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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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WALKER, JESSE, farmer; Sec. 14; P. O. Elm Grove; born in Randolph county, N. C., Jan. 15, 1821; has 320 acres of land, valued at $10,000; married Mary Dorset. She was born in Chatham county, N. C., 1832; died August, 1853. They had two children, Sarah E. and Samuel R. (who was killed by a mower, when he was fifteen years old). For his second wife he married Lena Pettijohn in 1864. She was born in Ohio. Two children, Susan and Mary E. For his third wife, married Mary E. McCollum; born in Indiana, and died April 1, 1877. Emigrated to this county direct in 1839. His father lived in a shanty, 14x14, made of poles about as high as a man’s head, puncheon floor, used dry goods boxes for tables, and had a sod chimney. There was plenty of game, could go out and kill a deer any time. Had to go twelve miles to mill. Has met with many trials, but by hard work and economy has made a good property and home.

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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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