Biography of Richard G. Breeden - McDonough County, Illinois History of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois, 1894 Portrait and Biographical Record pages 295 and 296 Hon. Richard G. Breeden, senior member of the law firm of Breeden, Painter & Switzer, of Macomb, is not only a leading lawyer of this city, but has also been prominent in the political history of McDonough County during the past decade, and will undoubtedly be found in the front rank among the valued citizens of the State for many years to come. His life record is as follows: A native of Iowa, he was born in Appanoose County on the 28th of August, 1860, and is a son of the Rev. William and Damaris E. (Lawyer) Breeden, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Ohio. The father of our subject was a minister of the Baptist Church and also engaged in farming. He was a remarkable man physically, with strong traits of character. In 1839 he decided to try his fortune on the broad prairies of Illinois, and became a resident of McDonough County. He was born February 7, 1815, and came of an old Virginia family, which was founded in America by Scotch ancestors, who left that land and took up their residence in the New World prior to the Revolution. There were three brothers who made the voyage, and all served in the Colonial army during the struggle for independence. One of the number was killed, and the ancestor of our subject, at the close of the war, migrated to Kentucky. A love for hunting and fishing has always been manifest in the Breeden family, and it is supposed that it indicates a trace of Indian blood. Rev. William Breeden was twice married. He first married Nancy Driscol, by whom he had seven children. He afterwards married Miss Lawyer, and they had seven children. Of the fourteen, seven were boys and seven were girls, and seven of the number are yet living. Our subject and Amanda, wife of H. N. Post, of this county are the only ones now living of the last family of children. His mother was a woman far above the average in intelligence and womanly qualities. No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of Richard G. Breeden, for his days were quietly passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. He early began work in the fields and became familiar with the duties of farm life. His primary education, gained in the district schools of the neighborhood, was followed by a course in the Macomb Normal College, from which he graduated in the Class of ‘84. He afterwards pursued his studies for a time in the Monmouth College, in the mean time teaching school to obtain the means for securing his education. He was a through student, and in his early manhood he was respected for his firm decision of purpose, his fidelity to duty, his high ideas of honor, life sympathy for the oppressed or afflicted, his enterprise and worthy ambition. While a boy he became noted as a forcible speaker and ready debater, and in the literary societies of which he was a member he was considered invincible. When a candidate for the Legislature, at the early age of twenty-six years, he stumped his district in a manner that won him the highest compliments, both from his political friends and opponents. Mr. Breeden entered on his political career in 1886, when he was elected from his district to the State Legislature as the candidate of the Republican side of the House. During that term he served as Chairman of the Committee on Education, and was a member of the Judiciary Committee, the most important committee in the House of Representatives. He was the champion of the Coal Screen Bill, introduced in the interests of the coal miners in the State, and although the measure was defeated, all acknowledged that the young member made a gallant fight. So well did he fill the office, that on the expiration of his first term he was re-elected, in 1888. During the Thirty-sixth Session of the General Assembly, he was Chairman of the Committee on County and Township Organizations, and a member of the Judiciary and Appropriations Committees. He secured the passage of what was known as the Frisbee-Breeden Pharmacy Bill. He also took part in the senatorial contest at the time of the election of Senator Farwell, and afterwards helped elect Senator Cullom. In 1891 he was elected County Judge of McDonough County, and is now filling the office with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. On the 22d of December, 1888, Mr. Breeden was united in marriage with Miss Grace Gilchrist, daughter of Van B. and Sarah A. (Robinson) Gilchrist, residents of McDonough County. Their union has been blessed with three children, two sons and a daughter. Richard Gilchrist, Ralph Ballard and Helen. Judge Breeden is a member of the Odd Fellows society, and is one of the honored and prominent citizens of Macomb. He has won a foremost place at the McDonough County Bar, and, in addition to his duties as a County Judge, he is enjoying a large and lucrative law practice which is well deserved, for his knowledge of the law and his skill and ability have made him an able advocate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Phyllis Hill