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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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ALLEN A. SHORT, Treasurer of Randolph County, is a man universally popular, and one who has attained success in life. No public official is held in higher estimation for practicable ability and fine personal character, and we are pleased to represent such a public-spirited, courteous gentleman in our Record. He is a native of this county, having been born in Percy, April 5, 1856, and is the son of Richard J. and Mary G. (Cross) Short. The father of our subject was also a native of this county, his birth occurring on what was known as Short’s Prairie, where his father located in an early day. Mr. Short is still living, making his home on a fine farm near the village of Percy. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Arthur Cross, was also numbered among the early settlers of Jackson County, and there owned a good estate, which he placed under fine cultivation. His daughter, Mrs. Short, was born near Shiloh Hill, in Jackson County.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was the fourth in order of birth of seven children, and like other farmer lads attended the district school, where he learned to read, write and “cipher.” Later he carried on his studies in the Sparta schools, and at the age of twenty years began teaching school. After being thus employed for three years, he turned his attention to farming, and by his energy and skill has attained satisfactory results.
In his political relations Mr. Short always votes with the Democratic party, and in 1890 he was elected Treasurer of Randolph County. Gifted by nature with high endowments, he has cultivated these to the utmost, and his indefatigable labor has brought to him the esteem of his fellow-men. March 27, 1889, he married Miss Ida E. Monteith, a native of Perry County, this state, and the daughter of John A. and Mary A. Monteith. They are the parents of a son, John A. Mr. Short is a man of probity and honor. He has been successful from a financial point of view, and has won for himself a high position in the county which is his native home.
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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 Randolph County, Illinois family biographies here: Randolph County, Illinois Biographies
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