When of proper age he was sent to
gather more learning in the common school. From that
until he became of age he was at work upon his
father's farm. Upon attaining his majority he
purchased a farm in the same county, which he
continued to operate with much prosperity until the
year 1851, when he removed to Coles County, now
Douglas County, Ill. There he entered Government land,
which he improved and cultivated with success until
the death of his wife.
Mr. Worrall was the husband of
Hannah (Canfield) Worrall, who was born in 1800, and
after residing at home until her twentieth year was
married. Five sons and four daughters were born to
this union, who lived to attain their majority, and
one child who died in childhood. The names of the
living children are as follows: Nathan, Rachel,
Elizabeth, James, Isaac (our subject), John, Mary,
Thomas M. and Hannah Naomi, all of whom went to
Illinois when their father removed thither. Mrs.
Thomas Worrall died upon the Coles County homestead,
as above noted, in April, 1863. The great-grandfather
of our subject, James Worrall, was by occupation a
farmer, a native of Kentucky, but for many years a
resident of Clark County, Ind., where he enjoyed,
during the latter years of life, the fruit of his
early labor, and at last lay down and quietly closed
his eyes in the last sleep.
Our subject was born on the 20th of
November, 1832, in Monroe Township, Clark Co., Ind.
His education was received in the schools of that
district, and by a natural process he passed from
school to farm, to labor upon the same until his
parents removed to Illinois, and continued to live
with them until the day of his marriage to Miss
Rebecca Jane Landers, on the 3d of January, 1856. To
our subject, by this union, have been born twelve
children, of whom nine are still living: Thomas D.,
Hannah O., Nellie S., Mack Oliver, John C., William
L., Viola, Edmund B. and Lulu Mabel. Mary T. died at
the age of eight years; Dolly, aged two years and five
months, and Maud, aged two years.
After his marriage our subject
farmed for nine years in Illinois, near Camargo, where
the three eldest children were born. In 1865 he
removed to Otoe County, Neb., and after continuing
prosperously until 1867, removed to this county. He
took up the northeast quarter of section 2, West Oak
Precinct; went to work to make all needed
improvements, including the erection of house, barn,
granary and farm buildings, setting out the hedges,
planted the orchard, and bringing the remainder to a
high state of cultivation. This continued to be his
home until 1882, and here the residue of his: family
were born. In March of the above year our subject sold
this property with the idea of going West, but finally
purchased his present home, which was slightly
improved and had the house already erected upon it.
What other improvements there are have been made by
our subject, including the exceptionally fine orchard,
grove and hedges, which go far to make the home
surroundings picturesque and pleasant.
Rebecca J. Landers, the wife of our
subject, was born Aug. 24, 1836, in Coles County,
Ill., and is the daughter of Daniel and Eliza Landers.
Her father was born April 12, 1812, in Putnam County,
Ind., which was always his home, and where he followed
the occupation of a farmer. He became the husband of
Eliza Montgomery, and to them were born four children,
of whom Mrs. Worrall is the only one living. Her
father died Oct. 6, 1830, upon his farm. Her mother,
who afterward married again, lived until Dec. 28,
1855. Of the children of our subject, Thomas D. has
become the husband of Mary Glassburn, and they are the
parents of a son, named Byron K.; Nellie S. is now
Mrs. William Clift, and lives with her husband and two
children, Jessie J. and Hubert E., in Saunders County.
Hannah O. was married to C. H. Hoover; they reside in
California, and have four children--William, Nora,
Hubert and Maud.
Our subject and wife are members of
the United Brethren Church, and in that communion are
among the most earnest and faithful members. They have
seen this county through all the changes of its
evolution. When they first settled its original
owners, the Indians, had not yet vacated, and the wild
game was all around them. They have not been spared
the difficulties and toils of pioneerism, but have
always met and bravely battled, side by side, with
every difficulty, and now it is their happiness
together to enjoy the golden fruit success, which has
ripened within their reach. Our subject has
|