BIOGRAPHY - Arthur S. Catron
ARTHUR S. CATRON, who owns one of the finest farms of the county,
located on section 35, Drummer Township, has the honor of being a native of
Illinois. He was born in Fulton County, August 24, 1839, and is a son of
Israel M. and Savina (Smith) Catron. His father was born and reared in
Virginia and throughout life followed agricultural pursuits. In an early
day, he emigrated to Illinois, locating in Fulton County, where he remained
fifteen years. He was there married, in 1838, to Miss Smith, who was born in
East Tennessee, and with her parents came to Illinois before the Black Hawk
War. On leaving this State, the parents of our subject went to Polk County,
Iowa, where the father resided until 1881, when he went to Walla Walla
Valley in the State of Washington and operated the farm which he yet
occupies. His wife died in 1844 and was buried in Fulton County. They had a
family of three children: Arthur S., of this sketch; Nancy E., now deceased,
and George E , an engineer in Arizona.
Our subject acquired a common-school education, and at the age of nineteen
began teaching, which profession he followed until the 11th of October,
1861. Prompted by patriotic impulses, he responded to the call for troops,
and enlisted as a member of Company D, Second Iowa Cavalry, for three years.
On the expiration of that period, he veteranized and was in the service
until the 7th of October, 1865, when he was mustered out at Selma, Ala., as
First Sergeant of his company. He participated in eighty-three engagements,
including the siege of Corinth and the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Tupelo,
Nashville, Jackson and Moscow, and many others.
On his return home, Mr. Catron embarked in merchandising in Ipava, Fulton
County, Ill., following that business for a year, and then began farming, to
which occupation he has devoted his energies continuously since. He is one
of the most extensive farmers in Drummer Township. He has twenty-nine head
of horses and makes a specialty of raising an excellent grade of horses of
the Norman stock. He has some of the finest mares in this section of the
country.
Ere leaving Fulton County, Mr. Catron was united in marriage, July 20, 1866,
the lady of his choice being Mary S. Lacey, who was born in that county
April 25, 1849, and is a daughter of John and Cloe (Hurd) Lacey, natives of
the Empire State and of English and Irish extraction, respectively. Eight
children have been born of their union, but Manning C., their eldest, and
Lyman C., their fourth child, are now deceased. The living are Roscoe M.,
Arthur B., Bayard D., Mary D., Bruce and John.
In politics, Mr. Catron exercises his right of franchise in support of the
Republican party, of which he is a stanch advocate. He cast his first
Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. While residing in McLean County, he
served as Justice of the Peace two terms and was also a school officer.
Socially, he is a member of Bloomington Post No. 146, G. A. R. In 1892, he
located on the celebrated Roberts' farm on sections 8, 26, 34 and 35,
Drummer Township. It contains five hundred and three acres, for which he
paid $75 per acre. It is highly improved, well cultivated and one of the
most desirable places in the county. Mr. Catron is recognized as a
public-spirited and progressive citizen of Drummer Township.
Extracted 31 Jul 2020 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Record of Ford County, Illinois, published in 1892, pages 299-304.
