church was erected by the United Brethren society in 1878. The society is small, but in a growing and prosperous condition. A blacksmith and general repair shop completes the list of its business enterprises. Its population does not exceed thirty souls, and yet, unimportant as it is when compared with villages of a larger growth, it is, nevertheless, a convenience to the neighborhood as a point for the shipment of their produce, and at which daily mails are received. It is hardly to be expected that it will ever exceed its present limits, as its proximity to Mason City on the one hand and Easton on the other, will continually act as checks to its further development.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PATRONS.

MENARD COUNTY.

PETERSBURG PRECINCT.

DR. F. P. ANTLE, physician, Petersburg. Among the physicians of Menard Co. none stand higher than Dr. Francis P. Antle, of Petersburg. He is of Scotch and German descent, and comes from patriotic stock; his maternal descent is traced from the Buchanans, who early emigrated from Scotland to America, and he is a member of the same branch of the family with President Buchanan, to whom he was second cousin. The ancestors of Dr. Antle's father came from Germany, and settled in North Carolina. Dr. Antle is the son of Michael and Mary Ann (Buchanan) Antle; they were married in Kentucky, and lived for a time near Lexington, Ky.; they emigrated to Illinois in the fall of 1819, locating for a time near St. Louis. In March, 1820, they settled on a tract of land eight miles southeast of where Jacksonville now is; here Francis P. Antle was born, May 1, 1824; his early life was spent on his father's farm, and his early education was obtained during the winter months; so well were his advantages improved that, at the age of 18, he began teaching in the same school where he had been a pupil; this he followed for a time, then began the study of medicine with J. D. Freeman, of Springfield; two years were spent in Springfield, and, in 1856, he went to Cincinnati and attended medical lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute; at the conclusion of these courses of lectures, he removed to Williamsville, Sangamon Co., and established a drug store and engaged in the practice of medicine. In 1859, he again visited Cincinnati, and took an additional course of lectures, after which he made Petersburg his home, and has since been actively employed with the duties of his profession. Dr. Antle married Miss Dorcas Ann Mosteller, of Menard Co., Jan. 28, 1858. Her parents were early settlers of Sangamon Co.; they have but two children livingT. Powell and Jonah O. The former is a graduate of the Illinois College of Jacksonville.

H. B. ALBERS, dealer in boots and shoes, Petersburg; is a native of Prussia, where he was born Oct. 14, 1849. During his early life, he obtained a good business education and learned the trade of a shoemaker. He emigrated to this country in 1869, landing in New York City June 26; he at once came to Illinois, locating in Petersburg, and for a time followed his trade; in 1874, he established his present business. He is a young man of good business ability and by fair dealing has built up a flourishing trade, and won the reputation of a much respected citizen. He keeps a fine assortment and none but the best of goods, making a specialty of custom work. is the only exclusively boot and shoe house of Menard Co., his entire attention being turned toward this branch of business. His wife was Miss Mary Ahrends, of his native country; they were married Nov. 5, 1873; they have a family of three children.

His

A. F. BEARD, farmer; P. O. Petersburg; he was born in Sullivan Co., N. H., Aug. 25, 1827, where he was raised and received such school advantages as the place afforded; during his early life, he lived a farmer. He married Nyrah, daughter of Hiram Hurd, a prominent farmer of this county, Nov. 6, 1852, and settled upon a farm, continuing there until 1862, when he sold out and came to Menard Co., Ill., where he has since resided. They have two sons. He owns 160 acres of fine land.

J. H. BOWEN, express agent and grocer, Petersburg; is a native of Brown Co., Ill.; born Sept. 23, 1850; his school advantages were quite limited; he began as a laborer at the early age of 13, engaging upon a farm, and devoting such time as could be spared to study; he gradually obtained a fair business education; in 1869, he went on the road as a traveling salesman, continuing this until the fall of 1875, when he entered the Medical Department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, and took one course, but not wishing to become a practitioner, as his inclinations were more in the direction of merchandising, he came to Petersburg in 1876, and, for a time, traveled as a salesman; he embarked in the grocery business in 1877, and was also appointed agent for the United States Express Company at Petersburg; he has built up a fine trade, and keeps a good assortment of family groceries, provisions, queensware, etc.

ROBERT BISHOP, proprietor of a gun-shop, Petersburg; was born in Portsmouth, England, Dec. 29, 1815, and was brought to this country by his parents while quite young; they settled in Boston, where Robert was raised and schooled; his father was the first to invent and put into use the cylinder for revolvers and guns, and died before they were put into general use; Robert, who then was but a youth, had already shown an inventive mind, and soon became a thorough mechanic; some ten years of his early life were spent upon the Atlantic Ocean, as a whaler along the coast of Chili, Peru and Panama; after abandoning sea life, he removed to St. Louis and took up his trade; he located where he now resides in 1841, at which time the present city of Petersburg was but a hamlet; he has witnessed its entire growth, and participated in such public matters as pertained to the good of the community; he was a soldier of the Mexican war; now, at a ripe old age, he lives to see the prosperity and usefulness of his children.

S. H. BLANE, attorney, Petersburg; son of George and Mary (Alkire) Blane, who were early settlers of Menard County; he was born in this county Jan. 17, 1840, and raised upon a farm, attending district school, after which he attended the North Sangamon Academy, where he prepared to study law; his father was a prominent farmer of this county, from its organization to his death, which occurred Jan 18, 1864; his mother survived ten years longer, passing away April 18, 1874; they were highly respected by all who knew them. The subject of this sketch enlisted in the late war of the rebellion, with the 106th I. V. I.; during the siege of Vicksburg, he was promoted to Lieutenant, and then to Captain; was mustered out after the service of three years; after the war, he took up the study of law under Hon. S. S. Knoles, at the same time superintending his farm; he also studied with Hon. T. W. McNeely, and was admitted to the bar in 1874; he has since given his time and attention to the practice of his profession, in which he is fast becoming popular. He married Miss Mary J. Spear Jan. 4, 1866-a native of this county; they have a family of four children.

W. J. BREWER, farmer; P. O. Petersburg; was born in this county Sept. 15, 1833; son of John and Jane (Martin) Brewer; his people came from Green Co. Ky., in 1826, and settled in the eastern part of Menard Co., where they lived during the remainder of their lives; W. J. was raised a farmer, and by industry and energy has accumulated a good property, now owning 120 acres. He married Miss Nancy A. Blair Sept. 13, 1858; she died April 7, 1871, leaving two children; Feb. 23, 1874, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Orr; she died Nov. 28, 1877.

T. C. BENNETT, Circuit Clerk, Petersburg; son of Dr. Richard E. and Maria (Carter) Bennett; was born in Petersburg, Ill., April 18, 1838; he obtained an education at the Asbury University of Greencastle, Ind.; in 1855, he removed to La Grange, Fayette Co., Texas, where he served as Deputy District Clerk for a number of years; he returned to Petersburg in 1865, and was soon appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk, serving until 1872, when he was elected Clerk, and re-elected in 1876. He married Miss Martha J. Jenkins, of Mifflin Co., Penn., Nov. 17, 1868; they are the parents of four children, three of whom are living.

HON. N. W. BRANSON, attorney, Petersburg; one of the most prominent of the Menard Co. bar; was born at Jacksonville May 20, 1837; his parents were natives of Kentucky; his boyhood and youth were distinguished by the same energy

and attention to study that have marked his subsequent life and contributed so much to his success; after a preparatory course of study, he entered Illinois College, where he graduated in 1857, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts; his taste led him to choose the legal profession, and at the conclusion of his college course he began the study of law in the office of David A. Smith, of Jacksonville; he was admitted to the bar in January, 1860, and began the practice of his profession at Petersburg the same year; here his knowledge of the law, his ready adaptation to business and his habits of close application rapidly gained for him a high professional standing at the bar and wide influence in the community; in 1867, he was appointed by Chief Justice Chase Register in Bankruptcy for the Ninth Congressional District of Illinois, which position he held for a number of years. In his political convictions, Mr. Branson has always been identified with the Republican party, and ever since its organization he has been an enthusiastic supporter of its principles; in 1872, he received the Republican nomination for Representative in the Legislature, and was elected to that office; upon taking his seat, he became an active member of the body, and served two sessions as Chairman of the Committee on State Institutions, contributing much by his energy to the furtherance of action on subjects which came under the attention of his committee, as well as to the general course of legislative proceedings; his course in the Legislature gave him increased popularity, and he was again elected in 1874; in 1876, he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Branson was married Feb. 21, 1861, to Fanny D., daughter of Dr. Francis and Ann S. (Goldsmith) Regnier, of Petersburg. As a lawyer of ability and integrity, a citizen of u-efulness and honor, all classes of the community unite in giving him their confidence.

JACOB F. BERGEN, farmer; P. O. Petersburg; son of George and Emily A. (Wyatt) Bergen, who came from Woodford Co., Ky., with their parents, who emigrated from Morris Co., N. J., to Woodford Co., Ky., in 1818; thence to Illinois in 1824, locating in Morgan Co., where they spent their last days; his father, George S. Bergen, was born in New Jersey July 6, 1809; he went, with his parents, to Morgan Co., Ill., where he married Miss Emily A. Wyatt, Feb. 11, 1829; she died at Petersburg Feb. 4, 1870, leaving a family of seven sons and one daughter. George S. Bergen now resides with his son, Jacob F., at the ripe old age of 70; during his life, he has accumulated a good property, which he has distributed among his children. Jacob F., the subject of this sketch, was born in Morgan Co., Ill., April 23, 1845, and, in 1850, was brought to this county, where he has since lived, a well-to-do and highly respected citizen; during his early life, he obtained a good business education, attending the Commercial College at Springfield; he began doing business for himself in 1866; he now owns 144 acres of the old homestead farm. He married Hannah E. Street, of Baltimore, Md., Oct. 1, 1873; they have one child, a promising son-Guy F.

J. A. BRAHM, banker and merchant, Petersburg; was born in Gallatin Co., Ill., Feb. 9, 1828, and was brought to Menard Co., Ill., in 1830, his people settling north of Petersburg, where they lived prominent citizens; his father died in 1852, and his mother in 1852; his father was a native of Germany, and his mother of Virginia; his carly life was spent on the homestead, receiving such educational advantages as the new country afforded; in 1848-49, he attended McKendree College, at Lebanon, Ill.; here he acquired a good business education, which, with energy and perseverance, has assisted him to his present position, that of a highly respected citizen; his principal business has been merchandising, and his success as a merchant is well known throughout this part of Illinois, and to-day he is one of the solid men of Menard County. Mr. Brahm has been closely identified with business enterprises in the county, and his energy and capital have done much toward building up Petersburg; in evidence of this, we would mention the commodious dry-goods house of Brahm, Lanning & Wright, which is, beyond a doubt, the largest and best stocked retail dry-goods house of the State outside of Chicago; he is giving his personal attention to the business of banking, under the firm name of Brahm & Greene; in connection with W. G. Greene, he established this, the first banking-house in Menard Co., in 1866, and it has the reputation of being one of the most substantial banks of Central Illinois. His wife was

Eliza B., daughter of Philip and Anna Rainey, of Boydton, Va.; they were married March 10, 1857; they have a family of three daughters and two sons; their residence is a beautiful one, and located upon a rise of ground, presenting a most picturesque appearance.

HON. JOHN BENNETT, retired, Petersburg; son of Richard E. and Ann (Carter) Bennett; they were of Scotch-Irish origin; he was born in Halifax Co., Va., Dec. 21, 1805. He passed his boyhood and early manhood at the old homestead in Virginia, receiving such an education as the common schools of that period afforded. At the age of 14, he entered his father's store as clerk, in which capacity he continued till the death of his father in 1828. After settling up the estate, he continued in business on his own account until 1835, when he removed to Sangamon Co., Ill., settling near Rochester. He remained there until 1836, when he came to Petersburg and opened a dry goods store in the then small village. Here Mr. Bennett continued very successfully in merchandise till 1858, when, having amassed a handsome property, he resigned the cares of active life to enjoy in his beautiful home (which is one of the most finely located residences in Petersburg) that peace and quiet which his early life of activity had well earned. During the winter of 1840-41, he represented Menard Co. in the State Legislature. He was one of the original Directors of the Tonica & Petersburg R. R., a part of what is now the Jacksonville Division of the C. & A. R. R.; this position he held for four years. In Freemasonry, Mr. Bennett is prominently known in the State, and he has been conspicuous for his devotion to the Order and his zealous practice of its tenets. For upward of forty years he has been intimately connected with the interests of Menard Co., in both private and public life, and now, at the ripe age of 74, he enjoys the result of a well-spent life. He has twice married; first to Miss Mary A. Boyd, Dec. 1, 1829; she died May 12, 1849, leaving four children. Mr. Bennett married his present wife Sept. 10, 1850; she was Miss Mary J. Cabaniss. They are well known and highly respected.

F. V. BALE, miller, Petersburg; son of Abraham and Mary (Lewis) Bale; was born in Green Co., Ky., Jan. 1, 1833. His parents came from Green Co., Ky., in 1839, locating in Salem, and in 1840 his father bought a farm, which they operated until 1852, when they bought the old mill site at Salem and began to repair the mill; but in 1853, his father died, after which he, with two brothers, finished repairing it and putting it into operation. In 1873, F. V. became sole proprietor and has since operated it. The historical facts connected with this mill will be further alluded to in the history of Menard Co. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Leving, of Logan Co., Ill., Oct. 9, 1859; she was born in Virginia. They have had children, but two of whom are now living.

D. M. BONE, furniture dealer, Petersburg; son of Robert S. and Nancy (McCoy) Bone, who were among the early settlers of Menard Co., and of Scotch-Irish origin. He was born in this county April 18, 1846, and raised upon a farm, and his early education was obtained at district schools, after which he attended the Cherry Grove Seminary, of Knox Co., Ill., two years; he then entered the Hopkins Grammar School, of New Haven, Conn. In 1866, he entered Yale College, graduating in 1870, after which he returned to Menard Co. and for a time superintended his father's farm. The following year, he was appointed Principal of the Petersburg Seminary, continuing in this capacity one year; then for a time followed stock dealing. In 1874, he embarked in the drug business in company with T. Fisher. In 1875, he established his present business and to-day is doing the leading business in his line. He is a young man of fine business as well as mental powers and fast becoming a prominent business man of Menard Co. He married Mary P., daughter of Dr. Aleck Rainey, April 16, 1874; they have two children.

HARDEN BALE, woolen manufacturer, Petersburg; son of Rev. Jacob and Elizabeth Bale, who were among the first white settlers of Menard Co. They located near where the town of Petersburg now stands, in 1830, and did much for the development of the country. In 1833, he bought a small grist-mill, which he operated; here the son learned the business, and built a large mill, also a carding-mill, and when the