Biography - Josephus Cauby
JOSEPHUS CAUBY has always resided in this State, and his principal occupation has been farming, although he has also held a number of local offices, and was Assessor of Bois D'Arc Township for some time. He has ever been identified with the best interests of Montgomery County, and ranks as a noticeable illustration of that indomitable push and energy which characterize men of will and determination. In addition to being a successful farmer, whose opinions upon matters pertaining to agriculture carry with them great weight, he is a man of broad intelligence, who has given much attention to questions of public' import. At present Mr. Cauby is a resident of Farmersville, and is a prominent citizen of that place.
Born in Cass County, Ill., February 26, 1834, Mr. Cauby is the son of Joseph and Sophia (Simms) Cauby, the father a native of the Palmetto State, and the mother probably of Kentucky. The parents were early settlers of Illinois, where the father entered land from the Government. He was industrious and enterprising, and was prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of the county. By hard work and economy he became the owner of an excellent farm, and he and his excellent wife received their final summons on the homestead where they had passed the best years of their lives. The youthful days of our subject were spent in assisting his father to improve and develop the farm, and as he became thoroughly familiar with agriculture in his youth, it was not to be wondered at that he should choose it as his calling in his life.
The district schools of Cass County furnished our subject with a good practical education, but the principal part of his knowledge has been obtained by his own exertions. He was married on the 13th of April, 1856, to Miss Emaline Gerhard, a native of the Buckeye State, born in Montgomery County July 17, 1837, and the daughter of Samuel and Ann (Kardis) Gerhard, both natives of Maryland. At an early date, and when Mrs. Cauby was quite small, the parents moved to Scott County, Ill., where they were among the pioneers, and where she was reared. To Mr. and Mrs. Cauby have been born seven children, six of whom are living at the present time, viz: Anne, wife of William Downey; Frank; Nettie, wife of Mathias Clow; Joseph F.; Clara, wife of George Browning; and William. Emma C. is deceased.
In the spring of 1861, Mr. Cauby moved to Montgomery County, and settled in Bois D'Arc Township on a farm, where he remained until the spring of 1888. He erected good buildings and all necessary adjuncts, has accumulated his fine property by industry, economy and good management, and is now one of Montgomery County's solid men and enterprising citizens. In the above-named year he moved to Farmersville, and here he has made his home up to- the present time. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, and is a self-made man in every sense of that term. For three years he served as Assessor of Bois D'Arc Township, and has held other positions in the township, filling all with ability and efficiency. He is highly respected, and his advice and aid in all enterprises regarding the advancement of his community are very much appreciated. Mr. and Mrs. Cauby are worthy members of the Baptist Church, and he is serving as Clerk in the same. They are also identified with the Missionary Society of the church. In politics he is a pronounced Democrat, and takes much interest in the triumphs of his party.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 288-289.
