My Genealogy Hound

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.

* * * *

JOHN Q. A. NISBET. This name will be recognized as that of one of the leading business men of Randolph County, who is probably better known than any other man within its bounds. He is one of those men whose energy and talents allow of their engaging in various branches of business with success. He is the present banker of Coulterville, where he is residing, and is Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager of the Coulterville Flour Mills. He also owns and carries on the only livery stable in the village and is the proprietor of a valuable farm of one hundred and five acres located near Sparta.

The father of our subject, Robert Nisbet, was born in Tennessee, April 9, 1809, and was the son of Samuel Nisbet, a native of Ireland, where his birth occurred in 1782. The maternal grandmother of our subject, Mrs. Nancy (Morris) Nisbet, was married in 1805, and accompanied her husband in the fall of that year on his removal to Tennessee, where they remained until 1819. That year they came to Illinois, where the grandfather entered a tract of land on section 9, township 5, range 5, Randolph County, at a time when neighbors were few and far between. Here he followed farming and resided until his decease in 1874. His good wife, who reared a family of six children, preceded him to the better land by many years.

The mother of our subject was born January 31, 1820, in Tennessee and bore the maiden name of Sarah Adams. She was married to Robert Nisbet after coming to Randolph County, and the young couple located on the farm on section 9, which joined the estate of Samuel Nisbet. They had five children who grew to mature years. Sally, now Mrs. W. C. Craig; J. Q. A., of this sketch; Melissa, Mrs. Adams; Edward F.; and Carrie, the wife of James Livingston. The mother of this family died July 8, 1873.

The father of our subject had been twice married previous to his union with Miss Adams, and by his first union were born two children, John Watson, of Sparta, and Hugh B. By his second marriage he also became the father of two children, one who died in infancy and a son, James. The latter was Captain of Company K, Fifth Illinois Cavalry, during the late war, and died while in the service. The father of our subject, who was also a Union soldier, enlisted at the organization of Company I, Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and was mustered into the service September 13, 1861. He entered the army as a private, was soon promoted to Sergeant, and died December 23, 1864, from the effects of wounds received in front of Nashville, Tenn. His remains were brought home and lie buried in the old Sparta Cemetery. With his wife he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

John Q. A. Nisbet was born February 18, 1844, on the old homestead on section 9, and grew to manhood in this county, receiving his primary education in the district schools and completed his studies in the Sparta Academy. He then taught school, and continued to reside upon the home farm until his marriage to Miss Ida Emma De Muth, in 1869. Mrs. Nisbet was born in Ohio, October 26, 1849, and by her union with our subject bore him two children, Harry and Kate. She departed this life May 24, 1882. The following extract is taken from the obituary notice of Mrs. Ida Nisbet, published in the Coulterville paper: “She was born in the quiet little village of Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and in the cemetery at that place her mother lies buried, having died when Ida was twelve years old. After the decease of her mother, Mrs. Nisbet removed with her father to Martinsburg, Ohio, and in 1867 came to Illinois. She was a very handsome and finely educated lady and made friends with every one she met. She died from a very severe attack of neuralgia, after fourteen days of intense suffering.”

Mr. Nisbet came to Coulterville in June, 1870, and launched out into the mercantile business, in which he continued for ten years. He then purchased a half-interest in the coal mine in this place, and disposing of his share six years later, he soon afterward opened a banking establishment, which is the only financial institution in the village. As stated in the opening paragraph, he is engaged in various enterprises and is manager of the flouring mills, which were put in operation November 10, 1890. They are equipped with a full roller system and have a capacity for turning out seventy-five barrels of the best flour daily. They find a market for their product in St. Louis, Knoxville, Atlanta, and other points in the south. Mr. Nisbet is also interested in real estate, and in investing his money in this manner is always sure to reap a good profit.

December 26, 1883, our subject married Miss Katie, the only daughter of Michael Adami. Mrs. Nisbet was born in St. Louis, Mo., and besides having a good collegiate education, has received thorough musical instruction. She has become the mother of one child, a daughter, Erma. Our subject is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. In politics he has been a life-long Republican. He has served as Treasurer of his township for many years, has been President of the village for two terms, and served on the Board of Aldermen for a long time. He is interested in school affairs and has given entire satisfaction as a Director.

* * * *

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.