CASE, NATHAN J., a prosperous and substantial farmer and favorably known citizen of Chandlerville, Ill., whose farm is situated in township 15, range 9, n., Cass County, Ill., was born on the farm where he now lives, May 23, 1861. He is a son of William and Catherine (Irvine) Case, both natives of Ireland, who came to the United States at different times, locating in the city of New York, where in course of time they were married. In 1858 they moved west to Illinois and settled in Cass County, where William Case soon afterward entered 320 acres of brush and timber land from the government, on which he built a shack and started to clear the land. Without assistance he had made considerable progress in this work when the Civil war broke out. Early in the course of the struggle William Case enlisted, was taken sick and died in a hospital in the South, leaving his widow and three sons to prove up the land claim. These sons were: Thomas, born in 1859, died in 1896; Nathan: and Obby, who died in 1892. Thomas helped his mother on the place. They lived in Chandlerville until the death of both, the mother passing away July 25, 1913. The farm was divided among the sons, and as the other sons had never married, it became the property of Nathan.

Nathan J. Case improved the place until there is now left upon it but forty acres of timber and brush. Mr. Case has always carried on general farming here, giving considerable attention to stock raising. He breeds Shorthorn cattle, draft horses and Poland China hogs. He is a very substantial and sensible farmer, and in August, 1911, built upon the property a fine, modern frame house. He had already improved a portion of the homestead with buildings while the other sons were living there, and in 1903 he made the place his home, having sole ownership. He also has a house and lot in Chandlerville.

Mr. Case was united in marriage February 21, 1884, with Susan Cowan, born in Chandlerville, Ill., October 21, 1867, a daughter of George and Eliza (Blair) Cowan, and they have the following children: Jennie and Carrie, at home; Mattie (Mrs. Frank Cline), of Cass County, has two children, Marjorie and Eugene; William, of Philadelphia, Ill., who married Louise Cooper and has one daughter, Blanche; and Thomas, Howard, Hallie, Theodore and Lula, at home. In politics Mr. Case acts with the democratic party and served as a school director for two years.