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 557-558; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
John F. Fillingham. Whatever the natural resources of a
county, or its business facilities, still the history must depend
chiefly upon the men who have resided there and by their energy and
ability have added greatly to the natural attractions and wealth.
The subject of this sketch figures prominently among such men, the seat
of his labors being the city of Canton, where he carries on a saw-mil
and from whence he visits the farm lands with a threshing machine.
Mr. Fillingham was born in Norfolk, England December 16, 1842,
being the son of John and Mary (Fuller) Fillingham. The father
came to Canton, Ill., on November 4, 1854, bringing all his family with
the exception of the eldest son, who joined them three years
later. They engaged in farming in Banner Township, Fulton County,
continuing to devote their attention to this occupation until the death
of the parents, who reached a ripe old age, being seventy-seven and
seventy-five years respectively. They had nine children, three of
whom died in infancy and six lived to maturity. Of these Edmund
was the eldest; he was a marine engineer through the entire course of
his life. Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, married James Emery of
Dillon, Neb.; Jane, who died in 1856, was the wife of Thomas Thompson;
James is now deceased and so also is Mary, Mrs. Baker; John F. is the
youngest.
He of whom we write was hardly twelve years of age when he came
to Canton with his parents, and he has been a resident of the county up
to the present date (1890), being brought upon a farm and only
obtaining a limited education. During his youth, however, eh
learned to love the country off their adoption and to feel an interest
in its institutions so deep as to lead him to join others in defending
the flag when traitor hands would rend it. On August 24, 1861, he
enlisted in Company K, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, with which company he
marched to Springfield, where they were drilled and armed – the
regiment furnishing their own horses. Going to Cairo they spent a
few days there, then continued on to Bird’s Point, Mo., where they met
with their first misfortune, having four men on patrol shot by
guerrillas.
The next move of the company was to Cape Girardeau, where they
did scouting and guard duty for a while, then went to join in the
advance of Pope’s army to New Madrid, having an encounter with Jeff
Thompson at Skyestown. They besieged New Madrid, forced the
evacuation of the city during a dark, stormy night when the retreating
forces left all their ammunition and other stores. They next took
part in the capture of Island No. 10, where the regiment took many
prisoners. Transferred to Pittsburg Landing as a re-enforcement,
they bore a hand in several battles around Corinth and in the siege of
that city. At Farmington they had the misfortune to lose Major
Appleton. After fighting at Tuscumbia Creek, and Booneville,
Miss., the boys marched to Rienza, and went into camp.
We next find the body to which Mr. Fillingham belonged guarding
the Memphis and Charleston Railroad at Courtland, Ala., and later at
Russelville. There our subject was taken sick, and it became
necessary for him to be sent to the hospital at New Madrid, whence he
was sent to Corinth and a few days later to Benton Barracks, St. Louis,
Mo. Upon his recovery in April, 1863, he rejoined the regiment at
La Grange, Tenn., where it was encamped previous to the Grierson
raid. Subsequent to that event they again guarded a railroad and
had a severe fight at Moscow, and on Christmas were surrounded near
Summerville, but cut their way out with the loss of a few killed and
twenty capture. Returning to La Grange, they remained there until
February 1, 1864, when they started upon the William L. Smith raid to
meet Sherman, but the expedition proving a failure, they stopped at
Germantown, near Memphis.
There Mr. Fillingham re-enlisted, and after enjoying his veteran
furlough, returned to Memphis whence the command went to Pulaski, Shoal
Creek, Columbia, Tenn., Franklin and Nashville, having skirmishes with
Hood at other points. On the night of December 14, 1864, the
company took a position on the right wing at Nashville, being
dismounted and going into the fight as foot-soldiers. The second
day of the engagement was Mr. Fillingham’s birthday and he celebrated
it by holding a musket so hot from rapid firing that several times he
was compelled to drop it. The company went on to Gravelly
Springs, Ala., Eastport, Miss., and Iuka, after which they had not
great fighting for a time but were detailed to keep matters quiet t
points below. They were finally remounted and located at
Huntsville from July to November, 865, then, going to Nashville, they
were discharged November . Mr. Fillingham was mustered out a
Orderly Sergeant of his company, although he had enlisted as a private.
Like all brave soldiers Mr. Fillingham passed through thrilling
experiences, having his clothing pierced by balls many times, but he
escaped wounds, while suffering hardships and privation.
Immediately after returning home Mr. Fillingham purchased a valuable
farm and has been identified with the agricultural interests of this
State since. He now owns an estate in Sullivan Township,
Livingston County, besides his interest in Canton. He is a
natural mechanic and has done more with machinery than in farming.
On February 1, 1866, Mr. Fillingham married Miss Sibyl E.
Packard, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Lee and Emeline
Packard. The wedding rites were solemnized at the bride’s home in
Bauner Township, Fulton County. The union has resulted in the
birth of five children, of whom Grace and an infant are dead; Byron,
John and Mary are still living. Both sons are following the
honorable occupation of tilling the soil, Byron being located on his
father’s farm.
Mr. Fillingham is Senior Vice Commander of Jo Hooker Post No 69,
at Canton, and is also an Odd Fellow, belonging to Olive Branch Lodge
at the same place. Mrs. Fillingham is a member of the Order of
Rebecca, and of the Ladies’ Relief Corps, which is auxiliary to the
Grand Army of the Republic. Our subject is a member of the
Independent Order of the Mutual Aid, an insurance company. Mrs.
Fillingham is a devout and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. They moved to Canton on March 1, 1889, and here
surrounded by all the comforts they live most happily together.
Mr. Fillingham is a successful business man and has many warm friends,
both in commercial and social circles.
