JEREMIAH CONVERSE, one of the most liberal and public-spirited citizens of Barr Township, resides on section 20, where his beautiful farm and excellent farm buildings attract the eye of every passer-by. His father was Alfred Converse who was born in Connecticut and his mother, Betsey Corey, a New Jersey woman. They came from Vermont to Greene County, Ill., in 1844 and made that their permanent home. Our subject had his birth in Addison County, N. Y., March 21, 1822, and there he grew to manhood and resided until he decided to emigrate to Illinois, which was in 1844. Two years later he went back to the Green Mountain State to wed Miss Lovina Corey, who was born in Addison County, June 2, 1827. The marriage took place, September 13, 1846, and the young couple immediately came West and made their home in Greene County.

After a long residence in that county, Mr. and Mrs. Converse thought best to remove to Macoupin County, and moved upon a farm in Barr Township. Here they have successfully carried on their agricultural pursuits and are the owners of two hundred and twenty acres of fertile and productive land.

Six children have brightened their home, namely: Ira who married Emma D. Spain; Helen, the wife of David Stout; Lucis, the wife of Elisha Stout; Laura, Mrs. Henry Gray; Fred W., and Rufus E. who married Lucy Hicks. While living in Greene County, Mr. Converse made substantial improvements upon his farm there and put it in first class condition. His political views have led him to affiliate with the Republican party and he has been Highway Commissioner, an office which he has filled with credit to himself and great profit to the community. It is such men as this, who by their broad understanding of public necessities, unselfish devotion to public interest and strict integrity, have proved their fitness for public office, that any community owes much of its prosperity and progress.