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

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 647-8

Disberry J. Markee, of Newton Township, was born in September, 1834, in Harrison Co., Ohio. James Markee, his father, was of Scotch descent and married Rhoda Johnson. They went with their family from Ohio to Southern Illinois, in 1846. The father bought a farm in Crawford County, and there the parents remained until the close of their lives.

At the age of 16 Mr. Markee came to Whiteside County, joining his brother-in-law. He obtained his first employment in Newton Township. In 1861 he first became an independent landholder, and bought 80 acres of land on section 12, in Newton Township. It was wholly unimproved and Mr. Markee passed nine years placing it in good condition for prosperous tillage. At the end of that time he sold the property and bought a tract of land on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 2, in the same township. Only the prairie had been broken; no trees had been planted or buildings of advanced style erected. All these needs have been supplied, together with excellent barns and stables for the protection of stock. Mr. Markee has been a Republican since he first obtained the privileges of citizenship. He cast his first Presidential vote for Fremont.

He was married in 1857 to Mary A., daughter of William G. and Leannah (Martin) Nevitt, of whom an extended sketch appears in this work. Mrs. Markee was born in Newton Township, Sept. 5, 1840. Five children of Mr. and Mrs. Markee are living,--C.Alice, Lizzie L., William Leslie, Clifton L. and May. Jessie A., fourth child in order of birth, was born Jan. 23, 1867 and died Aug. 11, 1868.