LEANDER C. AGNEW
Page 476
LEANDER C. AGNEW
Page 476
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LEANDER C. AGNEW, for many years the well known and efficient Supervisor of Salt Creek Township, Mason County, is one of its worthy citizens, who is cultivating a fine farm on section 30. He was born in Monroe County, this state, August 30, 1832, while his father, Francis Agnew, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio. The latter came to Illinois in 1826 and located in Monroe County, where he carried on his trade of a carpenter and had the honor of erecting some of the best houses in the county. The parents of our subject were married in Monroe County in 1828, the mother being Miss. Catherine Robinson, a native of that county. She was born in 1812 and was the daughter of David Robinson, a native of Virginia, who on coming to Monroe County was classed among the earliest settlers of the section, as was also his wife's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Agnew remained in the above county (with the exception of a few years spent in Marion County) until the decease of the mother in 1854. The father then continued to make his home in various places until 1877, when he joined our subject in this county and lived in this place until his death, at the age of eighty years. He was of Irish descent, while the mother of our subject was of German parents. L. C., of this sketch, was the second in order of birth of the eight children comprised in his parents' family, only three of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. He continued to make his home under the parental roof until two years after reaching his majority, in the meantime acquiring such an education as could be obtained in the subscription school near his home. When beginning to make his own way in the world he worked for seven summers in a brickyard, and in 1855 came to this county, locating in what was then Crane Creek Township, where he was engaged in farm work. Miss Margaret McDaniel became the wife of our subject February 26, 1857. She was born in this state and became the mother of eight children, Nancy C., now Mrs. J. H. Potts, living in Kansas; William F., a farmer of Salt Creek Township, which is also the home of George M.; Henry A., living in Franklin Grove, this state; Royal W., a resident of Mason City; R. Frank, an agriculturist in this township; Estella M., now Mrs. Frank Kendall, living in the above township, and A. Gertrude, at home with her father. The wife and mother died in February 1877, and the lady to whom our subject was married March 8, 1882, was Mrs. Sarah C., widow of A. Baxter. She was likewise born in this state, and by her union with Mr. Agnew became the mother of a son, Harry L. Our subject gives his entire time and attention to farm pursuits. He is a stalwart advocate of Democratic principles, on which ticket he was elected Supervisor of Crane Creek Township in 1872 and 1873, and again in 1878. After removing to this township he was elected to the same position, which office he held each successive year until 1884. In 1885 he was appointed to fill a vacancy, and in the spring of 1886 was again elected Supervisor and continued to discharge the duties of that office with the exception of three years until 1894, making in all a service of fourteen years. He has also been Assessor and Collector and rendered efficient service as School Director and Trustee. He is ever found to be a promoter of every worthy enterprise which tends to advance the best interests of the community and to aid in the up building and development of the county. He may be truly called a self-made man and is deserving of all the praise that that term implies. |