Almon B. Byrum is closely connected with the leading interests of Stockton Township as one of its prominent citizens and is one of its most skillful, capable, prosperous farmers and stock-raisers. He may be considered a pioneer of Jo Daviess County, although not among its earliest settlers, as since he came here the first time in 1845 he has played no unimportant part in developing its resources and raising it to its present proud position among its sister counties in the State of Illinois. The improvements on his fine farm on-section 13 compare with those of the best farms in this part of the county, and among them we may mention a large frame house, conveniently arranged and well fitted up, rendering it one of the most attractive homes in the township: and a commodious, substantially built barn, besides other farm buildings in good order. He has 210 acres of well-tilled land, which be devotes to grain-raising and to rearing stock, he having a fine herd of cattle, etc.

The birthplace of Mr. Byrum was near Ithaca. N. Y., and the date of his birth was Sept. 29. 1825. His father, Jeptha Byrum, was a native of New England, and when a boy removed with his parents to New York, they becoming pioneers of that State. He married Hannah Beardsley, a native of Connecticut, and sis children were born of their union, five of whom are living: Eliza, now Mrs. Hutchins, resides near Bluffs, Iowa; Almon B.; Huldah. Mrs. Justice, of Stockton; Eleazer, of Audubon. Iowa; Amanda, Mrs. Way of California: Sophia, (deceased). The parents removed with their family to Geauga County, Ohio in 1827, becoming pioneer of that section of the country.

Our subject was a child of two years when his parents took him to Ohio, and amid the pioneer surroundings of his new home he grew to manhood His education was conducted in a log school-house with slab seats, and a board fastened to the wall for a desk. He early learned the shoemaker's trade and followed it ten years at various times. In 1845, the same spirit that had animated his sires to seek to build up homes in a wild, sparsely settler region, led our subject, then a stalwart, brave-hearted youth of twenty years, to come to this part of the Prairie State. He found employment as a farm hand at Yankee Hollow, now Morseville, and for some years had no settled residence anywhere returning frequently to his old home in Ohio. Just on the eve of coming back to this State to establish himself here permanently our subject was united in marriage to Almira Hoyt, a daughter of Albert and Adney (Rider) Hoyt He then brought his bride to this township, of which he has ever since been a valuable citizen. He located on his present farm in 1853, and for some years carried it on mostly by the aid of hired help while he worked at his trade. A man of sound understanding, clear, cool judgment, and undoubted honor, his fellow-citizens, with commendable discernment, early recognized Mr. Byrum's fitness for public life, and have often called upon him to assist in the government of the township; and the efficiency with which he has discharged the duties of the various responsible offices that he has held from time to time bas but strengthened their faith in him. He has been Supervisor for three years. School Trustee several years, Assessor one year, and has been an incumbent of other local offices. He belongs to the Masonic order, being identified with Plum River Lodge No. 554. Although not a member of any church, he gives freely to support the gospel.

The wife of the early manhood of our subject departed this life in July', 1878, after a pleasant wedded life of more than a quarter of a century. Eleven children were born of their union, ten of whom are living: Kossuth M., Jeptba, Almon C, Albert H.. Harriet, Kleazer, Cora and Flora (twins), Charles, Huldah. and Joseph. Flora died at the age of two years; Harriet married Pat Hughes, of Clifton, Dak., and they have one child, Rosa; Eleazer, a resident of this township, married Josephine Lawhorn, and they have two children. Rose and an infant; Cora married Spencer Tucker, of this township, and they have three children—Lloyd and Floyd (twins) and an infant daughter. Jeptha is a miner in Boulder, Colo.; Albert is County Judge of Franklin County. Neb. The second marriage of Mr. Byrum, which occurred Feb. 18, 1884, was to Mrs. Arvilla Woodard, widow of Emory Woodard and daughter of William and Charlotte (Tucker) Starkey. She was born in Geauga County, Ohio, and by her first marriage bad two children, Lottie and Alma. Lottie married Harley Atwood. of Hall County, Neb., and they have two children, Valuta and Flora; Alma married Douglas Morley. of Geauga County, Ohio, and they have two children, Alva and Carl.

Transcribed by Christine Walters Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889), p. 696.