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 U. BEARE. This name will at once be recognized by the majority of our readers as that of one who at one time was one of the leading agriculturists of Randolph County. In addition to general farming he was extensively engaged in fruit growing and in the manufacture of brandy, wine and cider. The estate consists of two hundred and fifteen acres, which are tilled in the most thorough manner and are adorned with a fine set of buildings, second to none in the township. They are complete in all their appointments, and the dwelling is surrounded with all that goes to make a home pleasant and attractive.

Our subject was a representative of a prominent and highly esteemed family, whose identification with the early development of this county proved it a valuable factor in the county’s civilization. Mr. Beare was born in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, March 24, 1823, and when a child of three years was brought by his parents to America, they settling in Toledo, Ohio. In 1837 they came to Illinois and located in Randolph County, where our subject continued to live until the time of his death, which occurred May 27, 1892. He assisted his father in the operation of his farm until enabled to own one of his own. He engaged in farming all his life with the exception of a few years, when he was with his brothers, Joseph and John, in a grocery store at Chester. Possessing the progressive ideas of the age, and making of his agricultural pursuit both an art and a science, he proved successful in his chosen calling, gaining from the fertile soil abundant crops of excellent quality. His fruit farm was one of the finest in the county and the source of a good income.

The marriage of our subject was solemnized April 18, 1849, his wife being Mrs. Mary (Nifong) Leavitt. Mrs. Beare bore her husband three children, Margaret, who is deceased; William Nicholas, a resident of Ellis Grove; and Joseph A., who lived in San Francisco, Cal. The good wife and mother died September 23, 1872, and May 14, 1873, Mr. Beare was married to Mrs. Maria Sophia Elizabeth Kemfor, who still survives. She was the widow of John Kemfor, was born in Germany and came to America when twenty-five years of age. She received excellent home training and good educational advantages, and is therefore well qualified to fill her place. She is a consistent member of the German Methodist Church, as was her good husband. In his political faith Mr. Beare was a stanch Democrat.

* * * *

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.