JOHN MCKABNEY, a native of Tyrone, Ireland, was born March 17, 1823, his parents being James and Rebecca (Sprole) McKabney, natives of Ireland. His father was a linen weaver by trade, and made the finest that was used in making up articles of clothing, etc. In 1851, John bade farewell to the Emerald Isle, and took passage on a vessel, at Londonderry, sailing for America. He arrived at Philadelphia, and remained about five years, following farming. In the summer of 1857, he came to Greene county, Ill., and worked for Samuel Armstrong about two years, for Richard Lowe, about three years, for Robert Brooks, eight months, and the rest of that season for himself. In 1861, he went to work for Curtis Brace, where he remained until Aug., 1862, when he enlisted in Co. C, 122d Ill. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Parker's Cross Roads, Tupelo, Miss., Nashville, Tenn., and Fort Blakeley, Ala. He was mustered out at Mobile, and taken to Springfield, where he was paid off and discharged. Mr. McKabney then came back to Greene county, and purchased 65 acres of land on section 17, on which he moved. In 1878, he built a large story and a half frame house, besides all the necessary and convenient outbuildings. Everything around shows that he takes pride in his own and his family's welfare, and that, by his thrift and enterprise, he has made a successful farmer. He came to this country without a dollar, and now he has 118 acres of land on sections 17, 9 and 11. He has been twice married; the first time to Mary (Hamilton) Madden, in May, 1873. She died in 1877, and in 1880, he was again united in marriage, to Delia (Johnsten) Greene. Two children have blessed this union - Samuel and Lucy. Mr. McKabney is a republican politically, and an enterprising citizen of this township.