Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 462

John Avery, a farmer, section 16, Portland Township, is a son of Milburn and Elizabeth (Green) Avery, and was born in Walton, Northamptonshire, England, May 29, 1809. His parents were poor, and when he was a very small boy he went to work in a sack factory to turn a wheel (or spinning-wheel), and afterward engaged in farming. Feb. 21, 1854, he emigrated to this country, and after a residence in New York State of a few months, he came in the fall of 1854 to the township of Portland, this county, with no means in his possession. He rented a few years and then bought 75 acres where he now resides; but at present he is the proprietor of 135 acres. For the last two years he has rented his farm to his sons.

Mr. Avery was first married in Huntingtonshire, England, to Elizabeth Culpin, and by that marriage there were three children, all of whom are now deceased. Mrs. A. died in the old country, and Mr. Avery was again married, in that country, to Hannah Coaten, Oct. 22, 1838; she was born in Helpstone, England, Sept. 1, 1811. By this marriage there were seven children, five of whom are now living. The record at present stands as follows: James is a farmer in Portland Township; Hannah is the wife of Stanley Fuller, also a farmer in the same township; Martha is deceased; Ruth is the wife of Silas Dickerson, a farmer in Nebraska; John is a resident of this township; George is a farmer here, and Milburn is deceased.