JAMES M. AGNEW, a liberal-minded and progressive citizen of Littleton township, Schuyler county, Illinois, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1825. His parents were George and Esther (Sleight) Agnew, both natives of New York State and Genesee county. They went to Pennsylvania in an early day, where they followed farming until 1849, when they removed to Illinois, then a new country and very sparsely settled. They located in Rushville, where they resided until their death, his father living to be seventy-two years of age, and his mother sixty-eight. His grandparents lived in New York State, and lived to be very old people, his grandfather being Samuel Agnew.
The subject of our sketch was one of nine children, of whom three are living. He lived at home until twenty-one years of age, when he removed with his parents to Illinois in 1849, working by the month until he was married. He was married on June 12, 1851, to Miss May J. Bunnell, who was born in the same place as our subject. Their happy married life was, however, of short duration, his wife dying in Rushville, aged twenty-five years.
He was married a second time on April 27, 1853, his second wife being Delilah Hodgson, a native of Indiana. They had five children, four of whom are now living, viz.: Millard F., single; Oral M., married, and has one child; James E., married to Miss Edgar; Ralph D., now in Kansas. His second wife died, aged forty years, leaving to him the care of their children. She was much regretted by a large circle of friends, being a faithful wife and fond mother.
Mr. Agnew was married some years later to Mrs. Louisa Ham, who was born in Indiana. They have one child, Jessie, now living at home.
After his first marriage Mr. Agnew rented land near Rushville, on which he lived for a couple of years. He then rented another piece, on which he remained for three years when he again moved, remaining four years in the last place, when he removed to Littleton township, where he rented land for five years, at the end of which time he purchased a farm of 160 acres of wild land. This he has improved by the erection of buildings, and has the land well cultivated. He has a comfortable home and other modern improvements. His land is devoted to mixed husbandry, in which he is very successful.
Mr. Agnew has been a Republican ever since the organization of that party. His first presidential vote was cast for General W. H. Harrison. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support of which denomination he is a liberal contributor. Honest, intelligent, moral, liberal and progressive. Mr. Agnew enjoys the good will of the community, and the esteem of a large number of friends.