men of the town. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party.

PETER VOLLMERR, grocer; Chandlerville; was born in Hanover, Germany, Aug. 6, 1848, to Peter and Margaret (Klinck) Vollmerr; he was born in Germany, where he followed the occupation of a farmer, dying in 1881, aged eighty years. His wife, the mother of our subject, was also a native of Germany, where she died when Peter was an infant. They were the parents of six boys and one girl, our subject being the only one in America. He left his home when he was twenty years of age, and landed in New York, Dec. 14, 1868; then went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he remained two years. In 1870 he came to Chandlerville, where he engaged as a farm hand for about four years, when he built a fine brick block, and started in the grocery business, where he also conducts a bakery. He has met with good success, having commenced poor, and is now among the leading business men of Chandlerville. He was married in Cass County in 1876, to Miss Lettie Durring, a native of Germany, who is the mother of two children: Alice and John. He and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church; and he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM L. WAY, grain dealer, Chandlerville; was born in Crawford County, Ind., Nov. 3, 1823, to Samuel and Ruth (Parr) Way. Samuel Way was born in Bristol, England; emigrated to Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 18, 1819, and settled in Crawford County, Ind., where he married; he came to this county in November, 1827, where he followed farming to the time of his death, which occurred in 1836; his wife was born in Adair County, Ky., and died in Chandlerville, this county, in April, 1864; she was the mother of seven children, five boys and two girls, our subject being the oldest. At twenty-four years of age he engaged as

clerk in a store in Morgan County, Ill., and after two years went to Beardstown, where he was engaged by John McDonald, as dry goods and grocery clerk. He remained with Mr. McDonald as clerk, one year, when the latter started him in business in Chandlerville under the firm name W. L. Way & Co., and after continuing under that name three years, Mr. Way bought out the interest of his employer, and carried on the business alone until 1865, when he sold out and went to Iowa, where he sold goods and packed pork. In 1867 he returned to Chandlerville, where he has since remained, engaged in the grain and mercantile business. He was married in this county in 1864, to Emeline, daughter of David Carr, and a native of this county. They have three boys David Henry, assisting his father in the grain business, Thomas Edward and William Carr, also assisting their father. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and I. O. O. F.

ELIJAH WATKINS, livery and sale stable, Chandlerville; was born in Cass County, Ill., Feb. 3, 1859, and is the son of William and Emeline (Hinchee) Watkins. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of his native county afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. Being raised on a farm, Mr. Watkins in 1879 began farming on his own account, working a farm of sixty-five acres. In 1882 he bought, of Mr. Philo T. Norton, the sale and livery stable which he is now managing. By careful management, and study of the needs of the traveling public, he is making a success of this business. In 1879, he was married to Miss Anna Cone. Two children are the result of this union, viz.: Ora Lee, and an infant (unnamed).

FRANK ZILLION, farmer, P.O. Virginia; is a native of Prussia, Germany; born Aug. 24, 1825; son of Godfried and Louisa (Prong) Zillion, natives of Germany, where they both died. He is the fifth child of a family of

eight children, and received his education in the common schools of his native land. At the age of sixteen he apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked till 1855, when he emigrated to America, and landed in New York; moved to Illinois the same week; worked at Quincy at his trade for about a month, then came to this county, settled in Virginia, and worked by the month on a farm for three years. In 1858, he rented land in Sangamon County, Ill., which he farmed two years, then came back to this county and en

listed in the 6th Ill. Cavalry, and after serving four years and two months, returned to this county, where he bought eighty acres of land, and has since followed farming. During his services he took part under Gen. Hunt, in the engagements around Nashville, Tenn. He married in this county in 1866, Kate Yeomens; they have nine children, of whom seven are living, viz.: Joseph, Charles, Willie, Eliza, Frank, John, and Kate. Mr. Zillion is a Republican.

ISAAC N. BEAVER, druggist, Ashland, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, January 3, 1833, to Isaac and Rachael (Boyer) Beaver, natives of Virginia. His father was born January 5, 1793, and was a farmer by occupation; his death occurred May 1, 1847; his wife died in 1839, aged about thirty-five years; she was the mother of eight children, of whom Isaac was the sixth child. When he was thirteen years of age, he engaged to learn the trade of a tanner, at which business he remained about nine years, after which he farmed ten or fifteen years, and then entered the drug business. In the spring of 1880, he came to Ashland, this county, where he purchased the drug business of B. C. Randall, and has since continued in that business, at which he has been more than ordinarily successful, and has built up a large and steadily increasing business. He was married in Champaign County, Ohio, March 7, 1854, to Miss Ruannah Hess, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, June 26, 1832; she is the mother of six children, of whom three are still living, the balance of whom died in infancy; those living are Ella, wife of Dr. Shannon, of Industry., Ill; Romanus, living at home and interested in the drug business with his father; Orra, residing at Industry, engaged in the drug business, with his brother-in-law, Dr. Shannon. Mrs. Beaver is a daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Zerkle) Hess, natives of Virginia, and of German descent; both still living near Industry, Illinois. Mr. Beaver has been an active member of the fraternity of A. F. and A. M. for about 26 years, and has held offices of more or less importance about one-half of the time. Politically he has been a life long Republican;

always takes a part in any county enterprise that favors the interest of the county, such as churches, schools, and all other public improvements.

JOHN BLANK, hardware merchant; Ashland; was born in Germany, Nov. 15, 1840; received his education in his native land, and assisted in a bakery until he was seventeen years of age, when he emigrated to America, and located at Quincy, Illinois, where he remained about five years, and during the time learned. the trade of a tinner. In 1871 he removed to Ashland, and worked for a Mr. Cullum, whom he bought out, and continued the business upon his own account; at present his store is well stocked with the goods usually found in a hardware store and tinshop combined. He was married Nov. 25, 1867, to Almira Best, who was born in Cass County, June 19, 1850; she is the mother of four children: Leonia, Delia, Gertrude and John. Mrs. Blank is a daughter of Wilson J. and Nancy (Miller) Best. John Blank, Senior, was a native of Germany, a farmer by occupation, and died in 1864, aged sixty years. Christenia Blank, his wife, was also a native of Germany, and died in 1847, aged about fifty-two years; they had six children, of whom John was the youngest. Although he is a man not much interested in politics, his sympathies are with the Republican party.

ALONZO F. BURNHAM, physician and surgeon, Ashland; was born in Mason County, Ill. June 29, 1853; son of Henry C. and Angeline (Currier) Burnham. Henry C. Burnham, a farmer by occupation, was born at Hampton, Windham Co., Conn., Jan. 30, 1826, and has, since 1853, resided in Salt Creek Township, Mason Co., Ill.; his wife

was born at Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 16, 1825; they are the parents of seven children. The doctor received his primary education in the country schools, and afterward attended an academy, after which he taught school and worked on the farm. At the age of twenty-two he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. P. Walker, of Mason City, Ill.; and attended the Rush Medical College three winter terms and one summer term, and graduated in 1878. He came to Ashland, April 3, 1878, and entered into partnership with Dr. John Walker; they practiced in company until October, 1880, when, on account of ill health, Dr. Walker retired from the practice of his profession, and Dr. Burnham has since practiced alone, meeting with good success. He was married Oct. 29, 1879, in Mason Co., Ill., to Emma Blunt, a native of that county, born Jan. 3, 1859, daughter of A. A. and Martha A. (Trailor) Blunt; he was born in Hart Co., Ky., Feb. 21, 1831; she was born in Springfield, Ill., June 23, 1831; from this union they have had one child, P. Garfield, born April 4, 1881, died Aug. 2, 1881. The doctor is a Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F., the K. of H. and the A. O. F.

JOHN BEGGS, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Ashland; was born in Morgan County, Illinois, Aug. 7, 1831. At the age of eighteen he began farming in Morgan County, where he remained until 1858, when he removed to his present place of residence, where he has since remained, engaged more or less extensively in farming and in stock-dealing. His large and commodious farm residence is one of the finest in the county. He has been identified with the Republican party since the days of the old line Whigs. He was married in Cass County, Dec. 18, 1855, to Miss Sailie Sinclair, daughter of Samuel and Malinda (Bird) Sinclair, natives of Kentucky, both deceased. Mrs. Beggs was born in Morgan

County, March 16, 1834. She is the mother of seven children, viz.: Emma, wife of Edward C. Beggs, of Ashland; Anna, Charles S., John T., Nellie, Myra and Samuel W. Charles Beggs, the father of our subject, was born in Rockingham County, Va., Oct. 30, 1775; he was a farmer by occupation, and was a noted politician at an early day, and was a member of the Constitutionai Convention that framed the constitution of Indiana; he served several terms in the Legislature of Indiana, and was captain of cavalry in the war of 1812, and was in the engagement at Tippecanoe; his death occurred Oct. 21, 1869. His wife, Mary Ruddell, a native of Hardy Co., Va., was born April 28, 1790, and died Aug. 4, 1871. She was the mother of nine children, of whom John, the subject of the sketch was the youngest. Religiously, himself and wife are connected with the Methodist Church.

JOSEPH BOWERS, farmer, P. O. Ashland, was born in Derbyshire, England, Nov. 26, 1816.- His early life was spent in the cotton factories of England, and when tweneight-years of age he emigrated to America, and located at Philadelphia; in 1849 he moved to Cass County, Illinois, and took upon himself the duties of farm life; in 1858 he purchased a quarter section of wild prairie, upon which he now resides. He was married in Cass County, July 19, 1846. His wife, Hannah Gill, was born in Yorkshire, England, March 6, 1817; she has borne him seven children: Richard, a prominent young farmer, living near the homestead; James, in Denver, Colorado, speculating in mines; Mary A., wife of Wat Sinclair; Thomas, farmer, single, living at home; Jennie, wife of John Sinclair, living near home; William, a graduate of the Illinois College, at Jacksonville, a teacher by profession; Joseph, at home. Mrs. Bowers was a daughter of Richard and Betty (Hinchcliff,) Gill, native of England, deceased.

Joseph Bowers, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of England, a mechanic by occupation; born March 4, 1790; died April 8, 1854. Betty Howe, his wife, was also a native of England; born August 1, 1793; died December 29, 1856; they were the parents of fifteen children, of whom only four are now living, and of whom Joseph is the third child. Mrs. Bowers is a Methodist, and Mr. Bowers has always been identified with the Republican party.

JOHN L. DOUGLASS, retired blacksmith, Ashland; was born at Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind., June 3, 1823; son of Asahel and Jane (Kikindall) Douglass. Asahel, a native of Connecticut, was born May 19, 1791, and died Jan. 21, 1880; his wife, born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 6, 1802, died Nov. 28, 1879; they were the parents of eleven children; John L., when two years of age, went with his parents to Lexington, Ky., thence to Metcalfe Co., that State, where his youth was spent in assisting his father in his mercantile and trading interests. When about twenty years of age he began blacksmithing with his father, and after having learned the trade, came, in 1857, to Virginia, this county, and the fol lowing year removed to Ashland, and purchased a shop which had been in operation but a few months. Here he continued in business until 1881. He served as magistrate one year, and is now performing the duties of that office, having been re-elected in the fall of 1881. During the late war, he entered the service in Co. I, 1st I. V. I., under Capt. Jesse F. Newman, the regiment being commanded by Col. Charles Fox, and remained in service three years. In Adair Co., Ky., April 27, 1847, he married America E. Yates, born in Kentucky, May 31, 1831, daughter of Melford and Catherine (Creels) Yates, natives of Adair Co., that State. From this union twelve children have been born, viz.: Melford A., John W. O., Jane C., Orrin A. (died July 12,

1858; was the first person who died in Ashland), Louan, Rebecca C., Luther H., Maud L, Maria O., Mary E., George T., and Reuben C. M. Douglass and wife are connected with the Methodist church; he has been an active member of the I. O. O. F., for a number of years; was one of the charter members of Oak Lodge No. 341, at Ashland. He was originally an old line Whig, and is now a Republican.

WILLIAM S. DOUGLASS, retired carpenter, Ashland; was born in Lexington, Ky., July 1, 1827. He received an ordinary education, and at the age of 22, left home and engaged in farming for about nine years; then learned the carpenter

trade, at which he worked till 1862, building some of the first houses erected in Ashland, and assisting in the erection of the principal business blocks of the town. In Jacksonville, Ill., Feb. 20, 1855, he married Mary Virginia Job, born in Morgan County, Ill., Dec. 14, 1830, who has borne him four children, viz.: Charles F., Grace, Helen and Willie T. During the late war, Mr. Douglass enlisted in Co. D, 114th Ill. V. I., under Capt. Berry, the regiment being in command of Col. Judy, and served three years, and during that time participated in fourteen battles. Mr. Douglass retired from active life some time since, has been a member of the town board of Ashland, and school director for twelve years; he is a Republican, and was formerly a member of the I. O. O. F.

ALONZO S. FAY, Lawyer, Ashland, was born in Virginia, in October, 1852; son of Perry and Ellen (Rasenberger) Fay. Perry Fay, subject's father, was born in New York in 1814, came to Illinois in 1848, and taught school till 1854, when he started West, and has not since been heard of; his wife, born in the State of Virginia, in 1820, died at Princeton, Ill., in 1858, leaving two children, viz.: Alonzo S. and Luela (died in July, 1881.) Subject