DAVID HERRON, a prominent farmer of Bainbridge township, was born in county Down, Ireland, in June, 1829, a son of Robert Herron, who was born in the same county; the paternal grandfather, Robert Herron, was a native of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry. The father of our subject learned the trade of linen weaver at a time when this work was done on hand looms, and followed this occupation through life. He married Mary Cleland, a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Bell) Cleland, natives of Ireland, of Scotch lineage. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Herron emigrated to America, in 1850, and spent the last years of her life in Schuyler county, Illinois. She was the mother of eight children: Sarah, Robert, Thomas, Jane, David, John, William and Hugh. David Herron passed his youth in his native country, and there received his education. In 1850 he determined to try his fortunes in the New World, and accordingly, the 27th day of March, sailed from Belfast on the vessel Annie, and landed at the port of New York after a voyage of forty-nine days. He went directly to Ohio, via the Hudson river and Erie canal to Buffalo, and thence by lake to Cleveland; from that city he went by team to Mahoning county. He began to learn the tanner's trade, but on account of ill health abandoned the plan; he then went to work in the iron furnaces and continued there for two years, after which he engaged in farming; he was employed by the month until 1858, when he came to Schuyler county, Illinois, and purchased 160 acres of land; about eighty acres of this tract were cleared, and a log cabin had been built, which was their first Illinois home. Mr. Herron has added to his first purchase of land until he now owns 240 acres, more than half of which is under a high state of cultivation; he has developed the place into one of the most desirable in the township.

He was united in marriage, in 1857, to Mary Hull, who was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, a daughter of Logan and Annie (Ross) Hull, of the same county; Mrs. Herrons' paternal grandfather, Benjamin Ross, was a native of New Jersey, and one of the earliest settlers of Mahoning county; he was a man of much energy and enterprise, and erected the first mill operated by water power in Mahoning county. Mr. and Mrs. Herron are the parents of six children: Jane, Thomas, Blanche, Lula, Mary A. and Robert L., who died in 1865. They are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Herron affiliates with the Democratic party.