From: "Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and
Brown Counties, Illinois 1892", by Biographical Review Publishing
Company, Chicago, Illinois; pages 181-182, a reprinted by Stevens
Publishing Co., Astoria, Ill., 1971, is sold by the Schuyler County
Historical Society, Rushville, Illinois.
Philander Avery, one of the large land owners of Schuyler
county, resides on section 26, Camden township. He first came to the
county in 1832, being a native of Franklin county, Ohio, born June 13,
1823. His parents David and Margaret (Adams) Avery, were natives of
Pennsylvania and Ohio. The grandfather of the subject was born in
Ireland, but came to the United States when a boy and for some time was
a sailor. He then farmed and followed the carpenter trade. Some time
after his children were settled he emigrated to Illinois, settled in
Schuyler county, where he died at the age of eighty-five. His wife also
died in Schuyler county. They had ten children: Stephen, Chancey,
Pelatin, Nancy, Maria, Daniel, William, Polly, Betsy and Sarah. The
father of the subject was born in New York State, July 1, 1797, and
when a boy removed with the family to Ohio, where he worked at the
trade of carpenter. He was married in 1821, in Ohio, to Margaret Adams,
who was born in Franklin county, Ohio. In 1832 he came to Colwell,
Illinois, and resided for eight years in Rushville, then settled in
Woodford county, where he entered some land. He next spent three years
in Missouri and on his return went to Camden township, where he owned
eighty acres. His wife died two months later, aged fifty-four. They had
nine children, Matilda, deceased; Rebecca, deceased; Nancy, deceased;
Sarah Carter, deceased; Elizabeth J., deceased; Charles resides at
Industry, Illinois, and Zavin, deceased.
Philander is the second of the family. He came with the family
to Illinois and has remained a farmer ever since. After his marriage he
removed to Knoxville, where he resided until 1851 and then returned to
Schuyler county and purchased eighty acres of land in Camden township
and has since been a resident of that place. He now owns 700 acres of
land and deals largely in live stock. He has always been a good, hard
working man, and is known well and favorably all over the county. He is
a Democrat in politics and has always been an outspoken man. He is
uneducated in schools, but has always been educated in the great school
of experience.
He was married in 1842 to Mrs. Meeks, nee Bryant. She was born
in Stokes county, North Carolina, and married there, coming to Illinois
with her husband, Mr. Meeks. She had three children by him: Miria,
Columbus and Helen. She bore her second husband two children: Mary Ann,
who was drowned in a stream near home when fifteen, and James, who
resides in Camden township. Mrs. Avery died, November 16, 1891.
Mr. Avery is a member of Camden Lodge, No. 648, A.F. & A.M.
He is worth a good deal of property, which he has made himself.
James Avery was born in Knox county, Illinois, July 30, 1844. He
has always lived with his father, although he owns 120 acres of land
himself. He is a Democrat and has been Highway Commissioner and member
of the School Board. He is a member of Camden Lodge, No. 648, A.F.
& A.M. He has worked as a carpenter.
He was married in 1868, to Martha Dixon, daughter of Lawone and
Hannah Dixon. She was born in Brown county, in 1848. They have one son,
LaFayette, born July 3, 1870.
