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 OHN H. BLEVINS came to this State in 1840, when a youth of eighteen years, and to this county in 1854, locating in Oakland Township. He has been engaged in farming the greater part of his life, but is now retired from active labor and is living in the village in ease and comfort, upon the competency which he accumulated by years of industry and a wise investment of his savings. Mr. Blevins was born in Knox County, Ind., Oct. 2, 1822, and "is the son of John and Sarah (Hunt) Blevins, natives respectively of Kentucky arid Indiana. John Blevins, Sr., was born in 1766, and upon becoming a young man learned the trade of a shoemaker. He left his native State after his marriage, in 1819, and located for a time in Knox County, then in 1842 removed to Vermillion County, Ind., where his death took place in 1856. He was a man of much force of character, and greatly respected for his integrity and high moral character. The mother, who was born in 1772, came to Indiana with her husband in 1819, and died the year following her husband’s decease, in 1857. She was of German descent, a devoted wife and mother, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The nine children of the parental household were: Elizabeth, James, Henry, William, Mahala, Matilda, Cynthia, Amelia and John H. The youth and childhood of Mr. Blevins were passed under the parental roof, and on coming to this State he located in Edgar County, and commenced working on a farm. Afterward he spent three years in Shelby County, and upon coming to Coles County purchased 187 acres of land in East Oakland Township, where he carried on farming, and lived until retiring from active labor, in 1885. He has a fine residence in the village, is surrounded by hosts of friends, and is one of the pillars of the Christian Church, in which he has officiated as Deacon, and occupied other important positions for a period of twelve years. His connection with this church dates from the spring of 1851. Our subject before reaching his twentieth year, was united in marriage with Miss Harriet, daughter of Samuel and Amelia (Groff) Blevins, their edding taking place Feb. 9, 1841. Mrs. B. was born in Jefferson County, Ky., Jan. 2, 1825, and by her union with our subject became the mother of fifteen children, ten now living. These were named respectively, Thomas W., Francis J., Isabel, Louisa E., Amelia, James G., Martha K., John S., Sarah E., Mahala and George (twins), Berry, Marion and Hamilton (twins), and Maggie E. Thomas W., the eldest son, was killed in an engagement at Atlanta, Ga. He was a soldier in Co. H, 79th Ill. Vol. Inf. |
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