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Will Briggs

C++20 for Lazy Programmers

Quick, Easy, and Fun C++ for Beginners
2nd ed.
Will Briggs
Lynchburg, VA, USA

Any source code or other supplementary material referenced by the

author in this book is available to readers on GitHub via the book’s
product page, located at www.​apress.​com/​9781484263051. For more
detailed information, please visit http://​www.​apress.​com/​source-code.

ISBN 978-1-4842-6305-1 e-ISBN 978-1-4842-6306-8

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-6306-8

© Will Briggs 2021

This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the

Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned,
specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations,
recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other
physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval,
electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar
methodology now known or hereafter developed.

The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks,

service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the
absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the
relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general
use.

The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the
advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate
at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the
editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the
material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have
been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional
claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Distributed to the book trade worldwide by Apress Media, LLC, 1 New

York Plaza, New York, NY 10004, U.S.A. Phone 1-800-SPRINGER, fax
(201) 348-4505, e-mail orders-ny@springer-sbm.com, or visit
www.springeronline.com. Apress Media, LLC is a California LLC and the
sole member (owner) is Springer Science + Business Media Finance Inc
(SSBM Finance Inc). SSBM Finance Inc is a Delaware corporation.
To the learners and readers. They tell me what’s wrong, and what’s right.
Introduction
Surely there’s no shortage of C++ intro texts. Why write yet another?
I’m glad you asked.
Ever since moving from Pascal to C++ (back when dinosaurs
roamed the Earth), I’ve been underwhelmed by available resources. I
wanted something quirky and fun to read, with sufficient coverage and
fun examples, like the old Oh! Pascal! text by Cooper and Clancy. Even a
perfectly accurate text with broad coverage gives you nothing if you fall
asleep when you read it. Well, nothing but a sore neck.
But the other reason, of course, is to promote laziness.
We all want our projects to be done more quickly, with less wailing
and gnashing of teeth. Sometimes, it’s said, you have to put your nose to
the grindstone. Maybe, but I like my nose too well for that. I’d rather do
things the easy way.
But the easy way isn’t procrastinating and dragging my feet; it’s to
find something I love doing and do it well enough that it feels relatively
effortless. It’s producing something robust enough that when it does
break down, it tells me exactly what the problem is, so I don’t have to
spend a week pleading with it to explain itself. It’s writing code that I
can use again and again, adapting it to a new use in hours instead of
days.
Here’s what you can expect in this book:
A pleasant reading experience.
Adequate coverage.
Games, that is, use of the SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer)
graphics library, which makes it easy to get graphics programs
working quickly. It isn’t fair that Python and Visual Basic should get
all the eye candy.1 The SDL library is used through Chapter 12. After
that, we’ll mostly use standard I/O, so we can get practice with the
more common console programs.
An easy introduction to SDL’s graphical magic, using the SSDL
(simple SDL) library (see below).
Sufficient examples—and they won’t all be about actuarial tables
or how to organize an address book. (See “A pleasant reading
experience” above.)
 Antibugging sections throughout the text to point out common or
difficult-to-trace errors and how to prevent them.
For g++ programmers, instructions on using g++, the ddd/gdb
debugger system, and Makefiles; for Visual Studio, use of the
debugger and project files.
Compliance with C++20, the latest standard, and the goodies it
provides.
Hands-on experience with advanced data types like strings,
stacks, vectors, and lists – not by reading about them, but by building
them yourself.
An appreciation of laziness.
A cool title. Maybe I could have tried to write a “For Dummies”
book, but after seeing Bioinformatics for Dummies, I’m not sure I have
what it takes.

Why SDL?
It’s surely more enjoyable to make programs with graphics and WIMP2-
style interaction than to merely type things in and print them out.
There are a variety of graphical libraries out there. SDL , or Simple
DirectMedia Layer, is popular, relatively easy to learn, portable between
platforms, and fast enough for real-world work, as evidenced by its use
in actual released games.
Figure 1 A game of Freeciv, which uses the SDL library

Why SSDL?
…but although SDL is relatively easy, it’s not simple enough to start on
day 1 of programming with C++. SSDL – simple SDL – saves you from
needing to know things we don’t get to until Chapter 143 before doing
basic things like displaying images (Chapter 2) or even printing a
greeting (Chapter 1). It also hides the initialization and cleanup code
that’s pretty much the same every time you write a program and makes
error handling less cumbersome.
You may want to keep using SSDL as is after you’re done with this
book, but if you decide to go on with SDL, you’ll find you know a lot of it
already, with almost nothing to unlearn: most SSDL function names are
names from SDL with another “S” stuck on the front. We’ll go into
greater depth on moving forward with SDL in Chapter 29.
(Free) software you will need
At the time of writing, Microsoft Visual Studio (Community Edition) for
Windows is absolutely free, and g++ always is. So are the SSDL and
SDL2 libraries; Microsoft Core fonts for the Web , which you’ll need on
Unix systems; and the GIMP deluxe graphics editing package. See
Chapter 1 and Appendix A for help installing these essentials.
Programming with sound may not be practical over remote
connections because of the difficulty of streaming sound. If using Unix
emulation, you might check the emulator’s sound capabilities – say, by
playing a video.

If this is for a course…

C++20 for Lazy Programmers covers through pointers, operator
overloading, virtual functions, templates, exceptions, STL (Standard
Template Library), and everything you might reasonably expect in two
semesters of C++ – plus extras at the end.
The SSDL library does take a small amount of time, but the focus is
firmly on writing good C++ programs, with SSDL there just to make the
programs more enjoyable. How many labs or projects do you have in
which it’s hard to stop working because it’s so much fun? It may not
happen with all these problems, but I do see it happen.
SDL also gives a gentle introduction to event-driven programming.
In the first 12 chapters, there is emphasis on algorithm
development and programming style, including early introduction of
constants.
After Chapter 12, the examples are in standard I/O, though SSDL is
still an option for a few exercises and is used in Chapter 21 and (briefly)
Chapters 25 and 26.
A normal two-semester sequence should cover approximately the
following:
Semester 1: The first 12 chapters, using SSDL; Chapter 13,
introducing standard I/O. With some exceptions (& parameters,
stream I/O, constexpr), this looks a lot like C, and includes
 variables, expressions, functions, control structures, arrays, and
stream I/O.
Semester 2: Chapters 14–22, using standard I/O, covering
pointers, dynamic memory, character arrays, classes, operator
overloading, templates, exceptions, virtual functions, multiple
inheritance (briefly), and a taste of the Standard Template Library
using vectors and linked lists.
Subsequent chapters cover material that wouldn’t easily fit in two
semesters, including more of the Standard Template Library, C
programming, and advanced topics including the use of command-line
arguments, bit manipulation, format strings, lambda functions, and
smart pointers.

Online help
Here are some sites to go to for more information, with URLs correct at
the time of writing:
SDL : www.libsdl.org . Click “Wiki.” You’ll find a reference for
SDL functions.
SDL’s helper libraries SDL_Image, SDL_Mixer, and SDL_TTF:
www.libsdl.org/projects/SDL_image/,
www.libsdl.org/projects/SDL_mixer/ , and
www.libsdl.org/projects/SDL_ttf/ . In each case, click
Documentation. You’ll find references for their functions. If the websites
have changed, doing a web search for the name of the library (e.g.,
SDL_Image) should get you there.

Legal stuff
Visual Basic, Visual Studio, Windows, Windows Vista, Excel, and
Microsoft are trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. All other
trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
This book and its author are neither affiliated with nor authorized,
sponsored, or approved by the Microsoft Corporation.
Screenshots of Microsoft products are used with permission from
Microsoft.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to
Dr. Kim McCabe, for advice on publishing.
Dr. Zakaria Kurdi, for the same.
Apress, especially Steve Anglin.
Microsoft.
The makers of GIMP (the GNU Image Manipulation Program).
Pixabay.com and contributors, especially 3D Animation Production
Company/QuinceCreative (Chapter 1, bullseye), David Mark/12019
(Chapter 2, beach), Free-Photos (Chapter 2, pug), Andi
Caswell/andicaz (Chapter 6, scones), joakant (Chapter 11, tropical
fish), Gerhard Janson/Janson_G (Chapter 12, UFO), 13smok (Chapter
12, alien sign), Prawny (Chapter 12, splat), Elliekha (Chapter 12,
haunted house), pencil parker (Chapter 12, candy), and Robert
Davis/rescueram3 (Chapter 12, pumpkin photos).
Wikimedia Commons.
OpenClipArt.org and contributors, especially Firkin (Chapter 2,
flamingo).
Flickr, especially Speedy McZoom (Chapter 12, jack-o’-lantern art).
FreeSound.org and contributors, especially Razor5 (Chapters 1 and 2,
techno music), robbo799 (Chapter 2, church bells), alqutis (Chapter
12, hover car), Berviceps (Chapter 12, splat), mistersherlock
(Chapter 12, Hallowe’en graveyard), matypresidente (Chapter 12,
water drop), Osiruswaltz (Chapter 12, bump), mrose6 (Chapter 12,
echoed scream), and robcro6010 (Chapter 12, circus theme).
Chad Savage of Sinister Fonts for Werewolf Moon (Chapter 12).
Lazy Foo’ Productions.
StackOverflow.com.
Einar Egilsson of cardgames.io for images of card games and Nicu
Buculei ( http://nicubunu.ro/cards ) for card images.
The alumni and colleagues who gave me reviews. You’re the best!
Table of Contents
Chapter 1:​Getting Started
Initial setup
…in Unix
…in MinGW
…in Microsoft Visual Studio
A simple program
Spacing
Creating an SSDL project
…with g++ (Unix or MinGW)
…in Microsoft Visual Studio
How not to be miserable (whatever your platform)
Shapes and the functions that draw them
consts and colors
Text
sout, escape sequences, and fonts
SSDL_​RenderText, SSDL_​RenderTextCenter​ed
Chapter 2:​Images and Sound
Images and window characteristics
Multiple images together
Adding transparency with GIMP
Sound
Chapter 3:​Numbers
Variables
Constants
When to use constants, not literal values
 Math operators
Integer division
Assignment (=​) operators
A diving board example
The no-worries list for math operators
Built-in functions and casting
Chapter 4: Mouse, and if
Mouse functions
if
Coercion and if conditions (if’s dirty little secret)
Combining conditions with &​&​, ||, and !
Boolean values and variables
A hidden object game
Chapter 5: Loops, Input, and char
Keyboard input
while and do-while
Loops with SSDL
break and continue
for loops
Increment operators
An example:​Averaging numbers
chars and cctype
switch
Chapter 6:​Algorithms and the Development Process
Adventures in robotic cooking
Writing a program, from start to finish
 Requirements:​What do we want to do?​
Algorithm:​How do we do it?​
Trace the algorithm:​Will it work?​
Coding:​Putting it all into C++ (plus:​commenting the lazy
way)
Chapter 7:​Functions
Functions that return values
Functions that return nothing
Global variables
How to write a function in four easy steps (and call it in one)
Why have functions, anyway?​
Recap
Chapter 8:​Functions, Continued
Random numbers
Making a random number generator
Using the built-in random number generator
Boolean functions
& parameters
Identifier scope
A final note on algorithms
Chapter 9:​Using the Debugger
Breakpoints and watched variables
ddd
gdb
Visual Studio
Fixing the stripes
 Going into functions
ddd
gdb
Visual Studio
Fixing the stars
Wrap-up
Bottom-up testing
More on antibugging
Chapter 10: Arrays and enum
Arrays
Arrays’ dirty little secret:​using memory addresses
Arrays as function parameters
Array parameters that change, or don’t
Array parameters and reusability
Enumeration types
Multidimensional​arrays
Displaying the board
Arrays of more than two dimensions
Chapter 11:​Animation with structs and Sprites
structs
Making a movie with struct and while
Sprites
Chapter 12:​Making an Arcade Game:​Input, Collisions, and Putting
It All Together
Determining input states
Mouse
 Keyboard
Events
Cooldowns and lifetimes
Collisions
The big game
Chapter 13:​Standard I/​O and File Operations
Standard I/​O programs
Compiling standard I/​O programs
Building a project from scratch (optional)
File I/​O (optional)
cin and cout as files
Using filenames
Chapter 14:​Character Arrays and Dynamic Memory
Character arrays
Dynamic allocation of arrays
Using the * notation
Chapter 15:​Classes
Constructors
const objects, const member functions…
…and const parameters
Multiple constructors
Copy constructors
Default constructors
Conversion constructors
Summary
Default parameters for code reuse
 Date program (so far)
Chapter 16:​Classes, Continued
inline functions for efficiency
Access functions
Separate compilation and include files
What happens in separate compilation
Writing your .​h file
Backing up a multi-file project
Multiple-file projects in Microsoft Visual Studio
Multiple-file projects in g++
Command line:​more typing, less thinking
Makefiles:​more thinking, less typing (optional)
Final Date program
Chapter 17:​Operators
The basic string class
Destructors
Binary and unary operators:​=​=,​ !=​, and !
All other comparison operators at once
Assignment operators and *this
Arithmetic operators
[ ] and ( )
++ and --
>> and <<: operators that aren’t class members
static members
Explicit call to constructor
The final String program
 #include <string>
Chapter 18:​Exceptions, Move Constructors and =​, Recursion, and O
notation
Exceptions
Move constructors and move =​(optional)
Recursion (optional; referenced in the next section)
Efficiency and O notation (optional)
Chapter 19:​Inheritance
The basics of inheritance
Constructors and destructors for inheritance and member
variables
Inheritance as a concept
Classes for card games
An inheritance hierarchy
private inheritance
Hiding an inherited member function
A game of Montana
Chapter 20:​Templates
Function templates
Concepts for function templates (optional)
The Vector class
Efficiency and O notation (optional)
Making Vector a template
Concepts for class templates (optional)
pair
Non-type template arguments
 #include <vector>
Chapter 21:​Virtual Functions and Multiple Inheritance
Virtual functions, plus:​move functions with movable parents
and class members
Behind the scenes
Pure virtual functions and abstract base classes
Why virtual functions often mean using pointers
Virtual destructors
Move functions with movable parents and class members
(optional)
Multiple inheritance (optional)
Chapter 22:​Linked Lists
What lists are and why have them
Efficiency and O notation (optional)
Starting the linked list template
List<T>::List ( )
void List<T>::push_front (const T& newElement);
void List<T>::pop_front ( )
List<T>::~List ( )
->: a bit of syntactic sugar
More friendly syntax:​pointers as conditions
The linked list template
#include <list>
Chapter 23:​The Standard Template Library
Iterators
…with vector too
 const and reverse iterators
Getting really lazy:​range-based for and auto
Spans
initializer_lists (optional)
<algorithm> (optional)
Chapter 24:​Building Bigger Projects
Namespaces
Conditional compilation
Libraries
g++
Microsoft Visual Studio
Chapter 25:​Esoterica (Recommended)
sstream: using strings like cin/cout
Formatted output with format strings
Command-line arguments
Debugging with command-line arguments in Unix
Debugging with command-line arguments in Visual Studio
Bit manipulation:​&​, |, ~, and <</​>>
Chapter 26:​Esoterica (Recommended), Continued
Defaulted constructors and =​
constexpr and static_assert: moving work to
compile time
Structured bindings and tuples:​returning multiple values at
once
Smart pointers
unique_ptr
 shared_ptr
static_cast et al.
User-defined literals:​automatic conversion between systems of
measurement
Lambda functions for one-time use
Lambda captures
An example with lambda functions
Chapter 27:​Esoterica (Not So Recommended)
protected sections, protected inheritance
friends and why you shouldn’t have any
User-defined conversions (cast operators)
Modules
Coroutines
Chapter 28:​C
Compiling C
I/​O
printf
scanf and the address-of (&) operator
fprintf and fscanf, fopen and fclose
sprintf and sscanf; fgets, fputs, and puts
Summary of commands
Parameter passing with *
Dynamic memory
Chapter 29:​Moving on with SDL
Writing code
Compiling
 Further resources
Appendix A:​Help with Setup
…for Unix users
Debian/​Ubuntu
RedHat/​Fedora
SSDL
…for MinGW users
…for Microsoft Visual Studio users
…for other platforms
Sound
Making your own projects
.​.​.​in g++
…in Microsoft Visual Studio
Appendix B:​Operators
Associativity
Precedence
Overloading
Appendix C:​ASCII Codes
Appendix D:​Fundamental Types
Appendix E:​Escape Sequences
Appendix F:​Basic C Standard Library
cmath
cctype
cstdlib
Appendix G:​Common Debugger Commands
Microsoft Visual Studio
gdb/ddd
Appendix H:​SSDL Reference
Updating the screen
Added types
Clearing the screen
Colors
Drawing
Images
Mouse, keyboard, and events
Music
Quit messages
Sounds
Sprites
Text
Time and synchronization
Window
References
Index
About the Author
Will Briggs
PhD, is a professor of computer science at the University of Lynchburg
in Virginia. He has 20+ years of experience teaching C++, 12 of them
using earlier drafts of this book and about as many years teaching other
languages including C, LISP, Pascal, PHP, PROLOG, and Python. His
primary focus is teaching of late while also pursuing research in
artificial intelligence.
About the Technical Reviewer
Charles A. Bell
conducts research in emerging
technologies. He is a principal software
developer of the Oracle MySQL
Development team. He lives in a small
town in rural Virginia with his loving
wife. He received his Doctor of
Philosophy in Engineering from Virginia
Commonwealth University in 2005.
Dr. Bell is an expert in the database
field and has extensive knowledge and
experience in software development and
systems engineering. His research
interests include microcontrollers, three-dimensional printing,
database systems, software engineering, and sensor networks. He
spends his limited free time as a practicing maker focusing on
microcontroller projects and refinement of three-dimensional printers.
Footnotes
1 “Eye candy”: things that look good on the screen. See The New Hacker’s Dictionary,
available at the time of writing at www.catb.org/jargon/ .

2 WIMP: window, icon, mouse, pointer. What we’re all used to.

3 Pointers.
Another Random Scribd Document
with Unrelated Content
The text on this page is estimated to be only 28.40%
accurate

480 PAST AND PRESENT mills draw water from wells which
have been sunk at different times. The farms are all thoroughly tiled
and ditched, and in all their appointments are among the up-to-date
farms of the county. Prior to 1873 the wife of our subject was Miss
Kate Remmers. She was the daughter of Jurko and Wendelke
(Tenhove) Remmers, and is the mother of nine children : Dena
married Lewis Meyer, and resides on section 32, Goose Creek
township ; Winnie is the wife of Jurgen Weets, also residing on
section 32 ; Fannie is Mrs. Christ Lubbers, who resides on section 31
; Reemt is a young man at home; Jurko, Kate and Otto are at home.
Mr. Lubbers and his family are consistent members and supporters of
the Baptist church, of which he is one of the trustees. To this church
they have given many of the best years of their life, he being at the
present time secretary of the church, and superintendent of the
Sunday-school, in which the wife is also a teacher. In political
affiliation, Mr. Lubbers votes with the Democratic party, though he
does not aspire to the emoluments of office. Men, as well as trees,
are judged by their fruit. The life of our subject has been singularly
fruitful in good works and deeds, and the splendid Christian
character which he has built up in his home community wields a
powerful and beneficient influence. CASPER WACK. Casper Wack is
one of the well-known stock-raisers of Piatt county, his home being
in Blue Ridge township. He was born September 20, 1850, in Canton
township, Fulton county, Illinois, a son of Casper and Mary Jane
(Linaberg)* Wack. The father was a farmer and carpenter by
occupation, following both pursuits. The subject of this review was
reared on the old family homestead in Fulton county, Illinois, and
acquired his early education there, pursuing his studies in the Mound
schoolhouse, which is still standing and is yet used for educational
purposes. In the summer months Mr. Wack assisted in the labors of
the fields, and thus early gained practical experience of farm work.
When he was twenty years of age his father began paying him
wages. He received twenty dollars per month in compensation for
his services, and he worked in this manner for his father for one
year, at the end of which time they entered into partnership
relations. They raised and bought considerable stock and as the
result of their stockdealing they prospered. Both were men of good
business ability and marked energy, and their capable management
and strong determination enabled them to progress along lines of
their chosen occupation. On the 4th of September, 1878, Mr. Wack
was united in marriage to Lizzie Ashby, a daughter of Jeremiah and
Ann (McKee) Ashby, of Hamilton county, Indiana, where Mrs. Wack
was born September 13, 1851. Her parents died there many years
ago. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wack were born three children : Garrett J.,
born July 23, 1879, is now living with his father; Wallace, born
February 23, 1881, married Miss Millie Baker and they have two
children ; and Emery, born September 3, 1883, is yet at home.
There is also an adopted child, Leo, born on the 27th of January,
1897. Mr. Wack now devotes his attention almost exclusively to the
raising of stock of various kinds. He perhaps pays more attention to
Poland China hogs than any other^
The text on this page is estimated to be only 29.01%
accurate

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 481 but he has large numbers of

cattle and horses upon his place. At the present time he has
nineteen head of horses and mules, and he feeds annually about
forty head of cattle, all of which he ships to the Chicago markets. He
buys stock cattle in Kansas City, and being an excellent judge of
farm animals he is thus enabled to invest his money so that his sales
bring to him good financial returns. He feeds almost all of the grain
which he raises to his stock, and yet he annually harvests good
crops for his fields are rich and productive, returning to him excellent
harvests. Mr. Wack lives upon a rented farm in Piatt county, but he
owns a good tract of land in Hamilton county, Iowa, near Webster
City. In his political views he is an earnest Democrat, and has held
some minor offices, having served as school director in his township
for six years, while for nine years he was a trustee. He belongs to
the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Mansfield Lodge No.
773. The beneficent spirit of the craft appeals to him, and he
endorses its principles by active co-operation for its good. His
business career has been .honorable and awakens the admiration of
those who know his history, for all that he possesses has been
attained through his own labors. JUDGE M. R. DAVIDSON. •Judge M.
R. Davidson, who has gained distinction by capable service upon the
bench and by marked ability in the trial of cases at the bar of Piatt
county, now makes his home in Monticello, where he is enjoying a
good practice. He was born in Macon county, Illinois, on the 4th of
April, 1847, an^ is a son of Baxter W. and Elizabeth (Harbaugh)
Davidson. The father was a native of Illinois and the mother of
Kentucky. The parental grandfather of our subject was Samuel
Davidson, who removed from South Carolina to this state before the
admission of Illinois into the Union. Pioneer conditions were
everywhere prevalent and in many sections of the state new
settlements had been made. He took up his abode in White county,
where later his son Baxter W. Davidson was born, and with the early
development and progress of his locality he was actively identified,
taking a helpful part in many measures which pertain to the public
good. Upon the old family homestead Baxter W. Davidson was
reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life and early became familiar
with the arduous task of developing and cultivating a new farm. In
1830 he removed to Macon county and became one of the early
settlers of that locality. It, too, was a frontier district, and he entered
land from the government and began its cultivation, turning the first
furrows in the fields upon what became his homestead there. For
many years he carried on agricultural pursuits in Macon county and
was widely known as one of the successful, progressive and
enterprising farmers of this portion of the state. His business career
was honorable, because in all his dealings he was straightforward,
never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any
trade transaction. He died at his home in the village of Mount Zion,
on the 23d of January, 1899, at the advanced age of eighty-one
years, one of the honored pioneers and respected citizens of the
community, in which he had made his home through nearly seven
decades. His wife died on the ist of March, 1867, and both lie buried
in the cemeteries of Mount Zion, Illinois. This worthy couple were
the parents
The text on this page is estimated to be only 28.46%
accurate

482 PAST AND PRESENT of seven children, five of whom

are yet living, but the subject of this review is the only one residing
in Piatt county. Judge Davidson acquired his early education in the
district schools of Mount Zion township, Macon county, and when he
had mastered the branches of learning therein taught, he became a
student in Mount Zion Seminary, which has since become the Millikin
University of Decatur. He there pursued a classical course and for
several terms he engaged in teaching school in Macon and Shelby
counties. In 1871 he entered the law office of the firm of Nelson &
Roby, having formed the determination to make the practice of law
his life work. Both of his preceptors are still living and Judge Nelson
is yet in active practice. They carefully directed his reading and he
applied himself assiduously to the mastery of the principles of
jurisprudence. Necessity compelled him to teach again in order to
replenish his depleted pocket-book, and he taught for two years, and
one year engaged in farming in the meantime. After studying for two
years he was admitted to the bar before the supreme court of
Springfield in January, 1877, and has since been an active factor in
professional circles of the state. He first practiced in Lovington.
Illinois, as a colleague of Judge William G. Cochran, there remaining
for almost three years, and in 1878 he came to the county seat of
Piatt county, since which time he has lived in Monticello and has
been recognized as one of its most prominent lawyers. He was a
partner of Samuel R. Reed from 188.2 until 1885, but with that
exception has been alone in the prosecution of his profession. He
prepares his cases with great diligence and care, carefully weighing
every point of evidence until he has ascertained with correctness the
most important points, and is thus enabled to present them with
clearness and force before the court and jury. His arguments are
strong, his deductions logical, and he seldom fails to win the verdict
desired. Many important interests have beeri intrusted to his care,
and he has thus been connected with the litigation which has
awakened much interest and attention in his district. In 1891 he was
elected county judge and served for a term of four years. A man of
unimpeachable integrity and with profound learning of the law
combined with the ability to put personal prejudices and opinions
aside in order to ^'ve an unbiased judgment, he took to the bench
high qualifications for this responsible office and proved an able
jurist. On the 5th of March, 1874, Judge Davidson was united in
marriage to Miss Emma M. Reeme, a daughter of William H. Reeme,
and unto this marriage have been born four children: Myrtle F., who
is a teacher in the city schools of. Chicago; Mabel R.. who is at home
with her parents ; Cloyd O., who is occupying a responsible position
as manager of a canning factory in Barron, Wisconsin ; and Lois A.,
who is still a • student in the schools of Monticello. The family is well
known and prominent in social circles here. In his political views the
judge is a Democrat, warmly espousing the cause of the party and
rendering effective aid in its behalf. He is likewise an active member
of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder for a
number of years. Universal progress and improvement are causes
dear to his heart and he has been a co-operant factor in m"anv
measures for the general good. ANDREW J. DIGHTOX. Piatt county
with its splendid agricultural opportunities attracted to this section of
the state manv men of marked business enter 
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 483 prise, whose qualifications

prepare them for the conduct of extensive and important farming
interests. Of this class Andrew J. Dighton was a representative and
he became one of the most successful and honored agriculturist and
stock-raisers of the community. He based his business principles and
actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern industry,
economy and unswerving integrity, and by constant exertion
associated with good judgment, he raised himself to a position of
affluence and of prominence, and his straightforward career won
him the confidence and respect of the entire community in which he
lived. Mr. Dighton was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, on the ist of
May, 1822, and was of English lineage. His paternal grandfather was
born in England and came to America with Burgoyne's army. He was
pleased with the country to which he had been transported for
military service, and instead of returning to his native land he
remained in the new republic, and, finally joining the Continental
army, aided in securing independence to the nation. When the
Revolutionary war was over he established his home in Watertown,
New York, where some of his descendants are still living. John
Dighton, the father of our subject, was born and reared in
Watertown and after arriving at years of maturity, wedded a lady of
that place. He, too, was loyal to this land when the war cloud
hovered above the horizon and he took -up arms against the British
in the war of 1812. In the state of his nativity Andrew J. Dighton
spent his early boyhood days, remaining there until seventeen years
of age. At that time he started out in life on his <>\vn account and
whatever success he achieved afterward was the direct result of his
own labor, merit and perseverance. He went first to Ohio, afterward
to Kentucky and subsequently to Virginia, spending several years in
the last named state. He was not only a self-made man, but also a
self-educated one and by reading and study greatly broadened his
knowledge, and thus became qualified for teaching, a profession
which he followed for some time. He afterward completed a course
of study in the Transylvania University in Virginia, where he was
graduated, and also he won a diploma as a graduate of the law
course. He never practiced the profession, however, although his
knowledge of law proved of valuable assistance to him in his
business career. His own education being completed, he engaged in
teaching school in both Kentucky and Virginia, although he spent the
greater part of his time as a representative of that profession in the
Blue Grass state. About 1852 Mr. Dighton arrived in Piatt county,
Illinois, where he remained until the following year, when he
returned to Kentucky, where he wedded Sarah C. Netherton, a most
estimable lady, who was born- in Kentucky, on the 26th of August,
1834. Her parents were John and Margaret Netherton, both of whom
were natives of Virginia, and the ancestor on the paternal line came
from the fatherland. Mrs. Dighton was the second daughter born
unto her parents and she continued to reside in her native state until
her eighteenth year, when she gave her hand in marriage to Mr.
Dighton, and. with him went to his new home in Piatt county,
settling in Monticello township. Here she has resided almost
continuously since, and by her marriage she became the mother of
eight children : John N., Elvira, William and Mary, all of whom are
living in Piatt county. Elviea is now the wife of F. V. Dilatush.
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PAST AND PRESENT Those who have passed away are

Morris, Andrew J.. Annie and Ida M. After his marriage Mr. Dighton
brought his bride to Piatt county, and upon a farm north of
Monticello, they began their domestic life. He purchased eight
hundred acres of land at fifteen dollars per acre. Few improvements
had been made upon it, but with characteristic energy he began its
further development and cultivation, and in course of years it
became a splendid estate. As his financial resources increased he
made judicious investments in property until his land holdings were
extensive and valuable. In all his farm methods he was progressive,
was systematic in his work and was determined in carrying out his
plans. His opinions were never hastily formed in regard to business
matters, but when once reached he adhered to them closely. A man
of resourceful business ability, he readily recognized, appreciated
and utilized them for the benefit of his own business career.
Moreover, in all of his transactions he was strictly fair and honorable
and was never known to take advantage of his fellow men in any
dealing. His. word became a synonym ofr integrity, and he enjoyed,
to an unusual degree, the confidence of those with whom he was
brought in contact. About the time of the organization of the Rank of
Monticello, he became one of its stockholders, joining the banking
firm which was known as Houston, Moore & Dighton. In public
affairs pertaining to the general welfare, Mr. Dighton was deeply and
actively interested, and he served as supervisor of Monficello
township in a manner which rcilected credit upon himself and was
satisfactory to his constituents. His political allegiance was given to
the Democracy. He passed away December 25, 1878, and for a
number of years Mrs. Dighton continued to reside upon the old
homestead, but in 1899 removed to the city of Monticello, where she
erected a substantial frame residence, modern in all of its
appointmens. There she is living with her daughter, Mary, a most
estimable young lady, who was educated in Monticello Seminary in
Godfrey, Illinois. The best thoughts and efforts of Mr. Dighton's life
were wrought into Piatt county's prosperity. He was the friend of
education, of justice and of the elements that prove of benefit to
mankind. Though his early education was meager, yet he achieved
for himself broad learning, and his continuous interest in every great
question of the age made him a man of profound thought and
scholarly attainments. The strong qualities which made him useful in
one locality would have insured his eminence anywhere. Though
never a seeker for political honors he exerted, through his wide
acquaintance, an influence exceeding that of many whose names are
familiar in public affairs. He was honored and respected throughout
Piatt county, and his life record, indeed, furnishes an example
worthy of careful study. JAMES OLSON. Prominent among the
agriculturists of Piatt county is James Olson, who cultivates a farm
on section 25, Goose Creek township. He has resided in the county
since 1884, and has by his upright life secured the esteem and
respect of his home community. Mr. Olson was born in Sweden on
the I3th of August, 1842, and is the son of Ola and Annie ( Person)
Jonsson, who were wellto-do farmers in the old country, and passed
their entire lives there, the father dying at the
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PI ATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 485 advanced age of eighty-

nine, April 8, 1903, the mother having passed to her rest several
years previously, May 5, 1894, at the age of eighty-one. The children
born to them were : James, the subject of this sketch; John, farmer
of Goose Creek township, residing on section 26: Betsy, the wife of
Peter Nelson, of Helsingborg, Sweden ; Kate, wife of Charles
Seaburg, of Weldon, Illinois; Peter A., contractor, living in Chicago;
and Hannah, who is the wife of P. Johnson, a merchant of
Helsingborg, Sweden. James Olson was carefully trained in the
public schools of his native country, and at the age of twenty-nine
came to America. He located first in Menard county, Illinois, where
he worked on farms by the month for some two years. He. then
rented a farm near Farmer City in DeWitt county, which he cultivated
for one year, thence to Piatt county, where he has since resided. He
rented farms for several years, but by thrift and economy was finally
enabled in 1884 to purchase eighty acres of the farm which he now
cultivates, and where he has continued to labor successfully. He has
added to his original purchase a tract of one hundred and sixty
acres, and is now in possession of one of the most productive farms
in the county. At the time of its purchase, it was much run down on
account of the fact that it had been rented for many years. Under
the careful management of Mr. Olson and at a large expense, the
farm has been put in splendid condition, he having tiled it
thoroughly, and in 1896 erected a handsome modern farm residence
and the following year a commodious and well-appointed barn. At
various times he has set out new orchards, and has improved his
fencing with the best quality of wire, fence, has sunk several deep
wells, over which he has placed windmills, and in many ways has .-
hewn that he is an up-to-date, progressive farmer. In the year 1875
he led to the altar Miss Christina Johnson, who has borne him three
children : Oscar, the eldest son, is one of the progressive young
farmers of Goose Creek township, cultivating a farm of his own, but
still residing at home. The second son, Charles, also owns an eighty-
acre farm near by, \\hile Edgar, the youngest, has marked out for
himself a career as a physician in the new line of osteopathy, and is
at present at the famous school of Kirksville, Missouri. During his
residence in the county Mr. Olson has evinced a good citizen's
interest in public matters, having been for the past fourteen years a
member of the local school board, and for the past four years has
been road overseer of his community. He and his wife are consistent
members o'f the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee
and steward. Both he and his wife are earnest and active members,
and are always found at the head of any movement which looks to
the advancement of the Master's kingdom. The political affiliation of
Mr. Olson lies with the Republican party, though the casting of his
vote on election day constitutes the extent of his interest in politics.
Mr. Olson is in many respects a model citizen and well deserves
mention in these memoirs of Piatt county's representative citizens.
DAVID H. PRINE. This prominent and representative farmer
cultivates a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 15,
Goose Creek township, where he has resided for some years. He is a
Buckeye by birth, born in Pickaway
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486 PAST AND PRESENT county, Ohio, on the 5th of April,

1856. His father, Albert Prine, was also a native of Pickaway county,
and died when David was but three years of age. His mother was
Xancy Robinson, who was born in Ohio in 1830, and is now an
inmate of our subject's home. After the death of her first husband,
she went to live with her father, David Robinson, with whom she
came to Piatt county in 1 86 1. where she later married Robert
DuVall. To the first marriage three children were bcrn, David being
the only one living. To the second marriage were born : Maggie, now
the wife of James Perkins, a farmer of Goose Creek township :
Isabel, who resides at Monticello. the wife of John Fitzwater; and
Xannie, who is the wife of Joseph Fitzwater, a farmer of Monticello
township. David H. Prine passed the early years of his life in Ohio,
where he received a good common-school education. Upon his
removal to Illinois, he was placed in the home of a Mr. Watson until
the date of his mother's second marriage, after which he lived in her
home. Upon the death of Mr. DuVall, the mother became an inmate
of our subject's home, where she has since been tenderly cared for.
Mr. Prine's own home life began in 1895. when he was happily joined
in marriage to Annie May, daughter of William Perkins. Their children
are : Edna Amy, six years old; Charles H., four years old: and Homer
O., one year old. The first purchase of land made by our subject was
an eighty-acre tract adjoining his present farm, and which he now
cultivates in connection with the farm which came to him through his
mother. He has also purchased a farm of three hundred and
eightyfour acres in Mississippi, as an investment. Mr. Prine's home
farm is a model of neatness and thrift. It is thoroughly tiled, and
ever\' fence and building on the place shows the master hand of one
who understands agriculture in its higher lines. He has placed upon
the farm several new orchards and many fine shade trees, and is
engaged largely in fattening, shorthorn cattle and hogs for the
general market. Mr. Prine takes an active interest in the welfare of
society about him. He is a Republican in politics and is a thorough
believer in the fraternal principles, being a member of DeLancl Camp
of Modern Woodmen and of the Odd Fellows. In religious belief he is
a member of the Church of God, his wife holding membership with
the United Presbyterians. DAVID H. DAWSON. Not all who seek
success win it. Some fail because of a lack of persistency of purpose,
others because of unfitness for the work which they undertake, but
the man who chooses wisely his calling and labors persistently
therein may always gain the competence for which he strives. David
H. Dawson is among the prosperous men of Piatt county, and after
long years of active and honorable connection with agricultural
interests he is now living a retired life in Bement. The story of the
pioneer experiences in this section of the state is familiar to him for
his residence here dates from a very early day. He is a native of
Sussex county. Delaware, bcrn on the 4th of July, 1824, his parents
being Zachariah and Mary ( Beacham) Dawson. The father was a
native of Delaware and the mother's birth also occurred in that state.
The Dawson family is of Scotch descent. The maternal grandmother
of our
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 487 subject was Celia Beacham,

who lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and ten years, and
the grandfather also lived to be about as old. The father of our
subject was a farmer by occupation, and throughout the greater part
of his active business life carried on agricultural pursuits. After
coming to the west he also owned and operated a flouring mill at
Winchester, Illinois. He arrived in this state in 1834, locating in Scott
county and there he carried on business for a number of years, but
the mill was eventually destroyed by fire, and he did not rebuild it.
In his life history there is also a chapter of military experience, for he
was a soldier of the war of 1812, joining the army as a private in
defense of American interests in our second war with Great Britain.
His political support was given the Whig party until the organization
of the new Republican party, when he joined its ranks and continued
to follow its banner until called to his final rest. In business he was
successful and honorable in citizenship, was loyal and public spirited,
and to the duties of his family and friendship he was most faithful.
He passed away in Winchester, Scott county, Illinois, when about
eightyeight years of age and the mother of our subject survived for
several years. -She was born in Delaware, living there until her
removal to Illinois with her husband in 1834. Called to the home
beyond, her remains were interred by his side in the Winchester
cemetery. This worthy couple were the parents of eleven children,
six of whom are still living, and the eldest brother of our subject is
Jesse Dawson, who is now eighty-eight years of age. David H.
Dawson and his brothers early became familiar with the arduous
task of developing new land, for they cleared the timber from four
hundred acres in Scott county. The}- were reared in one of the old
log cabins with its primitive furnishings and pioneer surroundings,
and David H. Dawson obtained his education in a log schoolhouse
with greased paper windows and slab seats. The children were
clothed in homespun garments, and the shoes for the family were
purchased of a traveling shoemaker who visited the homes once
each year, and made the shoes for the different members of the
family. Tallow dips were used in lighting the house and the fires were
started by striking sparks with flint. Each Sunday the family walked
six or seven miles to church. The farm wagon owned by the family
was but a twowheeled cart, all made of wood, having •neither tires
or iron in any part of its construction. All grain was cut with the old
time cradle and scythe, and farm work was carried on in a manner
which seems very primitive compared with our modern progressive
methods. Mr. Dawson of this review has witnessed almost the entire
development and improvement of Scott and Piatt counties, and has
seen the progress made in all lines of business activity. In the fall of
1854 he took up his abode in Piatt county, first settling in the edge
of the timber in Willow Branch township. The prairie' land at that
time was completely covered with water during the rainy season,
and was considered unfit for cultivation, but draining and tiling has
made the tract very rich and productive. There was good fishing in
all the streams around, and deer and other wild game was to be had
in abundance. There were many prairie wolves and evidences of
frontier life were seen in every direction. The nearest neighbor to
the Dawson family lived six miles away, but hospitality in those days
reigned supreme, and the latch-string always hung- out. Air. Dawson
first purchased a half sec 
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488 PAST AND PRESENT tion of land in Bement township,

but after a few years had passed he sold one hundred and sixty
acres, retaining the other quarter section, which he still owns. The
purchase price was seven and one-half dollars per acre and he paid
one hundred and 'fifty dollars down, having seven years in which to
pay the balance. He broke his land with five yoke of oxen, and
purchased all his farming implements on credit from the agent who
had sold him the land. Building a house on his land he soon
afterward put up a barn and in due course of time developed an
excellent home for himself and family. In 1874 he replaced his first
residence by a large brick house, one of the substantial and
attractive •homes of the county. He has also placed many rods of
tiling upon the farm, paying out altogether fifteen hundred dollars in
this way. He has erected a large barn and, in fact, his is one of the
model farms of the county. He continued its active cultivation until
February 1884, when he left the farm and purchased a home in the
village of Bement, where he has since resided, leading a retired'life.
Mr. Dawson has been twice married. He first wedded Caroline
Malissa Elliott, who is now deceased. They became the parents of
eight children, of whom two died in infancy, while six are still living,
namely : Belle, who married Joseph Medaris, of Bement, by whom
she has three children ; George, who wedded Emma Ragland and
resides in Missouri ; Clara, who is the wife of E. Deatheridge, of St.
Louis; William Zeb, who is married and resides near St. Louis, where
he is in the railroad service; Kate, at home ; and Frank E., who is
living in Louisiana. For his second wife Mr. Dawson chose Mrs. Ella
(Holderman) Madden, who, in her earlv life was a successful school-
teacher. Mr. Dawson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and his life has ever been in harmony with his profession. He has
contributed liberally to the church as he has prospered in his work.
He now makes his home in Bement and owns several village lots
besides his valuable farm property. During long years he has
witnessed the growth and development of this section of the state,
and has borne an active and helpful part in the work of
improvement. He certainly deserves to be mentioned among the
honored pioneers, and his life history, if written in detail, would
present a faithful picture of the early conditions in this section of the
state. He has now ' almost reached the eightieth milestone on life's
journey and because of his fidelity to principle, his honor and
integrity in all life's relations, he can look back over the past without
regret. He now receives the veneration and respect which should
have ever been accorded to one who has lived uprightly and has
reached an advanced age. JOHN OLSON. John Olson is another
member of the family elsewhere spoken of under the sketch of his
brother James. He is one of the stirring citizens of Goose Creek
township, cultivating a large farm on section 26. He was born in
Sweden, June 3, 1845. His education was such as could be secured
in the local schools of his home community, after which he dutifully
helped his parents on the home farm until he was twTenty-five years
of age. He preceded the coming of James to Menard county, Illinois,
by a year, and as in his case, worked as a farm hand for the first few
years. He finally rented a farm of two hun 
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 489 dred and eighty acres on the

line between Piatt and DeWitt counties, but after producing one crop
came over into Piatt county, where he rented a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres near Mansfield, and where he continued to reside for
four years. By close economy he had by this time saved enough to
purchase the first forty acres of the farm on which he now resides,
and for which he paid thirty dollars per acre. He later at different
times added an eighty and a forty to the original purchase. He is
also the owner of a quarter section in Greene county, Iowa, which
he purchased in 1901. .The original purchase of his home farm was
largely of wild land, and Mr. Olson has gone through the usual trials
of the pioneer farmer in bringing order out of chaos. The farm has at
present over two thousand rods of tile and is well ditched, making it
one of the good farms of the county. In 1892 he erected a
handsome new residence and later added a large barn. The farm is
equipped with several good wells _ with the usual windmill pump,
several fine orchards and many handsome shade trees, and the
entire place is under good wire fence. Mr. Olson gives special
attention to the breeding of cattle for the market and is also
specially engaged in the raising of thoroughbred horses. The married
life of Mr. Olson was initiated in 1873, when on the 25th of
September he led to the altar Miss Nellie Poulson. To them have
been born children as follows : Philip, the eldest son, married Bessie
Weddle, and is a farmer living near Paton, Iowa ; Alma became the
wife of Herman Melvin, a school-teacher residing near Weldon,
Illinois; Annie was educated at Normal, Illinois, and is now one of
the successful schoolteachers of the county, her last school having
been taught at Stringtown; Florence was also educated at Normal
and is a successful teacher in the county schools; Clark, the
youngest child, is a sturdy farm lad aiding his father at home. Mr.
Olson and his family are highly regarded in the social circles of Piatt
county. In political belief he ascribes to the tenets laid down in the
Republican platform and has served his community in several of the
unpaid local offices, having been on the township board for the past
two years, school director of his district, and for seven years has
been drainage commissioner of district L, Goose Creek township. His
religious affiliations lie with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which
he and his family are active members and in which he is a trustee.
The hope of the Republic is in its wellordered homes. The early
inculcation of a love for home intensifies the spirit of patriotism in
later life and cements the bond which exists between people and
country. This principle is exemplified in the homes of M. James and
John Olson, whose citizenship has always been of the highest
character and received the deserved enconiums of a large circle of
friends and neighbors. FRED W. KEEL, D. D. S. Dr. Fred W. Keel, who
for the past five years has successfully engaged in the practice of
dentistry at Monticello, is a native of Illinois, born in Marion county,
September 9, 1874, and is a son of Ambrose and Mary Jane
(Connaway) Keel, who are natives of Illinois and Indiana,
respectively. For some time the father was engaged in farming in
Marion county, this state, but when our sub 
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490 PAST AND PRESENT ject was seven years of age he

removed to DeWitt county, locating near Weldon, where the family
spent one year. At the end of that time they came to Piatt county
and Mr. Keel is now residing in Cerro Gordo township. He had eight
children, of whom six are still living. During his boyhood Dr. Keel
received a good common-school education, and later entered the
Western Dental College, at Kansas City, where he was a student in
1896, 1897 and 1898, graduating in the latter year with the degree
of D. D. S. Soon after his graduation he opened an office in
Monticello, where he has since engaged in practice with good
success, having already secured a good patronage. On the 22d of
February, 1899, Dr. Keel was united in marriage to Miss Delta M.
Parsons, of DeLand, Illinois, a daughter of Clay Parsons, now a
resident of Missouri. Having lost her mother when quite small, she
went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Marquiss, of DeLand, and
made her home with them from the age of seven years until her
marriage. The Doctor and his wife have a little son, Harold Marquiss,
born August 26. 1901. They are members of the Presbyterian
church, and, fraternally, the Doctor is also a member of the Illinois
State Dental Society. In his political views he is a Republican. To
some extent he has become interested in the real estate business,
dealing in northwestern lands mostly, but given his attention
principally to his professional duties. T. J. KIZER. If those who claim
that fortune has favored certain individuals above others will but
investigate the cause of success and failure it will be found that the
former is largely due to the improvement of opportunity, the latter to
the neglect of it. Fortunate environments encompass nearly every
man at seme stage of his career, but the strong man and the
successful man is he who realizes that the proper moment has
come, that the present and not the future holds his opportunity. The
man who makes use of the Xow and not the To Be is the one who
passes on the highway of life others who, perhaps, started out
ahead of him. It is this quality in Mr. Kizer that has gained him an
enviable position in the business world and made him widely known
as a grain dealer of Hammond, Illinois, and also as the president of
the State Bank here. He is honored and respected by all who know
him in both financial and commercial circles, and he is justly
accounted the leading citizen of the village where he has made his
home for over thirty years. Mr. Kizer is a native §f Macon county,
Illinois, his birth having occurred near Decatur on the iith of June.
1847, h's parents being John S. and Lydia (Davis) Kizer, the former a
native of Ohio and -the latter of Kentucky. The father resided in Ohio
until 1835, when he came to the west, settling in Sangamon county,
Illinois. There he engaged in carpentering until 1846, at which time
he removed to Macon county, where he purchased a tract of land
and again carried on general agricultural pursuits. He made farming
and carpentering his life work, but in 1888 retired from business and
lived in Decatur until his death, enjoying a well-merited rest. His life
was ever honorable and upright, busy and useful, and the sterling
traits of his character won fer him the unqualified regard and
confidence of those with
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 491 whom he associated. He

passed away on the loth of April, 1903, at the very advanced age of
eighty-seven years, and his widow now resides in Decatur, making
her home with her children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kizer were born nine
children, eight of whom are yet living, five being residents of Macon
county, two of Hammond, and one of Rockford, Illinois. .Mr. Kizer
received only a commonschool education, attending in Macon
county. In his youth he remained at home, and through the months
of summer he assisted his father in the operation of a farm, early
becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist. In December, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss
Eliza Adams, a sister of Dr. Adams, of the Wesleyan University, and a
daughter of Christopher B. Adams, who was a farmer, spending the
greater part of "his life in Macon county, where his death eventually
occurred. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kizer were born two children : Ethel,
who was born on the i6th of March, 1878, is now the wife of F. E.
Benard, who is engaged in general merchandising in Hammond, and
they have one child, Glenn P. Loren P., born June 2, 1880, resides in
Decatur, where he is connected with the Weare Grain Company. Mr.
Kizer came to Hammond in June, 1873, and embarked in the lumber
trade. Four years later he also entered the grain trade, conducting
both enterprises with good success until 1885. In that year he sold
out the lumber business, but continued operations in the grain trade,
which has since claimed considerable of his time and attention. He
now owns two large grain elevators in Hammond, with a capacity of
forty thousand bushels, and is carrying on the grain business on a
more extensive scale than any other man 23 in the southern part of
Piat.t county. He ships largely to Cincinnati, Indianapolis and St.
Louis, makes judicious purchases and profitable sales, and in the
control of his business has met with creditable and gratifying
success. When the State Bank of Hammond was organized John
Dighton was made its first president, but in January, 1902, Mr. Kizer
succeeded him, and has since acted in that capacity. The bank is
capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars, and a general banking
business is carried on along lines which have won for the institution
a most enviable reputation for reliability. In matters of citizenshp Mr.
Kizer is also progressive, and for twenty years he served as school
treasurer. He gives his political support to the Democratic party, and
never fails to cast his ballot for its men and measures. Both he and
his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of
Hammond, of which he is now serving as trustee, steward, treasurer
and recording secretary. He takes much interest in church work,
putting forth e\;ery effort in his power to extend the influence of the
church and promote its permanent growth. He thoroughly enjoys
home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and
friends. He is always courteous, kindly and affable, and those who
know him personally have for him warm regard. A man of great
natural ability, his success in business, from the beginning of his
residence in Piatt county, was uniform and rapid. As has been truly
remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving
him early opportunities for obtaining the requirements which are
sought in the schools and in books, he must essentially formulate,
determine and give shape to his own character; and this is what Mr.
Kizer has done. He has persevered in the pursuit
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accurate

492 PAST AND PRESENT of a persistent purpose and

gained the most satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in all
respects, and he has ever supported those interests which are
calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral
worth is deserving of the highest commendation. MRS. PERMELIA E.
STAATS. Mrs. Permelia E. Staats, widow of John P. Staats, makes her
home on. section 3, Willow Branch township, where she owns a fine,
well-improved farm. She is a native of Illinois, having been born two
miles and a half from Lincoln in Logan county, this state, and is a
daughter of John and Mary Musick, who were old settlers of that
locality and were of German descent. Her father was engaged in
farming in Logan county for many years, and there Mrs. Staats was
reared and educated, remaining under the parental roof until her
marriage, which was celebrated on the 2d of March, 1871. Her
husband, John P. Staats, was born May 23, 1841, in Clifton, West
Virginia, near the Ohio line, and was also of German lineage. His
parents, Isaac and Elizabeth Staats, were lifelong resident of West
Virginia. He was only three years old when his. mother died, and his
father passed away five years later. Thus he was left an orphan at
the early age of eight years, and his educational advantages were
consequently limited. For some time he made his home with a family
by the name of Coleman, in West Virginia, and was forced to work
when only a small boy. His sympathies being with the south he
served for three years as a soldier in the Confederate army during
the Civil war, and when hostilities ceased in 1865, he came to Illinois
and settled in Logan county, where he had sisters living at that time.
For one year he rented the farm of Levi Musick — his brother-in-law
— and at the end of that time bought a tract of land near what is
now the home place in Piatt county. It was not long, however, before
he sold that and bought a portion of the present farm, to which he
added from time to time as his financial resources increased, until at
the time of his death his landed estate consisted of three hundred
and twenty acres of rich and arable land. Mr. Staats began life in this
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