History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 122

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 948


USA > Illinois > Union County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 122
USA > Illinois > Pulaski County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 122
USA > Illinois > Alexander County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 122


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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JOHN H. LENTZ, farmer, P. O. Wetaug, is a native of Alexander County, Ill., but moved to Pulaski County when he was quite small. He was born January 10, 1835, a son of John Jacob and Catharine (Clutts) Lentz, both na- tives of Rowan County, N. C. The father was a tailor by trade, and afterward a farmer, and died August 14, 1868, aged seventy-four years.


The mother died January 21, 1870, aged about seventy-three years. The parents were blessed with eight children, three of whom are living -Paul, Peny and John H. The early educa- tion of the latter was received in the old sub- scription schools of Pulaski County, and he has always been engaged in farming. He has 120 acres of land, mostly in cultivation. He was first married in 1861, to Malinda Hartman, a daughter of Peter and Sarah Hartman. She died December 10, 1878. By her he had seven children-Mary A. E., born October 24, 1862 ; George E., May 1, 1864; James F., August 3, 1867; Lewis E., September 17, 1869; Effie L., June 21, 1871; Henry H., August 11, 1874, and Chloe M., September 11, 1878. He was married a second time to Mary J. Eton, who died May 30, 1881. Mr. Lentz is a member of the Lutheran Church. In poli- tics, he is a Democrat.


JOHN McINTOSH, farmer, P. O. Wetaug, is a native of Pulaski County, Ill., born De- cember 25, 1851, a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Hoffner) McIntosh, he of English descent, and she a native of North Carolina. The father was a farmer, and died March 26, 1875. His wife died in December, 1875. The parents had seven children, three of whom are living-Levi, John and Henry W. Subject's early education was received in the common schools of this county, and he has always been engaged in farming. He now has 115 acres of land, which are given to general farming. He was married in 1873 to Mary E. Beaver, a daughter of Moses and Annie Beaver. Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh are the parents of two chil- dren-Willie, born September 1, 1874, and Arminda, July 23, 1877. Subject and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he is a Democrat.


ELI MOWERY, farmer, P. O. Dongola, is a native of Alexander County, Ill., born April 5, 1849, a son of David and Elizabeth (Dillow) Mowery, he from Rowan County, N. C., and


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she of Union County. The parents are both living. They were blessed with ten children, seven of whom are living-Eli, Polly A., Ma- linda J., George W., Melia L., David W. and Edward C. The early education of subject was received in the common schools of Pulas- ki County ; he has always been engaged in farming. He was married, November 18, 1869, to Amanda J. Cruse, born February 23, 1849, a daughter of Peter M. Cruse. Mr. and Mrs. Mowery have five children-Peter H., born October 7, 1870; Lewis E., October 25, 1872; Addie E., March 5, 1875 ; Clara D., February. 20, 1878, and Cora A., February 10, 1881. Mr. Mowery has now 160 acres, which are given to general farming. He and wife are members of the German Reformed Church. In politics, he is a Democrat.


SAMUEL C. PEELER, farmer, P. O. We- taug, is a native of Union County, Ill., born October 7, 1851, a son of Jesse and Mary (Crite) Peeler. The father is a native of North Carolina, and is a substantial farmer in Union County, Ill. He has been married three times, his first wife, the mother of the subject of these lines, having died about 1855. His second wife was a Mrs. Lockman, and his third Mary Miller. The parents of Samuel C. were blessed with three children, two of whom are living. The former received what little education the common schools of Union County afforded. He took up farming for an occupation, and has always been thus engaged. In October, 1877, he purchased his present farm, which consists of eighty acres. He was married in March, 1877, to Martha M. Lackey, a daughter of Joel and Lucinda Lackey, and now has a family of three children-Charlie, born Febru- ary 26, 1878; Ora L., born July 26, 1879, and Essie J., born February 4, 1882. Mr. Peeler and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he votes the Republican ticket.


THOMAS J. PEELER, farmer, P. O. Wetaug, is a native of Pulaski County, Ill.,


born June 1, 1861, a son of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Lackey-Meyers) Peeler, he from North Carolina and she from Tennessee. The father was a farmer, a son of Anthony Peeler, and was first married to Nancy Sowers, who died September 13, 1852. By her he had a large family, only one of whom is living-Louvina. The father died February 26, 1876. The mother is still living. She was the widow of John Meyers, and daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Barker) Lackey. The early educa- tion of our subject was received in the com- mon schools of Pulaski County. He started in life as a farmer, assisting his father on the home farm up to the time of the latter's death. He now has 157 acres, which are given to general farming. He was married, May 9, 1881, to Laura Richey, born January 5, 1862, a daughter of Eli and Eliza (Hileman) Richey. In politics, Mr. Peeler is a Republican.


BENJAMIN C. PRUETT, general railroad and express agent, Wetaug, was born in Mar- ion County, Ill., September 29, 1851, a son of Jarrett W. and Susan M. (Corwin) Pruett ; he is a native of Virginia, and she of Kentucky. They are farmers, and are living in Kinmundy, Ill., and are the parents of eight children, six of whom are living-Francis A., Meredith MI., Elizabeth J., Benjamin C., Rosa M. and Bur- well S. The common schools of his native county afforded our subject a fair education, and his early life was spent in assisting his father on the home farm. About 1877, he commenced learning telegraphy and general railroading at Kinmundy, Ill., and in Septem- ber. 1880, took charge of the office at Wetaug, which position he still retains. He has charge of the telegraph, express and freight depart- ments. He is noted for his many genial quali- ties, and is held in popular esteem by all, He married Nellie B., born January 16, 1862, a daughter of Frederick G. and Rebecca J. (Nalley) Ulen, residents of Pulaski County. Mr. Pruett is a member of the I. O. O. F .. Don-


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gola, No. 343. Politically, he is a Republican.


DAVID RICHEY, farmer, P. O. Wetaug, was born in Rowan County, N. C., November 28, 1810, the eldest child of Philip and Catha- rine (Walker) Richey, natives of same county. The father was a farmer ; was in the war of 1812, and died in August, 1816. The mother died about 1857. They had two children, David being the only one living. The mother was married a second time to George Lingle, by whom she had seven children, six of whom are living. David received a limited education in his native county, and at sixteen years of age he started out for himself. He clerked in his uncle's store for five years, and was vari- ously engaged till coming West in the latter part of 1835. He located where he at present resides. He was married, January 16, 1839, to Elizabeth Sowers, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Linker) Sowers. She died March 26, 1876, the mother of seven children, three of whom are living-Eli M., Mary Ann and Dan- iel S. Mr. Richey has filled many offices ; is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is Re- publican in politics.


DANIEL S. RICHEY, farmer, P. O. We- taug, was born May 30, 1847, a son of David Richey, a sketch of whom will be found else- where. He received his early education in the common schools of Pulaski County, and has always been engaged in farming. He married Susan S. Rendleman, a daughter of D. H. and Catharine (Hunsaker) Rendleman, and has a family of six children-Effie L., Marcus L., Albert A., Viola V., Lillie O. and Lyman A. Mr. Richey has eighty acres of land, and en- gages in general farming. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he is a Republican.


RICHARD B. SOWERS, farmer, P. O. We- taug, was born November 14, 1830, in Rowan County, N. C., a son of John, born January 12, 1804, and Elizabeth (Durham) Sowers, natives of same county. The father was a farmer, and


was married a second time to Jane Durham, a sister of his first wife. She is still living. The father died January 28, 1876, and the mother of our subject about 1847. The parents were blessed with a large family, four of whom are living-R. B., Eli, Sarah and Elizabeth. The subject of these lines received his early school- ing, which was limited to the old-fashioned schools in his native county, and he afterward attended a little in Pulaski County, his parents having removed from North Carolina when he was about nine years old. In early life, he served a three-year apprenticeship to the black- smith's trade, and afterward ran a shop in Cob- den, Ill. He was married, July 22, 1852, to Catharine M. Rendleman, born October 8, 1833, a daughter of D. H. and Catharine (Hunsaker) Rendleman, both of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Sowers are the parents of twelve chil- dren, nine of whom are living-Mary A., born November 18, 1858 ; John F., July 18, 1860 ; Ellen, August 31, 1862 ; Sarah C., October 1, 1866 ; Martin L., December 27, 1868 ; Lydia A,, April, 12, 1870 ; Jacob A., March 18, 1872 ; Drake H., June 26, 1874, and George W., Octo- ber 15, 1877. In the spring of 1861, Mr. Sow- ers moved to his present place, where he has 160 acres of land. He engages in the various branches of farming. August 11, 1862, he en- tered the Eighty-first Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, Col. Dollins, and afterward Col. A. J. Smith. He was captured at Brice's Cross Roads, and lay in Andersonville and other prisons for nearly six months. He afterward rejoined his regiment at Montgomery, Ala. Mr. Sowers and family are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Republican.


FREDERICK G. ULEN, farmer, P. O. Ullin, Ill., was born June 19, 1831, in Greenup County, Ky., a son of Samuel and Margaret Ann (Thompson) Ulen. He was born in Wheeling, W. Va., December 5, 1798, a son of Benjamin and Catharine (Carpenter) Ulen, he a native of Holland, and she born


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in Hagerstown, Md. Samuel Ulen was a shoe- maker and saddler by trade, and later a farmer. He was a great politician, and cast the second vote in Pulaski County. His father had willed him, amongst other effects, nine negroes, which Samuel set at liberty. . He moved to Missouri, and then to Alexan- der County in 1846, and in 1851, to Pulaski County. He was in the war of 1812, and died in 1867. His wife died shortly afterward. They were blessed with thirteen children, five of whom are living-Hamilton C., F. G., B. L., Matthew and Thomas J. Our subject's early education was received in his native county, and he afterward went to school in Mis- souri and also in Pulaski County. He remained with his father ; engaged in farm- ing until his marriage, which occurred October 30, 1853. He wedded Rebecca J. Nalley, born May 30, 1831, a daughter of Walter and Sarah (Garner) Nalley, he from Virginia, and she from Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Ulen are the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living-Mary A., born Sep- tember 4, 1854 ; James A. and William A., twins, born September 13. 1859 ; Nellie B., January 16, 1862 ; Sarah, August 16, 1865 ; Samuel, May 28, 1867; Daniel M., March 22, 1870, and Frederick J., July 20, 1872. In 1854, Mr. Ulen purchased 200 acres of land in Union County, since which he has bought and sold several pieces in the three counties. He now has 105 acres, which are given to general farming. He and wife are members of the


Methodist Church, and politically he is a stanch Republican.


JAMES WEBSTER, proprietor Wetaug Saw Mills, is a native of Scotland, born June 18, 1830, a son of William and Mary (Peter) Webster, both natives of the same country. The father was a stone-cutter. He died in


1842, aged fifty-two years. The mother died March 8, 1883, aged eighty-four years. The parents were blessed with eight children, seven of whom are living-Jeannette, Elizabeth, James, William, Ann, Mary and Charles. Our subject received but a meager education in his native country. He learned the trade of his father. He came to America in 1852, and for five years was engaged at building bridges. etc., for the Illinois Central Railroad Company, since which he has followed saw-milling. He ran mills above Mound City for about thirteen years, at Oaktown, Ill., nine years, and also at Mill Creek. The Wetaug Mills, of which he is the present proprietor, has a large capacity, and employs several hands. Mr. Webster has been married three times, his first wife being Emma J. Wethington, who died in 1861. By her he had three children, all of whom are deceased. His second marriage occurred June 19, 1863. He wedded Emma Morris, who died in 1877. Two children are living of this marriage-Emma and Mary. He married Ellen Spires November 8, 1879. She was the widow of Charles Spires, and daughter of N. M. Farrin. Mr. Webster is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Mound City Lodge. In politics, he is à Democrat.


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ULLIN PRECINCT.


GEORGE T. ADAMS, mill superintendent, Ullin, was born in Athol, Worcester Co., Mass., March 13, 1835, and was a son of Timothy and Laura (Twitche) Adams, the father being a dis- tant relative of President John Quincy Adams. There were three children-Rosanna, wife of Dutton De Wood, of Pana, Ill .; Achsah, wife of Emory Gage, of Athol, Mass., and our sub- ject, George T., who received his education at the schools of New Salem, Mass., and then went to a door and sash manufactory in his native town. In that mill he remained until 1857, and then came to Pulaski County, where he worked in a mill owned by Dutton De Wood. After remaining in that location four years, he returned to his native town. At the latter place he also remained four years ; then in 1865 came back to Pulaski County and commenced working in James Bell's mill, where he now acts as General Superintendent. Mr. Adams was married, February 24, 1866, to Mrs. Jen- nie R. Morford, nee Mangold, who was born in Pennsylvania. This lady is the mother of four children by her present husband, one of whom is now living-Roy, born February 24, 1873. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is a member of Dongola Lodge, No. 581, A., F. & A. M., and of the American Legion of Honor. In politics, is a Republican.


JON. T. ADKINS, farmer, P. O. Ullin, was born in Marion County, Ala., March 15, 1853. He was the eldest of six children, and was the son of Robert and Margaret (Andetond) Adkins. When subject was six years old, his parents moved to Tishomingo County, Miss., and there he was permitted to attend school some. His father was a strong Union man, left the South at the breaking-out of the war and came to


Memphis, Tenn., where, February 4, 1863, he joined the Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company I, Capt. Ward. He remained in act- ive service until stricken by a congestive chill while in camp at Bowling Green, Ky., and died August 9 of the same year. Our subject's mother remained in Mississippi until the spring of 1865, and then came to Illinois, where she settled in Dongola Precinct, Union County. Here subject was permitted to go to school some also. In 1873, he came with his mother to his present farm, and on becoming of age assumed control of it. He now owns eighty acres in Section 24, Town 14, Range 1 west. Of this sixty acres are in cultivation. Mr. Ad- kins was married, February 4, 1869, to Miss Harriet Pruit, a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Johnson) Pruit. This lady died April 7, 1869, and he was married the second time, October 4, 1871, to Amanda Brown, a daughter of Simeon and Margaret Brown. This lady was the mother of one child, an infant, born September 5, 1873, which died four days afterward. Mr. 'Adkins is a member of the Democratic party, and attends the Corinth Baptist Church.


A. W. BROWN, merchant, Ullin, was born in Wabash County, Ind., December 26, 1848 ; is a son of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Birds) Brown, both natives of Pennsylvania. He was the fifth of twelve children, and received but a common school education in the schools of his county. At the age of fifteen, he started out for himself and went first to Buchanan, Ber- rien Co., Mich., where he worked on a railroad, and then after a year's visit at his native town, he came to Ullin, Ill. Here he first acted as sawyer in Morris, Rood & Co.'s mill; remained with them three years, then worked


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in James Bell's mill as setter ; next he opened a saloon which he ran for about three years, and then embarked in the mercantile business. He now carries a stock of about $3,000. He has a farm of forty acres, located in Section 15, Town 14, Range 1 west, and is also engaged quite extensively in buying and selling lumber. Mr. Brown was married October 13, 1870, to Alice James, a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Garust) James. She is the mother of three children-Bertie, Lela Gertrude and Maude. Our subject is a member of the Mound City Lodge, K. of H., No. 1847, and in politics votes the Democratic ticket.


W. H. HICKS, hotel-keeper, Ullin, is a son of Angus and Sallie (Myers) Hicks, and was born .in Jessamine County, Ky., November 16, 1842. In the spring of 1849, his father moved to Pekin, Ill., and after a short residence there came to Bloomington, Ill., where our subject received his education. In 1856, his father again moved, and this time he came to Ullin, where he is still living at the ripe age of eighty-two. The son, after helping his father for a short time on his farm, went into the lumber and shingle business. In 1870, he went to Terre Haute, Ind., where he engaged in the lumber business for a number of years. From that point; he went to Frankfort, Ky., where he acted as agent for Archer McKeen & Co., of Terre Haute ; also acted as agent for this firm all through the South and West. In 1879, he came to Ullin, and has since acted as head saw- yer for James Bell. In 1882, he also commenced running a boarding house. Mr. Hicks was mar- ried, June 29, 1870, to Miss Anna E. Culver, a daughter of John Culver, of Detroit. She is the mother of one child, Bertha May, born May 23, 1875. Subject enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, September 24, 1864, and remained out until August, 1865. In politics, he is a Democrat. Mr. Hicks is also agent of several hundred acres of good land in Pulaski precinct.


RICHARD HICKMAN, merchant, Ullin, was born in Preston, Union Co., Ill., May 10, 1851, the youngest of five children, and the son of George and Louise (Tingle) Hickman. When subject was six years of age, his father moved to Cairo, and after a year's residence at that point came to Ullin, where he has since resided. Our subject received his education in the schools of Pulaski County, and then commenced clerking in James Bell's store at Ullin. He is now acting as manager for that institution. Mr. Hickman was married December 15, 1871, to Nellie Tingle, a daughter of William and Isa- bella (McKee) Tingle, of Jasper County, Mo. She is the mother of two children-Frank, liv- ing, and an infant that died two days after birth. He is a member of Elco Lodge, No. 643, I. O. O. F. In politics, Mr. Hickman gen- erally votes the Democratic ticket.


FRED HUFFMEIER, farmer, P. O. Ullin, was born in Hanover, Germany, February 1, 1846, and is a son of Clemer and Angel Huff- meier. He was educated in his native tongue, but since his arrival in this country has also acquired a knowledge of the English language. At the age of twenty-one, he came to this coun- try. Landing first at Baltimore, he proceeded directly to Cincinnati, where he worked in a varnish house. It was here that he attended a night school, and gained the first rudiments of the English language. From Cincinnati he went to Livingston County, Ill., and there fol- lowed farming. Leaving that point at the end of two years, he came to Villa Ridge, Pulaski County. Here he learned to make staves under Mr. Younghaney. He worked for this man three years, and then started out for himself. After a lapse of eight years, in which he did quite a successful business, he left Villa Ridge and came to Ullin Precinct, in 1876, where he bought a farm of 120 acres, in Section 24, Town 14, Range 1 west. Of this, about eighty acres are in cultivation. He still follows his trade some. Mr. Huffmeier was married, De-


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cember 24, 1874, to Ferbin Adkins, a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Andetond) Adkins. She has been the mother of two children, both of whom are now dead. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he generally votes the Republican ticket.


J. L. LENTZ, farmer, P. O. Ullin. The father of our subject, Paul Lentz, was born in Rowan County, N. C., and was a son of Jacob and Catherine (Clutts) Lentz, both of German descent. When the father was six years old, his parents moved to what was then Alexander County, now Pulaski County, and settled about a mile west of Wetaug. The former, as soon as he was able, commenced life for himself on a farm of forty acres in Dongola Precinct, Union County. There he married Elizabeth Crite, a daughter of George Crite, a native of North Carolina. This union resulted in eight children, six of whom are now living-S. R. (now in Arcola, III.), J. L. (our subject), Daniel (in Ullin Precinct), Tabitha Ann (wife of H. J. Hudson, of Ullin Precinct), Andrew (in busi- ness in Arcola, Ill.) and Silas (farming in Min- nesota). J. L., our subject, was born in Don- gola Precinct, Union County, June 15, 1849. His education was received in the schools of his township, and at an early age he com- menced helping his father on the home farm. As soon as he was of age, at his father's re- quest, the son took charge of the home farm. In 1874, he sold the old homestead and came to Pulaski County, where he settled on a farm of 157 acres in Section 29, Town 14, Range 1 · east. Of this tract there are about 110 acres in cultivation and four acres in orchard. The father is now living with his son, at an ad- vanced age. The mother died March 8, 1883, at the residence of her son. Our subject was married, April 27, 1871, to Julia E. Mowry, a daughter of Daniel Mowry. This lady is the mother of four children, two of whom are now living - Essie Olive and Paul Alexander. Mr.


Lentz is a member of the New Hope Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Republican.


J. B. McCLARAN, mill foreman, Ullin, was born in Corydon, Harrison Co., Ind., March 27, 1833, and is a son of James and Agnes (Fair) McClaran, both natives of Pennsylvania. He received a slight schooling at Corydon, but is mainly self-educated. As soon as he was able, he apprenticed himself at a saw mill at Louis- ville, Ky., where he remained until 1856. At the expiration of that year, he commenced trav- eling as a lumber agent for a Louisv lle firmn. As his travels were mainly through the South, he was compelled to resign at the breaking-out of the war, and in June, 1861, he came to Ullin, Ill., where he remained most of the time since. He now acts as foreman at the mill. Our subject was married April 28, 1862, to Caroline McCleery, a daughter of Robert and Eleanor (Dunlop) McCleery, of Sharon, Penn. This lady is the mother of four children, all of whom are now dead. Mr. McClaran is a mem- ber of the American Legion of Honor, and in politics is a Democrat.


JAMES S. MORRIS, farmer, P. O. Ullin, whose portrait appears elsewhere in this work, and who is one of the foremost men of the county, was born in Chester County, Penn., January 15, 1835. He was a son of Enos and Jane (Cadwallader) Morris, and the ninth of eleven children. The mother was a direct de- scendant of old Gen. Cadwallader, of Revolu- tionary fame. He received the education that the schools of his native county afforded at that time, and at the age of seventeen he made his start in life. He first went to Philadelphia, where he learned to be a bricklayer. This trade he followed for about eight years, first under his instructor, then at Bloomington, Ill., next at Memphis, Tenn., and then at Cairo, Ill., where he continued at this occupation until 1862, when he opened a lumber yard and did business there for a number of years, under the firm name of Kensey & Morris. In 1870, he


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ULLIN PRECINCT.


came to Ullin Precinct, and purchased the in- terest of Mr. St. Leger, in the large saw mill at Poletown. The firm was then known as Mor- ris, Rood & Co., and consisted of our subject, E. N. Rood, of Bloomington, and J. A. P. Ten- Eyck, of Williamsport, Penn. The mill is located about a mile west of Ullin, and is one of the largest in the county. This mill con- tinued in operation until May, 1883, when, ow- ing to the scarcity of timber it was compelled to shut down. Mr. Morris now confines him- self principally to farming, owning 2,800 acres lying in Sections 9, 19, 20, 22, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32, of Town 14 south, Range 1 west, and in Sections 5 and 6 of Town 15 south, Range 1 west. Of this about 300 acres are in cultivation. In 1876, he erected a store room on his place, and now carries a stock of $4,000 for the ac- commodation of his employes. Our subject was married, April 9, 1862, to Mary Jane Starr, a native of Mt. Pulaski, Logan Co., Ill., and the daughter of Barton and Rebecca (Patter- son) Starr, the mother a native of Virginia, and the father of Kentucky. She was the mother of four children, three of whom are now liv- ing-Enos, Mary and Robert. This lady died February 26, 1876. Mr. Morris is a member of Alexander Lodge, No. 224, I. O. O. F., of Cairo, Ill., and of the Presbyterian Church. While a resident in Cairo, he was a member of the Common Council, and since his advent in this county has served as County Commis- sioner.




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