JOHN CROMWELL was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, November 11th, 1836. His father Richard Cromwell, was born and raised in Maryland, as was also his mother, Caroline Eichelberger. They were married in Ohio, and John Cromwell was the oldest of their nine children. In 1842, the family came to Illinois, and settled in the southern part of Hilyard township. He lived at home till twenty-one, and then rented land and went to farming for himself. In 1865 he bought and moved on the farm he now owns in section fifteen of Honey Point township. He was married May 3d, 1868, to Mary C. Hutton, daughter of Daniel Hutton. She was born at Alton and was living in Cahokia township at the time of her marriage. Mr. Cromwell has a farm of 240 acres. He has always been a democrat in politics. In 1866 he was elected county coroner, and held that office two years. He was the first collector of Honey Point township after the adoption of township organization, being elected in 1871. In 1872 he was elected a member of the board of supervisors, and also served in the same capacity in 1878. He has lived in the county from early boyhood, and is well-known throughout the county. His father is still living, and resides at Bunker Hill.