|
William S. Bumpus Jr., farmer, P.O. Mount Vernon, was born May 22, 1837, in Hanover County, Va. His father, William S. Bumpus, Sr., was a native of Virginia. He was also a farmer, and had also served an apprenticeship at the house-carpenter trade, in Old Virginia. He moved to Kentucky in 1838, and there our subject was reared and schooled. He came to this county about fourteen years ago, and is yet living. His father, Evan Bumpus, was a native of Virginia. The mother of our subject, Charlotte Buckner, was a native of Virginia, and the mother of six children. Our subject was joined in matrimony, in Butler County, Ky., to Miss Elizabeth Sharer, born December 24, 1837, in Butler County, Ky. She was a daughter of John and Rosa Ann Sharer, both natives of Kentucky. This union resulted in seven children, now living, viz.:
Mr. Bumpus is a member of the A., F. & A.M., Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 31; and I.O.O.F. Williams Lodge, No 242; also a member of the Encampment. He has a farm of 240 acres, and came to this county in 1856. He has been Justice of the Peace four years; was re-elected and resigned. He then was Supervisor, being the first in the township; served three years; then was Collector three years, and is now Township Supervisor. In politics, he is identified with no particular party.
Source: The History of Jefferson County, Illinois William S. Bumpus, a public-spirited citizen who has ably occupied various important positions of local trust, and is widely known throughout Jefferson County, has long been one of the leading and successful agriculturists of Dodd's Township. He is a man of sterling integrity, and commands the high regard of the entire community in which his busy life has been passed. In the spring of 1893 he removed with his family to the farm on section 34, where they are now living. Our subject was born in Hanover County, VA, May 22, 1836, and is the eldest of the six children born to W.S. and Charlotte Bumpus. His brothers and sisters are, Marta, R.M., L.N., Sarah M. and P.R. They are all living in Spring Garden Township, this county, with the exception of L.N., who makes his home in Texas. The father of our subject was likewise born and reared in Virginia, and there made his home until about 1838, when, having married, he removed with his family to Butler County, KY., and engaged in farm pursuits. He made his home in the Blue Grass state until 1860, when he came to Illinois and located in Spring Garden Township, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying at the age of seventy-six years. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Charlotte Buckner; she was likewise a native of Virginia, and departed this life in 1888. Grandfather Evan Bumpus was a Virginia by birth, and spent his entire life in that state. Our subject was quite young when his parents removed to Kentucky, where he was given a good education and remained until reaching his majority. Then having come to Illinois, he made a start in life for himself, and began working in a grist and saw mill on Moore's Prairie. He was thus employed at that place for two years, when he went to Spring Garden Township, where he found employment in a sawmill. In the meantime having saved his earnings he invested his money in land in that township, and for several years combined the occupations of a farmer and laborer in a a sawmill. Later he established a mill of his own, and for a number of years carried on the most extensive business in that line in the county. Mr. Bumpus made his home in Spring Garden Township for eighteen years, and in 1879 located in Dodd's Township, which place has since been his home. Here his first purchase of land consisted of eighty acres, to which he subsequently added until he owned a large estate of three hundred acres. This he has reduced, however, by giving his two eldest sons a small farm when they were ready to start out in life. While residing on that farm our subject erected a handsome and commodious residence, in which the family made their home until the spring of 1892, when he disposed of his farm and removed to another tract of land which he owned near by. On this he has erected a comfortable dwelling, in which he hopes to pass his declining years. While residing in Kentucky, Mr. Bumpus was married, January 11, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth T. Sharrer, who was born in that state December 28, 1836. She was the daughter of John and Rose Ann Sharrer, who reared a family of four children, only three of whom are living, namely: Mary A., Mrs. John Fitzgerald, residing in Kentucky, where also Antha, Mrs. James Sharrer, makes her home, and Mrs. Bumpus. Thomas Sharrer, the brother was a soldier during the late Civil War, and died soon after peace was declared, from the effects of exposure and hardships which he endured while in the service. The six children comprising the family of our subject and his wife are,
Mr. Bumpus has been inseparably associated with the political affairs of his township and county for a number of years, and has filled many of the important positions within the gift of his fellow citizens. He was a Democrat in politics until the formation of the Greenback party, but of later years he has joined the ranks of the People's party. He was elected Justice of the Peace prior tot he organization of the township, and after serving several years in the capacity resigned. Later he filled the office of Supervisor, and after removing to Dodd's Township was elected Township Collector, Supervisor and Township Clerk. Mr. Bumpus, in 1883, was appointed Postmaster of Bumpus Post office, and after serving for nine years offered his resignation. He has also rendered efficient service as School Treasurer, having filled the office since 1886. He is recognized by all as one of the representative and honored citizens of the county, and has accomplished much good in his life. Socially, he is a member of the masonic order, affiliating with Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 31 since 1869. In 1865 he became a member of Spring Garden Lodge No. 242, I.O.O.F., with which he is still connected.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and
Jefferson Counties, Illinois" Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894 |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer