GREENWOOD, KNOLTON A. - The agricultural activities of Cass County are many, and the interested parties are men of prominence and good common sense. To their efforts is due much of the fertility of the land and the consequent abundance of the crops. One of the above mentioned men is Knolton A. Greenwood, of township 18, range 9, who is now operating the homestead of his parents, which he owns.

Knolton A. Greenwood was born February 21, 1852, a son of C. Decatur and Eliza Ann (Duckwilder) Greenwood, the former born in Roanoke County, Va., who, in 1851, moved to Illinois, settling at Chandlerville, the birthplace of his son, Knolton. There he rented land, although able to buy if he had wanted to do so. At that time it was considered more profitable to conduct another's property than to invest in the uncultivated land. In 1879, however, conditions having changed, he bought 120 acres of timber at Oregon Point, township 18, range 9, and with the help of his sons cleared off the timber and made many improvements. After the death of his wife, in 1899, he and his son Knolton kept house together until his death in 1907. He and his wife were the parents of sixteen children, nine of whom survive, namely: William, who is of Virginia; Flora, who is Mrs. August Frederick, of Chicago; Knolton; Frank, who is of Chandlerville; Samuel, who is of Virginia, Ill.; Joseph, who is of Decatur, Ill.; Lucretia, who is Mrs. John Miller, of Virginia, Ill.; Mrs. Haley Cappor, who lives at Chandlerville; and Emma, who is Mrs. Barrett, of Rockford, Ill.

Knolton A. Greenwood grew up on his father's farm, attending the schools of his district and gave valuable assistance in the early work of the farm. When the other children married and went to homes of their own, Knolton was called upon to assume the care of his parents and gave them filial attention. Later he bought the homestead where he resides, and takes great pride in this fine property. He has never married. In politics he is a Democrat.