My Genealogy Hound

JOHN FLEMING, deceased, was a well known citizen of Randolph County. Among the several countries which have contributed from time to time to this land, Scotland stands conspicuous. From her shores we have received some of our best citizens. From a prominent and honored family of that country came the subject of this sketch. In 1840, his father’s family crossed the broad Atlantic, and besides the parents, James and Elizabeth (Patten) Fleming, there were three sons and two daughters: William; Christina, who afterward became the wife of Amos Taggart; James; John, and Elizabeth, who married James H. Conant. James and Christina both died in this county. William and Elizabeth are still living here, and are prominent and highly respected people of the community.

When the family arrived in this country the father made his way to Randolph County, Ill., and purchased a farm of two hundred acres near the old town of Randolph. There he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death in 1857. John Fleming, the subject of this sketch, was born in Scotland, April 5, 1830, and his childhood home was near Glasgow. He was a lad of ten summers at the time of the emigration of the family to America. From that time until his death he resided continuously in Randolph County. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. On the 31st of March, 1859, he was married to Miss Mary Craig, daughter of John and Sarah (Curry) Craig.

Mr. and Mrs. Fleming began their domestic life upon a farm, the same on which the lady yet resides. It is now a valuable estate and includes several hundred acres of very productive land, which is under a high state of cultivation. It is supplied with never failing springs, and is furnished with all the conveniences and accessories of a model farm. The home is a palatial one, and stands on one of the most romantic and beautiful sites in this locality. Tradition says that an Indian village once occupied the hill on which it is built, and the arrowheads, stone hatchets and other utensils and implements give credence to this story.

Mrs. Fleming also came of an old Scotch family, and was about three years old when, in 1840, her parents crossed the briny deep to America. Her father was in good circumstances, but he wished to live in a land of liberty. Taking up his residence in Randolph County, he turned his attention to farming, which he followed throughout his remaining days. The members of his family who still survive are, William J., a prominent citizen; Eliza, wife of Andrew Douglas; Jane, wife of William McAdam; Sarah, wife of Arthur McKinny; Janet, wife of Martin Kirkwood, and Mrs. Fleming. All are wealthy people and are well known throughout the county. Robert Craig, an uncle of Mrs. Fleming, left Scotland when a young man and went to Russia. He built up a large manufacturing business near St. Petersburg, and became one of the wealthiest merchants of that region.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fleming were born eight children. Mary, wife of Hon. H. Clay Horner, a leading attorney of Chester, died in 1890; Anges became the wife of William Allison, of Chester, and died in 1885; James Franklin died at the age of two years; Elizabeth is the wife of E. J. Allison, a prominent merchant of Chester; John married Ella Grannaman and resides in Randolph County; Sarah Virginia, Arthur Gordon and Maud are still with their mother. The members of the family all belong to the Presbyterian Church, and in the community where they lived are highly respected citizens, holding enviable positions in social circles. Mr. Fleming was a man of sterling worth and strict integrity, who won the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came in contact. He possessed the best characteristics of his Scotch ancestors, and the sturdy independence and fidelity to duty which mark his race were strongly manifested in him.