Biographies

JOHN PEOPLES, who carries on general farming and stock-raising on section 27, Rozetta Township, Henderson County, where he owns two hundred and twenty acres of valuable and highly improved land, was born on the Emerald Isle in 1814, and is one of a family of five sons and two daughters, whose parents were Hans and Rebecca (Williamson) Peoples. They too were natives of Ireland.

Upon his father's farm John Peoples was reared to manhood, and in the public schools of the neighborhood acquired his education, but his privileges along that line were somewhat limited.

In 1842, he resolved to seek a home and fortune in America, for he had heard much of the privileges and opportunities here afforded. Bidding adieu to friends and native land, he boarded a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of eight weeks landed at Philadelphia. In that city he worked at general labor until 1856, when he came to the West, settling in Henderson County, Ill.

With the capital he had acquired through industry and perseverance he purchased thirty-five acres of land in Rozetta Township, and to its cultivation devoted his energies for five years, after which he bought eight acres of land on section 27, a part of his present farm. From that time prosperity has attended his efforts, and he has increased the boundaries of the homestead, until now two hundred and twenty acres of rich land pay a golden tribute to his care and cultivation. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, and everything about his place is in keeping with a model farm of the nineteenth century. Everything is kept in good repair, the fields are well tilled, and an air of neatness and thrift pervades the place.

On the 3d of January, 1852, Mr. Peoples was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Barresford, who is also a native of Ireland, and a daughter of John and Isabella (Ramage) Barresford. Their family numbered seven children, three sons and four daughters. In 1871, Mrs. Peoples crossed the briny deep to the New World, and in Philadelphia she and our subject were married. Seven children have been born to them: John A., who is now living in Dekota; Hens, who makes his home in Kansas; Isabella, wife of Doc Keener; Daniel, who is living in Henderson County ; Martha A., wife of Lincoln Robbins; Thomas H., deceased; and William, who is still at home.

Mr. Peoples exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party.

His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

They have long resided in Henderson County, and have many warm friends within its borders. Mr. Peoples began life for himself a poor boy, with no capital save a determined spirit and an industrious disposition, but steadily he has worked his way upward, overcoming the difficulties and obstacles in his path, and success has at length crowned his efforts, making him one of the substantial farmers of the community.

From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.