D. MARION STOVER is the present superintendent of schools in Schuyler county, Illinois. He was born in Bainbridge township, this county, October 27, 1848, a son of Samuel Stover, a native of Page county, Virginia, born in November 1813; he was son of Samuel Stover, whose father was also named Samuel Stover. The parental great grandfather, who lived in Shenandoah county, Virginia, married Barbara Lionbarger. The paternal grandfather emigrated to Ohio in 1816, and was a pioneer of Licking county; he purchased a tract of land on which was a log house and other scant improvements; there were no market towns, and cattle and other live-stock had to be driven to Baltimore and other eastern markets; the wife carded and spun and wove the cloth with which her children were clothed; the maiden name of the paternal grandmother was Susanna Brumback, a native of Virginia, who died in Licking county, Ohio. She reared a family of thirteen children; the father of our subject was a child of three years when his parents removed to Ohio; there he was reared, receiving his education in the subscription schools that were taught in the primitive log cabin. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority, and then started out in life for himself. He first rented land and carried on farming in this way for three years; at the end of that time he turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1845, when he came to Illinois; he made the journey overland, accompanied by his wife and one child. He settled in what is now Bainbridge township, on land which he had purchased previous to coming here, the quarter section costing $150. Then there were no railroads, and grain had to be delivered at river towns. Mr. Stover went to work diligently to improve his farm, erecting substantial buildings, and placing the land under good cultivation; he lived on this place until 1888, when he rented it and removed to Rushville, where he has since lived a retired life. He was married to the mother of our subject in 1842; her maiden name was Maria Campbell, a native of Richland county, Ohio, and a daughter of Peter L. Campbell; he was born in 1799, and was but one year old when his parents removed to Ohio, and there he was reared and married to Agnes Jones; in 1844 he emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Schuyler county, where he became a prominent citizen; he and his wife are both deceased. Mrs. Stover has also passed from this life; seven of her children survive her: Milton L., Oscar A., D. Marion, Horace T., Rollin M., Robert C. and Zelm E.

D. Marion Stover spent his early days upon the farm, and attended the rural schools during the winter season. Although his opportunities were very limited he was diligent and used his time to the best advantage. At the age of twenty-one years he began teaching, and has since become well-known among the educators of the county. In 1886 he was elected to the office of county superintendent of schools, in which he has served continuously since that time. Familiar with all the needs of the child, he is very efficient in this capacity, and has brought the schools to a high grade of excellence. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of Rushville Lodge, No. 9, A.F. & A.M.