My Genealogy Hound

ALFRED BILLUPS was born February 25, 1832, in Cambridgeshire, England, and is the second in a family of fifteen children, born to Joseph T. and Elizabeth (Richards) Billups, who were also natives of England, where they now reside. Alfred was raised in Wimblington Parish, receiving, at this time, no education. In 1854 he immigrated to the United States, and in December of that year began teaming between Boonville and Newburgh in Indiana. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, but was discharged July 15, 1865, for disability, having had both legs broken in a railroad accident in Virginia. While under the physician’s care at Millersburg he learned shoe-making, which he combined with merchandising in 1867. In 1868 he removed to Crowville, continuing the business until 1869, when he sold out and purchased a farm in Owen Township, on which he resided farming and extensively engaged in the manufacture of molasses until 1879. Moving to Evansville he was connected with the dry goods house of Hudspeth & Curtis until 1883, when he came to Boonville, sold agricultural implements for a time, but later began a general insurance business, at which he is now doing a good business. Mr. Billups is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. February 26, 1856, he wedded Eleanor McCord, who bore him eight children, only five of whom are now living. The mother died October 26, 1880. She was one of the Christian women of her day; a loved wife, a devoted mother, she possessed all the requirements of a truly noble woman. Of her Mr. Billups secured a fair education. December 18, 1883, he married his present wife, who was Sarah Mitchell, of Evansville.