Matthew H. Davis, farmer, P.O. Iola. Among the prominent and best farmer of Clay County is the jovial, hospitable gentleman whose name heads this memoir. He is a native of Wilson County Tenn.. and was born March 27. 1819. His father. Basil Davis (deceased), was a native of Carolina, and removed with his family to Clay County in 1834.   Mr. Davis did not enjoy the advantages of educational facilities, as do his childrenand his neighbors' children at present.  His term of school consisted of just 21 days. This school was taught by Judge William Erwin, in a log cabin in the Judge's own door-yard, and the seats consisted of split poles with pins in them for legs; the floor was of puncheon, and the window was simply a log cut out of one side of the cabin, with nothing over the aperture. They however kept a plank with which they covered this crack when the weather was too cold. The room was warmed by a huge fire-place, and the chimney was made of sticks and mud.  Mr. Davis killed many a deer and other wild animals. He saw at one time sixty three deer in one herd. When the Davis family settled here, there were fifty -two voters in Clay County. Mr. Davis was all over the ground where Flora now stands, when there was not a rail or a house in sight. They ground their corn in a horse mill, and drove their stock to St. Louis and Evansville tomarket. Our subject began life poor, with no capital save willing hands and an iron constitution, and as a result has provided a competent fortune for his family. Although he has passed through many trials and troubles , yet he is jovial and witty as a person of twenty-five years. He owns over 800 acres of valuable land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Ho has been married four times, and is the father of twelve children, seven living—Sarah J. (Armstrong), Peter, Stephen A. D.. William S., Charley, Victoria and Nevada. The names of the deceased were Mary E. (Patrick), John J. and Robert, besides two that died in infancy. Mr. Davis was Deputy Sheriff and Constable for Clay County many years.       
 Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "

    William H. Dillman, the well known president of the Clay County State Bank at Louisville, Illinois, was born in Oskaloosa township, on the family homestead, where he grew to manhood. The date of his birth was July 14, 1867. He is the son of Louis Dillman, a native of Kentucky, who came to Illinois when fourteen years old and settled in Oskaloosa township on a farm, where he lived for many years. He is now retired, making his home in Louisville. He was formerly president of the State Bank and is well known in the county as a man of much ability. Vachel Dillman, grandfather of the subject, was also a native of Kentucky, who came to this state at an early day and developed a good farm. The subject's mother was Harriett B. Smith, whose people were natives of Tennessee, where she was born. She is still living.  Eleven children were born to the subject's parents, namely: Dr. Asa E., of Steuben, Wisconsin; Mrs. Mary E. Graham, of Oskaloosa township; Mrs. Sarah E. Burdick, of Oskaloosa township; William H., our subject; Dr. J. V., at Ingraham, Illinois; Lillie M., now deceased; Mrs. Ida Steeley, of Louisville, this county ; Mrs. Delia Montgomery, also of Louisville; Dora, deceased; Polly Ann, deceased; Henry, deceased.  William H. Dillman was united in marriage in 1898 to Cora P. Brown, the refined and accomplished daughter of P. P. Brown, of Louisville, Illinois, and two children have been born to this union, namely : Howard B.  and Robert V., ten and five years old respectively at this writing, 1908, both bright and interesting lads.
    Mr. Dillman acquired a good common school education, and after spending three years at the State Normal, at the Union Christian College of Merom, Indiana, and at the Orchard City College at Flora, Illinois, where he graduated with honors, Mr.  Dillman entered the law office of Hagle & Shriner in that city, and in 1896 was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been ranked as one of the leading lawyers of Clay county, and has built up an excellent business, practicing in all the courts in this and adjoining counties with great success.  When Judge Farmer, now one of the Supreme Judges of the state of Illinois, was on the bench of this, the Forty-second Senatorial District, he selected Mr. Dillman as the Master in Chancery of this county. Later on, upon the death of William H. Hudelson, Mr. Dillman, by the terms of the will, was made the executor, the will conveying to him in trust for twenty years money and property representing over two hundred thousand dollars.
    No better testimony of confidence in a man's integrity has ever been paid to a citizen of this county. Mr.  Dillman was Master in Chancery for six years. The directors of the Clay County State Bank elected him president of that institution in the summer of 1908.  He was the Democratic nominee for Representative from this district in 1908, but was defeated. He has always been a stanch Democrat and has taken an active part in his county's affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Home Circle. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dillman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  Mr. Dillman, busy with the management of the bank, which he gives the most careful attention and which is regarded as one of the solidest banks of the southern part of the state, finds insufficient time to carry on his law practice, although it is not entirely abandoned.
    Mr. Dillman throughout his career has been very active, progressive and determined, carrying forward in successful completion whatever he has undertaken in a business way. Mr. Dillman attributes a very large measure of his success to his many and faithful friends. He is clearly entitled to be classed among the leading citizens of Clay County a man whose strong individuality is the strength of integrity, virtue and deep human sympathy and no one has more friends than he throughout the district.  

Excerpt from: Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties Illinois—Pub. 1909

    John Ditter, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Sailor Springs, is a native of Smith County, Tenn., and was born December 7, 18(»7. His father, Elijah Ditter, was a native of North Carolina. John was raised on the farm in his native county, and received a limited education in a subscription school, taught in a log cabin with a dirt floor and a paper window.
    He came to Clay County in the spring of 1829, and settled at Sailor Springs, on Section 25, Hoosier Township, where he entered a cabin on the claim of Hack Sams, paying him soon afterward $75 for his claim and improvements. Mr.  Ditter afterward went ten or twelve miles to assist in house-raising, and the settlers worked the roads from Louisville to Fox River, near Olney, under the same pathmaster.  The deer and other wild animals were numerous in those days, and Mr. Ditter killed many of them for his supply of meat. 
    He resided at the Springs for seven years, when he removed to his present homestead on Section 18, Pixley Township. He began life with little or no means, and gradually worked his way up. As a farmer and stockraiser, he has been eminently successful, and now owns 680 acres of land.
    He held the office of Supervisor one term, but has never sought political favors. He is a Mason, and in religious views a Universalist.   He was married, July 10, 1828, to Amelia McKinney, a daughter of Jeremiah McKinney (deceased), and a sister of James McKinney, of Pixley Township, of whom we make further mention elsewhere in this work. This union was blessed with eight children, but one of whom is living, viz., John.
    Mrs. Ditter died in November, 1848, and he married again in 1849, this time to Mrs. Thursey Chapman, by whom he has had four children, two of these are living—George W. and Amanda (Hammer).    Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 " 

     C.D. Duff  We are really joyful of the opportunity and for the privilege at this time of being able to feature on this page this man, Mr. C. D. Duff, the oldest in business of any business man now in Clay City, because we know that he has many absent friends who get this paper who will especially appreciate seeing his picture as he is today.  C. D. Duff was born in Old Maysville, Illinois, October 16, 1855. After the death of his father, he, then six months old, returned  with his mother to Tennessee, in a covered wagon, where he lived until 21 years of age.  
He then returned to Clay City and was employed as a store clerk by two uncles, R. E. and ,T. N. Duff.  After the 
death of R. E. Duff in 1877, J. N. Duff and C. D. Duff continued the business under the firm name of J. N. Duff & Company until 1888 when C. D. Duff sold his interest in the store and soon thereafter entered into business with
J. T. Evans & Company.  In 1907 Dr. J. T. Evans sold his interest in the business to his son, C. D. Evans, and the
firm's name was changed to Duff & Evans, which continued business until 1911 when C. D. Evans sold his
interest to John W. Duff, since which time the business has been conducted under the firm name of C. D. & 
J. W. Duff, father and son, and includes a second son. Carroll Duff. When Mr. Duff first became a member of 
The firm of J. T. Evans & Company, they were conducting a general mercantile store. A while before Mr. 
Evans sold out they had changed to buying grain, seeds, etc., and selling farm machinery, harness and other
items along that line.  Today, Mr. Duff, his sons, Wallace and Carroll, through their courtesy, honorable and 
upright dealing with the public have an established business sufficient to reward them for their efforts, and 
at the same time they are rendering a most valuable service to the community, continuing the handling of 
grain, seeds, hay, feeds of all kinds, especially for poultry, and carrying a good line of harness, wire fencing,
nails, etc. really a farm supply store and located at the same spot occupied by J. T. Evans & Company years ago.  Mr. Duff has served several terms as a member of the village council, several years and until about three years
ago as secretary of the Building & Loan Association.  He is interested extensively in farming and stock raising
and heartily enjoys meeting the farmers in the store where a comfortable chair is always offered the patrons 
and friends and also a hearty welcome extended to all.  Excerpt from"' Pictures and Biographical Sketches
of the Business Men of Clay City 1930" by the Clay County Advocate Press

    R.F.Duff, merchant, Clay City. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a native of this county, and is descended from one of its pioneer families. The greatgrandfather of our subject, Samuel Duff, came to this country some time prior to the Revolution. He brought with him his wife Barbara, and the twain settled in Pennsylvania. 
    To them were born two sons, John and William. When John was but a youth, his parents moved to Washington County, Va., where the father died in 1818, the mother in 1812. John grew to manhood in Washington County, and there married a Miss Mary Dryden, a daughter of David and Barbara Dryden, who had come from England in an early day. Nine children blessed this union—Samuel (who remained in Virginia), David (came to this county, and settled in Maysville, in 1829, and afterward became one of the leading merchants of that place), Jane (married a Mr. Hopper, and moved to Ohio, where she died), Barbara (married John McConnell, and settled and died in that county), John N. (is yet living in Washington County, Va., at the hale old age of seventy- eight), Nathaniel H. (our subject's father), Mary (still living in Virginia),
    Stephen B. (settled and died in that county), and Alexander (who died when a boy).  Judge N. H. Duff's education was but meager, and was received in the subscription schools of his native county. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, 
and at the age of twenty-one helped his brother David move to this county. After arriving here, he helped on the latter's
farm for a short time, and after spending a year here he again returned to his home in Virginia, where he worked on his father's farm. 
    In 1831, he again came back here, this time accompanied by James Lethco and William T. Duff, a cousin, who made one of the first settlements in Stanford Township. This time Judge Duff settled in Maysville, and, buying a small farm, tilled that, and worked at his trade of blacksmithing, but his health failing him he was compelled to give up the latter occupation. After about two years' residence in Maysville, he moved into what is now Stanford Township and  settled on the farm now owned by J. M. Chaffin; he first entered eighty acres, and afterward increased the tract to 120 acres. 
    He remained on that farm until 1843. and then selling out to John L. Apperson, moved to another farm about two miles northwest of his former place. (It is now owned by subject.) In 1848, he again returned to Maysville, and purchased David Duff's store, who went from there to Tennessee. The Judge continued in business there until the laying-out of Clay City. He then came to the latter point and embarked in business with Robert E. Duff. This partnership continued for some years, and the former turned his attention to stockraising. 
    For the last few years, he has lived a quiet and retired life, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Naomi Figg. Judge Duff has been much before the people of this county, in one way or another. In 1851, he was first elected to the office of Associate Justice. These officers were elected for the purpose of attending to the county business.  His Associates were J. W. P. Davis and a Mr. Loofboro. He held this office until 1862, when the plan of township organization was adopted. He was then elected the first Justice of the Peace of Clay City Township, and served in that capacity for a number of years. He also served as Township Supervisor for one or two terms. Judge Duff has been twice married.  The first time in old Maysville Precinct, on September 25, 1832, to Miss Margaret Apperson,  a daughter of Richard and Mary (Aikin) Apperson.  
    The parents were among the very earliest settlers of Stanford Township. Mrs. Duff was born in September, 1S09, and was the mother of nine children, but two of whom are now living—Richard F. (our subject), and Mrs. Naomi C. Figg. 
This lady died on April 2, 1857, and the Judge was married the second time, on October 20, 1872, to Miss Sarah 
Babbs, a daughter of Alexander Babbs. But one child resulted from this union—Albert H. (now at home with his father). This lady died in the winter of 1877.  
    The schools of this and Stanford Township furnished our subject his means of education, and he assisted his father on the home farm until about twenty-one. He began learning telegraphy under W. C. Roach, who was station agent at this point. From here he went to Cincinnati, where he worked for three months, and then for two years acted as operator in different points on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. He then went to Xenia, and was appointed station agent and operator. After serving at different stations in this capacity for three years along the line of the O. & M., he accepted a similar position on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, and worked at both Bunker Hill and Hillsboro. 
    In 1867, he returned to Clay City and embarked with J. D. Allender in the provision business. The firm afterward opened a general store, and have since been one of the leading houses of Clay City. 
    Mr. Duff was married October 28, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Manker, a daughter of Jenkins and Sarah (Rogers) 
Manker, of Clay City. Three children have blessed this union—Charles L., Effie M. and Carey E. 
    Mr. Duff is a strong Democrat, and is at present serving as Township Supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Duff are both members of the Clay City Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Duff is a member of Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A.M.  Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 " 

     W. W. Duncan, physician, Bible Grove. Among the men who owe their success in life to their own energy and ability stands him whose name appears at the head of this sketch. He was born, December 10, 1829, in Nelson County, Ky. He is a son of James Duncan, a native of South Carolina, and a farmer by occupation. The grandfather of our subject was William Duncan. He was a native of Virginia, of Scotch descent. The mother of our subject was Editha (McKay) Duncan, a native of Nelson County. Ky. Dr. Duncan was married, November 28, 1860.  in Mason, Effingham County, Ill., to Miss Mary Ella White, born March 18, 1841. in Bond County, Ill.  She is a daughter of  William and Agnes (Johnson) White. He is a native of North Carolina and she of Tennessee. Four children are the 
result of this happy union, viz., William C, born January 31, 1863; Anna J., August 2, 1868; Mary Edith, February 19, 1871; and Charles Ed, June 23, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Duncan are religiously connected with the Baptist Church. 
The Doctor received his medical education in Louisville, Ky., but is mainly self-educated. On October 30, 1861, Dr. Duncan settled in Georgetown, where he follows his noble profession, he having practiced over two years in Kentucky
and three years near Mason, Effingham County, Ill., previous to his coming here. He does not shun his work, and is 
one of that kind of physicians who ride themselves into a lucrative practice. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "