M. T. ALFORD. The gentleman, a view of whose farm and residence appears on another page, is a native of Sevier county, Tennessee, where he was born May 22, 1828. His ancestors were from North Carolina. His father was Charles Alford, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Tipton. Mr. Alford was the fifth of a family of seven children. His birth place was on Little Pigeon river, in Sevier county, and when about a year old, his father moved to Roane county, Tennessee. He settled two miles from the town of Philadelphia, in what is known as Sweetwater valley, where he was raised. He had very poor advantages in the way of obtaining an education. His father was the owner of considerable land, but kept his children at work, instead of sending them to school. Mr. Alford attended school only a few months, and the most of the instruction he received was imparted by is father, who was a man of considerable knowledge and information. He was brought up to habits of industry, and has always known what it was to work. He remained at home until his marriage, which occurred in May, 1849, to Rebecca Edward, who was born and raised in Roan county, Tennessee. He removed to Illinois the next year after his marriage, (1850) and settled in North Palmyra township. He rented land until February 3d, 1861, at which time he purchased sixty acres, in Scottville township, where he lived until March, 1865, when he moved to the place where he now lives, in section 30, North Palmyra township. He owns 280 acres, three eighties of which lie in section 19, twenty in section 30, and twenty in section 29. He has been one of the substantial farmers of Palmyra township. His first wife died in June, 1869. His second marriage occurred November, 1869, to Susan M. Sercy, who was born in Spencer county, Kentucky, and was the daughter of Fieldon H. Sercy. He has nine children - William, Charles, Robert, Benjamin, Caleb, Sarah, Martha, Rosa and Bertha. The last five are by his second wife. William went to Kansas in the spring of 1879, where he is now engaged in farming. Charles is farming in Scottville township. Mr. Alford was raised an old line whig, and cast his first vote for president for Scott, in 1852. Afterwards he became a democrat. Mr. Alford is a man who stands well in his community, and is one whose name deserves a place in this work. His father came to Scottville township in 1850 and died there in 1858. His mother died there a year or two after.