Montgomery County IL Archives History......East Fork Township 1882 
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History of Bond and Montgomery Counties Illinois 1882 - Part II, pages
291-299, East Fork Township, 


[Page 291] 
John P. BECK, farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Montgomery County, 
Ill., March 6, 1837, to John and Nancy (BLAIR) BECK, he a native of 
North Carolina, and was one of the first to enter upon pioneer life in 
Montgomery County, where he engaged in milling, blacksmithing, coopering, 
distilling and farming at different times. He entered land in Town 7, 
Fillmore, Range 2, but at the time of his death had land also in Range 3. 
His death occurred in 1845. His wife, Nancy, was also a native of North 
Carolina, and died in 1851. She was the mother of ten children, of whom 
John, our subject, was the youngest child. His early childhood was spent 
upon the farm and in attending school at the neighboring log schoolhouse, 
to which his educational privileges were limited. At the death of his 
mother, which occurred when he was fourteen years of age, he left the 
homestead and engaged as a farm hand. At the age of twenty-three, he had 
succeeded in accumulating enough funds to enable him to purchase twenty 
acres of timber land, and soon after purchased forty acres of prairie, 
upon which he made all the improvements himself, and to which he has 
continued to add, and now has in his possession 160 acres of choice farm 
land, all under a high state of cultivation. He grows all the usual crops, 
but makes a specialty of grain. He was married in Montgomery County, 
February 26, 1861, to Miss Nancy J. BROWN, who was born in the same county 
November 15, 1839. She is the mother of five children, viz., Emma J., 
Mary C., George M., Nina and Laura L., the two oldest of whom died in 
infancy. Mrs. BECK was a daughter of Harrison BROWN. Mr. and Mrs. Beck are 
connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Politically, he was 
formerly a Democrat, but now is considered independent in politics.

William S. BARRY, farmer, P.O. Hillsboro, was born in Montgomery County 
September 18, 1841, to John and Elizabeth (ROBINSON) BARRY. He was born in 
Barren County, Ky., in 1806. In 1834 or 1835 he emigrated to Montgomery 
County, in Hillsboro Township, where he bought a small tract of improved 
land. He remained in Montgomery County to the time of his death, which 
occurred March 15, 1876. He was of Irish descent. His wife, and mother of 
our subject, was born in Warren County, Ky., in 1809, and died in Montgomery 
County, Ill., in 1868. She was the mother of nine children, of whom William 
S. BARRY was the seventh child. His early life was spent in receiving such 
an education as the common schools of his day afforded, and assisting in 
tilling the soil of his father’s farm. At the age of twenty-two, he left 
home and embarked on his career in life by farming on his own account, on 
a farm of 140 acres of partially improved land, situated in Section 23, of 
East Fork Township. Here he has since remained, and by honesty, industry and 
economy, he has succeeded in accumulating 200 acres of land, all of which is 
under a high state of cultivation. Besides raising all the principal farm 
crops, he makes wheat a specialty. Mr. BARRY was married in Montgomery County 
April 2, 1863, to Charity C., daughter of Jabez and Polly Ann (LEWEY) WHEELER. 
Mrs. 

[Page 292] 

BARRY was born in Montgomery County, Ill., August 17, 1843. She is the mother 
of five children, four of whom are now living, viz., Minnie V., wife of 
Frederick COFFEEN, of East Fork Township; Robert F., at home; Hattie, died 
August 28, 1867; Ina M., home; Fred, at home. Wife, of Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. Mr. BARRY has served as Highway Commissioner. Politically, he is 
independent.

Gustavus F. COFFEEN, farmer, was born in Watertown, Jefferson Co.., N. Y., 
June 19, 1820, to Frederick and Elcena (HUBBARD) COFFEEN, he born in Schuyler, 
Oneida Co., N. Y., about 1795, a farmer by occupation, and at one time was a 
hotel keeper, and dying about 1860. His wife, Elcena, was born in Jefferson 
County, N. Y., in 1798, and died about 1876. She was the mother of six 
children, four of whom are now living, and of whom Gustavus is the oldest 
child living. His paternal grandfather, Henry COFFEEN, was the first settler 
in Watertown, N. Y., having penetrated from Lowville through the woods with 
his goods and family, drawn by an ox-team. He erected his hut on the ground 
just west of Iron Block. He was a very prominent merchant and speculator in 
land. Gustavus, the subject of this sketch, received a common school education 
in his native town, and spent his early childhood in assisting his father in 
his agricultural pursuits. At the age of eighteen years, he entered a hotel 
in Jefferson County with his father, where he remained about fifteen years, at 
the end of which time he turned his attention to railroading, which occupation 
he followed about two years in New York, and then came to Illinois, and 
continued in the same business about two years more, when he turned his 
attention to farming, and in the spring of 1855, purchased 1,140 acres of 
wild prairie land. He remained upon the same about eighteen months, and 
improved about one hundred acres. He then disposed of his property and 
purchased 160 acres of improved and forty acres of timber land in East Fork 
Township, where he has since carried on farming more or less extensively. 
Grows all the usual farm crops, and raising and dealing in stock. His farm 
now consists of 640 acres of choice farm and timber land. In 1862-63, he 
served a term in the House of Representatives from Montgomery and Christian 
Counties; has also served as Supervisor. He was married, November 9, 1846, 
to Miss Mary Adelia BELL, born in Herkimer County, N. Y., February 2, 1827. 
She is the mother of three children, viz., Frederick H., Mary, wife of John 
McLEAN, living in East Fork Township; Clotilda Bell, wife of Dr. J. T. 
HENDRIX, deceased. (See history.) Mrs. COFFEEN is connected with the 
Presbyterian Church.

George C. CAMPBELL, farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Perry County, 
Mo., August 13, 1824, to Samuel and Margaret (COWAN) CAMPBELL, he born 
in North Carolina, in Lincoln County, June 17, 1793, was a tanner by trade, 
but in 1819 emigrated to Missouri, and engaged in farming up to the time 
of his death, which occurred October 1, 1864. His wife, Margaret, was also 
a native of North Carolina, born in Rowan County May 25, 1795, and is still 
living in Kansas, and is the mother of nine children, of whom George, our 
subject, was the third child; received his education in the common schools 
of Missouri. He remained upon the homestead until he was twenty-four years 
of age, and entered upon his career in life as a farmer, in Perry County, 
Mo. In March, 1864, he removed to Montgomery County, and purchased 100 acres 
of land, which he disposed of five years later, and removed to his present 
place of residence, where he has about one 

[Page 293] 

hundred and twenty acres of choice farm land under cultivation. He was married 
in Missouri, October 31, 1849, to Miss Mary E. SMITH, who was born in Cape 
Girardeau County, Mo., February 9, 1825. They have four living children, viz.,
Margaret J., Catharine E., Lamirah, Amanda M. and two infants deceased. Mrs. 
CAMPBELL is a daughter of Matthew and Margaret (WALLACE) SMITH, natives of 
North Carolina, both deceased. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. CAMPBELL are connected 
with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. C. was formerly a
Republican, but now considers himself independent. Entered the service during 
the rebellion with Capt. A. C. BISHOP, in Company H, of the Eighth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry; remained in service about one year, and was in the 
engagement at Mobile.

Hardy F. JONES, farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in South Carolina April 
24, 1813, to James and Elizabeth (TOLES) JONES, he, James, was born in 
America, but was of English descent. He died in 1816, aged sixty four years. 
During his life he followed the occupation of a farmer. He served through 
the war of 1812. His wife the mother of our subject, was born in Georgia in 
1804, and died in 1854; she was of Scotch descent. She was the mother of 
eight children, of whom Hardy JONES was the sixth child. His early life was 
spent in receiving such an education as the log schoolhouse of his day 
afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of the homestead farm. At the 
age of three years he was brought to Adair County, Ky., his father having 
died on the way before reaching their new home. At the age of twenty-one 
he left home and removed to Greene County, Ind., where he embarked on his 
career in life as a farm hand, by the moth. In April, 1842, he removed to 
Montgomery County, Ill., and settled in East Fork Township, two miles east 
of his present residence; there entered eighty acres of land, forty in timber 
and forty in prairie. He remained upon this tract of land, making all 
necessary improvements and raising all usual farm crops, until Mary, 1877, 
when he bought his present residence and farm, and removed to the same, where 
he is still engaged in farming. By his honesty, industry and economy he has 
succeeded in accumulating 360 acres of land, most of which is under a high 
state of cultivation. In 1832, he married Matilda NICHOLSON, who was born 
in Kentucky, and died in 1863, aged fifty-two years. She was the mother of 
eight children, six of whom are now living – William, James, Joseph, Tabitha, 
Mary Ann and Rebecca. In 1869, he married Mary C. RAGLAND; she was born in 
Virginia in October, 1832. She is the mother of two children, viz., Wilson 
S. and Eugenia. Politically, Mr. JONES is identified with the Democratic 
party. Mr. JONES remembers of hearing the first preacher deliver a sermon; 
his name was old Jimmie STREET.

Henry M. LUDEWICK, farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Montgomery County, 
July 14, 1837, to Daniel F. and Nancy (CRESS) LUDEWICK. He was born in 
Cobarrus County, N. C., December 2, 1800. He emigrated to the State of 
Illinois, and settled in East Fork in 1831. During his life, he was engaged 
in farming, and at the time of his death had succeeded in accumulating eight 
hundred acres of land, most of which he entered, and made all improvements 
on the same. His death occurred May 4, 1849. He was of German descent. The 
mother of our subject was born in Cabarrus County, N. C., October 25, 1806, 
and died October 12, 1852; was of German descent. She was the mother of 
thirteen children, ten of whom lived to man and womanhood. Of the thirteen 
children 

[Page 294]

our subject was the seventh child. His early life was spent in receiving 
such an education as the common schools of his day afforded, and in 
assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. He left home at the 
age of twenty-one, and embarked on his career in life as a farmer, upon 
eighty acres of prairie and forty acres of timber. His farm is located in 
Section 11, and by his energy and business habits he has succeeded in 
accumulating 340 acres of land. In 1862, on the 21 st of February, in 
Montgomery County, he married Cynthia WILLIAMSON. She was born in Montgomery 
County in 1845. She is the daughter of John D. and Nancy G. (CARD) 
WILLIAMSON. Mr. and Mrs. LUDEWICK have had five children, three of whom 
are now living, viz., Ina O., the wife of Henry H. WHITTEN, of Fillmore 
Township; Lowell W., at home; Olive Maud, at home; Robert Grant and Walter, 
dead. Member of the order of A., F. & A. M., at Irving, No. 455. Wife is a 
member of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is identified with the 
Republican party.

William C. McDAVID, farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Montgomery County, 
Ill., March 1, 1820, to William and Elizabeth (JOHNSON) McDAVID. He was born 
in Scott County, Va., in September, 1790; when a boy, was taken to Missouri 
by his brother, and afterward went to Tennessee, where he joined the Seminole 
war, and also served through the war of 1812, under Jackson. During his 
life, followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1832, served six months in the 
Black Hawk war. In January, 1820, he emigrated from Tennessee to Montgomery 
County, and settled in East Fork Township, on the same farm that Thomas W., 
his son, is now residing on. His death occurred February 14, 1866. His marriage 
took place in Tennessee in 1819. His wife, and mother of our subject, was born 
in Tennessee September 15, 1800, and is now residing on the same farm where, 
with her husband, she settled in 1820; she is now enjoying good health. She is 
mother of nine children, of whom William C. is the oldest child. His early life 
was spent in receiving such an education as the log schoolhouses of his day 
afforded, at that time having to walk four miles to school. He remained with 
his parents, assisting in tilling the soil of the old homestead farm until he 
was twenty-one years of age, when he embarked on his career in life as a hired 
hand upon a farm, and, in fact, doing all kinds of work. He continued in this 
way until he was about twenty-six years of age, when, with the savings of his 
meager earnings, he was able to enter forty acres of prairie land; a portion 
of this same farm he is now residing on, and, by his economy and business 
habits, he succeeded in accumulating about four hundred acres of land, all 
of which he placed under a high state of cultivation. His farm now consists 
of 190 acres, he having divided his land among his children. On September 2, 
1847, in Montgomery County, he married Lydia C. WILSON, a native of Harrison 
County, Ind., born April 11, 1826. She is the daughter of John and Ruth 
(WILBURN) WILSON, natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. McDAVID are the 
patents of six children, four of whom are living – James S., Thomas J., Emily 
E. and John L. Mr. McDAVID has held the office of Justice of the Peace in 
his township for twenty-eight years, and has never had a judgment reversed, 
and but few cases of appeal to higher courts. He is an active member of the 
A., F. & A. M. of Hillsboro. In politics, he is identified with the Democratic 
party. Self and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

James B. McDAVID, farmer, P. O. Hills-

[Page 295] 

boro, was born in Montgomery County, Ill., March 31, 1821, to William and 
Elizabeth (JOHNSON) McDAVID (see history J. T. McDAVID), and his early 
childhood was employed in assisting his parents upon the homestead farm, 
and in attending the neighboring log schoolhouse common at that early day, 
and to which his educational privileges were limited; but he has, however, 
by observation, and in contact with the world, succeeded in obtaining a 
practical education, that is, perhaps, above the average. He remained upon 
the homestead farm until he was about twenty-seven years of age, when he 
married and entered upon his own career in life as a farmer, and moved upon 
the place upon which he has since resided, engaged more or less extensively 
in farming. His first real estate consisted of eighty acres of land, to which 
he has continually added, until he now has in his possession about one 
thousand and twenty-five acres, the greater portion of which is under good
cultivation. Although he grows all the usual farm crops, he has, during the 
last few yeas, made a specialty of grain, and has also been engaged quite 
extensively in handling stock. At present, however, he is, to a certain 
extent, retired from active labor and given place to younger men, who may 
do well to follow the example Mr. McDAVID’s life will afford. Mr. McDAVID 
has held several of the county offices, having served as County Assessor for 
a term of ten years, before the township organization. He is the present 
Township Assessor, the duties of which office he has filled for two terms 
before the present. He has also served the people as Justice of the Peace 
about one year, which position he resigned at the end of that time. He was 
married in Montgomery County February 29, 1848, to Miss Mary A. BURK, who 
was born in Smith County, Tenn., December 26, 1827, and was brought to 
Illinois by her parents when she was about two years of age. She is the 
mother of one child, William A., who was born April 23, 1854, and is now 
a prominent young farmer living near the homestead. Mrs. McDAVID is a 
daughter of Andrew and Rachel (BURNETTE) BURK, natives of Tennessee, both 
deceased. Mr. McDAVID served in the Mexican war about nine months, and was 
discharged on account of sickness. He has always taken a lively interest 
in the political issues of the day, and has always been identified with 
the Democratic party. Himself and wife are connected with the Presbyterian 
Church. He has also been a member of the A., F. & A. M., at Hillsboro, for 
a number of years.

T. W. McDAVID, preacher and farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Montgomery 
County, Ill., September 6, 1833, to William and Elizabeth (JOHNSON) McDAVID. 
His early life was spent upon the homestead farm assisting in tilling the soil 
of his father’s farm, and receiving such an education as the common schools of 
his native county afforded, and a few months at the Hillsboro Academy. At the 
age of twenty-three, he commenced teaching school, following the same in the 
winter, and during the summer he followed the occupation of a farmer. He 
followed teaching in the winter season for about six years. He became a 
candidate for the ministry in 1865, and was ordained in September, 1867, by 
the Vandalia Presbytery. His first charge was at home and Maple Grove, and 
held the former for seven and a half years, and the latter for six years. 
Since, he has served as pastor in the following churches, viz.: Mt. Tabor; 
Witt Church, four years; Cross Roads; at present, he is pastor Irving Church, 
C. P., Maple Grove. In connection with his pastoral duties, Mr. McDAVID is
extensively engaged in farming upon his 

[Page 296]

Farm of about four hundred acres; with the exception of eighty four of timber, 
it is all under a high state of cultivation. In June, 1860, in Montgomery 
County, he married Louisa J., daughter of Richard and Tabitha (VICARS) 
BLACKBURN. Mrs. McDAVID was born September 19, 1841, in Montgomery County, 
Ill. She is the mother of thirteen children, eleven of whom are now living 
– Emma D., Lizzie J., Frank M., Ella, Margaret, Annie, Albert C., James E., 
Minnie, Lester T. and Hattie. Family are all connected with his church, the
Cumberland Presbyterian. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., Hillsboro 
Lodge. Politically, is identified with the Democratic party. 

William A. McDAVID, farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Montgomery County, 
Ill., April 23, 1854, to James B. and Mary A. McDAVID. (See history.) His 
early childhood was employed in assisting his father in his agricultural 
pursuits upon the homestead farm, and in attending the common schools of 
the neighborhood, where he received the foundation of his education. At the 
age of fifteen he entered the McGee College, at College Mound, Macon Co., 
Mo., where he remained two years, and then spent two years in Lincoln 
University, Lincoln, Logan Co., Ill. While at McGee he graduated in 
book-keeping. At the age of twenty-one years he left the homestead farm, 
and entered upon his career in life as a farmer, at which occupation he 
has since continued. In connection with his father he has farm lands 
numbering about one thousand seven hundred acres, the principal part of 
which is under cultivation. His residence is located about five miles east 
of Hillsboro, in East Fork Township, and is surrounded by all improvements 
necessary for comfort and convenience, and which shows Mr. McDAVID to be a 
practical farmer. His farmhouse was built after his own design, and does 
honor to him as an architect, and his residence is spoken of as one of the 
finest in the township. He was married in Montgomery County, April 29, 1874, 
to Miss Martha J. WILSON, who was born in Montgomery County March 14, 1857. 
She is the mother of one child, Joseph C., born February 8, 1875. Mrs. 
McDAVID is a daughter of Joshua H. and Sarah (HUTCHISON) WILSON, natives 
of Illinois, both deceased. Mrs. McDAVID is connected with the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. McDAVID’s sympathies are with the 
Democratic party.

Hiram SHEPHERD, farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Montgomery County, 
Ill., August 18, 1830, to Pleasant and Anna (BROWN) SHEPHERD. He was born 
in North Carolina in 1803. When quite a young man he emigrated to Kentucky 
after a period of seven years; there married and removed to Illinois, and 
settled in Fillmore Township, Montgomery County. During his life he followed 
the occupation of a farmer. In the fall of 1832, he sold his property in 
Montgomery County, and returned to Kentucky, Adair County, and in the spring 
of 1833, returned to Montgomery County and settled in North Litchfield Township. 
Here he remained to the time of his death, which occurred April 10, 1834; at 
the time of his death he owned a farm of 120 acres. His wife, and mother of 
our subject, was born in Virginia in 1804, and died in 1848. She was the 
mother of eight children, Hiram SHEPHERD being the fifth child. His early 
life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of his 
day afforded, and in assisting in tilling the soil of his father’s farm. In 
his eighteeth year he was left an orphan, and at that age embarked on his 
career in life as a hired hand, which he followed for one year, when he 
worked a farm 

[Page 297]

on shares. In 1852, he went to California, and there followed gold mining. 
In 1854, he returned to Montgomery County, Ill., and embarked in a saw-mill 
business, near Litchfield. In 1856, he bought eighty acres of land, but 
soon traded the same for a 100-acre tract of partially improved prairie. He 
remained upon his farm about three years, when he sold out and bought 100 
acres of the same farm he is now residing on. By his energy and business 
habits, he has succeeded in accumulating 200 acres of well-improved land, 
upon which he raises all farm products, but makes wheat, corn and oats a 
specialty, and aims to keep his farm well stocked. On October 21, 1857, in 
Montgomery County, he married Miss Nancy A., daughter of James and Sarah 
(BEER) WILLIAMS. Mrs. SHEPHERD was born in Washington County, Ill., December 
10, 1832. She is the mother of nine children, viz., Anna E., Sarah E., 
Martha J., John P., Rosa A., Lillie L., Charles H. Hiram F. and Edward 
E. Politically, Mr. Shepherd is identified with the Democratic party.

Joel C. TRAYLOR, farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Shelby County, Ky., 
October 6, 1814, to James and Nancy (CARDWELL) TRAYLOR, natives of Virginia. 
He died about 1850, aged about sixty-five; was a farmer by occupation. She 
died about 1822, aged about thirty years. She was the mother of four children, 
two of whom are still living, viz., William and Joel. The subject was educated 
in the common schools of his native State. When ten years of age, he engaged 
to learn the trade of harness-making; came to Montgomery County in 1844, and 
settled upon his present place of residence, and has been engaged in 
merchandising. His farm consists of about three hundred acres, which are 
worked by his children under his management. In 1874, he was appointed 
Postmaster, the office being in his house, and known as Ester Post Office. 
He was married in Kentucky to Julia GIBBS, a native of Kentucky, who died 
in 1845. His second marriage occurred April 3, 1846, to Sarah A. OHMART, 
born in Ohio February 18, 1828. She is the mother of thirteen children, viz., 
Andrew J., George, Margaret, Joel C., Jr., Harriet, Mahlon, Jacob L., Robert 
J., Elva A., Bunyan H., Mary F., Clement A., infant son deceased. Seven of 
these children are now living. Mr. TRAYLOR has served the people as Justice 
of the Peace about thirty years, and as Township Treasurer about twenty 
years. Politically, he is a Democrat; religiously, he is a Universalist.

Aaron C. WILLIAMS, music teacher and farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in 
Orange, Essex Co., N. J., August 13, 1830, to Ebenezer and Abigail (CRANE) 
WILLIAMS. This family is of Welsh descent, and emigrated to America early 
in the sixteenth century. Matthew WILLIAMS, the first, was born in 1651; 
supposed to have been born at Branford, Conn.; died in 1732. His wife, 
Ruth, died July 27, 1724, aged sixty-seven years. Matthew, the second, was 
born in Newark, N. J., in 1694, and died in 1772. His wife was Abby BROWN, 
daughter of Thomas BROWN. Isaac WILLIAMS was the oldest son of their six 
children, born November 6, 1722, and was the paternal great-grandfather of 
our subject. His wife was Eunice PIERSON; they had eight children; Aaron was 
the fifth child; he was born July 5, 1759; married Mary DODD, by whom he had 
five children, three of whom lived to be over eighty years of age. Ebenezer, 
the father of our subject, was the second son, born January 7, 1792. He was 
a carpenter by occupation, and served his apprenticeship in the city of New 
York. He died February 14, 1874. Two brothers and one sister of 

[Page 298] 

his were born, and lived to a good old age, and eventually died in the same 
house. His wife, Abigail B. CRANE, was born in 1795, and is still living. She 
is the mother of nine children, only four of whom are now living, and of whom 
Aaron, the subject of this sketch, is next to the youngest child living. His 
early childhood was employed in attending the public schools of his native 
county, and in working with his father at his trade. At the age of eighteen 
he commenced the study of music, and soon after began to teach the same in 
the city of New York, where he remained until ill health compelled him to 
give up that occupation. In 1854, he turned his face toward the setting sun, 
and located in Jacksonville, Ill., where he again began to teach music, at 
which occupation he continued until 1871, in many of the principal cities of 
the East and West, Viz., New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Quincy, Springfield 
and Jacksonville. In the spring of 1871, he went to Montgomery, Ill., where 
he purchased 160 acres of land, and in connection with the duties of his 
profession, he engaged in farming. He has now in his possession a farm 
consisting of 233 acres of choice farm land, located about two miles east 
of Hillsboro. In the spring of 1882, he erected a large and commodious 
farm residence, which is an honor to him as an architect, and is spoken of 
as one of the finest farmhouses in the county. He was married in Hillsboro, 
November 25, 1864, to Miss Jane Elizabeth BROWN, a native of Montgomery 
County, born January 8, 1837. They have four children living, viz., Edward 
E., Margaret A., Mary G., Alfred A. and Elizabeth Jeanette, who died in 
infancy. Mrs. WILLIAMS was a daughter of Maj. William and Elizabeth (CRAIG) 
BROWN, natives of North Carolina, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAMS are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. WILLIAMS is identified 
with the Republican party. He is one of those men who always take part in 
all progressive movements favoring the improvement of the county, and 
especially in the advancement of religious and educational privileges, and 
is a warm advocate of the cause of temperance.

Robert A. WILLIAMSON, farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Montgomery County, 
Ill., March 12, 1837. This family are of Irish descent, and emigrated to 
America at a very early day in this country's history. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject was born in Virginia, where he carried on 
farming, and raised a family of nine children, with whom he removed to 
Montgomery County, Ill., in the year 1835, where he died September 20, 
1861, aged about seventy years. His wife, Jane DAVIDSON, is of Welsh 
descent, and was born March 15, 1797, and is still living, enjoying as 
good, if not better, health, than persons usually do who have attained 
her age. Of her once large family six are still living, and of whom John, 
the father of our subject, was the oldest child, and was born December 15, 
1814, and since he came to Montgomery County with his parents has continued 
in the county, engaged more or less extensively in farming, and was at one 
time considered one of the leading men of the county, but has, to a certain 
extent, retired from active labor and given way to younger men, who may 
never be able to display more energy, enterprise and general activity than 
has Mr. WILLIAMSON, who, at the present time, is enjoying good health, and 
bids fair to live still many years, surrounded by his children, and enjoying 
the fruits of a well-spent life and successful career. His wife, Nancy G. 
CARD, was born in Kentucky February 14, 1819, is still living, and is also 
hale and hearty. She is the mother of eleven children, of whom five are still 
living, viz., 

[Page 299]

Robert A., our subject; Otis M. (see history); Cynthia J., wife of H. M. 
LUDEWICK; William C., a farmer living in Butler Township; Arra E., wife of 
W. C. WOODWARD, living on the homestead. Robert A., the oldest child and 
subject of this sketch, remained upon the homestead farm until he reached 
the age of twenty years, assisting his father in his agricultural pursuits, 
and in attending school in the neighboring log schoolhouse, to which his 
educational privileges were limited. He has, however, by contact with the 
world, close observation and reading, succeeded in obtaining more than an 
ordinary practical education. He entered upon his career in life as a house 
builder, comparatively a poor man; but, having a stout heart and an energetic 
spirit, he determined to make his own way in the world. He remained engaged 
in house building in different localities for about twelve years, and then 
went to Colorado, where he remained two years engaged in mining. He then 
entered the service during the rebellion in Company H, One Hundred and 
Forty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with Capt. James G. SEWARD; regiment
commanded by Col. D. C. SMITH. He remained in the service until the close of 
the war, when he returned home, and took upon himself the duties of a farm 
life, at which he has since remained engaged. He has sixty-nine acres of 
choice farm and timber land under a high state of cultivation, which shows 
Mr. WILLIAMSON to be a practical farmer. Although he grows all the usual farm 
crops, he makes a specialty of grain, and raising stock in a small way. He 
was married in Montgomery County, September 20, 1866, to Mary E. (CROSS) 
LUDEWICK, who was born August 18, 1838. She is the mother of two living 
children, viz., Della HEED and Katy HAYS; four children died in infancy. 
Mrs. Williamson is a daughter of Absalom C. and Katy (FOGLEMAN) CRESS, 
natives of North Carolina, deceased. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAMSON 
are connected with the Lutheran Church. He is also a member of the A., F. 
& A. M. at Irving. Politically, he is identified with the Republican part. 
He is an energetic and enterprising man, and socially enjoys the highest 
esteem of the entire community. He is a public-spirited man, always interested 
in any county or public enterprise, and for the advancement of religious and
educational privileges.


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