I. L. BECRAFT, farmer; P. O. Millersburg; proprietor of Cedar Hill farm; is a son of Aquilla Becraft, who is a native of Montgomery County, Md., July 22, 1797, to Peter Becraft, born Nov. 5, 1740; his mother, Mary Nixon, born May 25, 1750, in Staffordshire, England; she a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Bently) Nixon, natives of Yorkshire; emigrated to America at a very early date, settling in the State of Maryland, near Washington City; Peter Becraft died in Maryland, upon his birthday, in 1806, having held a high position as a physician in that county; he is a son of Benjamin, a native of Maryland, where he died; Aquilla came to Milllersburg Precinct in 1817, where, on the 4th of September of the same year, he was married to Ann Maria Letton, and returned to his native county, where he remained until 1821, when he again came to Millersburg, bringing his mother and sister, Mary, who afterwards married Samuel Hitt, of Bourbon County. Mr. Becraft lived a prominent life in Bourbon County, adding to his possessions, until in 1833, when he removed to Diamond Grove farm, Morgan County, Ill., where he has since resided, and held a high social and official position among the citizens of that State. He was elected as County Judge for a term of four years, and was appointed by the Legislature, a Trustee of the State Insane Asylum. His first wife died in 1822, leaving two daughters and a son; Mary, the eldest daughter, now deceased, married John Goltra; left three children in Jacksonville, Ill.: Israel L., born Sept. 1, 1818, the only one now living, and subject of this sketch, returned to the old homestead, where he now resides, in 1841, from Illinois, whither he had gone with his parents; he was married Feb. 16, 1843. Priscilla Parker, daughter of Samuel and Lovina (Hill) Parker, who came from the Eastern Shore of Maryland to Bourbon County, in 1805; by this marriage, there were seven children: Mary, the eldest, now deceased, became the wife of Nicholas Wood, left a family; a son died in young manhood. Those living are: James, married Prudence Letton, daughter of John W. Letton, now residing in Millersburg Precinct; William, married Sarah, a daughter of Ralph Reynolds, of Jacksonville, he now residing in Champaign County, Ill.; Maria, wife of William B. Smith, a lumber merchant of Paris; Charles and Walker, at home. The mother of this family died May 25, 1869. The father was re-married Oct. 17, 1877, to Mahala R. Heathman, a daughter of Eli Heathman. Mr. Becraft is one of the substantial men of Bourbon County, was Magistrate for it term of four years, and with his family are members of church. His father's second marriage was to Nancy Hitt, daughter of Jackey Hitt; she died March 31, 1880, after a married life of fifty-six years. Their children reside in Minnesota, Missouri and Illinois. Mr. Becraft is still a vigorous, bright and very intelligent old gentleman of eighty-five years, and a general favorite with all who come within the sphere of his acquaintance.