PURSELL, WILLIAM, was born Jan. 23, 1820, at White Park, near Belfast, Ireland. His parents emigrated to Bytown, now Ottawa City, Canada, in 1824. His mother died there, and he was taken to raise by Heraldus Eastabrook, of Vermont. He was brought by Mr. Eastabrook to Sangamon county, Ill., arriving at Old Sangamo, Oct. 25, 1833. William Pursell was married, Jan. 1, 1846, to Elizabeth Van Patten. They had thirteen children--

ROBERT H. died March 1, 1860, in his fourteenth year.

MARY A. died Jan. 16, 1860, in her twelfth year.

ALBERT H. died Nov. 1, 1871, in his twenty-second year.

JENNIE ADA died Dec. 28, 1859, in her second year.

JOHN C. died Dec. 4, 1871, aged ten years.

The other eight children--

CARRIE L., LAURA E., ALICE B., CHARLES W., HATTIE L., ROBERT R., FANNIE E. and JESSIE T. live with their parents, three and three-quarters miles southwest of Farmingdale, Sangamon county, Illinois.

Mr. Pursell was present at the organization of the Sunday school in connection with Farmington Presbyterian church, in Dec., 1833. For forty years--until 1873--his connection with the school, as pupil, librarian, teacher and superintendent, continued unbroken. He is one of the substantial farmers of Sangamon county.