History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 243
lieve in the blind following of party leaders, but rather in the
intelligent expression by ballot of one's belief in principles that
they deem essential to good government. He is the secretary of
the young men's branch of the Dixon's Citizens' Association and
is very active in support of many measures which have to do
with the welfare and upbuilding of the community. His coopera-
tion can always be counted uj^on to further any project for the
public good and his worth as a citizen is widely known.
GILBERT M. FINCH.
Gilbert M. Finch, the owner of a well improved farm of two
hundred and forty acres on sections 10 and 15, Amboy township,
devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits with excel-
lent success. His birth occurred in Lee county on the 11th of
March, 1867, his parents being Gilbert P. and Helen J. (Mead)
Finch. The father, one of the early pioneers and highly esteemed
citizens of this county, still suivives and makes his home at Amboy.
The mother, however, is deceased, having passed away on
the 9th of September, 1904.
Gilbert M. Finch attended school in Amboy until sixteen years
of age and subsequently assisted his father iu the operation of the
home farm for about six years. After having attained his majority
he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, coming
into possession of a farm of two hundred and forty acres on
sections 10 and 15, Amboy township, which he has operated to the
present time with gratifying success. He has followed modern
and progressive methods of agriculture and has long enjoyed an
enviable reputation as one of the substantial, representative and
respected citizens of his native county.
On the 16th of November, 1887, in Amboy, Mr. Finch was
united in marriage to Miss May Belle Maine, a daughter of William
L. and Harriet (Santee) Maine. The father passed away
in 1907 and his remains were interred in the Prairie Repose cemetery
of Amboy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Finch have been born four
children, as follows :
Gilbert P. and William M., who ai-e engaged
in farming in Amboy township ; Helen A., at home ; and Harold M.,
who died in infancy.
Mr. Finch is a stanch republican in politics and at present
ably fills the position of highway commissioner. Fraternally he