Mason County, this State, where he still lives, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. In the year 1832, the subject of this sketch, and his sister Matilda, with her husband, Asa B. Lane, came to Illinois. He was then twenty-two years of age. His outfit upon leaving Kentucky consisted of a good horse, a fine mare and colt, and a small amount of money. After having traveled three days, he awoke one morning to find that his mare and colt had been stolen, and a week was spent by the entire party in a fruitless search for the missing property. On reaching Illinois. with one horse, his money was all spent, and he was in debt to his brother Peter and Mr. Lane. Thus, one of Cass County's most successful pioneers commenced his career without means, except that most valuable capital, health, honesty, industry, and economy. He purchased another horse of his brother Peter, for $35, paying for the same by splitting rails at fifty cents per hundred. After paying this debt he continued rail splitting until he had accumulated $105 in silver. This he loaned to a man who moved to Iowa, and he never collected a cent of the debt. In the spring of 1834, he went to Galena and worked in the lead mines at Mineral Point, until fall, when he returned and emigrated to Iowa. There he bought a claim for $75, and divided it with a friend. They returned to Illinois, purchased oxen and wagons, and then returned to Iowa, and spent the next summer in breaking and improving their farms. During the spring of 1835, he, Mr. Conover, built for himself a substantial hewed log house, 16x18, a smoke-house, and a stable. Unable to obtain plank, a quilt was hung up at the opening left for a door, to keep the wolves out. Finally the door and floor were made of puncheon. In November, 1836, he married Miss Elizabeth Petefish, of Cass County, sister of S. H. and Jacob Petefish, and they soon after proceeded to their

Iowa home. They returned to Illinois in August, 1837, on a visit. Mr. Conover returned to Iowa after a two weeks stay, leaving his wife to complete her visit. She was soon taken sick and died the latter part of that same month. So imperfect were the mail facilities at that time, that he did not learn of her death until two weeks after her burial. This sore bereavement unsettled his plans, and he sold his claim of 560 acres for $3,000 in silver, with which he returned to Cass County, and loaned it to his friends, Jacob Epler, Capt. Charles Beggs, and J. Bradley Thompson. In January, 1841, he purchased the old homestead of the family, from his cousin John, son of Peter Conover, which was settled in 1822. His experience on first settling in this county was not unlike that of many of the energetic and resolute class of men who were the pioneers of the West, and to whom the public are indebted for the orderly and intelligent character of the society we now enjoy. His second marriage was to Miss Phebe A. Rosenberger, who with three children, George, Charles W., and Ellen, now survives him. Mrs. Conover's father, John Rosenberger, and her mother, were both of German parentage, and came to Illinois and settled at Princeton, in 1836. They raised a large family, of which Phebe A., was the oldest; George, the oldest living son of the Conover family, was born Sept. 11, 1846, at the Conover homestead near Princeton. He is the fourth of the family, two older sisters having died, and one, Mrs. William Epler, still survives. He received his rudimental schooling at Zion school-house, and afterwards attended the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Ill., and took a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Chicago. At twenty-one years of age he commenced farming, in which business he remained from 1870 to 1876, when he became connected as a partner in the bank

ing firm of Petefish, Skiles & Co., and since that time has acted as assistant cashier and book-keeper. Feb. 23, 1871, he married Virginia Bone, a daughter of William Bone, of Sangamon County, later of Lincoln, Ill. Mr. Conover was the fourth of a family of five children, and was born Sept. 11, 1846. They have two children, William B. and Earnest B. Mr. Conover is Secretary of and a stockholder in the Importers and Breeders' Association of Cass County, and also a member of the Building Association of Virginia. Charles W., is the fifth youngest of the family, and was born April 1, 1849, on the homestead; he was educated and brought up a farmer, and has steadily adhered to his calling. He owns and lives on the Conover homestead, which he has successfully managed since it came into his possession. He married Miss Louise Dever, April 1, 1875; she is a daughter of John Dever (deceased), a farmer and native of Ohio. They have three children: Millie, Dasie L., and an infant not named. Mr. Conover is a thrifty farmer, a Democrat, and much respected in the community.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL, one of the most enterprising, energetic and prosperous pioneers of Cass County, was born in Ireland, April 15, 1818. His father, Archibald, had four daughters and three sons. Our subject emigrated to America and to Cass County in the spring of 1840. His sister Mary preceded him, and another sister, Catharine, came afterward. He located upon his present homestead, and commenced laying the foundation of a success, seldom enjoyed by any who commenced in so humble a manner. Mr. Campbell brought with him only a small amount of money, all of which was expended in starting him on his first piece of land. He is now owner of about nineteen hundred acres of Cass County soil; also holds a considerable amount of Virginia City property, and is a member of the well known banking firm of

Petefish, Skiles & Company. October 10, 1845, he married Miss Mary Studbrank, a native of Germany. Her father, Fredric Studbrank, emigrated from Germany when she was small, and located in Cass County. Mrs. Campbell died May 23, 1872, in the fortyseventh year of her age, leaving three sons and one daughter, Henry J., Alfred, Edwin, and Emma J. Ann L., William E., Charles, and an infant, are deceased. Mr. Campbell has held the office of County Commissioner several years, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Henry J. was born Nov. 25, 1850. He received his schooling in Virginia, and entered farming in 1875. March 1, 1877, he married Miss Maggie Taylor, daughter of Robert and Jenette (Cunningham) Taylor, of the Sangamon Bottom, Cass County, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Campbell is the third of a family of seven daughters and five sons, and was born Dec. 2, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have one son, William V. Mr. Campbell owns a farm of 200 acres; being a practical farmer, seldom fails of a profitable year's business.

J. B. CRAFT, proprietor Virginia House, is a native of Fayette County, Pa., and was born at Brownsville, July 30, 1838. His father, William B. Craft, was a manufacturer of grain-cleaning machines, and was also a native of the Key-stone State. He married Evaline White, a native of Ohio. They raised a family of seven children, and our subject was their second child. J. B. received his schooling in Brownsville, and there learned the carriage maker's trade, which he followed about eight years. He came to Cass County in 1864. In 1871 he took charge of his present hotel, and from that time until the present, except one year (1874) spent in the grocery trade, has been its proprietor. William B., his father, died in the year 1855, and his mother is still living, a resident of Fulton County. Our sub

ject was married Oct. 9, 1862, to Miss Phoebe L. Dunaway, daughter of James Dunaway, a farmer of Fayette County, Pa., where she was born March 5, 1845. They have six children, four sons and two daughters, viz.: Annie E., W. Earnest, Edward, Thomas, Bertha and George. Mr. Craft has been from time to time identified with the public interests and growth of Virginia, aside from providing the city with an all important adjunct, "a first-class hotel;" has served as a member of the City Council about six years. He has been for several years a member of the School Board, Police Magistrate, and is at present the City Treasurer, which position he has filled about eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Craft are both

members of the Christian church.

DR. S. M. COLLADAY, for several years a successful practicing physician of Virginia, is a native of the city of New York; was born Aug. 27, 1842. His father, Charles H. Colladay, was a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and was by occupation a last manufacturer, and carried on business in New York for about twenty-one years. He was from German and French Huguenot descent; married Miss Sarah Jane Lutes, a native of Orange County, N.Y., who was of German and of Puritan stock. He died in 1856; whereupon, our subject came west to Fulton County, Ill. In 1861, he entered the army, enlisting in the 5th Michigan Vol. Infty., from Macomb County. His regiment was assigned to Gen. Kearney's division of the 3d corps, in which division he served until his discharge on account of disability, in November, 1862. Dr. Colladay studied medicine in Fulton County, Ill., and afterward entered the medical department of the Michigan State University, and graduated from that institution in the class of 1873. He spent two years practicing his profession, at Kansas City, Mo., and in 1875 came to Virginia and entered the drug business with Mr. J. W. Wilkinson, un

der the firm name of Colladay & Wilkinson. In 1879, Mr. C. B. Gatton purchased Mr. Wilkinson's interest, and the firm of Colladay & Gatton continued the business until January, 1881, when Dr. Colladay withdrew, to devote his time to the practice of his profession. October, 1874, he married Miss Cornelia H. Wilkinson, of Vermont, Fulton

County, Ill. Mrs. Colladay is a native of Pennsylvania, and from childhood has lived in Fulton county. They have two sons, Charles and Edward. Mrs. Charles Colladay, the doctor's mother, is still living at Lincoln, Neb. Of her six children, three are still living: our subject; Frank, a hardware merchant, of Waterloo, Iowa; and Louise, now Mrs. Dr. E. P. Hemer, of Lincoln.

DAVID M. CRUM; farmer, P. O. Virginia; was born in Arenzville Precinct, Dec. 25, 1853, and is a son of Christian Crum. He received a good education, having attended the Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Ills., for some time, and engaged in farming, which occupation he still pursues. In Virginia, this county, Nov. 24, 1875, he married Henrietta B. Payne, a native of Missouri, born Sept. 21, 1856, daughter of W. B. and Elizabeth Payne of Virginia, this county; by this union they have been blessed with three children: Bessie L., Vida V., and Mabel A. Mr. Crum is a member of the M. E. Church and is Secretary of Lodge No. 68, I. O. O. F. of Virginia, this county; he is a Democrat.

FINIS E. DOWNING, Circuit Clerk of Cass County; is a native of the city of Virginia, Cass Co., and was born Aug. 24, 1846. His father, Nathan H. Downing, was a Cumberland Presbyterian Clergyman, a native of Kentucky, and a son of John Downing, who was a native of Bedford County, Va., and married Susannah Hall, a native of same place. John Downing had a family of twelve children, nine of whom lived to maturity. He removed from Virginia to Kentucky with his parents

in early life, and from thence to Marion County, Mo., in 1827, and pursued farming until his death, in June, 1832. His wife survived him until March 3, 1861. Nathan H. Downing came to Cass County in 1842. He married Miss Eliza Head, a native of Howard County, Mo., and a daughter of John Head, a farmer and surveyor. He died in Virginia, Nov. 30, 1853. They had five children, two sons and three daughters, viz.: John C., Finis E., Lucy J., now Mrs. Green Middleton, of York County, Neb. John C., who died in a hospital at Memphis, Miss., April 10, 1863. He enlisted in the 114th Ill. Vol. Infty. August 13, 1862, a historical sketch of which appears elsewhere in this book. Finis married Jan. 15, 1868, to Miss Sue H. Payne, daughter of William B. Payne, of Virginia. They have one son, Harry. Mr. Downing was elected to the office of Circuit Clerk of Cass County in November, 1880. He first entered business as clerk for William B. Payne, and continued with him about five years, and after the first year was his partner. He removed to Missouri in 1869, and there remained until 1875, and then returned to Virginia and clerked for Mr. Payne until his election. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W., and A. F. and A. M., of Virginia.

JOHN M. DIRREEN, Deputy Sheriff of Cass County, Virginia, is a native of Cass County, and was born in Virginia, July 29, 1840. His father, Edward, was a farmer, a native of Ireland, and came to Cass County in April, 1837. His mother was formerly Miss Jane Himphey, and also a native of the Emerald Isle; came to Cass County in 1835, and is still living. She has nine children, three of whom are deceased; the remaining six are still living, viz.: Catharine, Eliza, Alice, Michael, Edward, and our subject, who was brought up a farmer, and followed that business until February, 1878. In 1871, he married to Miss Nancy Cunningham, a native of

Cass County. She died February 23, 1878, leaving one daughter, Josephine. Mr. Dirreen is a Democrat in politics, and since Aug. 23, 1878, has held his present responsible position, which he has thus far filled with satisfaction to the people of his county.

ELI M. DALE, one of the thrifty farmers of Cass County, was born at Bedford, Lawrence County, Ind., Jan. 1, 1844, and is a son of Eli and Elizabeth (Waugh) Dale. The former a native of Cumberland County, Pa., born Feb. 3, 1816, and the latter 1821, in North Carolina. Mrs. Dale died, leaving four sons and two daughters, namely: Samuel, a lawyer for five years in Beardstown, now in Colorado; Eli M., our subject, Emily M., William W., Mary A., George A. Eli Dale's grandfather on his mother's side, McCracken, was an Irishman; he came to America in time to serve eight years in the Revolutionary war, and fought on the American side. His grandfather on his father's side (Dale) was a German. Eli M., our subject, received his schooling in his native county; came to Cass County in 1865, and engaged in the manufacture of brick, and in building, in company with his father, Eli, and his brother, under the firm name of Eli Dale & Sons. The firm continued in this business successfully until 1876, and since that time he has been farming in Virginia Precinct. Our subject entered the army for the suppression of the Rebellion in 1862, from Indiana, in the Sixty-seventh Volunteer Infantry, in which regiment he served about nine months, as a private, and was discharged on account of disability. Upon sufficiently recovering, he again entered the army in the One Hundred and ThirtySixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served one hundred days, the full time for which he enlisted, and received his discharge, and a third time enlisted; this time in the One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana Infantry, and served until the war closed. This record

speaks for itself, and, shows that the patriotic zeal of our subject must have been inherited, or he would, on general principles, have got enough of the war on first trial, after having lost his health. During his term of service he was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant of his company, and participated in several severe engagements. He was discharged in 1865, and came to Illinois, as before mentioned. Dec. 20, 1869, he married Miss Lida E. Tureman, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Glover) Tureman, who was born Dec. 21, 1851. Mr. Tureman is a native of North Carolina, and Mrs. Tureman of Morgan County.

They have two children: Stella M. and

Cora T.

WILLIAM DOWDALL, a thrifty farmer of Cass County, Virginia precinct, came to Cass County in 1851, via New Orleans, having landed there direct from Ireland, where he was born, Sept. 10, 1830; his native home was within sixteen miles of the renowned city of Belfast, the pride of the Emerald Isle. His father, Hugh Dowdall, was a farmer, brought up his sons as farmers, and our subject shows, in his methods of directing his farm, the thoroughness that characterized his father's labors. Mr. Dowdall located on his present place of 176 acres, soon after his arrival in Cass County, and in Dec. 18, 1852, was married to Miss Jane Havern, also a native of Ireland, who came to America on the same ship with Mr. Dowdall. They have four children: Hugh H., William J., Samuel W. and Mary Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Dowdall are members of the Presbyterian Church, of Virginia, and he belongs to the Republican party.

THE EPLER FAMILY is of German origin. ABRAM EPLER, was born in Lancaster (now Dauphin) County, Penn., Feb. 28, 1769. He was married in 1791, to Miss Anna Oldweiler. She was born Oct. 26, 1768. In 1798 he emigrated to Kentucky, and settled near

the falls of the Ohio, from whence he removed across the Ohio river, into what is now Clarke County, Ind. He was a man of commendable enterprise and industry, a miller, distiller and farmer, and disposed of the products of his varied business in southern markets, principally New Orleans, transportation being by flat boats, steamboats not yet having been introduced on Western waters. In 1832, Abram Epler removed to Illinois, settling on Indian Creek, in Morgan County, Ills., on section two, township sixteen north, range nine west, of the third principal meridian, where he died Jan. 22, 1837. Abram Epler was the father of a family of six sons and five daughters, who widely scattered, settling in various parts of the West. John, Jacob, David and Isaac preceded him to Illinois, and settled on farms now embraced within the limits of Cass County. George, the youngest son, remaining with his parents, attending them in their removal to Illinois, resided at the old homestead until his removal to Sangamon County, near Farmingdale, where he died Sept. 5, 1867. John and David are deceased, Jacob resides at Pleasant Plains, Sangamon County, Ill., which prosperous village he settled and founded about the year 1848. Isaac resides in Otoe County, Neb., near Nebraska City. The above named, John, Jacob, David, Isaac and George, were enterprising and eminently successful farmers, and were among the leaders of that noble class of men, who by their industry, morality and exemplary citizenship, laid the foundations of our social and civil institutions, with credit to themselves, and with honor to their country. Anna, the mother of this family, died May 3, 1847.

JOHN EPLER, the oldest son of Abram, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., April 15, 1795, being about four years of age when his parents settled in Clark County, Ind., and being the oldest son, was always his father's