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JOHN MCGRAUGH is the owner of one hundred and thirteen acres of fine farming land on section 5, Gardner Township, the entire amount of which is under cultivation with the exception of eleven acres of timber land. He devotes his energies to the raising of grain and also pays considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of fine hogs. His home is situated about nine miles from Springfield and its neat and tasty surroundings combined with the fine appearance of the farm indicate the owner to be a man of enterprise and thrift. As Mr. McGraugh is well-known throughout the community, a sketch of his life will be received with interest by our readers. He was born in Cartwright Township, this county on the 6th of November, 1860, and is of Irish descent. His father Michael McGraugh, was born in County Walesford, Ireland, and when a young man left his native land for the new world. He settled in Plymouth, Pa., a short distance south of Philadelphia, where he was employed in a quarry and also engaged in teaming. It was during his residence in the Keystone State that he met and married Sarah Sheridan, a native of County Cavanaugh, Ireland, and a second cousin of Phil. Sheridan. She remained in the Emerald Isle until seventeen years of age when unaccompanied by any friend or relative she came to America. About 1850 Michael McGraugh with his family removed to Illinois locating in Cartwright, where for a time he worked at fifty cents per day. Later he rented land and at length having by industry and economy acquired some capital, purchased eighty acres of land on the Beardstown road where he farmed until his death, which occurred in 1881 at the age of sixty-five years. He was a member of the Catholic Church and affiliated with the Democratic party. His wife still survives him and is living on the old homestead at the age of sixty years. Their children, five in number, are Sarah, now Mrs. Heavy, of Bradfordtown; Thomas W., a farmer of Cartwright Township; John of this sketch; Mrs. Catherine Baggs who is living on the old homestead, and Mrs. Mary Chambers of Springfield.

The days of his boyhood and the years of his maturity John McGraugh has spent in this county. As soon as he was large enough to reach the plow handles he began work upon his father's farm and the occupation to which he was reared he has chosen as a life work. During the winter season he attended the district schools where he acquired a good English education. After the death of his father he assisted his mother in the management of the home farm until 1886, when he left the parental roof for a home of his own. On the 8th of September of that year in Virginia, Cass County, Ill., he wedded Miss Virgie Miller, who was born in Gardner Township and is a daughter of Mathias and Martha (Ross) Miller, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Kentucky. In 1834 her parents became residents of this county and Mr. Miller was one of its substantial farmers, his landed possessions aggregating four hundred and fifty acres. Three children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. McGraugh, but the firstborn, Victor, died at the age of two months. Twin boys Harry M. and Halbert M., gladden the home by their presence. Mr. McGraugh is a member of the Farmers Mutual Benefit association, of Salisbury and is a Catholic in religious belief holding membership in the Immaculate conception Church, of Springfield. In political sentiment he is a Democrat and for two years served as Assessor. He is a well informed man on all general topics and is worthy of representation in the history of his native county which records the lives of its pioneer settlers and prominent citizens.