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CLEOPHAS BRECKENRIDGE, son of Preston and Catharine (Moler) Breckenridge. The father was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, August 5, 1807; the mother was also born in Kentucky. They were married November 17, 1827, and came to this county in 1834. They had thirteen children - twelve grown to maturity - eight sons and four daughters. The father was elected to the legislature of 1852-2, beating Abraham Lincoln for the nomination. He was also a member of the board of supervisors for the year of 1873. He died July 25, 1880. Cleophas, Hugh, Joseph and Preston were in the army. The name Breckenridge was derived from a circumstance that occurred in one of the religious wars that took place in Scotland. Two brothers, named McIlvain, were Protestants, and engaged in the conflict, when their party was defeated. They took refuge on a ridge, escaped and came to America, settling in Virginia, and in remembrance took the name of "Brack-on-ridge," from whom the family descended. Mr. Breckenridge has in his possession a twig plucked from this brack or bush in Scotland, and brought to America by John Craig. Mr. B., is a lover of strange and quaint old relics, and of the many among his collection are two gourds, carried by his grandfather through the War of 1812, one of which he used for dipping water and the other for carrying priming powder. Mr. B., also has a pocket compass used by his grandfather during the same war, for a guide in cloudy weather, and as a time piece when the sun shone.
The subject of this sketch was the sixth son, and was born in this township, at the old homestead, August 7, 1836. He was married to Lillian T. Cave, from Kentucky, January 30, 1868. They have two children living: Inez A., and Ida B.; one who died in infancy. When Mr. B., first settled here, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and commenced farming, and erected a carding machine, the first in this section of the country; also owned and run the first water mill on the south fork of the Sangamon river. Mr. C. Breckenridge now owns four hundred and eighty acres of land valued at $50 an acre; two hundred and fifty acres are under good cultivation. He raises grain, and feeds cattle for market. Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, at the south fork, which, at present, is in a flourishing condition. In politics, he is a Republican.