Tunison, Henry

BIOGRAPHIES
HISTORY OF GREENE & JERSEY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS - 1885

Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Co.



Page 1066

HENRY TUNISON was born in Somerset county, N.J., March 2, 1828, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Castner) Tunison, natives of New Jersey. They removed from that state to Illinois, arriving in Greene county July 28, 1838, and locating first on what is known as the Kendall farm, one mile south of White Hall. They remained there that winter, and then his father rented another farm for one year. In the spring of 1840, he purchased 180 acres of land on section 15, in this township, moved his family there and remained until the winter of 1845. His wife died July 28, 1844, and he was again married in the spring of 1845. He then removed northwest of the homestead, about four miles, and resided there until his death Oct. 12, 1864, in the 81st year of his age, he having been born Jan. 13, 1783. He was a successful farmer and stood high in the estimation of all his acquaintances. He left a family of six sons and two daughters. Henry remained at home until he was 20 years of age, assisting his parents with the duties pertaining to the farm, and then started out to do for himself. He and his brother, Jacob, bought a separator and engaged in threshing for about five years. It was the third machine that was ever run in the county, hence it was quite a remunerative occupation. After being thus engaged for five years, he abandoned that and turned his attention to farming. He and Jacob took the homestead in 1846, having bought the other heirs out, and they farmed it for one year. Henry then bought his brother's interest and it has since been his place of residence. He was united in marriage June 14, 1848, with Rosetta Griswold, daughter of Cyrus and Abby (Post) Griswold, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. This union has been blessed with a family of six children, three of whom are living - George C., Abbie L. and Harry O. The ones deceased are an infant; Addie E., who died at the age of 11 years; and Laura, who was married Sept. 19, 1876, to James H. Kirby, of Jersey county, Ill., died Sept. 4, 1883, in her 29th year. All his children received a liberal education, George C., at the State University, at Champaign, Ill.; Laura A., at Greenville, Ill.; and Abbie L., at the M. E. College, of Jacksonville, Ill. In 1870, Mr. Tunison went to Kansas and southwest Missouri, and while in Kansas he purchased a tract of land, in Cherokee county, which he still owns. In a short time, after purchasing there, he returned home and resumed farming. He has traveled all through Nebraska and Iowa, and through most all the southern and eastern states. Previous to going to Kansas, or in the fall of 1866, he purchased a half interest in the flouring mill known as Bell's mill, and continued in partnership until 1870, afterward trading it for land in Missouri. Mr. Tunison now owns 1,435 acres of land and valuable town property in White Hall. He deals in stock of all grades, but principally in the short-horn. He is one of the substantial farmers of this county, and stands high in the estimation of all, being esteemed for his enterprise, honesty and sociability. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of White Hall, and is supervisor of White Hall Township.


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