My Genealogy Hound

JAMES WILLOUGHBY. In the career of the subject of this notice we have that of a man who has made for himself an admirable record as an individual and a citizen, and who has endeavored to carry out the best principles of true manhood as far as in him lay. The fact that he is highly spoken of by those who have known him for many years past is sufficient indication of his true character and the manner in which he has performed his obligations to his family and his fellow men. He remains a resident of his native county of Clark, and first opened his eyes to the light in Moorefield Township, March 12, 1831. His parents were William and Ellen (Clark) Willoughby, the father a native of Connecticut and the mother of Clark County, this State.

Mr. Willoughby was deprived by death of the affectionate care of his mother when a little lad of six years. His father, however, lived to be ninety years old, dying in 1888 at his home in Decatur, Ill. William Willoughby came to Clark County with his parents when a boy, and in early manhood taught school in this and Champaign Counties. After his marriage he lived for a time in Clark County, then removed to Champaign County, where he resided for a time, but finally returned and taking up his abode in Springfield, was a resident of that city for over a quarter of a century. Then went to Decatur, Ill., where he spent the closing years of his life.

The father of our subject was twice married and of the children born to him there are now living, James of this sketch; Mary, a resident of Decatur, Ill. Leaven, likewise of that city, and John, a resident of DeWitt County, Ill. The elder Willoughby when becoming a voting citizen identified himself with the old Whig party but upon its abandonment he wheeled into the Republican ranks. He was a man of note in his community and one whose opinions were generally respected. He did a large amount of pioneer labor, being well fitted by nature and acquirements to grapple with the difficulties which fall to the common lot of those who make their home in a new country.

The subject of this sketch spent his early years at home with his father, and from the age of nineteen until thirty, assisted in driving cattle across the Alleghany Mountains from Illinois and Ohio to Lancaster, York and Chester Counties, Pa., also to the city of Philadelphia. His education was necessarily somewhat limited, but his habit of reading and observation conspired to make him a well-informed man. He remained a bachelor until thirty-five years old and was then married October 9, 1866, to Miss Mary Maxwell, who was born in Clark County and is the daughter of Thomas and Eliza (McCullough) Maxwell who were among its pioneer settlers. They are still living and residents of Hamilton this State.

Mr. Maxwell was a native of Virginia and came to Ohio with his parents when about six years old, they settling in Moorefield Township. After marriage they remained residents of this township many years, then removed to Hamilton. Of the five children born to them only three are living: Henry, a resident of Moorefield; Catherine, the wife of James Rose, of Kentucky and Mrs. Willoughby. The mother was born near West Liberty where her parents settled at a very early day. Mr. Maxwell is a highly respected citizen and in former years was a member of the old Whig party. After its abandonment he identified himself with the Republicans of whose principles he is a warm supporter.

Mrs. Willoughby was born in Clark County, November 12, 1848, and remained with her parents until her marriage. Her union with our subject has resulted in the birth of three children: William, Ida, the wife of James Rollins, of Champaign County, and Horace, of this county.

Mr. Willoughby settled upon his present farm in the spring of 1883 and gives his attention to the careful cultivation of his land, believing with Horace Greeley, that a small amount well tilled is of more value than a larger area partially neglected. He has been an interested eyewitness of the growth and development of Clark County and has always been a conscientious voter, casting his ballot continuously in Moorefield Township since reaching his majority. In the fall of 1864 he traveled all the way from Illinois hither, in order to vote for Abraham Lincoln for President, bearing cheerfully his own expenses. He assisted in hauling the gravel from the pit in Springfield to grade the first railroad running through the place to Xenia, and has had a hand in various other enterprises calculated to advance the material interests of Clark County. He may reasonably feel that he has made for himself a good record and that he is amply worthy of being represented in a work designed to perpetuate the names and deeds of both the pioneers and the native-born sons of the Buckeye State.