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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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GEORGE N. ALBON, junior partner in the firm of Walker & Albon, dealers in general merchandise at De Soto, Jackson County, was born in Canada, February 4, 1858, and is the son of James and Sarah (Pickett) Albon. The father is a native of England, having been born in Lincolnshire, whence he emigrated to Canada in 1856. He was a miller by trade, and after coming to the States, in 1860, located in this county and operated the De Soto Mill for about five years. Later he removed to Cairo, and on again returning to De Soto, carried on the mill successfully for ten years more.

The mother of our subject, also a native of England, was born near London and is yet living. She had four sons and four daughters, namely: John; James and Sarah (twins), Lizzie, George N., Gertrude, Freddie and Alice. Our subject spent the years intervening between his second and ninth years in Jackson County, and was then taken by his parents to Cairo, where they remained for four years. Returning to De Soto, he has ever since made this his home. His education was prosecuted in the common schools.

When reaching his fifteenth year, Mr. Albon was compelled to earn his own living, and accepted a clerkship in the store of Henry Heiple, of this place, in whose employ he remained for two years. Later he filled a similar position in the store of J. M. Outter, also in De Soto, with which establishment he continued through its various changes until he now owns a one-half interest in the concern. The elder Mr. Walker having died in 1887, the widow was given his interest in the store, and the business has since been conducted under the style of Walker & Albon. Mr. Albon has been continuously engaged in the dry-goods business for the last eighteen and a-half years, and during that time has had only six months’ vacation altogether. He possesses the necessary shrewdness and forethought to be successful in life, and is classed among the prosperous business men of his township. The establishment is neat and well managed. The firm carries a stock of $8,000, and does an annual business of $30,000.

For the past two years in addition to his other interests, Mr. Albon has been engaged in the lumber trade in De Soto, which he is conducting on a paying basis. The lady whom he married, February 7, 1881, was Miss Blanche Friedline, who was born in this county and departed this life March 31, 1889. She had a family of three children: Alice, Lucile and Nellie, of whom Lucile is the only survivor.

In April, 1890, our subject married Miss Abbie Walker, and by this union has become the father of two children, George N., Jr., and Arthur. Mr. Albon takes a deep interest in the welfare of the village, and has served on the School Board for six years. He has also been Village Trustee for three years, and is one of the substantial business men of the place. In politics he uses his influence for the Democratic party and cast his first vote for Hancock. His parents were members of the Christian Church, but he and his wife adhere to the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. They are extremely popular in the neighborhood and much respected.

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

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