My Genealogy Hound

John Pilgrim, of Creston, is practically living retired, deriving his income from a good farming property. He is one of the pioneers of Union county and well known in the county seat. For a considerable period he was actively connected with agricultural interests and he still owns seven acres of land and a valuable home on Prairie avenue in the city, beside his farm properties. His residence in the county dates from 1878. His birth occurred in Lincolnshire, England, May 4, 1837, and he came to the new world in 1852 when a lad of fourteen years, taking up his abode in Peoria county, Illinois. He accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States and the father settled upon a farm in Peoria county, where he reared his family, subsequently, however, removing to Galva, Illinois, where his death occurred. He had for some years survived his wife, who passed away in 1854.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for John Pilgrim in his boyhood and youth save the momentous voyage from England to America. He acquired a common school education yet is largely self-educated, adding to his knowledge through reading, experience and observation since reaching adult age. Having attained his majority he engaged in farming in Knox county, Illinois, and always made agricultural pursuits the source of his income.

On the 22d of February, 1859, in Knox county, Illinois, Mr. Pilgrim was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Coleman, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania and with her parents removed to Knox county, Illinois, in her girlhood days. The young couple began their domestic life in Knox county, where they lived for two years and then removed to Stark county, settling upon a farm. Mr. Pilgrim was elected bailiff or deputy sheriff there and served in the office for two years and as county commissioner for three years. At the same time he carried on general farming and year by year added to his prosperity, resulting from indefatigable diligence and perseverance. Removing to Bureau county, Mr. Pilgrim purchased a farm in Macon township near Lombardville, where he improved his land and carried on agricultural pursuits until he sold the property preparatory to removing to Iowa in 1878.

Upon his arrival in Union county he located in Grant township, where he had purchased land the previous year. Here he developed and improved a farm of eighty acres, upon which he erected good buildings and after cultivating that place for several years he bought where he now resides in 1887. Later he sold the old farm in Grant township. In Creston he erected a good dwelling, barns and outbuildings and has seven acres of land mostly planted to fruit, his time and energies being devoted to keeping up the place, which gives every evidence of his careful supervision and practical methods. He owns a farm in Adams county on the boundary line, comprising one hundred and eighty-three acres, which he rents, and he likewise has one hundred and sixty-acres near Fort Collins in Weld county, Colorado. He has likewise purchased land for each of his daughters.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim have been born three daughters. Mrs. Elizabeth Chase, now a widow residing with her parents, has one son, Earle P. Chase, who is married and resides in Kansas City, Missouri, where he is engaged in railroad office work. Minnie is the wife of A. N. Cochran, a resident of Fremont county, Iowa, and they have two sons, John Vernon and Alfred. Isabella is the wife of M. K. Tallman of Union county, and they have four children: Minnie E., Pearl, Harold and Herbert. Mrs. Pilgrim and her daughters are members of the Congregational church and the family is one which has ever enjoyed in full measure the esteem and respect of those with whom they have come in contact.

Mr. Pilgrim has constantly supported the presidential nominees of the republican party since casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He served Creston as city marshal for two years and made a superior executive officer. While now seventy-one years of age, he is tall and straight as an arrow, vigorous and active, and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. For twenty years he has been a resident of Creston and has witnessed its growth from a small village to a city of considerable industrial and commercial importance. As a champion of various progressive measures he has been closely allied with its interests and at all times has stanchly upheld the movements and measures for the public good. He is well known in the county and an analyzation of his life record shows many sterling traits of character worthy of emulation and regard.