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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  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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STEPHEN NASH owns and operates one hundred and seventy acres of land on section 4, township 5, range 1 west, Perry County. His farm is one of the best in the neighborhood, being under a high state of cultivation and well improved. Its owner ranks among the leading agriculturists of the community and well deserves to be thus classed.

Mr. Nash was born on the 30th of August, 1818, in New York, and is a son of Stephen and Bathshua (Belknap) Nash. The father was a son of Lieut. Moses Nash, of Stockbridge, Mass., an officer in the Colonial army. Stephen Nash, Sr., grew to manhood and acquired his education in his native town, where he learned the trade of a tanner and currier. The year 1822 witnessed his emigration to Illinois and saw him located in Morgan County, where he engaged in tanning and farming. He afterward removed to Hennepin, Putnam County, there making his home until his death, which occurred September 19, 1878. His wife was a native of Brattleboro, Vt., and accompanied her parents to New York, where she was married.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nash was celebrated January 18, 1816, and was blessed with seven children, Mary A., Stephen; Elizabeth, wife of Africa H. Turner, a farmer of Putnam County, Ill.; Asenath B., who married Samuel A. Dixon, of Greenwood County, Kan.; Daniel B., a prominent lawyer, who for more than thirty years has successfully engaged in practice in Davenport, Iowa; Martin, a well-to-do citizen, who is now living retired in Putnam County, and Lucy J., deceased.

Mr. Nash whose name heads this record spent his earlier life in work upon his father’s farm and in a tannery. He acquired such education as the limited facilities of the time afforded. With the proceeds derived from his wages while working for his father he made his first purchase of land, a tract of eighty acres, and began farming on his own account, In 1866 became to Perry County and purchased seventy acres of his present farm, the boundaries of which he has since extended until now one hundred and seventy acres of rich land yield to him a golden tribute in return for the care and cultivation he bestows upon it.

On the 10th of March, 1853, Mr. Nash was united in marriage with Louisa J., daughter of Nathan Skeel. Unto them were born three children, all of whom are yet living, Linus H.; Edward, who resides in Whiteside County, Ill., and Lucy, wife of Zebede Hampleman, a farmer of Paradise Prairie, Perry County.

While residing in Putnam County, Mr. Nash held the office of School Director, and the same position was tendered him in this county, but he declined it. He votes with the Republican party, but has never sought or desired political preferment. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is regarded as a man of sterling worth and is very popular with his neighbors. The name Nash is of Saxon origin, and our subject is descended from a long line of illustrious ancestors, many of whom fought in the Revolutionary War. Although seventy-five years of age, he is yet hale and hearty, and is still actively engaged in looking after his farm.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

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

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