GILBERT PRITCHETT, farmer. P. O. Xenia, was born in Montgomery County, Ky., October 9, 1819, and is the son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Grooms) Pritchett, natives of Virginia. When our subject was but a small boy, his parents moved to Illinois and first settled in St. Clair County, where his mother died. In later years, the father removed to Marion County and remained till death. Mr. Pritchett is one of a family of thirteen children, only five of whom reached maturity, and four of that number are all that now survive — Mrs. Anna Tate, Gilbert, John, and Mrs. Elizabeth Patten, of Chicago. Both the sisters are widow ladies. Before our subject had reached his majority, he had worked at $9 per month, and made money with which he entered eighty acres of Government land in Marion County. In the spring of 1843, Mr. P. came to Clay County and settled in this township, and has since made this his home. Soon after coming here, he sold his land in Marion County and invested the money in land here. His occupation has always been that of farming, and has met with success in his chosen occupation. He now owns about 300 acres of land, all of which is near the village of Xenia. In connection with his farming, he also ran a carding machine for seven years at this place. January 11, 1844, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria W. Davenport, daughter of Dr. John Davenport, one of the earliest settlers of this county. The following children now living have blessed this union — Emily (wife of Willis Friend), John L.. Nellie B. and Charles. In politics, Mr. Pritchett is associated with the Democratic party, but takes no active part in political life. Mr. Pritchett came to this township when it was but thinly settled, when one could for miles ride through the prairie grass and see no sign of human habitation, but he has lived to see the county's development.
Extracted 28 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from 1884 History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois, Part IV, pages 166-167.
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