Martin  Barkley

          MARTIN  BARKLEY,  farmer, was born in Decatur County, Ind., March 28, 1840, came to Cumberland County, Ill., when young, with his parents, was raised on a farm, and had but poor advantages for an education.  He, however, improved his opportunities, and acquired a good business education.  At the age of twenty-one years he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war.  He never missed a battle in which the regiment participated, or a day's service, from sickness or other cause.  He was always at his post of duty.  At the close of the war he leased land for several years, but by saving and economizing has made himself the owner of a farm of 100 acres of well improved land, with a good house, barn and out-buildings, and an orchard of select fruit.  Mr. B. never was married.  He early espoused the cause of equal rights to all men, and united with the Republican party at its organization.  The family are all Democrats.
History of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland Counties, Illinois, 1884, pg 285, "Cumberland County, Crooked Creek Township".
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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