SAMUEL H. BOOK, SR., farmer, P.O. Fairfield.  From one of the first
families of this county the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is descended.  He was born in Henderson County, Ky., nine miles from the Red Banks, on September 15, 1825, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Miller) Book.  The father was born in Fincastle, Botetourt Co., Va., and at the age of fifteen he commenced to learn the trade of a hatter, from a man by the name of Rudizell . This trade he afterward followed for some years.  At first leading a roving life up and down the Mississippi, but finally in Christian County, Ky., he married his wife and settled down.  He lived in Kentucky until October, 1831, when he came to Wayne County, Ill., and settled in Lamard Township.  There he followed the hatter's trade for one year, and afterward turned his attention to farming, and followed it until his death, on February 28, 1853.  The grandather was a native of Germany, and died in Virginia on March 27, 1815.  Subject was the seventh of nine children, of whom only four are living ---Harriet, wife of James Keen, of Hickorty Hill Township; Michael, in Lamard Township; William, in Texas, and S.H., Sr., our subject.  His education was received in the subscription schools of ye olden time, and he lent a helping hand on the home farm until about twenty-five.  He then settled on the farm where he has since resided.  Here he now owns 200 acres, 120 of which are in Section 4, and eighty in Section 29, of Township 2 south, Range 7 east.  About all the land is in cultivation, and about two acres in orchard.  In this county, on April 18, 1850, Mr. Book married Mary Book, his cousin and a daughter of Michael and Sibby (Franks) Book, who were also settlers of this county, and were natives of Virginia, being descended from old German stock.  This lady was born in this county on February 21, 1829, and to her have been born three daughters, viz,; Sibby F., wife of Samuel Sager, of Big Mound Township; Louisa, wife of A.R. Johnson (noticed in another place), and Mary, who still remains at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Book are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.  Mr. Book has kept aloof from political strife and officeseeking, giving most of his time to his own affairs, but as far as his support has gone it has been given to the Democratic party.