Biography of John A. Ivins "THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF LIVINGSTON AND WOODFORD COUNTIES, ILLINOIS"     The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago,1900  Page 568-569 contributed by Jane Foster, transcribed by Dena Whitesell

This well known retired farmer of Cazenovia, Illinois, and honored veteran of the Civil war, was born in Tyler county, Ohio, in April, 1837, a son of Samuel and Phoebe Ivins.  The father, who was a native of Pennsylvania and a pioneer of Ohio, moved to Indiana in 1844, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in that state in 1865.  The mother died in Indiana before the family left that state.  They had seven children, namely:  Margaret, deceased; Delilah, of Arkansas, David, of Lowpoint, Woodford county, Illinois; John A., our subject; Henry of Arkansas; George, who served through the war in the same company and regiment as our subject and is now a resident of Wabash, Indiana; and Abbie, also of Indiana. John A. Ivins accompanied the family on their removal to Indiana, where he was reared and educated.  When the war of the Rebellion broke out he offered his servics to his country, enlisting at Indianapolis, July 15, 1861, for three years, in Company D, Eighteenth Indiana Vollunteer Infantry, which was mustered into the United States service at that place and assigned to the Western army.  He participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and Springfield, Missouri, the siege of Vicksburg, and the engagement at Jackson, Mississippi.  He was also on a scouting expedition in Texas, and took part in the Red river campaign.  During the siege of Vicksburg he was wounded three times, being shot through the shoulder and wrist, and receiving another gunshot wound in the back.  He was confined in the hospital at Jefferson City, Missouri, for some time.  In 1864 he re-enlisted for three years or during the war, in the same company and regiment, which this time was assigned to the Eastern army, and he took part in the battle of Petersburg and the mine explosion, and then joined General Sherman in time for the Carolina campaign.  Hostilities haveing ceased, he was honorably discharged at Savannah, Georgia, on the 18th of August, 1865, and was paid off at Indianapolis, Indiana. In Jennings county, Indiana, Mr. Ivins was married, in 1867, to Miss Nancy Anna Ball, a native of that county, and a daughter of Samuel and Minerva (McFarland) Ball, who came to Woodford county, Illinois, in 1878, and settled in Cazenovia township.  They died in the township of Cazenovia.  Mr. and Mrs. Ivins have six children, namely; Mrs. Elizabeth Barnes, a resident of Partridge township, Woodford County; Mrs. Martha McFarland, of Iroquois county, Illinois; George, who is married and lives at Lowpoint, Woodford county; Mrs. Emma Ivins, of Caznovia; and Robert and Ora, both at home. In 1874 Mr. Ivins left his old home in Indiana and came to Woodford county, Illinois.  He was successfully engaged in farming in Cazenovia township until his retirement from active labor.  He now owns a fine residence and sixteen lots in the village of Cazenovia, where he makes his home.  He is a supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party, and takes an active interest in promoting the welfare of his town and county, encouraging and aiding all enterprises tending to benefit the public.  He enjoys in a high degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, and well merits their respect.

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