Public Square, on which to erect a business house for the sale of hardware; his was the first business enclosed, and he sold the first merchandise that ever was sold in Strawn over a counter; he has been Postmaster of the village ever since the office was established. Was married Dec. 31, 1869, to Eliza M. Moore, a native of Ohio; has three children-Jane M., Albert J., Harry A. He is a Methodist, and a Republican. Is at present a member of the firm of Aaron, Roberts & Co.

J. C. RICHCREEK, grain merchant, Strawn; was born in Coshocton Co., Ohio, June 11, 1845; in 1864, his father came West, and located in Edgar Co., Ill., where he still resides; at the age of 20, young Richereek engaged in teaching school, his father giving him his time; in 1867, he left home, traveling South and West, through a number of the States, going West with a view of buying land; in the Winter of 1870, he located with Mr. L. Sullivant, as foreman on the north half of his farm, lying in Ford and Livingston Cos., Ill.; this farm, known as Burr Oaks farm, consisted of sixty-four adjoining sections; he superintended the thirty-two north sections, having direct personal supervision of everything necessary to the successful farming of the same; the acreage of corn on his part was from eight to nine thousand; in Sullivant's employ he remained six years; in 1875, he removed to Strawn, and engaged in his present business; in the Spring of 1877, he added to his former business that of handling agricultural implements. Married Sept. 21, 1874, to Wilhelmina Kantaug, a native of Germany; has one child-Emery H., born Sept. 5, 1875. Republican. Handles during the season from thirty-five to forty thousand bushels of corn and from eight to ten thousand bushels of oats.

WALTER D. STRAWN, farmer and stock dealer; P. O. Strawn; the subject of this sketch was born in South Ottawa Tp., La Salle Co., Ill., Aug. 1, 1850; he is the son of David and Sarah (Loyd) Strawn; besides the advantages enjoyed in the common schools for obtaining an education, he attended the Model Department of the State Normal School, located at Normal,

Ill., five terms; his father was possessed of large means, and in an early day in this section of country, bought a large tract of land from speculators, in what is now Fayette and Germantown Tps.; at one time he owned in one tract 4,370 acres; through the influence and energy of his father, mainly, the C. & P. R. R. was built, he having taken one-fifth interest in the same; he took the contract to grade sixty miles of the road, extending from Fairbury to Bement, and, April 1, 1873, young Strawn came to Livingston Co. to superintend the work on the railroad, and engaged in opening up the farm; he located on his present farm Feb. 23, 1876. He was married Sept 8, 1875, to Florence May Parr, a native of La Salle Co.; has one child--Florence Pearl, born Dec. 23, 1876. Republican. Owns 670 acres, valued at $50 per acre. During the season he handles from 200 to 300 head of cattle and a large amount of hogs; he superintends largely his father's vast estate, lying adjacent to his own home.

STACY STEPHENS, physician and surgeon, Strawn; was born in Greene Co., Penn, March 13, 1834; his father lived to the age of 86, having resided on the farm where he died sixty-five years; he remained at home until nearly his majority; in 1854, came to Illinois and settled near Lone Tree, Bureau Co.; here he remained six years, engaged in farming; in 1860, settled in Reading Tp., Livingston Co., remaining three years; next settled west of Pontiac, in Rook's Creek Tp.; remained about four years; in 1867, went to Fairbury, and commenced the study of medicine under the instruction of Drs. Love & Thurber; for three years he practiced in connection with them, and in 1872, located in Pontiac and opened up a practice alone; in 1873, about the middle of August, located at Strawn. Dr. Stephens is the first regular practitioner located in the township and village. Was married Oct. 21, 1859, to Elizabeth A. Henkins, of Pennsylvania; has had eight children-Leonora, Campbell, Mary J., John, Addie. Rolla; deceased, Bessie May and Stacy. He has a large practice and has met with the best of

success.

JOEL ALLEN, physician, Zookville; he was born in Jefferson Co., Ill., in 1827, where he resided for twenty eight years; afterward removed to Logan Co., Ill. In 1862, he enlisted in the 77th I. V. I., being mustered in as Hospital Steward; in 1865, was promoted to Second Assistant Surgeon; at the time of his discharge, he had passed through sixteen battles; was discharged in 1865, and came to Nebraska Tp., Livingston Co., where he now resides. He has been married three times; was married to his first wife, Martha L. Trowbridge, in 1849, they having had four children-Harden A., Lyda Ann, Laura Belle, Joel Brown; his wife died in Jan., 1860; on Dec. 6, 1861, he married Emley J. Tromley, having two children-Gertrude and Jessie Prudence; after the death of his second wife he married Mary Jane Hallam. Mr. Allen owns, in Sec. 4, 320 acres of land, under good cultivation and improvements, having three tenants on the land; valued at $45 per acre; he has a large and extensive practice extending not only over his own town, but into the adjoining townships, and is respected by all.

T. N. CAMELIN, farmer; P. O. Zookville; he was born in Ohio, in 1821; he followed farming until 1850, when he removed to Tazewell Co., Ill.; in 1854 he came to Livingston Co., and settled where he now resides. He married Mary Cochran Nov. 27, 1850; she was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 22, 1830; they have nine children-Mary E., born Aug. 27, 1851; David, born Oct. 23, 1853; John H., born Aug. 26, 1856; William, boru March 5, 1859; Hannah F., born April 25, 1861; Jacob H., born Dec. 28, 1863; Ida May, born March 21, 1866; Lucy A., born Aug. 18, 1869; Retta Bell, born Dec. 18, 1872; owns 161% acres, valued at $45 per acre. THOMAS CRAWFORD, farmer; P. O. Dana; he was born in 1835, in North Ireland; his parents were of Scotch descent, his father being Adjutant in the British army; in 1856, came to America, but made no permanent location until 1865, when he located where he now resides.

He married Margaret Walsh, at Liverpool, Eng., in 1856; she was born in Ireland. in 1832; they have seven children living two dead-James A. (deceased), Sarah J., Isabella, George W., Maggie, Annis. Luther, Willie (deceased), and Arthur P.; he owns 240 acres land, valued at $45 per acre, Sec. 6.

JOHN EMBERSON, farmer; P. 0. Zookville; he was born in 1798, in Town of Castle Wellen, County of Down. Ireland; he moved from Ireland, going first to Scotland, thence to England, and from there to Canada, where he resided for twenty years, following his occupation of shoemaker; he came to Livingston Co.. Ill.. Nebraska Tp., in 1854. He married Elizabeth Kirkup, in England; she was born March 12, 1800; they have three children — John, Annie K., and Mary Ann; Annie (now Mrs. Geo. Wilson, in Canada); Mary Ann (now Mrs. William Maine, Minonk, Woodford Co., Ill.) He has 80 acres on Sec. 3, east half of southwest quarter; also 80 acres on Sec. 4, east half of southeast quarter.

NELSON LOUKS, farmer; P. O. Minonk; he was born in Norfolk Co., Canada, in 1830; in 1854, he came to Ogle Co., Ill.; after staying there one year, he bought the farm he now owns, and in 1857, removed his family also to Livingston Co. He married Margaret S. Settle, at Walworth Co., Wis., in 1856; she was born in Lockport, N. Y., in 1838; they have eight children-James W., born Sept. 24. 1858; Nelson A., born Aug. 23, 1860; Dorotha I., born Jan. 22, 1862; Melissa J., born Jan. 18, 1864; Stephen J., Dec. 22, 1865; Walter G., Oct. 30, 1869; Thomas C., born Dec. 11, 1871; Margaret E., born Jan. 20, 1874. He OWLS 160 acres of land, worth $45 per acre. Has been School Director. Land on Sec. 10.

JAMES MURPHY, farmer; P. 0. Minonk; born north part of Ireland, in 1822; 1846, came to this country and worked in a shipping office in New York. for three years; he then went to Indiana. where he was in the mercantile trade for about six years; from there he moved to

borah Simpson; she was born in Licking Co., Ohio, in 1828; they have had ten children, six living-Lucy Ellen, Mary Elizabeth, Emma Louisa, Susanah, Irena, Minnie; he has held the offices of Constable eight years, Road Commissioner and School Director, and School Trustee.

SAMUEL SIMPSON, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Zookville; he was born in Ohio, in 1826, where he lived until he was 22 years of age; after moving from one place to another, he finally settled in Livingston Co., where he now lives in Nebraska Tp., in 1868. He married Almedia Butler in August, 1868; she was born in 1838; they have one child, born Dec. 25, 1871-George Wesley, by name. He owns forty acres, worth $40 per acre. At the commencement of the war he enlisted in the 88th Ill. Vols., and was wounded, for which he gets a pension from the government of $6 a month.

ROBERT THOMPSON, farmer; P. O. Minonk; he was born in 1831, in Aberdeen, Scotland; 1855, came to America, but did not locate anywhere until 1859, when he located in Livingston Co., Nebraska Tp., Ill., where he now resides. He married Margaret M. Jury Dec. 31, 1861; she was born in Devonshire, England, in 1832; they have four childrenWilliam Emery, born Aug. 3, 1863; Mary Isabelle, born April 28, 1865; Walter Fraser, born May 16, 1868; Albion Llewellyn, born Nov. 3, 1871. He owns 280 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre. Has held the office of School Trustee, and is the present incumbent of the office of Supervisor. He makes hogs a specialty.

HILLIARD VANDOREN, farmer; P. O. Zooksville; he was born in Somerset Co., N. J., in 1808; in 1815, moved to Ohio, where he worked at the carpenter trade until 1854, having worked at the trade some thirty years; in 1854, came to Livingston Co., where he now resides. He has held the office of Road Commissioner one year, and of Supervisor for two years. Was married in 1832, to Miss Eliza Thompson, in Warren Co., Ohio; she was born in 1806; they have had seven children- William, born Sept. 25, 1832; Elizabeth, born April 18, 1835; Francis M., born Dec. 17, 1838 (deceased) ; H. R., born April 10, 1843; John A., born Oct. 19, 1845; Mary, born Aug. 16, 1848. Owns 360 acres, worked by two of his sons; his was the first house built in town, Secs. 21 and 22.

SAMUEL G. WILCOX, farmer; P. O. Minonk; born in Truxton, Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1824; he came to Illinois in 1838, to Princeton, Ill., where he remained for twenty years, following farming; 1858, he came to where he now lives, in Livingston Co., Nebraska Tp. He married Louisa M. Shifflet, on May 28, 1853; she was born in Culpeper Co., Va., in 1836; they have seven children— William G., born May 15, 1854; Charles Lamont, born Feb. 3, 1856; Viola M., born Dec. 11, 1859; Walter G., born March 16, 1862; Samuel C., born April 17. 1870; George R., born May 6, 1876; Genevia M., April 17, 1878. He owns 167 acres, valued at $45 an acre. Held the office of Assessor five years; held the office of Road Commissioner three years.

JOHN FINNELL, farmer; P. O. Ocoya. Independent; Catholic. Has 320 acres of land on Sections 12 and 1, valued at $40 per acre; he was born in Queens Co., Ireland, March 10, 1836, and came to Peoria, Ill., in 1845, and to this place in March, 1873. He married Annie Knowland, in Peoria, May 2, 1861; she was born in Peoria County in 1841; they have seven children-Michael Wm., Mary E., Charles R., Martha E., Thomas H., John F. and Margaret E. Mr. F. has one of the large, rich farms of the county, and the best residence in the township; he commenced life with limited means, and his great prosperity is due to his hard work and good management; he is a very enterprising man, and believes that one great idea of life is enjoyment, and whatever will contribute to enjoyment and improvement we should have whenever able.

HENRY R. HERR, farmer; P. O. Chenoa. Democrat and Presbyterian. He was born in the city of Baltimore, Md., Sept. 15, 1844, and came to this county in 1862. He married Maggie J. Upp in York, Penn., Dec. 20, 1866; she was born Oct. 1, 1844, in York; they have three children-John, Fannie and George. Mr. Michael Herr, uncle of Henry R., came here in 1853 and bought four sections of land; at that time, only two or three dwellings had been built in Pike; Henry R. came here and bought onehalf a section (one-fourth on Sec. 35, and one-fourth on Sec. 26) and put on fine improvements on the 160 on Section 35, within eighty rods of the corporate limits of the city of Chenoa; he built a residence costing $9,000; with his beautiful grove and surroundings, it is one of the most desirable homes in the county. Mr. H. had the advantage of a fine education, and is a very capable business man; he rents his lands and spends his time in doing his uncle's business, and also does all the constable business in Pike. Mrs. Herr is a lady of refinement, and their three bright, intelligent children are receiving all the care and attention that kind parents can bestow.

JOHN HANCOCK, farmer; P. O. Chenoa. Republican; Presbyterian. Has 160 acres of land on Sec. 25, valued at $50 per acre; he was born in Franklin

Co., Penn., Jan. 13, 1839, and came to McLean Co. in 1857, and to this place in 1859. He married Rachel M. Campbell, in Eppard's Point, June 2, 1863; she was born in Chester Co., Penn., July 7, 1844; they have four children-Ida M., Lettie, Charles N. and Josephine. Mr. H. has a beautiful farm finely situated, and is one of the very prosperous farmers of the town; he is a very reliable citizen and good neighbor, and few men of his age have a brighter future before them.

MAURICE MONROE, farmer; P. O. Chenoa. Republican; Presbyterian. Has eighty-five acres of land on Sec. 11, valued at $45 per acre; he was born in Scotland, Oct. 22, 1844, and came to Illinois in 1853, and settled in Tazewell Co., and came to this place in Spring of 1870. He married Jemima Young, in Dec., 1867; she was born in Tazewell Co., March, 1844. Mr. M. came to this country when a boy, worked hard; got an education, and is the architect of his own fortune; he is a self-made man; has a good farm, a beautiful home, and is a very intelligent farmer; he is young, yet he is a leading man in society and the county. He was elected Supervisor of the Township in Spring of 1878, and represents the interests of the town very honorably.

JOSEPH S. SUYDAM, farmer; P. O. Chenoa. Republican; Presbyterian. Has eighty acres of land on Sec. 11, valued at $40 per acre; he was born in Middlesex Co., N. J., Feb. 17, 1815, and came to Tazewell Co. in 1854, and to Marshall Co. in 1862, and to this place in 1868. He married Catharine De Graw, Dec. 13, 1838, in Philadelphia; she was born in New Jersey, Dec., 1815, and died Sept. 23, 1872; they have four children living

Abraham D., Jane E., Catharine L., John B.; lost three-George V., died in New Jersey, 1849; Mary and Frank died in Tazewell Co. the same week in 1859. Mr. S. is an intelligent man, well informed, has seen much of the world and society, is a good farmer, held several offices in town, loves books and the current literature of the day; has a fine family; the decline of life is sweetened with the thought that the world has been made better for his having lived in it.

SILAS H. SUTTON, farmer; P. O. Chenoa. Republican; Quaker. Has 160