**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908 **************************************************************************** The Biography of C. H. DIVILBISS [Surnames: DIVILBISS, GARDNER, HAVERMALE, RANDOLPH] DIVILBISS, C. H. The grotesque appearing farmer with whom the comic artist has made us familiar has gone out of style in Illinois, if indeed, he ever existed, and in his place has come a man who appears well, thinks well, is informed on currents events and has that sincere desire to elevate his calling which cannot fail to secure him some measure of success. He is robust and intelligent and commands respect and attention where- ever he goes. To this class belongs C. H. Divilbiss, a representative of the second generation of his family in Fulton County, and the owner of 129 acres of valuable land in Sections 23 and 24, Joshua Twp. he purchased his present farm in 1892 and since has engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and also has made a study of horticulture, raising small fruit, finding a ready market for the same in Canton. J. A. Divilbiss, father of C. H. came to Fulton Co. from Pennsylvania where he was born, and settled on a farm in Canton Twp. where he farmed for several years, and whence he eventually removed to his present home in Kansas City, MO. Soon after coming here, he married Maria GARDNER, who was born in New York and who came to Fulton Co., with her parents at the age of two years. Six children were born of this union, of whom C. H., the fourth, was born in 1856. He was educated in the public schools, and in 1878 he married Emma HAVERMALE, a native of Fulton County. The year following, during the spring of 1878, he rented a farm in Canton Twp. and continued to live thereon until moving to his present home in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Divilbiss are the parents of three daughters: Maud, wife of L. F. RANDOLPH Pearl, now Mrs. J. F. RANDOLPH Hazel Mr. Divilbiss has served as Collector and Highway Commissioner of Joshua Twp. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is an energetic and painstaking man fulfilling his obligations with conscientious exactness, and in his work exemplifying the belief that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well.