In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printings (1888 and 1900) are folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1831
From The History of Livingston County, Illinois : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. .. (1878), Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and (1888), 1900 Biographical Record Of Livingston County, Illinois (1900)
J. M. FINLEY, farmer and stock raiser; Sec. 4; P. 0. Rowe Station; was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, Nov. 25, 1831; when he was about 6 years of age, his father removed to Illinois and settled in Kane Co., where Mr. Finley resided until 1853; he then came to Livingston County, and the following year opened his present farm, being one of the earliest settlers in the neighborhood; he owns 160 acres of land, valued at $45 an acre. He was married on the 20th of November, 1861, to Mi.ss Frances E. McDougall, of Livingston County; she was born in East Manchester, Ontario Co., N. Y., May 25, 1842; they have two children — Marian E. and Eloi.se 0. Mr. Finley has served one term as Commissioner of Highways, and is at present School Director.
As printed in The History of Livingston County, Illinois : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. .. (1878). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
OHN M. FINLEY. A large jnoportion of the farmers of Pontiac Township, besides the generous cultivation of the soil, are giving much of their attention to the raising of fine stock, in which department our subject ranks among the leading men, and has been uniformly successful, lie possesses good business capacities, and has never been afraid of hard work, taking pride in putting forth his best efforts at whatever he saw fit to engage in. He began life at the foot of the laklder, and his present possessions are the result of his own industry. His ancestors were a substantial and reliable race of people, noted for their thrifty habits, and believed that each individual should be of some use in the world. This principle, transmitted from one generation to another, has resulted in a race of sturdy men of whom their descendants may well be proud.
Mr. Finle.v was born in Delaware County, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1831, and is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Riley) Finley, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The Finleys were of Irish descent, but the mother was of German blood. John Finley-, the paternal grandfather of our subject, served as a soldier in the Revolutionaiy War, and afterward settled in Virginia, whence lie subsequently removed to Delaware County, Oliid, in the pioneer days. From this branch of the f;iinily sprang the descendants now scattered throughout Pennsylvania and Illinois, and who possess in a marked degree the characteristics of their grandsire. Robert Finley, the father of our subject, was married early in life, and became the head of a family of nine children, seven of whom still
Jrsurvive, namely: Joseph S.. John M., David R., Ezra, Mary J.. Isaac and George. The parents, in 1838, left Ohio and located in Kane County, this State, proceeding again to build up a home in the wilderness. Here their children were reared, and at the old homestead in Kane County the parents spent the remainder of their lives. They were members of the Congregational Church, and trained their offspring in the strict principles of morality which was a distinguishing feature of the family.
Oursubject received a fair English education and early in life began to lay his plans for the future. When nearly thirty years of age, he led to the altar the maiden of his choice, Miss Frances E. McDugal, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Pontiac Township. Mrs. Finley is the daughter of Robert and Christiana MeDugal, of New York, and by her union with our subject became the mother of two children: Maiian E., who was born Oct. 29, 1863, and Orella E., May 7, 1865.
Mr. and Mrs. F. after their marriage located upon the farm which they now occupy, and which consists of 160 acres of land under a good state of cultivation. The residence and other buildings are substantial and comfortable. The stock is well cared for, and the premises kept in good shape generally.
Mr. Finley, politically, uniformly votes the Republican ticket, and has served in his township as Road Commissioner and School Director. Nothing pleases him better than to note the progress and welfare of his adopted county, and he has been the warm supporter of those measures tending to this end.
As printed in Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and (1888). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
John M. Finley, a successful and valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 3 and 4, three and three-quarters miles north of the city of Pontiac. Пе is a native of Ohio, born in Delaware county, November 25, 1831, and is a son of Robert Finley, who was born in Virginia in 1801. The family is of Irish origin and Was founded in the Old Dominion at an early day. Our subject's paternal grandfather was operates a well-improved
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German ancestry.
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by them, at the same tine adopting their name. For a few years after his marriage Robert Finley engaged in farming in Ohio, and in 1537 came to Illinois. locating on the Гох river, near St. Charles, Kane county, where he opened up a farm and spent his remaining years, doing there in 1886, at the His wite had passed away two years previously at the ripe old age ot seventy-five years.
age of sixty-nine Years.
Our subject was about six years of age when brought by his parents to this state, and in Kane county he grew to manhood. Не attended the common schools, but 15 mostly selt-educated, Паше always been a great reader, and 15 to-day a well-informed man. On leaving home in 1854 he came to Livingston county, where he and his brother Joseph had purchased land in 1852 and 1853. and atter locating thereon they operated it together until 1861.
On the 21st of November, 1867, in this county, Mr. Finley married Miss Frances E. MeDougall, a native of New York, and a daughter of Robert and Christiana Me- Dougall, who came from that мае to Jiinots about 1830 and settled in La Satie county where her father Пе! m 1957. ег mother is still living in California ar the age of eighty-two. Mrs. Finley was pricipaily reared in that county. To our subject and his wife were born two children: Marian E. who was educated at the Fontiac high school and Dixon College, and has successfully engaged in teaching in tlus county, but is now at home with her parents, and Orilla Eloise, wife of Warren Collins, who operates a part of the Finley homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Finley began their domestic tite upon his present farm. He has since erected a neat and substantial residence, good barns and other outbuildings, has tilled the place and set out fruit and ornamental trees, so that it is now one от the best improved farms in the locality. Та connection with general farming he has engaged in raising and feeding stock of a goal grade, and in all his undertakings he has met with excellent success, becoming quite well to do. He and his brother had little means on locating here, but being industrious, persevering and ambitious, his labors were soon crowned with success. As a public spirited citizen he takes a deep and com- 1nendable interest in public affairs and gives his support to those enterprises which he believes will advance the general welfare. Originally, he was a staunch Republican in politics and cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1855, continuing to affiliate with that party ини! 1896, when he voted for W. J. Bryan and free silver. Не has been a delegate to ninuerons conventions, and for a quarter el a century has been an efficient member of the school board, but cares nothing for political preferment.
As printed in 1900 Biographical Record Of Livingston County, Illinois (1900). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1878. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.