Biography - Eli Nusman
Eli NUSMAN, farmer, P. O. Irving, was born in Hillsboro, Montgomery Co., Ill., April 9, 1824. His father, John NUSMAN, was born in Cabarrus County, N. C. He was a farmer by occupation, came to Hillsboro, Montgomery County, in about 1820, where he remained about ten years, and then removed his family to Rountree Township, where he was one of the first settlers, and where he remained, engaged in agricultural pursuits, up to the time of his death, which occurred May 27, 1852 aged about seventy-five years. His wife, Catharine FOGLEMAN, was also a native of Cabarrus County, N. C., born in 1791; she died August 13, 1846. She was the mother of eleven children, of whom Eli, the subject of this sketch was next to the youngest child. As school privileges were very limited at that early day, he was unable to receive such an education as he would have liked; however, by contact with the world, and by observation, he has accumulated more than an ordinarily practical education. His early childhood was employed upon his father's farm, in assisting him in improving the place, and at the death of his parents remained upon the homestead, which he has never left, and which he has at the present time in a high state of cultivation. Mr. NUSMAN is considered one of the most popular men in the township, and also ranks with the practical farmers of the County. He was married in Montgomery County, May 6, 1858, to Sarah Elizabeth LITICKER, who was born in Cabarrus Co., N.C., April 6, 1840. They have six children, viz.: Harriet Catharine, born April 15, 1859; Peter, born March 19, 1861; Mary Emiline, born March 16, 1863, Clara Henrietta, born January 12, 1866; Nellie Jane, born March 27, 1868; Elizabeth Nora, born December 12, 1869; all of whom are living. Mrs. NUSMAN is a daughter of Arba and Mary Ann (McCOY) LITICKER, natives of North Carolina, both still living in Montgomery County. Mr. NUSMAN has in his possession about three hundred acres of choice farm land, upon which he grows the usual farm crops and raises all kinds of stock usually found upon a well-regulated farm. Although not much interested in politics, Mr. NUSMAN is identified with the Democratic party. He is a man who ranks very high socially, and now in his declining days he is enjoying the fruits of an energetic and prosperous career, surrounded by his family of children, all of whom are living at home. Elizabeth NUSMAN, a sister of Mr. NUSMAN, is also one of the household, they having always lived together since childhood. There are but two others of the original family living, viz. John L., at Ramsey, and Sarah, wife of J. KENNEDY, living in Missouri. At an early time in his life, Mr. NUSMAN was considered a great hunter, and while still a small boy he shot and killed two deer, in the morning before breakfast, and has since killed four in one day. Mr. N. is the oldest living first settler in township.
Extracted 22 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 279-280.
