USA > Illinois > Morgan County > History of Morgan county, Illinois : its past and present, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; a biographical directory of its volunteers in the late rebellion; portraits of its early settlers and prominent men [etc., etc.] > Part 91
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Headen Thomas C. farmer, Sec. 16, P.O. Jacksonville
Hembrough Richard, farmer, Sec. 15, P.O. Jacksonville
Hills Robert, farmer, Sec 32, P.O. Lynnville Hitt E. B. farmer. Sec. 24, P.O. Jacksonville Hobson Jonathan, farmer, Sec. 7, P.O. Chapin HODGSEN ROBERT, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 34, P.O. Jacksonville, son of Henry and Sarah Hodgsen, of Lanca- shire, England, born in 1828, came to this country in 1857, landing in New York; from there went to Woodstock, C. W., where he engaged in the occupation of farmer; remained there two and a half years, and then removed to Morgan Co., Ill. Married in Toronto, December, 1857, to Mary, daughter of John and Mary Copley, of Yorkshire England, where she was born. The fruits of this union were six children, all living, viz. : Wm. H., Sept. 20, 1858 ; James R., June 1I, 1860 ; Arthur A., March 7, 1862 ; John A., Sept. 3, 1866 ; Sarah E., Dec. I8, 1868, Robert C., Jan. 4. 1870. Mrs. Hodges died July 31, 1874, her death being caused by a distressing accident ; her remains were interred at Diamond Grove Cemetery. Mr. Hodges remarried Dec. 23, 1875, to Addie E., daughter of John and Mary Randerson, - formerly of Cleveland, Ohio, born May 30, 1858. This union has been blessed by one child, George M., born Jan. 22, 1877
Hodges James, farmer, Sec. 26, P.O. Jack- sonville
Holliday Milly Mrs. Sec. 9, P.O. Jackson- ville
Holliday James B. farmer, Sec. 7, P.O. Cha- pin
Hoover Jacob, farmer, Sec. 3, P.O. Jackson- . ville
Horn Wm. renter, Sec. 12, P.O. Jacksonville Huckstep Thomas C. farmer, Sec. 31, P.O. Lynnville
JACKSON JOHN, renter, Sec. 36, P.O. Jacksonville
James Levi, farmer, Sec. 12, P.O. Jackson- ville
Jewett John, farmer, Sec. 2, P.O. Jacksonville Jewsbury Jos. H. farmer, Sec. 18, P.O. Jack- sonville
Johnson W. farmer, Sec. 4, P.O. Jacksonville Jones Nancy, Sec. 17, P.O. Jacksonville
709
TOWN 15 NORTH RANGE 11 WEST.
JOY JOHN P. farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 4, P.O. Jacksonville, born in Durham, N. H., May 17, 1806, and removed to this county September, 1838, where he has re- sided ever since, he may thus he regarded as one of the early settlers of this county, and one whose interests are closely identi- fied with its growth and improvement. Mar- ried in New Hampshire to Judith P. Batch- eldor, born Aug. 14, 1805. The fruits of this union were two children: Lyman F., born Feb. 3, 1833, and a son who died in early infancy. Mrs. Joy died Jan. 9, 1849. Mr. Joy married again Aug. 17, 1853, at Beardstown, to Jane, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Bigger, formerly of Ohio, born Sept. 6, 1823 ; this union has been blessed by four children, two of whom, however, only survive, viz .: James A., born Aug. 29, 1856, and Charles B., born Jan. 31, 1859. Mr. Joy has devoted his industries strictly to agricultural pur- suits. The homestead consists of 500 acres, beautifully located and highly improved
JOY LYMAN F. farmer and stock- raiser, Sec. 4, P.O. Jacksonville, first son of John P. Joy, born in New Hampshire, Feb. 3, 1833, and removed to this county with his parents at the early age of five years. Married May 31, 1855, to Angelica, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Haseltine, of Vermont, born May 10, 1838. This union has been blessed by five children : Minnie, born May 25, 1858 ; Nettie, born Jnne 22, 1865; Edward F., July 26, 1863 ; Walter, March 6, 1869, and Ruth Batch- eldor, Dec. 6, 1870. MI. Joy has devoted his industries solely to agricultural pur- suits. Homestead consists of 175 acres, beautifully located and highly improved land
Joy R. P. farmer, Sec. 5, P.O. Chapin
K ENNEDY M. farmer, Sec. 3, P.O. Jack- son ville
Killam George W. farmer, Sec. 22, P.O. Jack- sonville
Killam John, farmer, Sec. 22, P.O. Jackson- ville
Killam John W. farmer, Sec. 20, P.O. Jack- sonville
KILLAM SAMUEL, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 27, P.O. Jacksonville. The subject of this sketch was born in
Yorkshire, England, in 1808; emigrated to this country with his parents in 1829, and settled in Morgan Co., where he has lived ever since, growing up as it were with the county. Married in 1857 to Miss Mar- garet Haxby, of Yorkshire, England, born in 1819. This union has been blessed by ten children, eight of whom are living : Anne E., born Aug. 15, 1839; Alfred H., born Nov. II, 1840; John Wm., born Oct. 26, 1842; Henrietta B., born Dec. IS, 1844; Mary Jane, born June 17, 1847 ; Thomas H., born Oct. 31, 1849; Margaret E., born Aug. 19, 1852; Fannie E., born April 12, [1855; Clara A., July 14, 1859, and George S., born Nov. 9, 1861. Home- stead and other lands owned in Morgan Co. comprise about 260 acres
Killam Thomas W., farmer, Sec. 20, P.O. Jacksonville
KENNEDY G. W. renter, Sec. 12, P.O. Jacksonville. The subject of this sketch was born in Indiana, Jan. 19, 1840, and removed to Illinois in 1853, settling in Morgan Co. Was married Feb. 6, 1867, to Sarah, daughter of Wm. and Eliza Horn, of Roanoke Co., Virginia, born Oct. 16, 1842. This union has been blessed by four children, one of whom only survives : Sue Nettie, born April 4, 1868; Hettie Belle, born Oct. 29, 1871, died Oct. 1, 1874; John Wm., born June 6, 1873 died Aug. 7, 1874; Eliza, born Dec. 15, 1874, died Oct. 20, 1876. Rents 280 acres of land, showing evidences on every hand of the industry and able management of its oc- cupant
L AMB JOSEPH R. farmer, Sec. 33, P.O. Jacksonville
LAMB LAFAYETTE, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 17, P.O. Jacksonville, son of Erie Lamb, of Ohio, born March 18, 1837. Came to Morgan Co. in 1858, where he has since resided. Married Oct. 31, 1865, to Mary Jane, daughter of Alfred and Catherine Thompson, of Morgan Co., born Dec. 6, 1846. This union has been blessed by five children, viz. : Erie, born Dec. 30, 1866; Alfred, July 22, 1869; Joseph, May 8, 1872 ; Lee, Nov. 18, 1874, died Sept. 9, 1875, and Lafayette, Sept. 30, 1875. Mr. Lamb's house was destroyed by fire Dec. 26, 1876, during a heavy snow
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MORGAN COUNTY DIRECTORY.
storm, at four o'clock in the morning. The homestead consists of 266 acres of beat- tifully located land, showing the industry and thrifty husbandry of its owner on every hand
Lankford Jackson, renter, Sec. 20, P.O. Jack- son ville
Lazenby Isaac, farmer, Sec. 15, P.O. Jackson- ville
LAZENBY JOHN, Sr. farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15, P.O. Jacksonville. The subject of this sketch was born at Drax, Yorkshire, England, April 11, 1803 ; came to this country, settling in Morgan Co., July, 1829. Was married December, 1827, to Sarah Green, of Hurst, Yorkshire, England, who shared with her husband the perils and discomforts of a sea voyage and the many hardships incident to making a home in a new country. Mr. Lazenby, without other capital than industry and in- domitable perseverance, has acquired con- siderable land in this county and in Iowa, but with his declining years has parted with it for his family's benefit. Mr. and Mrs. Lazenby's family has consisted of seven children, viz .: Mary, Oct. 1I, 1828, now Mrs. A. Moody, of Scott Co .; John, April, 1831; Elizabeth, died in early childhood ; Jane, Oct. 19, 1836, married to Wm. Jolly, of Missouri, and died September, 1858, leaving two sons, George and Lorenzo ; William, July, 1839 ; Charles, April, 1841, and Isaac, May 7, 1843. William enlisted in the Twenty-seventh I. V. I., and Charles enlisted in the IOIst I. V. I., each serving three years. Mr. and Mrs. Lazenby are still living at the old homestead, spending · their declining years in ease and retire- ment, and recall with vivid recollection the many incidents of their emigrant life
Leach John, farmer, Sec. 23, P.O. Jackson- ville
Leake James, farmer, Sec. 5, P.O. Jackson- ville
Leake John, farmer, Sec. 3, P.O. Jacksonville Leake John, farmer, Sec. 5, P.O. Jacksonville Leake Wm. renter, Sec. 2, P.O. Jacksonville Leake Wm. H. farmer, Sec. 2, P.O. Jackson- ville
Lee Thomas, farmer, Sec. 16, P.O. Jackson- ville
Leggett Robert, renter, Sec. 24, P.O. Jack- sonville
Lewis M. N. renter, Sec. 20, P.O. Lynnville Lewis S. S. farmer, Sec. 31, P.O. Lynnville Lyman W. H. Sec. 10, P.O. Jacksonville
M ARSHALL ROBERT B. farm-
er and stock raiser, Sec. 16, P.O. Jack- sonville ; youngest son of Wm. Marshall, of Morgan Co .; born April 6, 1848, and has lived on his present homestead since birth, having grown up as it were with the county, and one whose interests are closely identified with its growth and improve- ments ; married Jan. 27, 1870 to Maggie E. daughter of John and Mary DeLapp, of 'Morgan Co., born Nov. 28, 1853; this union has been blessed by four children, viz. : John Wm. born Feb. 12, 1871 ; Mil- lie Frances, Sept. 17, 1872 ; Wesley Alex. Aug. 13, 1874; Florence Ann, June 30, 1876 ; Mr. Marshall enlisted Feb. 13, 1865, in Co. K, 154th I. V. I. and served in Tennessee till the close of the war; the homestead consists of 100 acres beautifully located and highly improved land, showing its owner to be an industrious and thrifty husbandman
Massey H. H. jr., farmer, Sec. 25, P.O. Jack- sonville
MASSEY H. H. Sr., farmer and stock , raiser, Sec. 25, P.O. Jacksonville ; born in St. Lawrence Co., New York, Oct. 17, 1811 ; removed to Missouri in the Winter of 1819, and to this State and county in 1827, set- tling at Diamond Grove ; his parents re- moving hither in 1829, having previously entered and purchased land; the subject of this sketch was married in 1834 to Miss Margaret C. Officer, daughter of Mr. Offi- cer, of Tennessee, born in 1809; this union has been blessed by six children, all living, viz. : Fanny, born Feb. 1835, wife of Henry W. Verry, Sangamon Co .; Laura L, Nov. 1837, wife of George W. Breen, of Kansas ; William S. born Jan. 1839, resides at Diamond Grove; Lydia M. born Sept. 1842, wife of C. C. Cox, of Kansas ; Mary E. born 1846, widow of the late Wm. Si- bert, of Morgan Co .; Horatio H. jr., born Oct. 1849, of Diamond Grove ; the home- stead consists of 640 acres, and he is the owner of considerable other lands in Kan- sas
MASSEY S. S. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Jacksonville ; the subject of
711
TOWN 15 NORTH RANGE 11 WEST.
this sketch was born in St. Lawrence Co., New York, Feb. 18, 1814; removed to Illinois with his parents in Oct. 1829; his father having purchased a farm two years previously at Diamond Grove; Mr. M. has lived in this neighborhood since that time, thus being familiar with all details of the growth of this county ; is the young- est son of Silas and Frances Massey, whose entire family consisted of three sons and a daughter ; seven years ago, five members of this family lived within three miles of this place; the father died Jan. 2, 1874, aged 87 years, 9 months; mother died Aug. 7, 1871 in her 83d year ; Mr. S. S. M. was married Oct. 14, 1840 to Miss L. A. Bement, who was born in Bradford, New Hampshire ; the fruits of this union has been eight children, six of whom are still living, viz .: Maria L. born Oct. 23. 1841. now Mrs. Ayers, of Scott Co .; Henry H. of Morgan Co., born Aug. 11, 1843 ; George W. born Sept. 29, 1847, living in Morgan Co .; Annie F. now Mrs. Ketner, of Morgan Co., born July 3, 1849; Clara E. now Mrs. Rector, of Jacksonville, born July 2, 1851, and Silas, of Morgan Co., born May 25, 1855 ; the homestead con- sists of about 400 acres, delightfully situa- ted on Mound Ridge
MASSEY WM. S. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 25, P.O. Jacksonville, son of H. H. Massey, who settled in this county in 1829, where the subject of this sketch was born Jan. 26, 1840, having grown up as it were with the county, and whose interests are closely identified · with its improve- ments ; married Dec. 18, 1862, to Jannette daughter of Jacob and Isabella Tindall, of Morgan Co., born Sept. 19, 1842; six children born of this union, viz .: Maggie Belle, Jan. 1, 1864 ; Wm. A. Nov. 20, 1866; Mamie F. June 27, 1869 ; Enos F. March 12, 1872; Horace C. April 6, 1875. and Terah T. Feb. 23, 1878 ; Mr. Massey has devoted his industries to agricultural pursuits, stock raising and the breeding of horses and mules a specialty
Megginson Ralph, farmer, Sec. 34, P.O. Lynnville
Meyer Edward, lab. Sec. 5, P.O. Jacksonville Moody J. Mrs. Sec. 16, P.O. Jacksonville
MORRISSEY PATRICK, lab. Sec. 28, P.O. Jacksonville; born in Ireland
Feb. 1, 1848; came to this country in 1863 landing in New York ; from there he went to Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, where he engaged in the occupation of a farmer, and remained there until April 1876, when he removed to Morgan Co., Illinois; was married in Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, July 29, 1869, to Alice, daughter of Michael and Mary Keith, born in Ireland in 1848; this union has been blessed by four children; Mary, Oct. 31, 1870; Michael, March 26, 1873; Thomas, Jan. 5, 1876, and Ella, March 23, 1878
N EEDHAM WILLIAM, farmer, Sec. 34, P.O. Jacksonville
Newby John, farmer, Sec. 21, P.O. Jackson- ville
NEWBY ROBERT, farmer and stock raiser, P.O. Jacksonville ; only son of John Newby, formerly of Yorkshire, England ; was born Aug. 12. 1827, in England, but came to this country with his parents at the early age of three years, and settled at his present residence in the Spring of 1833, thus having grown up as it were with the county, and one who is closely identified with its growth and improvements ; was married Feb. 23, 1854, to Mary, daughter of Wm. and Elizabeth Hall, of Morgan Co .; this union has been blessed by six children, viz. : John W. born May 1, 1855 ; Charles S. Nov. 1, 1856; Frank R. Sept. 9, 1864; Mary Etta, April 23. 1868 ; George. Albert, Oct. 21, 1869, and Emma Jane, Aug. 20, 1872; Mrs. Newby died April 1, 1875, aged 45 years ; Mr. Newby married again Jan. 23, 1877, to Julia Ann McGinness, born Nov. 23, 1849; Mr. Newby's parents still reside on the old homestead ; they were both born in 1801 ; the homestead consists of about 100 acres beautifully located and highly improved land, wrought by the industry and able management of its owner from the wild timber and brush
NEWLAND WM. T. renter, Sec. 17, P.O. Jacksonville ; first son of John New- land, of Adams Co., Illinois, born Oct. 31, 1850, removed to Morgan Co., in 1869, and has lived here since that time; married Oct. 28, 1875, to Mary Juaneta, daughter of John and Mary DeLapp, of Morgan Co., born Aug. 29, 1859 ; this union has been
712
MORGAN COUNTY DIRECTORY.
blessed by one child, Clara J. born Sept. 6, 1877; rents 160 acres of land, the gen- eral appearance of which indicate the in- dustry and thrifty husbandry of its occupant Noonan Thomas, farmer, Sec. 10, P.O. Jack- sonville
PATTERSON WM. farmer, Sec. I, P.O. Jacksonville
Potts J. H. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Jacksonville
Pratt J. F. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 6, P. O. Jacksonville ·
R ANSON P. lab. P. O. Jacksonville .
Ranson Robt. K. carp. P.O. Jackson- ille
Rawlings Edward, farmer, Sec. 28, P.O. Jacksonville
Kehmeier Henry, farmer, Sec. 12, P.O. Jack- sonville
Rice Elbert G. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 26, P.O. Jacksonville
Richardsen Geo. S. farmer, Sec. 33, P.O. Lynnville
Richardson John, farmer, Sec. 28, P.O. Jack- sonville
Richardson Jonathan, farmer, Sec. 27, P.O. Jacksonville
RICHARDSON P. D. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 28, P.O. Jacksonville ; son of William Richardson, of Yorkshire, England (now of Jacksonville), who settled in this county at the age of seventeen years with his parents, and grandson of John and Elizabeth Richardson, of Yorkshire, Eng- land, who emigrated to this country 1831, and arrived in: Morgan County, Oct. 22nd of that year and settled where the subject of this biography now resides ; P. D. Rich- ardson was born on his present homestead, Nov. 19, 1846, and has lived here ever since ; married May 20, 1868, to Annie J. Gibbs, daughter of Robert Gibbs, Esq., of Scott Co., born Oct. 20, 1848 ; this union has been blessed by six children, viz : Lilloe Belle, Aug. 30, 1869; Emeline, Oct. 18, 1870; William G., April 10. 1872 ; Annet- ta, Sept. 21, 1874; Peter Leslie, Feb. 2, 1875, and Henry H., Oct. 23, 1876; Mr. P. D. R. fully sustains the reputation of his ancestors as an upright, zealous and thrifty husbandman, has adopted many modern improvements on his large farm, and is the breeder of some of the finest short-horn
cattle and Berkshire hogs in the country, of which he makes a specialty
Richardson Wm. K. farmer, Sec. 12, P.O. Jacksonville
Richardson Vincent S. sen. farmer, Sec. 33, P.O. Jacksonville
Richardson V. S. jr. farmer, Sec. 33, P.O. Lynnville
Riley Robert, farmer, Sec. 28, P.O. Jackson - ville
Rogers E. V. farmer, Sec. 22, P.O. Jackson- ville
Rudkin Henry, farmer, Sec. 18, P.O Jackson- ville
SARGENT J. C. farmer, Sec. 15, P.O. Jacksonville
Saunderson S. T. farmer, Sec. 17, P.O. Jack- sonville
Sawtell Charles, farmer, Sec. 16, P.O. Jack- sonville
Scott John E. farmer, Sec. 22, P.O. Jackson- ville
Smith John A. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Jacksonville
SMITH JOSEPH T. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 5, P.O. Jacksonville; born in Hartford, Conn., May 22, 1814, and re- moved to this county in the Fall of 1844 ; he is one, therefore, whose interests are closely identified with its growth and improvements ; married in Connecticut, May 3, 1837, to Harriet M., daughter of Erastus and Sarah B. Lathrop, of Ashford, Conn., born March 12, 1818; this union has been blessed by five children : George C., born May 13, 1842 ; Julia M., born May 1, 1844, died Dec. 17, 1845 ; Arthur L., born April 12, 1847, died Sept. 7, 1872 ; Joseph Clarance, born Sept. 28, 1849, and Charles H., born Jan. 24, 1852 ; Mr. Smith, since coming to this State, has devoted his industries solely to agricultural pursuits ; homestead consists of 255 acres beautifully located and highly improved land
Smith Wm. R. Mrs. Sec. 9, P.O. Jacksonville Smith Wilson, farmer, Sec. 7, P.O. Chapin Spaulding D. F. farmer, Sec. 13, P.O. Jack- sonville
Spaulding John, farmer, Sec. 13, P.O. Jack- sonville
Spencer John, renter, Sec. 29, P.O. Lynnville Steele E. S. Rev. pastor of Joy Prairie Church, Sec. 6, P.O. Concord
713
TOWN 15 NORTH RANGE 11 WEST.
Stephenson Chas. renter, Sec. 12, P.O. Jack- sonville
Strawn Julius E., Sec. 36, P.O. Jacksonville STOUT MARSHALL, renter, Sec. II, P.O. Jacksonville ; first son of Jacob Stout of Morgan Co .; the subject of this sketch was born Dec. 29, 1849, in Morgan Co., and has lived here all his life, thus growing up as it were with the county, and onė whose interests are closely allied with its improvements; married Dec. 15, 1875, to Mary Etta, daughter of Wm. and Mary Rawlings, of Morgan Co., born Sept. 30, 1853; rents 280 acres land, highly im- proved, bearing evidences of the industry of its occupant on every hand
STRAWN JACOB, agriculturist and stock raiser ; was born in Somerset County, Penn., May 30, 1800, descending from English and Welsh ancestry ; his paternal ancestor came in the same ship which brought Wm. Penn to this country ; Jacob Strawn inherited an unusual share of the hardy vigor and energy of his ancestors, and early manifested those tastes and fac- ulties for agriculture and business pursuits for which later in life he became so remarkable; he took to farming naturally and from a love of the employment, but his special inclination was to the handling of cattle; in early youth he had ideas of stock raising, and began operations in that line which foreshadowed the talent and success subsequently achieved in the same ; in the year 1817, his parents with their family removed to Licking County, Ohio, where they engaged in farming; at the age of nineteen, Jacob Strawn was married to Matilda Green, the daughter of a Baptist minister of the neighborhood ; he was soon settled on a farm of his own, and at once commenced to breed and deal in cattle and horses ; success attended his efforts from the first, and in a few years accumulated several thousand dollars; desiring to ex- tend his operations beyond what was pos- sible on a comparatively small farm, he sought broader fields, and in 1828, during a prospecting tour, he made his first land purchase in Illinois, the record of which, now on file in the county clerk's office, reads thus : Nov. 20, 1828, Jonathan Cobb to Jacob Strawn, Sec. 36, 15, II, 395 acres, $1,700 ; this land still comprises part of the
Strawn estate; after making this purchase, he returned to Ohio, where he disposed of his property and arranged his business pre- paratory to his removal West, and on the 17th of May, 1831, settled on his land pre- viously purchased, five miles southwest of Jacksonville, where he was destined to play so prominent a part in the growth and de- velopment of the State of Illinois; in the December following his wife died ; she had born him seven children, three of whom are living ; in July, 1832, he married Phœbe Gates, daughter of Samuel Gates, Greene County, Ill .; Mrs. Strawn was born in Washington County, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1814; her parents removed to Illinois when she was only two years of age, and settled on land now embraced within the limits of Calhoun County ; by this union six children were added to the family of Mr. Strawn, viz : Daniel G., Dec. 14, 1833, deceased Aug. 3, 1839 ; Julius E., Dec. 2, 1835, re- sides at the homestead ; Jacob, Jan. 21, 1839, died Oct. 9, 1869, leaving widow and three children now living in Jacksonville ; Gates, Feb. 16, 1841, residing in Jackson- ville ; David G., Oct. 2, 1842, resides at Cambridge, Mass., and Martha A., Nov. 18, 1845, died July 15, 1868 ; Mr. Strawn, upon his settlement here, at once com- menced operations on a large scale; he soon had a great part of his land under fence and cultivation ; from time to time he added tracts of valuable land to his estate in furtherance of his vast plan of stock feeding, with a view of supplying the markets of the East and South; these ad- ditions of land comprised about 7,000 acres contiguous to the homestead, 10,000 acres in Mauvaisterre precinct, purchased about 1845, and 2,200 acres in LaSalle County, his whole land purchases making an aggre- gate of about 20,000 acres ; it was no part of Mr. Strawn's policy to hold on to all the land he bought, for he sold various small tracts to those who had proven themselves faithful employes, on very liberal terms, giving them ample time to pay for it by their industry ; he also sold a great portion of his Mauvaisterre tract at low figures ranging from eight dollars per acre and up- wards; no one thought of competing with him, few could do so, for if any had the necessary funds, they lacked the required
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MORGAN COUNTY DIRECTORY.
genius for enterprises of such a character, and had not the generalship to direct such vast operations to a successful issue ; it is related that to defeat a formidable combi- nation to break down his trade in St. Louis, he sent out agents on every road leading to that city, with instructions to purchase every drove on its way thither, and so well was this movement conducted that, for a time, ample enough to show his capacity to cope with any such clique, he held a complete monopoly of the trade ; none of his great success was due to chance, or what is called good fortune, but was the result of wise forethought, prudent man- agement, and a ceaseless activity of mind and body, which few men would be capable of whatever their' talent or disposition might be; he did not spend much time in bed, or in the house, but he spent a great deal in the saddle night and day, when di- recting the movements of his vast herds ; his business was his pleasure; he made no great professions of piety, yet he believed religion important and necessary ; he had a high sense of honor; his word he held sacred ; his promptitude in meeting prom- ises was proverbial ; he was kind as well as just, and was slow to take advantage of any person's necessities or misfortunes ; during the late war he was strong and generous in the Union cause; at one time he contrib- uted ten thousand dollars in aid of the Christian Commission ; he was also instru- mental in sending fifty milch cows to Vicks- burg, for the relief of the wounded and suf- fering troops ; he was a true patriot ; his habits were marked by extreme simplicity; he thought more of well tilled fields and handsome stock than of all personal array- ments ; he had the strong temptations of opulence and passion, but was remarkably free from the vices which often spring up in the midst of such influences ; after a life of almost unexampled activity and very unusual success in accomplishing the wordly objects at which he aimed, he died sudden- ly at his home, Aug. 23, 1865, from a dis- ease to which he had for many years been subject ; Mr. Strawn was buried in the beautiful "Diamond Grove Cemetery," a handsome and worthy monument marking the spot ; Mrs. Strawn still resides at the homestead, familiarly known as “Grass
Plains," delightfully located, and compris- ing about 2,500 acres; she also owns the Strawn Opera House, Jacksonville, which was built about eighteen years ago, and opened to the public, March, 1861
Sturdy George S. farmer, Sec. 23, P.O. Jack- sonville
TAYLOR BARRY, renter, Sec. 22, P.O. Jacksonville
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