HENRY M. HART, furniture dealer, Auburn, Illinois, was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on the 13th day of February, 1850. Son of John M. and Phoebe (Frost) Hart. John M. was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, March 8, 1816. His parents emigrated from South Carolina in an early day to Kentucky, where he embarked in farming. There were a family of thirteen children, ten of which lived to be adults - five sons and five daughters. He emigrated to Sangamon county in the winter of 1829, and located on Spring creek, coming through with teams, camping out and doing their own cooking. He remained on Spring creek but a short time, when he went to Morgan county, where he bought land and made a farm. John M. remained on the farm when his father died. At twenty-two years of age he married Miss Phoebe Frost, daughter of Jedadiah Frost, who were pioneers of Sangamon county, but afterwards of Montgomery county. Nine children blessed this union, four of whom are living, viz: James M., Nancy J., Henry M., Emma C. Mr. Hart's people came to this county in limited circumstances, occupying the first winter a log cabin, fourteen by sixteen, one room, puncheon floor, no window. Mr. Hart is one of the old and honored pioneers of the county, and has lived to see it from its infancy to one of the most flourishing and populous counties in the State. Mr. Hart is a member of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch, when fifteen years old, was apprenticed with D. D. Martin to the carpenter trade, where he remained one year. He was afterwards employed by McCoy & Stearns for five years. He then embarked in business on his own hook, contracting and building, which he followed about two years, when he formed a partnership with a man by the name of Nichols, and prosecuted the same business about a year and a half, when he purchased his present business, which he has followed since. In 1872, married Miss Mary A. Wrightsman. She was born in Sangamon county, September 7th, 1854. There are three children, Grace T., Bertha A. and Paul W. Mr. Hart is a member of the A.O.U.W., Auburn, Lodge No. 49. Also a member of the Sugar Creek Baptist Church.