Biographies

SAMUEL EDWARD VAUGHAN, who resides on section 10, Lomax Township, is one of the extensive land owners of Henderson County. His possessions aggregate seven hundred and twenty acres, comprising a valuable and highly improved property, which yields to him a good income. As all this has been acquired through his own efforts, he may truly be called a self-made man.

Mr. Vaughan has the honor of being a native of Illinois, for he was born in the adjoining county of Hancock, September 11, 1840.

His parents, William and Elizabeth Russell Vaughan, were both natives of Maryland. They had a family of five children: Joseph, who crossed the plains to California in 1849, and there died in 1859; Jonathan, who died February 9, 1891; Mary, deceased; William, a grain merchant and implement dealer of Carman, Illinois; and Samuel E., of this sketch. By occupation the father of this family was a farmer, and throughout life followed agricultural pursuits. In 1835, he removed with his wife and children to Ohio, and in 1837 emigrated to Hancock County, Ill., settling near Appanoose, where he died in June, 1840.

Upon the old homestead in that locality our subject spent the first years of his life, and then came to Henderson County, locating near Carman, where he grew to manhood. Two and a-half miles from his home, in a log schoolhouse, was conducted a subscription *school, which he attended at intervals until sixteen years of age. He then started out in life for himself, and since that time has been dependent on his own resources, so that the success of his life is the just reward of his own labor. He began working as a farm hand for $6 per month, and in that way was employed for five years, when he rented a farm, but after two years he purchased forty acres of land, an unimproved tract of prairie, on section 36, Carman Township. A year later he bought a farm on section 34, and he now has two farms near Carman, comprising two hundred and seventy acres of good land. In that locality he made his home until 1888, with the exception of one year spent in Washington. In 1888 he came to Lomax, where he embarked in merchandising. He also carried on a lumberyard, and served as Postmaster, continuing business along those lines until the spring of 1893, when he removed to his present farm.

Mr. Vaughan has been twice married. On the 30th of May, 1865, he wedded Miss Mary Kirby, and to them were born four children: Risden, who died in infancy; Newton, who follows farming in Henderson County; Jonathan, who died at the age of two years; and William, who died at the age of five months. The mother of this family was called to the home beyond February 8, 1869.

On the 9th of November following, Mr. Vaughan married Miss Emma Hamblin, and five children blessed this union: Elizabeth; Mary who died March 21, 1884; Roxie, who died October 23, 1888; Clara and Archie.

Since proudly casting his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Vaughan has been a faithful supporter of the men and measures ot the Republican party.

He has served as Justice of the Peace and Road Supervisor, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to the Methodist Church.

The best interests of the community have always found in him a warm friend, and during his long residence in Henderson County his upright life and sterling worth have gained him the confidence and good-will of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.