four children, two sons and two daughters, namely; Eva, George, John and Edith.     Mr. McFarland gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has been a member of the board of supervisors two terms. His allegiance to the general welfare is a well known factor in his life and he brings to bear upon all matters of public concern earnest consideration and keen discrimination and when once his mind is made up concerning a course of action he stands by his principles and belief with unfaltering loyalty.                                                    ________________                                                THOMAS  M.  MARTIN       Thomas M. Martin, who is now living retired at the Barry Woolen Mills about half a mile from the city of Barry, was born in Ralls county, Missouri, May 6, 1845, and is a son of George S. and Ann (Small) Martin, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. The father came to Pike county, Illinois, in March, 1846, and settled at Little St. Louis. He was a millwright by trade and at that time a Mr. Israel was building the first grist mill in that part of the county and Mr. Martin began working there, in fact came to Pike county for that purpose. He was employed in the mill for many years and also worked in other mills in the county. Subsequently he purchased a farm near Mt. Carmel church, which is located between Barry and Pittsfield, and there he lived up to the time of his death, giving his attention to the care and supervision of his land. He was a stanch democrat in his political views until 1860, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party, which stood loyally by the Union and so continued up to the time of his demise. In his family were five sons and four daughters, of whom four sons and two daughters are yet living , namely: Thomas M.; James, who resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Edwin, who is living in northern Kansas; Harvey, of California; Mrs. Virginia Howland, of Pittsfield, Illinois; and Mrs. Sarah Bridgeman, of Ralls county, Missouri.      Thomas M. Martin was educated in the public schools of Pike county, but his privileges in that direction were extremely limited. He attended school for only a brief period during the winter seasons and when fourteen years of age started out in life on his own account, entering the employ of John T. Brown, for whom he worked at seven dollars per month. Subsequently he assisted in laying the Wabash Railroad that crosses the county and afterward entered the Wike woolen mills. While thus employed he formed the acquaintance of Mr. Wike's daughter, whom he afterward married. He continued in the employ of others until November, 1869, when he began farming on his own account and has since been identified with agricultural interests in Barry township. He first lived on eighty acres of land which belonged to his wife and he has since added to the property until they own one hundred and thirty acres in Pike county. Mr. Martin has always been a great lover of fine stock and ever kept high grade animals upon his farm.     It was on the 4th of November, 1869, that Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Laura Wike, who was born in the same house where she now resides and it was here that the wedding was celebrated. Her natal day was August 1, 1850, and her parents were George and Laura (Stevens) Wike. She is a sister of the Hon. Scott Wike, who served in the state legislature and was elected three times to congress. He was one of the most distinguished citizens of Pike county and in addition to the legislative and congressional honors which were conferred upon him he served as first secretary to John G. Carlisle when that famous Kentucky statesman was secretary of the United States treasury. Mr. Wike acted in that capacity for eight years. He was a prosperous and prominent business man and he won the friendship of many of the leading citizens of the nation during his connection with congress and political interests in Washington.     Unto Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born seven children who are yet living and one who is deceased. Harry, who was educated at Lombard University in Galesburg, Illinois, is a machinist, who wedded Mary Shay and lives in Quincy. Rosa, who was educated in Lombard University