Biography - John Pugh
JOHN PUGH. He of whom it is our pleasant privilege to write in outline a
short biographical sketch, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest living
settler in Shelby County, and although having attained more than four-score
years in age, he is still a hale and hearty old gentleman. Although pioneer
life was fraught with main drawbacks and hardships, the lapse of time during
which these uncomfortable features have been entirely done away with, has
cast a pleasing glow over the whole, and the pleasures and adventures that
were tinctured with a spice of danger and an occasional bit of romance, are
far better remembered than the privations of ordinary routine existence.
When our subject made his advent into the State, the prairie was still a
playground for the wild animals; when the larder needed replenishing, all he
had to do was to shoulder his gun, and, going out into the woods, game was
at hand. Wild deer and turkeys were as common as the domestic fowl in the
barnyard to-day. His father was Thomas Pugh, who was probably born in North
Carolina. His mother was Beulah (Hall) Pugh, who was probably a native of
the same State as her husband. They were married, however in Christian
County, Ky., where they settled and lived until 1820, when they removed to
this State, located in Cold Spring Township, Shelby County, and there they
lived until about 1832, when they removed to a point about one mile north of
Shelbyville. There they lived until their decease, which took place
respectively, 1848 and 1842.
Our subject is one of four children, there being three sons and one
daughter. Their names are respectively, John, Robert, William and Nancy.
John, the eldest of the family, and the gentleman of whom we are writing,
was born in Christian County, Ky., Septembers 20, 1809, and consequently was
eleven years of age when his father removed to Shelby County. He was reared
on a farm in this county, and lived with his father until his marriage took
place, which auspicious event was celebrated at the residence of Rufus
Inman, who also lived about one mile north of Shelbyville. The lady to whom
he was united was a Miss Elizabeth Inman, who was probably born in Fayette
County, this State, February 20, 1815.
After marriage the young couple settled about one mile south of Shelbyville,
and there they lived for several years. They removed however to a place
about three miles north of Shelbyville, but made that their home for a
period of only three years, at the expiration of which time he sold out and
removed to Texas, but made a stay of only about six months in that State,
when he returned to Illinois and settled in Dry Point Township. They resided
there about twenty years when again they sold and came to Tower Hill
Township, of which place they have ever since been residents. Mrs. Elizabeth
Pugh was taken away from her husband and family and joined "the innumerable
throng," November 14, 1868. She was the mother of six children, five
daughters and one son. They are by name Mary Ann, Nancy C., Martha, Eliza
J., Sarah E., and William J. Mary Ann was the wife of Henry Corley, and was
a true and faithful helpmate until her decease which took place January 20,
1891. Nancy C. is the wife of P. M. Killam. Martha was the wife of Nelson
Neil, and died October 10, 1864. Eliza J. is the wife of Thomas B. Hayden,
and Sarah E. presides over the domestic affairs of the family of Joseph
Wakefield. An extended sketch of the only son may he found in another part
of this volume. Their mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Pugh, was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
The original of our sketch was a second time married, October 5, 1870, his
bride being Mrs. Nancy Mize, a daughter of Andrew and Jane (Nowland)
Henderson, and widow of Isaac Mize. She was born in this county February 19,
1839. By this union, Mr. Pugh has been the father of four children, the two
eldest, however, died in infancy. The surviving children are John S. and
Beulah L. Our subject formerly affiliated with the Democratic party, but
after the Rebellion broke out, he transferred his allegiance to the
Republican party, of which, ever since, he has been a faithful and devoted
adherent. In his church relations he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and for years has been a generous supporter of Gospel work. He has
always followed agricultural pursuits and is the owner of two hundred and
forty acres of fine arable land upon which are excellent improvements.
He of whom we write is the object of the regard and veneration of the whole
township. He is an interesting conversationalist, and to one who is
interested in pioneer history, he is a fertile and reliable source of
information.
Extracted 29 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 630-631.
