VALENTINE WARKINS

Valentine WARKINS, one of the prominent and influential residents of Bureau county, owning and operating a trract of land of one hundred and twenty acres, situated on sections 7 and 18, La Moille township, is a native of Rockingha, Virginia, born on the 10th of January, 1831. He s a son of St. Claire and Jane (SHIFLETT) WARKINS, both natives of Virginia, the former born in 1809 and the latter in 1812. They removed to Illinois in 1851, locating first at Princeton, where they remained for several years, but later made their way to Dover township, Bureau county. In their family were nine children, of whom Valentine WARKINS is the second in order of birth.

The subject of this review was reared in Ohio and Indiana, where he received a common-school education, and at the age of sixteen years started out in life on his own account. At that time he came to Illinois, the year of his arrival being 1847, and he first worked as a farm hand by the month, being employed by William KNOX, with wom he remained for eight years. His place constituted the presen site of Peru. By industry and economy Mr. WARKINS was enabled in a few years to purchase land of his own and engage in a n independent business career. As he propered in his undertakins he added to his property from time to time until he is now in possession of one hundred and twenty acres of valuabvle land, situated on sections 7 and 18, La Moille township. Here for many years he has been engaged in general agricultural pursuits, each year adding to his financial resources, and he has placed many improvements upon the farm, including good fences, a nice home and substantial outbuildings, besides a gas well. He has been successful in his undertakings, so that he is now able to lay aside the more arduous tasks of a business life.

On the 27th of March, 1857, Mr. WARKINS was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Vickery, who was born April 2, 1838, a daughter of Christopher and Mary (AERY) VICKREY, natives of South Carolina and Greene county, Ohio, respectively. They removed to Illinois at an early day, being numbered among its first settlers. In their family were born twelve children, of whom Mrs. WARKINS is the eleventh in order of birth. She was educated in the schools of Ohio and Illinois, ageve her hadn in marriage to Mr. WARKINS at the age of about nineteen years. She has become the mother of  twelve children,  of whom five are deceased, while the surviving members are: Amanda E., born December 9, 1858; Mary E., born April 3, 1866; Sylvia J., April 11, 1869; Wilaim A., December 14, 1870; Micha, July t, 1876; Ada, April 5, 1878; and Maggie, born March 20, 1880.

Mr. WARKINS is a democrat in his political views. He has been a hard working man, for he started out in life as a farm hand, but by industry and economy worked his way steadily upward until after a few years he was enabled to engage in business on his own account, having purchased a tract of land, to whichhe added from tiem to time until now, in his old age, he is the possessor of one hundred and twenty acres, from whichhe derives a good income, so that he and his wife may enjoy the eveingof life in their quiet country home, surrounded by the comforts of life. Mrs. WARKINS is an estimable lady, possessing many ssterling traits of character, and she is loved wherever known. Having spent the greater portion of their lives in Bureau county, theyhave a wide acquaintance, and are classed among the highly respected citizens of this section of the state.