Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 603-604; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Josiah T. Athearn. The land owned and occupied by this gentleman
consists of ninety-three acres in Deerfield Township, fifty-three being
on section 34, and forty on section 35. The farm is well stocked, is
under fine cultivation, and bears the various improvements that are
expected of a good farmer in this age of the world. A visitor to the
place during the proper seasons will see in use thereon the Osborn
binder, Buckeye mower, and many other useful machines which expedite
the housing of grain or the cultivation of the crops. He will also find
ten head of horses, sixteen of cattle, and a drove of about
thirty-seven hogs.
The father of our subject was William Athearn, a native of
Maine, and his mother was Sarah (Allen) Athearn, a native of Kentucky.
This couple came to the Prairie State about 1835, first locating in
Bernadotte Township, this county, and thence removing to Deerfield
Township, where they died in 1868. They were the parents of five sons,
of whom our subject is the youngest, he having been born in Deerfield
Township, May 3, 1839. He pursued his studies in the district school
and assisted his parents in various ways until he had reached his
majority, when he began his personal career as a farmer on his father's
land.
Young Athearn continued his agricultural labors until October,
1861, when he could no longer resist his country's call, and became a
member of Company D, Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry. He was present at
the surrender. he fought at Arkansas Post, Jackson, Shiloh and Mission
ridge, helped to raise the siege at Chattanooga, and in various
skirmishes and heavy engagements bore his part as a good soldier should
until he reached Atlanta, where he was discharged, November 9, 1864.
During the battle of Shiloh, a ball passed through the knee of his
pantaloons, that being the closest he is aware of having come to a
serious injury.
Upon leaving the service Mr. Athearn returned to this county and
resumed his former occupation, renting land of his father until 1869.
He then went to Riley County, Kan., filed a homesteader's claim to one
hundred and sixty acres of land and bought forty acres. He resided upon
his homestead until 1875, when he sold his forty-acre tract and
returned to this county, renting eighty acres in Lee Township, which he
operated a year. He next located on the Spoon river in Deerfield
Township, continuing to reside there until 1880, when he bought the
estate he now occupies.
At the home of the bride, January 27, 1870, the rites of wedlock
were celebrated between our subject and Miss Susannah C. Myers. This
estimable and efficient woman is a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Sence)
Myers, and was born in Deerfield Township July 5, 1844. She had borne
her husband two sons and three daughters--Algermon S., Frank E., Jenny
M., Elsie S. and Eva Pearl. The eldest daughter died when a little more
than two years old, but the others still gladden their parents by their
presence at the home fireside.
A peaceable and law-abiding citizen, a kind neighbor and a good farmer,
Mr. Athearn receives his due measure of respect from those about him.
He is now serving his third year as School Director, a fact which
speaks well for his interest in the cause of education. He never fails
to vote the straight Republican ticket, but otherwise takes little part
in politics.
