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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  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.

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W. H. H. ADAMS, President Wesleyan University, Bloomington; was born in Effingham Co., Ill., March 30, 1840, and is the son of Christopher B. and Sarah (Ganaway) Adams, who were early settlers of Illinois; Dr. Adams’ father was a farmer; the Doctor was engaged in farming from the time he was able to hold the hoe or handle the plow in the summer months, and in the winter attended the district schools. In 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company A, 111th I. V. I.; he carried the musket the first nine months in the service; he was then elected 1st Lieutenant; he organized the first company of Contrabands for service; he was Captain of Company A Battery, doing service on the road from Columbus, Ky., to Mobile, Ala.; July 4, 1865, he resigned and returned to Illinois, and in, 1865, entered the Preparatory School at Evanston, Ill.; here he graduated; he then entered the Theological Seminary; in 1870, he joined the Illinois Conference, at Shelbyville, and was stationed at different places in Illinois. In 1875, he became President of the Weslyan University.

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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois

View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies

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