Page 903
JOSHUA M. CANTRALL, retired, Fancy Creek township, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 17th day of December, 1810; son of William G., and Deborah (Mitts) Cantrall, natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Owensville, Bath county, Kentucky, where they were married and where one child was born - Doratha. In the year 1805-06, he moved to Ohio, where there were nine children born, viz: Ann, Elizabeth, Joshua M., Thirza, Adam M., Deborah, Mahala, Susannah, William M.
In 1824, he came to Sangamon county, Illinois, and located in Fancy Creek township, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land, built a log cabin, sixteen by eighteen, where there was a family of twelve persons lived. After coming to the county, two children were born, Maranda and Andrew J. Mr. William G. Cantrall died March 6, 1868; mother died in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Cantrall were members of the Christian Church. He held several local offices of trust; was one of the county commissioners at the time the State government was moved from Vandalia. The subject of this sketch married Sarah Cantrall, a daughter of Zebulon Cantrall, of Clark county, Ohio, where she was born March 14, 1812. The fruits of this marriage were ten children, viz: Zebulon G., William G., Matilda, Isaac, Jacob M., Joshua G., Mahala E., now Mrs. Geo. W. Baily; Sarah, George A.; four of which are living. Mr. Cantrall came to the county a young man, and has been identified with Sangamon
county over a half century. And has seen the wild and uncultivated prairies, broke and brought under a high state of cultivation; has lived on the same farm over forty-six years. Mr. C. owned a farm of three and twenty acres of land which he has distributed among his children. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Christian Church.