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Below is a family biography included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published by Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd 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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BIRD, BARNEY, farmer. Sec. 7, P.O. Greenfield, is among the prominent representatives that have crossed the briny deep from Erin’s Green Isle, and cast his lot among the Greene Countians. He is a son of Owen and Rose Bird, and dates his birth in the year 1833, in Monahan County, Ireland. His father died in the old country. His mother came to this country subsequently, and died in 1868. Barney came to this country at the age of sixteen, landing in New Orleans, remained a short time, then went to St. Louis, where he engaged to learn the trade of ship carpenter, at which he continued about one year and-a-half; then went to learn the trade of boiler making, at which he continued about the same length of time, when the business not suiting him went to steam boating, at which he continued for three years; then went to Iowa, where he remained three years; was engaged in farming while there; then returned to St. Louis, where he engaged in steam boating again, at which he continued until the breaking out of the war, and left just in time on the last boats before the blockade was raised; went North, and stopped at St. Louis; and in April, 1861, was united in marriage to Rosanna Gillick, born in Caven County, Ireland, Dec. 23, 1832; they were married by Father Wheeler. By the marriage they have had seven children, but six now living: Jennie, born Oct. 22, 1862; Katie, born Aug. 11, 1865; Mary, born May 1, 1867; Florence, born Oct. 19, 1868; Ellen, born July 8, 1870: Barney, born July 17, 1873. After his marriage went to Carrollton, where he engaged for Isham Linder, at $10 per month, boarding himself. Among the last men he worked for was Judge Woodson. He then engaged in farming for himself, renting land of Robt. Harden, at which he continued about ten years; then bought forty acres of land, which he sold afterwards and bought another forty of the same man. In the year 1875 he moved to the place he now resides upon, and has since been renting land on the Edmondson estate, and in the Spring intends moving to his own land in Sec. 7. Mr. Bird is a man of industrious habits and of great energy, and is self-made, and has earned a reputation for candor and uprightness, and is highly esteemed in the community in which he resides. Is Democratic in sentiment.

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This family biography is one of 744 biographies included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Greene County, Illinois

View additional Greene County, Illinois family biographies here: Greene County, Illinois Biographies

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