Biography - George Lyman
GEORGE LYMAN, a Union soldier in the Civil War, and a prominent citizen now residing in Bois D'Arc Township, Montgomery County , was born in Orange County, Vt., February 18, 1832. For many years he has been identified with the interests of Montgomery County, and ranks as a noticeable illustration of that indomitable push and energy which characterize men of will and determination. Ever since his location within the borders of the county, he has been engaged in tilling the soil, and has enjoyed the reputation of being an intelligent and thoroughly-posted man on all the current topics of the day. His scholastic training was received in the common schools of his native county, and, as is the case with so many of our American young men, his advantages in that direction were pieced out by observation and assimilation. He is a well posted man who has read extensively.
Mr. Lyman's parents, Abel and Esther (Bigelow) Lyman, were natives of New England, of English descent, and both were born in the Green Mountain State. Our subject comes of Revolutionary stock, some of his forefathers having participated in that struggle. The original of this notice attained his growth in Vermont, and at an early age became familiar with the duties necessary to carry on a farm. Led by the promises of the prairies of Illinois, he turned his face towards the setting sun, and in the year 1856 reached Illinois. For some time he resided in Sangamon County, but finally decided to move to Montgomery County, where he has made his home ever since. He located on his present farm in Bois D' Arc Township, then all new prairie land, and finding the soil rich and productive, he soon realized large returns for his industry. To improve and cultivate his land required years of hard labor, but his toil has been rewarded, and he now has one of the best-improved places of his locality.
He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, and during the years that have passed, he has added greatly to its value in the improvements that he has placed upon it. He is an intelligent gentleman, of superior mental attainments, who seeks to develop himself as well as his agricultural interests in the best and broadest direction. On the 5th of February, 1868, he married Miss Minerva J. Collins, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, born August 11, 1839, the daughter of Isaac and Emma (Whitehurst) Collins, both natives of Pennsylvania. She came with her parents to Sangamon County, Ill., when seventeen years of age, and there both her father and mother received their final summons. Mr. and Mrs. Ionian's union resulted in the birth of four children: Eva, John A., Esther B. and Lewis T. Mrs. Lyman has three brothers: Jehu, John and Isaac.
Mr. Lyman served two years as Highway Commissioner of Bois D' Arc Township, and has held other local positions, filling all in an able and satisfactory manner. He takes an interest in all laudable enterprises, and is public-spirited and progressive. During the late unpleasantness between the North and South, he fought bravely for the Union, and was ever at the post of duty. He enlisted August 11, 1861, in Company D, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, and participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Jackson and Champion Hill. He also operated in the Lone Star State, and was honorably discharged in October, 1864, and now receives a pension of $6 per month. Returning to Illinois, he has resided in this county since. In politics, he is a Republican, voting as he fought, and takes a decided interest in the success of his party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are esteemed members of society.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 262-265.
