USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 30
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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
Charles Thomas Evans' birthplace was at 510 East Mulberry Street, where he spent his boyhood. After receiving his education in the city schools, he was associated in business with the J. W. Evans Sons Com- pany for several years. He has been in the employ of the city since 1909. He was elected in 1913 and again in 1923 as superintendent of streets.
Mr. Evans is a Republican, a member of the Second Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose, No. 745, Bloomington, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 527, Bloomington. He is unmarried.
Dr. E. C. Williams, a competent physician and progressive citizen of Downs, Ill., was born near Bellflower, Ill., Oct. 26, 1874, the son of T. F. and Anna (Rankin) Williams.
T. F. Williams was a native of Louisville, Ky., born in January, 1849, and his wife was born in Bloomington, Ill., in 1852. Mr. Williams came to Illinois in 1870 and operated a grocery business at Bloomington for a great many years. He and his wife are now deceased. They were the parents of the following children: May Mittleberger, lives in Chicago, Ill .; Kittie West; Dr. E. C., the subject of this sketch; Dr. R. W., lives in Oklahoma and is a veteran of the World war; Isabelle and Florence.
Dr. E. C. Williams was educated in the public schools and at Wes- leyan University, after which he attended the Rush Medical College at Chicago in 1899. He later took post graduate courses in Chicago and then began practicing medicine at Rochester, Ill. Dr. Williams came to Bloomington in 1921 and was in partnership with Dr. William Hill. He is now located at Downs in Downs Township, and he has a large practice.
On March 4, 1902, Dr. Williams was married to Miss Alma Whitman, a native of McLean County, born July 17, 1882, and the daughter of J. W. and Lucinda Whitman. Mr. Whitman is deceased and his wife is 75 years of age. They were the parents of the following children: May, lives at Bloomington; Sylvia, lives with her mother; William, lives in Florida ; Frankie Goodrich; and Mrs. Williams. To Dr. D. E. and Alma (Whitman) Williams three children have been born, as follows: Dorothy Elizabeth, born May 6, 1904; Howard, born July 17, 1908; and Edward, born May 6, 1914.
Dr. Williams is a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge and is a 32nd degree Mason and
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Knight Templar. He is a skilled physician and widely known throughout McLean County. Dr. Williams is president of the McLean County Medical Association and is a member of the staff of St. Joseph's Hospital at Bloom- ington.
Harry H. Bevan, an extensive dealer in dairy products, who has a well established trade in Bloomington, is a native of McLean County. He was born at McLean, Dec. 23, 1880, and is the son of Samuel and Esther Mary (Haughey) Bevan, natives of Ohio and early settlers in McLean County. They are both deceased and their remains are buried in Evergreen Ceme- tery, at Bloomington.
To Samuel and Esther (Haughey) Bevan the following children were born: Elmer, lives in Alaska; Ada, married Walter Popple, Portland, Ore .; Charles, engaged in the wholesale fruit business, Bloomington; Ella, married Frank Benjamin, and lives in McLean County; Harry H., the subject of this sketch; John S., is engaged in business at Rankin, Ill .; George L., Elkhart, Ind .; Lloyd, Portland, Ore .; and three children died in infancy.
Harry H. Bevan attended the public schools until he was about 15 years of age, after which he assisted his father, who was engaged in the dairy business, and thus received an early training in this business, which was the foundation of his later success. He remained with his father until he was 21 years old, when he engaged in business for himself in a small way in Bloomington. His business has developed to very satisfac- tory proportions and he now operates eight wagons and trucks in the col- lection and distribution of his dairy products to hundreds of customers. He owns the building, which houses his business, which was constructed according to his requirements and design, and on an adjoining lot on Olive Street stands his residence. The business is located on the corner of South East and Olive streets. He deals exclusively in dairy products and ice cream.
On Jan. 1, 1902, Harry H. Bevan was married to Miss Sarah E., daughter of George and Martha J. (Phillips) Warner, early settlers in Putnam County, Ill. Mrs. Bevan is one of the following children born to her parents: Mary Elizabeth, wife of W. J. Kerchenfant, Gibson' City, Ill .; George H., Idaho Falls, Idaho; Mrs. Martha E. Miller, a widow, living
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in Bloomington, Ill .; and also a daughter, Lois-Mae; Fannie J., wife of Charles Carson, San Diego, Cal .; David P., Normal, Ill .; Sarah E., wife of Harry H. Bevan; and John A., who died when two years old. George War- ner died in 1902 and his wife died Aug. 15, 1922, and they are both buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Bloomington.
To Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Bevan one son has been born, Russell War- ner Bevan, who is associated with his father in the dairy business. He married Eugenia Herman, a daughter of James M. Herman, a C. & A. railway conductor. Russell Warner Bevan and wife have one child, Char- lotte Jane.
Harry H. Bevan is a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Bloom- ington Consistory, and the Bevan family are members of the Christian church. Mr. Bevan is one of the substantial business men of Blooming- ton.
Thomas M. Downey, a well known locomotive engineer on the Chi- cago & Alton Railroad, living in Bloomington, was born at Marshall, Mich., April 10, 1862. He is a son of Eugene and Anna (Duke) Downey, natives of Ireland. In 1843 the Downey family came to this country and located at Marshall, Mich., where Mr. Downey owned and operated 360 acres of land. He died in Aug. 1893, and his wife died April 11, 1883. They were the parents of the following children: John and Patrick, deceased; Rose, deceased ; Bartholomew, deceased; Eugene, killed in a wreck on the Chicago & Alton railroad while engineer; Margaret, deceased; Thomas M., the subject of this sketch; Lawrence, lives in Kalamazoo, Mich .; Andrew, lives in Michigan; William, also a resident of Michigan; and Rev. James, pastor of the Catholic Church at Anchorville, Mich.
Thomas M. Downey was educated in the schools of Silver Creek, Mich., and started farming on the home place. Later he entered the employ of the Grand Rapids Railroad as switchman and in 1887 came to Bloom- ington with the Chicago & Alton Railroad. He has won promotions until he is now an engineer on a passenger train. The Downey home is located at 611 North Roosevelt Street.
Mr. Downey was married on June 23, 1889, to Miss Margaret Ken- nealy, who was born in Bloomington, May 18, 1868, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (O'Donnell) Kennealy, natives of Ireland. Mr. Kennealy
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was among the pioneer railroad men of Bloomington having come here in 1853. He was a veteran of the Civil War and died in 1907. His wife died in 1888. They were the parents of 11 children: Paul, Robert, Catherine, Bessie, Anna, and James, all deceased; Mary, the widow of W. I. Coons, lives in Chicago; Mrs. Downey ; Josephine, married John Lonergan; Grace and Anna, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Downey have one child, Margaret A., born Jan. 14, 1892, lives in Washington, D. C. Miss Downey served as a yeowoman in the navy during the World War and studied wireless. At the time of the Knickerbocker Theatre disaster in Washington, D. C., in January, 1923, Miss Downey assisted in caring for the wounded.
Mr. Downey is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He is a capable man and the Downey family is highly esteemed.
Benjamin Coale, deceased, was a prominent farmer of Dawson Town- ship, and a pioneer settler of McLean County. He was born in Chester County, Pa., Aug. 17, 1821, the son of Samuel and Mary (Mason) Coale.
In 1834 the Coale family moved from Pennsylvania to Indiana, locating on land near Richmond, and Samuel Coale became a farmer. During the early days he hauled his grain to market to Richmond and received only six and one-quarter cents per bushel. Mr. Coale died Aug. 1, 1849, and his wife died Sept. 21, 1862. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Benjamin, the subject of this sketch; Joshua, George, Samuel, Louis, and Edward, all of whom are now deceased.
Benjamin Coale was educated in private schools and followed farm- ing during his entire life. On March 23, 1867, he came to Illinois and settled on the present Coale farm in Dawson Township. He was a thresher for many years, owning the first threshing machine in Illinois. Mr. Coale also owned one of the first binders and one of the early sewing machines. Mr. Coale died May 11, 1892.
On July 29, 1846, Mr. Coale was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth H. Edwards, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., born July 16, 1826, and the daughter of Griffith and Rebecca (Johnson) Edwards. Mr. Edwards was born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 22, 1800, and died July 5, 1828. His wife was born Jan. 9, 1802, and died Jan. 27, 1884. They were the parents of three children; Benjamin and Joseph, deceased; and Mrs. Coale.
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To Benjamin and Elizabeth H. (Edwards) Coale six children were born, as follows: Mary, born June 3, 1847, married on Dec. 14, 1869, to James R. White, Civil War veteran, and retired architect, lives at Webster City, Iowa; Griffith E., born June 15, 1848, further mention of whom is made below; Vincent M., born Jan. 10, 1851, died April 26, 1922, further mention of whom is made below; Joseph Warner, born Sept. 7, 1854, a farmer, lives on the home place; Robert H., born Oct. 15, 1856, died May 16, 1857; and Rebecca, born Feb. 23, 1862, married Feb. 16, 1886, to John P. Kennedy, who died Dec. 11, 1921.
Griffith E. Coale was married on Dec. 15, 1869, to Mary E. Moore, a native of New York, who died in 1917. On Dec. 12, 1918, he was married to Miss Anna B. Dixon, a native of New York.
Vincent M. Coale was married on Sept. 15, 1874, to Miss Mary Ellen Spencer, a native of Huntington, Ind., who died in 1884. He was married a second time to Miss Hannah Devore, a native of Ohio, born Aug. 23, 1855.
Joseph Warner Coale was married on Sept. 17, 1874, to Miss Jennie E. Brown, who died March 17, 1920.
Mrs. Benjamin Coale has thirteen grandchildren, 26 great grandchil- dren, and three great-great grandchildren. In 1920 she was the oldest pioneer at the outing and picnic at Miller Park, and she is the oldest mem- ber of the Illinois Society of Friends. Mrs. Coale enjoys good health, is still active in mind and writes several letters each week.
Benjamin Coale was a Republican and a member of the Friends Church. He was a progressive and substantial citizen and possessed ex- cellent judgment in all matters.
Harry C. Kummer, a substantial citizen of Bloomington in the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad as conductor, was born in Germany, Sept. 19, 1870, and came to the United States with his parents at the age of six months. He is the son of William and Louise (Hauschultz) Kummer.
William Kummer brought his family to this country in 1870 and located on a farm in Twin Grove Township, McLean County. He died in May, 1921, and his wife who lives in Portland, Ore., is now 73 years of age. They were the parents of 12 children, as follows: Harry C., the subject of this sketch; Tillie, married Gus Schrolle, lives in Bloomington; Minnie, married Samuel Short, lives at Portland, Ore .; Lewis, lives at
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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
Portland, Ore .; Lizzie, married Robert Robertson, lives in Bloomington ; Edward, lives at Portland, Ore .; William, lives at Padana, Ill .; Bertha, lives at Portland, Ore .; Elmer, deceased; Earl, lives at Portland, Ore .; and Irvin and George, died in infancy.
Harry C. Kummer attended the district school of McLean County, after which he entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Com- pany. He later engaged in the painting and decorating business which he followed for 18 years. In 1900 Mr. Kummer entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad as brakeman and in 1913 was promoted to con- ductor.
Mr. Kummer was married to Miss Jennie Hegorty, a native of Twin Grove Township, McLean County, born April 8, 1875, and a daughter of James and Margaret (Lackey) Hegorty, natives of Ireland. Mr. Hegorty died in 1875 and his wife died May 22, 1888. Mrs. Kummer has one sister, Margaret, a widow of William Landis, lives in Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. Kummer two children have been born: Fern, born Nov. 1, 1898, mar- ried on June 15, 1918, to Bernard P. Maloney, and they live in Blooming- ton; and Hazel, born April 7, 1906, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Kummer have two grandchildren: Bernard, born Sept. 10, 1920, and Jean Patricia, born March 17, 1923.
Mr. Kummer and his family are members of the Christian Church, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Loyal Order of Moose.
Edwin Erickson, a well known engineer on the Chicago & Alton Rail- road, was born at Braceville, Ill., June 29, 1876, and is a son of Gustave and Martha (Gregory) Erickson.
Gustave Erickson and his wife were natives of Sweden and early settlers of Braceville, Ill., where Mr. Erickson worked in the coal mines. He was killed in a mining accident March 17, 1903; his wife died in October, 1922. They were the parents of four children: Edwin, the subject of this sketch; Mary, married William Walstrom, lives at Manistee, Mich .; Harry, lives at Ft. Worth, Tex .; and Clara, married William Rebman, lives at Seattle, Wash.
Edwin Erickson was educated in the public schools of Braceville and started life in the coal mines. In 1905 he entered the employ of the
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Chicago & Alton Railroad as a fireman and on Sept. 9, 1909, was promoted to engineer.
On Nov. 23, 1898, Mr. Erickson was married to Miss Augusta Fred- erickson, a native of Sweden, born Jan. 11, 1880, and the daughter of Sam- uel A. and Matilda (Johnson) Frederickson. Mr. and Mrs. Frederickson, who now live retired in Bloomington, are the parents of six children: August, lives in Chicago; Mrs. Erickson; R. F., lives at 1304 West Olive Street, Bloomington; Helma, married Orley Falkenroth, lives at Decatur, Ill .; D. O., lives in Chicago; and Lucille, married W. C. Hill, lives at Peoria, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have no children of their own but are rear- ing a neice, Beverley R. Frederickson, who was born June 21, 1917.
Mr. Erickson and his family are members of the Methodist Church. He is a substantial citizen and stands high in the community.
Thomas J. Rust, a well known retired farmer of Randolph Township, is a native of McLean County. He was born March 26, 1849, the son of John F. and Elizabeth (Linnley) Rust.
John F. Rust was born in Tennessee and came to Illinois when he was 15 years of age. He was employed on the farm of Jesse Funk, in McLean County, where he received $8.00 per month. Mr. Rust was later able to purchase 80 acres of land in DeWitt County, Ill., which he farmed for several years before purchasing the present Rust farm in Randolph Township. Mr. and Mrs. John Rust were the parents of the following children: George W., deceased; Andrew, deceased; T. J., the subject of this sketch; Lee, lives in Bloomington. He is president of the McLean County Bank; Jennie Bishop, lives in California ; W. D., lives at Newell, Iowa; Allie Kelley, lives at Bloomington, Ill .; Minnie Fitzpatrick, lives at Peoria, Ill .; Maggie, deceased; William, deceased, and B. F., lives in Randolph Township, McLean County.
Thomas J. Rust spent his boynood on his father's farm and attended the district schools. He has always engaged in farming and now owns 878 acres of good farm land in Randolph Township. For many years Mr. Rust was among the most extensive stockmen of the county, shipping as many as 120 carloads of stock per year from Randolph.
On Jan. 18, 1872, Mr. Rust was married to Miss Florinda Bishop, a native of McLean County, born June 11, 1854, the daughter of Martin
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THOMAS J. RUST
MRS. FLORINDA BISHOP RUST
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L. and Margaret Bishop. To Thomas J. Rust and wife two children were born, as follows: John B., lives in Bloomington and Imo, wife of Earl Voodry, lives in Chicago. Mrs. Rust died Dec. 21, 1916. Mr. Rust has the following grandchildren: T. J. Voodry, John Bishop, Robert and Jean Rust.
Mr. Rust is a Democrat, a member of the Methodist church, and be- longs to the Masonic lodge. He is one of the substantial citizens of this county and has a host of friends.
Mr. Rust owns residence property in Bloomington, Ill., he lived at 1306 East Grove Street for 20 years. Mrs. Rust died at that address.
Andrew O. Backlund, who is connected with the Chicago & Alton Railroad as conductor, is a native of Bloomington. He was born Aug. 20, 1887, and is a son of Francis Oscar and Anna C. (Hogburg) Backlund.
Frances Oscar Backlund and his wife were natives of Sweden. After coming to this country they located in Bloomington where Mr. Backlund was among the pioneer merchants. He was a Republican, a member of the English Lutheran Church and belonged to the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. Mr. Backlund died Aug. 16, 1902. There were six children in the Backlund family, as follows: Anna C., married J. R. Nelson, lives at Chi- cago; Edward R., lives at 603 North Allen Street, Bloomington; Andrew O., the subject of this sketch; Alfred L., lives in Chicago; C. A., deceased ; and Emil Gustave, lives in Chicago. Thomas Ephraim Shifflet, grandfather of Mrs. Andrew O. Backlund, is among the early settlers of Illinois, having come here from Kentucky. He lives at Waynesville, Ill., and is 84 years of age.
Andrew O. Backlund attended the public schools of Bloomington and in 1905 entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad as brakeman. In May, 1916, he was promoted to conductor.
In May, 1916, Mr. Backlund was united in marriage with Miss Mary Florence Shifflet, a native of Heyworth, Ill., born Dec. 12, 1891, and the daughter of John J. and Alice (Davis) Shifflet. John J. Shifflet, a native of Kentucky, came to Illinois during the early days and settled on a farm near Heyworth. He died Dec. 21, 1898, and his wife lives at 1304 West Taylor Street, Bloomington. Mr. and Mrs. Shifflet were the parents of three children: Mrs. Backlund; Frank, lives in Bloomington; and Irene,
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married Rocco Wilcoxson, lives at Atlanta, Ill. There are two half-broth- ers, John Ivan and Stephen, both living in Bloomington. Mrs. Backlund's great-great-grandfather, also a Thomas E. Shifflet, served throughout the Revolutionary War and was wounded at the battle of Germantown. To Mr. and Mrs. Andrew O. Backlund three children have been born: Andrew Oscar, born Jan. 10, 1919; Robert Richard, born April 25, 1921; and John Raymond, born May 31, 1923.
Mr. Backlund belongs to the Masonic lodge and he and his family are members of the English Lutheran Church. Mr. Backlund is one of the substantial citizens of Bloomington and is well known.
J. P. Guingrich, manager of the Claudon Grain and Coal Co., of Grid- ley, Ill., is an enterprising and successful man of McLean County. He was born on a farm south of Tremont, Ill., April 12, 1869, the son of John and Susan Bahr Guingrich.
John Guingrich was a native of Ohio and the son of Joseph Guingrich, pioneer settler of Illinois. John Guingrich came to Illinois with his parents when he was 15 years of age and after living there for a short time they left for California, making the trip by oxen team. After his return from California in 1866, Mr. Guingrich settled on a farm near Tremont, Ill., and became a prosperous farmer. In 1872 he moved to East Lynn, Ill., on a farm, where he became an extensive grain farmer and breeder of high grade stock. Mr. Guingrich was a Republican and attended the Apos- tolic Christian Church. He died in 1882, aged 50 years, and his wife died in 1908, aged 63 years. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: Anna, the widow of H. C. Ziegenhorn; living in Joy, Ill .; J. P. Guingrich, the subject of this sketch; Samuel, who died in 1920, aged 28 years ; Benja- min F. living at Garrison, Iowa; Adina, who died in 1878, the age of three years; Sadie Ziegenhorn, living at Claytonville, Ill .; John L., living at Cissna Park, Ill .; Emanuel, who died in 1917, aged 40 years; Ada Frank, living at Claytonville, Ill., and. William, who lives on a farm near Francis- ville, Ind.
J. P. Guingrich was reared on his father's farm near Tremont, Ill., and at the age of three years moved with his parents to a farm near East Lynn, Ill., and received his education in the district school. Following com- pletion of education afforded by the school of that district, Mr. Guingrich
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worked in and about the vicinity of East Lynn, Ill., employed as farmer and thresherman for a period until 1888. In 1888 he clerked in the store of Sam Herstein, at Morton, Ill., during the holiday period, which was his first business experience. In 1889 he was in the employ of Anton Elges and Pate & Potter of Cissna Park, Ill., for a period of three years, both of which firms were engaged in the general merchandising business. He then accepted a position with S. M. Rose, grain and lumber business, at Cissna Park, Ill., as bookkeeper for a period of two years. He then entered the employ of the Helmer Grain & Lumber Co. of Cissna Park, Ill., as book- keeper and general assistant, where he remained for two years, following which he became an employe of the Baumgardner Bros. Hardware Co. as bookkeeper for two years ; from here he entered the employ of J. Goldstein, at Cissna Park, Ill., as clerk in the clothing and dry goods business for a period of about two years, after which he entered the employ of Shipper & Block Co., at Peoria, Ill., for a period of six months, severing his rela- tionship with said corporation to move to Gridley, Ill., about March 1, 1900, where he entered the general merchandising business as an employe of Philip Cohn. Following this Mr. Guingrich became an active business man of Gridley, Ill., being engaged in the retail merchandising business for a period of nine years, and after disposing of his business interests, he was a short time thereafter appointed assistant cashier of the German- American State Bank of Gridley, which position he held for about three years. On Jan. 1, 1916, Mr. Guingrich was appointed manager of the Geo. P. Davis Elevator, who sold to Hayward Bros., which firm retained Mr. Guingrich in his capacity as manager, through several transfers, dur- ing all of which period, Mr. Guingrich was always retained as manager, until the present owners of said business, the Claudon Grain & Coal Co., acquired it. This is one of the leading firms of Gridley, and Mr. Guingrich has been manager since the beginning of its operations in Gridley.
Mr. Guingrich is the owner of 160 acres of well improved land near Francisville, Ind., and 160 acres in Wisconsin as well as modern and well appointed residence property in Gridley.
Mr. Guingrich was married in 1896 to Miss Louise Kramer, a native of France, born in 1869, who died Sept. 13, 1904. In January of 1906, he was married to Miss Louise Yergler, a native of Eureka, Ill., born in 1868, and the daughter of Jacob Yergler, who died in 1905, aged 75 years. Mrs. Guingrich has the following brothers and sisters: Katherine, died in 1921, aged 63 years ; Lena Schumacher, living at Eureka, Ill .; Mary Aeschleman,
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living at Sabeth, Kans .; William, living near Cissna Park, Ill .; John, living at Gridley, Ill .; Jacob, living at Goodfield, Ill .; Miss Anna, at Gridley, Ill .; Joseph, living near Gridley, Ill .; Benjamin, at Peoria, Ill,; Ephraim, de- ceased in 1882, aged 7 years ; Emma Kuerth, near Gridley. Mr. and Mrs. Guingrich had one child, Viola Lulu, born Dec. 14, 1906, who died on Feb. 10, 1920, aged 13 years, 1 month and 25 days.
Mr. Guingrich is a member of the Apostolic Christian Church and is an active leader in the church and Sunday school. He is held in high regard throughout the community and is an excellent citizen.
R. W. Barton, a well known citizen of Bloomington, was born in Fay- ette County, Ill., July 25, 1888, and is a son of Eli and Susan (Peasley) Barton.
Eli Barton was born in Indiana and was among the early settlers of Fayette County, Ill., where he farmed for many years. Susan Peasley Bar- ton was the daughter of Sylvester Peasley, a pioneer Baptist minister of McLean County. He traveled by horseback over the prairies preaching the gospel. Two of his sons are now living, I. M., and John, who live in Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Barton, deceased, were the parents of five children: Mary, married Jesse J. Bartlett, lives retired at Ramsey, Ill .; Sylvester, lives at Springfield, Ill .; Mattie, married Robert Patton, lives in Fayette County, Ill .; and R. W., the subject of this sketch.
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