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he moved to his present farm, having traded his village property for 145 acres of land, paying the difference in cash; now owns 448 acres in Dry Grove and Danvers Townships, worth $25,000. He was married Sept. 12, 1851, to Eleanor Frazier, a native of Ohio; five sons and three daughters have been born to them-Alice (now the wife of James Dickinson), Andrew R., Josie (widow of Thomas Sheridan), John L., Thomas H., Belle, Frank and Willie; John L. was drowned in the Mackinaw a few years ago, while in bathing. Mr. Shorthose deals quite extensively in blooded cattle, and a fine grade of hogs. He has held the office of Highway Commis sioner, and that of School Director some seven or eight terms. He has revisited his native land

twice since coming to America.

JONAS SILL, farmer and breeder of fine stock; P. O. Bloomington; one of the early and prominent settlers; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., April 10, 1819; came to this State and settled in McLean Co. in 1856. He was married in his native State, in 1842, to Miss Theresa Boyer, who was born in Somerset Co., Penn., Oct. 2, 1820; they have four children-William H., Elizabeth, Catherine and Daniel Martin. The farm of Mr. Sill consists of 266 acres, valued at $14,000; since his residence in this county, he has held office of Township Clerk two terms, and Road Commissioner five years. In 1875, he made a trip to Europe, for the purpose of importing horses to America; while there, he visited London, Paris, Scotland, and all the principal countries of the old world; on his departure for America, he brought with him four fine horses, three of which he still possesses.

R. E. STRIMPLE, farmer; P. O. Bloomington; one of the early and prominent settlers of the township; was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1819; moved from his native place to Illinois, with his and his father's family, and settled in Pike Co. in 1849. He was married in 1841, to Miss Annie McCune, of Clermont Co., Ohio; they have six children-William O., James A., Charles J., Laura A., Samuel O. and Emma F. Since Mr. Strimple's residence in this township, he has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years; Supervisor several years; and is, at present, Township School Treasurer and Supervisor; during his residence in Pike Co., he served as Justice of the Peace three years; he was also one of the Committee on the poor farm, and one of the special committee of the building for the insane of McLean Co. His farm, which consists of 300 acres, is valued at $15,000. He is, at present, Justice of the Peace.

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MRS. SUSIE H. STOUT, retired, Bloomington; one of the first settlers of the township; was born in Tennessee May 30, 1813; came to this State, and settled with her parents in McLean Co., in 1824, since which time both her parents have died; their names were Jacob and Mary Henshaw. Mrs. Stout was married in Illinois to Mr. Amasa Stout (now deceased), who was born in Tennessee March 1, 1799, and who died in 1872; they have had four children-George, Jacob, Mary and Eleck. Mrs. Stout is now one of the oldest living settlers in McLean Co.

WHITE OAK TOWNSHIP.

W. J. BALDRIDGE, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Oak Grove; was born in Cherry Fork, Adams Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1839; in 1852, he came with his parents to this State, his father settling in Danvers Township, McLean Co.; he remained with his father till his majority, and then engaged in farming for himself. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. E, 94th Regt. I. V. I., and served three years; he participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., the raid to Van Buren, siege of Vicksburg, Ft. Morgan, Spanish Fort. On his return from the army, he again engaged in farm pursuits; he purchased where he now lives in the fall of 1871, and occupied it in 1872. He was married Nov. 21, 1867, to Carrie Wright, a native of Ohio; has five children-Clarence, Myrta, Lucia I., Mary M. and William C. Owns 160 acres, finely improved, and deals largely in cattle and hogs. Has held the offices of Road Commissioner, Town Collector, and at present holds the office of Justice of the Peace. Mr. Baldridge is a thorough-going business man, and a very successful farmer and trader.

E. J. BROWN, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Oak Grove; was born in McLean Co., Ill., May 13, 1832; he is the son of L. and Elizabeth (Jones) Brown; he was reared to agricultural pursuits, and secured only a common-school education; at his majority, he began life for himself on the farm where he now lives, settling his homestead in the fall of 1853. He was married, in 1853, to M. A. Sandifer, a native of Illinois; one child has been born to them-Francis M., deceased. Has held the office of Supervisor of White Oak Township three terms; that of Assessor, several terms; Commissioner of Highways, and that of School Director, eight years. No finer improved farm or more desirable location than Mr. Brown's can be found in the township; he owns 230 acres, all in high state of cultivation, valued at not less than $15,000; he also devotes considerable attention to the breeding and rearing of Mambrino, Messenger and Morgan horses, and is the owner of a fine lot of roadsters.

ABRAHAM W. CARLOCK, farmer, whose portrait appears in this work, was born April 7, 1800, in Hampshire Co., W. Va.; his paternal grandfather emigrated to this country from Germany and settled in Virginia shortly before the war of the Revolution; while Abraham was an

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infant, his father moved to Overton Co., Tenn., about fifteen miles from Livingston, the county seat; here he began farming on a small scale. On the 10th day of April, 1825, the subject of this sketch, at the age of 24, married Mary Goodpasture, daughter of John and Margery Goodpasture, of Overton Co., Tenn.; she was born Jan. 24, 1804; in the spring of 1827, with his wife and two children, he moved to Dry Grove, McLean Co., and, in 1836, having sold his property, moved to White Oak Township, where he has since resided; he owns 1,200 acres of land, lying partly in Woodford and partly in McLean Co.; although his house stands about one hundred yards outside of the line of McLean Co., he considers himself a McLean Co. man, as nearly all his interests are connected with it. He and his wife have been blessed with a family of twelve children, eight of whom are now living, viz., John G. (living in White Oak Township. Madison P. (in Logan Co.), Sarah (now Mrs. George Cranston, of Normal), Mahala (now Mrs. Benjamin Gaddis, in Martinton, Iroquois Co.), Lavina (now Mrs. Ira Rowell, of Danvers Township), William B., Abraham H. and Margie; and four deceased-Martha, Reuben, Nancy J. (formerly Mrs. T. W. Brown, of White Oak Township) and Mary. Mr. Carlock is jovial, kindhearted and hospitable by nature, and has a great many friends. In politics, he is an uncom promising Democrat; he cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and his last for Horace Greeley, because Mr. Greeley was nominated at Baltimore; he is such a stanch, uncompromising Democrat that many people who are unacquainted with his name, know him as the "Old Democrat," and his paper would pass current if signed with that s ubriquet; in religion, he is a Universalist, and believes in the salvation of all mankind. He is full of eccentricities; he was never known to make a visit, in the strict sense of the word. He is greatly attached to his home and never gets into debt. He has never ridden in a railroad car, a steamboat or even an omnibus.

JOHN G. CARLOCK, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Oak Grove; was born in Overton Co., Tenn., Jan. 28, 1826; he is the son of A. W. and Mary (Goodpasture) Carlock; his parents moved to Morgan Co., Ill., in 1829; the family came to Dry Grove Township, McLean Co., and was there during the winter of the deep snow; John G. remained at home till he reached the age of 25 years; his schooling was such only as the pioneer's boy usually obtained, but few men of his age in the county have performed more hard labor than the subject of this sketch; being the eldest son of the family, he contributed much by his labor and management toward starting his father on the road to wealth. He was married Sept. 5, 1850, to Lucinda Musick, of Logan Co., Ill.; eight children have been born to them-Dillard H., George M., Mary L., Richard L., Hester E., S. Gertrude, John G., Jr., Loran A. He owns a fine farm of 400 acres, backed up by a good bank account; he took great pride in educating his children, and has expended a large amount of means for their education. Few men in McLean Co. have experienced more mental anguish than has fallen to the lot of Mr. Carlock to endure in the past few years. He has buried onehalf of his family-Dillard H., a young man of great promise, a member of the Junior Class in Eureka College, was cut down suddenly in the very flush of manhood; John G., Jr., and Loran A. followed in quick succession; Hester E., a bright eyed girl of four summers, was first called away. Mr. Carlock deeply deplores the loss of his children; he has erected tasteful monuments. with befitting inscriptions, to each one.

R. L. CARLOCK, merchant; Oak Grove; was born in White Oak Township, McLean Co., Ill., Aug. 9, 1856; he was reared a farmer's son; having acquired a good English education at the common schools; in 1875, he entered Eureka College, and attended two sessions; in September, 1876, he entered Eastman's National Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he graduated Feb. 20, 1877; on his return home, he engaged in farming till September, 1878, when he opened a general merchandise store in Oak Grove, in company with W. L. McNeil, under the firm name of McNeil & Carlock; Nov. 1, 1878, McNeil sold his interest to George M. Carlock, and the firm became that of Carlock Bros.; March 1, 1879, George M. sold his interest to J. H. Swanly, and the present firm of Carlock & Swanly was formed. This is the second store established in the village. He was married, Dec. 19, 1878, to Sallie G. Dunlap, a native of Illinois. The firm of Carlock & Swanly is fast gaining the confidence of the people, and their range of patronage is on the increase. Both members of the firm are promising young business gentlemen, and bid fair to meet with deserved success.

M. E. DENMAN, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Oak Grove; was born in Licking Co., Ohio, March 2, 1820; his early life was that of a farmer's son; excepting the summer of 1841. spent in Illinois, he remained with his parents till 23 years of age; in the fall of 1843, he purchased a blacksmith's outfit and materials, and began the trade of smithing; this he followed ten years; in the fall of 1852, he came to White Oak Township, McLean Co.; in the spring of 1853, he pre-empted 265 acres in Hudson Township; this he still owns; in the fall of 1855, he moved to his land, and began improving it; in 1867, he purchased where he now resides, and occupied it in the spring of 1868. He was married, in November, 1842, to Elizabeth B. Smith, a native of Muskingum Co., Ohio; have had twelve children--John H. (Thomas S., Sarah J., twins). Eunice A., Daniel E., Charles L., Belle, living; Martha F., Elizabeth, two infant daughters, and one infant son, deceased. Has held the office of Commissioner of Highways and School Director. Owns 580 acres, valued at $30,000. When he came West, he had one horse, some household goods and about $350; he has been very successful in accumulating property, and is now in the front rank of wealthy men in his township.

ELISHA DIXON, farmer; P. O. Oak Grove; was born in Hampshire Co., Va., June 14. 1809; in 1815, his father moved with his family to Ohio, and settled in Harrison Co.; here Mr. Dixon grew to manhood with the experiences of a pioneer farmer's boy; his education was limited to the common schools, reading and spelling being the chief studies in 1828, he came West to prospect the country, and, in 1829, his father came with the family and settled in Dry Grove Township, McLean Co., on the farm now cwned by Peter Downer; in the winter of 1830, Mr. Dixon came to White Oak Grove and made an improvement where James Johnson now resides; here he lived nearly forty years; he then sold his fine farm of 254 acres, and, in 1869, purchased where he now lives; owns 120 acres, valued at $6,000. He was married in December, 1829, to Mary Brown. a native of Tennessee; she died in 1866; nine children were born to them-William and Eliza Ann (twins), Lucinda, Sarah, John; four died in infancy. William and John are still living. He has held the offices of Constable, Road Commissioner, and was School Treasurer fourteen years in succession. In 1828, when only 19 years of age, Mr. Dixon voted for Gen. Jackson for President; there were only thirteen votes polled in a district of territory larger than two or three of the smaller New England States.

CHARLES JOHNSTON, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Oak Grove; was born in Sussex Co., N. J., July 31, 1814; his parents came to Ohio in an early day and settled in Greene Co.; both parents died when he was quite a small boy; his brother was a distiller, and much of the early life of Mr. Johnston was spent in work in and about the distillery; on arriving at manhood, he engaged in farming; in 1849, he came West to Illinois and purchased land in Danvers Township; this he improved, and, in 1856, sold out and purchased the farm on which he now resides; he has owned large tracts of land at different times, and has accumulated large amounts of money by trading in land and stock. He was married, in 1833, to Rebecca A. Stevenson, of Ohio; nine children resulted from this union, six daughters and three sons-James S, Mary A., John S., Martha J., Joseph H., Catherine, Rebecca I., Amanda, Sarah. He now owns 385 acres, and has one of the best stock-farms in the county. He has held the office of Supervisor several terms. In 1865, he became afflicted with rheumatism, which has resulted in the partial destruction of his powers of locomotion and speech; from this, however, he suffers no pain.

A. J. McWILLIAMS, farmer; P. O. Oak Grove: was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in November, 1827. His early life was spent upon his father's farm. At his majority, he engaged in agricul ural pursuits for himself. In 1850, he purchased eighty acres of land, and farmed in Ohio till 1854, when he came to Illinois, stopping about two years in Bureau Co. In 1856, he came to McLean Co., and located on his present homestead. He was married, in 1851, to Jane Drennan, a native of Ohio; has four children-Lou L., Mary E.. Ann E., Melissa. Owns 160 acres, valued at $8,000; has held the offices of Township Trustee, Township Clerk, Road Commissioner, Assessor, etc. He is the son of John and Mary (Hogue) McWilliams. Mr. McWilliams is a pleasant gentleman, affable in his manners, and has been very successful in his farming enterprises.

ALBERT WRIGHT, farmer; P. O. Oak Grove: was born in Adams Co., Ohio, March 19, 1842. In the fall of 1853, his parents came West to Illinois, and settled in White Oak Township, near where he now lives. He was reared a farmer, and received only a common-school education. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 94th Regt. I. V. I., and remained in the service three years. During his term of service, he was never absent from his command, nor missed a single day's duty. He participated in the following battles: Prairie Grove, Ark., siege of Vicksburg, campaigns in Missouri, Banks' Expedition to the Rio Grande, siege of Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, etc. On his return from the army, he began the improvement of his present homestead. He was married, April 14, 1871, to Martha M. Eyer, a native of Butler Co.. Ohio. Has two children-Ada L., Charles A. Has held the office of Supervisor of White Oak Township for the years 1872, 1873, 1874, 1876, 1878 and 1879. He is the son of Samuel and Mary (Bayless) Wright. His attention is given wholly to agricultural pursuits, and the rearing of stock. Owns 123 acres, finely improved valued at $7 000.

W. H. WRIGHT, farmer; P. O. Bloomington; was born in Adams Co., Ohio, May 19, 1839. In the fall of 1853, he came West with the family to Illinois. He remained with his parents till his majority engaged in farm labor, and receiving his education at the common schools. On leaving home, he opened up his farm on Sec. 35, White Oak Township. Eighty acres of this was given him by his father. This he has increased to 120 acres. He entered the United States service as a member of Co. E, 94th Regt. I. V. I., in August, 1862. He was elected First Lieutenant of the Co., but on account of his ill health was forced to resign and quit the service, in April, 1863. Returning from the army, he again engaged in farming, and this he has since continued. He was married, Feb. 25, 1864, to Kate Johnson, a native of Greene Co. Ohio. Has six children-Minnie H., Charles F., Floretta, Ida B., Lula, Ollie. Has held the office of School Trustee two terms, and that of Assessor four terms.

ANCHOR TOWNSHIP.

W. H. ANDERSON, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Lexington; was born July 26, 1840, in Jennings Co., Ind.; in 1855, he came with his father to McLean Co., Ill., settling south of Bloomington, in what is now Randolph Township, remaining there two years; in 1858, he settled on his father's farm, near the head of Mackinaw, staying there until 21 years old; he then taught school for some ten years, teaching all that time in two places; in his 21st year, he attended college at Eureka, Ill.; he has been no office-seeker, but has been connected with schools. He was married, Dec. 25, 1863, to Charity Williams, a native of Ohio; they moved to Illinois, and engaged in farming; in 1865, he settled on his beautiful farm of 170 acres, lying on the banks of the Mackinaw, which he obtained entirely by his own efforts. They have two children-Jobn M. and Nettie P.

R. H. ARNOLD, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Potosi; was born Jan. 12, 1835, in Perry Co, Ohio; when quite a child, his father removed to Licking Co., Ohio, remaining there until *17 years of age, when he came to McLean Co; settling at White Oak, he engaged in farming; he moved from there to Tazewell Co., remaining one year; then removing to White Oak, where he remained until 1866-67, at which time he was engaged in a grist-mill in Tazewell Co., owned by his father; was also in a mill at White Oak six years. In 1867, he moved to his present farm of eighty acres, given him by his father. He has been Pathmaster, and does his own carpentering, masonry and plastering. Mr. Arnold was married on Sept. 30, 1856, to Polly Benson, who is a native of McLean Co.; they have seven children, viz., Mary A., Charles E., Liddie A., Lucy M., Nancy J., Charity P. and Willie A.

A. CLAYPOOL, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O Gibson; was born Oct. 14, 1828, in Muskingum Co., Ohio; he remained there until 1856, farming for his father until 1851, when he was married to Elizabeth Simpson, who is a native of Ohio. Immediately after marriage, he settled on his father's farm, remaining there five years; he then came to McLean Co., Ill., settling on Mr. Orendorff's farm, remaining there during the winter; in the mean time, renting a farm of Mr. Colvin and remaining there eight years; he moved from there to Blue Mound, remaining two years, at the expiration of which time he settled on his present farm of eighty acres. He has been connected with the schools for twenty years, and has been Collector two terms, and is now on his third term. Mr. Claypool is 50 years old, and never had a lawsuit. They have nine children, viz., Josephine, Austin, Ottawa, Ella, Ruth, James, Aletha and Blanche living, and Arl R., deceased.

P. J. DECKER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Potosi; was born Feb. 9, 1836, in Philadelphia, Penn., and moved from there with his father to York Co., Penn., remaining there seven years, when he moved to New York City, staying there six years, moving thence to York Co., Penn., where he remained some time; then emigrated to Livingston Co., Ill., engaging in farming and working for Mr. B. Walton for two years. He was married, in 1866, to Mary E. Austin, who was born Dec 28, 1849, in Richmond Co., Va.; after marriage, they managed the farm of Mr. Walton, and then moved to Fairbury, remaining there one year; from Fairbury, they came to the present farm of eighty acres, earned entirely by their own labor and management. He has held town offices, worked at stone and brick laying, and has taught five terms of school in Pennsylvania; he ran a planing-mill one year in Jersey City, managed the packing department of a soap factory, and worked two years in a saw-mill in Wrightsville, Penn. They have five childrenCharles H., born Oct. 26, 1868; Jennie, July 16, 1872; Philip J., Jan. 17, 1876; Edward L.. Feb. 15, 1878; Albert, Jan. 16. 1874.

J. A. ESPY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Garda; was born in Pennsylvania July 6, 1829; he remained in Pennsylvania, working on a farm, until 20 years old, at which time he moved to Peoria, Ill., engaging with his brother in the boot and shoe business for four years: he then moved to Tazewell Co., engaging in farming for one year; from there to Peoria Co., farming there for fourteen years; from there he located on his present farm, in Anchor Township, of eighty acres, which he earned entirely by his own labor and management. He was married the first time to Martha Fry, a native of Pennsylvania, Feb. 22, 1855; there were six children by this union-Mary E., Isabella F., Winfield S., William E., David E. and Charles E. His second marriage occurred Oct. 4, 1871; two children were the fruit of this union. He has been Pathmaster and connected with the schools as Director. He has followed chair-making and painting: was agent for State map of Pennsylvania and one of North America and Europe; was also agent for a book entitled Beyond the Mississippi."

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NATHAN HINSHAW, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Garda; was born March 19, 1831, in McLean Co., Ill.; he remained there for some time, working on the farm; thence to Mosquito Grove, and staid there some sixteen years; in 1874, he settled on his present farm of 320 acres, earned principally by his own labor and management; he has made good improvements in the way of building a handsome little cottage and barn. He has been no officeseeker, but has been connected with the schools as Director. He was married, Jan. 3, 1858, to

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