History of Knox County Illinois 1912
The attractiveness of Illinois as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders, believing that her advantages and opportunities are equal if not superior to those to be secured in other parts of the country. This number includes Edward Stegall, who was born in Cedar township, Knox county, on the farm which is yet his home, on the 23d of April, 1862. His parents, Nelson and Elizabeth (Bowman) Stegall, were both natives of Ohio, where the father engaged in farming for a time. His father had been a soldier in the war of 1812. At any early day the parents of Edward Stegall came to Illinois, settling in Knox county, and here the father entered a tract of government land, located on section 22, Cedar township. It was unbroken prairie when it came into his possession, covered with native grasses and upon it not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He at once brought the land under cultivation, however, planting the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and it was not long before his farm had been converted into attractive fields, annually bearing abundant harvests. He continued to devote his time and energies to its further development throughout his remaining years, and here he passed away in 1893, having survived his wife, who also died on the old homestead, for three years. Nelson Stegall had three brothers, Frederick, Solomon, and Ambrose, who likewise came to Illinois, locating in Knox county, but they, too, are now deceased.
No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life for Edward Stegall during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was devoted to the acquirement of an education in the country schools of Cedar county [township] and to the performance of such tasks as usually fall to the lot of the country lad. He early became familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and continued his father's assistant in the work of the farm until the latter's death, since which time he has operated the old homestead, promoting its development and improvement until today it is one of the highly cultivated and valuable properties of the township. It is the visible evidence of his industry, thrift and enterprise, qualities which have ever been salient elements in his nature, and in its well kept appearance it denotes practical methods and a progressive course.
Mr. Stegall was married in Knox county, Illinois on the 9th of March, 1881, to Miss Mary C. Smith, who was born in Cedar township, this county, on the 16th of August, 1864, a daughter of Mack and Ellen (Hickman) Smith. Her parents were both born in Kentucky and at an early day come to Knox county, where they made their home for some time, the father here engaging in farming. Later they took up their abode in Iowa and there continued to make their home until called from this life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stegall were born fifteen children, but one is now deceased. Those surviving are as follows: Mack, of Abingdon, Illinois, who married Miss Ethel Wycoff, of that city, and now has two children, Russell and Clyde; Ellen, who married Clark Shelton, of Abingdon, and is the mother of three children, Lee, Frances and Floyd; Elizabeth, at home; Nelson, who married Lena Scholz, by whome he has one daughter, Dortha; and Clyde, Martin, Alcie, Ray, Verna, Harvey, Martha, Ada and Vada, twins, and Claude all yet at home.
Mrs. Stegall holds membership in the Congregational church, while the political allegiance of Mr. Stegall is given to the democratic party. He is serving at present as a school director of Cedar township, although he is not a politician in the sense of office-seeking, and the cause of education finds in him a warm champion. The success which has attended his efforts in connection with his agricultural interests entitles him to recognition among the prosperous, enterprising and representative citizens of the community. Having spent his entire life within the borders of Knox county he is widely known throughout his locality, and the fact that many of the comrades of his youth continue to remain his best friends indicates that his life has ever been actuated by high and manly principles.