Macoupin County
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Biography - FRANK R. DENBY

Frank R. Denby, a prominent young agriculturist of Carlinville township, Macoupin County, is a native of this county, the date of his birth being May 26, 1870. He is a son of William A. and Narcissa N. (Solomon) Denby, a grandson of Peter and Sarah (Quarton) Denby, and great-grandson of Robert Denby of Yorkshire, England.

Peter Denby, grandfather of our subject, was born in England and came to America in 1835, settling four miles southwest of Jacksonville, Illinois, near the Killam Mound. There he remained about one year, moving in 1836 to Macoupin County, where he lived thereafter until his death. He became owner of some 900 acres of land and was a practical farmer and upright citizen. He and his wife were parents of five children, as follows: William A., father of our subject; Peter L.; Thomas R.; Jonathan; and John. In religious faith, the family were Methodists. Peter Deriby died in November, 1863, and his wife in 1849.

William A. Denby was born in South Palmyra township, Macoupin County, March 17, 1837, and was reared upon the old Denby homestead where he remained until 1859. In that year he purchased a farm in Carlinville township, which is still owned by him, and engaged in agricultural pursuits very successfully until he retired from active business life and moved to the city of Carlinville. Mr. Denby was first married in 1858 to Narcissa N. Solomon, a native of Macoupin County, and they became the parents of 15 children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Sarah E.; William E.; May; Frank R.; Jennie; Henry; and Maud. Mrs. Denby died June 14, 1890, at the age of 42 years, and in 1892 Mr. Denby formed a second union, with Sarah Margaret Maze, by whom he has one daughter, Lillie. Fraternally, he is a member of Mount Nebo Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M., of Carlinville.

Frank R. Denby attended the common schools of his native county, and has always engaged in agricultural pursuits. In May, 1903, he took charge of the Denby farm, which is owned by his father. The farm, one of 435 acres, consists of the east half of fractional section 6 and the west half of the southwest quarter of section 5, in township 10 north, range 7 west, and is all devoted to general farming and stock raising. At the present time, he has 106 head of cattle, eight head of horses, and 35 head of hogs, and formerly engaged in sheep raising with some success. He is a man of excellent character and good business ability, and is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.

On December 31, 1896, Mr. Denby was united in marriage with Maude Allen, a daughter of W. T. Allen, who is well known as one of the old settlers of the county. Three children bless this union: Frank, Clarence, and Evaline. In political belief, he is a strong Democrat; although he has never aspired to office, he consented to serve as school director in his township, taking a deep interest in all educational matters. Fraternally, he is a member of the Court of Honor. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.


Extracted 2018 May 04 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 46-47.


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