SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: CHENEY, CURETON, HATFIELD, HIGGINS, JUNKINS, MOORE, RICH, SKINNER, SYLVESTER, VELLUM

GEORGE and HENRY SKINNER, well known in Ayers Township as fine representatives of its substantial farming element, have a fine estate on section 4, of which 200 acres descended to them from their father. They subsequently added 180 acres to it, and through their excellent management it has developed into one of the finest farms in this part of Champaign County. The land is thoroughly drained with eleven and one-half miles of tiling, from three to twelve inches in diameter, and the present year (1887) they have 210 acres of corn. This cereal gains its richest growth on this particular soil. The corn fields of Illinois have long been the admiration of travelers from the East, and the Skinner Brothers have aided materially in sustaining the reputation of this section and this cereal as grown here.

The birth of these gentlemen took place in Somersetshire, England, that of George, Jan. 29, 1850, and that of Henry, Oct. 4, 1853. Their parents were Robert and Anna (RICH) SKINNER, who came with their children to Illinois in 1854, and at once located in this State, stopping first in Chicago, of which they were residents ten years, and thence removed to Shelby County, and finally to Coles County. The last removal was to Champaign County, where the elder Skinner purchased 200 acres of land and engaged in farming. He was born in Somersetshire, England, May 7, 1801, and the mother July 14, 1814. The latter was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and they both died on the old homestead in 1883.

Robert Skinner after coming to this country and acquainting himself with its laws and the manner of its Government, identified himself with the Republican party. Of his first marriage there were born six children, all now living; Mary J. became the wife of Mr. MOORE, and is living in England; Sarah A. married Mr. CURETON, of England; William married Miss Julia HIGGINS, of Maine; Anna became the wife of Thomas VELLUM; James married Miss Ann CHENEY; Elizabeth became the wife of George SYLVESTER, of Chicago. The children of the second wife were: Amelia, who married William HATFIELD; Rhoda, the widow of John JUNKINS, who died in 1875, and has one child; George and Henry of our sketch.

George Skinner is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is Trustee and Steward. The services of this society are held at Ames' Chapel. George is a School Trustee, Henry a Director, and both are Republican in politics.