TODD, JOHN H., a retired farmer living in Springfield, Ill., is a veteran of the Civil War and has a most interesting war record. Mr. Todd was born in Madison County, Ky., March 15, 1841, son of Hardin and Lucy A. (Stagnor) Todd, both natives of Madison County. The parents lived on a farm and both died in Madison County, the father in 1865 and the mother in 1845. They were parents of six children, of whom two are now living, John H., and Eliza, Mrs. Harris, born in 1839, living in Richmond, Ky. John H. Todd lived at home with his father until eighteen years of age, helping with the work in the farm and attending the public school.

Mr. Todd enlisted in 1861 in Company F, Eighth Kentucky Infantry, under Captain J. B. Bouton, who was killed at the Battle of Stone River, after which B. S. Dixon became Captain. The first battle in which they participated was Stone River, which lasted two days. Mr. Todd was capture in this battle, held thirty minutes and recaptured by Colonel Stokes. Before the battle Col. Sidney M. Barnes made speeches to the women of rebel families, who afterward served him and his men a very nice dinner. The regiment moved on to Murfreesboro, where they camped ten days, then began marching toward McMinnville, Tenn., thence went to Snow Hill, where they had a short fight with Morgan then went to Buzzard's Roost, marching all night to reach this point, fought there all day. Returning to Murfreesboro, they spent three weeks in camp there, then moved to Wartrace, Tenn., where they made camp. Thence they went to Tullahoma, then to Elk River, Tenn., to guard a bridge, and then to Ringgold, Ga., where they engaged in a hard fought battle. While at Resaca, Ga., in 1864, Mr. Todd cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. During the winter of 1863 the army was quartered at Shellmound, Tenn., until February, then went to Lookout Mountain, where they engaged in a battle, and from this place were able to view the all day fight at Missionary Ridge. They came down from the mountain, soon after went back to Chattanooga, and three weeks later to Ringgold, and soon afterward engaged in a battle at Chickamauga which lasted three days - Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Returning to Chattanooga, they remained there about a month and were mustered out at that place, in November, 1865. Mr. Todd served with bravery and faithfulness and has every reason to feel proud of his record. He was never left behind a day, never was arrested or had cause to be, and never was put on extra duty. He was never really sick a day, and although taken to the hospital at Chattanooga, ran away from it the next day and returned to camp.

At the close of the war Mr. Todd returned to Madison county, Ky., where he lived until 1880, then came to Springfield, Ill., and soon afterward engaged in farming. For many years he has been retired from active life and owns a beautiful home at 1700 South Second Street. In religious views he is a Methodist and in politics a Republican.

Mr. Todd was married in Madison County, Ky., October 18, 1866, to Miss Minerva Harris, who was born in 1842, daughter of Overton and Naomi Harris, who came to Illinois four years before Mr. Todd, and both died in that State, being buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery at Springfield. Mrs. Todd died in 1897 in Springfield, and was also buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. She was a devoted wife and mother, made many friends, and did her full duty in all relations of life. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Todd, namely: William F., born in October, 1869, engaged in grocery business on Washington Street, Springfield, is married and has one son - Harry, born in 1907; A. A. born in 1871, is engineer in a laundry in Springfield, is married and has three children - Naomi born in 1894, Minerva, born in 1897 and John H., born in 1905; Smith G., born in 1874, top hand at a coal mine near Springfield.