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 816-817; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Cyrus I. Alcott. This name will be recognized by the majority of
our readers as that of a man who is extensively interested in raising
fine stock, particularly Shropshire sheep. To him is due the credit of
having introduced those animals into this county--an enterprise which
has proved very profitable, not only to himself but to other
agriculturalists. He generally keeps on hand about one thousand head of
the fleecy animals, and likewise a number of very valuable horses and
cattle.
Mr. Alcott is fortunate in tracing his descent from ancestors
noted for their strength of body, mind and purpose, who lived to very
advanced years. His great-grandfather Alcott was a Welshman, and his
great-grandmother, Scotch. In the family of this couple was a son,
Israel, born on the coast of New Jersey, who located in Ross County,
Ohio, about the beginning of the nineteenth century. He figured in the
frontier labors and also in the War of 1812. He came to this State at
an early day, and died here when eighty-five years of age, while his
widow reached the age of ninety years.
Following Israel Alcott in the direct line of descent was his
son Henry, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, but went to Indiana with
his parents when he was eighteen years old. In that State he married
Martha Foster, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, but went to
Indiana in her girlhood. She was of English descent, the first home of
the Fosters in America having been on the banks of the Potomac. Her
mother belonged to the Prather family, a branch of which is well-known
at Springfield, this State, and her grandmother belong to the family
which produced Gen. Howe, of the English army.
The life of Henry Alcott was an extraordinary one in respect to
his financial success. He began his personal career with no capital but
that provided by nature--a good mind, a good body and good health. He
had earned about $500 when, ambitious to make his mark in the world, he
left the Hoosier State for a country farther west. With a horse and
wagon and three yoke of oxen, he and his wife drove to Central
Illinois, where their capital was invested in land. A tract of eighty
acres was bought, upon which settlement was made in 1836. So well did
Mr. Alcott act his part in life that he became the owner of an
extensive tract of land, consisting of more than one thousand acres,
together with flocks and herds, and personal property of considerable
value. One of his peculiarities was that of going straight to the point
in a bargain, neither changing his own price nor attempting to make
others change theirs. He passed away June 5, 1888, at the age of
seventy-six years, eight months and four days. His faithful companion
had preceded him to the silent land, dying in 1877 at the age of
sixty-five years. Of the children born to them two grew to maturity,
Mary C. and Cyrus I. The birth of Cyrus I. Alcott took place March 20,
1884, on the homestead he now operates. He was married to Josephine
Fisher November 18,1880, and unto them three sons were born: John Henry
born October 31, 1881, died April 13, 1890, aged eight years, 5 months
and twelve days; Leonard Curtus, born December 18, 1883; and Guy
Fisher, born November 3, 1885.
