USA > Illinois > Woodford County > The Past and present of Woodford County, Illinois : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c.; a directory of its tax-payers; war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics etc > Part 57
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he graduated ; thence to Washington, Ill., where he accepted a clerkship in a dry goods store and remained there three years ; he then went to Eureka, Ill., and commeneed business in the dry goods line for himself. At the breaking out of the late war, he enlisted as Second Lieutenant in Company E, 108th I. V. I., for three years or during war; par- ticipated in some of the hard-fought battles under Gens. Sherman and Grant -twenty one battles in all; was mus- ered out as Captain Aug. 12, 1865; at the close of the war, he returned home and sold out his dry goods store in 1866; he then went to farming on the " old homestead " in 1868; remained here until 1877, then moved on the place that he now lives on. His political opinions are Democratic. Married Miss Jane C. Ewing of Ohio ; two children- Annie Ewing and Claude L.
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E ILLIS, THOMAS, farmer; P. O. Eureka. REESE, G. W., minister; P. O. H Washington.
Freese, Henry, farmer ; P. O. Washing- ton.
Fleming, W. J. farmer ; P. O. Eureka. Farni, Jacob, farmer ; P. O. Eureka.
Freese, G. M., farmer; P. O. Washing- ton.
FREESE, GEO. M., REV., far .; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, 1825. His parents are Jacob and Polly Freese ; his father, Jacob Freese, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1799; his mother, Polly Freese, was born in Virginia about 1802. In 1858, he emigrated for Illinois with his wife, six children, and his brother, Jonathan C., and settled on the farm that he now lives on, he and his brother purchasing a quarter section, and commenced farming. He was or- dained a minister of the United Breth- ren Church, at the Annual Conference held in Decatur, Macon Co., Ill., Sept. 29, 1865. He married, in 1848, Miss Lavinia Long, of Ohio, daughter of Abraham and Elinor Long. She was born in 1823. Nine children-Elmina C., George W. M., Levi J., Lavinia V., Elinor E., Huldah L., Jane M. E .; two dead-Lewis A. and Zethan E.
G ARDNER, JAS. M., farmer ; P. O. Cruger.
.539
CRUGER TOWNSHIP.
H OYT, JAS. L. farmer; P. O. Eu- reka.
Hoker Jacob, farmer ; P. O. Cruger. Hiltman, Chas., farmer; P. O. Cruger. HARLAN, JAMES N., grain and stock dealer ; P. O. Cruger; resides in Eureka; was born in Christian Co., Ky., July 12, 1826. His parents are James and Mary (Orick) Harlan, of Va., who were among the first settlers of Woodford Co., Ill., having come here, with a family of seven childaen, from Kentucky, in one wagon, drawn by four horses and one-horse carry-all wagon, and settled on a farm of 400 acres, on Deer Creek, about eight miles south- west of Eureka, in 1833. Here they remained, and engaged in farming. James Harlan, born March 17, 1784; died Oct. 16, 1854 ; and Mary (Orick) Harlan, born Dec. 19, 1791, died May 29, 1862. Mr. Harlan remained on his father's farm, where he was engaged in farming, and in the Winter months attending school. In 1852, he com- menced clerking in a general merchan- dise store, in Washington, Ill., where he remained about eighteen months. On account of the death of his brother, he returned to the old homestead, and com- menced farming. In 1855, he returned to Washington, and opened a general merchandise store. Here he remained until 1861 ; he then commenced travel- ing for a New York wholesale house. Here he remained for four years. In 1867, he purchased property in Cruger, and commenced grain and stock dealing, which he has carried on very success- fully ever since ; owns a first-class eleva- tor, at Cruger, Ill., with a capacity of storing 25,000 bushels of grain. Here he handles from 140,000 to 150,000 bushels of grain yearly. Mr. Harlan is a member of the firm of Harlan, Hedges & Co., stock dealers, who are among the largest stock dealers in Woodford Co. For the year ending 1877, Messrs. Harlan & Hedges bought 5,103 head of hogs, at a cost of $79,721.95. Year ending 1878, Messrs. Harlan, Hedges & Co. bought 6,718 head ; cost, $75,426.33. Mr. Harlan's political opinions are Re- publican. Married Miss Margaret Andrews, of Ohio, daughter of Rev.
Wells An trews. Four children-Mary, James A., Charles C. and Cary.
HEDGES, J. K., farmer ; P. O. Eu- reka ; was born in West Va., Nov. 13, 1852. His parents are Aaron H. and Catharine A. Hedges, of W. Va., who emigrated west to Illinois, and settled in Woodford Co., Cruger Tp., in 1864. Mr. Hedges has been engaged on the farm most of his life. He married Miss Jennie Boyd, of Woodford Co., Ill., daughter of George and Eliza J. Boyd, of Christian Co., Ky., who settled in Woodford Co. in 1850. His political principles are Republican ; owns a fine improved farm of 161} acres. Three children-Charles A., Brook T. and Lula H .- all born in Woodford Co., III.
HAYNES, JAMES, farmer ; P. O. Eureka ; was born in Europe in 1810; son of Nathan and Mary Haynes. When he was about 18 years of age, he learned his trade at shoemaking in Eu- rope. He emigrated to America in 1834 aud landed in New York ; thence to Mason Co., Ky. Here he was en- gaged at his trade. In 1845, he mar- ried Miss Amanda Hampton, of Ken- tucky. In 1852, with his wife and five children, moved to Illinois and settled on the farm that he now lives on. He purchased 90 acres of land and built the house he now lives in at that time, the only house between here and Wash- ington, Tazewell Co. Here Mr. Haynes set out to be a farmer, his first expe- rience. He labored hard and managed well ; to-day is one of the successful farmers of Woodford Co. His son, Nathaniel, enlisted in the late war in Co. A, 86th Ill. Vol. Inf., for three years, but, on account of sickness, was honorably discharged, returned home, and afterward enlisted in the one hun- dred day service. Mr. Haynes is a member of the Christian Church ; owns 180 acres of improved land; eight children.
HUMPHREY, MILES S., farmer ; P. O. Cruger ; was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., July 29, 1827; son of Luke and Eliza (Bishop) Humphrey. Luke Humphrey, born in Hartford, Ct., Oct. 26, 1800, with his wife, Eliza Hum- phrey, of Pennsylvania, and six chil-
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TAX-PAYERS OF WOODFORD COUNTY :
dren, started for the West in the Spring of 1834, and settled in Knox Co., O. Here they remained but a short time (eighteen months), then moved to Illinois and settled in Auburn, Tazewell Co. In 1838, they moved to Washington, Ill. On March 15, 1876, Mrs. Eliza Humphrey died, aged 74 years 4 months. "Mr. Luke Humphrey then lived with his daughter a short time. He then purchased property in Washington, where he remained until his death, which occurred March 25, 1878; age 77 years 4 months and 25 days. Mr. Miles S. Humphrey came to Woodford Co. and settled on the farm that he now lives on Feb. 15, 1863. Here he has remained ever since en- gaged in farming; has held several offices of trust-Commissioner of High- ways-at present School Director of Cruger Tp. He had two brothers in the late war. Stephen D. enlisted in Co. B, 47th I. V. I., private, for three years ; was killed at the battle of Corinth, Miss., Oct. 3, 1862. William H. en- listed in the 11th Ill. Cav. for three years ; participated in some of the hard- fought battles under Gens. Grant and Sherman ; was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mr. H. married, in 1862, Miss Mary Crosby, of Morton, Tazewell Co., Ill .; born Dec. 28, 1842; daughter of Uriah and Margaret Crosby. Six children-Louisa, Charles S., Uriah H .; Olive M., died 1874; Edwin M., Edith. He is a member of the Metho- dist Church.
Hartman, Fred., farmer ; P. O. Eureka.
Hegerty, Pat., farmer; P. O. Cruger.
Hedges, Aaron, farmer ; P. O. Eureka.
TOHNSON, JAMES, sec. hand; P.O. Cruger.
Jennings, W. J., P. O. Cruger.
K ORNHAUS, JOS., retired ; P. O. Cruger.
Keller, Jacob, farmer ; P. O. Cruger.
Kinnear, J. R., farmer ; P. O. Cruger.
Kornhaus, Catherine, far .; P. O. Cruger. KINNEAR, L. A., farmer; P. O. Cruger ; was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Oct. 8, 1847 ; his parents are Charles and Ellen A. (Richie) Kinnear, of Ohio, who were among the early settlers of Woodford Co .; they left Ohio for Illinois with two wagons and one car-
riage drawn by horses, and arrived at Bloomington in the Spring, 1849, and remained there during the Winter ; they then came to Woodford Co., and settled on a farm of 800 acres of land, near Eureka; here Mr. Kinnear has remained in the neighborhood all his life, engaged in farming; he has held several offices of public trust, and has acquitted himself in a very creditable manner-Town Collector for one year, and Town Clerk for three years; he married Miss Martha J. Woosley, of Woodford Co., Ill., the daughter of W. T. Woosley, who is one of the first settlers of Woodford Co .; one child- Cena Ellen ; Mr. Kinnear's political opinions are Republican; owns 365 acres of fine improved land.
KAUFMAN, JOHN, farmer; P. O. Cruger ; was born in Richland Co., Ohio, Jan. 20, 1828; son of Benjamin and Susan (Brubaker) Kaufman, of Lancas- ter Co., Pa .; his father was a miller by trade; in 1842, with his father, mother and five children, they moved to Mack- inaw, Tazewell Co., Ill., his father pur- chasing an interest in a flour-mill, and commenced milling on the Mackinaw River ; here they remained until 1845; thence, near Washington, Tazewell Co., farming; returned to the milling busi- ness at Adam's mill, east side of Peoria ; here his father died, in 1847, leaving his family in poor circumstances. Mr. Kaufman being a young man, and will- ing to work, he accepted a place in the flour-mill here ; he managed to support the family ; they moved to Mackinaw, and April 14, 1854, he started for the gold fields of California, via New York and Panama; arrived at San Francisco June 1, 1854; was engaged in mining in the counties of Eldorado, Calaveras and Benton, three and a half years ; he then commenced a bakery and restaurant business in Tehama, Tehama Co., Cal .; here he remained for three years, and was very successful ; he returned home the Fall of 1860, to Washington, Ill., where he built a business block,. with the intention of he and his brother go- ing into business, hut on the breaking out of the late war his brother enlisted in the army, so he abandoned the idea ; in 1864, he moved to Woodford Co.,
541
CRUGER TOWNSHIP.
and settled on the place he now lives on ; he married Dec. 8, 1862, to Miss Susan M. Kice, born in Tazewell Co., Ill., Oct. 1838; five children-Ida Jane, born Sept. 29, 1863; Mary E., born Oct. 6, 1865 ; Frank H., born April 27, 1869; Benjamin J., born March 9, 1872; Charles L., born Jan. 2, 1877 ; Repub- lican in politics; had two brothers in the late war, Isaac and Benjamin ; Ben- jamin died in the Southern prison. Mr. Kaufman is a member of the Christian Church.
KINNEAR, CHARLES, farmer ; P. O. Cruger; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Dec. 30, 1808; is the son of David Kinnear, of Ohio, who was Asso- ciate Judge of Ohio for twenty-one years, and Mary Kough Kinnear, who were among the earliest settlers of Ohio. Mr. Kinnear remained on his father's farm until he was sixteen years old ; he then learned his trade as cabinet maker in Circleville; here he remained about two years; he then moved to Ross Co., where he commenced farming in 1849; he started with his wife and five children for Illinois in two wagons, and one carriage drawn by horses-12 days out-arrived at Bloomington, Ill., and remained there during the Winter ; thence to Woodford Co., and settled on a farm of 800 acres of land near Eureka ; here he set out in farming on this place, and has remained here ever since; he has given to each of his children a fine farm, and to-day himself and wife are living happy together on the old farm. He married Miss Ellen A. Ritchie, of Ross Co., Ohio, in 1831 ; five children- George, Eliza, John R., Rachel, Ellen and Lockwood A. Republican in poli- tics. Two sons in the late war-George, was Captain 47th I. V. I .; John, was private 86th I. V. I.
L' EHMAN, HENRY, farmer; P O. Cruger.
Long, U. A., farmer ; P. O. Crnger.
Lehman, D. J., farmer ; P. O. Cruger.
Long, S. H., farmer ; P. O. Cruger.
M
ERITHEU, HORACE, P. O. Eu- reka.
Morland, Benj., hunter ; P. O. Cruger.
Montier, John, Sr., P. O. Cruger.
Miller, Jno., farmer ; P. O. Cruger.
Montier, John, Jr., P. O. Cruger.
MYERS, LEWIS H., farmer ; P. O. Washington ; is one of the best known and highly regarded farmers of Cruger Township; was born in Schuylkill Co., Pa., Feb. 10, 1836 ; is the son of George L. and Julia Heffner Myers. Mr. My- ers remained at his native State until he was eleven years old; with his par- ents they moved to Pickaway Co., Ohio, engaged in farming; in 1856, he married Miss Christian Helvering, of Ohio, and in the Spring of 1856, he moved to Adams Co., Ind., farming ; here he remained but a short time, and in 1857, he returned to Pickaway Co., Ohio, and in 1858, he moved to the State of Illinois, and settled on the farm that he now lives on. Mr. Myers has held several offices of public trust in his township, and has acquitted himself in a very creditable and efficient manner. Constable for six years; Commissioner of Highways two years. Socially he has a pleasing address that wins the respect of all. He is a member of the United Brethren Church. His political opinions are Democratic. Seven children-Julia, Squire W., Flora Belle and Jenny Lind, George, Charles and Howard.
McCoy, Daniel, laborer ; P. O. Cruger. McCoy, Benj. H., laborer ; P. O. Cruger. MeNiff, Jno., retired ; P. O. Cruger.
MEEK, JOSEPH, farmer ; P. O. Eureka ; was born in Fayette County, Ky., June 7, 1797 ; is the son of Bazel and Ellen (Roberts) Meek ; with his parents they moved to Indiana and settled in Jennings County, where he remained until 1830 ; in Spring of 1830, with his wife and four children, they started for Illinois in a wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen, and arrived and settled in Woodford County on the place that he now lives on ; he built him a log cabin soon after he arrived, which stood until the Spring of 1875, and was destroyed by fire; when Mr. Meek first came here, he was worth about $740; he invested in farm- ing land, and with success and good management, he was at one time worth 1,340 acres of fine land; he has given to each of his children a fine farm, and to-day owns 240 acres of improved land; Mr. Meek has held several offices of pub- lic trust; was one of the first County Commissioners of Woodford County,
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TAX-PAYERS OF WOODFORD COUNTY :
which office he held for six years, also held the office of County Supervisor for one year ; is a member of the Christian Church ; a Democrat in politics ; married twice ; his first wife, Uraney Sullivan, of South Carolina, who died Jan. 21, 1848, aged 48 years and nine days ; bis second wife, Mrs. Barbara Shaffer of Va .; born Oct. 10, 1810; children by first wife-Daniel, Marshall, Ezra and Jessie ; by second wife-Joseph ; Mrs. Shaffer had three children living when Mr. Meek married her-Elizabeth Jane, Simon and Mary Ann.
MEEK, HENRY B., farmer ; P. O. Eureka; the subject of this sketch is one of the oldest living settlers of Wood- ford Co .; was born in Pulaski Co., Ky., Aug. 11, 1804; is the son of Bazel and Ellen (Roberts) Meek ; his father, Ba- zel Meek, was born in Virginia, March 7, 1763, and died Jan. 12, 1844; his mother, Ellen Roberts Meek, was born in North Carolina, Sept. 28, 1777, and died Nov. 10, 1847. Henry B., at 12 years of age, with his parents, moved to Indiana, and settled in Jennings Co., where he was engaged in farming until 1830 ; in the Spring of this year, with his wife and son (Bazel), they started on horseback for Illinois, and arrived and settled on the farm that he now lives on ; when Mr. Meek first came to this county, he was worth about $300 cash, and a few head of stock; his brother, Daniel Meek, arrived and settled in 1826; he made his home with his brother until he built him a log cabin ; he then moved his family in, and commenced farming; was worth, at one time, 1,600 acres of fine land ; he gave to each of his children a fine farm, and to-day he owns one of the best farms, of 700 acres, in Woodford Co .; all this made by hard labor and good manage- ment ; when he first came here, prairie wolves were numerous and familiar neighbors; few foxes and many deer ; Mr. Meek states that he has killed over 100 wolves, and a great many deer ; at one time he had hanging in his cellar seven deer, and states that he was not much of a hunter. Married Miss The- ny Perry, born in Blunt Co., Tenn., 1810, and is the daughter of Ransom and Catharine (Martin) Perry; with
her parents moved to Jennings Co., Ind., in 1818; married Jan. 3, 1828; six children-Col. Bazel Meek, born in Jen- nings Co., Ind., Dec. 6, 1828; Ran- som, born March 7, 1831; Noil, born Sept. 1, 1833 ; Missouri, born April 7, 1836; Mary, born March 1, 1843; Joshua, born May 18, 1840, and died Sept. 10, 1841.
MEEK, EZRA P., far .; P. O. Eureka; the subject of this sketch was born in Jennings Co., Ind., Nov. 20, 1828, and is the son of Joseph and Uraney (Sulli- van) Meek, who were among the first settlers of Woodford Co., having made their home here in 1830 ; Mr. Meek has spent the greater part of his life with his parents on the old homestead, engaged in farming ; has held several offices of trust in his township; Road Commiss- ioner and School Director ; he married in 1850, to Miss Mary A. Boyd, of Ky. ; she was born Fcb. 5, 1833, and is the daughter of Isaac B. and Elizabeth (Graves) Boyd; her father, Isaac B. Boyd, was born in Va., March 15, 1812; her mother, Elizabeth Graves Boyd, was born in Cumberland County., Ky., Jan. 31, 1813; died May 9, 1852 ; who emigrated to Illinois and settled in Wood- ford County near Versailles, April 9, 1846 ; four children-Amanda J., born Jan. 27, 1851, married John Compton ; Julia E., Dec. 13, 1852; William M., July 3, 1855 ; Parthenia, April 1, 1859; Jessie C., Jan. 9, 1866 ; owns 160 acres of land; is a member of the Christian Church ; his political opinions are Demo- cratic.
MEEK, RANSOM P., farmer ; P. O. Eureka; the above named gentleman was born in Woodford County, Ill., and is one of the oldest living residents that were born in Woodford County ; born March 7, 1831, and is the son of Henry B. and Theny (Perry) Meek, who were among the first settlers of Woodford County ; Mr. Meek has spent a greater part of his life in farming on the old homestead ; in 1858, he emigrated West to Kansas, and settled on a section of land and commenced farming ; he re- mained there but a short time ; returned to his father's farm ; has been married three times ; his first wife was Miss Isabel C. McClure, of Illinois ; died 1857;
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CRUGER TOWNSHIP.
second wife, Miss Nancy Ann Killiard, of Ill. ; third wife, Miss Bettie West, of Woodford County, daughter of James and Nancy West, who were among the old settlers of Woodford County ; three children-Minnie, Nannie and Bazel ; Mr. Meek, in his political opinions, is Greenback ; is a member of the Christian Church.
MEEK, JESSE, farmer; P. O. Eureka; the subject of this sketch was born on his father's farm near Eureka, Woodford County, Illinois, April 5, 1834 ; his par- ents are Joseph and Uraney Meek, who are among the earliest settlers of Wood- ford County, having made their home in Woodford County in 1830 ; Mr. Meek remained on his father's farm, where he was engaged in farming, and in the Win- ter gathering what instruction the dis- trict school could afford; October 8, 1857, he married Miss Millie Lamb, of Augusta County, Va., born March 17, 1838, daughter of Benjamin and Susannah (Huff) Lamb ; her father was engaged in the revolutionary war; he lived with his daughter until his death, which occurred Oct. 15, 1865 ; he was 78 years old ; when Mr. and Mrs. Meek commenced housekeeping, they arrived at the house they now live in, in a wagon drawn by two horses, having all their furniture and a half of a load of wood ; they set out in life together, and to-day it is one of the comfortable and happy homes of Woodford County ; Mr. Meek has held the office of Town Assessor of Cruger Tp. ever since the organization of that township ; Democrat in politics; member of the Christian Church ; owns owns 200 acres of fine improved land, value $75 per acre ; one child-William Henry, born Feb. 28, 1862.
Miller, Jacob, farmer; P. O. Cruger.
Murray, J. D., farmer ; P. O. Eureka. Meek, Jos. W., farmer ; P. O. Eureka. Meek, W. M., farmer ; P. O. Eureka.
MCCLURE, SAMUEL H., farm- er ; P. O. Eureka. This gentleman is one of the best known and highly re- garded farmers of Woodford Co .; was born in Vermilion Co., Ill., Nov. 2, 1827. His parents are James and Mary (Campbell) McClure, of Ken- tucky, and were among the first settlers in Illinois, having made their home here
two years before the State was admitted to the Union, in 1816. His father, James McClure, was born in 1795; he was in the Indian war of 1811, under Gen. Harrison, at the battle of Tippeca- noe, and participated in the Indian war of 1812; died in 1870. Mr. McClure was engaged on his father's farm until he was 18 years old. He then accepted a clerkship in a general merchandise store in Washington, Ill. Here he re- mained for two years; he then went to Peoria. and accepted a similar position. On account of his health, he returned to farming in Woodford Co. From here he went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and was engaged in the general merchandise business for seven years. In 1861, he returned to Illinois, and settled in Cruger Tp., where he has lived sinee, engaged in farming ; moved on place he now lives on iu 1873. Married in June, 1856, to Miss Missouri Meek, born in Woodford Co. Ill., daughter of Henry B. and Theny Meek, of Ky., who were among the first settlers of Woodford Co., Ill., having made their home here in 1831. One child-Annie J., born 1864. Mr. McClure has held several offices of trust in his township- School Trustee, Supervisor, Justice of the Peace. His political opinions are Greenbacker; member of the Christian Church ; owns 2903 acres of improved land.
ORTON, W. C., farmer ; P. O. Cruger.
O YER, CHRIST., farmer; P. O. Deer Creek.
P OYNTER, W. C., preacher ; P. O. Eureka.
Pfeffinger, Benj., farmer ; P. O. Cruger. POYNTER, WM. A., farmer; P. O. Eureka; the subject of this sketch was born in Woodford Co., Ill., May 29, 1848; is the son of Rev. Wm. C. and Huldy J. Poynter. Wm. J. Poynter spent his childhood and early youth on his father's farm; engaged in farming from the time he was able to hold the plow ; in the Winter gathering what instructions the district school could afford ; at fifteen years of age he en- tered the Eureka College, of Eureka, Ill., and in four years graduated and re- ceived his diploma ; he then commenced
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544
TAX-PAYERS OF WOODFORD COUNTY :
teaching school in Tazewell Co., Ill., which business he followed for two years, thence in the mercantile business in Eureka, Ill., for seven years; owns a farm of 105 acres of fine improved land, valued at $8,000 ; he married Miss Maria J. McCorkle, of Eureka; one child-Charlie, born July 16, 1875.
R AILS, JACOB, farmer and black-
smith ; P. O. Cruger.
Rife, S. A. farmer ; P. O. Eureka.
Rork, Daniel, farmer ; P. O. Cruger.
RAY, THOMAS, farmer; P. O. Eureka; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Sept. 12, 1826; son of Phillip and Elinor (McCain) Ray, who were among the first settlers in Ohio; he remained on his father's, farm until 1850; he then went to California, where he remained for six years, engaged in mining and farming; he returned and settled in Douglas Co., Ill., farming for seven years ; from there he came to Woodford Co., and settled on the farm he now lives on. Mr. Ray has held the office of School Director for seven years ; his political opinions are Republican ; had four brothers in the late war ; one of his brothers, Henry C., was killed at the battle of Chickamauga; his father, Philip Ray, was born March 16, 1788, died Fall of 1849; his mother, Elinor Ray, was born March 6, 1806 ; is living on the old homestead, in Butler Co., Ohio ; he married March 12, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Wright, of Pa., born March 6, 1833, daughter of James Wright ; five children -Nellie was boru July 9, 1862; Annie H., born March 18, 1866; Henry C., born April 21, 1870; James W., born May 23, 1871; Edith C., horn April 4, 1873.
REECE, JOHN S., farmer ; P. O. Cruger ; was born in Pennsylvania April 19, 1812; is the son of Jeremiah and Rebecca (Robinson) Reece, of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Reece remained on his father's farm until he entered a black- smith shop in Wheeling, W. Va., where he learned that trade; in 1853, he emi- grated west and settled in Peoria, Ill., where he remained about two years , thence to Brimfield ; from there he canie to Woodford County, Ill., and set- tled on the place where he now lives, which consists of 325 acres of fine land,
and improvements, all of which has been made by hard labor and good manage- ment. Mr. Reece, socially, has a pleas- ing address and genial manners that win the respect of all. He is a member of the Methodist Church ; his political opinions are Republican. He married Mrs. Ellen Holmes in 1867; have five children-Effie, Sherman, Johnnie, Win- field and Grant.
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