BENJAMIN RICH. - Sangamon county figures as one of the most attractive, progressive and prosperous divisions of the state of Illinois, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve consecutive development and marked advancement in the material upbuilding of this section. The county has been and is signally favored in the class of men who have controlled its affairs in official capacity, and in this connection the subject of this review demands representation as one who has served the county faithfully and well in positions of distinct trust and responsibility. He is now filling the position of recorder of deeds, and when his present term of office expires he will have served for eight consecutive years.

Mr. Rich is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, March 18, 1854, his parents being John and Eliza (Bush) Rich, who in the year 1861 came to the United States, settling in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The subject of this review spent the first seven years of his life in his native country and then accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, coming to Springfield in 1873. He was employed continuously in the rolling mills through the succeeding decade and then embarked in the dairy business, in which he engaged continuously until 1896, when he was elected county recorder on the Republican ticket, notwithstanding the county was then strongly Democratic. That he deserved the confidence and trust thus reposed in him by his fellow townsmen was shown by his promptness and fidelity in the discharge of his duties during his first term of four years; indeed, he was so faithful and capable that in 1900 he was re-elected for a term that will continue until December, 1904. Other official positions have been conferred upon him. For five years he was president of the village board of Ridgely, for two terms was tax collector of Springfield township, for four years was supervisor, and for one year of that time was the chairman of the county board, covering the sessions of 1894 and 1895. He is a member of the school board of school district No. 48, located at Ridgely. His business affairs have also been capably managed. Judicious investments made in early life have enabled him to increase his realty holdings and he now owns considerable valuable city property, together with Texas lands, and is also interested in the Mining & Milling Company of Arkansas, owner of zinc mines. From these various investments he receives a good income. He is also the vice-president of the Citizens Savings & Loan Association and a director in the Springfield City Savings & Loan Association.

In November, 1878, Mr. Rich was united in marriage to Miss Annie Mowery, of Springfield, but formerly of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Isaac Mowery. Six children have been born of this union, two sons and four daughters: Florence A., Alice, Lulu, Mollie, Ben and Ray. Of various fraternal organizations Mr. Rich is a valued and popular member. He belongs to Springfield Lodge No. 4, A.F. & A.M.; Springfield Chapter No. 1, R.A.M., and Elwood Commandery K. T. He is also a member of Springfield Lodge No. 465, I.O.O.F.; Percival Lodge No. 262, K.P.; the Modern Woodmen of America, and is the president of the Fraternal Crystal Light. He has been a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, Capitol Tent No. 1, since its organization - in fact, was a charter member. For thirty years he has been a resident of Springfield and during this period he has formed a wide acquaintance in fraternal, political, business and social circles. His official career has ever been such as would bear the closest investigation, neither seeking nor requiring disguise, and in his business life he has demonstrated the power of energy, keen discrimination and honesty in winning success.