ELI T. NIKIRK, station agent, Forest City; born in Washington Co., Md., Sept. 6, 1828; moved (to the present site of Forest City in 1853; his wife's maiden name was Olivia G. Beard; they have had four children:  Clyde G. (who is now station agent on the P., P. & J. R. R., at Pekin, Ill.), Charles Otho (telegraph operator and railroad bookkeeper, at Forest City, Ill.), and the two younger children, Laura D. and Don Juan. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1857, and served four years. He enlisted as a private in Co. K, 85th I. V. I., and was commissioned Second Lieutenant by Gov. Yates May 26, 1863; the regiment was engaged in many severe battles, and closed their military career with the memorable march to the sea under Gen. Sherman; he was mustered out in 1865, having served nearly three years. On his return to Forest City, he opened a grocery store and restaurant, which he conducted for nine years; he was appointed station agent on the P., P. & J. R. R., at Forest City, which position he now holds; he owns 240 acres of tine land in the vicinity of Forest City.



Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer