McDonough ILGenWeb

PURDUM, Samuel. — One of the oldest farmers in Lamoine Township, McDonough County, Ill., in point of residence, and one of the most worthy, is the subject of this sketch. He is the son of Samuel and Rebecca (Brown) Purdum, who were born, respectively, in Maryland and Ohio. Samuel Purdum is a native of Indiana, where he was born in Hamilton County, October 29, 1837, and was brought to McDonough County by his parents in the fall of 1838. His mother died when he was four years of age, and he was brought up by a step-mother, receiving his education in the schools of McDonough and Schuyler Counties. At the age of twenty-one years he started out to make his own living, and worked a year at the carpenter's trade. In July, 1861, he enlisted In Company C, Fifty-ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until December 1, 1865, being mustered out as Second Lieutenant.

He participated in many of the most important engagements of the war and was never wounded. After his discharge from the service he returned home and was married a month later. He bought forty acres of land where he now lives, on which there was a saw-mill, which he operated for eighteen years. At the end of that period he engaged in farming, and has thus continued ever since. He has made additions to his land until the farm now consists of 114 acres.

On February 25, 1866, Mr. Purdum was married to Cornelia J. Rigsby, who was born and schooled in Schuyler County, Ill. The following children resulted from this union, namely: Hattie, Ella (Mrs. Edward Hendrickson); Theodore, who died in infancy; Myrtle (Mrs. Anderson Ward); Catherine (Mrs. E. J. Blodett); Josie Ann. who died at the age of two years; and Edith Kerma, who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Purdum have reared a nephew, born in March, 1889, a child of Mrs. Purdum's sister, since he was seven months old. In religious belief, Mr. Purdum is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In political connection, he is a Republican. His fraternal relations are with the A. F. & A. M. and the G. A. R.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 984-985, extracted 17 Mar 2020 by Norma Hass.