My Genealogy Hound

P. C. ESKEW, farmer; P. O. Le Roy; born in Patrick Co., Va., where he was raised upon a farm until 18 years of age, when he emigrated to Illinois and located in McLean Co., November, 1834; he entered his first land, eighty acres, at Long Point Timber in 1837, upon which he erected a log house, and, in 1839, sold his claim with improvements; he then engaged as farm laborer until 1841, when he followed farming for himself until 1846, at which time he entered eighty acres of land at Buckles’ Grove, and, in 1852, entered eighty acres more adjoining, and afterward added twenty acres of timber, upon which he lived until 1877, when he rented his farm and removed to Le Roy, where he now lives. He married, April, 1837, Julia Troxel; she died Aug. 18, 1838, leaving one child — Leona, born Aug. 14, 1838, now Mrs. Oliver Harding, living in Empire Township. He married for his second wife, Sarah Johnson, Oct. 7, 1841; she died June 11, 1876; nine children were the fruit of this union — Catherine, born Aug. 27, 1843, (married Alexander Free,) she died in Kansas, May 1, 1876; James M., born Sept. 16, 1845, farming in Empire Township; Louisa, born June 1, 1847, died March 6, 1864; Ellen, born June 13, 1851, (married John Allen,) she died May 20, 1875, in Kansas; Matilda, born June 9, 1849, now Mrs. Jonas Arnold, of Downs Township; Martha A., Oct. 1, 1853; Mary, born Oct. 4, 1856, (married F. Phillips,) died April 6, 1876, in Downs Township; Paran, June 16, 1860, died in January, 1861; and William A., born March 10, 1862. His marriage with Mrs. Harriet P. Dickerson, was celebrated Feb. 13, 1877; she was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, March 20, 1828; she was a daughter of Jacob Karr, who emigrated from Ohio, and located in Empire Township in 1839, where he lived until his decease in 1840; her first marriage with Robert F. Dickerson, was celebrated Jan. 1, 1845: he was born in Hamilton Co., Ill., Oct. 30, 1823; he emigrated West with his parents in 1825, and located in McLean Co., where he lived until his decease, which occurred Oct. 16, 1875; eleven children were the fruit of this union, viz.: Merritt M., born Oct. 27, 1845, now merchant of Monticello, Piatt Co.; James L., born July 4, 1847, now farming in Fayette Co., Iowa; Martha, born Feb. 20, 1849, now Mrs. George Pray; Emma E., born Nov. 16, 1850, now Mrs. F. Molesworth; Owen L., born Nov. 15, 1852, died in infancy; Clara, born Sept. 11, 1854 ; Mary, born March 27, 1857, died in infancy; Ida May, born March 25, 1859, now Mrs. John Pogue, of Texas; Robert F., born Sept. 25, 1861; Mary S., Sept. 24, 1863, and Harriet R., Oct. 11, 1865; of the above, four are now living at home. Mr.Eskew is a strong temperance man; has been a life-long Democrat; was never an aspirant for office, though often being urged to allow himself to run for office he always refused. Of township and school offices, he has had his share, having been Commissioner several years, School Director sixteen years, and Town Collector, of Downs Township, one year, and now holds the office of Road Commissioner in Empire Township.