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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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JOHN M. HOLMES, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Bloomington; was born in 1806, in Kildare Co., Ireland; remained there until 24 years old; was a soldier in the Royal Artillery for fourteen years. In 1831, he came to Halifax, and engaged in artillery for six years. From there he moved to Lower Canada, in 1837; engaged in soldiering; afterward taking a position in the British Government as soldier for twenty years. On the 1st day of May, 1860, he settled at Decatur, Ill., and engaged in painting for six years. He next engaged in painting at Bloomington for seven years. After which he went to Ireland and received an inheritance of $40,000. In 1876, he returned and bought him a pleasant little home of eighty acres, which he has improved. Was married, first time, in 1829, to Susan Dunn; second time to Sarah West; both of whom were born in Ireland.
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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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