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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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LEASE, JOHN W., farmer; Sec. 25; P. O. Stone’s Prairie. He was born in Hampshire county, Va., June 7, 1829. He is the fifth of a family of four brothers and two sisters, five of whom are now living. His parents, Jacob and Phoebe (Cadwalader) Lease, were born in Virginia. They removed to Adams county when John was eighteen years of age, where he has since lived, and has always been engaged in farming. June 1, 1854, he married Ellen Lewton, who was born in Carrol county, Ohio, in December, 1838. Her father, John Lewton, removed with his family to Pike county, where her mother still lives. The next year after their marriage Mr. Lewton settled on their present farm. Eleven children are the fruits of their union; ten living: William H., Mrs. Marietta Wagy, Susan M., Charles E., George A., Margret E., Elmer, John, Frances, and Daisy. They own sixty-five acres in the home farm, worth $50 per acre, sixty-six acres on Sec. 35, worth $50, and forty acres on Sec. 36, worth $40 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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