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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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FRANCIS, JOHN H., Sec. 27; P. O. Camp Point. He was born in Stevenson county, Ala., April 22, 1827. He is the son of William and Sarah (Martin) Francis, of Kentucky. His father died the same year, leaving his mother with six children and very little property, except a team and wagon. She gave one horse and the wagon to her uncle for moving her to Kentucky, in 1827. The next year she removed to Putnam county, Ind., where she married again. In October, 1842, he came to Quincy. Being then 15 years old, and having a strong desire for obtaining an education, he worked mornings and evenings and attended school until he was 22 years of age. His eyes then failed and he was obliged to abandon study; spent a year traveling as a salesman, after which he contracted with a Mr. McQuarter to assist him across the plains to California, and besides to pay him $100 for taking him through. He was gone twenty-five months, and returned to Quincy in May, 1852. In April, 1855, went to Nebraska, and settled in Fontenelle; spent four years in farming; then freighted from Omaha to Denver for several years; returned to Moline in 1862. He went into the army as suttler for three years; returned in June, 1865, and went into the livery business and merchandising for four years. He then sold out and came to Camp Point; entered into partnership with E. B. Curtis in the mercantile business; after three years he sold out and again went into a livery. Soon after he purchased the farm where he now lives, and sold out and removed to it in April, 1874. He was married June 6, 1852, to Maria Curtis, born in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1832, and came to Adams county when four years old. They have had five children, two living: James T., now living in Moline, and Mary, at home. Mr. Francis is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows’ Orders, also a Sir Knight. He owns a ninety acre farm contiguous to the village of Camp Point, worth $65 per acre.

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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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