ELI WITT, with his family, came to Greene county from their home in Tennessee, in Dec., 1829, and located on the southwest quarter of section 3, Kane township. In 1845, he removed to Texas, but returned shortly afterward and located just east of Carrollton, where he died in the fall of 1851. With Mr. Witt came his son, Randolph, then a young man of 19 years.

RANDOLPH WITT was born in Jefferson county, Tenn., Dec. 30, 1810, his parents being Eli and Nancy (McNealy) his father a native of Virginia, his mother of Tennessee. He came with his parents to Greene county, Ill., in Dec., 1829, and they located on what is now Sec. 3, T. 9, R. 12. They remained there several years, and in 1845, Eli Witt moved to Texas, but after a short time he returned to Illinois, and located east of Carrollton, where he lived until his death, in Oct., 1851. His wife died in 1857. Randolph attended the common schools of Tennessee and Illinois, attaining a fair business education. The first work he did, after coming to this county, was for Franklin Witt, and then for Samuel Thomas, the early settler of the county. The first land that he bought was the place on which he lived and died, which at first contained but 40 acres, on section 10. By hard work, perseverance, and good management, he added to this, until he owned 312 acres on section 9 and 10, having started out with nothing but his own strength and energy. He was married Aug. 18, 1836, to Polly Tunnell, daughter of Calvin and Jane (Adair) Tunnell. By this union they had five children, four of whom are living - Andrew J., married Frances Ball, resides in Montgomery county; William T., at home; Jane E., wife of John Ball, residing in Macoupin county; Elzina, wife of George Ball, residing in Macoupin county. The one deceased was John C., who died in infancy. Mr. Witt was a staunch democrat, and his first vote for president was cast for Martin VanBuren, in 1836. He departed this life June 24, 1884. His life had been that of an honest and upright man, and he was a true and loving husband and father. A widow and four children and a large circle of friends were left to mourn his departure. Mr. Witt was one of the pioneer settlers of Greene county. He was obliged to toil very hard, when settling there, but at last he had secured a good home, and made his mark with the other early settlers, who have nearly all passed away.