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Hon. Francis M. Youngblood, attorney at law, was born in Perry County, IlL, March 15, 1835, the son of Isaiah I. and Electra (Jones) Youngblood, natives, respectively, of Georgia and New York. The father came to this county in 1816, married near old Frankfort, and after several years, moved to Tennessee. Two years later he returned, moved to Perry County, and farmed successfully until his death, August 1, 1850. He was a Primitive Baptist minister. The mother died January 7, 1841. Eight of ten children are living: Corrina L, wife of George W. Sturdevant, of Jefferson County, Ill.; Louisa H., wife of John P. Ford, of Los Angeles County, Cal.; Lavina C., wife of

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M. C. Hawkins, Carbondale, IlL; Sarah A., wile of John R. Hawkins, Perry County, IlL; William J.; our subject; Edmund D., county judge, Shawneetown, and Rachel C., wife of W. W. Robertson, of Frankfort, Ill. Two elder daughters, Susan B., wife of Daniel Ward, died in 1877, and Emily C., wife of W. Wilson, died in 1861.

Our subject, reared on the farm, and educated in the public schools, taught school in 1858-59, and in 1859 was elected assessor and treasurer of Perry County, serving two years, also reading law under Judge Parrish, of DuQuoin. He was admitted in April, 1861. In the January following, after his term expired, he removed to Benton, where he has been remarkably successful ever since. In 1864 he was defeated for State's attorney-ship of the district on account of being in a hopeless minority. In 1868, he was elected prosecuting attorney for the same district, serving four years. In November, 1872, he was elected State senator from the Forty-seventh District, served with honor and declined a renomination. In 1880 he was elected to the Lower House, serving two years. In 1886 he was candidate for county judge, against the present incumbent. He has been an active advocate for public enterprises, such as building public works and railroads. His railroad attorneyship, held since the road's existence, is probably what defeated him for county judge, it is supposed.

December 23, 1858, he married Narcissa E. Eaton, of Perry County, IlL Their children are Ransom A. (cashier of Benton Bank), Dougherty V., Joseph E., Louisa R. and Laura A. He has ever been an active Democrat, stumping the entire judicial and senatorial districts in his various canvasses. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and was Master of the local lodge nine consecutive years. He is a Knight of Honor.