McDonough ILGenWeb

REXROAT, Lawson T. — Among the most substantial farmers in Scotland Township, McDonough County, Ill., is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, July 5, 1854, a son of James M. and Jane (Moyers) Rexroat, the father being a native of Russell County, Ky., and the mother, of Green County, Ill. Grandfathers Peter Rexroat and Jacob Moyers were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Rexroat is the eldest of twelve children, of whom ten were boys. Of these, all but two of the boys are still living. When he was two years of age his parents moved to McDonough County and settled on a farm in Scotland Township, where he lived until he was twenty-three years old. During this period he attended the public and Branch Normal schools. At the time of his marriage, he bought 160 acres of land in Sections 23 and 24, Scotland Township, to which he moved and which he occupied about eighteen years. To this property he added until its extent reached 320 acres. On one of the additional tracts purchased, he built a house, into which he moved in 1893. He raises cattle, hogs, etc., and does a considerable amount of feeding. His main crop is corn, for use as feed for his stock.

On September 2, 1875, Mr. Rexroat was united in marriage with Mintie A. Rexroat, who was born in Morgan County, Ill., and there attended public school in her girlhood. Four children were the offspring of this union, namely: Lela (Mrs. Albert Burnham), Alta, Mary and Carrie.

In politics, the subject of this sketch is ranked with the Republicans. For the past six years he has served as Township Assessor, and held the office of Supervisor for one term; that of Road Commissioner one term; School Director one term, and School Trustee several terms. In religion, he professes the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In fraternal circles, he is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., M. W. A., and Mystic Workers.

During the battle of Stone River, when Mr. Rexroat was but nine years old, he rode a mule each evening to Macomb to get the news. In this incident are manifest the activity and pushing spirit which have characterized his subsequent years.

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