Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Abraham Arthur, Illinois.


ARTHUR, Abraham, a former citizen of Schuyler County, Ill., but later a resident of McDonough County, spending the last years of his life in the city of Bushnell. was born in Huntingdon County. Pa., November 22. 1824, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Arthur, both natives of the Keystone State. After receiving his primary education in the public schools of his native State, in 1844, at the age of twenty years, he left the parental roof, and joining the tide of emigration towards the West, located at Rushville. Ill., where he remained until 1845, when he removed to Beardstown.

After several changes, in 1856 he located on a farm in Walnut Grove Township, McDonough County, which continued to be his home for many years. Mr. Arthur was united in marriage to Margaret Ann Hageman, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January 26, 1829, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Adam Hageman. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur, namely Joseph, who died May 18. 1865; Jesse, who married Harriet Atkinson and resides in Whiting.Kan. : Franklin, married in November, 1877. Lucinda Vertrees, and died August 4, 1879, his wife having died May 4, previous: Mary J., married Jacob Angle, and resides at Whiting, Kan.; Catherine Frances, married Fillmore Muruinert, and resides in Bushnell, McDonough County, and Margaret Jeanette, who married William J. Thompson and now resides near Rushville, Ill.

In the early part of 1865, Mr. Arthur enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered into service at Quincy, Ill., on February 23d of that year, and which was employed chiefly in guard duty, hut taking part in several guerrilla skirmishes in Georgia and other Southern States, received its discharge at Springfield, Ill., February 8, 1866. Mr. Arthur served as First Corporal of his company, holding this position at the time of his muster-out.

While a resident of Walnut Grove Township, Mr. Arthur was the owner of 191 acres of land, of which 140 acres were under cultivation. He also held the office of School Director and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. Several years before his passing away he removed from the farm to Bushnell, Ill., where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred October 15, 1898, at the age of seventy-four years, being then survived by his wife and four children. The funeral services, conducted two days later, under charge of the Grand Army Post, with Rev. J. A. McGaughey, of the Presbyterian Church, officiating, were attended by a large number of sorrowing friends, who still hold his private life and patriotic service to his country in honored and grateful remembrance. Mrs. Arthur died in Bushnell May 2, 1905.



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