Biography - RICHARD ISAACS

Richard Isaacs, one of the leading farmers of Dorchester township, Macoupin County, proprietor of the well-known "Angora Stock Farm," consisting of 340 acres, situated in section 12, was born in Dorchester township, Macoupin County, Illinois, December 10, 1840, and is a son of Abraham and Mary (Eaton) Isaacs.

The Isaacs family, which is of English extraction, was founded in America by two brothers of the name prior to the Revolutionary War; one of them was a member of the British Army and the other a member of the American Army in that struggle.

Richard Isaacs, grandfather of our subject, was born at Washington, D. C, and in early life went to Rowan County, North Carolina. He married Mary Stonestreet, a daughter of Butler Stonestreet, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. They had these children: Jane, Charles C, Abraham and Richard. By a second marriage, Mr. Isaacs had an additional family of six sons and one daughter.

Abraham Isaacs, father of our subject, was born November 10, 1810, in Rowan County, North Carolina. His mother died when he was three years old and he then went to live with his maternal grandfather, with whom he remained until his marriage, in 1836, when he came to Illinois. He settled first in Madison County, but in 1840 removed to Dorchester township, Macoupin County, where his death took place, January 29, 1897. Mr. Isaacs came to this county a poor man, and began married life in a log cabin on a small tract of land. Industry and thrift, for which both he and his wife were noted, brought about a great change in his condition, farm after farm being added to his possessions, and handsome and substantial buildings taking the place of the first humble residence. Early in life he was a Democrat, later he was a Whig, but before his interest in politics declined he became a Republican. Both he and wife were most worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our subject was Mary Eaton, who was born July 23, 1815, in Adams County, Mississippi, and died in Macoupin County, May 9, 1891. She was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Wallace) Eaton. The Eatons were natives of Maryland, of Welsh extraction and were prominent in the Revolutionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Isaacs had 10 children, viz: Mrs. Sarah Sinclair, who died in Macoupin County; Richard, of this sketch; Charles C, a retired farmer of Litchfield, Illinois; Thomas W., a farmer of Madison County, Illinois; Henry K., a farmer of Bond County, Illinois; Mrs. Amanda C. Ayers of Fayette County, Illinois; Alfred A., who died aged three years; Abram; and three babes, who died in infancy.

Richard Isaacs was reared on the home farm and was educated in the local schools. Farming and stock raising have occupied his whole attention, and he has met with unusual success. His fine property is widely known as the "Angora Stock Farm" and it is the intention of Mr. Isaacs to make it an exclusively cattle and goat farm. He has just entered upon the latter industry, with 65 head of high bred Angora goats, fleeces command a high price in the market. He has made a study of raising them and unless unlooked for conditions arise, he will probably have herds composed of hundreds of animals. He also raises Durham cattle. In all his work, Mr. Isaacs is ably assisted by his son, who also takes a deep interest in this enterprise.

On December 8, 1864, Mr. Isaacs married Lucy J. Burton, who was born on a farm near Gillespie, Macoupin County, and is a daughter of Edmund and Lucy (Reynolds) Burton, natives of Virginia. Our subject and wife have one son, Frank A., one of the enterprising farmers of the section, who married Fannie E. Watson, and they have one son, who has been named for his grandfather, — Richard M. Another member of the family was a niece of Mrs. Isaacs — Melissa Deck,— who was reared as a .daughter until her marriage with E. Harris, of Lafayette, Indiana. Both Mr. Isaacs and wife are valued members of the Baptist Church. In politics, he is identified with the Republican party.

Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 539-541.