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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. 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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A. F. SOUTHWICK, of the firm of Southwick & Lenny, dealers in drugs and medicines; was born in Mooers, Clinton Co., N. Y., June 29, 1832; his early life was passed on his father’s farm; but when he was 16 years old, he entered the employ of the Northern & Ogdensburg Railroad as foreman; in 1853, he came West and followed railroading in Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, during which time he served as Supervisor and Conductor of several roads, including the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien, and the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroads; in 1861, he came to Chenoa as foreman on the C. & A. Railroad. In 1862, he enlisted in Co “ B,” 1st N. Y. Marine Artillery, serving five months, when he was wounded during practice on shipboard; after his discharge, he entered the employ of the T. P. & W. R. R. Co., as yardmaster at Peoria; the next year, he entered the service of the Government as Conductor and Superintendent of Repairs on the military railroads, and served about two years; returning to Chenoa, he was appointed City Marshal and Street Commissioner, holding the former position two years, and the latter most of the time up to February, 1878, when the firm of Southwick & Lenny was formed. He was married Aug. 15, 1855, to Miss Sarah Cherry, of Pulaski Co., Ind.; she died July 21, 1856, leaving one child — George H., now a resident of Ottumwa, Iowa. Mr. Southwick was married again, April 13, 1861, to Miss Mary Campbell, of Missouri; they have two children — Charles E. and Eliza Julia.
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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879. View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois
View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies
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