James H. Pollock

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: BALL, CARLYLE, DAVIS, MALTBY, MORROW, PHILLIPS, POLLOCK

JAMES H. POLLOCK, second child and elder son of Samuel and Margaret (MORROW) POLLOCK, was born in what is now Lawrence County, Pa., Oct. 24, 1822. His father was a native of Northumberland County, Pa., and his mother of Delaware. After uniting their fortunes for life, they located on a farm in Beaver, afterward Lawrence County, Pa., where they lived worthily and faithfully until life’s duties for them were ended. Their family consisted of two sons and two daughters.

James H. of our sketch spent his boyhood and youth on the homestead, receiving a good education, and at about the age of twenty-five years began to learn the stone-cutter’s trade, which, however, he abandoned for the more congenial pursuits of teaching and farming alternately. He continued a resident of his native State until October 1863, in the meantime having assumed domestic ties, and then with his wife and six children started for the West. His first stopping-place was in McLean County, this State, where he farmed in Old Town Township for about nine years, and then removed to Brown Township, in this county. Here he has 160 acres of improved land on section 21, besides village property in Foosland. His residence and farm buildings compare favorably with those of his neighbors, and his career as a member of the farmin community has been eminently creditable and one by which he has secured the respect of his fellow-citizens, both on account of his industry and enterprise, and his excellent personal qualities.

Mr. Pollock has held the offices of Township Clerk, Assessor, Collector and Trustee. He is Republican in politics, a strong temperance man and a Prohibitionist. In 1864 he and his wife became members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which they have since remained cheerful and liberal supporters, interested in everything pertaining to the religious and moral welfare of the community. During their residence in Pennsylvania they had been members of the Presbyterian Church, but on removing here—that church being so far distant—they identified themselves with the Methodist Protestant Church.

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married in Darlington, Beaver Co., Pa., Oct. 31, 1850, was formerly Miss Lydia M. PHILLIPS, born near Vershire, Vt., June 25, 1831, and the third child of Joseph and Lydia (DAVIS) PHILLIPS, also natives of the Green Mountain State, where they were reared and married and where they lived until 1835. Thence they emigrated to what is now Lawrence County, Pa., becoming the parents of three daughters and four sons, and passing to their final rest at the old homestead in the Keystone State. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Pollock, eight in number, were named as follows: David W., Joseph P., Samuel H., Robert M., Charles K., Milton D., Ulysses S. G. and Emma M. Joseph married Miss Ida BALL, and is engaged in merchandising in Foosland; from 1882 to the present he has officiated as Postmaster of that place. Samuel married Miss Jennie CARLYLE, and Robert married Miss Jennie MALTBY. They also are residents of Foosland.

In 1880 Mr. Pollock began merchandising with his three sons—Joseph, Samuel and Robert—under the firm name of J. H. Pollock & Sons. Since that time David and Milton have been admitted to the firm. They carry a large and well-selected stock of goods and have built up an extensive patronage. Of late they have added grain and coal and farm machinery of all kind.