Biography - John Newport
JOHN NEWPORT. Montgomery County has won an enviable reputation as a
prosperous farming community, and this reputation has been acquired through
the enterprise and energy of such agriculturists as Mr. Newport. He has
been, prominently identified with the development of the county and with its
advancement in every worthy particular, and has discharged the duties of a
number of township offices in a very satisfactory and creditable manner. He
was Supervisor of Bois D' Arc Township for a number of years, and is one of
the most useful men of the community. A prominent and useful citizen, the
county owes its prosperity to just such men as he.
Mr. Newport claims Ohio as his native State, and was born in Preble County, September 30, 1824. He is the son of Thomas and Sarah (Biggs) Newport, natives of Pennsylvania. One of his uncles, James T. Newport, was a Captain in the War of 1812. Our subject was reared to mature years in his native State, and from an early age has been engaged in tilling the soil, an occupation which has brought him substantial returns. He secured a good practical education in the public schools of Preble County, and later he attended private schools there, thus securing a good education for his time and day. For fifteen years afterward he engaged in teaching school, principally in Preble County, but he also taught in Morgan, Sangamon and Pike Counties, Ill.
About 1854, Mr. Newport located in the Prairie State, and in the spring of 1868 he came to Montgomery County, settling on a farm in Bois D' Arc Township, where he improved one hundred and sixty acres of land. At that time his farm was all prairie land, but he went to work with much energy and soon had it under cultivation. As the years passed away many improvements were made, until now this farm is one of the model estates of the county. On this, Mr. Newport resided until December, 1891, when he removed to Farmersville, and there he has resided since. For several years he served as Justice of the Peace and School Trustee and discharged the duties incumbent upon these positions in a very satisfactory and capable manager. He also served as Supervisor of Bois D' Arc Township for three years, and during the last year he was in that position he served as Chairman of the Board.
On the 29th of March, 1855, Miss Elizabeth M. McCormick, a native of Nicholas County, Ky., born September 9. 1831, and the daughter of John and Jane W. (Lockridge) McCormick, became the wife of our subject. Her parents were born in the Blue Grass State, and her grandfather McCormick, who was a gunsmith by trade, it is said, made guns for the Revolutionary soldiers. Her uncle, Walter McCormick, was a soldier in the War of 1812. When three years of age, Mrs. Newport came with her parents to Morgan County, Ill., and there grew to womanhood. She received her education in this county and subsequently taught school for a time. For two terms she attended the Presbyterian College at Jacksonville, and is a lady of much more than average intelligence. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Newport, as follows: Mary J., wife of Lafayette Gerhard; Chalmers L., and Emma V., wife of James McCormick. These children have been well educated and are prominent and useful citizens.
In his political views our subject is a stanch Republican, and takes much interest in political matters. He and his wife are classed among the intelligent members of society, are well known throughout the county, and are highly esteemed by everyone. Mrs. Newport is identified with the Presbyterian Church, and devotes much of her time to charitable and worthy enterprises.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 304-306.
