Biography - James Marshall
JAMES MARSHALL. In every condition of life and in every locality where the struggle for a livelihood is going on, where can independence be found more faithfully portrayed, or more clearly demonstrated, than in the life of the honest, industrious farmer? To omit the name of Mr. Marshall from this volume would be to leave out one of the most prominent and successful agriculturists of the county, who has not only thoroughly identified himself with the farming interests of this section, but by his pleasant, genial manner has won many friends. In former years, the life of the farmer was considered a laborious one, but in this progressive age, with such improvements in machinery, he can do his work with half the dispatch or labor as in the time of his father, and, in fact, work but little, if any, harder than the average man who strives to make a living. Besides all this he is independent, which is one of the much sought for conditions of life. Mr. Marshall is one of the successful farmers who have kept thoroughly apace with the times, and have reached the condition of life mentioned above.
Our subject was born in Ohio, June 18, 1837, and is a son of Michael and Sarah Marshall. He grew to mature years in his native State and received his educational advantages in the common schools. In 1861, at the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company G, Fourteenth Missouri Infantry, and operated in Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky. He participated in the battles of Ft. Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth and other engagements of minor importance. During service, he became physically incapacitated and was honorably discharged after having served nearly two years. He receives a pension of $8 per month.
On the first of February, 1876, Mr. Marshall married Miss Eliza Tapscott, who was born October 22, 1847, and by her he has one son, Joseph E., whose birth occurred May 17, 1882. In 1859, Mr. Marshall came to Illinois and located in Jersey County, where he remained for some time. Later, he came to Montgomery County and settled on his present farm, where he has since resided. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres, has it in a fine state of cultivation, and is one of the leading tillers of the soil in his locality. His home is all that a cultivated mind or a cultured taste could wish, and on every hand are evidences of thrift and industry intelligently applied. He and Mrs. Marshall are highly-respected members of society and are well known as public-spirited and enterprising citizens.
Mrs. Marshall was born in Indiana and is the daughter of John and Phoebe A. (Woodward) Tapscott, both natives of the Buckeye State. About 1848, her parents came to Illinois, purchased a farm in Jersey County, and there resided for a number of years. Later, they moved to Warren County, Ohio, and there they reside at the present time, both over seventy years of age. Although well along in years, they enjoy comparatively good health, and are a much esteemed and honored old couple. Charles Tapscott, Mrs. Marshall's brother, lost his life in the Civil War. Her mother was matron during the war at Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, and draws a pension of $12 per month. Mr. Tapscott was also nurse in a hospital during that trying war.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 172-173.
