ABNER FIELD is a progressive and enterprising farmer, whose well-improved and finely cultivated farm is located on section 19, township 13, range 6, Pope County. His homestead comprises two hundred and seven acres, upon which is a substantial farm residence, barns and other buildings. Our subject was born in the county November 12, 1844. His paternal grandfather, Lewis Field, was one of the honored early pioneers of Illinois, to which State he emigrated from Kentucky about the year 1810.

Abner Field is the son of Lewis and Sarah (Fisher) Field, who were both natives of Kentucky. The former emigrated to this region with his father, making the entire trip in wagons, and landing at Golconda, where he took up land from the Government, paying $1.25 per acre. The tract of one hundered and sixty acres which he owned was about the first sold and in this locality. From time to time he added adjoining lands to his original purchase located on secdtion 19, the identical homestead on which our subject now reseides, and was called to his final reward July 20, 1859, at the age of sixty-two years.

The subject of this sketch remained on the old home place, which he carried on until his mother's death, January 21, 1883, at which time she was nearly seventy-two years of age. Since his birth, Mr. Field has passed nearly all his years on the old farm and indeed all of his life with the exception of some two years when he was in the army. He enlisted September 29, 1863, become a member of Company G, Sixth Illinois, Cavalry. He was in active service at the battle of Nashville in 1846 and at the engagements of Eastport, West Point and Meridian, Miss. He was a faithful and valiant soldier, always to be relied upon by his superior officers, who reposed the greatest confidence and trust in him on all occasions. he was honorably discharged at Selma, Ala., receiving this papers at Camp Butler, November 25, 1865, and on his return from army with pool health, spent the followin year in attending school at Columbus, as he felt the need of an education. During his youth he was entirely without schooling, as he was needed at home on account of his father's death when he was still a lad, and the consequent responsibility of carrying on the farm being placed on his young shoulders.

Our subject is truly a self-made man, having conquered almost insurmountable obstacles, such as want of education and poor health after his return from hardship incident ot army life, and various other impediments in the road to success. His mother carded, wove and spun his clothes as well as her own, and he sometimes laughingly remarks that he did not have a suit of "store" clothes until he was nineteen years of age. November 29, 1877, Mr. Field was married to Miss Minnie Trovillion, who was born in Columbus, Pope County, April 29, 1861. Her father was a native of Tennessee, but her mother, like herself, born in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Field a family of seven children were born, five of whom are now living: Lucy E., Allie M., Lewis, Bertha and Abner.

In 1883 Mr. Field inherited one hundred and sixty acres of his father's property, and in 1889 purchased forth-seven acres more, thus making his farm one of two hundred and seven acres. It is fertile, and yields an abundant income to the happy possessor. As a man he is popular and genial, owning many friends in this locality, who he has attracted to him by  his worthy and sterling characteristics. He has always been a member of the Democratic party, and holds membership with Temple Hill Lodge No. 701, A.F. & A.M. and with the Baptist Church at Columbus.

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