Seymour, Robert



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS
& HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY
Munsell Publishing Company, Publishers, 1906.




Page 940

SEYMOUR, ROBERT, a well known and highly respected farmer and stockman, living in his pleasant, hospitable house on Section 3, Township 13, Range 9, Morgan County, Ill., was born in North Carolina May 20, 1827, the son of John and Sarah (O'Brien) Seymour, both natives of that State, who came with their family to Morgan County in 1829. The grandfather, also named John Seymour, came to the county later and died in Hart's Prairie, at the age of eighty-five years. The father, John Seymour, Jr., and his brother, James P., in 1829, entered 160 acres of prairie and 80 acres of timber land, constituting a portion of the farm upon which Robert Seymour now lives, and which became the old homestead. The two brothers farmed in partnership for a time, but eventually their business interests were separated. To John Seymour, Jr., and his wife, Sarah, were born six sons and three daughters, all of whom reached maturity, namely: Andrew J.; Agnes, who became the wife of J. H. Austin; Robert; Mary, who married John Hutchinson; Jared, Edward D., George W., and Henry McD.; and Mildred, who married John W. Woodmansee. The father, John Seymour, was born in North Carolina in the year 1800; was a very successful farmer, and became prominent in the community in which he lived. At his demise, March 10, 1856m, he left a fine estate of 600 acres of land. His wife died in 1861.

Robert Seymour attended the district school in his boyhood and was educated to farming, an occupation which he has followed with success through the many years of his well spent life. During this time he has maintained and increased the improvements of the homestead, and now owns an estate aggregating 740 acres.

Mr. Seymour was married in 1849 to Sallie Ann Burch and they have reared to maturity the following named children: James P.; Martha E. and Mary A. (twins); Wilmeth J., and Serilda L., the last named deceased. The wife and mother died in 1872. In August, 1872, Mr. Seymour was married to Mary Ella Wright, daughter of Thomas Wright. Mr. and Mrs. Seymour live happily in their pleasant home on the farm, enjoying the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Their labors and responsibilities are light, as their farm is leased and cultivated by others. Mr. Seymour has been a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Class Leader and steward of the same for forty-five years. He lives the simple life, and votes in support of Prohibition principles; has served his district as School Director six years, and is familiarly and affectionately known as "Uncle Robert" by his friends and associates.


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