Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough

Page 91

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Priest, the subjects of this sketch, came to Scott county, Illinois, in March, 1854. They were both born and reared in Ohio.

Mr. Henry Priest was born September 27, 1825, on Megs Creek, and Mrs. Priest was born November 24, 1826, on Sunday Creek, both near McConnellsville, in Morgan county, Ohio. The maiden name of Mrs. Priest was Sarah A. Ward. Both Mr. and Mrs. Priest were of German descent, their ancestors having migrated from Germany to this country long before the Revolutionary War. When Mr. and Mrs. Priest arrived in this county, they settled at Bloomfield, and at an early day took up their residence on the farm, which now constitutes the Priest homestead, where for a half a century they have been known for and wide for their many kind deeds and generous hospitality.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Priest have lived a quiet, conservative and domestic life, their greatest ambition being to perform some act of kindness to their children, neighbors and friends, to whom they have always kept open house.

Henry Priest died at his residence, February 24, 1901, and in his death the people of Scott county, and especially the people of his immediate neighborhood, lost a valued and true friend and neighbor.

Mrs. Priest still lives at the old home, near Bloomfield, and in her old age is the pride of her large family of children who vie with each other to see who of them can love her the most, and make of her remaining days the happy ending of this good man and woman.