H.H. MASSEY, is a well-known breeder of English Shire, - all purpose and roadster horses. He is located on a pleasant farm in section 36, township 15, range 11, known as Diamond Grove Stock Farm, which is three miles from Jacksonville. This place is well supplied with good buildings, and everything around it denotes a successful farmer. Mr. M. has quite a number of imported and home bred stallions, among them are two of the finest English Shires in the State.

Mr. Massey has made an enviable record for himself as a breeder of this class of horses, a business in which he has been engaged since 1882. He has always been a resident of this township and county and is well and favorably known as an honest straight-forward business man. He keeps his stallions under perfect control, so that he can drive them single, double, or tandem. He has shown his stock at many fairs and public exhibitions and has carried away a large number of premiums. Mr. Massey is a native of the township in which he lives, having been born on the old Massey homestead, Oct. 17, 1849. He came of a good family of old settlers. His father, H.H. Massey, Sr., died here at his home, June 26, 1879, at the age of sixty-eight years. He located in this county in 1827, coming from New York State with his father, Silas Massey. The latter died at the home now occupied by his grandsons, the subject of this notice. Silas Massey and his sons, H.H., Sr., and S.S. were farmers in St. Lawrence County, N.Y., until they came West in 1826. They first went to St. Charles, Mo., and the following year located in Morgan County. The history of Silas and H.H. Sr., his son is that of true pioneers, having come here before the winter of the deep snow. Silas lived until he was eighty-eight years and nine months old, and died respected by all. H.H. Massey, Sr., was also a man much beloved, and known as a moral, honest, hard-working man. He was married in 1834, in Morgan County, to Miss Margaret Officer, who settled with her father in Morgan County in an early day, coming from Tennessee. She died July 2, 1889.

H.H. Massey, Jr., of whom we write, had the advantage of the advice of a good father and mother until he arrived to man's estate in 1874. He was married in Chicago, to Miss Jennie R. Hunt. She was born in DuPage county, Ill., near Aurora. She is the daughter of Charles and Sarah Hunt. Mr. Hunt died in Chicago. He was then retired from business, and died very suddenly. His wife is yet living with her son on a farm in DuPage County, Ill. She was born in Canada, while Mr. Hunt was a native of England. They were married in Canada, and lived there for some years after their marriage, engaged in the drug trade. In 1839 they came to Illinois and located on a farm near Aurora. Mrs. Massey received a good education, and is an intelligent lady. She is the mother of six children; Lydia being dead. The following are living: Stella M., Charles H., Minnie E., Agnes I. and Mary A. Mr. Massey is a Republican.