JOHN L. LOFTON was born on the 17th day of May, in the year 1826, in Gallatin county, Ill. He is the son of John W. and Mary (Baldwin) Lofton. His father was a native of Georgia, his mother of Kentucky. His father died on the 15th day of Jan., 1877, and his mother on the 9th day of Aug., 1870. John L. was raised on a farm, where he worked for his father until 21 years of age. He then worked around from place to place for about four years. In the year 1852 he went to Volcano, Cal., where he worked in the gold mines another four years. He then returned home and staid with his father until about the year 1860. On the 1st day of April, 1866, he was married to Mary Jane (Bentley) Bivens. He and his wife then went to Lynn county, Kan., where they resided three years, and then moved to Crawford county, in the same state, and remained there five years, his wife dying there on the 30th day of Oct., in the year 1874. He then returned home and staid with his father until the latter's death, in 1877. Mr. Lofton is the father of five children - Elizabeth, Emily, Charles W., and John T. (twins), and Mary Jane. His wife's children by her first husband are - Lucy Ann and Henrietta. Mr. Lofton owns 40 acres of land on section 36, Richwoods township, and is an old and respected citizen. He is a member of the A.F. and A.M., and is also a member of the M. E. church.