Robert G. Rayburn

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: CLAPPER, HERRIOTT, MCCOY, MOHR, RAYBURN

ROBERT G. RAYBURN, of Mahomet Township, became a resident of this county when a boy eleven years old. He was born in Madison County, Ohio, Oct. 29, 1842, and was the sixth child of John R. and Mary (MCCOY) RAYBURN, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. They located in the latter State soon after marriage, and in 1853 came into Champaign County, settling in Mahomet Township, and remained there the balance of their lives. John R. Rayburn died Aug. 31, 1872, and the mother of our subject Jan. 22, 1868. Their ten children consisted of seven sons and three daughters, of whom six survive.

Young Rayburn spent his youth and childhood on his father’s farm, receiving a common-school education, and remained under the home roof until twenty-one years of age. During the progress of the late war and toward its close, in February, 1865,m he enlisted in the 154th Illinois Infantry, and served until the close. He then returned to Mahomet Township and resumed farming, in which he has since been engaged. His homestead includes 130 acres of choice land, all improved, and furnished with a handsome and substantial residence, a good barn and all necessary out-buildings. The fences, machinery and stock are well care for, and the homestead comprises in all its appointments a first-class modern country estate.

Mr. Rayburn was married in Mahomet Township, June 4, 1862, to Miss Isabella A., daughter of William and Louisa HERRIOTT. The parents of Mrs. R. were natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, from which latter State they came to this county in about 1851, and locating in Mahomet township, here passed the remainder of their lives. The mother died Nov. 15, 1875, and the father, March 25, 1883. Their fourteen children included seven sons and seven daughters, of whom the wife of our subject was the youngest. She was born in Scott County, Ky., Sept. 22, 1845. By her marriage with our subject she became the mother of thirteen children, of whom eleven are living; James F. and another child died in infancy. Those surviving are ida M., Eda B., John R., Henry A., Effie G., William M., Robert J., Charles D., Mary L., Benjamin F. and Laura J. Ida is the wife of Phillip MOHR, and a resident of Mahomet Township; Eda B. married Lewis CLAPPER, of Mahomet Township. Our subject has been Commissioner of Highways and School Director, and with his wife is prominently connected with the Presbyterian Church. Politically he supports the principles of the Republican party.