JOHN S. HIGHMORE, who resides in Rochester but follows farming and breeding of Short-horn cattle, was born in England, September 22, 1824, and is a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Sherring) Highmore, who were also natives of Somersetshire, England, where they spent their entire lives. The days of his boyhood and youth our subject passed in the land of his nativity and at the age of twenty-four years, with a desire to seek his fortune in the new world, boarded an American bound vessel. In the month of August, 1849, he set foot upon American soil, landed in New York, whence he made his way to Paducah, Ky., where he made a short visit. Illinois, however, was chosen as the scene of his future labors and near the city of Jacksonville, Morgan County, he secured employment as a farm hand, receiving $10 per month. This he followed for a few months and in the meantime looked about him for a favorable location. In March, 1850, he purchased a tract of land in Rochester Township, Sangamon County, and now began life in earnest.

Up to 1853 Mr. Highmore got along as best he could, but realizing that it was not good for man to be alone, on March 10, of that year he was united in marriage with Miss Armiza T. Bolen, who was born in Sangamon County. They began their domestic life upon their farm east of the village of Rochester, but after about three and a half years Mrs. Highmore passed away. She died August 27, 1856, leaving two children - Laura, who is now the wife of John F. Miller; and Armiza, wife of Edmund Miller. Mr. Highmore afterwards wedded Mary A. Cloyd, who was born on the 15th of October, 1832, in this county, but death again entered the home, laying his cold hand upon the wife and mother September 9, 1872. Two children were born of that union - Eliza A., wife of S. A. Tobin, and Mary E. In March, 1873, Mr. Highmore was joined in wedlock with Mrs. Mary M. Price, and that marriage has been blessed with two sons - Richard O. and John B.

Mr. Highmore has been a resident of this county since the spring of 1850, and has followed farming in pursuit of fortune during the forty years which have since elapsed. He has prospered in his undertakings and become the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and seventy-five acres in Rochester Township which he still manages, although in the spring of 1870 he removed to the village of Rochester. For the past eighteen years he has also given considerable attention to the breeding of Short-horn cattle, and the grade he is constantly improving. Among his fellow townsmen he is held in high esteem and regarded as one of the leading citizens of the community. They have honored him with a number of local offices and the long period in which he has served in these various positions indicates that the trust and confidence reposed in him was not misplaced. For seventeen years he was Supervisor of Rochester Township, for ten years was its Treasurer, for some time filled the school offices and is now Treasurer of the village. In political sentiment he is a supporter of the Democracy and socially is a member of the Odd Fellows society, being Treasurer in Rochester Lodge. He still holds membership in the Church of England, with which he united in his native land. In the front rank of every public enterprise calculated to advance the general welfare we find Mr. Highmore, working for its interests and success. He is widely and favorably known and in the many years which have passed since he came to the county he has done nothing which could forfeit the high regard of his fellow citizens.