CANTRALL, ZEBULON GRAHAM (deceased), belonged to a family which has been prominent in Sangamon County, Ill., since its early settlement, and for this family the town of Cantrall was named. The first of the family to settle here was Levi Cantrall, grand uncle of Zebulon G. Cantrall. The subject of this sketch was born in Sangamon County, May 7, 1835, son of Joshua Metz and Sarah Cantrall, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Joshua M. Cantrall came to Illinois as a young man and secured a farm in Sangamon County where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1890 and was buried in Cantrall Cemetery.

Zebulon G. Cantrall received his education in the country schools and remained on the farm with his parents until his marriage, then began farming on his own account. He came to Springfield in 1880 and took up carpenter work, becoming a successful contractor, but on account of failing health abandoned this business and accepted an agency for the Prudential Life Insurance Company. He had been a resident of Springfield sixteen years at the time of his death. He was a stanch Republican and actively interested in public affairs. He served seven years as Assessor of Fancy Creek Township, three years as collector, twenty years as School Director, and was also a constable. He became a prominent and well known citizen of Springfield and was much esteemed for his many good traits and his honest reliable character. He was genuinely mourned by his family and many personal friends. He was a devout member of the First Christian Church and much interested in charitable and benevolent causes.

Mr. Cantrall was married in Sangamon County November 6, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth J. Lilly, who was born in Augusta County, Va., November 19, 1838, daughter of William and Mary B. (Dobbs) Lilly, the father a native of Albemarle County, Va., and the mother of Louisa County, Va. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cantrall: Mary A., deceased; Mrs. Melissa E. Wormack, of Springfield, whose husband is employed as bookkeeper in a plow factory; Celia J., wife of Frank Gilman, in theatrical business, now living at Houston, Tex.; Noah M., deceased; Arminta L., and Amelia F., deceased; Alfred E., a carriage painter, is unmarried and lives with his mother; Zebulon G., connected with a wholesale house in Springfield, is unmarried and lives at 127 East Carpenter Street, Springfield, Ill. Mr. Cantrall's death occurred May 3, 1896, at Springfield and his remains were interred in Cantrall Cemetery. Mrs. Cantrall's father, William Lilly, participated in the War of 1812, serving in a Virginia regiment.