Biography - FRANK P. BABBITT

Frank P. Babbitt, of Virden township, who is recognized as a highly competent general farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Macoupin, March 12, 1862. He is a son of F. C. and Henrietta (Purdy) Babbitt, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York state. The father died in 1906 in Florida, where he had gone to spend the winter, but the mother is now living and makes her home at South Bend, Indiana. In their family were eight children, namely: Allie, deceased; Frank P.; Fannie E., of South Bend; Jennie G., who is the wife of L. P. Hardy, of South Bend; Bertha and Grace, both of whom are living in South Bend, the latter being a teacher in the public schools; C. L., a resident of Virden; and Henrietta, who died in infancy.

Mr. Babbitt of this review received the advantages of a common-school education and continued with his parents until twenty-one years of age. Having decided to devote his attention to farming he rented eighty acres of land and succeeded so well in his venture that he increased the number to one hundred and sixty acres the second year, and has continued to assume larger responsibilities until at the present time he is cultivating three hundred and twenty acres on section 1, Virden township. Having early become thoroughly acquainted with the various details of agriculture and stock-raising, to which he has devoted his best ability with very gratifying results, his continued advancement is assured.

On the 28th of January, 1885, Mr. Babbitt was married to Miss Laura C. Clemmons, a daughter of John R. and Elizabeth Ann Clemmons, record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Four children were born to this union, namely: John F., who is now living at Virden; and Clarence E., George M. and Harry C., all of whom are at home.

Fraternally Mr. Babbitt is identified with the Woodmen and the Anti-Horse Thief Association; religiously he is in full sympathy with the Christian church, of which he is an earnest member. He is a stalwart republican in politics and is now serving as school trustee. He has spent his entire life in Macoupin county and can claim a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who have found him reliable in all the relations of life and recognize in him one who ably performs his duty as a progressive and patriotic citizen.

Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 118-119.