McDonough ILGenWeb

REXROAT, James M., a retired farmer residing in Macomb, Ill., and justly regarded as one of the most worthy and substantial citizens of the place, was born in southeastern Kentucky, in January, 1828, and received his education in the subscription schools. He is a son of Peter and Mournen (Hopper) Rexroat, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Kentucky. Adam Rexroat, the paternal grandfather, was born in Germany, and the grandfather on the maternal side, William Hopper, was a native of South Carolina. Mr. Rexroat is the oldest of six children born to his parents. At the age of nineteen years he came to Morgan County, Ill., where he was employed for two years at farming, by the month. He then rented a farm in Iowa for three years. In 1853 he came to Scotland Township, McDonough County, and bought 160 acres of land, which he improved. There he was engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1885, when he moved to Macomb and built a fine residence, where he lives in comfortable retirement. In 1873 Mr. Rexroat went to France, to secure blooded stallions for breeding purposes on his farm, and in 1881 and 1882 visited France and England for the same purpose. He became widely noted as a breeder of fine horses, dealing in Norman, English and Clyde stock. He started in this line in 1870, under the firm name of Rexroat, Moore & Westfall, and bought out his partners in 1873. He is now the owner of 320 acres of excellent farm land.

Mr. Rexroat has been twice married. His first wife was Jane Moyer, who was born and schooled in Illinois, and whom he married in 1850. She died in 1892, and in November, 1895, he was married to Dora Manlove, who was born and schooled near Rushville, Ill. He is the father of ten children, namely: Lawson, Eliza, Winfield F., William, Sarah, Jordan, Tellus, Robert, Lee and Frederick, all living. Politically, the subject of this sketch is a Republican, and has filled all the township offices with marked credit to himself and usefulness to the public. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, — Morse Chapter No. 19, and Macomb Lodge No. 17. In religious faith, he is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rexroat's sons are also members of the Masonic fraternity.

---

Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 988-989, extracted 29 May 2020 by Norma Hass.