Adam Oliver (deceased) was born December 14, 1814, in Roxburghshire, Scotland. His parents, Thomas and Margaret (Fife) Oliver, were also natives of that country; were married there in 1814; moved to the Highlands some years later, and in 1837 came with their ten children to the United States. The names of this large family are given as follows: Adam (deceased), Margaret (married), of this township; Betsey (married) a resident of Henry county; Andrew (married), of this township; Charlotte (deceased); Ann (unmarried), residing here; Wiliams (married), residing in Henry county; Thomas (married) a resident of this township; Henry H. (married), also residing here, and John (married), of Audubon county, Iowa. The head of this family in the United States pushed westward without delay, settled at Osceola Grove, but moved in 1840 to the west side of the township, where he resided until his death, May 8, 1885. There also his wife died. Adam passed his earlier years on the lowland farm, and later assisted his father in the duties of shepherd in the Highlands. His father instructed him in writing, reading and figures so well that when of age he engaged in teaching school. On coming here he took charge of much of his father's business and remained with him until 1846, when he married Miss Polly Ann Parks. This lady died at the birth of her only child who bears the same name. In 1849 he married Miss Agnes Davidson, a grand niece of James Davidson, the "Dandv Dinmont" of Scott's "Guy Mannering," and daughter of George and Jessie (Robertson) Davidson (married in 1824), who came from Roxburghshire Scotland to Marshall county, Ill., with their five children in 1841. Her father died there in October, 1865. Adam and Mrs. Oliver were the parents of six children, of whom four are living--Margaret F., of this township (married); Jessie (married), residing at Harvard, Neb.; George T. (married), residing on the homestead, and Ella M., residing here with her mother. It is said that he never had an enemy. In political life he was a Republican; in religion, a member of the United Presbyterian church, and in all relations strictly upright. His death took place May 8, 1885. (Vide History of Elmira.)

Andrew Oliver, son of Thomas and Margaret (Fife) Oliver, was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, March 20, 1820. He is a brother of the late Adam Oliver referred to above, and like him a pioneer of this county, coming here with the family in 1837 and sharing all their fortunes until 1849, when he married Miss Ellen, daughter of William and Mary Turnbull, a native of Scotland, and like himself a pioneer of this section. Of their six children Mary, the eldest, is the only survivor. In 1846 Andrew Oliver traveled to Dixon, Ill., and then entered and purchased his first farm on section 3T, Elmira township. To this original tract he has added 700 acres here, together with owning 2,000 acres in Pawnee county, Neb. In 1860 his first wife died, and in November, 1861, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James Armstrong, a notice of whom appears in this chapter. They are the parents of four children--Esther married), residing at Toulon; Belle M., Agnes J., and an infant who is deceased. Mr. Oliver has filled the position of supervisor of the township for three terms, assessor for several terms, and almost all the minor offices. He is a stockholder