Mr. Newby has been a resident of Morgan County since the spring of 1833, coming here from Pennsylvania with his parents. He was born in Yorkshire, England, Aug. 12, 1827. His parents, John and Hannah (Green) Newby, were also natives of Yorkshire, and there were married. John Newby was a mechanic, having learned a trade while a young man. He was the father of only two children, both of whom were born in England: Robert, and a daughter, Sarah, now deceased, and who died in Macoupin County, Ill., in 1882. She was twice married, having children only by her first husband, Mr. Thomas Wheat. In the spring of 1831 John Newby and, his wife concluded to try their fortunes in the New World, when they took passage on a sailing-vessel from Liverpool, and landed in Baltimore, after a voyage which covered nine weeks and six days. In Baltimore John Newby was occupied as a house carpenter, but later removed to Pittsburg, Pa. At that time the emigration to Illinois was large. The reputation of its virgin prairies, coupled with the easy manner of procuring land by pre-empting it and after a nominal residence, paying but $1.25 an acre, all these induced Mr. Newby to emigrate to the new State. He accordingly located in township 15 and range 11, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1881, at the age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Newby were members of the Methodist Church, and were consistent Christians. Mr. Newby was a Republican in politics. His wife followed him to the grave in 1882, and at the time of her death was about eighty-two years of age.

Mr. Robert Newby, whose name heads this sketch, lived at home until he became of age, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was first married in Morgan County to Miss Hall, who was born here of English parentage. Her father and mother, William and Mary (Kilham) Hall, are both deceased. They died in this county, where they settled at an early day, having emigrated from England. Their daughter, Mrs. Mary Newby, died in 1874. She was a Christian woman, being a member of the Methodist Church, and in which religious organization she took great interest. She left six children to mourn her loss, four of whom are living: Robert F. is at home, and is assisting his father in the management of his farm; Mary E., G. Albert, and Emma J. are also at home; John W. was killed by a horse, which became frightened, and rearing up, fell upon him, injuring John so badly that he died five days after the accident. His death occurred in 1885. He was a single man, twenty-eight years of age, and was employed by a cattle rancher. Charles L. married Miss Sarah Moody, and died in this county in 1886. He left a wife and one child.

Mr. Newby took for his second wife Miss Julia A. McGinnis. She was born in Morgan County, in 1851, and lived here up to the time of her marriage. She is the daughter of American parents, both of whom are deceased. She is the mother of four children, whose names follow: Lodella, Walter R., Clarence, and Emily. Mr. and Mrs. newby are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically, Mr. Newby is a stanch Democrat. He is not what may be termed a politician, but takes interest in public affairs, as all wide-awake and intelligent citizens should.