JAMES PRESTON, a son of James and Silence (Chamberlain) Preston, was born in Trenton, N.J., Oct. 12, 1826. When he was nine years of age his parents removed to Indiana, and five years later to St. Louis, Mo. Thence, three years later, to Morgan County, Ill., where James resided 15 years. He then removed to Athensville township, this county, and bought land on section 8, where he now lives, engaged in farming. He enlisted in the service of his country, Aug. 6, 1862, in Co. A, under Capt. B. LaSage. His enlistment was for a term of three years, but, May 25, 1864, he received a wound in the right thigh, which disabled him, and he was honorably discharged. He has never recovered from his wound, and is not able to do manual labor. He now receives a small pension, but has applied for an increase, and it will be no more than justice that the department should allow his claim. He followed engineering on the Mississippi for some 15 years. James Preston and Margaret Ruyle were married May 7, 1848. She was a daughter of John and Anna (Gilpin) Ruyle. Sixteen children have been born to them - James W., Joseph A., John W., William R., Margaret E., Sarah A., Thomas B., Wesley E., all , living; Gabriel, Charles Edward, Silence Ann, and Rachel E., are deceased, also, four died in infancy. He owns a small farm on section 8, where he now resides. In politics, he is a republican, and is also a member of the United Baptist church.