ROBERT S. PLUNKETT, farmer, was born in Cabarras county, North Carolina, on the 15th day of June, 1808; son of John H. and Elizabeth (Purvines) Plunkett. In about 1804, they were married in North Carolina, where there were eight children born. In 1823, left his home in North Carolina, with teams, for the Sangamo country; camping out, and was seven weeks making their journey. He first located on the place where S. P. Plunkett now lives, and moved into a log cabin about twelve by fourteen feet, where he remained until the following fall; living in it without any floor or a window glass. He entered land and made a farm, and remained until his death. Mr. Plunkett, in politics, was an old line Whig. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received but a limited school education, in a log cabin. In 1829, married Miss Ruth Combs, a daughter of Samuel Combs, a native of Kentucky, where she was born in Green county. The fruits of this marriage were six children, four boys and two daughters, five of whom are living, viz: Martha A., Asa W., Jason D., Richard M. J., John N.; Rebecca J., Martha, deceased. Mrs. Ruth Plunkett died in 1844. For his second wife, married Miss Ann Alexander, daughter of Joshua Alexander. Mr. Plunkett has been a farmer all his life, and has lived on the same place, with the exception of one winter. Has one hundred and ten acres of land, ninety acres under a high state of cultivation - valued at $75 per acre. Mr. Plunkett has been identified with the county all his life; has seen the prairies, in their wild, uncultivated state, covered with wild game, to one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Mr. Plunkett was an old hunter, and many a deer, turkey, and wolf have bit the dust by his unerring aim. For his third wife, married Mrs. Joseph Gateley; her maiden name was Hind; she was born in Tennessee. By this union there were two children, Nancy L. and Ruth. Mrs. Plunkett died February, 1879.