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Below is a family biography included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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BALFOUR, J. H., farmer and stock raiser; Sec. 13; P. O. Elm Grove; was born in Randolph county, N. C., Dec. 31, 1824; came to this county in the spring of 1835; has 508 acres of land, valued at $10,000; married Nancy Jane Pettijohn, 1861. She was born in Boone county, Ill., March 18, 1842; mother of nine children: Wm. A., born Dec. 29, 1861; Edwin A., Aug. 10, 1863; Emma A., April 29, 1865; Mary M., Aug. 5, 1867; Dora V., Nov. 27, 1869; Antonette, Jan. 29, 1872; Francis P., March 27, 1874; Henly R., Jan. 5, 1877; Nancy E., April 27, 1878. They came through from North Carolina with teams; was on the road seven weeks; camped out and did their own cooking; moved into a log cabin, 16x16, with eight in the family. He has held the office of Overseer of Poor, School Director, and belongs to the Methodist church. Mr. Balfour came here when there were no signs of civilization on the prairie, when the deer, wolves and turkey wandered around without molestation, when he could travel for miles without seeing a fence, and has lived to see it developed into one of the best farming countries, and has laid by enough of this world’s goods to keep himself and family as long as he lives.
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This family biography is one of 1444 biographies included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879. View the complete description here: The History of Adams County, Illinois
View additional Adams County, Illinois family biographies here: Adams County, Illinois Biographies
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