JOSEPH SCHOFIELD, merchant, Sweetwater; was born in Orange Co., N.Y., March 22, 1845; son of David and Prudence (Sargent) Schofield. He passed his youth on his father's farm in New York, and received a good common-school education. At the age of 18, he started West, and upon his arrival in Springfield, Ill., enlisted in Co. B. 58th I.V.I., and served three years as a private soldier in the war of the rebellion. He was in all the battles that his regiment was engaged in, and he escaped without a wound. After his discharge, he returned to Illinois and attended school for a year, at Bloomington. He then went to Iowa, where he remained two years, when he came to Menard Co., where he has since resided, and where he has been engaged in farming and the mercantile business. He was united in marriage with Alice Meteer Oct. 14, 1873; she is a native of Menard Co.; from this union there are two sons - Thomas and John. Mr. Schofield is a stanch Republican in politics, an influential citizen and prominent man.