Meet your neighbor, Mark and Mary Lou Mathew, married since October of 1991. Mary Lou was born and raised in La Harpe and Mark moved here in 1989.
Mary Lou attended grade school and high school here and graduated from Gem City College in Quincy.
Before Mark moved to La Harpe, he grew up in Walnut, a town about the size of La Harpe. Mark attended Bureau County Grade School and graduated from Walnut High School. He then went on to attend Western Illinois University.
Mark and Mary Lou also get the pleasure of working together. They own and operate M & M Farms together, where they raise a wide range of fresh produce. They have tomatoes, sweet corn, okra, pumpkins, Christmas trees, mums, strawberries, and weeds, according to Mark.
Mark and Mary Lou attend six different Farmer's Markets around the area. They eventually would like to get more of their produce out to people in La Harpe. They both enjoy raising produce and being able to share it with friends.
Both Mark and Mary Lou prefer working outside, than having to be stuck behind a desk. The couple loves being outdoors, being with friends, and attending church.
They also have a son, Mitchell, that became a part of their family in 1996. He is nine years old, and will be in the 3rd grade this fall. They both hope one day that Mitchell would like to take over their produce business.