The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 81

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 848


USA > Illinois > Mason County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 81
USA > Illinois > Menard County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 81


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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H. C. GRAHAM, farmer ; son of Peter and Mary A. (Akcre) Graham ; was born in Athens May 8, 1833; his parents came from the city of New York to Illinois, in 1829, and to Atliens, Menard Co., in 1830, where they still live, at a combined age of 146 years. H. C. is the oldest of a family of ten, nine of whom are still living ; he has followed agricultural pursuits thus far through life, except a few years of his early life, which were devoted to the trade of a carpenter. He married Miss Fanny L., daughter of Levi and Ann (Patterson) Cantrall, Jan. 6, 1856 ; she was born Oct. 9, 1838 ; they have raised a family of five-Mary A., born June 23, 1858; William H., Aug. 11, 1862; Araminta, Oct. 13, 1868 ; Joseph S., March 26, 1871; Carric, Aug. 5, 1878. They settled where they now live in 1856, and have for many years been members and workers in the Athens M. E. Church. They have a fine farm of 400 acres, and a beautiful residence.


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CAPT. J. A. HURT, hotel proprietor, Athens ; son of James K. and Melinda (Preston) Hurt, and was born near Springfield, Ill., Dec. 22, 1829 ; his parents came from Warren Co., Ky., settling at his birthplace in 1828; they came to Athens, Men- ard Co., in 1832. His father died in June, 1851 ; his mother still survives, in good health, at the age of 71. Captain is the oldest of the family of twelve, eight of whom are now living. During the late war he enlisted with the 28th I. V. I., serving in this regiment about one year, as First Lieutenant, and afterward went out with the 106th I. V. I., in which he was clected Captain, which position he held nearly three years. Since the war, he has followed agricultural pursuits, together with hotel business. He was licensed an M. E. preacher, by the M. E. Church, in 1866, and has since been a faithful Christian worker. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1866, and again in 1877, which office he now holds. He is an industrious, benevolent, and a much respected citizen.


CLAIBORNE HALL, farmer and merchant, Athens; is a native of Patrick Co., Va., where he was born Sept. 5, 1819; in the 10th ycar of his age, with his father's family, he emigrated to Boone Co., Mo., and shortly afterward located near Athens, Menard Co., remaining here until 1843, when he removed to Iowa, and settled on the " New Purchase," therc, for five years, he improved and then purchased a quar- ter-seetion of land ; it was during this time that he was elected Justice of the Peace for what was known then as the " Attached Territory " of Mahaska Co., Marion Co. was organized out of that territory in 1846, Mr. Hall being elceted County Surveyor. He was subsequently elected to the offiecs of Probate Judge, Sheriff, Recorder, Collee- tor, and Treasurer for said county. At the close of his term of office, in 1854, he returned to farming, having purchased another farm, near Knoxville. While thus engaged, he became editor and proprietor of the Democratic Standard, the first Democratic paper published in that county. After a year's editorial experience, he was elected County Superintendent of Schools. Two years afterward, he removed to Knoxville, and engaged in mercantile business, continuing in this until the autumn of 1864, when he removed to Athens, his former place of abode. Since that time he has farmed, and for several years has been identified with mercantile life in Athens. In 1845, Mr. Hall was married to Miss Susan T. Duncan, daughter of Marshall Duncan, near Salisbury, who had emigrated from Kentucky at an early day. One son, Wil- son B., was the only child born of this union. Susan T. died in 1850. Three years afterward, Mr. Hall married Eliza J. Olive, near Zanesville, Ohio, who also died Dee. 10, 1864. Two years later, Mr. H. was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Riggin, of this county, daughter of Harry and Miriam Riggin, both of whom emigrated to this State from Tennessee, in 1817. Mr. Hall's life has been one of varied usefulness, and he is yet an active business man, and liighly estecmed citizen. Of the religious character of Mr. Hall, it may be proper to state that he has been an acceptable member of the Christian Church, since 1838, and was ordained Elder thercin in 1859, and has discharged the dutics of this saered calling with faithfulness and ability.


ELIHU HALL, son of Fleming and Susanna (Tiee) Hall; was born in Patrick Co., Va., June 4, 1822, and came with parents to what is now Menard Co., Ill., in 1829; they located upon the farm where Elihu now lives; his parents still live here, and their combined ages amount to 178 years; Elihu is a scientifie botanist, and has devoted the principal part of twenty-five years to the study of botany and to his herba- rium, and has a collection of 15,000 specimens, beyond a doubt the finest private collec- tion in this country. He was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Brown May 10, 1871 ; they have three children-Una M., Julian H. and Hubert R.


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J. N. HALL, farmer and one of the pioneers of the county, was born in Law- renec Co., Ohio, June 10, 1816, and was the fourth child of a family of fourtecn ; he came with his parents to this county in 1827 ; here his father died about 1839, and his mother in 1862; he has resided upon the old homestead thus far through life ; he owns the old homestead farm, which consists of 390 acres. He married Miss Sarah Parker, of this county, April 2, 1842 ; she was born in Rush Co., Ind., Nov. 4, 1825; they


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have raised a family of fourteen children, all of whom are living-Thomas J., born April 17, 1843 ; Anna E., Aug. 10, 1844; Abraham, April 4, 1846 ; William E., May 9, 1848; Charles A., Nov. 4, 1849; Emily E., Aug. 26, 1853; Nancy J., April 9, 1855; John L., Feb. 20, 1857 ; Samuel- B., Jan. 9, 1859; Ada A., Feb. 3, 1861 ; Amanda A., May 9, 1863; James N., Feb. 28, 1865; Robert L., Feb. 22, 1867 ; Ella M., May 16, 1869.


M. T. HARGRAVE, druggist, Athens; was born in Guilford Co., N. C., March 17, 1842, and, in 1844, was brought by his parents to Ray Co., Mo., where he was prin- cipally raised, and, after obtaining a good English education, began the study of medi- cine under Dr. G. A. Gorden, of Elkhorn, Mo .; in 1863, he located in Bloomington, Ill., and embarked in the grocery business, continuing until 1865, then came to Athens ; here he was in the dry-goods business for several years. Sept. 8, 1868, he was married to Miss Melissa, daughter of Abraham Primm; he then began farming and stock-deal- ing ; in 1874, he established his present business, which he operates, together with his farm ; he is a practical farmer and an able business man, social, genial, and respected by all ; they have had two children-Lillie M., born Sept. 12, 1869, and died May 21, 1878; Minnie R., born Sept. 1, 1876.


JONATHAN HEDRICK, retired; P. O. Athens; was born in Kentucky March 28, 1799, where he was raised and schooled. Nov. 1, 1827, he married Miss" Julia A. Holland, of his native county ; she was born Feb. 8, 1803; he located in Fleming Co. and began farming, which he has followed ever since; they settled in San- gamon Co., Ill., in 1831, and resided there until 1864, when they removed to Menard Co. and settled where they now reside; they have, through energy and industry, bcen quite successful, and have raised a family of six children-Rebecca (now Mrs. J. Can- trall, of Sangamon Co.), Rosetta (deceased, formerly wife of A. Clark), Barton R. (deceased), Narcissa (now widow of McDonald Cantrall), Fleming (deceased), Monson (who died in the army during the late war). Mr. and Mrs. H. have been active workers in the Christian Church since 1844.


JEFF JOHNSON, farmer; P. O. Athens .; is the son of William and Cynthia (Williams) Johnson, and was born where he now resides Oct. 3, 1828; his parents located here in 1823, coming from Bath Co., Ky. ; they entered a large amount of land, and, at his death, had quite a tract improved ; he died Sept. 8, 1843; she still survives, and, at the ripe old age of 75, lives to see the prosperity and usefulness of her children ; she well remembers when this country was inhabited by roving bands of Indians, with but now and then an adventurous settler, and they experienced the hard- ships and privations of pioneer life. The subject of this sketch has made the old homestead his home thus far through life ; he is one of a family of scven, but four of whom are now living; the subject of our sketch has followed stock-dealing and farming thus far through life ; he is looked upon as a practical farmer and a good financier ; his farm consists of some six hundred acres of as fine land as may be found in the county. His wife is Mary, daughter of Nathan P. Riley; they were married Dec. 30, 1858; she was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Sept. 21, 1836 ; they have one child-Anna, born July 7, 1867.


JOHN JOHNSON, farmer; son of William and Cynthia (Williams) Johnson ; was born in this county Sept. 5, 1825, and is the second of a family of seven, four of whom are now living; Mr. Johnson has always made this his home, following farming ; he is industrious and enterprising. He has been twice married ; first to Miss Harriet Jenison, of this county, Dec. 1, 1846 ; she died Oct. 12, 1855, leaving two children- Adalaide, born Sept. 16, 1847 (who became the wife of William E. Hall, and died Jan. 7, 1877), and William E., May 11, 1850; Mr. J. married his present wife March 1, 1859 ; she was Miss Elizabeth Gains, of this county; she was born in Bath Co., Ky., Nov. 16, 1829 ; by the last union he has four children-Cora, born Jan. 18, 1860 ; Iona, Sept. 12, 1862; Joe, Sept. 19, 1866 ; Ella, July 14, 1869.


JOHN KINHART, wagon and carriage manufacturer, Athens; was born in the city of Baltimore, Md., Dec. 6, 1848; at the age of 13, he began the trade of a wagon- maker at Bedford, Penn., serving a regular apprenticeship, after which, he came West,


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ATHENS PRECINCT.


looking for a location, and visited Pike's Peak, where he followed mining for a time ; he then returned to Lawrence, Kan .; in 1860, the drought of Kansas threw many laborers and mechanics out of employment, among whom was Mr. Kinhart; he started East on foot, alone and without moncy ; he came to Illinois and found employment for a time at Jacksonville, thence to Athens, and engaged with Henry Rankin, remaining till August, 1861, wlien he enlisted in the 28th I. V. I. and went out as Corporal ; he was a soldier of the late war upward of four years; he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and participated in many of the most severe battles of the war, escaping without injury. After the war, he returned to Athens and began in a small way at his trade, in partnership with J. Waggoner, continuing until 1869, when Mr. Kinhart became sole proprietor, gradually enlarging his capacity for manufacturing; in 1871, Thomas Swaringuin bought an interest and continued as a partner until 1873, since which time, Mr. Kinhart has operated upon his own account and, by his mechanical ability, industry and uprightness in dealing, has built up a large trade; he began in Athens with no means, but much energy and determination, and is now proprietor of the largest wagon and carriage shop in the county; in connection with the shop he runs a blacksmith and general repairing shop and enjoys a flourishing trade. He was married to Miss Sarah Hart, of this county, Aug. 19, 1862; they are the parents of three children-David, born April 12, 1867, died Sept. 18, 1868; Linnie A., born Jan. 11, 1869, and Frank, Aug. 5, 1871.


J. KENNEDY KINCAID, farmer and one of the pioneer settlers of Menard Co .; son of Andrew and Ann P. (Caldwell) Kincaid, and oldest of a family of twelve; was born in Bath Co., Ky., June 30, 1808 ; he served as an apprentice at carpentering, after which, he worked for $12 per monthi to get money to go to school, and thus succeeded in obtaining a good common schooling; he came to Illinois in 1832, and followed carpentering for two years, then bought land ; his parents and family came to Illinois in 1834; eight of the family are now living; his parents died here, his father in August, 1872, at 87 years of age, and his mother March 20, 1879, aged 92. He was married to Miss Vianna, daughter of James and Hannah (Mappin) Williams, March 24, 1836 ; she was born in Bath Co., Ky., March 4, 1817; they settled near where they now live, and have had fourteen children, scven of whom were raised to mature age and six now living, viz .: Hannah E. and Ann E., born Dec. 8, 1840 (now respec- tively Mrs. John Dalbey and Mrs. R. A. Young); John H., July 9, 1848; Joseph H., May 8, 1850; Huldah, Aug. 15, 1854 (now Mrs. C. C. Scott), and Julia E, Jan. 9, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. K. have been active workers in the Presbyterian Church since early in life. He has accumulated a large property and has improved upward of a section of land ; he now owns 670 acres in this county and some 700 acres in Iowa, Missouri and Kansas ; they are well-known and highly respected people.


THOMAS KINCAID, farmer ; P. O. Athens ; son of Andrew and Ann P. (Cald- well) Kincaid; was born in Bath Co., Ky., and came to what is now Menard Co. in 1834 ; among the prominent and solid men of the county, none are better known than this gentleman ; he has always taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the good of the community in which he has lived. His wife was Miss Lucinda Patterson, of Hardin Co., Ohio .; they were joined in marriage Oct. 18, 1849; she died April 13, 1874, leaving a family of five children, four of them girls. As a family they are much respected.


JAMES S. MOORE, farmer; was born in Green Co., Ky., Feb. 1, 1821; son of John N. and Phebe (Scott) Moore, and was brought to this county by his parents in 1822; they settled where James now lives, and there passed the remainder of their days ; his father died Dec. 25, 1842, and his mother, Aug. 7, 1868. During early life, James acquired a good education, and has followed agricultural pursuits thus far throughi life. He was married to Miss Narcissa N. Dickey, of Putnam Co., Ill., Jan. 12, 1849; she died Oct. 6, 1876, leaving a family of three children-Henry M., born Oct. 30, 1850, and married to Miss Maggie Harris, of this county, Feb. 26, 1879; Martha E., born May 3, 1852, and Laura F., April 28, 1854. Mr. Moore has been an active worker in all public affairs ; he was especially active in establishing the North Sangamon


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Church and the Academy, institutions of credit to the county. A main character- istic of Mr. Moore, as well as of Mrs. Moore, during her life, has been faithfulness in the work of the Presbyterian Church. His farm is one of the finest in the county.


G. J. NYBROE, farmer and raiser of fine stock ; was born in Norway Feb. 14, 1823; he emigrated to this country in 1850, and, coming directly to Illinois, located in Menard Co., and, for a time, found employment as a farm laborer with A. Kincaid, continuing about three years ; then as a renter for about four years, during which time, he married Miss Torber Aleson, daughter of Ale and Aene Aleson, of Springfield, Ill .; she is a native of his country. After having remained with Kincaid some seven years, and having, by industry and economy, saved up some money, he bought 160 acres of land, upon which he settled in 1858, where he has since resided ; has added to his farm until now he owns 230 acres of fine land ; he makes a specialty of breeding fine hogs, sheep and cattle, a fact which is becoming extensively known throughout the State, as he is in the habit of carrying away the highest premiums at all fairs in the central part of Illinois ; his reputation as a fine-stock grower (especially of hogs) is very high.


MRS. ELIZABETH PRIMM, widow of D. C. Primm and daughter of Jacob and Jane (Hall) Tice; was born in Floyd Co., Va., April 10, 1823, and was brought to this county by her parents in 1833; she is one of a family of eleven, seven of whom are now living. She was married to David C. Primm June 1, 1843; he was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Stalling) Primm, who came to this county at an early day ; he died Oct. 24, 1864, leaving seven children-James D., born Jan. 22, 1845 ; Susan J., born Sept. 19, 1848, died Dec. 4, 1864; Dulcinea E., born June 11, 1852 (now Mrs. Clinc) ; Thomas R., July 14, 1854, Clarrie M., Aug. 8, 1856 (now Mrs. Wm. Kenyon); Violet L., born Feb. 8, 1860; Ninian O., Nov. 21, 1861.


ELISHA PRIMM, farmer ; son of John and Ruth (Cox) Primm; was born in what is now Monroe Co., Ill., Oct. 24, 1814; his parents settled there in 1808; his father was a native of Virginia, and was born in 1780; his mother was born in Dela- ware in 1783, and was married in the Territory of Illinois in 1809; they had seven children, five of whom are now living. His father died Aug. 9, 1848, and his mother, Feb. 3, 1856. The subject of this sketch came to the place where he now lives with his parents, in 1820, and, Sept. 19, 1837, married Miss Lucinda C. Glasscock ; she was born Aug. 12, 1819, and came with her parents to this county in 1833; they have raised one child-Susan J. (wife of W. L. Rankin), born March 20, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Primm have lived to see the entire change from a wild and desolate to a thickly settled and well-developed country, and have always taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the good of the community, and are yet hale and vigorous, and much- respected citizens.


T. J. PRIMM, physician, Athens; son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Stalling) Primm ; was born in this county Jan. 25, 1822; during his early life, he acquired a good English education, and prepared for a medical course, upon which he entered in 1846, at the Missouri University, St. Louis ; he graduated in 1850 ; he entered upon the duties of his profession at Athens ; in 1852, he attended medical lectures at St. Louis ; also in 1854, and, in 1856, at Louisville, Ky .; this has been the principal field of his professional labor thus far. Mr. Primm is a well-read man, and of acknowledged ability as a physician; he has accumulated a large property, and now owns upward of two thousand acres of fine land, and is a highly respected citizen ; his parents were natives of Virginia ; his mother, with her parents, came into the Territory of Illinois in 1796, remaining for a time at what was known as Whiteside Station ; she lived to the ripe age of 85, and died Oct. 26, 1877 ; his father came to the Territory of Illinois in 1802, locating near St. Louis, Mo .; he served in the war of 1812, and settled in Menard Co. in 1820; he died May 14, 1856. The Primms were prominent pioneers, and further mention of them will be found in the general history.


H. C. ROGERS, farmer ; P. O. Athens ; one of the pioncers of Menard Co., and son of Matthew and Anna (Morse) Rogers; was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Jan. 20, 1808, and is the youngest of a family of eight children, three only of whom are now


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living ; he came to this State in 1820, with his parents, and located near where he now lives. Here his parents died-his mother Sept. 18, 1828, and his father, Aug. 14, 1847. H. C. married Miss Sarah H. Moore Nov. 26, 1829, daughter of John and Mary (Tate) Moore, who was born March 8, 1812; they have had eight children, four of whom lived to grow up, viz .: Mary A., born Dec. 26, 1830; William H., April 24, 1838 ; John T., June 4, 1841, died May 22, 1868, and James M., born June 22, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been active workers in the Presbyterian Church for upward of forty years; they are public-spirited, benevolent, well-to-do and highly respected citizens.


HENRY B. RANKIN, is the son of Amberry A. and Arminda (Rogers) Rankin ; his father was born near Cynthiana, Ky., Nov. 30, 1806, and came to Illinois in 1828; his mother was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 1803, and came to Illinois with her parents in 1818. The subject of this sketch is the third of a family of four, viz., James A., who was born June 10, 1832, and, at the age of 20, sailed for Chili, South America, by way of Cape Horn, and remained in South America sixteen years, the first part of which time was spent in travel and correspondence with various journals of the United States, and later, became connected with Mr. Henry Meigs, as civil engineer and contractor in the railroad which Meigs was constructing for the Peruvian Govern- ment. His active life was terminated by a disastrous railroad accident near Iquique, Peru, Oct. 4, 1870, at which place he was buried. Edward L., another son, born March 14, 1835, and, Sept. 20, 1860, was married to Miss E. R. Searle, of Rock Island, Ill., and, in 1861, located in Keokuk Co., Iowa, where he has since resided ; they have one child-James E., born July 28, 1867. Henry B , the subject of our sketch, who was born April 7, 1837, still resides on the old homestead, where he was born, which was the first claim and home of his grandfather, Matthew Rogers. His wife was Miss Alma Hurd, of Tonica, La Salle Co., Ill .; they were married May 4, 1864, and have two children-Fred H., born May 18, 1865, and Albert H., Nov. 27, 1876; Emma F., deceased. Among the pioneers and honored citizens of Menard Co., none are better known than A. A. Rankin, nor more worthy of historical notice as a representative man. He has always taken an active part in all matters of public wel- fare.


WILLIAM F. ROBERTS, physician, Athens ; son of Col. Thomas and Ann M. (Taggart) Roberts; was born in Winchester, Frederick Co., Va., June 4, 1834. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812, during which he was made Colonel, and was for many years a prominent merchant of Winchester, and died in 1837, after which, his mother and family removed to Washington, D. C., and, in 1842, they removed to Zanes- ville, Ohio. In 1847, they came to Illinois, locating in Athens, where his mother now lives. During his early life here, he learned the trade of a cabinet maker, by which business he afterward obtained money to attend school. After getting a good education, he resolved to become a physician, and, in 1859 and 1860, he attended the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1860, and located at Greenview, in this county, and began practice. In 1861, he came to Athens, and dur- ing the late war, was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the 106th I. V. I., after which he was commissioned First Surgeon of the 28th Ill. Regt. Since the war, he has been diligently engaged in the practice of his profession, at Athens, with the exception of a short period at Greenview. He is considered a well-read and able physician. His wife was Ann E., daughter of Joseph B. and Catherine (Hall) Ayers, of this county. They were married Oct. 14, 1856. She was born Jan. 29, 1840, and died May 16, 1879, leaving a family of seven children. In the spring of 1879, he embarked in the drug business, and is building up a fine trade.


WILLIAM L. RANKIN, farmer ; P. O. Athens ; son of James and Anna (Dills) Rankin ; was born in Harrison Co., Ky., Sept. 15, 1816, and, in 1833, came with his parents to Illinois, locating where he now lives, and where his parents died-his mother, Oct. 27, 1858, and his father, Dec. 1, 1861. He is the youngest of a family of six, three only of whom are now living, and has lived upon the old homestead since 1833. He has twice married ; first, to Miss Mary E. Sudduth, of Sangamon Co., Sept. 22,


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1842; she died July 15, 1859, leaving four children-James T., born Aug. 2, 1843 ; Caroline (now Mrs. H. C. Hurt), born Nov. 14, 1844; Benjamin C. (who died in the army during the late war), born March 18, 1846, died May 4, 1865; Jason L., born Sept. 24, 1855, and now living in Page Co., Iowa. March 29, 1860, he married Miss Susan J., daughter of Elisha and Lucinda C. (Glasscock) Primm, by whom he has six children living-Anna M., born April 27, 1863; George M., born June 4, 1865 ; William L., born Jan. 8, 1868 ; Lewis T., born March 28, 1870; Lucinda C., born Oct. 6, 1872 ; Herman P., born July 31, 1877. Mr. Rankin has followed farming and stock-dealing thus far through life, and is one of the prominent and well to-do citizens of the county. He owns 1,800 acres in this county, including the homestead farm, also 3,000 acres in Missouri, and 7,080 acres in Iowa. He is one of the solid men of Cen- tral Illinois, and is enterprising and benevolent. He has always taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the general good of the community. He is now occupicd in looking after the interests and welfare of his family and property. He resides near Athens, and has one of the finest farm residences in Central Illinois. His present high position as a citizen and a capitalist is wholly the result of his uprightness, energy, industry, and good financiering in handling stock, in which business he has been largely engaged for many years.


W. B. TURNER, farmer, and a pioneer of Menard C)., was born in Tennessee, March 1, 1802, and was raised principally in Madison Co., Ohio ; he is the son of John and Hannah (Balenger) Turner ; his parents removed from Tennessce to Madison Co., Ohio, while he was quite small, and after he became grown he was put to the trade of a tanner, which business he has followed some twenty-five years in Illinois ; his parents came to Illinois, locating where W. B. now lives, in an early day ; his parents were married when they were but about 19 years old, and lived together as man and wife for about seventy years, and died within a few months of each other. W. B. was married to Miss Joanna Bracken, of this county, Oct. 16, 1828; she was born in Bath Co., Ky., Nov. 29, 1808. They are the parents of eleven children, only four of whom are now living, viz., Alfred, born May 23, 1830; Robert L., Feb. 23, 1834 ; Lucinda R., Aug. 31, 1839, now Mrs. E. Worth ; William A., Sept. 2, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have long been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Turner has been a Deacon for upward of forty years. They are well-to-do and respected citizens, and now live to see the usefulness and prosperity of their children.




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