David W. Pinkerton, a general farmer, fruit grower and
bee keeper of Macoupin County, located in section 32, North Palmyra
township, was born in Bird township, Macoupin County, in March, 1843. He is
a son of Henry and Jane (Huskey) Pinkerton, and a grandson of David
Pinkerton, who came to Illinois from Ohio, after the battle of New Orleans,
in which he had taken part, and settled first in Greene County.
Henry Pinkerton was born in Ohio and accompanied his parents to Illinois. He
had only limited school advantages, but became proficient enough to teach
school in his neighborhood. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, from
which he returned unhurt. His wife, Jane Huskey, was born in Alabama and
accompanied her parents to Illinois in childhood. Mr. Pinkerton and wife
removed to Iowa in the fall of 1843, but returned to Illinois in 1848 and
settled on our subject's present farm, to which Mrs. Pinkerton had fallen
heir. Henry Pinkerton died while his son David was still too small to
effectively use the plow, but his widow survived until her 8ist year, dying
December 10, 1895.
David W. Pinkerton, named for his paternal
grandfather, obtained his education in the district schools. That he was a
model pupil in childhood is shown by a certificate, which his children
highly prize, and which reads as follows: "This is to certify that David
Pinkerton has attended my school for the last three months, and for his good
behavior and the progress he has made in learning, he merits my love and
esteem." This interesting document is signed by Eliza J. Richardson and is
dated August 10, 1849. Upon the return of the family to Illinois, he again
attended school until the death of his father, and worked on his mother's
farm until he enlisted in the Union Army. On August 13, 1862, he entered
Company B, 122d Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., and was mustered out of the
service at Mobile, Alabama, July 15, 1865. Like his father and grandfather,
Mr. Pinkerton was a brave and loyal soldier. He participated in these
battles: Trenton, Tennessee, where he suffered capture and imprisonment for
eight months; Tupelo, Mississippi, July 14, 1864; Nashville, Tennessee,
December 15 and 16, 1864; and Blakely, Alabama, April 9, 1865. He is an
honored member of that body of brave men, each year growing smaller, who
gave their best years to the service of their country and who deserve the
respect and gratitude of the present and succeeding generations.
In
1869 Mr. Pinkerton married Mary A. Crum, who was a daughter of Eli Crum, a
farmer of South Palmyra township, Macoupin County. Mrs. Pinkerton died
August 7, 1887, aged 42 years. Their seven children were: Luther, born in
1870, a farmer of North Palmyra township, who married Amy Hanshaw and has
one child — Helen; Maud, born November 20, 1871, who died July 18, 1887;
Mary, born April 14, 1873, who died September 4, 1887; Eli, born April 20,
1875, who died April 14, 1895; Eugene, born January 18, 1876, who assists
his father on the home farm; Amy A., born January 15, 1881, who is now
engaged in teaching school; and Nancy N., born August 31, 1884.
Mr.
Pinkerton is identified with the Republican party, but considers himself no
politician in the usual acceptance of the word. He is deeply interested in
his agricultural operations in which he is ably assisted by his son, and
they meet with much success.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 315-317.
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