Major Hanson J. DePUE, an honored veteran of the late civil war, and a
prominent citizen of Lacon, is a native son of Illinois, born in DuPage county,
April 7, 1846. His parents, James and Eliza (DANIELS) PUE, were natives of
Ravenna, Ohio, and New York, respectively. The major began his education in the
common schools, but at the age of sixteen he laid aside his text books to don
the blue and go to the front in defense of his country. On the 11th of August,
1862, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, which was a part of President Harrison’s brigade. He was always found
at his post of duty, and participated in every engagement in whish his regiment
took part until the battle of New Hope Church, Georgia, May 25, 1864, when he
had his arm nearly shot off. It was then amputated by the regimental surgeon,
and on the 10th of September, following, he was honorably discharged after
twenty-five months of faithful and arduous service on southern battlefields.
After his return home, Major DePUE was for three years a student in the
Soldiers college of Fulton, Illinois, and was then engaged in teaching country
schools for many terms. In 1873 he was elected treasurer of Marshall county, and
so satisfactorily did he fill the office, that he was twice re-elected. For a
few years he then followed agricultural pursuits, but in March, 1889, soon after
his inauguration, President Harrison appointed him postmaster of Lacon, the
duties of which position he discharged in a prompt and able manner for a little
over four years. He was not only a member of General Harrison's brigade during
the rebellion, but is his warm personal friend as well. Mr. DePUE has also been
called upon to fill other official positions within the gift of the people,
including the offices of supervisor and alderman, which he held for one term
each. A recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party in Marshall
county, he has twice served as chairman of the central committee, the last being
in the campaign of 1896.
Major DePUE was married October 3, 1876, the
lady of his choice being Miss Stella A. BANE, a daughter of Jesse B. BANE, of
Marshall county, and they now have four children: Florence, Fannie, Helen and
Georgia. Mrs. DePUE is a member of eth Congregational church. For the past eight
years, the major has served as commander of the Lacon Grand Army post, and in
August, 1896, at Minonk, was elected commander of the Big Bend Reunion
association.
Extracted May 2011 by Norma Hass from The Biographical
Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
 |
La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
