Was born in Green county, PA, August 8, 1813. When he was but one year old his parents moved to Carroll county,
OH. He remained with his parents until July 24, 1834, when he was married to Miss Rebecca Wallace, who was born
in Allegheny county, Maryland, Dec. 4, 1812. He remained in Ohio, until August 6, 1837, when he emigrated to Illinois,
and settled on section 4, in Barry township, Pike county, where he still resides, successfully engaged in farming
and raising stock. He is the father of seven children,-three sons and four daughters. One of his sons (John N.)
is the present county school superintendent. He was born in Pike county, in 1843, and received his early education
at the common schools of his district. In 1865 he entered the State Normal College, at Normal, where he remained
an ardent and industrious student until 1869, when he graduated with full honor, and returned to Pike county. In
the fall of the same year he was elected to the responsible office of superintendent of public schools, the duties
of which he is performing with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is a young man of most
excellent habits, and possesses commanding ability. He is a strong supporter of the free school system, and a warm
advocate of retrenchment in all things where it does not interfere with the public good, or prevent the improvement
of the country. He is said to be the youngest man ever elected to public office in Pike county, but with the ability
and moral integrity that he commands, there are no fears of his success. With such men to fill her public offices,
old Pike may well boast of her enterprise.