Henry Lemons, a prosperous farmer of Girard township, has been a
resident of Macoupin county for fifty years and has been an interested
witness of the marvelous transformation of this part of the state,
making it one of the garden spots of Illinois. He is a native of
Missouri and was born in 1853. Being placed in an orphan asylum in his
infancy, he never knew the tender care of a loving mother. At the age of
seven years he became a member of the family of W. C. Roach, of Bird
township, Macoupin county, Illinois, and grew to maturity under the
favoring conditions of a peaceful home. He received advantages of
education in the district schools and at the age of seventeen began
working out among farmers of the township. In 1877 he engaged in farming
on his own account near Girard and three years later took up his
residence on the place where he has since lived. He is industrious,
energetic and efficient in his work and now enjoys the results of well
applied labor, being known as one of the reliable and substantial men of
this section.
On the 8th of August, 1877, Mr. Lemons was married
to Miss Mary E. Roach, of Girard, a daughter of John F. and Martha H.
(Cherry) Roach. The father was born in Tennessee and the mother also.
Mrs. Lemons is a granddaughter of William Roach, who was a native of
Tennessee. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lemons, namely:
Ethel, who married Marion Riffey, of North Otter township, and has two
sons: John R., a farmer of Nilwood township, who married Carrie Huber
and has one daughter; H. Coy, of Springfield, who married May Blair;
Calvin C., who lives in Waterloo, Iowa; Roscoe H., who is living at
home; Mattie E., of Springfield, Missouri; and Erma and Fay, both of
whom are at home
Mr. Lemons is a stanch believer in the Bible
and is a valued member of the Baptist church. Politically he has given
his support to the republican party ever since he arrived at his
majority, and socially he is identified with the Old Settlers Club. In
the management of his business affairs he has displayed sound judgment,
which in connection with his unflagging industry has secured his
success. The neat and attractive appearance of his place is evidence of
his interest in a calling to which he has given the best efforts of his
life. He and his wife are greatly esteemed by a wide circle of friends
and their home is a center of generous hospitality. The keynote of the
success of Mr. Lemons is economy, industry and perseverance and, as he
has reared his children with these principles ever in view, they are
abundantly prepared for lives of usefulness and honor.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 669-670.
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