R. F. Larimer, merchant, Oakland; born in Scioto Co., Ohio, Oct. 27, 1838, where he engaged in farming until 16 years of age, when, coming West, he located in Embarrass Tp., Edgar Co., Ill., and engaged in farming until 1856, when he went to Kansas for six months; returning to Edgar Co., he purchased one-half interest in a saw and flour mill, which he ran until Sept. 10, 1861, when he enlisted as private for three years in the 66th I. V. I.; this regiment was composed of picked men from the various Northwestern States, for their skill and accuracy in handling the rifle; while this regiment was credited to Illinois, it was known in the army as the Western Sharpshooters; in the marches they always led the advance, and when engaged in battle, were detailed in squads to pick off rebel gunners, and many a rebel battery has been silenced by the unerring aim of this regiment; he was in many severe battles, among which was Mt. Zion, Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Resaca, Lay’s Ferry, where the regiment, being in the advance, fought its way for eight miles, the regiment suffering severely in killed and wounded; he was next engaged at Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, at which place among the killed was a younger brother; he was with the army during the siege and capture of Atlanta, after which, having served one month above his term of enlistment, he was mustered out of service; he then returned to Edgar Co., Ill., where he bought a saw and flour mill, which he ran until 1868, when, selling his mill, he purchased one-half interest in a saw-mill near Charleston, which he ran until 1872, when he sold out and located at Oakland in the drug trade, which he followed until 1876; in 1877, he engaged in his present business, which he has since successfully followed. While looking after the wounded at the battle of Corinth, he was made prisoner by a squad of six rebels, and, while they were taking him to their camp, a squad of union calvary came upon them and captured his captors, taking them back to the Union camp.
