JOHN H. LOVELESS. The Central States are so productive of grain that it is not surprising that a large number of people have reaped from the bountiful harvests of Mother Earth, a reasonable amount of this world's goods. Among the number who are successfully engaged in tilling the soil is the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical notice, and whose portrait appears on the opposite page. His fine farm is located in Bird Township and is embellished with a good set of buildings, the most important of which is the residence of the family. Near it are such structures as the practical development of a model form calls for, while through the proper rotation of crops and fertilizing the soil, the land is brought to a high state of improvement.
Our subject is the son of William Loveless, who was born in Blount County, Tenn., in 1808. His mother was Jane Bell in her maidenhood, and her native home was in Knox County, Penn. In that State they were married and resided until 1841, when they removed to Illinois and made their home on section 8, Bird Township, this county. Here they lived in happiness until the death of the mother, December 1, 1881, when seventy-one years old. The father still survives at an advanced age and makes his home with his children. Twelve children clustered around this worthy pioneer couple, who were named as follows: John H., Matilda, Elizabeth, Samuel L., Zeddock, William J., George W., Hugh F., Mary A., Marion F., Martha and Charles M. Matilda is the widow of Mathias Underwood; Elizabeth and Martha are deceased; Mary A., is Mrs. William Bumgardner.
John H., the eldest of this family and the subject of this biographical sketch, was born in Eastern Tennessee, December 30, 1825. He was therefore sixteen years of age when he accompanied the parental family to Macoupin County, this State, and here passed the remaining days of his youth. He remained at home with his parents until his marriage, since which he has made a permanent home upon another tract of land not far from the old homestead, with the exception of two years when he resided in Champaign County, this State. He has always been engaged in the pursuit of agriculture.
The marriage of Mr. Loveless to Miss Rhuhama Brown took place in Bird Township, December 13, 1847. This lady was the daughter of John M. and Christina (Etter) Brown who came from Virginia to Indiana, and thence to this county, making their home, in Western Mound Township in 1842. Here they resided until Mrs. Etter was called away from earth about the year 1850. After her death her husband removed to Montgomery County, where he lived about two years later. They were blessed with thirteen children, twelve daughters and one son. Mrs. Loveless was the seventh daughter in this family, and was born near Indianapolis, Ind., January 1, 1816. Eleven children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Loveless, namely: William R., James M., Elizabeth J., Emanuel, Matilda, George, Sarah E., Mary V., Robert A., Cyrus O. and John B. William R. married Anna Crowder; James M., who married Mary Clark, died in November, 1876; Elizabeth J. died in infancy; Matilda is the wife of Lewis Keorner; George married Alonzo Hoover; Sarah is the wife of Jasper W. Wheeler; Mary V. died in childhood; Robert A. married Hannah Ward.
Mr. Loveless is wide-awake to the educational interests of the community and for many years has been School Director. He is a member of the Democratic party, and always takes an active part in political affairs. Both he and his wife have been active members of the Baptist Church for about forty years. The event in his life the most tragic and heart-breaking, was the distressing death of his mother. Her clothes took fire from a fireplace near which she was sitting, and the injuries resulted in her death. The pain she endured was agonizing, and she was conscious throughout the whole period of suffering, and met her death with remarkable fortitude and cheerfulness. Mr. Loveless owns and occupies one hundred and twenty acres of the old homestead, which was his father's. He is a public-spirited citizen and a man of uncommon energy. His wife who is a woman of great capabilities and of sound Christian character is a worthy mate for her husband, and is honored and respected by all who know her.