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GEORGE H. PUCKETT was a member of one of Jefferson County's pioneer families and for many years resided in Spring Garden Township. He was born in Hickman County, Tenn., in 1817, and was one of four children, of whom Abraham, a resident of Dodd's Township, is now the only survivor. At the age of ten years he came north with his father's family and became one of the pioneer settlers of Jefferson County, settling in Spring Garden Township about the year 1827. When he was twenty-five he started out in life for himself, and taking up eighty acres of Government land, afterward added another eighty-acre tract adjoining. His life was spent in subduing the wilderness and developing a farm, in which he met with success. June 27, 1889, he passed away, at the age of seventy-two years. The first marriage of Mr. Puckett occurred in 1844, and united him with Julia Ann Harvell, who died leaving four children, Stephen S., William M., Amanda J. and Melinda. Later Mr. Puckett was united with Mary Ann Hale, a native of Hardin County, ILL. They became the parents of three children, namely: Lois, who married Seth Vaughn, of Spring Garden Township; Elvira, who died at the age of twenty-two, and G. Henry, who has charge of the old homestead. The latter was born here October 20, 1866, and since the death of his father has carried on the farm. In March, 1887, he married Lillie, daughter of Seth and Malinda Arnold, of Jefferson County. This lady is one of five children now living, the others being: Marietta, who is married and lives in Spring Garden Township; Minnie, the wife of Fred Jones, a resident of Moore's Prairie Township; Stephen A., living- in Dodd's Township, and Lou, who is with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Puckett have three children, Herbert L., Frederick and Gilroy. In politics lie is a Populist and is identified with the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. Referring to the ancestral history, we find that our subject is the son of James Puckett, who was born near Richmond, Va., during the latter part of the last century. When a young man he moved to North Carolina and there he married and lived for a few years. Later he went with his family to Tennessee, but while on his way he was drafted into the army for service in the War of 1812. Subsequently he settled in Hardin County, Tenn., where the most of , his children were born. In 1827 he came to Illinois and settled in Jefferson County, where he died when over seventy years of age. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Anna Groves, was a native of North Carolina and a daughter of Abraham Groves. The latter was born in Germany, whence he emigrated to the United States during the early Colonial days. Enlisting as a soldier at the opening of the Revolution, he served through the entire seven years of the war. His subsequent life was spent in Hickman County,Tenn., where he died at the age of ninetynine years. The father of James Puckett bore the name of Pleasant Puckett and was also a hero of the Revolutionary War. The family is of Scotch origin.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois" |
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