and here completed a liberal education. On growing to manhood be purchased eighty acres and at once engaged in agriculture and stock-raising. In 1867 he added eighty acres, sold the 160 acres in 1874, and the same year purchased 240 acres on sec. 27; 80 acres on sec. 26. and eighty acres on sec. 24, to which he has since added 160 acres. With this well-improved farm of 560 acres he has one of the finest farm residences in the whole county, which was completed last year, lawn and grounds well laid out and planted with ornamental trees and shrubbery, one of the best equipped farm yards in the county--all the result of a quarter century's attention to his business and an intelligent appreciation of the true position which a farmer should occupy. He was married in 1866 to Miss Lusetta, daughter of Smith and Sarah (Jordan) Woodward, natives of Pennsylvania. Of eight children born to them, seven are living, namely :--Orville, Margaret J., Nina J., Smith A., Lusetta, John T., and Evalina, all residing at home or attending school. In politics he is a Republican, but farther than inquiring closely into a candidate's principles he does not meddle much in them. School interests always claim his attention and he is now school trustee. In religious matters he is not a church member but supports the United Presbyterian Society. He commenced his battle with the world "bare-handed" and conquered it.

William Murray, son of Thomas and Janet (Scott) Murray, natives of Scotland, was born in Roxburghshire, May 22, 1835. Mr. Murray's father was born September 10, 1807 and his mother 1806. Both were descended from a long line of farmers, and when coming to America, in 1853, with their six children, their intention was to adhere to this independent life. The father died here August 8 1854 his wife survived to see her highest hopes for the family realized, and died here May 27, 1873. William Murray is the third son of this family. David and Gideon, his elder brothers, reside in Elmira and Toulon, respectively: Agnes and George also reside here, while Thomas, the youngest, lives at Des Moines, Iowa. In February, 1863, William married Miss Isabelle, daughter of Robert A. and Hannah Faerbairn, Scottish farmers, who came to the United States in July, 1859. Mr. Murray purchased eighty acres in Elmira, which he sold in a few years and settled on a farm of 160 acres in Toulon township. After a residence of nine years there, he sold that farm and purchased 240 acres in Elmira, where he has made his home since and erected one of those comfortable farm residences common in this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Murray seven children were born, the oldest dying in infancy, six now living, namely: Hannah, Thomas S., James, Janet E., Agnes J. and Eliza, all residing with parents. The family belong to the United Presbyterian Church, and like their father are Republican in sentiment and practice. To follow Mr. Murray's connection with the social, official and industrial life of the township and county rather belongs to history than to biography, and therefore, in the pages devoted to history, many references to him are made.

Thomas Nicholas died at the house of James Cinnamon July, 1883, aged seventy-two years. He came from Pennsylvania in 1843, settling at Lacon, Ills.