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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.

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WILLIAM H. FOUNTAIN, a retired merchant of Du Quoin, was born in North Carolina February 22, 1811. His father, William Fountain, was born in the same state and throughout life followed farming. His death occurred in 1816, when our subject was only five years of age. The family has long been established in North Carolina and was of English lineage. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Martha Key. She was born in North Carolina and died in 1875, at the advanced age of ninety years. William H. was their only son, but they had three daughters, one of whom died in childhood. Mahala married and lived in North Carolina until her death, which occurred in 1891. Nancy was married and removed to Missouri, where she reared a large family. She was called to the home beyond in 1892.

The educational advantages which Mr. Fountain of this sketch received were limited. In 1835 he removed to Tennessee, and in 1840 went to Washington County, Ill., where he engaged in teaching school and carried on a small farm. Later he went to Franklin County, and in 1852 embarked in merchandising in Benton, Ill., and also ran a hotel until 1862, when he came to Perry County, Ill. Three years later he opened a mercantile store in Du Quoin and continued operations along that line until 1876, when he retired to private life, having accumulated a handsome property which enabled him to lay aside business cares.

In 1831 Mr. Fountain was united in marriage with Penelope Pope, who died in 1851. To them were born ten children, but only two are now living, although seven of the number grew to manhood and womanhood. Henry, a prominent merchant of Du Quoin, died in 1867. Mary became the wife of Judge E. V. Pierce, and both are now deceased. Martha became the wife of Aaron Neal and died in 1869. Melvina E. was twice married, but is now a widow living in St. Louis. Penelope is the wife of Henry W. Lever, of Du Quoin. T.T. was a soldier in the Civil War and held the rank of Second Lieutenant. He was graduated from the Michigan University of Ann Arbor and became a prominent attorney representing his district in the General Assembly. His death occurred October 6, 1892. D. W., the next son, who was a soldier in the late war, was a graduate of the Michigan State University and became a leading lawyer. He served as State’s Attorney and was for a time engaged in the banking business in South Dakota. His death occurred in Du Quoin in October, 1891. For his second wife Mr. Fountain married the daughter of ex-Governor Daugherty, of Illinois. She died in 1884.

Mr. Fountain has been a member of the Methodist Church since 1836, and has taken a very prominent part in its work. For many years he has been a Royal Arch Mason, and was at one time Master of the blue lodge and a member of the Grand Lodge of the state. In politics he has been a stanch Republican since Ft. Sumter was fired upon, and has been true and faithful to every duty. He has now reached the age of eighty-three years. His step is not as light and his hand is not as steady as it was in the prime of manhood, but his eye is bright and his intellect is as clear as it was a half-century ago. He is now living a quiet, retired life in his pleasant home, surrounded by the comforts and luxuries which he has been enabled to secure through the capital acquired by his own exertions. He is indeed a self-made man and his honorable, upright life is well worthy of emulation.

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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 Perry County, Illinois family biographies here: Perry County, Illinois Biographies

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