SAMUEL DE COUNTER, one of the largest land owners in Woodstock township, was born in Brown county, Illinois, October 4, 1827, a son of Peter Frederick and Nancy (Scounts) De Counter. They were married in 1824, near Boon's Lick, Missouri. The father was a native of France, and emigrated to the United States in 1820; five years later he came to Brown county, and the following year brought his family here; he bought land which he converted into a fertile farm, residing upon it until his death at the age of eighty-four years; his wife also died in the county, at an advanced age; she was a Virginian by birth. Two children were born to them; a daughter, now deceased, and the subject of this sketch. Samuel remained at home until he was twelve years old, and then his father married Mary Manser, who died ten years later.

Samuel engaged in driving a peddling wagon until he was twenty-five, and then began his career as a farmer. He has been twice married; his first union was to Miss Catharine Miller, a native of summit county, Ohio; she died in Brown county at the age of thirty-one years, leaving three children. Frederick is married and the father of five children; Morris L. is married and has seven children; Emma is married and the mother of seven children. Mr. De Counter was married a second time in 1860, to Mrs. Harriet Stubbs, who was born in Floyd county, May 17, 1826, and was the mother of two children. Her parents, William and Jane (Gailey) Clark, father a native of Kentucky and the mother of Pennsylvania, emigrated to Illinois in 1852, and died in this State at an advanced age; they have ten children, two of whom are now living. By his second marriage Mr. De Counter had one daughter, who died at the age of twenty-one years, leaving one boy, Clarence Southey.

Politically, he adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, but takes no active interest in the movements of that body. He has been one of the most energetic and enterprising of farmers, and has amassed a handsome estate. He has always pursued strictly honorable methods, and has an enviable reputation wherever his name is known.