STOUT, PHILEMON. - Among the oldest families of which the pages of this volume bear testimony, who still survive to honor the community with their presence in Virginia, Cass County, Ill., one of the most prominent is that of Stout and a representative is Philemon Stout. He is a son of Philemon and Tacy (Phillips) Stout the former of whom was born near Trenton, N.J., in 1804. When about thirteen years old he was taken from New Jersey to Ohio, where he lived about twenty-seven years. In the year 1831 he came by wagon to Illinois and settled in Morgan County, and was accompanied by his wife and three children, Elias, Margaret and Jonathan. After living some time in Morgan County, he settled in Macoupin County, whence, three years later, he moved to Waverly, Morgan County. In 1850 he settled in Cass County, Ill., buying 200 acres of land at $15 per acre. Subsequently he sold this for $80 per acre, and it is now valued at $200 per acre. Retiring from active pursuits in 1877 he moved to the city of Virginia, Ill., and lived here until his death, October 28, 1891, his wife who was born in 1896, having passed away June 8, 1880. The remains of both lie in the Virginia cemetery. There were nine children: Elias, deceased; Margaret (Mrs. Ambrose Brubaker) of Memphis, Mo.; Jonathan, deceased; William, deceased; Ann Eliza, (Mrs. J. N. Sinclair), of Virginia; Sarah J. (Mrs. Henry Bevis), of Urbana, Ill.; Philemon; Emeline (Mrs. John W. Turner), of North Dakota; and Mary Frances, deceased. The father was twice married, first to Tacy Phillips, a daughter of William Phillips, and second to Barbara Stith. He was an old time Baptist and officiated for many years as a deacon and took great interest in church work.

Philemon Stout, Jr., was born March 5, 1840, in Morgan County, Ill., twelve miles northeast of Jacksonville, and received some book instruction in the district schools. He was reared on the farm and lived with his father until the time of his marriage. While living at home he taught school two terms in his home district. In his younger days he herded cattle on the prairies in pioneer times, and knows the meaning of some of the privations incurred by the early settlers. After leaving the home farm in 1875, Mr. Stout located in Virginia and engaged in the lumber business with P. H. Bailey. They started a lumber yard, afterwards buying out two other dealers, and several years later sold out. Subsequently Mr. Stout went into partnership with Charles Wilson. This continued eleven years and then the concern was sold to Lee H. Skiles. Since 1894 Mr. Stout has been living in retirement. He has financial interests in the Petefish-Skiles & Co. Bank of Virginia, Ill., and is also one of the directors.

Mr. Stout was married, September 27, 1871, at Girard, Ill., to Miss Ella Walker, a daughter of Richard Spencer and Mary Ann (Wood) Walker. She was born in Greene County, Ill., near Carrollton, May 12, 1847, and came to Cass County with her parents. The Walkers located southeast of the town of Virginia, on what is now known as the Black farm, and this farm was sold to Mr. Black by Mr. Walker, who was an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln. While living in Morgan County, now a part of Cass County, Mr. Walker was elected to the state legislature, and served two terms. He served in the Black Hawk war as a captain, and Mrs. Stout has two silver spoons made from the mountings from her father's sword carried in that war. By his first wife, Lucinda Hunter, to whom he was married in Kentucky, and afterward settled in Illinois, he became the father of Napoleon, Marcella, Lucy and Elmira. He was born May 22, 1801, in Kentucky, and died August 20, 1885. His second wife was Mary Ann Wood, to whom he was united January 16, 1845. She was a daughter of Lewis and Lydia (Marsh) Wood, the latter a native of Vermont. Seven children blessed their union: Ella (Mrs. Philemon Stout); James H., born March 8, 1851, of Palmyra, Mo.; Fannie, born January 20, 1853 (Mrs. F. L. Thompson), of Los Angeles, Cal.; Lavina L., born August 20, 1855 (Mrs. Edward Burnett), who lives in Girard, and three who died in infancy. The mother of Mrs. Stout was born January 1, 1816, and passed away March 10, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Philemon Stout had two children: Gertrude (Mrs. L. O. Skiles), born June 8, 1873, wife of the county clerk of Cass County; and Richard Lee, born September 21, 1877, died January 21, 1879.

Mr. Stout is identified with the A.F. & A.M., having been initiated in the Cass County courthouse when the corner stone of the high school was laid. He is also affiliated with the I.O.O.F., and has passed the chairs. For a number of years he has been school trustee of township 17, range 10. Within his recollection, land was purchasable near Ashland for twenty-five cents per acre, which is now held at $200. Mrs. Stout is a member of the Christian church and is highly respected by all who know her, as is her worthy husband.