Edgar County IL Archives Biographies.....Buck Township, Biographies ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 19, 2006, 3:23 pm Author: The History of Edgar Co IL 1879 pages 676-683 BUCK TOWNSHIP. THOMAS J. ADAMS, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O. Mays; was born in Edgar Co., Ill., June 12, 1839; during his early life, the chances for an education were very few, compared to the present, but by home study, close observation and experience, has acquired a good business education. Was married May 31, 1857, to Miss Isabella E. Scroggs; about this date they moved to Henry Co., Mo., his father going with him, he and his father living together one year; then Mr. Adams started in business for himself, at farming, with no assistance from his father; this he followed for two years, and then moved hack to Edgar Co.; here he has since lived, and by close economy and industry, has accumulated a fine property, owning a farm of 160 acres, valued at $75 per acre; he has a family of seven — Mary B., Geo. W., Jennette, Thomas W., Dora E., James B., and Charles F. Mr. Adams has seen many of the changes take place from a wild prairie country to a thickly-settled and thriving county, being but now in the prime of life; is known as one among better class of citizens of Edgar Co. WILLIS BRINKERHOFF, farmer, P. O. Redmon; was born Sept. 9, 1853; is a native of Edgar Co., Grand View being his native township; lived there with his father until 1875; came to his present residence. Was married Oct. 7, 1875, to Miss Araminta M. Hanna, of Edgar Co. Has a good common-school education; began business for himself in 1875, at farming, which business he has since followed; he is still a young man, full of life and ambition, stands well in the community, and bids fair to become one among the leading farmers of Edgar Co., being honest, intelligent and industrious. M. V. BARR, farmer and grain buyer, P. O. Redmon; is a native of Edgar Co.; born in Grand View Tp. Aug. 16, 1846; during his early life he, with some assistance from his father, but mostly by his own efforts, accumulated enough money so that at the age of 17 he went to the State university at Bloomington, Ind., and took a regular college course; here he improved his opportunities and acquired a good education which he has many times seen the advantage of. Was married July 25, 1867, to Miss Sarah E. Bishop, of Franklin Co., Ind.; they have five children — two boys and three girls. Mr. Barr began business for himself in Grand View Tp., at the age of 21, as a farmer during the summer, and at school-teaching during the winter months; this business he followed for about seven years; moved to Buck Tp. in 1871; taught two terms of school, and was then elected Tax Collector of Buck Tp., which position he held for two years; was then elected Justice of the Peace, which office he has filled with credit to the satisfaction of the community; has always done his part toward forwarding any enterprise that he considered for the public good. He has 120 acres of first-class land, valued at about $50 per acre. Mr. Barr is still a young man, and stands well in the community and is known as one among the better and more prominent class of citizens of Edgar Co. CHARLES W. CURL, farmer, Sec. 19, P. O. Mays; was born May 2, 1845, in Union Co., Ohio; lived there until 10 years of age; then came to Edgar Co. At the age of 17, he enlisted in Co. G, 70th I. V. I.; served his country four months, having enlisted for but three; received an honorable discharge from the proper authority. Mr. Curl has a good education, having had the advantage of fine schools, and in educating his children goes upon the principle of go to school or go to work. Was married May 23, 1866, to Miss Mary E. Coughanowr, of Lebanon, Ohio; has two children — Jerrie W. and Mabel H. He began business for himself at the age of 21, at farming; had but little assistance from his father, but by energy, perseverance and good management, he now owns a farm of 144 1/4 acres, valued at about $75 per acre. Mr. Curl is still a young man, in the prime of life, owning by his own efforts a fine property and a nice home; is already known as one among the better class and more prominent men of Edgar Co. W. G. CULBERTSON, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Mays Station; was born in Kentucky, Fleming Co., Aug. 22, 1817; lived there until the age of 10, with his parents; at this early age, he began business for himself; traveled over most of the States, and finally settled in Edgar Co. Was married in September, 1848, to Miss Nancy Ledgerwood, of Sullivan Co., Ind., she being the mother of his present family of children; she passed away in October, 1873; he has since married Miss Rachel Patton, of Paris, Ill. During his early life, the chances for an education were few; never attended a school after he was 10 years old; but by energy, perseverance and a firm will to succeed, he has acquired a good business education and a farm of 640 acres, valued at $80 per acre; he is the oldest living pioneer of Buck Tp., commencing here without a dollar, and now has as fine a farm and farm residence as are in the county; has a family of six children — William J., Daisy, Annie B., Edward, Florence and Samuel, all of whom are still living with their parents at home. JOHN CRYDER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 12; P. O. Redmon; was born Feb. 24, 1834, in Franklin Co, Ohio; lived there until 1861; then came to Edgar Co., where he has since lived; has a good education; began business for himself at the age of 20, at farming; has followed this since, with the exception of spending about two years at Ohio Penitentiary as a guard. Was married Feb. 4, 1857, to Miss Rebecca Cryder, of Franklin Co, Ohio; she died Nov. 20, 1876, leaving a family of ten children — Adell, Levi, Mattie, Elizabeth, Martha, Henry, James, Lillie, Minnie and John, all at present living with their father. Mr. Cryder began business for himself with no assistance from his father, but by hard work, economy and a firm determination to succeed, he has accumulated a property of 320 acres of as fine land as there is in Edgar Co., which he values at about $50 per acre; Mr. Cryder is known as one among the substantial men of the county, having done his share toward making Edgar rank one among the first counties of the State of Illinois. FRANK COLWELL, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 35; P. O. Paris; is a native Orange Co., N. Y.; was born Oct. 17, 1833; lived at his birthplace until the age of 10, his parents then moving to Broome Co., N. Y.; here he remained until he was about 24, then spent one year in Marion Co., Ohio, and then came to Edgar Co., where he has since lived. Was married in June, 1870, to Mrs. Sarah J. Trogdon, of Edgar Co.; they have one boy — William H. He began business for himself at the age of 17; now has a farm of 644 acres of first- class land, valued at about $50 per acre. Mr. Colwell has been in the county about fifteen years; though not one of the pioneers, he is already esteemed by many friends, and is known as one of the solid, substantial men of Edgar Co. GEORGE M. CLINTON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 36; P. O. Paris; is of English and Scotch descent; was born in Kentucky Sept. 30, 1842, in Garrard Co.; went with his parents, at the age of 5, to Fannin Co., Texas; lived there about one and a half years; his father came to Edgar Co., and entered land on Section 36; this was in 1849; he acquired his education mostly by home study, having had but little opportunity of attending school until he was 20 years of age. Was married Dec. 17, 1861, to Miss Phebe S. Boyd, of Edgar Co., Ill.; they have two children — Frankie B. and George B. Mr. Clinton began business for himself when 17, his father having died when he was 14; began at farming; followed this until 1863. Enlisted in 66th. I. V. I., Co. G; remained in the service until the close of the war; received an honorable discharge from the proper authority. Followed farming two years after close of the war; then did a grocery business in Kansas, Edgar Co.; then followed plastering about five years in Paris; then, in 1878, located on his farm. He began a poor boy, and now, by honesty, industry and perseverance, has accumulated a good property, having a farm of eighty acres and considerable property in Paris, in all valued at about $10,000. He is still a young man, full of life and energy, and known as one among the solid men of the county. URIAH COLLIER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Conlogue; is a native of Washington Co., Ind.; is of Scotch and Irish ancestry; was born Dec. 25, 1825; has a common-school education, which he gained principally by home study. Was married March 2, 1843, to Miss Matilda Hinds, of his native county. About this date, he began farming for himself, which business he has since followed; he had no assistance in beginning business for himself, but, by good management, hard work and economy, he has accumulated a fine property of 385 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Collier came to the county in an early day; has seen and helped to make the change from a wild tract of country to a county ranking one among the best of Illinois; he is a pleasant, congenial man, full of life and activity, and known as one of the better class and more prominent citizens of Edgar Co. DAVID B. FITTS, retired farmer; P. O. Redmon; now a resident of Reason, Ill.; is of Scotch parentage; was born March 27, 1821, in Springfield, Mass., came to Ohio with his parents at the age of 10; lived there until 1854; then came to Clark Co., Ill.; lived there about nine years, and then came to Edgar Co., where'he has since lived. Was marrie Nov. 11, 1846, to Miss Rebecca L. Gibson, of Pennsylvania; she dying Sept. 2, 1858, has three children living by this marriage; was married again April 4, 1859, to Mrs. C. Horton, of Edgar Co., she having come to this county in 1829, being among the oldest pioneers of the county. Mr. Fitts has a good education - having had the advantages of attending the free schools of Connecticut. He began business for himself at the age of 21, going into partnership with his father in manufacture of woolen goods, in Trumbull Co., Ohio; followed this business about twelve years; then began his life as a farmer; Mrs. Fitts at the time of their marriage having a farm of 300 acres, partially improved; Mr. Fitts has since added to it, now they have a farm of 350 acres, valued at $60 per acre; has also a good property in the town of Redmon. Mr. Fitts is one of the substantial men of the county and known as one among the better class of citizens. H. B. GRISWOLD, farmer and stock-raiser; Sec. 10; P. O. Dudley; the subject of this sketch is a native of Litchfield Co., Conn.; his ancestors were among the first settlers of that State; he served an apprenticeship at shoemaking while quite young, finishing the trade at 19; during the time of learning his trade, he gained most of his education by home study; by close observation and experience he has a good practical education; followed his trade until 1851; then made farming his principal business, which he has since followed; he has made several trips back and forth from his native place to Illinois. In 1840, he rode, on horseback, from Grand View, Edgar Co., to Litchfield, Conn., a distance of about one thousand and forty miles, making the journey in twenty- six days; he began life for himself with no assistance from his father; located permanently in Edgar Co. in 1838, being one of the old pioneers; he has seen and helped to make many of the changes from a wild prairie to a thickly-settled and thriving county; has 320 acres of first-class land, valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Griswold is now 65 years old, pleasant, congenial, full of life and activity; is esteemed by his neighbors and acquaintances and known as one of the solid, substantial men of Edgar Co. WM. S. HEAZELTINE, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Paris; was born Feb. 16, 1819, in Hamilton Co., Ohio; lived at his birthplace until 13 years of age, his parents moving to Butler Co., Ohio; lived there until 1869; then came to Edgar Co., Ill., where he has since lived; at the age of 16, he was unfortunate enough, to receive quite a serious cut on the arm, causing lock- jaw for six weeks; this disabled him so much for work that his father allowed him to attend school for five months; this being about the only opportunity he had of getting any education; he began business for himself at the age of 21 with no assistance from his father. Was married Feb. 18, 1840, to Miss Lydia Williams, of Butler Co., Ohio; they have three children - John S., Martha A. (now Mrs. S. Lycan), and Amanda J. Mr. Heazeltine is one of the self- made, substantial men of the county, owning now 240 acres of fine land, valued at about $75 per acre; has also given his son eighty acres of about same quality; has been an industrious and enterprising man, and now can look back with satisfaction upon his efforts to accumulate a sufficient property for his old age. JACOB HENN, farmer and stock dealer, Sec. 34; P. O. Redmon; is a native of Byron, Germany; came to the United States in 1851; lived in Stark Co., Ohio, for two years; removed to Clark Co., Ill., where he remained three years, working at his trade of blacksmithing; then came to Edgar Co., where he has since lived. Was married in Massillon, Ohio, in 1853, to Miss Barbara Gipe, of his native place; two boys dead, six living — John H., Philip, William, Jacob, Louis A. and Charlie. He had no opportunities of getting an education, but by observation and experience, he has become thoroughly posted in all transactions of business, doing the largest blooded-stock business in Edgar Co.; began business for himself a poor boy, and by hard work and good management he has become one of the most prominent stock dealers of the county. Has 400 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at $75 per acre. JOHN HENN, farmer,Sec. 28; P.O. Redmon; was born March 12, 1833, in Byron, Germany; lived there until 18 years old; came to Stark Co., Ohio; lived there about four years; then moved to Edgar Co., Ill., where he has since lived; has a fair education. Was married March 12, 1860, to Mrs. C. Murphy, of Edgar Co.; they have a family of five children - Mary E., Susan C., William H., Elizabeth S. and Ida. Mr. Henn began life a poor boy, but by honesty, perseverance and economy has accumulated a property of 100 acres, valued at $55 per acre; he is one of the old pioneers of Edgar Co., having settled there when the country was new, and was obliged to endure the hardships incident to pioneer life; he is now known as one among the better class of farmers of Edgar Co. JACOB HINDS, farmer and stockbreeder, Sec. 3; P. O. Dudley; was born in Washington Co., Ind., March 30, 1828; lived there until he was 21; has a good common-school education. Was married Feb. 19, 1850, to Miss Susan Markland, of his native county; they have a family of six children, four boys and two girls. Mr. Hinds has now in Douglas Co., 206 acres and in Edgar Co. 275 acres of land, valued at about $50 per acre; he came to Edgar Co. when the country was new; was obliged to pass through the troubles and trials incident to pioneer life; at the time of his settling at his present home, he was almost alone on what is called Grand Prairie; was obliged to pen his sheep at night to keep them from the wolves; he has remained upon his old farm, and by industry, economy and good management, has a fine property and a nice home, esteemed by neighbors and friends, and known as one of the solid, substantial men of Edgar Co. JOHN JUMP, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15; P. O. Redmon; is of English ancestry, his great-grandfather coming from England, and settled in Maryland, his father being a native of that State, also Mr. J. is a native of Marion Co., Ohio; was born March 16, 1835; came to Edgar Co. in 1852. Was married March 8, 1860, to Miss P. A. Morris, of Rush Co., Ind.; they have two children — Susan E. and Willie E. His chances of getting an education were very poor, but, by home study and good observation, he has a fair education. During his residence in Buck Tp., he has been elected to the office of Township Collector for several terms. He began business for himself at farming at the age of 21; has since followed this business; had no material assistance from his father, but, by hard work, economy and good management, he now has a farm of 120 acres of first-class land, valued at about 60 per acre. Mr. Jump is a pleasant, congenial gentleman, well respected by many friends, and known as one among the better class of citizens of Edgar Co. JAMES LINDSAY, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Paris; was born May 4, 1823, in Hocking Co., Ohio; moved from his birthplace to Edgar Co., Ill,, in 1860; during his early life, he had no chances for getting an education; at the age of 21, he began business for himself as a farmer; followed this business in Ohio for nineteen years, and then came to Edgar Co., Ill., and purchased his present farm. Was married in October, 1843, to Miss Mary Efford, of Hocking Co., Ohio; she died March, 1848, leaving three children; in 1850, he married Miss Caroline Judy, of Hocking Co., Ohio, by whom he has nine children, his family now consisting of Samuel, George, Mary, John, Susan, William, Simon, Isabella, Jacob, Bruce, Edward, Sarah and Annie. When Mr. Lindsay came to Edgar Co., the greater portion of the county was wild land; but he and the rest of the pioneers, have made the county one among the first of the State of Illinois; by close economy and hard work, he now owns eighty acres of fine land, valued at about $75 per acre. He is now known as one among the steady, straightforward men of the county. W. B. LILLEY, farmer; P. O. Redmon; is a native of Virginia, as were also his ancestors for several generations before him, being originally from England and Ireland; was born March 13, 1806, in Augusta Co.; lived in Virginia until 1826, then came to Ohio; lived there until 1863, then came to Edgar Co., having entered the east half of Section 14 in 1852, though not a regular resident of the county until the last fifteen years, he still may be called one of the early settlers; during his life-time, has traveled over almost every State in the Union. Has taken quite an active part in political affairs, and has always been very much opposed to the liquor traffic. Was married May 15, 1838, to Julia E. Graham, of Wayne Co., Ohio, she dying Oct. 19, 1865, leaving seven children, four boys and three girls. Began business for himself at the age of 20, at farming; had no material assistance from his father, but, by his own efforts, he has accumulated a property of 160 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at about $65 per acre. Mr. Lilley is now 72 years old; has passed a life full of stirring events; can look back upon his efforts to secure a fair share of property, with satisfaction, knowing that he has a competency to last his life-time; he is now known as one of the solid, substantial men of Buck Tp. WILLIAM M. MAYS, farmer and stock-grower; P. O. Mays; was born Feb. 19, 1825, in Carroll Co., Ohio; lived there until the age of 15; was brought to Edgar Co., Ill., by his parents in 1839, where he has since lived; he received a fair common-school education, and by close observation and experience is capable of transacting all business pertaining to farming, stock-raising, etc. He began business for himself at 22 years of age, as a bricklayer and plasterer; followed this business about ten years, and then began farming. Was married in February, 1848, to Miss Catharine A. Henderson, of Washington, D. C.; they have a family of nine — John H., Samuel B., Thomas J., James R., William H., Charles E., Mary C., Martha E. and Alice J. Mr. Mays began life with no assistance from his father, but, with a stout heart and willing hands, coupled with economy and perseverance, he has accumulated a property of 280 acres of as fine land as there is in Edgar Co., valued at $80 per acre; he is one of the old pioneers that has seen and helped make the change from prairie country to a county that is ranked one among the first of the State of Illinois, and is known himself as one among the wealthy and better class of citizens of the county. EMANUEL MEYERS, farmer and stock dealer, Sec. 22; P. O. Redmon; is a native of Lancaster Co., Penn.; was born Sept. 18, 1826; lived at his birthplace until he was 18; came to Indiana and stayed two years; went back to Pennsylvania and remained one year, and then came and located permanently in Edgar Co. Was married Dec. 11, 1852, to Miss Mary Heisay, of Dauphin Co., Penn.; they have a family of eight children — four boys and four girls; has a good common-school education; began business for himself when he was 18; commenced work on a farm at $4 per month; now has a property of 455 acres of first-class land, well improved and fine buildings; land is valued at about $75 per acre. Mr. Meyers has seen and helped to make the improvements in the county; is well respected and known as one of the more prominent class of farmers in Edgar Co. MRS. LOUISA PITCHER, widow of A. Pitcher, who died Sept. 9, 1875; P. O. Dudley; Mr. Pitcher was a native of Madison Co., Ky., came to Edgar Co., Ill., in 1833; was one of the old pioneers of the county; did much to improve it; at one time, he owned and cultivated several farms. Was married Dec. 11, 1827, to Miss Louisa Bragg, of Virginia.; they had seven children — two boys and five girls. Mr. Pitcher was a man of energy and perseverance, at the time of his death leaving 201 acres of first-class land, well improved. Mrs. Pitcher is now 72 years old, a very active and pleasant lady; she can look back with satisfaction upon her efforts to provide for old age and to bring up her family honorably and honest. JOHN J. PERISHO, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 11; P. O. Conlogue; is of French ancestry, his father having been kidnapped from France by some fishermen, while quite young, and brought to North Carolina; he was born in Washington Co., Ind., Nov. 18, 1822; was brought to Edgar Co. by his parents when he was 3 years old; during his early life, he had very little chance of attending school, but by home study he acquired a fair education. Was married April 24, 1855, to Miss Barbara A. Ratts, of Washington Co., Ind.; they have five children — four boys and one girl. He began business for himself at the age of 16, at farming; has since followed this business; he began with no assistance financially, but by hard work, economy and good management, he now has a farm of 400 acres, and 96 acres of timber, the whole valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Perisho is one of the old pioneers of the county, having been obliged while yet a boy to endure many of the hardships incident to pioneer life; is esteemed by many friends, and known as one among the wealthy and better class of citizens of Edgar Co. JOHN P. PERISHO, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 4; P. O. Dudley; is of French ancestry, his grandfather having been kidnapped from his home in France by some fishermen, who brought him to North Carolina; his father is a native of Washington Co., Ind.; the subject of this sketch is a native of Edgar Co., Ill. Was married Feb. 19, 1878, to Miss Martha Morris, she being also a native of Edgar Co.; they have one child — Dessie E. Mr. Perisho received a good education; in the spring of 1878, was elected Treasurer of the Board of Township Commissioners of Buck Township, his time expiring in 1881; he has a farm of 375 acres of fine land, well improved, finely watered, and good timber, valued at about $75 per acre. He is still a young man, pleasant, congenial, full of life and energy, and is already known as one among the substantial men of Edgar Co. JOHN RHOADS, farmer and Township Supervisor; P. O. Redmon; is a native of Edgar Co., Ill.; was born March 13, 1828, in Sims Tp.; lived there until April 2, 1863; then bought his present farm on Sec. 14, where he has since lived; during his early life, his chances for getting an education were very poor, but by home study and perseverance he acquired a good common-school education. Was married April 13, 1851, to Miss Sydney Walls, of Pike Co., Ohio; they have eight children — three boys and five girls. Mr. Rhoads began business for himself at the age of 21; his father gave him forty acres of wild land; by his own energy and industry he now owns seventy-seven acres of good land, well improved, valued at about $60 per acre; Mr. Rhoads is one of the old pioneers of the county, being a native of it; being now 50 years of age, can relate many of the hardships endured by himself incident to pioneer life; he is well known in the county, and esteemed by many warm friends, and can safely be classed as one of the pioneers of Edgar Co. W. H. RUDY, farmer and stock-breeder, Sec. 7; P. O. Conlogue; is a native of Jefferson Co., Ky.; was born July 8, 1824; lived there with his parents until the age of 6, his father moving to Edgar Co. in 1830; during his early life, Edgar Co. had very poor schools; the distance being so far that he could not at all times attend, so was obliged to acquire most of his education by home study. Was married Nov. 17, 1853, to Miss Julia Lodge, of Zanesville, Ohio; they have a family of six children, four boys and two girls. Mr. Rudy started in business for himself with no material assistance; he now has a farm of 220 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at about $75 per acre. He is one of the old pioneers of the county, having been obliged to put up with many of the trials and troubles incident to pioneer life; he stands well in the community, and is known as one among the substantial and better class of citizens of Edgar Co. NEWTON STEWART, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 7; P. O. Paris; was born Nov. 11, 1833, in Ross Co., Ohio; was brought to Edgar Co. in 1838, where he has since lived; during his early life, he acquired but little education, but later in life has gained, by observation and experience, what he neglected during boyhood; he began business for himself at the age of 21. Was married Nov. 6, 1856, to Miss Annina Rhoads; they have nine children — Egbert, Florence B., Mariam C., William, Albert, Luella, Edgar, Minnie M. and Walter. At the time of beginning life for himself, Mr. Stewart had no help from his father, but began a poor boy on the open prairie, and by hard work, economy and good management he now owns a farm of 570 acres of fine land, valued at about $50 per acre. Mr. Stewart is one among the early pioneers of Edgar Co.; has seen many of the changes take place from a wild prairie country to a thickly-settled county; now, at the prime of life, he is known as one among the wealthy and better class of citizens of the county. ADAM STEWART, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 7; P. O. Paris; was born Dec. 19, 1828, in Ross Co., Ohio; was brought to Edgar Co., Ill., in 1838, by his parents; his opportunities of gaining an education were very meager, but by perseverance he acquired a good common-school education; he began business for himself at farming at the age of 22. Was married January 21, 1853, to Miss Rebecca E. Owen, of Edgar Co.; she died May 24, 1873, leaving his present family of four children; he married again April 21, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Lewman, of Vermilion Co., Ill., she dying Jan. 20, 1876; the names of his children are Demarious, Mary O. (now Mrs. G. North), Cyrus and Martha. At the time of beginning business for himself, Mr. Stewart had no material assistance financially from his father, but, by hard work, close economy and perseverance, coupled with a firm will to succeed under difficulties, he now owns a farm of 117 1/2 acres, valued at $50 per acre. Mr. Stewart is one of the old pioneers of Edgar Co., having put up with tne hardships of a pioneer life; has seen and helped to make the change from a wild prairie country to one among the finest counties of the State of Illinois; he is known in the community as one amoung the better class of farmers and more prominent men of the county. J. P. SNYDER, farmer and stock dealer; P. O. Conlogue; is another of the natives of Edgar Co., Buck being his native township; is the son of Wm. M. and Susan E. Snyder, who were old pioneers of the county, having been residents of it for nearly forty years; he was born April 20, 1850. He was married Oct. 16, 1878, to Miss Mollie A. Brundige, also of Edgar Co., Paris being her native township; they have one child — Frank. Mr. Snyder is now conducting the old home farm of 220 acres; he is still a young man, in good standing in the community; has a good name and reputation which he has earned by having been honorable and honest in his business transactions, and is already known as one of the straightforward, honest men of Buck Tp. JNO. A. SIMS, farmer and stock-raiser; Sec. 8; P. O. Paris; is of Scotch descent; was born in Edgar Co., Sept. 16, 1834; his parents both dying when he was quite young, he spent most of his time until he was 16 years old traveling through different states; located permanently in his native county at this age. Was married Oct. 18, 1855, to Miss Rachel Stewart, of Edgar Co.; they have eight children — six boys and two girls. Began business for himself at the age of 21; had but little assistance from the home estate, but by hard work, economy and good management he now has a farm of 240 acres of well- improved land valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Sims is a pioneer whose standing is first-class in the community, and known as one among the better and more prominent class of pioneers of Edgar Co. WM. WALLER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Dudley; is a native of Bavaria, Germany; was born May 27, 1822; came to the United States in 1846, leaving Antwerp for Galveston, Tex., making the journey in sixty-three days; was there about four months and then went into Gen. Scott's command in the Mexican war; was gone about eight months and then went to Cincinnati; worked there two years in a cotton factory; left there in 1849 and went to Hamilton, Ohio, where he followed carpet-weaving until 1857; went to Middletown; stayed until 1863; then came to Edgar Co., where he has since lived; has a good education. Was married Jan. 18, 1848, to Miss Margaret Grimm, of Germany; they have nine children — five boys and four girls. Had no assistance from his parents, but by hard work, economy and good management he now has a fine farm of 675 acres of first-class land, valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Waller is a pleasant, congenial gentleman and known as one among the wealthy and more prominent men of Edgar Co. SAMUEL H. WELLS, Township Commissioner and farmer; P. O. Paris; was born Nov. 29, 1841 in Edgar Co., Ill., his birthplace being Paris Tp.; began business for himself in 1862 as a farmer; followed this for two years, and then enlisted in Co. E. 12th I. V. I.; remained in the service until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge from the proper authority. Was married March 6, 1870, to Miss Sallie Elledge, of Edgar Co., Ill.; in 1873, he moved to Sec. 29, Buck Tp., where, by pluck and perseverance, he now owns 120 acres of fine land, valued at about $9,000. They have two children - Miss Martha B. and Mary B., both of whom are still quite young. Additional Comments: The History of Edgar County, Illinois. Chicago: Wm. Le Baron, Jr. & Co., 186 Dearborn St., 1879 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/edgar/bios/bucktown551nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 32.2 Kb