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 409-410; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Oliver J. Pettyjohn. The result of energy and perseverance are
nowhere better illustrated than in the career of Mr. Pettyjohn, who
began life with only a natural ability with which nature had endowed
him and is at the present time a well known and highly respected
citizen of Farmington. As census enumerator and a veterinary surgeon,
our subject is well known throughout the community and has an extensive
and lucrative practice.
Mr. Pettyjohn was born near Tremont, Ill. His father James S.
Pettyjohn was also a veterinary surgeon, and won a considerable
reputation for skill. He was born in Browning County, Ohio. The
grandfather, James Pettyjohn, had in his time followed the same
profession and owned a large estate in Ohio. The mother of our sketch
was previous to her marriage Miss Mary Ann Quinn, daughter of Elijah
Quinn, and he, too, had followed the profession of a veterinary surgeon.
Our subject's father moved to Illinois and died in this state
from the effects of a kick received from a horse when Oliver was quite
young, and the mother was married the second time, and has one child by
this union - Katie. Our subject's parents had four children, viz:
Oliver James, Luella, Alice and William. Luella is now the wife of
Joseph Hancock, a prosperous young farmer and stock-dealer at
Groveland, and Alice is the wife of Smith Hancock, and lives near
Groveland. William is a drug clerk in Kansas City.
The subject of our sketch received his education in the public
schools of his native place. Much of his childhood was passed on the
farm, and at an early age he evinced a great fondness for horses,
cattle and sheep, and naturally took up the profession followed by his
father. Being the oldest child he was called upon after death had
claimed the father, to assume heavy responsibilities.
Mr. Pettyjohn entered the Illinois Academy at Jacksonville, and
took an academic course in same, graduating with honors in 1871.
Immediately after he commenced farming for himself, in the meantime
studying the profession he has followed through life, and having read
extensively on the subject of horses and the best methods for handling
them. He heard lectures from Dr. York, and others of equal prominence,
and has thus thoroughly prepared himself for successful treatment of
horses.
The subject of our sketch was married when twenty-eight years of
age to Miss Nancy M. Todd, daughter of James and Anna M. (Espy) Todd.
She was born in the State of Ohio, near Springfield, and came with her
parents to Illinois when only a young girl, and received her education
in the High School of Morton, and such was her advancement that after
completing her course she was employed as teacher in the Grammar
Department of that school. She is a highly intellectual lady, and
possesses great social tact and gentleness of manner.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pettyjohn were born three children, viz:
William, Don Q. and Charles. They sold their farm, and settled in
Farmington in 1884, continuing to make this their home up to the
present date. They are faithful members of the Congregational Church.
Mr. Pettyjohn takes great interest in politics and is at all times a
strong supporter of the Republican party. He sustains a most enviable
reputation for strict integrity and firmness of purpose, and in
following his chosen profession not only gains a handsome income, but
the goodwill of the community at large.
