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 336-337; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Harrison Azbell. It is a well established fact that a man of
natural ability, if possessed of integrity and energy, can accomplish
almost any given purpose in life. Every day furnishes examples of men
who commenced a business career empty handed, and in a brief period of
time accumulated considerable fortunes.
Our subject was one of the early pioneers of Fulton County, and
resides on section 13, Pleasant Township. His birth occurred in Belmont
County, Ohio, February 22, 1836, he being a son of William and Sarah
(Southers) Azbell. His paternal ancestors were from the Emerald Isle,
and those on the maternal side were of English descent. When only ten
years of age, he removed with his parents from Ohio to this county, and
the father settled upon the farm where our subject now makes his home.
The place at that time embraced only thirty acres of broken land, and
the only dwelling place was a small log cabin, but by means of
perseverance and energy the father soon had this land under cultivation.
Our subject's parents had twelve children, of whom the following
are living, viz: William, who lives in Pleasant Township; Eliza, who is
now Mrs. Smith, and lives in Havana, Ill.; Alexander, who lives here;
Lorenzo, who resides in Isabel Township; Benjamin in Pleasant Township;
Harrison, our subject; Julia O., wife of J. H. Smith, who lives in
Isabel Township; and Maria, wife of Thomas G. Linderman, of Pleasant
Township. the father died some time in the '50s, and in his death the
community lost a man who had long been engaged in advancing both his
own interests and those of his neighbors. He was a Democrat in
politics. He was widely known throughout this locality, and enjoyed the
esteem and confidence of all who knew him. Our subject's mother died
several years ago.
Mr. Azbell grew to manhood in this county, surrounded on every
side by nature clothed in her primitive dress, and naturally passed
through the privations and hardships common to pioneer life. But this
is a busy work-a-day world, and energy soon counts in the race of life.
At an early age he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and
has always found farm life very agreeable. True, his education was not
very extensive, since the advantages offered young people in those days
were few, but by reading and careful attention to the events of the day
he has educated himself very highly.
The subject of our sketch was married October 17, 1876, to Nancy
J. Smith, born in Missouri, and daughter of Daniel Smith. This union
was blessed with one daughter, who is now deceased. Mr. Azbell owns one
hundred and twenty acres of land that is splendidly cultivated. He also
has a fine barn and a handsome residence. The barn is especially
attractive, being 36x54 feet in dimension, and one of the best in the
township. His sympathies are with the Democratic party, and he is
always a strong advocate of those political measures that promise to
benefit his county and State. He is a public-spirited man, and one who
has met with success in his journey through life. As a successful
agriculturist he has won an enviable reputation in commercial circles,
and is accorded high esteem and confidence. His life furnishes an
example that busy "bread-winners" would do well to imitate.
