Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 426-427; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Addison Abernathy. Among the prosperous agriculturalists of
Farmers Township, the gentleman above named is well deserving of
mention. He is the fortunate possessor of six hundred acres of land
which is finely watered and especially well adapted for pasture, to
which a great part of it is devoted. Some two hundred head of cattle
may be seen grazing upon it, while other good stock and first-class
improvements of various kinds indicates the intelligence and judgment
of the owner. The beautiful dwelling now occupied by the family was
erected by our subject in 1872, and even in its external appearance
gives evidence of the presence therein of refined womanhood.
Our subject is the oldest living representative of the family of
James and Hannah (Throckmorton) Abernathy, natives of West Virginia,
who removed to Ross County, Ohio, many years ago. The former was taken
thither by his parents, John and Polly Abernathy during his early
boyhood and after his marriage continued to reside there several years.
He then removed to Montgomery County, Ind., whence in 1836 he came to
Central Illinois, settling where his children now abide. The land was
not in market, but a Mr. Knott had a claim which Mr. Abernathy bought,
so that when the sales came on he was able to secure the tract. His
first purchase was of the southeast quarter of section 33 to which he
added other quarter sections in the neighborhood. During his life he
owned and partly improved about six hundred and forty acres, with the
assistance of his sons bringing some two hundred acres under
particularly fine cultivation. This land is still held by his heirs.
In accordance with the primitive custom, Mr. Abernathy brought
his family hither in a wagon. At that time timber land was in great
demand, as it was thought that within a few years the groves would be
destroyed and fuel very high. This was one of the most erroneous
notions prevailing in those days, although others were extant which
would now cause a smile. The mother of our subject closed her eyes to
earthly things on the homestead in 1874, the father following her to
the tomb in January, 1882. They had buried three children and had six
living when called hence, all of these yet surviving. While unloading
their goods and putting them in the little log cabin which was to be
their future home, a little daughter, Bettie, went into the woods to
gather nuts. She wandered from the little clearing until thoroughly
bewildered, but was fortunately found by a lady who happened to be
passing through the forest and brought home to her parents before they
had become alarmed at her absence.
The life of our subject has not been devoid of misfortune
although his worldly success has been quite satisfactory. During the
'60s, while engaged in the stock business, he was traveling on the "Q"
when an accident occurred. The train in the caboose of which he was
seated, was not flagged, and was run into by a heavy train during the
night, the engine passing through three full lengths of cars. Mr.
Abernathy was knocked insensible and upon coming to found his left arm
cut about the wrist, permanently crippling him, although it was not
found necessary to amputate his hand. He received damages from the
company to the amount of $2,500.
The lady whom Mr. Abernathy won as his companion and helpmate
was formerly known as Kattie Ann Harris. She is a daughter of Isaac and
Jane (Swearingen) Harris, the former of whom was the first settler of
Vermont, this county, wherein he built the first three houses. He was a
native of Pennsylvania, while the Swearingens came from the
neighborhood of Wheeling, Va. This family was of Revolutionary stock.
Great-grandfather Swearingen and his wife were riding on a horse toward
their home when they were fired upon from the brush by Indians. The
wife fell to the ground mortally wounded, while the husband, himself
seriously hurt, rode on to the fort clinging to the horse, barely
escaping with his life. A squad immediately set out finding the wounded
lady, who had been scalped but was not yet lifeless, being able to
speak a few times before she breathed her last.
The marriage of Mr. Abernathy and Miss Harris was celebrated
August 9, 1851, and has been blest to them by the birth of five sons
and one daughter. The first-born, James, a farmer of Jefferson County,
Neb., has been recently married. John Benton, in 1874, when seventeen
years old left the harvest field one day and went away, since which
time he has traveled quite extensively, visiting nearly every State in
the Union. He has repeatedly written to his parents, telling them that
he would be at home some time, but still continues his journeyings.
During his school days he was extremely studious and apt in acquiring
knowledge. William, a young man of good education, is now with his aunt
on the home place. Ezra lives in Table Grove, being married and having
two sons, the elder now four years old. Hannah Jane and George Bennett,
a young lady and gentleman of promise, are yet with their parents.
Mr. Abernathy has served as Assessor and Commissioner of
Highways many terms, following in the footsteps of his father as a
capable Township officer. The family is a Democratic one with
prohibition principles, and religiously identified with the Christian
Church.
