MICHAEL BOOK, farmer, P.O. Boyleston, is one of the oldest native born citizens in the county. He was born in Mount Erie Township on October 15, 1823, and is a son of Michael and Sibby (Franks) Book.
The parents were born in Fincastle, Botetourt Co., Va., and were of German descent. The ancestors came from that country some time prior to the Revolution, and the great grandfather of our subject was killed in that conflict, and up until a few years ago, the musket used by the grandfather, who was also a soldier there, was kept in subject's family. It is said that the grandfather was one of the guard that took charge of Maj. Andre after his capture, and was with him up until his execution.
After the war had closed, this Revolutionary hero came to Henderson County, Ky., with his family, and there died at a good old age. The father of our subject grew to manhood in Kentucky, and then came to White County, Ill. In 1821, he in connection with the Ramseys, Nisbits, and Streets, built a pirogue, and came up the Little Wabash as far as Mount Erie Township, where they settled.
In 1822, Mr. Book went to Shawneetown, Ill. where he married, and then returned to Mount Erie Township, where he resided for fifteen years, and then came to Big Mound Township, where he died in October, 1858; his wife died in 1835.
Our subject was the oldest of five children, of whom three are now living. His education was received entirely in the subscription schools of his county, but since his growth to manhood he has added quite a good deal to his information.
He helped on the home farm until he was twenty-four, and then, on December 26, 1849, he came to the farm where he has since resided. He now owns 280 acres, eighty of which are in Section 17, forty in Section 16, and eighty in Section 21, of Town 2 south, Range 7 east, and eighty acres in Arrington Township. Of the whole, there are about eighty acres in cultivation.
In Big Mound Township, Wayne County, on December 6, 1849, Mr. Book was married to Elizabeth Gaston, a daughter of Cyrus and Margaret (Clark) Gaston, natives of South Carolina. This lady was born in this township on May 28, 1828, and was the mother of seven children, five of whom are now living ----
Mrs. Book died on March 10, 1876.
Mr. Book is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has served as Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, School Trustee and Director and Township Treasurer. Is independent in politics.
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