My Genealogy Hound

PATRICK SAVAGE, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 33; P. O. Downs; born in County Kerry, Ireland, March 17, 1827, where he attended the public school until 13 years of age, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York in the spring of 1840. His father, Jeremiah Savage, had preceded him ten years, locating first in Canada, where he lived five years, when he came to Rochester, N. Y., where he followed his trade of mason and stone-cutter, in connection with farming, in Monroe Co., N. Y., until his decease, which occurred in the winter of 1872. His widow survived him, and died in Rochester in April, 1879. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools during the winter in New York until 23 years of age, during which time he was employed in farming and working upon the canal-boats, after which he had command of a boat for three years. In the spring of 1851, he emigrated West, and worked in Effingham, Coles and Champaign Cos., getting out timber for the Ill. Cent. R. R., for nearly two years, when he returned to Rochester and remained some three months. He then came to McLean Co., and resided in Bloomington one winter, being employed in chopping wood. The following summer, he and his wife were employed upon a farm; then he returned to Bloomington and followed farming and teaming some ten years, and, in January, 1866, he removed upon his present place, where he has since lived. He owns, upon his home place, 146 acres of land, with the best of buildings, which he has made by his continued hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his wife, to whom he was united in marriage Oct. 1, 1854. Her maiden name was Susan Fagan; she was born in County Down, Ireland, May, 1829; she came to America when quite young. They have seven children now living, having lost one by death. The names of the living are Mary A., born July 3, 1855; Ellen, Feb. 23, 1857; Morris S., Dec. 13, 1858; Frances, Nov. 8, 1860, died June 13, 1866; John B., born Nov. 6, 1862; Thomas, Oct. 17, 1864; Susan, Oct. 13, 1866; Elizabeth, Oct. 5, 1868. Mr. Savage came to Illinois without capital; he had not the means to purchase a bed, and used a tick made by Mrs. Savage, filled with straw, and made upon the floor. They had neither table nor chairs, using for a table a trunk. He purchased his first bedstead with the proceeds of his labor, cutting cord-wood at 50 cents per cord. He has steadily kept at work, until he is now one of the responsible farmers of McLean Co., having nearly 100 acres under fence and a good state of cultivation, and upon which there is no incumbrance.