ABNER LEGRAND NOBLE has been for many years prominently identified with the history of Schuyler county, and is entitled to the following space in this volume. He is a native of Madison county, Kentucky, born June 12, 1822, a son of William Noble of Lexington, Kentucky; the father was born, reared and married in the Bluegrass State, and there learned the trade of house painting, which he pursued many years. He resided in Kentucky until 1835, and then with his wife and six children removed to Illinois; they made the journey with teams, camping along the way. Mr. Noble located in what is now Bainbridge township, where he purchased a tract of timber land; a few acres had been cleared and a two-story house had been built of hewn logs; here he lived several years, and finally sold the place and purchased another near by, on which he lived until death. He married Eleanor Ransom of Virginia, and a daughter of Ignatius Ransom, also a Virginian by birth. Abner Legrand Noble was a lad of twelve years when he came with his parents to Illinois, and remembers well many of the privations and hardships endured by the family. He received a limited education, and in early youth began to assist his father on the farm. He has been for years an extensive reader, and has made up for the deficiencies of his early training. He remained with his parents until attaining his majority; he then learned the cooper's trade, and opened a shop in Rushville, manufacturing and selling to the trade for several years; he was compelled to close out the business on account of ill health.

In 1847, Mr. Noble was elected Constable, and for more than thirty-five years attended to the collections of this office; during this time he served three terms as Deputy Sheriff, one term as County clerk, and one and a half terms as a member of the County Board of Supervisors. He was a very efficient officer, and gave entire satisfaction to the public.

He was married October 28, 1845, to Catherine Serrot, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Peter and Nancy (Patton) Serrot. Of this union four children were born, two of whom survive: Phoebe Jackson, Dora and Ruth Tetrick; the only son, William H., died at the age of eighteen years; Mary J., the oldest, married William D. Sperry; her death occurred in 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Noble are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In early days Mr. Noble was a member of the Whig party, and cast his suffrage for Lincoln; latterly he has voted with the Democratic party. For some time he has held the office of Police Magistrate.