Timmons, Andrew 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 197-198; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Andrew Timmons is the owner and occupant of one of the most valuable farms in the county, its location being on sections 2, 11 and 12, Young Hickory Township. His entire landed property consists of four hundred and sixty-one acres which is divided into three improved places and cost from $35 to $70 per acre. It is fertilized by never-failing water from springs, every ace being tillable. One hundred and sixty-six acres are rented and the balance is operated by Mr. Timmons himself. He raises full-blooded and graded Short-horn cattle, Berkshire and Poland-China swine, and also feeds stock for shipment. Last year he sold one hundred and eighty hogs. On the home farm there are two substantial residences and two commodious barns, each 40x60 feet. Farm scales, modern machinery and every convenience of the domestic and farm economy will be found there.
Our subject who is the oldest child of his parents, was born near Circleville, Ohio, July 10, 1838. He was seven years old when he accompanied his parents West, the journey being made in a “prairie schooner.” He was reared on a farm in Knox County, where he began driving oxen to a plow when not more than eight years old. He aided as his strength would permit in the improvement of the raw land, taking advantage first of the subscription and afterward of the free schools, wherein his educational privileges were very fair. He was a young man of eighteen years when his father removed to this county and he continued to assist his parent until he was of age. He then went to Henry County, locating near Bishops Hill, where he rented a farm for a year. Corn was but eight cents a bushel and other farm products brought so low a price that he found existence a hard struggle.
Mr. Timmons therefore went into Knox County, bought twenty acres and after operating it two years sold it and rented his father’s place a year. In the spring of 1865 he went to Kansas by rail, sending a team overland, and rented a farm in Douglas County, near Baldwin City. He lost his crop and in six months returned to this State overland to begin a new career here. He bought sixty acres on Swigle Creek to which he subsequently added twenty acres, still later trading sixty for an adjoining farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres. On his estate, which then consisted of one hundred and forty-five acres on sections 11 and 12, he made his home for some time. He was burnt out but rebuilt and after a time bought the Roberts place, an improved farm of one hundred and sixty-six acres on section 12. In 1887 he bargained for one hundred and fifty acres on section2, known as the old Fisher place, for which he was to pay $10,500. His failure to pay for this place was prophesied, but contrary to the expectations of his neighbors, he was clear of debt in less than three years, and that after paying the highest price that had been give for land here.
In his endeavors to advance his fortunes Mr. Timmons has been assisted by a faithful companion, whose prudent management of household affairs and words of counsel and encouragement are highly valued. This lady ho was formerly known as Miss Sarah Campbell, was born near Attica, Ind., in Warren County, and became the wife of our subject in Maquon, Knox County, Ill., in 1860. The happy union has been blest by the birth of four children - Fanny, Johnson, Arthur and Mina. The eldest child was formerly a school teacher, but is now the wife of Charles Ulm who lives on the farm of our subject. Johnson makes his home also here; Arthur and Mina still reside under the parental roof.
Mr. Timmons was elected Commissioner of Highways but resigned the place after a year’s service. He has served efficiently in the position of School Director, has contributed to the building of churches and to other enterprise which promise to benefit the community, and exercises generous hospitality. He is a Democrat and during recent years has been stronger in the faith than ever before.
Our subject is a son of Stephen S. and Lucinda (Emery) Timmons, the former born in Highland and the latter in Pickaway County, Ohio. Mrs. Timmons was a daughter of the Rev. Stephen Emery, a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church who finally came to Knox County, Ill., and after farming there ten years bought a homesteader’s claim in Linn County, Kan., removed thither and made that his home during the remnant of his days. Stephen Timmons followed farming in Pickaway County, Ohio, for some years, then sold his property and came to Illinois. He had but $5 when he reached this county, but wit the same enterprising spirit which characterizes his son, he set to work undismayed to secure a good home. After having rented land in Fairview Township a few years, he bought in Knox County and did well there financially. When he returned to this county he bought property in Young Hickory Township where he now lives retired on a farm of some three hundred acres. He has reached the age of seventy-seven years. Like his son, he votes the Democratic ticket. His worthy companied died in Young Hickory Township, December 23, 1863. The children younger than our subject are Peter who lived on section 1, Young Hickory Township; Mrs. Sarah Combs, of Knox County; Mrs. Margaret Johnson, of Sherman, County, Kan.; and Joseph, of London Mills.