EARLY, DR. JACOB M., was born Feb. 22, 1806, in Virginia, came to Springfield, Ill., about 1831, was married near Springfield, to Catharine Rickard. Dr. Early was a practicing physician, and a local preacher in the M. E. church. In consequence of some political difficulty, he was shot and killed, March 11, 1838, in Springfield, by a merchant, Henry B. Truitt, who was son-in-law of William L. May, at that time member of Congress for this district. The difficulty was about appointments to office, all the parties interested being democrats. Dr. Early left two sons. His widow married Mr. Miles, and lives in Petersburg, Ill. See history of the Rickard family.