NATHAN C. ANTLE. One of the most attractive farms in Salisbury Township is that owned and operated by the gentleman above named. It consists of two hundred acres on section 29, all placed under excellent improvement and carefully managed. It is fertilized by springs, and the waters of Branch Creek, upon which it borders. Perfect drainage has been secured by the use of tiling, and every arrangement made for the successful prosecution of the work to which the owner devotes himself. The place is beautified and made more remunerative by a well kept orchard, a goodly supply of small fruits, and buildings of convenient arrangement and pleasing design.

Our subject is of German descent and the family name was originally spelled Andle, but changed after the great grandfather of our subject came to America. The ancestral home was in Kentucky, and there the Rev. John Antle, grandfather of our subject, was born and lived for many years. He learned the trades of a blacksmith and wagon maker and followed the same in his younger days. Being convinced that it was his duty to preach the Gospel, he undertook that work, supporting himself by his trades and in farming while doing so. In 1829 he came with his family to this State, where he continued his former labors both as a minister and a worker at blacksmithing and agriculture. He organized the Baptist Church in Salisbury Township and four others in the vicinity. He served the home church as pastor until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-five years, four months and fifteen days old, and would take no remuneration for his services.

Henry Antle, father of our subject was born in Cumberland County, Ky., September 11, 1813. He came to this State when sixteen years old and grew to manhood on his father's little farm. When the Black Hawk War began he wished to enter the service, but his father was not willing that he should do so. He was married in Salisbury Township, January 18, 1837, and continued tilling the soil here until the spring of 1846. He then removed by teams to Iowa, entered one hundred and fifty-one acres of land in Jefferson County, improved and operated it until 1859. His wife's family wished him to return hither and in 1861 he came back and took charge of his father-in-law's place. After the death of the owner he bought one hundred and twenty acres of the estate, which he afterward sold at an advance of some $900. He then bought eighty acres on the Petersburg and Pleasant Plains road, where he farmed until too old to work hard, when he moved into Salisbury. He owns seven acres, which is devoted to gardening under his supervision. He is an active member of the Baptist Church and has been an efficient helper in building schoolhouses and churches, was a radical war Democrat and has held various township offices.

The mother of our subject was born in St. Clair County, this State, January 25, 1820, and bore the maiden name of Nancy Duncan. She is a devoted member of the Christian Church and even at her advanced age finds ways in which to make herself useful. Her father, Rice Duncan, a native of South Carolina and a schoolteacher in his earlier years, was one of the early settlers in St. Clair county, this State. Thence he removed to Morgan County, where he farmed for some years, then located near Salisbury on the county line, where he improved and became the owner of one hundred and seventy acres. He was never idle, and having a wonderful constitution lived to be eighty-three years old, and during his entire life was probably unexcelled in industry. He reared a family of ten daughters and two sons, one of the latter, Sidney Duncan, having been Judge of Morgan County several years.

Our subject is the third of eight children whom his parents reared. His brothers and sisters are: Sidney D., who lives in Salisbury; James S., a farmer in that township; Marshall B., a resident of Salisbury; Mrs. Sarah A Bottorff, now of Richland Station; Ella A., Lurania, and Martha F., who are with their parents. The natal day of Nathan C. Antle was February 6, 1850, and his birthplace the neighborhood of Iuka, Jefferson County, Iowa. He was eleven years of age when his parents returned to this county, crossing the Mississippi River at Burlington and the Illinois at Beardstown, their journey being made with teams. The lad attended the common schools and as he grew toward manhood assisted in working the farm, remaining with his father until he was of age. He then worked out a year, after which eh and his brother James rented a farm in Gardner township. At the expiration of a twelvemonth he abandoned that enterprise and devoted his attention to trafficking in various kinds of produce.

In 1880 our subject and his brother James began operating a steam sawmill, which in 1881 they purchased, continuing their operations therewith in this county for some months and then running it in Morgan County a year. It was a portable mill and they were enabled to move from place to place as the advantages for lumbering led them. In 1884 they dissolved partnership and our subject operated the mill a year, after which the partnership was renewed. The brothers operated a farm of two hundred acres near Berlin and also carried on the milling business, Nathan having charge of the latter branch.

In 1887 they bought three farms, comprising four hundred and ten acres in this and sixty acres in Menard county. They then sold their mill and turned their entire attention to the pursuit of agriculture. In 1888 the connection between the brothers was dissolved and our subject bought the land which he now occupies. He gives his attention largely to stock raising and feeding, caring for large herds of cattle and droves of hogs. Three or four teams are kept at work upon the estate, which, being but twelve miles from Springfield, is more than ordinarily valuable.

At the home of the bride's parents, Thomas and Mary Shannon, June 26, 1888, Nathan C. Antle and Bridget Shanahan were joined in holy wedlock. Mrs. Antle was born in the Emerald Isle, and came to America when quite small. She is a devout Catholic, possesses a kindly nature, and is devoted to the interests of her husband and her little son Henry. Her home is supplied with all the comforts of life and made cheerful and attractive by her intelligence and good taste.

Mr. Antle possesses unbounded energy and has arrived at his high financial standing by its exercise, earnest industry and the strictest honesty. His personal characteristics are such as to win upon those who meet him and many are the friends who rejoice in his prosperity. He takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of the community, although he does not seek public honors nor put himself forward in civic or social matters. He votes the Democratic ticket.