The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, and came to this county in April 16, 1836, locating in Springfield; September 23, 1832, in Shepherdstown, Virginia, he married Sarah Ann Waltz, and of his ten children, seven lived to years of maturity, viz: George William, Sarah Elizabeth, Virginia, Andrew J., George P., James W., Amanda M., Cornelia E., Benjamin R. and Charles E.; the two first mentioned died in Virginia in their second year, and Virginia died in Springfield, also in her second year; Andrew J. was killed at Vicksburg, June 30, 1863, he was Colonel of the Eleventh Missouri Infantry; James W. was a member of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, was honorably discharged, and on his way home was assassinated. John B., the father, learned cabinet making in Maryland; followed the business two years in New York City, six years at Shepherdstown, Virginia, and five years in Sangamon county, Illinois, where he was disabled by the loss of a hand by a buzz saw, after which he was elected copyist of the land records of the State; after following this business six years he went to California, in 1849; returning in the fall of 1851, he purchased a farm in Pawnee township, where he has since continued to reside, and where he has one of the best farms in the county; has been sheriff and collector - 1854-6; was Quartermaster and Commissary during the Mormon War, under Governor Ford, in the fall of 1846. His first wife died August 5, 1866, and November 28, 1867, he married Mrs. Nancy J. Drennan; nee Dodds.