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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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JOHN LONGWORTH. retired farmer; P. O. McLean. Many of the younger people of McLean Co. have little idea of the hardships endured by the early pioneers, and when told of them by parties who were the first settlers, the facts seem almost too romantic to be true. Of those who were among the early settlers of Mt. Hope Township, we mention Mr. and Mrs. John Longworth. He is a native of Washington Co., Ohio, while she is a native of Maine. In 1836, they came West and located in Mt. Hope Township, their possessions being principally stout hearts and willing hands. They have both been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years; he since 1830 and she since 1829 — church being held at the different neighbors’ houses, theirs being the meeting-house for about four years. Mrs. Longworth says it was no small affair, as the custom usually was for the whole congregation to take dinner before going home. In those days, she used to do her own spinning and weaving. A complete history of their lives would require a book half as large as this. Though we will add that by energy and industry they accumulated a good property, and for many years have been known as among the more prominent and better class of citizens of the township. Mr. L. still owns 193 acres of land in Sec. 31, a part of which is the same new land that he located on in 1836. He has also held several public offices. They were married in 1831; her name, previous to marriage, being Miss Prudence P. Edwards; they have a family of six children, three sons and three daughters.

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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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