My Genealogy Hound

JOHN J. CHITWOOD, the subject of this biographical sketch, is one of the earliest settlers and most prosperous farmers of Logan township, Franklin county. He was born in Schuyler county, Ill., February 20, 1836, and is one of a family of six children born to John and Sarah (Lamaster) Chitwood. His father was a native of Indiana, moved to Illinois when a young man and died there in 1877.

John J., our subject, was reared on a farm, received a good common-school education, and made his home with his parents until twenty-five years of age. August 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Second Illinois cavalry. His command served mostly with the armies of the Southwest, covering the territory of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. He served three years, being mustered out at Baton Rouge, La. The war being over he returned home, and on the twenty-third day of March, 1865, he married, taking for a life companion Miss Jane Martha Jackson, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Jackson, natives of Indiana. After marrying he rented a farm and lived on it for eight years. April, 1874, he came to Nebraska, settling in Franklin county. He located a homestead and purchased a timber claim in section 10, township 3, range 15 west, built a sod house and began to improve his place. The first year he had all his crops destroyed by the grasshoppers, but he did not let that discourage him. He determined to stick to his claim and make for himself and family a home. He worked hard and managed well, and now has one of the finest farms in Franklin county, having about three hundred acres under cultivation. His sod house has given way to a substantial frame, surrounded by all necessary out- buildings, groves and orchards.

In addition to farming, Mr. Chitwood has made stock-raising an important branch of business, having on his place a herd of well-graded cattle, and gives special attention to the improvement of horses. Starting out in life without a dollar, Mr. Chitwood has achieved a marked success, and it is due to his intelligence, industry and good management. Mr. and Mrs. Chitwood have had born to them a family of five children, as follows — Charles A., James W., Harriet E., Mary E. and Minnie J. In politics, Mr. Chitwood is a republican and takes an active interest in his party. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a stanch supporter of the Grange. He and his estimable wife are both members of the Methodist church and active in all church work.