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 ILLIAM H. PULESTON, deceased. The early home of this gentleman was across the sea in Carmarthen, South Wales, where his birth took place on the 28th of March, 1849. He was the son of John and Sarah (Phillips) Puleston, the former an Englishman by birth, who followed the sea from early youth. During one of his voyages he formed the acquaintance of Miss Sarah Phillips, who was a native of his own town, where they were married. The subject of this sketch was the third child of his parents, and when he was about eighteen months old they removed to London. When three and one-half years of age he went upon the streets of London as a newsboy, following this until ten years old. His father was still on the water and his mother kept a news stand in the great city. At this time John Puleston, becoming wearied of his arduous duties, decided to emigrate to America. One fine morning in the spring of 1858, he embarked with his family on a sailing-vessel at Liverpool, and after a voyage of twelve weeks, landed in New York City. Thence they proceeded directly westward, and settled in Odin, Marion County, Ill., where the father purchased a tract of land and where he farmed for many years. He was successful in his New World adventure, and is now retired from active life, living at his ease in the little city of Odin, lie still retains possession of his farm property. William Henry Puleston remained on the farm with his parents until nineteen years of age, in the meantime having pursued quite a thorough course of study in the public schools. He was now sent to the Normal School at Carbondale, and being fond of his books and ambitious to excel, soon qualified himself for the duties of a teacher. This he pursued until his marriage, July 19, 1870. The lady chosen to share his fortunes was Miss Rebecca, the sixth child of Elisha and Rebecca (Sawyer) Linder, a sketch of whom will be found on another page in this volume. The young people located on a farm in Mattoon Township, upon which Mr. Puleston labored in the summer season and followed his profession in the city schools in winter. In 1871 our subject took up his residence near Dalton City, in Macon County, where he purchased eighty acres of land which he occupied for nearly five years, managing as before, teaching in winter and pursuing agriculture the balance of the year. He sold this property in 1876, and returned to Coles County, locating upon eighty acres which he had purchased in Mattoon Township. Here he put up a neat cottage, and prepared to establish a permanent home, being employed as heretofore. Failing health, however, forced him to leave the farm and seek a different climate. In June, 1885, he crossed the Mississippi and going into Colorado, located at a point near the Greenhorn Mountains, in Pueblo County. Here he began his favorite old occupation as a teacher, and his family joined him after harvest. A few months later his weakened condition obliged him to abandon his school, which, however, was carried on by his excellent wife. He fought hard for his life, but consumption had seized upon him with its relentless grasp and he passed away on the 6th of January, 1886. The bereaved wife at once prepared to return to Illinois, and brought his remains to be laid at rest near his old home in Dodge Grove Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Puleston were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the former had been an active Sunday-school worker and efficient Superintendent for several years. He is greatly missed in his family and in his neighborhood, where his kindly disposition and excellent qualities of heart had endeared him to all. His three living children are Elisha Thomas, John Samuel and William Henry, all at home with their mother. The only daughter, Mary Rebecca, died when one month old. |
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