Oliver Talbott is one of the enterprising
farmers of Jordan Township, and is located on the southwest quarter of section.
The name of his father, James Talbott,
appears among those of the earliest pioneers
of the county, and he came to Jordan Township in the same year (1835) in which S. M. Coe and
James M, Wilson pitched their tents within its limits.
James Talbott was born Aug. 7, 1801, in Westmoreland Co., Pa. He was a man with a natural genius
for mechanical art, and in his native State he operated as a builder and a millwright. He married
Sarah Woods, May 29, 1828, and in 1833, accompanied by his wife and children, John W. and Mary
Jane, he started for the West. The family effects
were loaded on a flat-boat on the Youghiogheny
River, a tributary of the Monongahela, and the
party were conveyed to Pittsburg, whence they went
by steamer down the Ohio River. Cold weather
came on, and a halt at Louisville, Ky., became
necessary, on account of the river becoming unnavigable from ice. The family remained in that city
until navigation opened, when they proceeded by the
Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to Peoria. The
journey to Jordan Township was made overland in
a wagon drawn by three yokes of oxen. The little
party had increased in number during the tarry at
Louisville, where Oliver was born, Dec. 18, 1833.
They reached Peoria in the spring of 5834, where
the father built a mill, and operated as a carpenter
until the spring of 1835, when the family came, as
stated, to Whiteside County. The point of their
first location in Jordan Township was at Buffalo
Creek. Jordan Township had not received its name
and Whiteside County was still a part of Jo Daviess
County. The elder Talbott found immediate requisition for his services and abilities in the erection of
a structure known as Wilson's Mill. It was built of
logs, and was the only mill in a radius of 50 miles.
The ancient building has given place to a frame
mill, which is still designated as formerly, and occupies the same site. James Tabott was the first
Supervisor of the township, and held the office
several subsequent years. He was a Democrat of
the type of that period, and was active in th3 interests of his party. He engaged in farming successfully in Jordan Township until his removal to Sterling, where he died in 1879. The death of his wife
transpired in 1882, when she was 76 years of age.
She was born in 18o6. She was the mother of 10
children, and all reached adult age, except two, who
died in childhood.
Mr. Oliver Talbott is practically identified with
Jordan Township, where he came in infancy. He
owns 132 acres of land, which was originally a part
of the homestead, and 40 acres located near it.
The property is all improved. He is a Democrat,
and has held several local offices.
The elder Talbott and his estimable wife were
leading members ot the Methodist Episcopal Church
for almost 50 years, and their house was ever the
home of the traveling preacher. Within its hospitable doors they always found a warm welcome.
Mr. Talbott was not only a leading man within
the pales of his Church circle, nor alone within
the borders of his township, but was widely known
throughout the county, and took a prominent place
among its leading and representative citizens. Being a man of this character, a worthy pioneer, an enterprising citizen, a kind and benevolent neighbor, a devoted christian and a model parent, it is certainly fitting
that his features should be preserved to his friends and to the public. We therefore give them in connection with this sketch. The portrait is engraved from a photograph taken many years before his death.
(This photograph is on the James Talbott Biography page)
Portrait and Biographical PG 693
