My Genealogy Hound

JAMES STEELE, farmer and grain-buyer; P. O. Weedman; residence Weedman Station. The subject of this sketch was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, June 30, 1835. He emigrated with his parents, when 7 years of age, and landed in New Orleans, in the winter of 1842. Coming up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, he landed at Louisville, Ky., where he resided with his parents until the summer of 1853, a part of which time was employed in farming in Indiana. At the latter date, he came to Sangamon Co., Ill., where he arrived in poor health, and with a capital of 15 cents. He then worked at farming during the summer, and through the winter he worked for his board, and, by strict economy and close application to his studies for two years, he had advanced sufficiently in his studies, and had saved of his earnings means to enter Illinois State University at Springfield, which he attended until 1859, when, having exhausted his means, he engaged in teaching until 1862, when he raised a company for the Illinois volunteer infantry, which was mustered into service, and sent to Kentucky. After serving one year he received his discharge on account of disability. He then resumed teaching, which extended over a period of eighteen years, thirteen of which was employed in the villages of Athens and Sweetwater. In the fall of 1876, he located upon his present place, where he has 160 acres of land, with good farm buildings. Aside from farming, he is largely engaged in buying corn for the Southern and Eastern markets. His marriage with Sarah E. Ham was celebrated in Sangamon Co., Ill., April 11, 1861; she was born in Sangamon Co., Feb. 16, 1843; they have five children now living, having lost three by death. The living are — John H., Albert H., Laura B., Minnie, and Ann Eliza.