Full Text of History of Vermillion County Illinois -- Chapter XXI Part 2 Scanning and OCR by Joy Fisher, jfisher@us-genealogy.net ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Daniel Brewer was born on the 5th of September, 1832, on a farm four miles northeast of Danville, in Vermilion County. He was a son of Richard Brewer, and his wife, Christina (Roderick) Brewer. Daniel Brewer spent his boyhood's days on the farm, and went to school near Danville at what was known as the Lamb district school. Mr. Brewer was married to Mariah Cunningham, who was a native of Clinton County, Indiana. They were the parents of eight children but all but three died in childhood. Mr. Brewer sold his farm and bought in Jamaica township, on section 30. His memory of Danville is when it was a hamlet of a few houses of round logs in one of which his sister Mary was born. The land on which the city of Danville was built was at that time worth fifteen dollars per acre. Their trading was done in Covington, Indiana, and Chicago. It was in Chicago that his father bought leather and hauled it in wagons. Calico was a precious article, and was worth twenty-five cents per yard. This was the popular material from which to make best dresses. Wheat was then worth fifty cents a bushel and corn from ten to twenty cents per bushel. When the canal was finished at Covington corn went up to twenty-five cents per bushel. Mr. Brewer has bought and sold cows for ten dollars. Jotham Lyons was born in Georgetown township, near the place his father first settled when he came to Vermilion County. His birth was September 25, 1832. He lived the life of the sons of the pioneers to this section and attended the same schools that have so many times been described. The same privations and the same freedom were his. Jotham Lyons married Miss Worth, a daughter of a pioneer settler of Wisconsin. They were the parents of six children, all but one of whom grew to maturity and had families of their own. John J. Partlow was the son of James Partlow, who in his turn was the son of Samuel, both of the latter being pioneers of Middle Fork township. James Partlow took up a tract of land on the Middle Fork as soon as he came in 1831, which was part timber and part prairie. He put up a rail pen for the temporary shelter of his family but John was not born until the log cabin was finished. He went to school in the log schoolhouse which had greased paper for window glass, and later attended the Georgetown Seminary, and the Danville Seminary. He had been employed in a drug store some two years before this, and afterward he went as clerk in the dry goods store of V. & P. LeSeure, where he stayed three years. He then went into partnership with Mr. R. A. Short, and remained there for two years at which time he bought out Mr. Short and continued the store by himself for twelve years. He went into the employ of the C. & E. I. R. R. at this time and continued in this service until his death. In 1857 Mr. Partlow married Frances Giddings, the eldest child of William and Caroline Giddings. Golden Patterson was born on the same place where he now lives, which was the old homestead, July 17, 1833. His father came from Tennessee, a pioneer to the Little Vermilion and his mother came with her father, William Golden, to near the same place. Mr. Patterson, the father entered 500 acres of land from the government when he first came, and it rose in value until now it is worth a large price. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson were the parents of six children, the youngest of which was Golden. The mother of these children died when this youngest was an infant and the father survived her about ten years. Golden Patterson learned the trade of carpenter, but worked at it but little always seeming to be too great a success as a farmer to take up other employment. He has accumulated a large tract of land and has a fine farm. Mr. Patterson enjoys the confidence and esteem of all his neighbors and is well and favorably known throughout the county. It was in 1830 that Alexander Church and his wife and young family came to Vermilion County from Virginia and settled in three quarters of a mile west of present day Catlin. Mr. Church had married Ruth Carawayi before he came west and her relatives came to Vermilion County at the same time. Mr. Church made his home on section 3, and the land has remained in the possession of the family ever since. Two years later, a little son came to this home and William Church saw the light of day in the pioneers home in Vermilion County. This was the tenth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Church and before long the mother died. William grew up to all the discomforts of a new settler's life, to all the privations and pleasures as well. Alexander Church lived until 1892 and had he lived two months longer he would have reached the age of ninety. William Church went to a subscription school in a time that the inconveniences of the school room were often- as nothing to the advantages of having a good teacher. In those days the pupils were expected to do things that the present day school-boy would resent, if he were asked to do. But an unruly pupil made objections at great risk. A hickory rod always hung in plain sight and it was used to a purpose when occasion called its use forth. In 1852 William Church married Miss Hester M. Douglas, who was herself a daughter of Vermilion County. Miss Douglas was born in Catlin township, October 7, 1834, her parents being Thomas W. and Delilah (Payne) Douglas. Thomas W. Douglas had entered land on the site of the county poor house. Mr. and Mrs. Church became the parents of five children, all of whom grew to maturity, and had families of their own. 1833:-Asa Partlow, the son of Reuben and Elizabeth Partlow, was born in Danville, on South Hazel street, January 6, 1833. He was educated in the schools of Danville, attending the Methodist Seminary. In 1854 he became one of the firm of Lamm, Partlow & Company, which did business in the building where the present Danville National Bank is located. The building on that corner was remodeled a few years ago, but the location is the same. The other members of the firm of Lamm, Partlow & Co. were the father of Asa Partlow and Mr. William Lamm. After the death of Mr. Lamm, which occurred in 1863, the firm name was changed to A. Partlow & Co., and later to Partlow & Draper, with a change of location to the Giddings block on Main street, near Hazel. February 26, 1857, he married Mary Murdock, who was also a resident of Danville. Asa Partlow was a pioneer in the Building & Loan business and was the first Secretary of the People's Building and Loan Association and continued in that office until it paid out, a period of ten years. He was secretary of the Equitable Building and Loan Association, until on account of failing health he gave it up. He died suddenly and was buried in Springhill Cemetery. Mr. Partlow was the father of three children, all of them boys. They all resided in Danville, except the oldest, Harry, who died. The other two are Edmond R. who took his father's business when failing health compelled him to give it up and Augustus, who is an attorney in Danville. Uriah Folger was born in Elwood township, April 23, 1834. His father, Asa Fogler, came to Vermilion County in 1831 and settled in the Elwood neighborhood. He was a tanner, and also a shoemaker and he carried on this business for years, doing such work for the settlers around. He had so much to do that he employed four or five men at times. Uriah Folger received his early education in the subscription school and his advanced training in the Blooming-dale Academy under Prof. Hobbs. He was an apt pupil, and has always been a typical quaker. He spent the years of his manhood as an exhorter in the church of the Society of Friends and was always considered a model of kindness and good deeds. Jonathan Larrance was another son of Vermilion County, born in this neighborhood in this same year, 1834. His parents came to this section in 1827 and made themselves a home. Jonathan Larrance attended the Vermilion Academy, then called the Vermilion Seminary, where he received his education in books. His entire life was spent in the same neighborhood where every one knew him and he knew every one. He was a good farmer and accumulated much property, and at his death in 1885, he left 295 acres of well improved land to his heirs. He was the father of seven children, six of whom survived him. Thomas F. Collison was born on the farm where he always lived, October 12, 1834. When he reached the time when he was old enough to go to school a governess was employed to teach him. The other children of the household were taught by her and any in the neighborhood who chose to come were welcome in the Collison home. Later he attended the subscription school, which was a typical pioneer school. In these schools the boys who were pupils were required to cut the fire wood and take it to the schoolhouse. In this school a testament was used as a reader and an old elementary spelling book was another of the text books. Mr. Collison lived at home until after the death of his father and when the estate was settled his share was one hundred acres of unimproved land and ninety dollars in money. Mr. Collison has been a man of great success in life. He has built one of the finest homes in the county. He has now retired from active work on his farm and lives in Danville. He has been a son of which Vermilion County is justly proud. James A. Dickson, another worthy son of Vermilion County was born near Indianola, December 5, 1834. His parents had come from Kentucky to Vermilion County in the twenties and settled on the Little Vermilion. Mr. Dickson, the father, died when James was but three years old and his mother kept the family together and in 1853, she built a large house on the place, so successful had her efforts been. She died in the following year: James Dickson was one of a family of six children, all of whom died comparatively young. He worked on the farm after he was sixteen years old and had stopped going to school, and then on a piece of swamp land belonging to his brother and then bought some land of his own in what was Carroll township and now is called Jamaica township. The first wife of Mr. Dickson was Mary Frances Busby, and he later married Miss Amanda J. Shepperd, herself a daughter of Vermilion County. She was the daughter of John and Nancy Shepperd, who were married in Vermilion County. John Shepperd owned the well known Shepperd mills. Amanda J. (Shepperd) Dickson, was born in Vance township, December 20, 1832, and died July 11, 1888. Mr. Dickson lived on the farm he first bought for eleven years, when he sold it and bought one on sections 22 and 27 in Jamaica township with a portion of it in Georgetown township. He is a man of prominence in his community and well liked by all. W. T. Cunningham was a well known man of Danville up to the time of his death. He was born in Danville, February 8, 1834, the son of Hezekiah Cunningham and Mary (Alexander) Cunningham, who made their home in Danville in 1828. Mr. Cunningham, familiarly known as "Bud," grew up and went to school in Danville. His first work for himself was as clerk in a drug store, where he remained for five years. He was appointed to clerkships under the government both in Danville and Washington. President Lincoln, of whom he was a personal friend appointed him collector of the Seventh District. He was afterward elected Clerk of the Circuit court and repeatedly reelected. Later he was made Master in Chancery. Mr. Cunningham married Miss Lucy Lamon in 1859. She was the daughter of John Lamon, one of the early settlers of Vermilion County. They were the parents of five children, one of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Cunningham died in 1875. Later Mr. Cunningham married Miss Stansbury. Michael Fisher was born in Carroll township, within half a mile of Indianola, November 6, 1835. He was the son of David Fisher, and there were four children in the family beside Michael. This son was brought up on his father's farm and went to the subscription schools during his school days. He was married in 1864 to Maryette Baum, daughter of John Baum, herself a daughter of Vermilion County. She was born in Indianola. Mr. Baum continued farming for a dozen or more years after he was married and then he went into Indianola and had a hardware store. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were the parents of three children, a son and two daughters. One of the daughters became the wife of Joseph Sidell and the other, the wife of Harvey Sconce. Casper James Langley was born in Danville township, February 25, 1835. His father located in this place in 1830, coming from Kentucky. Casper Langley was the youngest child of a family of four. He lived on the farm helping his mother after his father's death. He was thirteen years old when his father died. He was very prosperous and accumulated much property during his active life. He married Miss Anderson, from New York state, in 1865, and they were the parents of nine children. James Juvinall was born in Pilot township in 1835. He was the son of Andrew and Mary (James) Juvinall, who came to Vermilion County in 1827, in a prairie schooner, from Ohio. In the school where James Juvinall had his early training the seats were slabs laid on poles and there was a long writing desk made by laying a plank upon wooden pins driven into the wall. Mr. Juvinall always remembered how the Indians held meetings at the foot of the hill where they lived. He lived on the home farm until he was married in 1858 and then took one hundred and twenty acres in Blount township. Here he lived until 1892, when he moved to Danville and went into the implement business. He then went to Denmark, where he lived for a short time and then bought his farm, upon which he settled for the remainder of his life. He has always been an active worker in the Methodist church. John R. Smith was born where Fithian Station now stands, March 1, 1836. His father was William W. Smith, who came to Vermilion County from Ohio in 1830. John Smith was the fourth child of his parents and he lived at home until after the death of his father, when he went to live with his brother-in-law, Thomas Armstrong, who lived near Rossville. He went to the schools in the neighborhood and to this, he added a term at Danville and one at Knox College. He married Josephine Stewart, who was a daughter of Vermilion Co.- being born at Danville. She was the daughter of James Stewart, who came to Vermilion County from Connecticut. Mr. Smith ran a hotel in Rossville for three years, after which he had a grocery store for many years. He carried on this business for many years meanwhile building a large neat house on a part of the Stewart farm in which he had his home and to which he retired when his business career was at an end. Mrs. Smith died in 1885. In 1889 Mr. Smith married Mrs. Sarah J. Parlow, whose father was James Duncan. Mr. Smith was the father of five children, four sons and a daughter. Seth Fairchild was born near Danville, Illinois, October 14, 1836, the son of Ormaband and Hannah (Wagnon) Fairchild. He was twenty-five years old when the war opened and he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Illinois and served to the time of discharge, September 5, 1864. He was in several engagements and otherwise suffered the hardships of war and when he came home he located in Danville. He was employed to carry the mail from Danville to East Lynne for two years, at the end of which time he moved to Potomac and carried the mail between that place and Danville for six years. He then bought himself a farm in Blount township, where he continued to reside the remainder of his life. Mr. Fairchild married Miss Lyon in 1865 after his return from the army. They were the parents of seven children. Mr. Fairchild died on his farm, March 13, 1886. William Cossairt was born near the city of Danville, July 5, 1836. His father was David Cossairt, who came with his father, who was a pioneer of Vermilion County. When William Cossairt found himself able he bought out the other heirs to the home place and there made his home for life. This farm is located on section 4, Middlefork township, and adjoins Potomac, making an ideal location for a home. Mr. Cossairt married Louisa A. Smith, whose father came from England. Miss Smith was born in Vermilion County, and here grew to womanhood. They were the parents of nine children, all but two of whom lived to have families of their own. Mr. Cossairt always commanded the respect and friendship of his neighbors and had their good will. Robert A. Short was born in Vermilion County in September 14, 1836. His father was Thomas Short and his mother Nancy Ann (Lanham) Short. He was one of a family of six sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in Vermilion County. John C. Short, the oldest of the family, was a very prominent citizen of Danville and the county up to the time of his removal to New York city. He did much for the development of the resources of Vermilion County, and but for misfortune would have remained in Danville and continued working for its progress. Alexander C. Short married the daughter of Dr. Hill and after living in Danville for some years, moved to Los Gatos, California. Robert A. Short went to a country school until he was prepared to enter the Danville Seminary, from which he graduated in 1858. He first went into a drug store after he left school, where he remained twelve years. Then he established the firm of R. A. Short & Co., being the senior member. This firm handled the dry goods trade to profit up to the time Mr. Short retired in 1893. Since this time Mr. Short has been interested in real estate insurance and loan business, and with the exception of a residence in Evanston of a short time, he has been a continuous citizen of Vermilion County for seventy four years and the story of his life would be the story of the life of the county. Mr. Short married Miss Emily Murdock in 1838. They were the parents of six children, four of whom grew to maturity. George S. Cole was born in Danville, January 25, 1836. His father was Peleg Cole, and was well known in the community for years. George Colt grew to manhood in Danville and in 1860 he married Elizabeth Waples, who herself was born in Vermilion County. She was the daughter of William Waples, an early settler of Vermilion County. George Cole enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty- fifth Illinois Infantry and served the full term of his enlistment. When he returned he took up the business interests which had been his care before he went away. Mr. Cole made Danville his home for the remainder of his life. He was the father of three sons and one daughter. Two of his sons went west. His remaining son, Ralph is the popular and much esteemed coroner of Vermilion County at present. Milton A. McDonald was born in Vermilion County, the son of Alexander and Catherine (Alexander) McDonald November n, 1826. Milton A. McDonald and his brothers and sisters went to school at Georgetown, where his father had moved for that purpose. Milton helped on the farm when not in school until he was about eighteen years old, when he began clerking in his father's drug store in Georgetown and from there he went to Pontiac, where Mr. McDonald had some land interests. Mr. Milton McDonald married Miss Jackson of Terre Haute, and they became the parents of a large family of children, only four or five of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and had families of their own. In 1861 Milton McDonald came to Danville and clerked in a dry goods store for a time. After a while he set up a hardware establishment of his own and he continued in this business until he went to Dakota. John Brady was born in Danville township, February 1, 1837. He was a son of John Brady, who came to Vermilion County in the early days, and his was the common pioneer home, with the common pioneer hardships. His school was the common pioneer school and he had the privilege of the times. When the war broke out Mr. Brady enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry and served until the end of the term. Mr. Brady married Miss Mary Conlin and they were the parents of four children. John Brewer was born in Danville, July 7, 1837. His father was William Brewer who came to Danville early in the thirties. He had the cabinetmaker's trade, and had the distinction of building the first frame house in Danville. Mr, Brewer was one of seven children, six of whom were boys. He lived at home until his father's death, after which he learned the carpenter's trade, and after his marriage moved on the farm upon which he spent his life. His first wife was Harriet Kester, who was born in Ohio, and has second wife was Sarah Oliver, who was born in Vermilion County. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Oliver, and was the mother of seven children. Mr. Brewer is one of the substantial citizens of his neighborhood. F. M. Olehy was born May 3, 1837, in Danville township, the son of Dennis Olehy. He was one of a large family and was obliged to early help himself. He lived in his home neighborhood, but after his marriage he went to Warren County, Indiana, where he lived for some time. In 1868 he returned to Vermilion County, Ill., and bought a farm on section 10, Danville township, where he made his home. Mr. Olehy married Miss Minerva J. Martin, in 1858, and they were the parents of four children. Asa Ankrum was born at Yankee Point, March 10, 1837. His father was David Ankrum, and was an early settler of that part of the county. Asa helped his father to make a good farm, and when he was able to do for himself, he did as well and had a home to be proud of. When he died he left a competence for his family. He was married in 1865 to Rhoda C. Mendenhall and they were the parents of ten children. Mr. Ankrum died in 1886. Elisha C. Fithian was born November 8, 1837, in Danville, the son of Dr. Fithian. He was the youngest of three sons, and after going to school in his childhood began farming for himself on the farm where he now lives when he was seventeen years old. During his father's life this son superintended the work on this farm. Mr. Fithian married Miss Anna M. Hayes in 1865, and they had a family of five children. He has always been a stanch republican, having voted for Lincoln, being acquainted with him through meeting him at his father's house. George Dillon was born in Georgetown January 6, 1837. His father was Kuke Dillon, and came to Vermilion County in 1830, from Ohio, making the journey in a six-horse team. George Dillon stayed at home until he was twenty-one, helping first his father, and when he died, his mother in the -work of the farm. He then bought a farm near Georgetown, where he lived until the beginning of the Civil war. He was a member of Company D, Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and was in many battles. June 7, 1864, he was wounded in the right arm and sent to the hospital, and the arm was taken off close to the shoulder, and in February, 1865, he was sent home. Mr. Dillon was a strong republican, and his party loved to honor him. He was first elected town clerk of Georgetown township, and later Vermilion County selected him as assessor and collector, and again and again as circuit clerk. This office he held for a dozen years. He held other offices from time to time. Mr. Dillon married Miss Desdemona Martin, herself a daughter of Vermilion County. She was born in Georgetown in 1841. She was the daughter of Henry Martin and Mary (Morgan) Martin, being the granddaughter of Achilles Morgan, a man active in the making of Vermilion County. They were the parents of six children who have grown to manhood and womanhood and married well and, like their parents and grandparents and yet another generation back, their great grandfather, are well esteemed citizens of Vermilion County. Mr. J. L. Smith, who was born in Georgetown July 27, 1837, was an honored pioneer son of Vermilion County. He was the son of Joseph Smith, who came to Vermilion County from Tennessee. J. L. Smith married Mary Ann Cook in 1861. She was born in Ohio. About this time Mr. Smith went into a pork packing house where he showed his capacity for work. This same energy and industry made him the success in all he undertook to do. Almond N. LeNeve was born in Newell township March 9, 1837. He was a younger brother of Samuel P. LeNeve. He left Vermilion County for Champaign County in his twentieth year, and remained there until after his marriage. He married Miss Nancy J. Ford and they were the parents of eight children. He returned to Newell township, however, and spent 'the remainder of his life on the old home place. Mr. LeNeve and his family have always been reckoned among the leading citizens of the county. Francis Asbury Collison, like his brother who has been mentioned, was born in Vermilion County. The date of his birth was June 25, 1837. His early life was very like that of his brother. He married Miss Nannie J. Howard, in 1866. She was a daughter of Vermilion County, being born in Pilot township in 1846. She was the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Martin) Howard, who came to Vermilion County a pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Collison were the parents of nine children, all but two of whom lived to grow up. Mr. Collison had his start in land by inheritance from his father, but he has accumulated land until he has more than his father died possessed of. He has dealt in stock to a great extent all his life and shipped in large numbers. While he had some assistance when he started in life, his results are more due to effort and energy than to anything else. Josiah Sandusky was born in Carroll township September n, 1837. He was the son of Abraham Sandusky. The two Sandusky brothers, Abraham and Isaac, had large families and named the children identical names so that the relationship is difficult to follow. Josiah Sandusky had his school training in the subscription schools, and after he was a man he was very much interested in matters of reading, so that he gathered a large and valuable library in his home. He took much pleasure in his library. At his father's death he inherited some land, to which he added until at his own death he owned about 1,000 acres of very valuable land in eastern Illinois. He remained at home until after his father's death, which occurred when he was twenty-five years of age. After that he went into partnership with his brother Abraham, and this connection continued for many years. Josiah Sandusky became one of the best- known stock men in the United States. Stock dealers would come from all parts of the United States and Canada and buy of him. Josiah Sandusky was also one of the leading breeders of fast horses, both running and trotting stock. Mr. Sandusky married Miss Margaret Moreland, a native of Bourbon County, Ky. Mr. Sandusky was the father of five children, all of whom lived to have families of their own, except the oldest, who died in infancy. Mr. Sandusky died February 13, 1901, and was buried in the Sandusky cemetery in Carroll township. William Cunningham was an extensive stock raiser of Newell township and was born December 15, 1838, in the same township. He was the son of James and Mary (Andrews) Cunningham. He was the third child in a family of four children. He lived at home on the farm until he was about eighteen years old, when he went to Nebraska, where the breaking of prairie sod was not as exciting as he had thought, so he went on to California. He started from Nebraska to Pike's Peak, in 1859, and from there went on overland to California. Here he mined and farmed, meeting with varying degrees of success for four years, and at the end of that time he returned to Illinois with $1,200 in his pocket. With this he bought his father's farm and made other investments. He has added to this land from time to time. He married Miss Chandler in 1865, and they became the parents of seven living children. Mr. Cunningham secured a farm of large proportions worth at least $70 an acre. He has made much money in buying and shipping live stock to Chicago. He has always found pleasure in raising a fine breed of horses, and he was ever a good judge of that animal. William Hester was born in Vermilion County May 17, 1838. His father was Thomas Hester, who came from North Carolina, settling in Vermilion County in March, 1838. Thomas Hester was attracted to this section of the country, doubtless by reason of the many members of the Society of Friends who lived here at that time. William finished his education, as did so many of the young people of that society, in Bloomingdale Academy, under the instruction of Prof. Hobbs. William Hester taught school two winters, with which exception he has been a farmer all his life. Mr. Hester married Miss Marie Mills in 1860. Her father was Ira Mills, who came to Vermilion County in 1821. She became the mother of two children, one only of whom is living. She died January 19, 1863. Mr. Hester married Miss Rachel Stafford, of Vermilion Grove, for his second wife, in 1867, and she was the mother of three children, only two of whom are living. His second wife died, and Mr. Hester was married to Miss Martha Hawkins, of Coles County, in 1887. Mr. Hester made a specialty of fine bred swine and short-horn cattle, as well as keeping sheep and graded horses. Samuel Blair, the youngest of a family of seven children, was born in Newell township December 5, 1838. He married Mill Mary M. Casart, daughter of Peter and Mary Casart, who came to Vermilion County from Kentucky. Mr. Blair owns a large farm, which he improved and made a specialty of short-horn cattle. His place was always noted for the fine shade trees, which, it is said, were noticed, and furnished shade for all travelers from Chicago to Cairo in the early times. They were an oasis on the bleak prairies. Mr. Blair would carry produce to Chicago when he was a young man to market. Mr. Blair has always been found to be a public-spirited man. Charles T. Caraway was born in Catlin township October 22, 1838. After his youth had been passed on the farm, just as he was choosing and making ready for his life work, the Civil war broke out and he enlisted in the service of his country. His regiment was the Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and he saw many battles. At the battle of Mission Ridge he was severely wounded in the left leg and was kept in the hospital for nine months where he suffered greatly. General Rosecrans put his name on the roll of honor together with those of some of his companions, on account of bravery and daring in that engagement Shortly after the close of the war Mr. Caraway married Miss Jennie Dougherty. She was the daughter of William Dougherty, who came to Vermilion County from Ohio. William J. Davis was born in Danville August 1, 1838. His father was James A. Davis, who was the first school teacher in Danville. William Davis is the oldest of five children. He went to school to his father in Newell township, and afterward went to the schools of Danville until he was nineteen years old, when he went as a clerk into the store of V. & P. LeSeure, where he remained a year. He was next in the employ of W. R. Gessie for six months, and then was appointed deputy county clerk under J. C. Short, serving for four years. At that time he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, under Capt. William Fellows and Col. Harmon. When he had served four months he was ordered home because of sickness from exposure. He could not leave his home for a year after that on account of his condition. When he had recovered he was appointed as deputy in the office of the circuit clerk who had been county recorder when Mr. Davis enlisted. He was in the office of the circuit clerk for four years, and at the end of that time he went into the abstract business for five years, after which he was interested in real estate. Mr. Davis has been retired for some time, being in poor health. Mr. Davis married Miss Baker in 1863. They were the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter. Their oldest son died at the age of eighteen. Perry Frazier was born in Georgetown November 13, 1838. His parents were Abner and Mary (Millican) Frazier. While but a young man, Perry Frazier took charge of the management of his father's farm. During the first year he had charge he raised fifty head of hogs, that being at that time an unheard-of thing to do. He married Miss Eliza J. P. Patty when he became twenty-one and then rented his father's farm until he was obliged to leave this part of the country on account of his wife's poor health. The change did not help her, however, and in two years she died in Missouri. When he returned to Georgetown, Mr. Frazier again rented his father's farm, on which he lived for fourteen years. Meanwhile he married Miss Mary J. Moore, a daughter of John and Hannah Moore, who lived near Georgetown. Mrs. Frazier lived until 1901. After her death Mr. Frazier moved to Georgetown. E. J. Draper, more familiarly known as "Ed" Draper, was born in Vermilion County in 1839. His father was Jonathan Draper. When the son was five years old the family moved back to Vermont, where he spent his youth, living there until he was nineteen years old, going to school at Bennington. He came west in 1857, stopping a while at Sydney. From that time until poor health compelled him to retire, he was in some way or other interested in the life of a merchant. He enlisted in 1862 in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Capt. Fellows and Col. Harmon in command. This regiment saw hard service. When Mr. Draper returned from the war he found employment in the office of J. C. Short, county clerk. After he went into the grocery business in Danville, Mr. Draper was for eight years located on west Main street, but later went on Vermilion street. He remained in that location many years, and the city missed his store when his health no longer permitted him to carry on the trade. Mr. Draper was one of the merchants upon whom a community could depend, and his going from the ranks of mercantile interests was indeed a loss to the city. Mr. Draper was ill for a long time and died in 1810. He married Miss Angeline Probst. She was a woman of unusual helpfulness of nature, and their friends were legion. Mrs. Draper is very much loved by the community, where she has been such a friend in time of trouble. Mr. and Mrs. Draper were active in their work in the Kimber Methodist church, where they held membership from its organization. Henry Fletcher and his wife were both born in Vermilion County. He was born at Vermilion Grove October 28, 1839. His father was John Fletcher, a consistent member of the Society of Friends. Henry had a good common school training, and afterward was under the instruction of Prof. Hobbs in Bloomingdale Academy. In 1861 Mr. Fletcher married Mahala Haworth, the daughter of Eli Haworth, one of the early settlers. She was born in Georgetown October 15, 1842. She became the mother of eight children, six of whom lived to maturity. Mr. Fletcher developed a fine farm. He always was an influential member of the Society of Friends, and was connected with the order of Modern Woodmen. John W. Fisher is the brother of Michael Fisher, and his younger days were spent in very much the same way as was his brother. He was born in Carroll township. He married Miss Mary L. Dye in 1861. He later moved to Kansas, but tired of the country, and came back to Vermilion County, where he rented1 a farm of his father, and afterward bought land on which he raised stock and sold it in the city markets. Mr. John Fisher was the father of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are members of the Presbyterian church, and well esteemed. Priscilla (McCarty) Black was born near Muncie, Illinois. She was the daughter of John McCarty, who came to Oakwood township from Ohio a short time before her birth. She became the wife of Samuel Black in 1858. She was the mother of nine children. Harrison Fairchild was born in Blount township on Christmas day, 1840. He was one of a large family of children of Daniel Fairchild. All of these children went to a subscription school while they were small and then went to Danville to the Danville Seminary. Harrison was at school there at the out-break of the Civil war and he left his studies to enlist in Company B, Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, under Capt. Walls. That regiment saw some hard service, and in the battle of Chickamauga Mr. Fairchild was wounded in the leg. He was afterward in the charge of Missionary Ridge, when he was wounded in the arm by a piece of shell. He received his discharge at Springfield September 5, 1864. When Mr. Fairchild returned to Blount township he farmed near the old homestead. In 1865 Mr. Fairchild married Miss Lannam, who was a daughter of this county. Their family of thirteen children all grew to useful manhood and womanhood but one. One of their sons is a preacher, and so also is one of the sons-in-law. Mrs. Fairchild died in about 1905, and Mr. Fairchild married Miss Fannie Smith, the daughter of one of the early settlers. Mr. Harrison Fairchild has always been a prominent member of the First Methodist church. Nathaniel R. Fairchild was born at the home place August 15, 1843. He had a twin brother named Daniel who died in the army. Mr. Fairchild married, in 1869, Miss Elizabeth Fitzgerald, and she died in 1874. She was the mother of three children. He then married Mrs. Sarah Dove, who was born in Vermilion County June n, 1842. Mr. Fairchild's entire life has been spent in Vermilion County. Francis M. Fairchild was born in Blount township April 20, 1848. He was the eighth son in the Fairchild family. When he was twenty-two years old he married Miss Ina B. Fitzgerald. She, too, was born in Vermilion County. Her birthplace was but a mile and a half from the Fairchild home, and the young people had always known each other. She was the mother of fourteen children. Only three of these died before they had reached manhood and womanhood. Mrs. Fairchild died in Colorado, where she had gone to have her health restored, in 1894. Mr. Fairchild was again married in 1897, this time to Miss White. She was the mother of three children, but they all died in infancy. Like the others of this family, Mr. Fairchild was ever a devoted Methodist. He and his brother were the first of the farmers in this neighborhood to tile their land and redeem it from the swampy condition. John W. Newlon was born in Blount township June 13, 1840. His father was Thomas B. Newlon, and his mother was Miss Angeline Griffith, the daughter of Stephen Griffith, and widow of Mr. Makemson. Mr. Newlon, the father of John Newlon, came to Vermilion County in 1837 with his father. The father of John Newlon's mother came in 1826. John Newlon was the eldest of the seven children in his father's family. In June of 1861 he reached his majority and in July he enlisted in the army in Company I, Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, and was twice taken prisoner, but both times managed to elude the vigilance of the captors and to make his escape. When he returned from the army he married Miss Ivea Y. Taylor, a daughter of Thomas A. and Ivea Taylor, who came to Vermilion County in 1853 and located in Catlin township. They are the parents of five children, four- girls and one boy. In 1888 Mr. Newlon came to Danville and was appointed deputy sheriff under J. C. Gundy, filling that office for two years. In 1890 he was elected sheriff, and during his term the great strike of the American Railway Union occurred, and at the same time five thousand miners went out on a strike. His handling of this most unusual condition of affairs was so well appreciated that when his term of office was over the people of Vermilion County elected him treasurer without opposition. He served four years as treasurer and then became chief deputy sheriff, serving for three and one-half years under James Sloan. He was then appointed commissary in the Danville Branch of the National Home for Disabled Soldiers and Sailors. Mr. Newlon has always been a stanch republican and has faithfully served his party. In all his service of the public there has never been one whisper of aught but the most decided adherence to the right. He has been a public officer which is a credit to the county of which he is a son. Isaac Rees was born near Vermilion Grove on November 28, 1840. Ten years before this, his parents came, with twenty-two others who belonged to the Society of Friends, to Vermilion County. Mr. Rees married Miss Araminta Mills in 1868, a daughter of William and Hannah Mills. She was born about a mile and a half west of Vermilion Grove, and represents one of the best known families in Vermilion County. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Rees were the parents of five children. Unlike the spirit of most Quakers, Mr. Rees enlisted in the army, his loyalty to his country influencing him more strongly than the ideas of his religion. Henry F. Canady was born at Vermilion Grove December 12, 1840. Like the above-mentioned son of Vermilion County, he did not hesitate when the call to arms came at the time the flag was fired upon. The fact that he had been trained to the ideas of peace, and that those of the society to which he, belonged never sanctioned war, his answer to the call by enlisting in the service of the country is more noticable. Mr. Canady enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, Company A, and was in many engagements. He later served in Company E, Twelfth Kansas Mounted Infantry. Mr. Candy married Miss Maggie S. Brewer, in 1875. She was the mother of three children; but one of these lived to grow to womanhood. William Jasper Olehy was born in Danville township July 24, 1840. He only went to school a short time, and spent his youth on his father's farm. When the war broke out he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry and served during the entire term of service. He married Miss Mary A. Olehy and they made their home in Pilot township. They were the parents of but two children. Mrs. Olehy died in 1880. Henry Davis was born in Vermilion County May 5, 1841. His life has been spent on a farm. He married Miss Cox for his first wife and Rebecca Baird for his second wife. He was the father of three children. Mrs. Rebecca (Baird) Davis died in 1883, and. he married Miss Belle Pemberton. O. B. Gravat was born in Blount township June 16, 1841. He was a horticulturist and first introduced fruit raising into Blount township. His father was one of the pioneers of this section and entered 320 acres of land at twenty-five cents per acre. This land is worth more than $100 per acre today. When he was a boy he had to go to mill at Perrysville, or Covington, Indiana, and many has been the load of produce he has hauled to Chicago over roads in which there were many sloughs and ponds. When he was twenty-three years old he was ordained as a preacher in the Christian church and he has preached more or less, but never has taken a regular charge. Mr. Gravat was one of six children in his father's family. It was always a matter of pride that Mr. Gravat, the father, hauled the lumber to build the first court house in Danville. In 1873, Mr. Gravat married Sarah Chenoweth. Mr. and Mrs. Gravat were the parents of nine children. William Current was born in Newell township November 27, 1842. He was one of eight children .and the eldest. When he was sixteen years old he left home to do for himself. He learned the trade of harnessmaker, but did not work at it. When he had his trade learned he clerked in a dry-goods store for a time. During that time the Civil war was in progress, and in 1864 he could resist no longer but enlisted in the Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry, Company K, under the command of J. C. Black. After returning to Danville he was in the employ of first the Wabash and then the C. & E. I. Railroad for some time. After he had abandoned the railroads, he went on his father's farm and took charge of it. Miss Margaret Ellsworth became the wife of Mr. Current and the mother of three children. She was one of the daughters of Vermilion County. She died in 1878. Mr. Current married Miss Mary A. Makemson for his second wife. She, too, was a daughter of Vermilion County, having been born in Newell township in 1858. Mr. Current, while living in Danville, was city clerk for one year. After going to Newell township to live, he was sent as supervisor of the township. James A. Current, who also was born in Vermilion County in 1842, lived in Newell township. When he was married, he began his new life on the old homestead. Mr. Current married Miss Mary Lynch in 1859. They lived on the old homestead until 1872, when he moved to Danville and had a grocery store and butcher shop. In 1872, however, he moved back to farming and has continued it since then. Mr. Current was the father of six children. Thomas W. Blakeney was the fourth child of a large family of children, and was born in Georgetown township July 19, 1842. He was, like the rest of the family, of great strength and fine personal appearance. He remained about his father's farm until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, Company K, under the command of Capt. Cook. While in the battles of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge he was slightly wounded in the thigh, but it was not a serious wound. While charging up Kenesaw Mountain he was seriously wounded and always afterward carried the five buckshot in his body that he received that day. He made the famous march to the sea with Sherman, and while at Atlanta he was promoted on account of special act of bravery. Mr. Blakeney tried living in the new west after he came from the army, but in due time came back to Vermilion County, where he has since made his home at We---ville. Mr. Blakeney married Miss Matilda Brooks in 1868. She was the granddaughter of Benjamin Brooks, the early settler whose name was given the point of land upon which he settled. Matilda Brooks was born at Brooks Point, in Vermilion County, the daughter of John Brooks. She was named for her grandmother Brooks. Mr. and Mrs. Blakeney were the parents of three children, but one of which lived past infancy. George Canaday was born in Georgetown township November 18, 1842. He was the son of the pioneer who came to this county early in the thirties. He married Miss Mary Jane Smith in 1867. He thought to better his condition by moving west of the Mississippi river in the same year that he was married, and he did, entering a good farm in Missouri. They lived on this farm until seven years afterward, when Mrs. Canaday became so homesick they all came back and settled in Vermilion County. At that time, their family included three children. Two more children were born after they came back to Vermilion County, and making the entire family excepting those born in Missouri, sons and daughters of Vermilion County. November 2, 1842, Ira Babb was born in the same house in which he spent his life. This house was built by his father in 1830. His life has been spent in general farming and the manufacture of drain tile. He married Minerva E. Canaday in 1882. Mr. Babb made an interesting collection of old-time articles, including an almanac printed in 1829. John W. Giddings was born in Danville April 21, 1842. His father and mother were both born and reared in England. Mr. Giddings was one of a family of eight children who grew to maturity. He was the oldest son. He remained in his father's employ learning and practicing the trade of carriage painter, until when, in 1862, he went into the service, enlisting for ninety days. After he came home he was sick for a year but again enlisted, in 1864, in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry, serving until the following fall, when his term of enlistment was over. In 1865 he and his brother Charles, and brother-in- law, Mr. Stewart, formed a company to carry on his father's business. This arrangement continued for four or five years, when he and his brother bought out their brother-in-law, and later he bought out his brother and assumed the entire management of the business. He was a man of shrewd business ideas and his establishment was a pride to Danville. Mr. Giddings married Miss Samantha A. McKee, who was born in Georgetown. Mrs. Giddings is the daughter of Elijah Abigail (Starr) McKee, and has the blood of the pioneers of Vermilion County in her veins very strong. Her father came to this county in 1838 and settled east of Danville. He was a prominent citizen, being not only an authority in his neighborhood, but had the influence to be elected circuit clerk and holding the office for eight years. Mrs. Gidding's mother was the daughter of Absalom Starr, who was one of the first men to come to Vermilion County. The first deed recorded in the county was that of the property of Absalom Starr. Mr. and Mrs. Giddings are of the well esteemed citizens of Danville and live in a handsome house on Hazel street. The other sons of William Giddings all lived in Danville the most of their lives. Some years ago Mr. Charles Giddings moved to Evanston, where their children could be educated at home, but the others all remained in Danville. William H. Newlin was born in Georgetown September 4, 1842. His father came to Vermilion County in 1832. He married Miss Henderson, and in this way Mr. Newlin is not only the son of one pioneer, but the grandson of another. His marriage with Miss Hawes made him yet more closely connected to the early settlers of this section. Mr. Newlin was a volunteer in the Civil war, who had more than his share of the hardships of the army. He enlisted in the Seventy- third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was in battles and was captured at the battle of Chickamauga, sent to Richmond, smallpox breaking out among the prisoners. Mr. Newlin became a victim and was sent to the hospital. It was then that he and five other soliders made their escape, an account of which is very interesting. Mr. Newlin became a merchant after he returned to Georgetown, and afterward held public office. He married Miss Hawes, the daughter of Dr. Hawes, in 1868. They were the parents of three children. William H. Mills and his brother Richard Mills were both born in Vermilion County and have lived their lives here. They have practically lived together, having the same interests. William Mills was born in Elwood township, February 18, 1843. He and his brother Richard, who was two years his junior, took the management of their home farm when they were twelve and ten years old. They had great success, and with all their accomplishments they have been great breeders of Clydesdale horses. William H. Mills married Miss Anna Woodard in 1879 and afterward went to live on the Holiday farm, which he had bought. The two brothers were the joint owners of nearly 800 acres, and farmed together under the firm name of R. & W. H. Mills. Mr. Richard Mills lives on the old homestead. His mother is yet living there. Samuel W. Baum, the son of the pioneer, Samuel Baum, and the grandson of Michael Weaver, was born February 15, 1843. He was the eighth in a family of eleven children, and the first boy. He owns several farms, the homestead including 700 acres. He has been a "cattle man of renown," there being no better stock of short-horns to be found than on his farm. Mr. Baum married Miss Delia F. Stewart, who was born in Georgetown. She was educated in that place, coming to the Danville high school when she was sixteen years old. Francis M. Gundy was born in Ross township, Vermilion County, May 7, 1843. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Davison) Gundy. Mr. Gundy belongs to a family which has been a great factor in the developing of Vermilion County. He married Mary E. Smith, in 1854. They were the parents of three children, two daughters and one son. The son died while yet young. Mr. Gundy began his experience as a merchant in Marshfield, Indiana. He later had an interest in the store in Myersville. Later yet he, in partnership with Mr. A. M. Bushnell, had a general store in Bismarck. He is now the director in banks in which he is interested and is the president of the one in Bismarck. He has kept the old Gundy home place in good shape and preserved the forest trees. John D. Campbell was born on section 23, Newell township, June 7, 1843. His parents were Joseph and Eliza (Makesmome) Campbell. His grandfather, Samuel Campbell, was a pioneer of Vermilion County, coming in 1828, and settled on the farm on which John Campbell was born. John Campbell was one of a family of five children, three sons and two daughters. He was the oldest son and the second child. With the exception of a few terms of school that he taught, Mr. Campbell devoted his entire time to farm work. In 1869 John Campbell married Miss Julia Howard, and they were the parents of four children. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Campbell married Miss Mary K. Barger. She was born in Newell township October 26, 1861. She became the mother of three children. Mr. Campbell has had a very successful life. Charles Snider was born in Blount township December 15, 1843. His parents were John and Mary (Blount) Snider. His grandfather was the man for whom the township was named. He has been distinguished as being interested in horticulture. He was eighteen years old when he enlisted in the service of his country. He enlisted in Company D, Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry, under Capt. Timmons and Col. Chandler. At the close of the war Mr. Snider again took up farming and stock raising. He married Miss Margaret Allhands in 1845. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom, excepting one son, died while yet young, although only two died in infancy. Joseph Col Vance was born in Oakwood township June 2, 1844. His parents were John W. and Deziah (Rathborn) Vance. He was one of a family of two children, his sister being the wife of Samuel Tilton of Catlin. He was a soldier in the Civil war and has held several offices during his life. In 1869 Mr. Vance married Miss Lydia E. Mathewman, and they have been the parents of six children. John W. Bandy was born in Danville April 8, 1844. His father was William Bandy, one of the prominent pioneers of Vermilion County, and his mother was the sister of J. H. Murphey, another pioneer. Mr. Bandy was one of seven children of William Bandy. He spent his first five years on a farm, after which he always lived in Danville. He entered the office of the Danville Plaindealer, of which Mr. Leslie was then editor, and remained there until 1864. He then went into the office of Dr. Humphreys, where he read medicine and practiced a little. Mr. Bandy afterward became a druggist, in which business he continued as long as his health would permit, since which time he has been retired. Mr. Bandy has accumulated much valuable property. He was married twice and has one son. Of the large family of Mr. William Bandy, Mr. John Bandy and his sister Emma are the only ones left. Mr. Bennett Bandy, another brother, was a very prominent citizen of Danville during many years until his death in about 1904. The family of children were all born in Vermilion County. Amos Cook was born in Vermilion County, in Elwood township, December 15, 1845. His father was Daniel Cook, and his mother was Hannah Hester, the daughter of Thomas Hester, also a pioneer of eastern Illinois. Mr. Amos Cook, the son, married Maria Haworth, a prominent member of the Society of Friends. He never lived outside of Elwood township. Thomas Haworth was born in Elwood township July 12, 1845. He was the son of Joel Haworth, who came to Vermilion County as early as 1825. Mr. Haworth died July 12, 1885. James Barnett, another son of Vermilion County, was born April i, 1845. In 1874 he married Miss Lucinda Martin. They are the parents of five children. In 1878 they moved to Kansas on account of the health of Mrs. Barnett. After a while the land in Kansas rose in value and they concluded to dispose of it and return to Vermilion County. They have been citizens of the section ever since. George Prather was born March 15, 1845, on a farm in Ross township. His father was Uriah Prather. In 1862 he enlisted in the service of his country. His term of enlistment was for about one hundred days. At the end of that time he was mustered out. Mr. Prather married Cynthia A. Beebe in 1887. They were the parents of three children. David Meade was born in Newtown, October 4, 1845. He was the son of William Meade and the grandson of Nathaniel Meade/ He lived through his youth in Oakwood township, going to school in the schools of the day. He early became a school teacher and taught in Oakwood township and in Vermilion County, Indiana, through the most of his life. He taught school in Eugene, Indiana, with great success. He was there in the capacity of school teacher for nine years. In 1881 he went into the Danville schools as principal of the Douglas building. He remained in the schools of that place for fourteen years, a part of this time as principal of the Franklin school. The year after he was in the Danville schools he was principal of the township high school at Perrysville. When he gave up school teaching, Mr. Meade took charge of his farm northwest of Danville. He also has a farm in Wayne County, Illinois. Mr. Meade married Miss Lucy Hosford in 1873. They are the parents of four children. John Spouls was born February 26, 1845, on the farm on which he spent his life. He was but a baby when his father fell from a horse and met his death. He grew up on the farm, and when he married he and his brother divided the farm and he took the south half. He has increased his portion from time to time, making much profit from feeding and selling fine cattle. Martin J. Barger, at present the governor of the Danville Branch of the Home for Disabled Soldiers and Sailors, is a son of Vermilion County. He was born February n, 1845, in Newell township. He was the son of William J. Barger. His father died when he was quite young, and his mother married again. Upon this he left home and apprenticed himself to the shoemaker's trade. He did not work at this trade, however. When the war broke out, he determined to enlist, although he was but sixteen years old. He made application to Capt. McKibben, but was laughed at. Nothing daunted, he followed the soldiers to Springfield and thence along until they had reached Cape Girardeau, At every place he insisted on enlisting and was everywhere laughed at, for there were plenty of men ready to go into the service and he was a boy, who looked even younger than he was. He had attached himself to the Twenty-fifth Illinois regiment without enlisting, and gone with them as far as Forsythe, Missouri, where he made one more appeal to Capt. Wall of Company B, and was told it was no use, that he would die in a few days. He insisted on following the army whether they would let him or not, and they gave him an outfit and a suit of clothing. In about a week the army was in motion for Batesville, Arkansas. The boy started with them and the first day he kept up; the second day he did not get into camp with his command, and the third day did not arrive until late at night, and the fourth day he lost sight of the army. He had a little money and could get his meals along the way and make inquiries of directions. He camped out at night and moved forward footsore and weary and went into Batesville but a little behind the army. When he was first seen the cheers rang out long and strong. He had not been seen for a week, and everyone thought him either captured or dead. When the time came to pay off the army he was asked if he wanted pay. "If you think I will make a soldier," he answered. "O, you'll do," was the answer, and the boy was given the payroll to sign, and he was legally a soldier. He was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga and taken prisoner. He was held about ten days and then paroled. He was not exchanged until the next summer. He remained with his regiment until he was exchanged, but not doing duty. He was discharged in March, 1865. His wound was of such a nature as to incapacitate him for hard work, and he draws a pension. He has held public office often in his life and has been one of the officers of the Home since its being established here. When Governor Clements died and made a vacancy, Mr. Barger naturally succeeded him, having been his assistant for some time previous to this time. John Goodwine, Jr., familiarly known as "Jack," was born December 2, 1848, on a farm not far from Potomac. In December, 1870, Mr. Goodwine married Miss Mary K. Alexander, who also was born in Vermilion County. Mrs. Goodwine did not live but two years after her marriage, however. After her death Mr. Goodwine went west to Colorado. He returned and again took up his farm life. Mr. Goodwine was married the second time to Miss Lane. They have been the parents of a large family of children, all but one of whom have lived to grow to maturity. He had one daughter as the child of his first wife. She became the wife of L. D. Lane, a farmer of Vermilion County. Thomas Watson is a son of Vermilion County, born February 18, 1846, near Danville, a son of John R. Watson, who came to this county from Kentucky in 1829. Mr. Watson married Miss Sarah E. Adams, herself born in Vermilion County, the daughter of Samuel Adams. Mr. and Mrs. Adams were the parents of five children, all of whom lived to grow up. Mrs. Julia (Payton) Harper was born in Vance township, Vermilion County, Illinois, February 8, 1847. She was the daughter of John M. Payton, and she became the wife of Albert Harper May 29, 1873. R. Bruce Smith was born in a house at the corner of Main and Franklin streets, in Danville, December 26, 1847. He was the son of Isaac P. Smith. He was conspicuous in different lines from being a clerk in a general store or even before that time, when he sold the LaFayette papers to the citizens after the 10 o'clock P. M. train came. He had two well known sisters, one of whom became Mrs. Kane, and another who became Mrs. Crane. Both of them were very active in church and social duties. Beriah Haworth was born in Vermilion County, in Elwood township, September 15, 1847. He was the son of David Haworth. Mr. Haworth married Miss Anna Lewis, and they were the parents of three children. They were members of the Society of Friends. Mr. Haworth has been a breeder of fine horses. Mrs. Mary C. (Acree) Taylor was the daughter of Joel and Elvessa (Yount) Acree. She was born in Catlin township, November 12, 1848. She became the wife of Thomas A. Taylor in 1869. She has been the mother of a large family of children, and ten of them lived to maturity. Mrs. Taylor lives in a beautiful home in Catlin, with everything to make life pleasant. Jacob K. Robertson was the oldest of a large family of sixteen children. He was born in Newell township September 22, 1848. He married Miss Melissa Britingham of State Line, in 1872. Her parents were early settlers in Vermilion County, and she was born in Pilot township November 24, 1848. They were the parents of five children. Mrs. Emma (Porter) McDowell was born in Carroll township, one and a half miles east of Indianola, April 3, 1849. She was the daughter of William Porter, who tame to Vermilion County from Kentucky. Emma Porter became the wife of John A. McDowell in 1869. At this time Indianola was called Chillicothe. Mrs. McDowell was the mother of seven children. This list of elder sons and daughters of Vermilion County makes no pretensions to being complete. It would be impossible to get a complete list, and it would not be worth while to attempt it. Were the list not limited to the elder ones, it could be very much lengthened. There are many whose birth comes just beyond the limit of 1850, which has been set, whom Vermilion County has shown a pleasure in honoring and whose lives have proven their right to such appreciation. Charles A. Alien, Samuel Collison, William T. Cunningham, Thomas Woolverton and John Frazier have their time of birth in 1850 or the nearby years, and all deserve mention as among the elder sons who have made the county famous in different ways. But the limit must be fixed at some point, and no better date could be chosen, perhaps, than the middle of the nineteenth century, beyond which the sons and daughters should no longer be considered as elder ones.