Edward Walter FOUNTAIN, deceased, was a well-known citizen of
Whitefield township, who stood high in the estimation of his
fellow-men, and was a devoted son, loving husband and indulgent
father. He was born near Yates City, Peoria county, Illinois,
November 7, 1849, and was a son of William and Jane (McGINNIS)
FOUNTAIN, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of
Ohio. They were married in the latter state and soon afterward
removed to Peoria county, Illinois, and about 1851 came to
Marshall county, locating in the northwestern part of Whitefield
township, where both died, the father, November 3, 1891, at the
age of eighty-three years, and the mother, December 17,
following, at the age of seventy-nine years. Of their family of
seven children, five are yet living – Orlando, the oldest,
resides at Santa Rosa, California; Elizabeth is the wife of
Willard PROCTOR, of Grand Rapids, North Dakota; Martha is the
wife of Oliver PEARSON, of Wabash, Indiana; Henry grew to
manhood, and during the dark days of the rebellion, enlisted in
the army, and gave his life to his country; Milton resides upon
the old farm; Edward W. is the next in order of birth; James
also lives on the old homestead.
William FOUNTAIN was a
hard-working, industrious man, and during his residence in
Marshall county succeeded in acquiring a handsome property. His
home farm, consisting of four hundred and eighty aces, was kept
under a high state of cultivation, and the improvements made
thereon were such as to show that its owner thoroughly
understood his business. He also invested in lands in Dakota and
Kansas, but made no improvements in either state. At his death
he left each member of the family in good, comfortable
circumstances, with sufficient means to enable them to properly
live. In politics he was a republican, with which party he
became identified on its organization. From 1876 until his
death, he practically lived a retired life, and for some years
was an intense sufferer from a cancer which eventually caused
his death.
The subject of this sketch continued under the
home roof, doing his duty faithfully as a son until his
marriage, January 21, 1869, with Miss Elizabeth SHURTS, a native
of Huntington county, New Jersey, who, at the age of eighteen
months, removed with her parents, Peter and Effie (TIGER)
SHURTS, to Bureau county, Illinois. They made a settlement about
one mile northwest of Whitefield post office, where they
continued to reside until their death, the mother passing away
February 6, 1881, at the age of seventy-six, and the father,
November 28, 1888, at the age of seventy-six years. Their family
of five sons and one daughter are yet living.
On the 9th
of March, 1869, Mr. and Mrs. FOUNTAIN settled on the present
farm, which was a part of the old homestead. The farm consists
of one hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivated in
connection with a part of that retained by the father. He was
ambitious to succeed and toiled early and late for that end. As
already stated, his father was for some years an invalid, and in
consequence required a great deal of care, and Edward devoted
much of his time in trying to alleviate his sufferings. This he
continued to do until his own health was shattered, and after a
short illness, his spirit departed this life, May 8, 1890, and
strange to relate, his father survived him about eighteen
months.
Edward W. FOUNTAIN was a man greatly esteemed by
those who knew him, and he had many warm friends. Like his
father he was a strong republican, and while having neither time
nor inclination for office, he served his township for some
years as road commissioner and also as school director, the
duties of which office he discharged with conscientious
fidelity. He was not a member of the church, though having the
utmost respect for the Christian religion and its true
professors. Fraternally he was a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America, and of Telegraph Grange, and was active in each
organization. His death was a sad loss to his family, and the
community where he had so long resided.
To Mr. and Mrs.
FOUNTAIN seven children were born as follows: William, Georgie,
Florence, Fannie, Bruce, Harry and Orlando, all of whom yet
remain at home.. Fannie is now the wife of Jasper Newton YOUNG,
and they make their home with Mrs. FOUNTAIN.
Since the
death of her husband, Mrs. FOUNTAIN has carried on the farm with
the aid of her children and hired help. She has shown herself a
good business woman, and has made a number of improvements in
the place, having erected a neat and commodious barn, set out a
new orchard, and has done other work of a beneficial character.
She has given her children good educational advantages, which
have been improved by them, one daughter, Florence, being a
successful teacher as well as a skillful musician. Fannie has
also decided musical ability. The mother and nearly all the
children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, earnest
and steadfast Christians.
Extracted April 2011 by Norma Hass from The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
 |
La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
