My father was a son of Moses and Mahala Lay and was born January 1, 1862 in Johnson County, Illinois. As he grew up he helped on the farm of the family. In addition to a public school education, he attended school at Ewing College near Benton, Illinois. Later, he attended the Evansville, Indiana Business College. He married Rilda Belle Chester, daughter of Nathan L Chester and Sarah Malinda Holland, natives of Kentucky. Nathan was a prominent person in the area. He was a successful farmer as well as a schoolmaster and a devoted church leader. His farm was near that of Moses Lay.570

Buying a farm in the same area, Joseph and Rilda Lay lived there for several years. He was induced by the Republicans to run for the office of County Clerk of Pope County, Illinois. He was elected and re-elected for a total period of sixteen years. His family lived alternately in Golconda, the County Seat and on the farm.

In succeeding years the family lived in Carbondale, Illinois and Chicago, Illinois until all the children had completed their education. In retirement Joseph and Rilda Lay returned to Southern Illinois and lived in Creal Springs, lllinois where they were near relatives and old friends.

Joseph and Rilda Lay had ten children of which eight lived to be adults. Rilda Lay died November 11, 1949. Joseph died July 4, 1951. They are buried in the I. O. O. P. Cemetery in Golconda, Illinois. Various details about persons of each of the preceding generations can be supplied from my statistical records.