Fisher, John bio

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 394-395; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
John Fisher stands among the foremost of the successful farmers who have contributed so greatly to the development of this county. His interest is centered in Buckheart Township, where he has one of the largest and best managed farms in this part of the State, and for many years has been engaged in raising, feeding and shipping stock with good profits. Mr. Fisher was born in the vicinity of Washington, Clark County, Ind., October 2, 1827.
The father of our subject, Frederick Fisher, was a native of North Carolina, and the son of another Frederick Fisher who was of Dutch descent, and a pioneer of Indiana. The former was a lad of fifteen years when his parents removed to Indiana and he grew to manhood amid pioneer surroundings and was there married to Sarah Fouts. Her father was Jacob Fouts, Esq., a native of North Carolina, coming of an old Dutch family, and he was a pioneer of Indiana, where he carried on farming. In 1830, Mr. Fisher came to this county, and located in what is now Buckheart Township, being one of its earliest settlers. Taking up his residence on a wild tract of land, a half mile south of Mr. Fisher's present farm, he continued to live there and developed it. At the expiration of ten years he moved on a farm, three miles south, where the remainder of his life was passed, his death occurring in 1876. He held an honorable place among the pioneers of the county and his name is cherished as one of those who laid the foundation for its upbuilding. His wife and twelve of their thirteen children survived him and all are yet living except the mother, who died in 1887, at the advanced age of eighty years. She was a native of Clark County, Ind.
John Fisher, of whom this sketch is written, is the second son and third child of this large family and was principally reared in Buckheart Township, this county. He spent his school days at the Highbridge school house, but they were soon passed as he was not an attendant for more than six months altogether. His education has been principally gained by experience, observation and reading. He remained with his parents until twenty-three years old, and then started out in the world to battle with life on his own account. To aid him in vanquishing the difficulties that lay in his way he secured the co-operation of Miss Melissa J. Maxwell, who has been to him a true and faithful wife. Her parents were Alexander and Mary Maxwell, and they came to Fulton County from Tennessee at an early day, and she was born in Buckheart Township. Her marriage with our subject has been productive to them of seven children, as follows: Josephine, wife of Cyrus Alcott, a farmer and fine stock dealer, living near Fairview, Ill.; Alice, who married F. M. Fouts, also a farmer and stock dealer near Canton, Ill.; she died in December, 1884; Willard, living near the town of Dunfermline, carrying on a farm and running the meat market for the town, married Miss Josephine Ballard; Leonard, a farmer, dealer in cattle and fine horses, married Miss Mary Miller and lives near Canton; Charley, farming with his father and makes a specialty of fine cattle; Mattie and Bertha at home.
After marriage Mr. Fisher settled on the farm three miles south of his present place, comprising eighty acres of land. He had at that time one horse and a wagon borrowing a horse he did a great deal of teaming. He and his noble wife worked hard and their united labors were greatly prospered. He raised large quantities of hogs and cattle, bought, fed and sold stock, and carried on a large business in that line. He sold that farm and bought one across the road from where he now lives, and has since added to his landed possessions until he is the proprietor of fifteen hundred acres of as fine land as the sun ever shone on. On a farm of six hundred and forty acres of this land is located one of the finest coal mines in the State, and here is established the town of Dunfermline. The business carried on is extensive and brings Mr. Fisher a princely income. A considerable property in Canton adds to his possessions. He has an ample supply of buildings, including a commodious dwelling and a good barn. From overwork and close application to business, Mr. Fisher was prostrated for three years, but has now in a great measure recovered his health, and is also able to attend to his many duties on the farm, and to look after his extensive interests. Our subject has always been keenly alive to the interests of township and county, and has been an important factor in promoting them. He has been the recipient of public honors from his fellow citizens who have recognized his superior business tact and other fine business qualifications and have often called him to assist in the administration of public affairs. Thus he has been a member of the County Board of Supervisors, Township Collector, and School Director, having served in the latter capacity twenty-five years. In politics he is a stanch Republican and his influence is used to advance the cause of his party.