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ILLINOIS GENEALOGY EXPRESS
A part of Genealogy Express
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Welcome to
Piatt County,
Illinois
History & Genealogy |
Biographies
Source:
Portrait & Biographical Album
of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois
Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical
Sketches
of Prominent and Representative Citizens
of the County
Together with Portraits and Biographies of all
the
Presidents of the United States
and Governors of the State
Publ.
Chicago: Chapman Bros
1891
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Elias P. James.
This gentleman is a fine type of our self-educated and self made
men, who form an important class of citizens in Piatt County.
He is a farmer and stockman who has met with great success in the
pursuit of his business, and his farm in Blue Ridge Township is as
well cultivated, well improved and well equipped as any to be found
in its vicinity. Rush County, Ind. is the birthplace of our
subject and September 28, 1835, the date on which he first opened
his eyes to the light of the world in the humble pioneer home of his
parents. His father, whose name was Elisha James,
was born in Tennessee and reared in Ohio. In 1830 he went to
Rush County, Ind. and cast his lot with pioneers, locating in the
primeval forests, where in the course of a long and useful life he
cleared and improved three farms. Late in life he moved to
Bollinger County, Mo., and a short time after came to Piatt County,
where his remaining days were passed in peace and plenty, his death
occurring here in 1887 at the age of seventy-five years. He
was an earnest Christian, and ever an active worker in the Baptist
Church. His widow, who is still living, was born in 1818 near
Lexington, Ky., her maiden name having been Catherine
Poston. She is the mother of thirteen children of whom
nine are living.
Mr. James of whom this sketch is written
was born and reared in a log house on his father's homestead.
His education was somewhat limited as far as it was carried on in
schools, as he had to walk two miles to an old log schoolhouse; and
in those days schools were conducted on the subscription plan and
the terms were often very short. However, he has made up for
these early deficiencies and is well informed on all general topics.
He began life for himself as a farmer in Rush County, Ind., and
thence went to Wabash County of which he was a resident the ensuing
ten years. Immediately after going there he purchased eighty
acres of land which was covered with timber, and for which he paid
$600. He cleared it and developed it into a good farm, which
he sold ten years later for $3,200, and in this way he obtained a
good start. In January, 1871, he came to Piatt County and
purchased his present homestead in Blue Ridge Township. This
was then a wild tract of prairie and it is only by incessant toil
and close attention to his business that he has brought it to its
present admirable condition. His farm comprises three hundred
and fifty-five acres of good land, which he has placed under the
best of cultivation and has adorned it with neat and attractive
buildings, including a good frame dwelling, which he erected in
1880, and commodious barns. His far is well stocked with
cattle, horses and hogs of excellent grades.
Mr. James has been greatly assisted in
his labors by the active cooperation of his wife, who is an able
manager in household affairs, and is a shrewd counselor.
Mrs. James, whose maiden name was Mary I.
Shepherd, was born in Knox County, Ill., March 18, 1842, and was
wedded to our subject in 1862. They have been blessed by the
birth of seven children, two of whom are deceased - Quincy and
Estella. The others are named
Cora A., Charles E., Emma Z.., Elmer B. and Elias O.
Cora is a graduate of the Union Christian College and is now
successfully engaged in teaching. Emma and Elmer
are still students in that institution, while Charles is
occupied in teaching.
Mr. James is a man of great personal
worth, is moral and upright in all his relations and a generous,
kindly warm-hearted man, who has many friends in this community.
In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He takes
a sincere interest in his adopted township and has held various of
the minor offices, performing the duties thus devolving upon him
with characteristic fidelity. Socially, he is connected with
the Masonic order. Religiously, he is a devoted member of the
Christian Church, as are his wife and children, with the exception
of one, and they are active in promoting its upbuilding and in
carrying on its good work. Mrs. James is the
daughter of
Robert and Sarah A. (Power) Shepherd, natives of Kentucky; the
father is deceased and the mother resides in Milmine, Piatt County.
(Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of DeWitt & Piatt
Counties, Illinois - Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891) |
NOTES:
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