Biography - JOHN EMMERSON

John Emmerson, long identified with the agricultural pursuits of Macoupin county, was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, on the 5th of July, 1845. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Hill) Emmerson, also natives of England, whence they emigrated to the United States, locating in Greene county, Illinois, in 1850. After seven years residence there they removed to Macoupin county, and the following year the father acquired forty acres of land, which formed the nucleus of his homestead. As he was able he extended the boundaries of his farm until, at the time of his demise, he owned one hundred and sixtv acres of well improved land. He passed away on the 27th of March, 1904, while the mother had died in 1896. Their union was blessed with two children: John, our subject; and Mary Ann, the wife of J. J. Cox, of Virden.

John Emmerson was only a lad of five years when his parents settled in America, and he attended the district schools of Greene and Macoupin counties in the acquirement of his education. After laying aside his studies he applied himself to painting and wagon making for a time but later devoted his attention to farming in which he has ever since been engaged. He has been quite successful in his agricultural enterprises and now owns eighty acres of land in Sangamon county and forty acres of the old homestead.

Mr. Emmerson established a home for himself by his marriage on the 12th of April, 1870, to Miss Martha Utt, who passed away on the 27th of April, 1901, and was laid to rest in the Virden cemetery. Mrs. Emmerson was a daughter of Jacob and Polly Utt, who were the parents of nine children: James, who is a resident of Kansas; Ruben, a veteran of the Civil war, now residing in Pike county, Illinois; Winfield, who is deceased; George, a color bearer in the Civil war, killed on the battle field while carrying the flag; Catherine, the wife of Nathan Dotson, of Greene county; Martha, the deceased wife of John Emmerson; Lizzie, the wife of Oscar Drew, general freight agent for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad at St. Louis; Sophia, the wife of the Rev. Mr. Shambeau, of Washington; and Mary, who is living in Parsons, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Emmerson were the parents of three children; William A., who is living in Virden; Lizzie, the wife of Frank Conetis, of Virden; and George C., a physician, practicing in Marshall, Missouri.

Mr. Emmerson affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife was also a member. His political allegiance he accords to the republican party, but he has never been an office seeker, having preferred to devote his energies to the development of personal interests.

Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 384-385.