Biography - JOHN R. CAVENDER

John R. Cavender, one of the prominent residents and substantial and extensive farmers of Macoupin County, owning 458 acres of fine land in section 1, Gillespie township, and 80 acres in section 27, Brushy Mound township, was born in Bunker Hill township, Macoupin County, Illinois, November 13, 1849, and is a son of David N. and Eliza J. (Stockton) Cavender.

Mr. Cavender comes of Revolutionary stock, his great-grandfather serving during the War for Independence. His grandfather, Charles Cavender, belonged to the general muster of militia in later years. The latter was born in New Hampshire, in the vicinity of Concord, and died in Macoupin County, Illinois, at the age of 84 years. He was married five times, his oldest son, David N., being the only child of his first union, the mother dying in giving him birth.

David N. Cavender was 14 years old when he accompanied his parents from New Hampshire to Macoupin County. His father settled at Bunker Hill which was then called Wolf Ridge. He bought a farm of 240 acres from the m.an who entered the land, paying $5.25 per acre, all of it being unturned prairie with the exception of 80 acres in Brushy Mound township. He improved this land and at the time of death was accounted a man of ample fortune. In politics he was a Democrat. He belonged to the Anti-Horse Thief Association. He married Eliza J. Stockton, who was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky, and was a daughter of Davis Stockton who was a pioneer of Macoupin County. Our subject is one of eight children and the eldest, the others being: Frank, who died at the age of three years; Mrs. Lucy Grimes, who lives with our subject with her three children — William, Walter and Ruth; Maggie, who died at the age of five years; Mrs. Jane Huddleston, of Gillespie, Macoupin County; Calista, who died young; Ellen, who died at the age of 34 years; and Mrs. Mary Halpin, of Gillespie, Macoupin County.

Our subject is almost a lifelong resident of Macoupin County, having come here at the age of four years. Reared a farmer and stock raiser, he has successfully followed these occupations, taking pride in breeding the best stock and in taking the lead in his farming operations. He has given the greater part of his attention to the raising of stock and has a large herd of full-blooded Durham and Hereford cattle, about 130 head, which he breeds, feeds and ships, and also 120 head of Poland-China hogs, and many horses and mules, keeping 30 head of draft horses. His leading crops are corn, oats and hay. For the past 30 years he has also operated several threshing machines, and thus covers almost every line of agricultural activity.

In politics Mr. Cavender is identified with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. Mr. Cavender has never married. He is a man of the greatest reliability and one who has devoted himself closely to business, making the most of his opportunities and setting an example in thrift and in progressive methods.

Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 521-522.