Polhemus, 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 256-257; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
John Polhemus. The name that heads this sketch is one long and worthily identified with Joshua Township, and no history of this immediate vicinity would be complete without a biographical review of the life of Mr. Polhemus. From a perusal of this necessarily brief and incomplete life record, it will be seen that from earliest youth to the present time his days have not been uselessly or idly spent. He is a man of more than ordinary energy and force of character and one much respected in business circles.
Our subject was born in the State of New Jersey, May 4, 1830, a son of Daniel G. and Maria Polhemus, who were also natives of that State, both being descendants of Holland ancestry. In the spring of 1838, the parents with their entire family left the State of their nativity and coming to Illinois, settled in Fairview. The father bought four hundred acres of land near the present site of the town of that name and the Polhemus family have since contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of this enterprising town which is only two miles from their residence. The father became one of the most useful pioneers of this section and here passed his remaining days, dying in the month of January, 1883, at a ripe old age. His wife died April 1, 1879, and they are both sleeping their last sleep in the cemetery at Fairview. They were the parents of seven children - John, Ralph, Emily, Henry, Garrett, Matilda and Mary, of whom the first three are deceased and the others are living in Fulton County.
John Polhemus received his education in the common school and remained with his parents at the old homestead until he had attained the age of twenty-three years. On February 4, 1862, he was wedded to Miss Anna Stout, whose parents were of New Jersey birth. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Polhemus enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry, Company D, under the command of Capt. Wicas, and went into camp at Peoria. After one month spent there he marched with his regiment to Bolivar, Tenn., and took part in the battles of Tallahatchee, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain and Kenesaw Mountain. Mr. Polhemus and his comrades accompanied Sherman to the sea and bore an honorable part in all the engagements of that famous campaign. He was in the army three years and during all that time never lost a day on account of ill health, but was always prompt in reporting for duty. He showed many valiant, soldierly qualities, was cool and courageous in battle, and was always faithful and efficient at all times and in all places. At Dalton, Ga., Mr. Polhemus was captured on the skirmish line by the rebels, but he overpowered the guard in a personal encounter, succeeded in taking his gun and gaining his liberty, by this exploit escaping the horrors of the rebel prison at Andersonville. He was captured a second time and a second time he managed to escape, thought shot at twice while fleeing. At Lookout Mountain he was wounded and at Atlanta a rifle ball struck the brass plate of his belt, his life being saved by the plate. Mr. Polhemus still preserves the ball and belt which he cherishes highly as a relic of his soldier days.
At the close of the war Mr. Polhemus was honorably discharged from the service and returned home with an excellent military record. He has since devoted himself to farming, having purchased a good farm on section 5, Joshua Township, after he left the army. He has greatly increased the value of his land since it came into his possession and has upon it many neat and well arranged improvements. He pays close attention to his duties, is skillful in carrying on his operations and is meeting with well deserved success. He and his wife have here a cozy, comfortable home. Their married life has been productive to them of much happiness and has brought to them eight children, and the following is the record of the four living: Daniel, born April 13, 1855; Charles, October 10, 1856; Emily, February 23, 1860, and Harry, February 14, 1861. The children have been carefully trained to useful lives, and are all residents of Fulton County.
The subject of our sketch was a gallant and brave soldier and one who must always be remembered in recounting the famous victories and numerous dangers of the great Civil War. He is a member of the L. P. Blair Post, G. A. R., at Fairview. He is a citizen who is most highly respected and well-liked by the entire community and in all the affairs of life he has conducted himself creditably and honorably.