Biography - Francis Root
Francis ROOT, local preacher and farmer, born in Massachusetts, raised principally in New Jersey. He was married to Mrs. Marandis D. HOLMES (widow of Joel D. HOLMES, deceased) April 2, 1873. Her first husband, Mr. HOLMES, son of Daniel and Mercy (DAY) HOLMES, was born in Alfred, Me., April 3, 1813, and married Marandis D. BENNETT, of Wilbraham, Mass., October 3, 1843. Mrs. HOLMES was born December 29, 1826. Their children, all born in Hillsboro, Ill., have been Mary M., Morrill D., Joel F., Lucy N., Edward and Alice A. Mr. HOLMES, deceased, was a piano-maker in New York City for a number of years, and after coming to Illinois, he worked at the carpenter's trade. He died on his farm, five miles south of Hillsboro, on April 5, 1870. His son, Frank, ran the farm after his father's death, for several years, and on account of his health failing, he was obliged to quit the farm, and his brother Morrill then took charge of the farm and still continues to run the same. He, the father, was not connected with any church, but was a Methodist in belief, and shortly before his death, he professed religion, and died happy. He was a highly-esteemed citizen of high moral character, very benevolent all through life, and perhaps had as few enemies as any man in his country, at the time of his death. He was a Republican in politics. Left considerable estate consisting principally of lands. He left several hundred acres to his family, besides other means. His widow (now Mrs. ROOT) and three children - Frank, Morrill and Mary M., wife of Joseph F. HUGHES, still living. Mr. ROOT, second husband, was born in Massachusetts, February 14, 1809. Left there when six years old and went to New Jersey with his parents, where he was educated; left there when about twenty-five years old and went to Ohio; remained there about two years; from there to Richmond, Ind.; remained there about twenty-five years in the woolen factory business, hotel, grocery, etc; from there to Greenville, Ill., remained there six or seven years, farming principally, and from there to this county, five miles south of Hillsboro; moved to Hillsboro in May, 1881, where he now lives. Began preaching, as a local preacher, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, about twenty years ago, and still preaches occasionally. Was married first in New Jersey, in 1831, to Mary B. BROWN. She died in 1869. His second marriage was on April 2, 1873, to Mrs. Marandis D. HOLMES. Mr. ROOT has five living children, all by his first wife - James, William and Francis C., and two daughters - Sarah and Julia A. Republican, politically. Was one of the first Abolitionists in Indiana; was driven out of the church on this account.
Extracted 19 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, page 115-116.
