sketch was reared partially in Illinois and Kentucky. In 1856, he came back from Kentucky to Illinois and remained at home until July 15th, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Co. " B," 41st Regt. Ills. Vols. In the battle of Shiloh he was wounded in the right foot and left leg, and was discharged from the service in September, 1862. In the spring of 1864, he re-enlisted in Co. " I " of the 23d Regt. Ills. Vols., and upon the organization of the company was elected Orderly Sergeant. He served out his term of enlistment and was honorably discharged
226
RESIDENCE & STOCKFARM OF H. C. SHEPARD SEC.2, T. | 4, R.5, (LOVINGTON TP.) MOULTRIE CO.ILL
STOCK FARM & RESIDENCE OF J. H. VANHISE, SEC.30, TI3, R.5,(SULLIVANTP.) MOULTRIE CO.IL.
HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
227
in September of the same year. He engaged in mercantile business until 1866, when he went to Eureka in Woodford county, Ills., and entered college, and the following winter taught school. In 1867, he went to Kansas ; while a resident of that state, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and afterwards county Judge. In the fall of 1870, he came back to Moultrie county, and engaged in business until 1874, then went to Eureka in Woodford county, and read law in the office of Hon. Robt. T. Castle, and was admitted to the bar June 9th, 1876, at Mt. Vernon, Ills. He returned to Moultrie county December 1st, 1876, and here he has resided to the present.
Politically he is a Republican. He was in 1880 the Republican can- didate for the office of States Attorney, but the county being largely democratic, he was defeated, although he ran ahead of his ticket. He was candidate for the same office in Woodford county in 1876, but was defeated. On the 13th of July 1867, he married Mrs. Martha E. Hollanbeck, nee Fuqua, a native of Breckenridge county, Ky., but a resident of Kansas at the time of her marriage. Mr. Minor since his last return to Lovington has given all of his attention to the practice of his profession, and to its study. He has a fine law library, and has a lucrative practice for the short time that he has been in the profession. He is a lawyer of much tact, and his success is assured if industry and close attention to business is any indi- cation.
M. T. SHEPHERD.
THE Shepherds, on the paternal side, are of French ancestry. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was one of the patri- otic Frenchmen who came with the distinguished Marquis de La- fayette to America, during the progress of the Revolutionary war, and participated with him in that memorable struggle. In the bat- tle of Yorktown he was wounded, which rendered him a cripple for the rest of his life. After the war closed he married and settled in Orange county, Virginia, where his three sons, Phillip, Lewis and William, were born, and raised to maturity. William, father of M. T. Shepherd, was born in 1794, and moved to Kentucky in 1825, and was by profession a school teacher and a prof. of vocal music, and taught in Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, crossing the mountains many times on horseback alone. Highwaymen were numerous, and frequently, for hours, he carried his life, as it were, in his hands. John Ball, a wealthy land and slave owner who had married a Miss Hogsed in Va .- she an own cousin of Geo. Wash- ington, the father of his country-with their grown family of sons and daughters, moved to Jessamine county, Ky., in 1825. One daughter, Eveline H. Ball, mother of M. T. Shepherd, was born in Virginia in 1796, and was married to Wm. Shepherd in Kentucky, in 1827. The Shepherd and the Ball families were among the best educated in Virginia, and many of them occupied prominent and honorable positions in the counsels of the state, and in literary cir- cles were well and favorably known. Wm. Shepherd remained in Kentucky until 1859, when he emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Sullivan, Moultrie county, and died there in 1871. During the war of 1812-14, between the United States and Great Britain, he took an active part as a private soldier. The old soldiers were granted land warrants of 160 acres. His was issued, and lost 30 years ago, and the 46th Congress authorized the issue of one to his heirs. His wife, the mother of the subject of this biography, died in Sullivan, Illinois, in 1874. There was born to William and Eveline H. Shepherd, five children-three sons and two daughters. Their names, in the order of their birth, are: Tomzen Ann, who married S. P. Alexander in Kentucky, in January, 1846. He re- sides in Moultrie county, Illinois. She died leaving two children,
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one of whom was named James W. He died in 1872, in Sullivan, Illinois. Louisa Bell, her daughter, is the amiable and honored wife of W. W. Eden, present County Clerk of Moultrie county. John B., the eldest son, married Miss Sarah L. Hoyden, of Shelby county, Illinois, who was one of the leading business men of Sulli- van, Illinois, and is now a resident of Texas. Edwin L. married Miss Ann M. Hawkins, of Franklin county, Kentucky, and is a resident and proprietor of the fine hotel known as the " Maple House," Sulli- van, Illinois. Mantius T., the subject of this sketch, is the youngest of the family. He was born in Franklin county, Kentucky, Febru- ary 28th, 1835. What education he has, has been obtained mainly by self-culture, and a short time spent in the district school of his . native state. He is a man who possesses more than an ordinary amount of observation and industry, and added to thesc qualities is a retentive memory. Impressions received are stored away in mathematical order, and are readily called into existence when occa- sion requires. He reads extensively the works of the best authors, and keeps well posted upon the current events of the day, and there- fore in conversation is an interesting, and often an instructive con- versationalist.
When young Shepherd was in his nineteenth year he left home, and went out into the world to make his own way, and be his own master. He found his first employment for 1854-5 as guard at the Kentucky Penitentiary, at Frankfort, Ky. There were but 200 men imprisoned there at that date. During a great part of the time he locked one of the main rows of cells, in which slept Calvin Fair- banks, and one Dayle, who were under long sentences for assisting slaves to leave their masters. Every evening the name of each man was called, and he could recognize every man in the prison.
He next worked as a clerk in the Mansion House, in Frankfort, Kentucky, where he remained for some time, and by his close at- tention to business, and industry, gaincd the esteem and good will of his employers and those with whom he came in contact. He remem- bers John C. Crittenden, John C. Breckenridge, Charles S. More- head, and John M. Harding, present United States Judge. He afterward went to the Capital Hotel, in the same city, and remained there until 1857, when he went to Versailles, in Woodford county. Was acquainted with Hon. Thos. F. Marshall, and also Buford, who killed Judge Elliott two years ago at Frankfort, Ky., for deciding a great suit against him ; he clerked until the spring of 1858, when he came to Illinois, and stopped in Sullivan, in Moultrie county, and engaged with his brother, John B., in the grocery and restau- rant business. He had about $200. This business was commenced on a small scale, and grew gradually into large proportions, and gravi- tated into general merchandizing, in which the brothers continued together until 1862, when M. T. came to Lovington with part of the stock, and here made additions, and together they carried on an ex- tensive business, and were the leading merchants of the two places for a number of years. They continued in partnership until 1867, when the stock was separated, J. B. taking the stock and store house in Sullivan, and M. T. the Lovington storehouse and stock. Mr. Shepherd continued the business in the latter place with great success. In 1870 lie added private banking to his business. This latter branch of the business gradually absorbed so much of his time that he began curtailing his merchandizing, adding the real estate business, and a few years later went out of the goods business entirely, since which time he has given all his attention to his pri- vate banking, and taking care of his real estate, of which he has con- siderably over 1,000 acres of land, and a large number of the best dwelling and business houses in Lovington and Sullivan.
On the 7th of February, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria J. Mullikin, a native of Johnson county, Indiana. This mar-
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
riage has been blessed with five children, the second of whom is living, named Justin M., aged 8 years, who reads well in the fourth reader. The first in the family, Ollie Jewell, died in her second year ; Earl T. at the same age; Blossom in infancy; and Paul T. in his second year. Mrs. Shepherd is a member of the Christian church. Politically, Mr. Shepherd is a member of the Democratic party. Mr. Shepherd recognized in early life that if he would suc- ceed in business, he must steadily adhere to certain business princi- ples, and bases his future success upon strict integrity, industry and economy. In the absence of any of these principles all business must of necessity be a failure. It may live and flourish for a time, but no permanent and honorable success can be achieved without the combination of the three. That he has been successful beyond ordinary men is due to his adhesion to these business princi- ples.
No man has ever gained success and a competency in any locality without having to some extent excited the envy of his less fortunate neighbors. That Mr. Shepherd has not been free from the jealou- sies of others is only an additional proof of human weakness and far from his wish. He is in his family and among his friends, a generous, open-hearted man, of warm and ardent impulses, though somewhat blunted by contact with a selfish world. As a business man he is methodical and exact, and does business upon strict busi- ness principles. He has for years tried to instill these principles into the minds of the people, and has often felt sorry to see so many who could not, and wounded to sec so many who would not, honor- ably try to meet their liabilities, and hence they and he are the co- patentees of the motto that are so plainly printed on his bill-heads. viz. as a rule but little should be said about honesty among dealers, and much said about responsibility. He never held an office or sat on a jury, or joined a church, secret society, army, good templars, or carried a lamp, banner or flag in a campaign, or made a trust deed, or mortgage, (unless compelled by law). Was never sued for a debt of his own, or got drunk (since a man), or played billiards, smoked or chewed tobacco. He uses alcohol as he does water or fire, believing them all to be good servants, when properly used or controlled, but knowing them to be hard masters when not proper- ly used or controlled.
BIDDLECOME & TOBY.
BEN BIDDLECOME, the senior editor of the Lovington Enterprise, was born in North Liberty, Indiana, February 28, 1851. He re- ceived a good English education in the public schools, and at an early age entered a printing office in Virginia City, in Cass county, Illinois, and learned the art preservative. In 1875, he entered the field of country journalism, and started his first paper in the village of Chrisman, in Edgar county, Illinois. It was named the Enter- prise. He afterwards removed to Marysville, Illinois, and there published the Independent. From the latter place he went to Bement, Piatt county, Illinois, and published the Bement Independ- ent. On the 26th of November, 1879, he came to Lovington, Moul- trie county, Illinois, and established the Lovington Enterprise, and in connection with Will. S. Toby, still continues its publication. On the 28th of January, 1872, he married Miss Mary Merritt, of Homer, Champaign county, Illinois. This union has been blessed with three children, one son and two daughters. He is a beneficiary member of the Knights of Honor.
Will. S. Toby was born in Vincennes, Indiana, November 27, 1856. He came with his father's family to Russellville, in Law- rence county, Illinois, in 1868. He commenced newspaper business in Vincennes, Indiana, and with the establishment of the Enterprise
in Lovington, formed a partnership with Mr. Biddlecome, and to- gether they have conducted that journal, and made it a newspaper worthy of the hearty support of Lovington and vicinity. Both are young men with good reputations, and both industrious, and with a generous support from the people they would make the Enterprise second to no other newspaper in Central Illinois. They have the ability and are worthy, and should have the undivided support of the whole people in whose behalf and interests they labor.
LIEUT. WILLIAM C. FOSTER
WAS born in Wayne county, Ohio, March 28th, 1832. He is the eldest son of seven children of John E. and Jane (Coulter) Foster. His father removed from Wayne to Pickaway county in 1843, and died therc in 1847. His mother the next year (1848), came west, and settled with her family on a piece of land two miles north of Lovington, in Moultrie county. There she remained until her death, which took place in 1865. Soon after the breaking out of the late war on the 31st of July, 1862, he enlisted in the 126th regiment Illinois Vols. Infantry, and was mustered out July 12th, 1865, at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was promoted to the position of orderly sergeant, and commissioned Sept. 4th, 1862. He was commissioned second lieutenant July 15th, 1865. In 1863 he was appointed by Gen. Grant to go upon the recruiting service, and was stationed for five months at Rock Island, Illinois ; after- wards rejoined his regiment, and continued in active service until the end of the war. On the 1st of September, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Cochran, a native of Ross county, Ohio. She came to Illinois in 1849. By this marriage there are five children, four sons and one daughter ; all of whom are yet at home, except Eliza J., wife of Geo. W. Ruckle, who is a resident of Newton, Kansas.
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