Illinois: History of Cass County, Illinois, ed. William Henry Perrin. O. L. Baskin & Co. Historical Publishers, Chicago, 1882. Cass County. JOHN E. PUTMAN, jeweler, Beardstown; was born near Rushville, Schuyler Co., Ill., April 20, 1846; son of W.B.G. and Martha (Elkins) Putman, he, a native of New York State, she, of Vermont. John E. received his education in Rushville, and in January, 1866, went to Racine, Wis., where he apprenticed to the jeweler's trade, with his uncle, John Elkins, and served three years, and Feb. 25, 1869, came to Beardstown, and bought the jewelry store of H. Christianer, and remained in business till August, 1875; then soldout, and dealt in land for a time; bought a hardware store in Beardstown, in exchange for land, and conducted the business for some time, under the firm name of J.E. Putman & Co. He then secured a patent for an improvement on seat guards for harvesters, which has proved remunerative, and he is still interested in the introduction of his invention in different States and territories. March 1, 1882, he opened a jewelry store in Beardstown, and is doing a good trade. He owns about 1,000 acres of land in this county, some in Schuyler County, and some in Nebraska. He married Emma, eldest daughter of Dr. F. Ehrhardt (deceased), April 20, 1871, and as issue of this union there were born four sons, two of whom are living: George, aged eight, and Ralph, aged five years. Mr. Putman was elected Alderman of second ward, Beardstown, in 1879, and served one year; elected Mayor in 1880, and served one year in that capacity. He is a Republican. Putman Elkins Christianer Ehrhardt = Schuyler-IL NY VT WI NE