J. Springer, farmer; P. O. Charleston. The subject of this sketch was born on the line between Fayette and Jessamine Counties, Ky., Feb. 13, 1808; he married Miss Lucy A. Payton on Easter Sunday, 1838; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky., Sept. 7, 1814. They had six children, three Sept., viz., Angeline, Nannie J. and Mary M. He lived in Kentucky twenty-one years; he then went to Missouri and settled in Clay Co., where he engaged at his trade of wagon making, and remained seven or eight years; he then returned to Kentucky and followed his trade about twelve years, when he came to Illinois and followed his trade in Edgar Co., remaining four years. He then came to Coles Co. and engaged in the stock business with Mr. Peyton, in Morgan Tp., remaining four years; he then came to his present place, where the partnership was continued four years longer. In 1871, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and served four years; he has been Commissioner of Highways two terms; he has divided considerable land among his children, and retains a competency for himself and wife; his children are all married and living in sight.