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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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GEORGE WATKINS, farmer. Sec. 36; P. O. Ellsworth. The subject of this sketch was born in Henry Co., Ind., Jan. 4, 1842; his parents died when he was but 8 months old; remained with elder brother until 11 years of age, and then emigrated to Iowa, where he stayed three years, then came to this county, where he resided, working on a farm until Aug. 14, 1862, when he enlisted in the army, enlisting in Co. D, 94th I. V. I.; was in battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., siege of Vicksburg, capture of Yazoo City, battle of Atchafalaya, Brownsville, Tex., Ft, Morgan, Ala., and the siege of the Spanish Fort; was mustered out July 17, 1865. Returned to this county; continued to work on farm until married to Sarah C. Barnes, Nov. 26, 1868; she was born Feb. 19, 1846; they are the parents of four children — Mary E., born Nov. 20, 1872, died Jan. 28, 1873; Henry A., born Jan. 1, 1875 (deceased); Manford O. and Sanford E., born. July 4, 1877, both living. His parents are natives of Virginia; his wife’s, natives of Ohio, and among the pioneers in Illinois.
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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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