GEORGE H. CONLEE. - The farming and stock-raising interests of Maxwell township have a worthy representative in George H. Conlee, who is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres on sections 24 and 13. It is a well-improved place, whose neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a careful and painstaking owner, as well as a man of good business ability, who thoroughly understands the vocation which he follows.

A native of Sangamon county, Mr. Conlee was born in Talkington township, March 6, 1860, and is a son of Allen Conlee, who was born in Madison county, Illinois, in 1825. His paternal grandfather, Rev. Isaac Conlee, a native of Kentucky, was a minister of the Primitive Baptist church and a pioneer preacher of Illinois, his home being in Morgan county for many years. There Allen Conlee grew to manhood and married Miss Jane Spires, who died, leaving one daughter, that is still living. He subsequently married his first wife's sister, Miss Sarah P. Spires, who was born in Kentucky, but came to this state in childhood and was reared in Morgan county, her father, John Spires, being one of the pioneers of that locality. At one time Mr. Spires assisted in taking a drove of hogs to market, a distance of six hundred miles, and made the trip both ways on foot. After his marriage Allen Conlee located on the farm in Talkington township, Sangamon county, now owned and occupied by his son, J. A. Conlee.

George H. Conlee is indebted to the public schools near his boyhood home for the early educational privileges he enjoyed and he remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which was celebrated in Waverly, February 1, 1883, Miss Lottie Hilyard becoming his wife. She was born on the farm and in the same house where she now resides and is a daughter of Joseph and Virginia (Morris) Hilyard. Her mother was born in Sangamon county, her father having come here from Virginia when a child of about two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Conlee have three daughters, namely: Sallie G., Leona P. and Virginia E.

After his marriage Mr. Conlee purchased a farm in Talkington township, which he operated for six years and then sold, removing to Macoupin county, where he was engaged in farming upon rented land for two years. Returning to Sangamon county, he rented the Hilyard farm until the death of his father-in-law, when he purchased the place at public sale and has since enlarged and remodeled the residence and has made many other improvements which enhance its beauty and value. He raises a high grade of stock and is considered one of the best farmers and stock-raisers of his community.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Conlee hold membership in the Primitive Baptist church and politically he is identified with the Democratic party. He is now serving as township clerk, has filled the office of assessor for three years, and has been a member of the school board several years. A man of strict integrity and sterling worth he commands the confidence of those with whom he is brought in contact, either in business or social life, and is certainly deserving of mention in the history of his native county.