USA > Illinois > McLean County > The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 142
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JOHN CARLYL, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Belleflower; one of the first and most prominent settlers of the township ; was born at Srawns on Millbank, St. Mungo, Dumfries- shire, Scotland, Feb. 18, 1822: came to the United States in 1861, and settled in McLean Co., this State, in the same year. He was married at Linn Hall, Tundergarth, on the 6th day of March, 1855, to Miss Mary Smith, who was born at Linn Hall, Scotland, Feb. 18, 1827; they have had seven children, four of whom are living-Helen B., Walter, John Smith and Janet ; deceased-Margaret J., died Oct. 10, 1864; Jemima A., died April 27, 1868; Mary Jane M., died June 12, 1877; the farm of Mr. CarlyI, which is named by him Pleasant Park, consists of 400 acres, valued at $10,000.
MARTIN V. CLINE, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Belleflower ; one of the early settlers; was born in Ohio April 15, 1837; came to this State with his father's family, and settled in Sangamon Co., in 1840. In 1863, he was married to Miss Annie Smith, who was born in Mich- igan June 28, 1841 ; they have three children-Jacob S., Silas and Edith. In 1861, he removed from Sangamon Co. to McLean Co. His farm consists of 160 acres, valued at $5,000.
THOMAS DILLON, general merchant, Osman ; one of the first settlers, and owner of the entire village ; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 13, 1843, came to this State in 1869, and to this county and settled at Osman, Belleflower Township, in 1874. In the same year, at Brook- lyn, N. Y., he was married to Miss Mary A. Hartigan. Since Mr. Dillon's residence in Osman, his occupation has been that of a general merchant, railroad and express agent and Postmaster.
ISAAC E. FUNK, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Belleflower ; one of the natives of Illinois ; was born in McLean Co., III., Feb. 10, 1843. He is the son of the late John Funk, deceased, who was one of the first settlers and pioneers of this county. Mr. Funk was married Dec. 24, 1867, to Miss Mary Jenkins, who was born in Virginia March 23, 1848; they have had four children, three of whom are living, viz., Bettie L., Guy J. and Lafayette; deceased-Julia Anne. Since Mr. Funk's residence in the township, he has held the offices of School Director and Road Commissioner several years. His farm consists of 160 acres, valued at $5,000. He was a participant in the late war ; he enlisted in the 117th I. V. I., served three years, and was dis- charged with honor at the close of the war.
L. B. GRANT, collecting agent, Postmaster and Justice of the Peace, Belleflower; was born in RaIls Co .. Mo., Feb. 10, 1825; came to this State and settled in Sangamon Co. in 1840, and removed from there to McLean Co. in 1865; in 1841, he entered on an apprenticeship as black- smith, served out his time, and his avocation has been such until the last few years of his resi- dence in this township. He was married Feb. 4, 1850, to Miss Siren Rhea, who was born in San- gamon Co., III., March 3, 1830; they have seven children, viz., Mary Alice, Peter, Susan, Ulysses S., Cora, Edward and Richard. Mr. Grant has held the office of Justice of the Peace in this township for six years, and, during his residence in Sangamon Co., held the office of Col- lector one term.
GEORGE HELENA, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Belleflower; one of the early settlers of the county ; was born in Washington Co., Md., Ang. 31, 1829; came to this State in 1857, and settled in McLean Co. Ile has been a resident of Belleflower since 1871. In 1855, he was married to Miss Rachel Wendel, who was born in Virginia, Nov. 27, 1827; they have had eight children, five of whom are living, viz., Martin L., Simon Francis, George J., Lee Wesley and William Milton ; deceased-John Henry, Mary C. and Franklin David. The farm of Mr. IFelena consists of 160 acres, valued at $5,000.
MRS. ELIZABETH INGLE, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Saybrook ; one of the first set- tlers of Belleflower Township ; was born in Fleming Co., Ky., July 14, 1844; came to this State with her parents when 7 years old, and settled in McLean Co. ; she is the widow of the late William Ingle, deceased, who was born in Tennessee Dec. 20, 1826, and who died March 5, 1877; they have had eleven children, five of whom are living, viz., Nettie, Sadie, Ella, Hilary and James ; deceased-Millie, Henry, Amos, Charles and two infants. The farm of Mrs. Ingle con- sists of 152 acres, valued at $6,000.
L. S. JONES, farmer and stock-raiser; P O. Belleflower ; was born in De Witt Co. Sept. 1, 1845 ; came to McLean Co. in 1858, and settled in Belleflower Township in 1870. He was married to Miss Nellie F. Moore, who was born in McLean Co., Ill., Aug, 29, 1844; they have had three children, two of whom are living, viz., Grace B. and Percival ; deceased, Willie J. The farm of Mr. Jones consists of 1183 acres, valued at $4,200. He was a participant in the late war, enlisting in the 145th Regt. I. V. I. ; served five months under Governor's call, at the expiration of which time he was discharged with honor.
GEORGE KIRK, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Kumler ; was born in Kentucky Aug. 24, 1842. Came to this State and settled in McLean Co. in 1874. IIe has been a resident of Belle- flower Township since 1875. His farm consists of 100 acres, valued at $4,000. He was mar- ried Feb. 4, 1873, to Miss Euphrasia Reynolds, who was born in Kentucky Jan. 9, 1846. They
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
have three children-Linden, Theodore H. and May F. Mr. Kirk was a participant in the late war, having enlisted in Co. L, 2d Regiment Ky. V. C., and serving three years and three months. His time of enlistment had more than expired when he was discharged with honor, Feb. 13, 1865.
JOHN KISSACK, farmer and stock raiser ; P. O. Kumler ; one of the early settlers of the township ; was born in England Feb. 12, 1844. Came to the United States in 1866, and to this State in 1867, and settled in Tazewell Co. In 1871, he removed to McLean Co., and settled in Belleflower Township. Ifis farin consists of 241} acres, 160 of which are located in Piatt and De Witt Connties. The whole is valued at $8,000.
NORRIS C. LA TEER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Belleflower ; one of the early set- tlers ; was born in Sussex Co., N J., Feb. 6, 1821. Came to this State in 1858, and settled in Belleflower Township, this county, in 1861. Then purchased the farm he now owns, which consists of eighty acres, valued at $2,500. IIe was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Cynthia Ann Jayne, who was born in Pennsylvania Jan. 16, 1827. They have had four children-IIenry E., Lydia C., W. J. and Susie J. Since Mr. La Teer's residence in the township, he has held the office of Supervisor six years. and is at present Commissioner of Highways.
ALBERT H. MARQUIS, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Belleflower ; one of the early set- tlers of the county ; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, in 1834 ; came to this State in 1853, but did not make a permanent settlement until 1865; having in his boyhood days a proclivity for traveling, he set out for this State in the employ of Claffiin & Co., of Ohio, manufacturers of paper ; while in their employ, he traveled principally through the eastern part of this State and Indiana with a team, as at that time there were no railroads in this section of the country. Since his residence in this county, he has held the office of Supervisor and other prominent offices. In 1861, he was married to Miss Martha J. Logan, who was born in New York ; they have six children, viz., Ross, George, Frank, Harry K., Ralph S. and Mabel. The farm of Mr. Marquis consists of 160 acres, valued at $6,500.
JOIIN II. MARSH, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Kumler ; was born in Indiana April 27, 1853 ; came to this State and settled in McLean Co., in 1875: his farm consists of 160 acres, valued at $6,000. He was married Feb. 25, 1874, to Miss Lida Leming, who was born in Indiana April 6, 1857 ; they have one child, viz., Archie L.
R. E. MORELAND, grain dealer, Belleflower : one of the early settlers of Belleflower Town- ship ; was born in Virginia April 7, 1833 ; when he was four years old, he moved with his parents from his native State to Ohio, where he remained until 1850, when he came to Illinois and settled in Tazewell Co .; in 1858, he removed to McLean Co., and settled in Belleflower Township, at which time he made some investments in land ; his present farm consists of 160 acres. Ile was married to Miss Margaret A. Davis, who was born in Illinois May 11, 1838; she is the daughter of Mr. H. Davis, who is one of the first settlers and pioneers of Tazewell Co. ; they have seven children, viz., Anna, Nellie, Jennie, Eddie, Albert B., Isabel and Thurman. Since Mr. More- land's residence in the township, he has held the office of Justice of the Peace fourteen years ; he has also held the office of Township Clerk, and nearly all the other township offices ; he is now Notary Public, which position he has held six years.
BERNARD MORELAND, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Belleflower ; one of the early set- tlers in the southeastern part of McLean Co. ; was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, May 7, 1837 ; came to this State and settled in Tazewell Co. in 1851, and, in 1858, removed to McLean Co. and settled in Belleflower Township ; his pursuits have been that of a farmer and stock-raiser from boyhood ; liis present farm consists of 160 acres, valued at $6,400. He was married to Miss Elizabeth West, who was born in Indiana ; they have three children-Mason B., Ambrose and Walter. Mr. Moreland served in Quartermaster's Department about six months during the late war; since his residence in this township he has held the office of Assessor three years.
JOIIN NICOL, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Belleflower ; one of the early settlers of the county : was born in Lochmaben, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, May 15, 1823; came to the United States, in 1852, and settled in McLean Co., this State, in the same year. In 1851, he was married to Miss Jane Wells, now deceased, who was born at Lochmaben, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, in 1833, and who died in 1863 ; they have had eight children, six of whom are living-Andrew, Mary, Margaret, Jane, Helen and Janet ; deceased, two infants. Since Mr. Nicol's residence in this township, he has held office of School Trustee six years : he is now Highway Commissioner. His farm consists of 160 acres, valued at $6,400.
T. L. PAULLIN, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Belleflower; was born in Ohio Sept. 8, 1849 ; came to this State with his father's family and settled in Logan Co., in 1851. Mr. Paullin was married, in 1871, to Miss Nannie J. Constant, who was born in Sangamon Co., Ill., March 21, 1854 ; they have had three children, two of whom are living-Edna and Walker ; deceased, Ernest. Since MIr. Panllin's residence in this township, which has been since 1873, he has held offices of Roadmaster and School Director. His farm consists of 200 acres, valued at $7,000.
HUGH R. PORTER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Osman ; an early settler in the south- eastern portion of McLean Co .: was born in London, Eng., Jan. 14, 1845; came to the United. States in 1854, and settled in McLean Co., Ill., in 1863. He was married, in 1875, to Miss Eliza Walker, who was born in Liverpool, Eng., Sept. 1, 1853 : his farm consists of 172 acres of land ..
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BELLEFLOWER TOWNSIIIP.
valued at $6,000. He served a short time as teamster in the late war, in a pressed gang from Tennessee ; being a Union man, and loyal to the U. S. Government, this was forced upon him against his will. IIe is the first settler in this part of the county, coming here when transpor- tation was done with horse and mule teams, and his nearest post office was twelve miles distant ; game was plentiful in those days, consisting of deer, geese, etc., and, in the year 1867, he had 200 bushels of cribbed corn destroyed by them. Mr. P. has lived to see and take part in the construction of the public roads all over this vicinity ; he has traveled nearly this whole world over, and this to him is the best of all countries.
JOHN E. RAWLINGS, farmer and breeder of fine stock ; P. O. Kumler : one of the early settlers of the State ; was born in Fleming Co., Ky., Oct. 18, 1810 ; came to this State, in 1837, and settled in Sangamon Co. in the same year; he has been a resident of McLean Co. since 1859: his farm consists of 160 acres, valued at $6,000. Previous to his coming to this county. he resided in Menard and Sangamon Counties twenty-four years, during which time he held the office of Justice of the Peace in Menard eight years ; Constable in Sangamon three years, and Coroner in Menard two years. He was married, in 1834, to Miss Polly Scott, who was born in Tennessee : they have had seven children-five of whom are living-Austin. Ella, Minnie, Francis A. and John F .; deceased-Louisa and Mary Jane. Austin, the eldest son of Mr. Raw- lings, served four years in the late war; he enlisted in the Ist Mo. Cav., which was afterward credited to this State, at the expiration of which time he re-enlisted as a veteran ; was promoted Sergeant, and later was elected 2d Lieutenant: he served until the close of the war, when he was discharged with honor by general order.
ROBERT ROME, general merchant, Belleflower ; one of the most prominent settlers ; was born in Scotland Oct. 20, 1847 ; came to the United States and this State in 1871, and sett'ed in Belletlower, McLean Co .. in the same year ; his occupation, since residing here, has been that of a general merchant; he is the constructor and proprietor of the third oldest establishment in the township. In 1874, he was married to Miss Agnes Brown, who was born in Scotland Jan. 3, 1852 ; they have two children-Sarah Jane and Clara Agnes.
J. W. SNYDER, farmer, stock raiser and manufacturer of tile; P. O. Belleflower ; one of the most prominent settlers ; was born in Indiana Jan. 29, 1829; he is the son of Mr Simon E. Snyder, who is one of the early settlers of that State. Mr. Suyder came to this State in 1873, and, in 18744, settled in Belleflower Township, McLean Co .; since his residence here, his pursuits have been that of a farmer, stock -raiser and manufacturer of tile. In 1850, he was married to Miss Mary A. Benner, who was born in Indiana ; they have had five children, three of whom are living, viz., Cyrus, Orville, and Charles ; deceased-Simon and Dora A. The farm of Mr. Snyder consists of 300 acres, valued at $12,000.
G. W. STOKES, druggist and grocer, Belleflower: was born at Huddersfield Bridge, England, April 28, 1849 ; came to the United States with his father's family in 1853, and settled in Chicago, this State, in the same year. He has been a resident of McLean Co. for the past four years, during which time his pursuits have been that of a druggist and grocer. In 1875, he was married to Miss Julia P. Winter, who was born in Bureau Co., Ill., Feb. 4, 1856; they have two children-Arthur Winter and George Armitage.
MARK M. SUTHERLAND, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Belleflower ; one of the natives of Illinois ; was born in Cook Co. March 14, 1845 ; came to McLean Co. in 1872, and then settled in Belleflower Township ; his farm consists of eighty acres, valued at $4,000. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Beulah J. Foster, who was born in Canada Oct. 30, 1843; they have had five children, three of whom are living, viz., Silas S., Harriet E. and Richard W .; deceased-Lydia and an infant. Mr. Sutherland has held the office of School Director constantly since his resi- dence in this township.
HENRY TOBIN, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Osman ; was born in Tipperary Co., Ire- land, Jan. 27, 1842; came to the United States and to this State in 1857, and settled in McLean Co. in 1863. His farm consists of 120 acres, valued at $3,600. In 1865, he was married to Miss Lizzie Huston, now deceased ; in 1874, he married again, to Miss Lizzie Trainor, of Bloom- ington, Ill .; they have one child-Nellie.
MARTIN M. VREELAND, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Belleflower; was born in New Jersey Oct. 14, 1828; came to this State in 1860, and to this county and settled in Belleflower Township in 1870. In 1875, he was married to Miss Mary A. Hamilton, who was born in New Jersey Feb. 16, 1837 ; they have three children-Jane A., Charles McClellan and Mary E. The farm of Mr. Vreeland consists of 100 acres, valued at $4,000.
PETER M. VREELAND, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Belleflower; was born in New Jersey April 8. 1831 ; came to this State, in 1867, and settled in McLean Co. in the same year. He has been a resident of Belleflower Township since 1870 ; his farm consists of eighty acres, valued at $3,000. Ile was married Nov. 28, 1867, to Miss Silvira Jones, who was born in De Witt Co., Ill., Sept. 8, 1843; they have three children-Elmira J., John M. and Lucian M.
WILLARD D. WARNER, farmer and stock-raiser : P. O. Osman ; was born in the State of New York Sept. 22, 1835 ; came to this State with his father's family when he was 9 years old ; they settled in Tazewell Co. In 1859, he was married to Miss Sarah Anne Lawrence, who was born in Indiana Jan. 12, 1841 ; they have four children-Frank L., Edith A., Lemma M. and Adelia A. The farm of Mr. Warner consists of 124 acres, valued at $5,000.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
G. W. WHEELER, deceased, whose portrait appears in this work, was born near Bristol, llartford Co., Conn., Aug. 29, 1820 ; his father's name was William, and was of English descent ; his mother's maiden name was Hila Curtis; his father died while he was still a child, after which he continued to reside with his mother until he was 18 years of age, when he went to New York State, and was engaged with his brother peddling goods for about two years ; in the year 1840, he went to Kalamazoo Co., Mlich., and worked upon a farm for his brother for four years, and then went to Scioto, opposite the city of Portsmouth, and worked in a foundry ; there ; on June 21, 1846, he married Miss Helen M. Wilson, daughter of John and Isabella Wilson, of Pennsylvania, and immediately afterward moved to Kalamazoo Co., Mich., and engaged in farming up to 1858, when he came to the State of Illinois, and first settled in Bureau Co., and from there, in the year 1858, came to Belleflower Township, in McLean Co., and settled upon the farm upon which his widow still resides, where he died Oct. 26, 1877. Ilis estate con- tains 320 acres. His family consisted of ten children, nine of whom are living -Armina I. (now Mrs. John H. Dean, of Belleflower Township, married in April. 1865), Allie M. (now Mrs. Frank Dixen, of Bloomington, married July 9, 1874), John N. (who married Miss Jennie Conrad March 4. 1879, and lives in Belleflower Township) : the following still live at home-Thomas M. ( who married March 7, 1879, Miss Laura Garst of Allin Township), Alida V., Nettie I., George W., Frank W., Nellie M., and one deceased, Lewis.
MONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
AUSTIN Y. BARNARD, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 20; P. O. Towanda ; born in Money Creek Township Feb. 19, 1841, which has been his home since, with the exception of a residence in Ford Co., Ill., for four years. Enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. I, 94th I. V. I., and served until the close of the war; he was in the following engagements : Prairie Grove, Ark., siege of Vicksburg, and other battles and skirmishes about Vicksburg, Fort Morgan, Ala., Spanish Fort, same State, and Mobile : was with the regiment in Texas, and during their stay they were for a short time ou Mexican soil for the protection of the American Consul at Matamoras. Marrie 1, in 1866, Miss Tabitha A. Trimmer, who was born in Money Creek Township : five children by this union, three living-Myrou D., Ida C. and Ada A .: lost two-Allie, died in 1874 ; Ranson, died in 1870. Mr. B. is a member of Lodge, No. 206, I. O. O. F.
LEVI BARNARD, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 20: P. O. Towanda; born in Money Creek Township, this county, Sept. 1, 1843. His father. Melman N. Barnard, being one of the early settlers, having settled in this county nearly fifty years ago. The subject of this sketch now resides within one-half mile of his birth-place. Married, in 1868. Miss Caroline Morris, . who was born in Ohio : four children by this union, two living-Jesse H. and Melman N .: lost two-Edgar L., died in 1873 ; one died in infancy.
SAMUEL F. BARNARD, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 21; P. O. Towanda : born in Money Creek Township May 31, 1837; his father, Melman N. Barnard, settled in the township forty- eight years ago ; he came to the county about 1831. The subject of this sketch now resides on the land entered by his father, and within one-half mile of his birth-place: owns 151 acres of land in Money Creek Township; served as Town Clerk two years, and School Director nine years. Married, in 1858, Miss Nancy J. Poulson, who was born in Ohio ; she died Feb. 28, 1872; four children by this union, three living-John M., Sherman E. and Ethel ; lost one- Dora A .; she died in 1861. Was again married. in November, 1872, to Ruth A. Wilson, who was born in Washington Co., Penn.
ROBERT FINCHAM, farmer ; P. O. Towanda ; one of the old settlers of Money Creek Township, McLean Co., Ill .. The subject of this sketch is known as Uncle Robert Fincham ; he was born in Culpeper Co., Va., May 7, 1811 ; at 10 years of age, he commenced to follow the plow, and from this time was constantly employed upon the farm. Upon the 25th of January, 1831, he was united in marriage with Emma Weakley ; she was born Jan. 11, 1815, in the above county. In September, 1831, their capital consisted of one bed. their clothes, three knives and forks, one skillet, two tin cups and $13 iu cash ; with the above worldly goods, they started out in the world to seek their fortune, their destination being Ohio; contracting for the bringing of their bed and clothes to Ohio, they crossed the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains, and arrived in what is now Licking Co., Ohio, upon Oct. 12, 1x31, having traveled the whole elistance upon foot. Upon arriving at their place of destination, and paying $7 for bringing his bed and clothes, his capital consisted of $1.50: they invested $1 in provisions, and in a short time paid their last 50 cents as double postage upon a letter : he obtained permission to occupy a vacant cabin, into which he moved and lived the first winter ; he first obtained work at chopping cord-wood, at 25 cents per cord, which business he followed the first winter, in connection with making and hooping barrels and tubs in bad weather, and shoe-making during the evenings, by the light of a taHow candle : their furniture consisted of some stools, and, for a table, a board was laid across two blocks. The spring found them in possession of a cow and an established
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MONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
credit ; he then hired out for six months, for $12 per month, and, the following year. had saved the means to purchase a horse, which he placed with one of his neighbors, and they put in thirty acres of corn, selling their product at 18 cents per bushel . he continued the struggle against poverty until 1842, when he purchased sixty-two acres of land and improved it, until 1851, when he disposed of the same, and, emigrating to Illinois, located in Money Creek Township, where he has since lived, driving from Ohio by team. the trip consuming forty days ; he first secured 110 acres, to which he afterward added, until he had 320 acres, with buildings erected, at a cost of upward of $6,000, all of which he, with the assistance of his wife, had aceumu- lated by their own hard labor, energy and industry. Mr. Fincham has held the office of Com- missioner of Highways for twelve years, and several other petty offices. In the spring of 1879, he, with his wife and two daughters, removed to Towanda, to look after the interest of some property he had there, but his residence will soon be upon his farm again. They were the parents of fifteen children, of whom thirteen are now living-Alexander T. William J., llenry M., Mary, Martha, Elizabeth, Margaret. Lemuel, Benjamin F., Rachel, Laura, Adeline and Nel- lie : the deceased died in infancy.
WESLEY P. FRANKLIN, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 1; P. O. Lexington ; born in Owen Co., Ind., March 15, 1837, where he resided until 13 years of age. In May, 1850, he came to Illinois, locating in Money Creek Township. During the first seven years, he followed herding cattle on the then universal pasture-the prairies ; then engaged in driving and shipping stock. Since 1872, he has followed farming and stock-raising. His farm of 390 acres, valued at $15,000, has a good supply of water, and is well adapted to stock-raising. He has served as Commissioner of Highways two terms ; Town Trustee and School Director several years. Mar- ried, in 1858, Miss Anna Pnett, who was born in Indiana : four children by this union-Stella, Herschel, Lillian and Daisy.
WILLIAM GILMORE, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 22; P. O. Lexington ; born in Fayette Co., Ohio, Sept. 21, 1830, but removed in early childhood with his father's family to Dayton, Ohio. Came to Illinois in the fall of 1834, locating in Money Creek Township, this county. Elected Justice of the Peace in 1870, serving till 1873, when he was re-elected, and served until March, 1875, when he removed from the township. Served as Supervisor one term. Owns 120 acres of land in Money Creek Township. Married, in 1855, Miss Aladelphia A., daughter of Melman N. Barnard, who settled in the county nearly fifty years ago. She was born in Money Creek Township. Six children by this union, four living-Noah E., James N., Charles 11. and Sinnia E. ; lost two-Martha E., died in 1855; Ira E. in 1864. Mr. G. served four terms as Col- lector in Gridley Township. llis father, James Gilmore, who was a native of Ohio, settled in Towanda Township in 1834.
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