Biography - John Fogleman
JOHN FOGLEMAN, a prominent and wealthy farmer of South Litchfield Township, residing on section 23, was born on section 1, Walshville Township, on Easter Sunday, April 11, 1819, and was rocked in a hickory-bark cradle. He has the honor of being the first white child born in that township. His parents were Melehar and Elizabeth (Misenhamer) Fogleman, both of whom were natives of North Carolina and of German descent, the ancestors coming from the Fatherland to this country in early Colonial days and locating in Pennsylvania. In 1814, Melehar Folgeman with his family emigrated to Indiana, and on the 6th of June, 1818, he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Montgomery County, Ill., locating on the farm where John was born. A few years afterward, he erected the first mill built in the county, and for many miles around it was known as the Pepper Mill. This he continued to operate until his death, which occurred February 10, 1827, after which it was carried on by the family until about the year 1843. The mother died April 27, 1850. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children, but only two are living: John, who was the fourth in order of birth; and Joel M., who resides three miles north of Litchfield. The family has been well represented in the wars of this country. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a Revolutionary hero, and served in the Mexican War; his brother Israel fought in the Black Hawk War, and his brother Joel and his son Israel Putnam served for three years as a member of the Ninety-first Illinois Infantry during the Civil War; the latter died June 29, 1892.
Mr. Fogleman, whose name heads this record, was reared to manhood amid the wild scenes of frontier life. He aided in the labors of the farm and also worked in a mill until after his father's death. A fair estate was left by the father, so that the mother was able to give her children good educational advantages. After attaining to years of maturity, our subject was married on the 19th of April, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Kirkland, a native of Tennessee, whose parents came to Montgomery County in an early day 1829. Mr. Fogleman and his wife began their domestic life in a log cabin upon the farm where he yet resides. Unto them were born ten children, but only the following are living: Daniel M., a resident of Litchfield; and Francis M., who operates a part of his father's farm ; a grandson, Charles E., who is afflicted with the rheumatism, remains at home with his grandfather. The mother of tins family died October 15, 1887, and Mr. Fogleman was again married, October 18, 1888, his second union being with Mrs. Margaret (Briggs) Lay, who was born November 22, 1822, in Montgomery County.
Our subject has been a prominent citizen of the community, and is well and favorably known. In 1860, he was elected Sheriff of the county on the Democratic ticket, and his popularity is shown by the fact that he ran ahead of the Douglas ticket one hundred votes. He acceptably served one term and has filled other local offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. For many years he was a member of the School Board and was long its Treasurer. Public-spirited and progressive, he takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community and the advancement of those enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 435-436.
