STRIBLING, HENRY C. - Though Cass County soil is admirably adapted for agricultural purposes, had it not been for the efforts and persistence of its farmers, the lands would never have been brought to their present high state of cultivation, consequently much credit must be given to those who have been industrious. Henry C. Stribling, a prosperous farmer of township 17, range 8, was born in Cass County, July 16, 1852, a son of Isaac Milton and Margaret A. (Beggs) Stribling, natives of Kentucky. The father came with his parents to what is now Cass County when about nine years old, in 1830, his father being Benjamin Stribling. Isaac Milton Stribling entered land just west of Virginia, which was then almost entirely covered with timber, and later became the owner of a large amount. The mother of Henry C. Stribling died on this homestead in 1857, and the father married (second) Mariah Carr, born in Cass County, who outlived him, dying in 1907, he passing away in April, 1898. By his first marriage, the father had the following children: Johanna, deceased, who married William Hitchcock; J. T., who died at Ashland in 1911; Kate, who is Mrs. Bowles, of Palmyra, Mo.; Henry C.; Louisa, who is Mrs. John Virgin, of Virginia, Ill. By his second marriage the father had a family as follows: Emma, deceased, who was Mrs. Louis Savage, of Cass County; Carrie, who is Mrs. Louis Petefish, of Springfield, Ill.; Helen, who is Mrs. Luther Conover, of Chicago, Ill.; William, who is of Virginia, Ill.; Harriet, who is Mrs. Dr. Tutten, of El Paso, Tex.; Frank Milton, who is at Lee's Summit, Mo.; George, who is deceased; Lizzie, who died in childhood; and Howard who is of Washington, Ill.

Henry C. Stribling passed his boyhood upon the farm, and attended the schools of his district. In 1875 he bought a farm of 200 acres in township 17, range 8, Cass County, which had been already improved, by James Short, its owner, a very early settler of this locality. Since then Mr. Stribling has made many improvements, and has carried on general farming and stockraising, being an extensive feeder of horses, cattle and hogs.

In October, 1882, Mr. Stribling married Miss Maggie B. Newman of Ashland, Ill., a daughter of Jesse and Esther Newman of Cass County. The following children were born of this marriage, all of whom died in infancy: Jessie Elizabeth, born July 1, 1884; I. M., born October 15, 1887; Louise, born February 11, 1890, and Maggie Bernice, born January 11, 1892. Mrs. Stribling died January 16, 1892. Mr. Stribling married (second) December 19, 1894, Miss Edna V. Middour, who was born April 22, 1872, at Ashland, a daughter of David and Serena (Eliel) Middour, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Stribling have two children: William Clinton, who was born October 11, 1895; and Glenn, who was born February 13, 1897, both of whom are at home. Mr. Stribling has served as a school director since 1884, being elected on the Republican ticket.