JOHN WHITAKER, a retired farmer living in Sullivan, Moultrie County, to which he removed in February, 1891, came here from Douglas County, Ill., where he had lived since 1856. He had there improved a farm of some eighty acres which he afterward sold and purchased and improved a larger tract which comprises some two hundred acres. His farm is supplied with good farm buildings and a pleasant residence, and he has been more than ordinarily prosperous in his pursuit of agriculture.

Mr. Whitaker is a native of Indiana, being born in Vigo County, March 12, 1833. His father, William Whitaker, was a Kentuckian by birth and there grew up, and while yet a single man removed to Vigo County, Ind., where he married Elizabeth Taylor, a Kentucky lady who had come to Indiana several years before her marriage. They made their home upon a farm and he died in Vigo County while still in the prime of life, when his years numbered less than half a century. His wife survived him for many years and died in extreme old age at the home of her son John when he was residing in Douglas County. Both she and her good husband were earnest and consistent members of the Baptist Church and throughout life were devoted to their religious duties and faith.

Our subject is the third of the four children born to his parents and only one besides himself now survives, namely: a sister, Mrs. Reenah Weddell, widow of Thomas Weddell, who was formerly a resident of Coles, Ill. John Whitaker grew up a farmer and has been very successful in his life work having made all that he has by his own unaided efforts. His first marriage took place in Douglas County, being then united with Hannah Davis, a native of Vigo County, Ind., who had come with her parents to Douglas County when a child. Their family home continued there until after her death which occurred at the age of forty-one years. She was deeply mourned by her husband and the five children who survive her, who are as follows: Theodosia, the wife of John Hastings, a farmer in Douglas County; William, a student in the Chicago Law College; Mary E., the wife of Jacob Riddle who resides in Cincinnati, Green County, Ind., where he is a merchant; Cora B., who is at present with her sister, Mrs. Riddle, in Indiana, and Charles who is at home.

Our subject was a second time married in Sullivan to Mrs. Harriet Dyson nee Elder, who was born in Springfield, Ill., and there grew to womanhood and was first married in that city to Mr. Levi Dyson, now deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker are earnest and consistent members of the Baptist Church and in its communion and labors they share, being willing to lend a hand toward every movement for the upbuilding of religion and morality. The Democratic party in its declarations and platform gives expression to the political belief of our subject, who is earnest and active in his advocacy of the party which is proud to claim as its most distinguished exponent the author of the Declaration of Independence.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 610/611

Transcription copyright 2003/2007, Moultrie County ILGenWeb/USGenWeb