Luther L. Marsh, of Rock Grove Township, is native of Ohio, having been born in Champaign County, Feb. 26, 1818. His English ancestors had emigrated to America during the Colonial days, making settlement in New Jersey and thereafter participating in the struggle which followed, and ranking themselves on the side of those who were fighting for their liberties. The paternal grandfather of our subject, after serving bravely as a Colonial soldier, was drowned in fording a stream while exploring the country north of the Ohio River. His son David, the father of our subject, who was born in New Jersey, was but a boy when his parents emigrated to Ohio. He continued with them in what was then a Territory until the death of the father, assisting in the cultivation of the soil, and the improvement of the farm selected by his parents as their future home. They had been located in Hamilton County, but when David was eighteen years old, he persuaded his mother to remove to Champaign County, Ohio, and purchased a farm there, where they lived until 1824.

In the year above mentioned, David Marsh turned his steps toward the farther West, and coming to this State purchased land near Bloomington, where he made a good farm which he occupied until April 26, 1837. He then sold out, and coming to Stephenson County purchased a claim which comprised the whole of section 25, namely 640 acres. Of this but three or four acres had been broken, and the property comprised a mixture of prairie and timber land. Mr. Marsh put up a log cabin, and with the assistance of his two oxen and four horses, began to cultivate the soil. This livestock, in connection with the 150 head of hogs which he had driven from McLean County, was considered a big start in those days toward the establishment of a homestead and its proper appuntenances. The nearest market then was at Galena, distant sixty-five miles. Dressed pork then sold at $1.50 per hundred, and transportation of course, was effected by means of horses and oxen. The father suffered greatly from ill-health, and was unequal to hard labor, he therefore turned his attention to bee culture, and gave the management of the farm into the hands of his sons. They cultivated the soil successfully, and peddled each year large quantities of honey, which yielded to the lighter labors and watchfulness of the father, a handsome sum of money each year. Mr. Marsh thus spent his last days quietly, and enjoyed greatly watching and caring for the busy little insects who explored the timber and the prairie in search of wild and unadulterated sweets. He was a man of decided opinions, and early in life had identified himself with the old Whig party. Upon the dissolution of that party, he cheerfully wheeled into the ranks of the Republicans. He remained at the old home until very feeble, and was then brought to the home of our subject, when his death took place at the age of seventy-six.

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood, Miss Nancy Jones, a native of Virginia, and became the wife of David Marsh in Champaign County, Ohio. This union resulted in the birth of nine children, six of whom grew to maturity. Of these our subject was the fourth in order of birth. He remained under the home roof until thirty-two years of age. His childhood and youth had been passed after the manner of most farmers' sons, and his education was conducted in the subscription schools. When the parents came to Illinois there were no school-houses, and a room in the house of David Marsh was set aside for this purpose during two winters. Mr. M. assisted in building the first school-house in the district. Luther L., in common with his brothers, became familiar with the various duties about the farm, and followed in the footsteps of his father, choosing agriculture as his vocation. After arriving at the age spoken of, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Potter, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Green County, Wis., Nov. 6, 1851. Mrs. Marsh was born in Vermillion County, Ind., in 1832, and was the daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Southard) Potter, natives of Ohio. They removed to Indiana after their marriage, and subsequently to Illinois, where Mr. Potter followed farming until his death.

Mr. and Mrs. Marsh after their marriage, located on the tract of land which constitutes their present homestead, and which was entered by our subject from the Government. He first put up a log cabin, which they occupied two years, and then commenced to build the present homestead, adding to it as time progressed. His land was mostly in timber, and he was occupied for many years in felling the trees and bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation. While the homestead was being built up, the household was also enlarged by the birth of six sons and one daughter, of whom the record is as follows: Aaron L. was born June 20, 1852, and died when a lad ten years of age, Dec. 10, 1862; Martha S., born Oct. 17, 1855, died May 8, 1875; she was married to John Harman, but only lived about one year, leaving a daughter, Sarepta May, who died when about four months old. Freedom L. was born Sept. 27, 1857; Edward H., born Jan. 21, 1860, is married and occupies a part of the homestead which has been deeded him by his father; Webster was born May 13, 1862, and is now married, and also has a farm from his father; Arthur L., born April 9, 1865, occupies another portion of land given him by his father; John W. was born Jan. 9, 1871, and remains a member of the household. The Marsh family have been church people as far back as the record is given. The mother of our subject was a devoted Methodist, and Mrs. Marsh and her children belonged to the United Brethren Church. Our subject and his boys are all Republicans, although voting independently in local matters. Handsome lithographic portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are shown on another page of this book.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 573