John J. England, agent for the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railroad Company, at Girard, Macoupin County, belongs to one of the
old and honorable pioneer families of the county to which his
great-grandfather came in 1830. He was born at Girard, July 11, 1859, and is
a son of the late Samuel and Louisa C. (Smith) England.
John
England, his grandfather, bought a squatter's claim and also entered
government land in what is now North Otter township. He married Lina Hall,
and they reared 10 children. He died in 1858. Samuel England, father of our
subject, was born in Morgan County, Tennessee, February 22, 1820. He became
a very prominent and wealthy citizen of Macoupin County. His death took
place on his farm of 225 acres, which adjoins the village of Girard. He
married a daughter of Moses and Permelia Smith, who died in 1863, mourned by
all who knew her.
Our subject was educated in the Girard schools and
became connected with railroad work in March, 1882. On November 9, 1887, he
was married to Lizzie E. Rollins, who died February 21, 1894, leaving three
children, — Clarence, Albert and Lois. His second marriage, which took place
September 8, 1897, was to Eva L. Welch, who is a daughter of John and Hattie
(White) Welch. Mr. and Mrs. Welch are natives of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and Burlington, Iowa, respectively. Mr. Welch accompanied his parents to
Burlington, Iowa, when he was a young man in his "teens." He was a
contractor. The family moved to Glen Elder, Kansas, in 1882 and Mr. Welch
died March 17, 1883. The mother and family still reside in Glen Elder. Mr.
and Mrs. England are valued members of the Christian Church. In politics,
Mr. England is a strong Prohibitionist and exerts much influence.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 319-320.
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