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HARNESS TRUMBO , one of the pioneers of Woodside township, was born October 9, 1816, in Bourbon county, Kentucky, where the first twelve years of his life were spent. His father was Adam Trumbo, and his mother, Mildred (Foster) Trumbo, both natives of Bourbon county, Kentucky. In company with his parents, Harness came to Illinois and settled in Woodside township, arriving in November, 1828. For two years he assisted his father on a farm, and in 1831 he returned to Kentucky, where he spent one year in a select school. From 1831 to 1835 he cheerfully labored upon his father's farm, when he again returned to Kentucky for the purpose of attending school. He remained there one year, which ended his school life. Coming back to Sangamon county he again resumed his place upon the farm and continued with his father until 1838. In July of that year he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Samuel Hall, of Virginia. The young couple at once commenced housekeeping, moving upon the homestead upon which they yet reside. Nine children were born unto them, one of whom died in infancy. The eight that lived were: William, born April 10, 1840, died September 14, 1862; Sarah C., born January 26, 1843; James P., born January 27, 1845, married December 25, 1870, to Anna Staley; Jacob, born July 2, 1848; Maria L., died at five years of age; Harness, Jr., born November 15, 1854; Oscar, born February 7, 1856; Andrew J., born August 25, 1861, died September 23, 1875.
In 1843 Mr. Trumbo united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, (North) and continued in that relation until 1865, when a class was formed in his neighborhood of those favoring the Methodist Episcopal Church, (South), with which he united. A station was formed in his neighborhood and regular preaching services were held some four or five years, when it was abandoned. Those belonging to the class then united with a like class worshiping at Sherman, Sangamon County, Mr. Trumbo being among the number.
Mr. Trumbo has been actively engaged in farming ever since he was old enough to do the work required. He is the possessor of a comfortable homestead of two hundred and sixty acres of fine land, and leads a comfortable life, having enough of the world's goods to secure him from want.
In August, 1881, he made a visit to his "old Kentucky home," his first visit in forty-five years. Everything was strange to him. In vain he inquired for the friends of his youth, his old classmates in school, but all were gone, some moving to other States, and some - the greater number - having been called to another world. Not one, in all that country, recognized him, who, forty-five years previous, had gone, a young man of twenty years, and returned a man with hair whitened by the frosts of many winters. But such is life. The youth of today is the old man of tomorrow.