Green, John S. 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 361-362; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
John S. Green. There is always more or less curiosity to know the true and inner history of men who have been long and favorably identified with the social and business interests of any community, and undoubtedly the biography of Mr. Green will prove interesting alike to old and young. Brought up to a knowledge of farm duties, he naturally chose the avocation of a farmer when it became necessary for him to select a calling in life. His experience has been wide and varied, and although advanced in years he is well preserved and quite active.
The subject of this sketch is the son of John and Sarah Green, natives of Berlin, N. Y. The parental family comprised ten children, as follows: Martin, Horace, Maxom, Steven, John, Hampton, Robert, Burton, Nathaniel, and Lewis, all of whom reached years of maturity. He of whom we write was born in the State of New York, June 19, 1821, and passed his childhood upon a farm, where he was taught habits of industry and self-denial. He received excellent educational advantages, preparatory to business life, but did not of course receive any special literary training in the common schools. He was capable of taking the finest collegiate course, and had a natural inclination for study, but belonging to a large family and that being a time when the education of children was not so thorough as at present, he was forced to content himself with a moderate amount of learning.
When ready to establish a home of his own, Mr. Green was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Saunders, their union being solemnized October 31, 1847. Mrs. Green is the daughter of Peleg and Hannah (Saunders) Saunders, both natives of New York. Mrs. Green was born in Berlin, New York, in 1821, and was reared to womanhood under the parental roof. She early became proficient in those housewifely qualities which add so much to the attractiveness of a home, and has proved a devoted wife and wise mother. Of their six children the following is recorded: Peleg, a farmer in Fulton County, Ill., married Miss Jane Burbridge and has five children. Ida resides in Knox County and is the wife of Menzo Papalee. They have one child. Lenora was first united in marriage with Stephen Greggs, by whom she had two children. After the death of Mr. Greggs she married John Fink, of Knox County. Burton married Miss Sarah Wilcox and lives in Fulton County. Herbert married Flora Daikeman, and they have two children. John resides on the old homestead. His wife bore the maiden name of Ida Thurman, and they have two children. Mr. Green gave all his children a good start in life and they settled within three miles of the parental home. In May, 1854, Mr. Green and his wife, in company with Jacob Brimmer, came to Fulton County to visit some relatives of Mrs. Green, who had located here. Mr. Green and Mr. Brimmer were so delighted with the soil that they immediately purchased seven hundred acres of fine land in Knox and Fulton Counties. Mr. Green then returned to his home in Jefferson County, N. Y., and disposed of his property there, prior to removing to Illinois. In the fall of 1854 he returned to Fulton County, accompanied by his family. The following spring he planted his first crop, which brought to him such a fine harvest that he became fully satisfied with the richness of the soil. His history since coming to this place has been that of a thoroughly progressive man and whatever he has undertaken has proved successful.
Mr. Green is a man of vast experience, whose wealth and enterprise have given him social prestige in this community and have enabled him to give to his children a thorough education. Although he has given each of his sons considerable land, he still retains in his possession a highly cultivated farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Farmington and Salem Townships. He and his wife are esteemed members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Green was first a Whig, but upon the organization of the Republican party, cast his ballot and used his influence in its interest. He is unusually keen-witted and is able at a glance to place the correct valuation upon men and things. He is held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens and is consulted upon many affairs of importance, whether of public or private nature.
In connection with this biographical review the reader will notice on another page a portrait of Mr. Green. [359-360]