MARCUS NORTH, one of the best known and most popular farmers and business men of Greene county, still resides on the old family homestead, which has been owned by the Norths for three generations, and a part of the residence was built by his grandfather in 1835. The original home, which was built in 1821, has been destroyed. The North family is of English lineage, and also of Huguenot descent. The grandfather, Asahel North, was born in Farmington, Connecticut, September 3, 1782, and spent his early life in the east, but in the prime of his manhood came to Illinois, becoming one of the heroic band of pioneers in Greene county. While his prairie schooner was waiting at his door in Windsor, Vermont, he was married to Miss Prudence Swallow, and they left immediately for Illinois. In 1821 he bought a squatter's claim, formerly the property of Mr. Anders, and after purchasing his homestead began the development of the farm, performing the arduous labors necessary to the cultivation of a new and hitherto uncultivated tract of land. He made his home continuously upon this farm, which is now the abode of our subject, and he became recognized as one of the representative agriculturists and honored pioneer settlers of his community. In 1826 he and his wife returned east on a visit, taking with them a dog, which was lost at Buffalo, New York, and on reaching home, after spending about one year in Windsor, Vermont, and Farmington, Connecticut, they found the dog waiting for them. The poor fellow had been shot through the neck and was still bleeding from the wound when he arrived home, though he lived for a year or two after that. A barbecue and celebration was held in the old North grove July 4, 1843. Asahel North died upon this farm March 19, 1846, and his wife, who was born September 10, 1799, passed away July 2, 1874, having survived him many years.

This worthy couple reared a family of twelve children: Henry, who died September 23, 1821; Lucy, who was born in 1822 and died in 1901; Marcus, who was born in 1824; Sylvia, who was born in 1827 and died in 1879; Linus, who was born in 1829 and died January 14, 1843, at the age of thirteen years, eleven months and nineteen days; John, who was born in 1835 and died in 1897; Mary, who was born in 1837 and is the only one now living; Lewis, who was born in 1839 and died in 1848; Peter, who was born in 1841, and died September 10, 1847, at the age of six years, two months and twenty-eight days; and Jane, who was born in 1843 and died March 7, 1848. Deidamia Swallow, the mother of Mrs. Asahel North, had sixteen children, while Mrs. North had twelve and her daughter, Mrs. Sylvia (North) McCollister, had thirteen children, and the latter's daughter, Mrs. August Wilson, who now lives in Macoupin county, had eleven, making a total of fifty-two children in four generations.

Representatives of the North family have through many generations been farmers and stock-raisers. Marcus North, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in 1824 on the old homestead in Greene county. He was a man of quiet disposition and solid worth and attainments, having no desire for fame or distinction, content to do his duty in matters of citizenship and in his business and home relations. He married Miss Elizabeth Wales, who was born in Vermont in February, 1832, and came of Puritan ancestry, tracing the line of descent from Brewster of the Plymouth colony that landed from the Mayflower on the shores of New England in 1623. Her parents were Charles and Elathea (Britell) Wales. Her father, who was born in 1794, died in December, 1872, and his wife, whose birth occurred in 1795, passed away in 1875. After his marriage Marcus North, Sr., devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits in order to provide for his family. All his life was spent upon the old North homestead and there he passed away November 28, 1854. His widow still survives him and has now reached the age of seventy�two years. In their family were three children.

Marcus North, Jr., was born on the old homestead November 1, 1854, and was only four weeks old at the time of his father's death. He continued to reside upon the homestead until he attained his majority, when he left the farm and built a little house for himself upon a tract of land near by. In 1884, however, he purchased the old home property and now has a valuable farm, a fine residence and other good buildings. A part of the house was erected by his grandfather in 1835, and it is therefore one of the notable landmarks in this part of the state. Throughout his business career he has carried on agricultural pursuits and now has a very desirable farm, giving every evidence of modern and progressive farming methods. It is neat and thrifty in appearance and indicates the careful supervision of an enterprising and practical owner.

On the 18th of April, 1876, Mr. North married Miss Martha Baldwin, a daughter of Francis Baldwin, now mayor of White Hall, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. They have five children. Walter, born May 21, 1877, was married September 20, 1900, to Nellie M. Rickart, and they have one child, Harold Marcus, born October 1, 1902. Elathea, born December 24, 1880. Minnie, born May 24, 1882. Helen, born June 15, 1884, and Lucy, born May 25, 1888, are all at home.

Mr. North exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and fraternally is connected with the Modern Woodmen Camp and the Court of Honor. He is a worthy representative of a prominent pioneer family. Like his father he does not care for prominence in public lines, but prefers to devote his attention and energies to his business affairs. He is, however, always willing to aid in any measures for the public good, is faithful and loyal in citizenship and holds the ties of friendship inviolable. All who know him entertain for him the highest regard because of his genuine worth and upright character.

Transcribed by: Carole Ann Heller