Biography - John Mowery
JOHN MOWERY, who is a resident of Cache Township, Johnson County, was born in Union County, Ill., May 28, 1844. He is a son of George and Margaret (Dillow) Mowery, both natives of North Carolina. Henry and Susan Mowery, the parents of George, early came to Illinois and bought land in Union County in 1839, and at his death he owned a farm of eighty acres. George Mowery came to Illinois with his father and also purchased land in Union County. The Mowery family left their native State and came to Illinois by wagon, the journey occupying about six weeks, they camping and cooking by the way. George Mowery finally sold his Union County farm and purchased land in Pulaski County, upon which he lived the rest of his life, dying May 28, 1858. John Mowery remained at home until the death of his father, which occurred when he was but fourteen years old. The family was then divided and he made his home with one of his uncles until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion. He enlisted August 14, 1862, in Company A, One Hundred and Ninth Illinois Infantry, at Jonesborough, but was taken sick soon after enlisting, and was sick during most of the time for which he had entered the service. He was in different hospitals, and was finally honorably discharged at the Lawson Hospital, in St. Louis, May 26, 1863.
Our subject returned to his uncle's house after the war, and made that his home until he was twenty-four years of age, in the meantime buying his brothers' and sisters' interests in the old home place. After living a short time in Missouri, he returned to his uncle's and taught school nine months. In 1871 he bought an interest in a farm in Johnson County and raised one crop. He then sold his crop and his interest and removed to Alexander County, where he lived on a rented farm for three years. He next rented a farm for one year in Pulaski County, and then returned to Union County, where he farmed for one year. From Union County he removed to Dongola and worked in the store of John Holshouser for three years, and finally bought a farm of eighty acres in Cache Township, Johnson County, where he has lived ever since. To this eighty-acre tract he has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred acres. His farm, which is located on section 29, is always kept in the best of order, and shows from its condition that its owner is a model farmer. He has one of the best houses in the township, which was erected in 1883. He was married December 11, 1866, to Nancy Hartman, who was born in North Carolina January 7, 1843. Her parents were also natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Mowery have seven children living, viz: Minnie L., Harvey E., Rela Belle, Sarah A., Hattie M., Earl E. and Roy O. Mr. Mowery is a member of the Reformed Church, and Mrs. Mowery is a Lutheran. He is a member of Belknap Lodge No. 822, A. E. & A. M., and the Grand Army post at Dongola. He is a member of the Prohibition party.
Extracted 16 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, page 551.
