Biography of Emerald A. Fisher "PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF WOODFORD COUNTY, ILLINOIS"   Chapman Bros.  Chicago   1889       Pages 248 - 249 contributed by Jane Foster, transcribed by Dena Whitesell

Woodford County, is greatly indebted for the present wealth and high standing to the sturdy, intelligent, enterprising tillers of the soil who have been instrumental in developing the vast agricultural resources.  As a worthy member of its farming population, who has contributed his quota towards its advancement, it gives us pleasure to present to the readers of this work a brief review of the life of Deacon Fisher.  A representative of an honorable pioneer family, he has himself performed the pioneer task of improving a farm, which is located on section 1, Metamora Township and is in all points comparable with the most desirable in the neighborhood. Our subject is of New England birth and antecedents.  He was born in the town of Mendon, Rutland Co., Vt., March 19, 1834, the son of Amos Fisher, who was also a native of Vermont, born in the town of Grafton, Windham County, Nov. 2, 1802.  His father, Dr. Amos Fisher, was a native of Bridgewater, Mass., where he practiced medicine prior to his removal to Vermont.  He went to that State during the Revolutionary War, and became one of the early settlers of Grafton, where he bought a tract of forest covered land.  He practiced his profession there while he superintended the improvement of a farm, and was a resident there until his death, when the town and county were deprived of a valued citizen. The father of our subject grew to manhood in his native town, and was there married to Lydia Stoddard, a native of Dummerston, Vt., and a daughter of Samuel and Zerviah (Richmond) Stoddard.  After marriage he removed to Mendon, Rutland County, and purchased land there on which he made his home several years.  In 1842 he sold his property in Vermont, and in the fall of the year started with his family for the distant State of Illinois, making the entire journey overland, fording the various streams en route, and crossing the Illinois River on the ice the 1st day of December, pushed on to Woodford County.  He located in Cazenovia Township, taking possession of a vacant log cabin 14x16 feet, in which the family spent the winter.  During that season other families joined them from the East, and one night twenty-eight persons slept in that small habitation.  Mr. Fisher purchased a tract of land on section 20, Cazenovia Township, about 1846, five acres of which were broken and fenced.  His means were very limited, and he sought employment at various kinds of work to keep his family provided with the necessaries of life.  Fortunately deer, turkeys, and other wild game were plentiful, and bread stuffs were cheap, so that they managed very well.  The father opened a good farm, and built a comfortable home ere his death, which took place March 15, 1850.  His community was then deprived of one of its most useful and respected citizens, who in all the relations of life had done his duty in a manly, straightforward way.  His good wife survived him many years, dying finally in the house of our subject, May 29, 1879, at the advanced age of seventy-six years.  There were twelve children born of their married life, eight of whom grew to maturity. The subject of this sketch was eleven years old when he accompanied his parents to this State, and he has a clear remembrance of the incidents of their journey, and of the strange pioneer life that followed their settlement in this then wild, thinly inhabited region.  He attended the pioneer schools of the county, and early commenced to assist his father in the development and improvement of this farm.  He remained at home with his parents till he attained manhood, and at the time of his marriage located in Roanoke Township.  He resided there three years, and then bought the place where he now lives on section 1, Metamora Township.  His years of steadfast and perservering toll, have been amply rewarded, and as old age approaches, it finds him well fortified against poverty and want. Nov. 30, 1853, Deacon Fisher took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Amelia Marshall, who has proved to him an invaluable helpmate.  She was born in the town of Chester, Windsor Co., Vt., to Thomas and Martha (Brooks) Marshall.  For her parental history, see sketch of E. R. Marshalll, on another page of this volume. The power of honesty and integrity is well illustrated in the quiet, unpretentious life of Deacon Fisher, as all agree who know him, and all who come in contact with him, realize that he is a Christian man in every sense of the word, and practices Christianity in deed and in truth.  He and his wife are valued members of the Roanoke Baptist Church, and he has served as Deacon since he was twenty years of age, in this and other churches.  He loves the church with which he has been connected for nearly a life-time, and lends a ready hand in support of its interests.

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