History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with
Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious,
Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons
and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co.,
Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 872, Putman Township
Joseph R. Herring, farmer, sec. 12; P. O., Civer; was born
Aug. 27, 1819, at Baltimore, Md.; parents were Thomas and Hannah
(Burnett) Herring. His father was accidentally killed at sea. He was
first mate of the vessel upon which he lost his life. His mother died
in Maryland. Joseph R. came to this State in 1835, and has lived on his
present farm ever since. He enlisted in Co. K, 7th Ill. Cav., in 1861,
as Lieut.; was promoted to Captain and Major. He was wounded in the
battle of Corinth, and again in the battle near Summerville, Tenn.,
and, singularly, was wounded in the same place - in the left arm - both
times. In 1846 he was united in marriage with Margaret Moran, who was
born in Maryland in 1815. Their children are Hannah, Nelson, Josephine
and Maggie. Mr. H. owns 490 acres of land, 150 acres of which he has
improved himself. We give the portraits of the Major and wife.
submitted by Carla Finley
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 724-725;
Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Maj. Joseph R. Herring, a prominent citizen of Canton, Ill., was
born at Baltimore, Md., August 18, 1821. His grandparents left
their home in Scotland in the latter part of 1790 and came to
America. They came to America being driven from their native
place on account of Republican principles which were not acceptable in
that country. The grandfather’s name was Thomas Herring and the
grandmother was named Margaret. They reared but two children,
viz: Margaret, who was born in Scotland; and Thomas who was born
in Baltimore, Md. The latter who was the father of Maj. J. R.
Herring was a sailor during the war of 1812, was captured and pressed
into the British service. Upon refusing to work he and five
companions were taken to Halifax and kept there as prisoners of war,
but still refused to do duty however severely punished and pushed out
to sea in an open boat, were picked up by a Portugese vessel and
brought to Boston. When twenty-one years of age he entered the
American Navy, and Maj. Herring has a minature portrait painted on
ivory of him as he appeared at that time. He served through the
entire war, and still followed the sea until his death was caused by an
accident on board of a vessel, of which he was the first officer.
He had married Miss Hannah Burnett, a native of Richmond, Va. The
ceremony was celebrated in Baltimore in the year 1815 and to them were
born three children, viz: Margaret, who is dead; Mary, the wife
of William Maydwell of Baltimore, Md., and J. R.
Joseph who is the youngest child, passed his youth in Baltimore
and when about fourteen years of age lost his mother, and after that
sad event came to Illinois in company with the step-father. Soon
after their arrival in this State they settled in Fulton County where
Maj. Herring devoted his attention to farming on the place which his
step-father had purchased. He enlisted from Canton, Ill., July 1,
1861. He and his friend Maj. Nelson raised the company at this
point and he was appointed First Lieutenant of Company K, Seventh
Illinois Cavalry, and was mustered in at Camp Butler. They
furnished their own horses and equipments and joined the regiment at
Springfield, and went from that point to Cairo. After two or
three months drilling they went to Bird’s Point, Mo., where they
guarded the place until February, 1862. They continued to march
up the river catching many prisoners who were escaping from the Island
and going on to Pittsburg Landing. The Major was wounded at
Farmington, Tenn., May 9, 1862, where the rebels made their stand; it
was a gunshot wound and he was sent immediately home because the ball
having passed through his left arm and ranged along the front part of
the chest he was too ill for service. But inside of thirty days
the Major was on duty again, and experienced all the adventures and
hardships incident to a faithful soldier’s life. When Price made
his advance on Iuka, Maj. Herring’s company pressed him so closely that
he left he carriage in which he usually rode and the boys used this
conveyance to carry the sick and wounded on their journey.
Maj. Herring was conspicuous in the battle of Corinth, and after
that famous battle so familiar to all readers of history, he guarded
the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, and at a later date received a
second ball through his left arm while in a skirmish with Richardson’s
Rangers. He was sent back to La Grange, but hearing that his
regiment was being used up in the rear of Vicksburg he made application
to return to his company, but o permission was given. However, he
appeared upon the scene, and by means of his excellent judgment was of
great service to his company, guarding, scouting, and fighting all
along the line of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad. To
recount the glories and fame that attended Maj. Herring’s career
through the war would be to relate many thrilling incidents in which he
figured prominently, and although several times dangerously ill his
chief aim at all times was to serve his country faithfully and well,
and sacrifice his comfort, financial interest, and even life itself if
necessary for the benefit of the cause which he espoused. After
Price was defeated the Major feeling satisfied that the war was
virtually ended, resigned his command in November, 1864, having been
made Major in February, 1863.
Maj. Herring was married in 1846 to Margaret Moran, daughter of
Richard L. and Anna (Hayden) Moran. Mrs. Herring was born in
Maryland, and after reaching her seventy-fourth year died in
1887. To them have been born four children, viz: Maggie,
Mrs. Charles Barnard, of Canton, Ill.; Josephine, who is the wife of
John W. Resor, resides with her father; Nelson, who resides in Fulton
County; and Hannah, wife of F. Stockbarger of Iowa. Maj. Herring
has always been largely interest in agriculture, and a most successful
farmer. He is an active Republican, and has frequently served as
delegate to county and State conventions, and was a delegate to the
National Convention February, 1890, at Nashville, Tenn. The vast
amount of experience which a long prosperous career in both social and
business circles has given Maj. Herring enables him to be a great
assistance in all public matters in the community I which he
resides. Generous, brave, and thoughtful for the welfare of
others he has many warm personal friends, who delight to do him honor.
