MATTHEW CLOYD. Among the prominent farmers of Sangamon County, who, having accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods, have retired from the more active duties of life, and are passing their declining days in the enjoyment of the varied comforts of existence, may be mentioned Mr. Cloyd, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page. An honored resident of the village of Chatham, he is interested in the prosperity of that attractive place and is a shareholder in the Bank of Chatham. He has always given his political support to the principles and candidates of the Democratic party, and is an active member of the Farmer's Mutual Benefit Association.

The Cloyd family numbers many representatives, and is well known throughout the length and breadth of Sangamon County. They trace their ancestry back to one David Cloyd, who was born in Virginia about 1766, and who, accompanied by his three children, removed in 1815 to Washington County, Ky., and thence, in October, 1825, to Sangamon County, this State, where he died in 1839. He had one son, Thomas, the father of our subject. The birthplace of Thomas Cloyd was in Virginia, and the date thereof January 14, 1797. In his native State he was united in marriage with Miss Annie Withrow, who was born in Virginia on the 29th of December, 1795. The parents of our subject were married April 27, 1820, and of their union were born six children, all of whom married and reared families. The father died of heart disease September 21, 1878, while the mother survived until February 22, 1882, when she died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.

He of whom we write was born in Vandalia, Ill., September 10, 1825, and was brought by his parents to Sangamon County when less than a year old, in the spring of 1826. The father located about three miles north of Chatham, in what is now known as Curran Township, and purchasing a claim, at once engaged in farming. Our subject remained under the parental roof until he was about twenty-three years of age, and in the meantime received a good practical common-school education and was trained to a thorough knowledge of agricultural affairs. In 1847 he purchased a small farm in Curran Township, and commenced farming for himself. This place embraced one hundred and ten acres, which were rapidly improved under the supervision of the thrifty proprietor, and which in time became a finely-developed estate. Upon this pleasant homestead Mr. Cloyd remained until the spring fo 1890, when, as above stated, he retired from agricultural labors and located in Chatham.

It is however, in his home that Mr. Cloyd takes the greatest enjoyment. Possessing a strong domestic nature, he finds his chief happiness in promoting the welfare of those most dear to him. In all his labors he has received the active co-operation of his wife, who bore the maiden name of Fannie Clements, and who is a daughter of Thomas Clements, of Kentucky. Mrs. Cloyd was born October 13, 1833, in Sangamon County, Ill., and there received a good education and such home training as fitted her for wifehood and motherhood. She was united in marriage with Mr. Cloyd October 18, 1848, and of their happy union nine children have been born, all now living, as follows: Robert T., who married Miss Mary Baugh, resides in Chatham Township; Eliza J., the wife of W. J. Smith, lives in Woodside Township; William O. married Miss Annie Staley, and makes his home in Wayne County; Julia F., the wife of the Hon. Ben F. Caldwell, resides in Curran Township; Matthew F. is a farmer of Curran Township, and his wife bore the maiden name of Emma F. Thayer; Annie M., Mrs. Allen Reed, resides in Chatham Township; that township is also the home of Henrietta, the wife of Charles Moore; Alice is still with her parents; Samuel B., who was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude McClure, makes his home with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Cloyd are justly proud of their children, who are already taking prominent positions in the business and social world.