THOMAS BINKLEY. Amid the fertile farm lands of Lovington Township is a tract of eighty acres belonging to the gentleman abovenamed and devoted by him to general farming. It is pleasantly located on section 24, and is embellished with every necessary structure. To say that the owner is one of the most prominent farmers in the community gives but a slight idea of the respect he commands, for he is looked upon as one of the most intelligent citizens to whatever class they may belong. A good neighbor and a reliable business man, he also merits the gratitude of all who are pleased with the advance of civilization in this section.

Mr. Binkley comes of substantial forefathers. His father, Daniel Binkley, was a native of Perry County, Ohio, and was a chair maker by trade. The mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Zartman, was also a native of Perry County. The worthy couple passed their entire wedded life in Ohio where the father died in 1868; five years later the mother came to Moultrie County, and died in Lovington Township in 1880. Our subject was the only son in the family, and he had one sister, Amelia A., who became the wife of B. M. Clark and died in Lovington Township in 1881,

The birthplace of our subject is Perry County, Ohio, and his natal day August 25,1838. His youth was passed uneventfully in conning his lessons at the district school and gaining practical knowledge of the way to conduct a farm. He began the battle of life for himself at an early age and when he was able to establish a home of his own he was married in his native county, September 20, 1868, to Miss Matilda, daughter of John and Charlotte (Jonas) Fisher, natives of Perry County, Ohio. Mr. Fisher followed the occupation of a farmer and died in Perry County, where also his wife passed away. A large family of children had been born to them, ten in number, and Mrs. Binkley was the second in order of birth, having been born in Perry County, Ohio, September 10, 1889.

After his marriage our subject located in Perry County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. They made their home in the Buckeye State until 1873, when they removed to Moultrie County, Ill.; afterward they removed to Piatt County, whence after a residence of six years, they returned to Moultrie County and located in Lovington Township. Unto him and his estimable wife thirteen children have been born, ten of whom are living, as follows: Amanda C., the wife of George E. Foster; Amelia A., who married Charles Redman; Acta C., the wife of Irving Houseworth; William E., Charlotte, Oscar, Liberia, Daniel R., Walker O. and Lambert. The three deceased died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Binkley are consistent members of the German Reformed and Lutheran Churches and are active in every benevolent enterprise. He has served the people in several offices, among them that of School Director. He has always followed agriculture and his successful and honorable career is worthy of emulation.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 716

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