History of Hancock County Illinois United States of America

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Abraham Clark Freeman, lawyer, was born in Hancock county, Ill., May 15, 1843; son of O. S. and Nancy (Clark) Freeman; grandson of John and Harriet (Alston) Freeman, and of Abraham and Elizabeth Clark, and a descendant of Abraham Clark, signer of the Declaration of Independence. He removed with his father to California in 1861, and for two years taught a district school in San Joaquin county. In 1863 he went to Sacramento and studied law, gaining admission to the bar in July, 1864. He was a member of the constitutional convention in 1878-79, and of a committee appointed by the governor of the state to propose such amendments as were required to harmonize the codes of the state with its new constitution. He removed to San Francisco in 1886. In 1879 he became editor of the American Decisions, and in 1888 of the American State Reports. He is the author or editor of: Law of Judgment (1873); Cotenancy and Partition (1874); Executions (1876); Void Judicial Sales (1877); and nearly two hundred other law books.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

James L. King, librarian, was born in La Harps, Hancock county, Ill., Aug. 2,1850; son of Col. Selah Williams and Eliza (Aleshire) King. His father was an officer in the 50th Illinois infantry in the civil war. He was educated at La Harps academy, and in 1867 was apprenticed to the printer's trade in the office of the Gazette, Carthage, Ill, He became owner and editor of the Home News, a weekly paper published in La Harps; engaged in the book and stationery business, and in 1870 removed to Iowa and established the Headlight, the first paper published in the town of Creston. He was engaged in newspaper work in Topeka, Kan., 1871-76, when he entered the Topeka postoffice, and filled every position to that of postmaster, receiving the latter appointment from President Harrison in 1889, and serving until the close of the administration. He engaged in journalistic work until 1894, when he was appointed state librarian of Kansas, He was married, Oct. 10, 1877, to Elizabeth, daughter of Edwin B. and Celestia J. Coolbaugh of Towanda, Pa.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Benjamin Franklin Marsh, representative, was born in Wythe township, Hancock county, Ill., in 1839. He prepared for college in private schools, was a student at Jubilee college, Ill., 1854-58; studied law with his brother Judge J.W. Harsh of Warsaw, Ill., 1858-60, and was admitted to the bar in 1860. In 1861 he raised a company of cavalry for service in the civil war, but it was not accepted at once and he enlisted as a private in the 10th Illinois volunteers. In July, 1861, the cavalry company was accepted, and he was commissioned its captain and assigned to the 2d Illinois cavalry. He served 1861-65, rising to the rank of colonel. He practised law in Warsaw, 1866-77; in 1869 he was a Republican candidate for delegate to the state constitutional convention; was a representative in the 45th, 46th and 47th congresses, 1877-83; was defeated for the 48th congress, and after the expiration of his term engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was railroad and warehouse commissioner by appointment of Governor Oglesby, 1889-93; was a delegate to the Republican national convention in 1888; and was a representative in the 53d, 54th, 55th, 56th, 57th congresses, 1893-1903. He was chairman of the committee on militia in the 54th, 55th, 56th and 57th congresses.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Hancock County Illinois

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