Laswell, Samuel bio

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Illustrated 1908, and the History of Fulton County, by Newton Bateman, LL.D. and Paul Selby, A.M., Edited by Jesse Hevlin, page ???
Samuel Laswell, a veteran farmer of Cass Township, Fulton County, Ill., was born in that township, October 11, 1832, and received his early training in the district schools in the vicinity of his home. He is the son of John and Phoebe (Morris) Laswell, natives of Virginia. John Laswell came to Cass Township in 1830 and located on what is now known as the Tate Farm, where he carried on farming.
The subject of this sketch was the fourteenth of a family of fifteen children, of whom he is now the sole survivor. About the year 1855, he bought a tract of 180 acres of land in section 4, Cass Township, which he cleared and improved, and on which he has since lived. On coming to this place he built a sawmill, known as Laswell s Mill , which has been in operation ever since this region was first settled.
On October 17, 1852, Mr. Laswell was united in matrimony with Sarah Lippy, a native of Pennsylvania, and four children were born to their union, namely: Mary (Mrs. Huffman), deceased; Melissa (Mrs. Bowlin); John, who lives in Cass Township; and Phoebe (Mrs. Evelyn). Politically Mr. Laswell is a supporter of the Democratic party and religiously is connected with the Christian Church. To the endurance, patient industry, perseverance and sturdy integrity of Samuel Laswell and his contemporaries is mainly due the present abounding prosperity of Fulton County.
transcribed by Richard Huneke, 2005