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On a farm near Oxville, in Scott county, Illinois, December 21, 1859, was born the subject of this sketch, Benjamin F. Green. At that time this country was on the boom and as he passed through the stages of childhood and youth to manhood he seemed to grasp the importance attached to life and "turned a hand" to help himself. He was educated in the neighborhood of Oxville and he made the best of the opportunities there afforded him. While we have no record of his having burned the tallow candle long after midnight in this search for the hidden lore of education, yet it is evident that he applied himself and out of his years of study emerged gifted with more than ordinary amount of "book larnin". During the winter of 1881-82 he taught school.

November 8, 1882, he was married to Miss Lillian N. Wade of near Griggsville, Pike county. The result of this union has been one son, John W. Green, now a promising lad some seventeen years of age. His home life has been very happy and he has surrounded himself with the comforts which lend pleasure and contentment.

For several years Mr. Green has been in the grain business at Riggston, managing an establishment for Henry and Charles Oakes. "Down weight" has been one of the cardinal features of Mr. Green's dealings with the community and it is not a difficult task to find men all over that country who stand ready to "swar" by his weights. Aside from being a good, safe business man, he is a pleasant gentleman socially. He hasn't neglected that side of life and mingles with the people. In their joys and sorrows he shares, and at all times stands ready with his assistance, whether it be of a sympathetic nature, or of the more substantial sort, to show to them, and to the world, that B. F. Green is in heart, in deed, a friend.