Biography - Jefferson P. Graybill
JEFFERSON P. GRAYBILL was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, near
Lancaster, September 12, 1836. His parents were Samuel and Nancy (Pence)
Graybill. Both were natives of Lancaster County, Pa. His father moved to
Ohio in 1808 and was there married. They were of German descent. Of this
family there were six sons and six daughters, eight of whom are now living.
Our subject is the eldest son and fourth child. Of those living, Emily is
the wife of Charles Vorys of Lancaster, Ohio; Nancy married Mr. Gesell and
resides at Odell, Neb.; our subject; George who married Mattie Carlisle and
lives in Lancaster, Ohio; Minerva, the widow of Henry Maller, who resides
near Lancaster, Ohio; Mary, the wife of Mr. N. Middlesworth, who resides in
Ringgold, Iowa; Samuel, resides in Morton County, Kan., and Lewis who is
married and lives in Ohio. The names of the deceased are: Martha, Matilda,
Isaac and Jacob.
Our subject came to Illinois in 1858, locating in Holland Township, Shelby
County. He received his education in the public schools and at the Ohio
University in Athens. He also took a course in Granger & Armstrong's
Commercial College at Columbus, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1858. He
commenced teaching after locating in Illinois, following that profession in
connection with farming, for several years. For twenty-two years he has
devoted his attention to farming exclusively. He was married June 30, 1867
to Miss Cynthia A. Syfert, who was born in this county, December 17, 1849.
Her parents were George and Mary A. (Neivling) Syfert. They were natives of
Ohio, where they were married. They removed from Ohio to Holland Township
and were among its pioneers. Eleven children were born to them, six of whom
are now living, Mrs. Graybill being the fourth in order of birth.
Mr. Graybill has always taken an interest in political matters and has been
a lifelong Democrat. He has held many offices in his township, having served
four years as Supervisor; he was on the Building Committee of the Court
House, having served one year on this committee, after his term as
Supervisor expired he refusing to re-elected. He has been Collector of
taxes, Township Clerk, Assessor, and served six years in succession as
Highway Commissioner. Mr. Graybill gives liberally of his means to the
support of religious enterprises, although he is not a professor of
religion. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Graybill, all of
whom are living. Edward Clement is the eldest and is attending school at
Normal, Ill.; Samuel J. is qualified to teach but prefers farming, and is
now engaged in that laudable avocation; Clara May has been teaching two
years in Shelby County; Mara Ida, is teaching in Fayette County, Ill.;
Charles Walter, Thomas Perry, Victor Milton, Lewis Burton, Florence Edna,
Anna Pearl and Nellie Fern. These latter seven reside at home with their
parents.
Extracted 27 Sep 2020 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, page 701.
