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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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WILLIAM H. ADAMS, farmer, Sec. 25; P. O. Belleflower; born in Attica, Fountain Co., Ind., May 20, 1836; his father, Daniel Adams, died when the subject of this sketch was 4 years of age, and he lived with his mother two years, after which he made his home with Jesse Meharry, until 25 years of age, when, upon Jan. 1, 1861, he was united in marriage with Maria G. Meharry; she was born in Montgomery Co., Ind., March 5, 1837. They had five children by this union — Margaret J. I., born March 15, 1863; Ella May, Oct 6, 1865; Annetta, Oct. 24, 1867; Jessie E., April 19, 1870, and Emily L., Nov. 6, 1873. Mrs. Adams is a daughter of Hugh Meharry, who was born in Pennsylvania; located in Indiana, in 1829, and is now living in Ford Co., Ill. In the spring of 1861, Mr. Adams came to Illinois, and until 1868, followed farming In Livingston Co., when he entered the general merchandising trade, at Forrest, for two years, and again engaged in farming in Livingston Co., until 1877, when he removed to Sec. 25, West Township, McLean Co., where he has since followed farming. In politics, Mr. Adams is a strong Republican; his first vote for President was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and he has always acted with the Republican party. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion and education, having held the office of School Director and Trustee in the various districts in which he has lived, and with his wife and two oldest children, are members of the M. E. Church; the parents having been members for a period of thirty years; Mr. Adams has never made use of either liquor or tobacco, nor played at cards, and does not know one card from another.

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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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