ROBERT FROST was born in Derbyshire, England, on the 15th of November, 1820, and, at the age of fourteen years, went to learn the trade of saw maker with the firm of Ibbotson & Bro., Globe Works, Sheffield, England, where he served an apprenticeship of seven years, receiving his indenture papers, which he has to this day. As a mechanic, Mr. Frost has few equals in his line of trade. Upon entering his twenty-second year, he became impressed with a desire to dwell among the scenes of a new country, and accordingly sailed, on the 14th of May, 1842, for America. After some time at sea they landed at New York, and from there started to the Great West, making Quincy, Ill., his point of destination. Here he arrived without a dollar in his pocket, and immediately went to work and earned his first dollars, but not at his trade, for saw manufacturing was not carried on in Quincy at that time, but did outdoor labor. After spending a short time there, he concluded to go across the country to Winchester, Scott county, Ill., and traveling afoot for two or three days, landed at Winchester. The first labor performed by Mr. Frost, after coming to Scott county, was for John King, who resided in Greene county, Ill., for five dollars per month. His next employment was teaching school, which he did for several months. He then went to Galena, Ill., to see the great lead mines, where he spent one summer in working in the mines. Not being successful, he concluded that he would go to New York City and apply himself to his trade. He was successful in getting a position, and was assigned the duties of foreman of one of the largest saw factories in America, where he remained for two years. His health failing him, he concluded to return home to England, which he did, and after spending three and a half years, again concluded to cross the ocean once more, and make a home for himself in free America, and, on the 3d of November, 1849, he once more bid adieu to the home of his childhood, and sailed for America, landing at New Orleans, from whence he took a boat to St. Louis. Mr. Frost purchased, while in England, the famous horse, Actan, which he imported in 1849. He then took a boat up the Illinois river, coming to Naples, and from thence to Winchester, where he remained until the fall of 1851, when he went back to St. Louis again, where he engaged with Lee, Gage, and & Co., saw manufacturers, which establishment he continued to work in till 1852, when he became one of the proprietors of the firm of Branch, Crookes & Frost, which he continued until the fall fo 1857. He then concluded to return to Winchester, which he did, and purchased an interest in the drug and hardware house of L. K. Simons, entering into a co-partnership of three years, at the expiration of which he purchased the interest of Mr. Simons, and became the sole proprietor of an establishment which today is one of the largest and best arranged in the county. Mr. Frost is also a member of the banking house of Miner, Frost & Hubbard, which was organized in November, 1867. Mr. Frost, since becoming a citizen of the United States, has taken an active part in politics in his county, being a staunch republican, and at the earnest solicitation of his many friends, consented to become a candidate for the state senatorship for the thirty-eighth senatorial district, and on the 8th of July, 1872, at Pittsfield, Pike county, Ill., was the unanimous choice of the convention. He entered the campaign with zeal, and had he have had time to canvass the whole district as thoroughly as he did his own county, would probably have beaten his opponent, though backed by his solid democratic majority. During the canvass, mr. Frost spoke at various points in his own county, and also in a few points in Pike and Calhoun counties. Though not in the habit of public speaking, and especially political speaking, he secured the earnest attention of democratic and republicans wherever he went. This, together with his genial manners and strong appreciation of everything from which a laugh was to be derived, won many friends, even from his political opponents, who did not forget him at the polls. Mr. Frost often said, publicly, during the canvass, that he was proud of his adopted country, and that it was while traveling on foot a poor, penniless youth, that he learned to love our people for their hospitality and kindness. One instance of this he said he should never forget, and we give it here as a fair sample of generous hospitality so common among our people thirty or forty years ago, but now sadly on the decline, we are sorry to say. Mr. Frost was traveling on foot from near Quincy to Winchester, Scott county, and somewhere on the western borders of Pike county he and his companion stopped with an old gentleman and lady, who occupied one of those primitive houses - a log cabin. A great fire blazed upon the hearth; rich milk, good corn bread, with other viands, adorned the table; and the homeless wanderers were made to feel that the place was home to them. When they went to part from their generous friends, the good woman filled their pockets with good things to eat, and refusing all compensation, like a mother parting from her sons, she pronounced her blessings upon the friendless strangers. Such disinterested kindness produced a deep impression upon Mr. Frost, who has been hears to say that he would go a thousand miles to see the old man and his good wife, but unfortunately, he has forgotten their names, and does not know wether they are living or not.

Mr. Frost, during the long and bloody war that devastated our country so recently, was a staunch friend of the Union and the brave soldiers who fought for it. His voice was always heard upon the side of his country, and where ever he could do any good, either by word or deed, he was promptly found. His record as a man, as a citizen, and as a patriot, is one that he need not be ashamed of anywhere; and long may he live to enjoy his good name, his ample worldly means, the products of his honest toil, and his pleasant home in his adopted country.

Mr. Frost was married to Miss Mary Watson, daughter of Ridley and Hannah Watson, on the 8th of November, 1855, at Mount Pleasant, Scott county, Ill. She is a native of Cumberland county, England. Their family consists of four sons, all of whom are living, and a blessing to their parents; their names are as follows: Charles R., John, Watson, and Edward James. He takes great delight in spending his evenings at home with his family, and instructing his sons in their various studies. We presume there is not a man in Scott county who has more warm friends, or that stands higher in the scale of morality, integrity, and general usefulness than the Hon. Robert Frost.