My Genealogy Hound

VAUGHN, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 24, P. O. Fayette, was born in Sangamon County, Ill., Feb. 2, 1834. His father, Harberd, is a native of Virginia; his mother’s maiden name was Jane Young, and claims a birth place in the same State as her husband. They lived but a few years after their arrival in Sangamon County, and at the age of seven years he was left an orphan, and had to battle alone in life, without a father’s aid or a mother’s counsel. At an early age he went to live with a man in Mason County, by the name of Harder, who agreed to give him good advantages in school and clothe him, and at his majority to present him with a good horse and equipments in consideration for the services he would render. The result was he got about six months’ schooling in all, and on his departure received $1.95, and the horse and bridle and saddle he never got. He then came to this county, worked a while for his brother gratis, then hired by the month at low wages, working for Mr. Eldred, then David Wright and C. N. Brace. In the Fall of 1856, Oct. 16, was married to Catherine E. Hill, born in Tennessee, Jan. 1, 1835. They have had eight children, but four now living: Maggie, born Sept. 12, 1864; Edie, May 7, 1869; Ella, Sept. 15, 1871, and Ota, July 3, 1878. After his marriage, rented land of Mr. Brace, for three years, then moved to Fayette, and rented land of Mr. Bostick two years, and subsequently bought the land he now occupies, and improved it, and though a small farm, yet it is sufficient for him. He owes no man a dollar, and will hand down to his children a name and character for honesty and integrity that none can gainsay or disapprove.