JAMES H. EUSTICE, one of the popular liverymen of Lena, has, since the spring of 1882, been successfully engaged in buying and selling horses, and administering to the wants of the public in the line of good roadsters and carriage horses. His stables contain some fine specimens of the equine species, and he ranks among the reliable citizens of the town and one who is contributing his quota to its business interests.

Mr. Eustice was born in Portage Lake, Mich., Dec. 3, 1853, and is the son of William and Mary (Williams) Eustice, natives of England, who emigrated to the United States in 1838, after their marriage. Upon reaching American shores they proceeded directly westward, locating first in Jo Daviess County, this State, of which the elder Eustice was one of the earliest settlers. He only remained there a few years, however, going thence into the copper mines of Michigan, where he lived until 1854. Thence he returned to Jo Daviess County and purchased land in Elizabeth Township, and engaged in farming until his decease, which occurred in June, 1857. The mother is still living and a resident of Lena. At the time of the father's death there were seven children. The mother continued on the farm and kept her family together until they reached mature years.

The subject of this history was but four years old at the time of his father's death and scarcely remembers his face. He continued with his mother and when old enough commenced attending school and assisting in the labors of the farm. When twenty years of age, in 1873, he went to Michigan and mined two years, and then returning to the old homestead in Jo Daviess County, he followed the trade of a blacksmith until 1882. In the meantime he had purchased land and carried on farming, milling and blacksmithing successfully for some years. He established his present business at Lena in 1882, and occupies with his family a pleasant home on Central street, which is the resort of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married at her home in Elizabeth Township, Jo Daviess County, July 11, 1876, was formerly Miss Amelia Etling, a native of said township, and born in 1856. Her parents were George and Margaret Etling, who became residents of Jo Daviess County in the pioneer days. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Eustice were name respectively: J. Alfred, George Walter and Bertie M. Mr. E. is a worthy member of the I.O.O.F., belonging to Lena Lodge No. 194.

Cotnributed by Carol Parrish Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 539.