He was killed in an accident, was harrowing with a pair of young horses. They got frightened and ran. The harrow turned over and a tooth went through his neck, which caused his death.6
"The subject of this sketch, and whose portrait appears in this Work, was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Oct. 26, 1814. He married Miss Amanda West, in August, 1834; she was born in Rensselaer Co., N.Y., Feb 5, 1815. He, not being of age, purchased his time of his father, paying $100 for the remaining two years to his majority; in 1836, he set out on foot for the west, and bought a farm in Groveland, Tazwell Co., Ill.; he then returned east, and in 1838 he brought his wife and family by team to his home in the west. He engaged in farming and at his trade of mason and builder, and built many of the leading buildings in his neighborhood, the present Court House of Tazwell County being among the number. He also held a responsible position in the packinghouse at Pekin, Ill., during the winter months. In 1856, he came to Linn township, Woodford Co., Ill., and settled on a farm located in secs. 1 and 2, and engaged in farming; he also took a leading part in religious enterprises, and freely and liberally donated funds for their advancement; he also donated liberally to institutions which he deemed worthy, among others the Shurtleff College, at Upper Alton, Ill., and the Chicago University; he was a deacon in the Baptist Church, and Superintendent of the Sabath School for twenty years, and was a leader in all religious enterprises. He had a family of nine children, viz.: Ezra D., Diadema L., Asa L., Lois L.; the three latter have died. Such was his life that when, on the 18 th of April, 1867, he died, he was mourned by many warm friends, and religious societies to which he was attached long went in mourning in memory of their departed leader. Throughout his life he was a liberal and kind father and (unable to continue) "7 |