Lafayette Warnock

Lafayette Warnock, Justice of the Peace of the Peace of Monroe County, and a prominent citizen of Columbia, was born in Vandalia, Fayette County, Ill., March 12, 1824, and is a son of Judge John Warnock, who was the first Territorial Judge for the southern district of the state. He was born and reared in Charleston, S. C., and was a son of Joseph Warnock, who served under General Marion in the Revolutionary War. The Judge studied law under Governor Bennett, of South Carolina, and through the influence of that gentleman was appointed Territorial Judge. In Harrisonville, Monroe County, he married Miss Jane, daughter of John McClure, who was one of Washington's Life Guards in the struggle for Independence. Mr. Warnock continued to serve as Judge until the state was admitted to the Union, in 1818, and was Postmaster of Vandalia when that city was state capital. About 1828 he removed to St. Clair County, where he purchased land, but after a short time he bought a farm between Columbia and Waterloo, where he made his home for some years. Subsequently, he removed to Texas. In politics he was a Whig. His death occurred in December, 1858. After the death of his first wife, he was again married, in Arkansas. By the former union there were ten children, eight of who grew to mature years, but only three are now living: William C., a farmer of Iowa; Mary Catherine, widow of William Hersey, and a resident of Monroe County; and Lafayette, of this sketch.

Squire Warnock was engaged in McKendree College, of Lebanon, and then returned to the home farm, upon which he had been reared. About four years later he went to Jamestown, Wis., where he engaged in general merchandising and also served as Postmaster for two years. On the expiration of that period he took up his residence in Waterloo, Ill., where he engaged in general merchandising for six years, when in 1854 he again came to Columbia. Here he followed the same pursuit for two years, after which he purchased the Columbia Star Mills, and in connection with John H. Wilson operated the same until 1867, when they sold out to Henry Huch. Since that time he has devoted his attention to looking after his real-estate interests.

Mr. Warnock was married February 7, 1849, to Lucinda Moore, daughter of James B. Moore. His father was Enoch Moore, who was the first white American child born in the state of Illinois. In 1781, James Moore, father of Enoch, came from Virginia and settled in Monroe County, near Waterloo, where both he and his son spent their entire lives. James Moore lived to an advanced age in this locality, and then removed to Jersey County, Ill. His last days were spent in Brighton. Mrs. Warnock was born in Monroe County, March 13, 1826. To our subject and his wife were born ten children, eight of who are yet living: James W., a stock dealer of Columbia; W. H., a real estate and loan dealer of Butler, Mo.; Samuel F., Cashier of the First National Bank in Butler, Mo.; W. M., one of the most prominent and successful attorneys of the state; Emma A., wife of Dr. M. G. Nixon, a practicing physician, druggist and Postmaster of Columbia; Nellie M., wife of Z. J. Williams, a general merchant of Butler, Mo.; Minnie M. and Lucy Jane, who complete the family. W. M., who graduated from the Union College of Law, in Chicago, began practice at the age of twenty years, locating in Edwardsville, Ill. The children have all received good educational advantages.

Since the dissolution of the Whig party, Mr. Warnock has been a supporter of the Democracy. He has served as Justice of the Peace and Notary Public for twenty years, and is one of the Levee Commissioners of Monroe County. His faithfulness to public duty is indicated by his long continued service. He owns about five hundred acres of land in the county and has a residence and thirteen lots in Brighton, Ill., besides his fine home and two acres of land in Columbia. Socially, he is connected with the Odd Fellows' society and the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He took a prominent part in its organization, has served as Trustee and Steward, and for twenty-six years was Superintendent of the Sunday-school. His life has been straightforward and honorable in every particular, and his uprightness has won for him the confidence and high regard of the entire community. He comes from a prominent family, and is himself one of the leading citizens of this part of the state.