Stephen English

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: ADAMS, BOCOCK, BOULDEN, ENGLISH, HEWLIN, MOUNTJOY

 

STEPHEN ENGLISH came into Crittenden Township, this county, in 1856, during the period of its early settlement. He is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Fayette County, Jan. 23, 1833, and the son of James and Marinda (MOUNTJOY) ENGLISH, both natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Fayette County, Ohio, in the pioneer days. They opened up a farm in the wilderness, and became the parents of ten children, who were reared on the homestead in Fayette County, where the father died in 1844. These children were: Thomas, now deceased; Joseph; George and James, deceased; William D.; Stephen; Elizabeth, the wife of George HEWLIN; Sarah, Mrs. Charles ADAMS; Nancy and Mary J., both deceased. Four brothers of our subject, Thomas, George, William D. and James were volunteers in the Union army during the late Civil War, George and James dying in the service. After the death of her first husband the mother was married to Eli BOULDEN, and lived to the age of over ninety years, departing this life at her home in Northern Ohio, in 1885.

Stephen English was reared on the parental homestead in Fayette County, Ohio, remaining there until twenty years of age. Then, desirous of seeing something of the world, he journeyed westward into Indiana, and was there employed as a farm laborer until 1856. He then pushed over the line into Illinois, arriving in this county on the 16th of May. Here he was employed on a farm two years, and then returned to Indiana, and on the 4th of March, 1858, was united in marriage with Miss Nancy BOCOCK, whose acquaintance he had made during his former sojourn in that State. Mrs. E. was also born in Fayette County, Ohio, and the daughter of Lewis BOCOCK, a native of the same state.

Immediately after his marriage our subject, accompanied by his bride, returned to this county, and settling in Crittenden Township, followed farming on rented land until 1862. He then purchased 120 acres on section 2, which he improved and cultivated until the spring of 1872. Soon afterward he removed to Bates County, Mo., where he followed agricultural pursuits nearly four years, and then retraced his steps to this county, arriving here on the 7th of November, 1880. He this decided that he could find no better location and accordingly took up his abode permanently. He now ranks among the prosperous and respected citizens of Crittenden Township, where he has served as Assessor and Collector, and in other ways has identified himself with the interests of his community. He and his estimable wife have become the parents of nine children—William, Charles, Amie E., Frank, Morton, Burt, Edward W., Harvey and Ida B. Mr. E. became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1860, and has since been one of its most worthy and consistent members. Policitally he is a solid Republican.