In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1887) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1844
From The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men (1879), Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and bio (1887)
JOHN B. SAVAGE, merchant, Postmaster and Justice of the Peace, Sabina; residence, Sabina Station; was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio,.Jan. 10, 1844; his father, Whalen Savage, died when the subject of this sketch was but lo years of age, and he, with his mother, emigrated to Illinois and located in Downs Township in the spring of 1854; he there worked at farming during the summer, and attended school during the winter until 20 years of age, when, in the spring of 1864, he enlisted in the 68rii Reg., 1. V. I., and served with the Army of the Potomac until he received his discharge; he then returned to Downs Township and was employed by John McConnell seven years in succession. He was then engied in farming a short time upon rented land in Downs Township, and, in 1872, he removed upon his present place in West Township, where he has since lived, with the exception of two years' residence in LeRoy, one year of which he wag engaged at milling, and one of which he was engaged in the merchandising trade for himself. During Mr. Savage's residence in Downs Township, he held the office of
Highway Commissioner, Constable, and, as Collector, he successfully handled the funds of the Township for the year 1871. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1876, and, at the completion of the railroad through Sabina, he was appointed Postmaster, both of which above ottices he now holds. He is also engaged in the merchandise trade, handling lumber, coal, salt, lime, etc., and buying grain for Barnum & Keenan, of LeRoy. His marriage with Sarah L. Crumbaugh was celebrated Oct. 1, 1868; she was born in Empire Township Dec. 17, 18-48; they have two children by this union — Herbert, born Sept. 14, 1872, and Annie, April 11, 1875. Mrs. Savage is daughter of Montgomery Crumbaugh, who emigrated from Kentucky and located in McLean Co. in the year 1841. Her mother was the daughter of Henry West, in whose honor this township received its name. He was the first Supervisor, which office he held for many years.
As printed in The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men (1879). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
The subject of this history is one of a family of seven children born to his parents, six of whom are still living. Sarah, Mrs. McGee, is a resident of Harrison County, Ohio; James, and Ann, Mrs. West, live in Taylor County, Iowa; Mary, Mrs. Whitmer, lives in Corning, Iowa; John 15., our subject, was the sixth, and Jacob lives in Taylor County, Iowa. John B. Savage was but six years of age when his father died. In 1858 his mother with four of her children came to this State and county and settled in what is now Downs Township. The mother and her two daughters kept house for Denton Young, Sr., on his farm, and there our subject was also engaged breaking prairie. The second marriage of the mother occurred in the fall of that year, and John B. made his home with her two or three years afterward. He then commenced to work on a farm by the month at a salary of $20, and was employed by one man seven years. After this he became manager of the farm and had a share of the produce, and then married and located on a rented farm, where he remained three years, and in the meantime served as Tax Collector in Downs Township. In 1872 he moved into West Township, upon a farm which his wife had inherited from her grandfather, Henry West. Two years later he went to LeRoy and took charge of a flourmill, which he operated two years and then returned to his own farm. He was then employed by the firm of Barnum it Keenan, to buy grain at Sabina, being the first grain dealer in that place and the first Postmaster in what was then Monarch. He also served six years as Justice of the Peace. In 1882 he returned to LeRoy and purchased a half interest in the dry-goods business of James Kimler, which he conducted in company with A. Whittaker eight months. He then purchased the interest of his partner and after operating one year sold out, and a few months later opened a clothing store. This he also disposed of after one year, and engaged in the real-estate and loan business. In the fall of 1886 he traded a piece of land for a stock of goods, and his business now is to close out these in the most profitable manner that lie can. His real-estate transactions extend throughout Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas.
Mr. Savage was married, Oct. 1, 1868, to Miss Sarah L. Grumbaugh, who was born in Empire Township, and is the daughter of Montgomery and <
Mary (West) Crumbaugh. (See sketch of H. W. Crumbaugh.) Of this union there have been born two children — Herbert and Annie. During the late war Mr. Savage served with the three months' men in Co. G, 68th 111. Vol. Inf. He is a member of the G. A. R., Thomas Riddle Post No. 230, at LeRoy, and in all respects is a representative citizen who has attained a good position by the exercise of his own talent and industry.
As printed in Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and bio (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Denton Young (b. 1847) James Kimler (b. 1811)
The printed record stops around 1879. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.