My Genealogy Hound

JAMES SEERY, farmer, Sec. 16; was born in County West Meath, Ireland, in 1839. In the year 1852, he left Ireland, and emigrated to America, landing at New York, where he remained, alternating between that city and Allegany Co., until the year 1864. He then went to St. Paul, Minn., remaining there a short time; he removed to Freeport, Ill., and, after remaining a short time, went to Canton, Fulton Co., Ill., and remained there until the breaking-out of the war. In the spring of 1861, he entered the army, enlisting in Co. K, 7th Ill. Cav., under Col. Pitt Kellogg, Lieut. Col. Prince, Acting Colonel in Command. Mr. Seevy remained two years in the army, participating in the battles of Corinth and Iuka, and in all engagements his regiment went through under the commands of Generals Halleck, Pope and Rosecrans, and was also with Gen. Grierson on his raid through Georgia, during Sherman’s march to the sea. Mr. Seevy left the army in 1863, because of disability from disease, which he contracted while in service. He returned to Putnam Township, Fulton Co., Ill., and, after one year’s residence there, married, and remained three years longer, and then removed to Joshua Township, Fulton Co., bought a farm, and remained until 1877. He then removed to Peoria City, bought a building, and conducted the grocery business for one year. In 1878, he removed to Chenoa Township, McLean Co., and bought and settled upon eighty acres of land on Section 16. His farm is all under cultivation, and is valued at about $40 an acre. In 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Barry, of Fulton Co., Ill., who was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1844. They have had a family of five children, two of whom, John Joseph and Sarah Jane, are dead; and James Augustine, Nellie and Francis De Sales are living.