HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
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and influential citizen. Originally a Whig, he became a zealous Republican on the organization of that party, dying in 1857.-Willard Gutting (Flagg), son of the preceding, was born in Madison County, Ill., Sept 16, 1829, spent his early life on his father's farm and in the common schools; from 1844 to '50 was a pupil in the celebrated high school of Edward Wyman in St. Louis, finally graduating with honors at Yale College, in 1854. During his college course he took a number of literary prizes, and, in his senior year, served as one of the editors of "The Yale Literary Magazine." Returning to Illinois after graduation, he took charge of his father's farm, engaged extensively in fruit-culture and stock-raising, being the first to introduce the Devon breed of cattle in Madison County in 1859. He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee in 1860; in 1862, by appointment of Gov. Yates, became Enrolling Officer for Madison County; served as Collector of Internal Revenue for the Twelfth District, 1864-69, and, in 1868, was elected to the State Senate for a term of four years, and, during the last session of his term (1872), took a prominent part in the revision of the school law; was appointed a member of the first Board of Trustees of the Industrial University (now the University of Illinois) at Champaign, and reappointed in 1875. Mr. Flagg was also prominent in agricultural and horticultural organizations, serving as Secretary of the State Horticultural Society from 1861 to '69, when he became its President. He was one of the originators of the "farmers' movement," served for some time as President of "The State Farmers' Association," wrote voluminously, and delivered .addresses in various States on agricultural and horticultural topics, and, in 1875, was elected President of the National Agricultural Congress. In his later years he was a recognized leader in the Granger movement. Died, at Mora, Madison 'County, Ill., April5, 1878.
FLEMING, Robert K., pioneer printer, was born in Erie County, Pa., learned the printers' trade in Pittsburg, and, coming west while quite young, worked at his trade in St. Louis, finally removing to Kaskaskia, where he was placed in control of the office of "The Republican Advocate," which had been established in 1823, by Elias Kent Kane. The publication of "The Advocate" having been suspended, he revi
