GEORGE ABBEY, engaged in the livery business at Kirkwood, is a native of New York, having been born in Steuben County, in 1844.  He is a son of Newman and Harriet (Van Wagoner) abbey, natives of Ulster Co., N. Y.  The father came to this State in 1857, and at first located on section 3, Tompkins Township, where, on rented land, he was engaged in farming for one year.  He then moved into the village of Kirkwood and embarked in the drug business with Mr. L. Howard, the original firm continuing to exist for three years.  At the expiration of that time he took into the business he son, Horatio, and the partnership continued until the death of the father, Sept. 1, 1885.
     The gentleman whose name we place at the head of this notice was an inmate of his father's household until he reached the age of 17 years, receiving at his hands and in the common schools of the county a good English education.  At that young age in life, George Abbey enlisted in the war for the Union, joining Company A, 83d Ill. Vol. Inf., as a private, and served in defense of his country's flag for two years and eleven months.  He participated in the second battle of Fort Donelson, and engaged in many skirmishes with the guerrillas and was in between 20 and 30 engagements with them.  At the expiration of his term of enlistment he received an honorable discharge, came home and once more entered upon the peaceful pursuits of life.  He rented land and for two years was engaged in farming.  In 1867 he embarked in the livery business, with which he combined that of a feed and sale stable at Kirkwood and has since continued in the same, meeting with that success which almost universally comes to a man possessed of that push and energy which has characterized Mr. Abbey's career in life.  In addition to his extensive stables, located contiguous to the tracks of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, Mr. Abbey has a fine residence and two lots in the village.  He is also the owner of 80 acres of land in Kansas, which he is rapidly bringing under a high state of cultivation.
     The marriage of Mr. Abbey was solemnized in 1871, at which time Miss Helen Barnum, a native of this State, became his wife.  Mr. Abbey votes the Republican ticket, and socially is a member of the G. A. R.  He is eminently worthy to be classed as one of the representative business men of the thriving little village of Kirkwood.
Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1886 - Page 197

JAMES F. ARTHUR is a pioneer of Warren County of 1836 and resides on section 18, Kelly Township.  He was born in the southern section of the United States, and reared there.  The death of his father when he was three years old left a heavy burden on the mother, as there were eight children of whom she was sole guardian.  In 1831, a removal of the family to Putnam Co., Ind., was effected, and in 1836 another change brought the widow and her children to Illinois
     Mr. Arthurs was born Dec. 29, 1807, and is the son of Joseph and Catherine (Wingfield) Arthurs.  Mr. Arthurs was 19 and when he came to this county, where he has since been identified with its development and general well-being.  The journey was made hither in the manner common in those days, with horses and oxen, and the domestic affairs were managed while the party were en route as nearly as possible as in the home they had left. Mr. Arthurs lived with his brother-in-law for a few months after reaching Illinois, and meanwhile bought the land included in the farm which he now owns.  He erected a log house and split clapboards for the roof and puncheons for the floor.  The place now presents a modernized appearance, as the cabin of that early period has given place to farm-structures that are in every way suitable to the change in the circumstances of the proprietor and to the times.
     The union in marriage of Mr. Arthurs and Miss Elizabeth A. Carmichael, took place in 1835.  She was born in the District of Newbury, South Carolina, July 5, 1817.  Five of their children are now living.  Two sons enlisted in Co. C, 36th Ill. Vol. Inf. William T. was killed in the action at Stone River, Tenn.  Abraham Y. died a few weeks after his return to his home.
     Mr. Arthurs is a member of the United Brethren Church.  He is a man whom his fellow citizens respect and esteem.
Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1886 - Page 198