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SAMUEL S. and JAMES W. MCELVAIN. These brothers are among the leading business men of the county, devoting their energies to farming and stock raising. They own three hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 15 and 16, Auburn Township, the old homestead farm, and rank second to none in the high grade of stock which they raise. Their enterprise and business ability have made them widely known, while their upright dealings have won them an enviable reputation.

The McElvain family is of Scotch descent. The great-grandfather of the brothers, a Scotchman by birth, settled in Virginia at a very early day and in that State their grandfather Samuel McElvain, was born. He was a relative of Bishop McElvain, of Cincinnati. During the early history of Kentucky he emigrated to that State, settling in Adair County where he followed farming. He was the owner of a large plantation but was never a slaveholder, as his principles were against human bondage. He served in the War of 1812 and took part in the famous battle of New Orleans under Gen. Jackson.

William A. McElvain, the father of the brothers, was born in Adair County, Ky., and was but six years of age when with his family he came to Sangamon County, Ill., His father entered land on section 21, Auburn Township, and after building a log house ran a tavern. He had the honor of entertaining both Lincoln and Douglas. In those early days many hardships and trials common to frontier life were borne by the family and William McElvain had his share in the same. The occupation to which he was reared he made his life work, - farming and stock raising, and died leaving an extensive business. He has driven as high as fifteen hundred head of cattle to market at St. Louis, and as a partner of Mr. Patterson, which connection was continued through eleven years, he did the largest stock business in the southern part of the county. From time to time he also made judicious investments in land. He purchased six hundred acres of raw land in Harrison County, Mo., which he sold at a good advance prior to his death. He was an industrious and energetic business man, never idle, and continued in active life until his last illness. He possessed wonderful foresight, resorted to none of the petty tricks which often mark the career of a successful business man, but by an upright course won the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact. Progressive and public-spirited, he aided in the advancement of the county's interests and was especially active in introducing the best methods of education. In temperance work he was a power for good and though not a church member he attended and gave liberally to the support of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a stalwart supporter of Republican principles and kept himself well informed on the leading issues of the day. His death was caused from heart disease and for a year and a half prior to his decease he was unable to attend to business. He passed away June 26, 1890, and the county lost one of its best and most honored citizens.

The wife of William McElvain was in her maidenhood Miss Angeline A. Sowell. She was born in Loami Township, this county, August 27, 1835, and was a daughter of Stephen Sowell, a native of Virginia. He married Jane Hanna of the same State, whose father enlisted in the Revolutionary War and was killed. In 1830 they came to Sangamon County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising until his death. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McElvain was celebrated on the 1st of November, 1853, and unto them were born eight children, - Charles and Harriet died in childhood; Howard, of Georgetown, Col.; Samuel S. and James W.; Nellie J., who died in Sandyville, Iowa, wither she had gone in the hope of improving her health; Maggie A. and Lizzie G. at home.

The elder of the McElvain brothers, Samuel S., was born on the old homestead farm August 27, 1860, and the common-school education which he acquired in his youth was supplemented by a course in the Auburn High School, from which he was graduated at the age of nineteen. He then fitted himself for business by a course in the Business College of Springfield, from which he graduated in 1882. So efficient and thorough had he been in his studies that he was employed as teacher in the college, but after one term he returned tho his home as his services were needed upon the farm. In the meantime his brother James, whose birth occurred February 20, 1862, had been graduated from the Auburn High School and together they took upon themselves the management of the farm, which they operated until after their father's death, when they were made executors of the estate. They sold over $4,000 worth of stock and then still had upon the farm large numbers of cattle, horses and hogs. The farm comprises three hundred and twenty acres of land which is devoted to the cultivation of grain and used for pasturage. It has many improvements, including two residences, large barns and everything necessary to a model farm. The home of the brothers, a commodious and tasty structure, was erected in 1876. The land is valued at $75 per acres. They have two windmills and tanks, five miles of tiling and a large apple and apricot orchard. Their home is pleasantly situated about a mile and a half from Auburn, where they can thus easily obtain all the city luxuries. They have made stock raising their principal business however, however, buying, feeding and shipping stock in large numbers. They ship from one hundred to one hundred and fifty head of cattle, mostly shorthorn, per year and from one hundred and fifty to three hundred head of hogs of the Poland-China breed. They also have upon their farm twenty-three head of horses including fine draft and standard breeds. Their trotter Mambrino Queen, has a record of 2:26 1-4. She has taken the premiums at all the fairs since a colt and has made the fastest mile record on the Alton track and is the fastest trotting mare ever bred in Sangamon County. The McElvain brothers have inherited the excellent business ability of their father. Both are members of the Masonic Lodge of Auburn and in politics are supporters of the Republican party.