Purget - 'Loose Purgets'

Henry Purget

HENRY PURGET owns and operates a fine farm of two hundred and forty-eight acres of arable land on section 11, Belmont Township, where he has resided for more than a quarter of a century. His life has been well and worthily spent and its record deserves a place in this volume. A native of Ohio, he was born in Twin Township, Ross County, March 17, 1817. His grandfather was Henry Purget and his father was Frederick Purget. The latter was born and reared in Hampshire County, Va. he served in the War of 1812, and in his native State married Mollie Shoemaker, Throughout his entire life he followed farming. Emigrating to Ohio, he hewed out a farm in the midst of the forest and there spent the remainer of his life. His death occurred during the time of the late war. In politics he was a Whig and afterward a Republican, and in religious belief, himself and wife were both Presbyterians.

Henry Purget is one of a family of ten children and the only survivor. He was reared amid the hills of his native county, where he had limited educational privileges, but his training at farm labor was not meagre. At an early day he learned to swing the ax and scythe, and to his father he gave the benefit of his labors until he had attained his majority. He then began farming for himself in Ross County, Ohio. He married Margaret Stipp, who died a year later, leaving one child, who is now Mrs. Margaret Schultz, of this county.

In 1840, Mr. Purget removed to Madison County, Ind., and there married Lydia Mustard, a native of Pike County, Ohio. Securing a tract of land which was covered with beech trees, he cleared it of the timber, and there made his home until February, 1865, when he came to Iroquois County, and bought two hundred and seventy acres of land - his present farm. He now owns two hundred and forty acres, all in one body, and an eighty acre tract near by. The home farm is under a high state of cultivation and supplied with good buildings and all necessary improvements. He has been very successful and now owns valuable property. On one occasion his stable was destroyed by fire and two horses were burned to death, but with characteristic energy he made good his loss.

The death of Mrs. Purget occurred November 28, 1891, and her remains were interred in Belmont Cemetery. At her death she left the following children: Frederick, who was born in Indiana, and now resides in Oklahoma, served throughout the war in the Eighth Indiana Infantry and was twice wounded; William is a farmer of Belmont Township; Henry Stipp is engaged in farming near Woodland; Jasper aids in the operation of the home farm; Newton, who with his brother carries on the old homestead, married Alice Willlams, daughter of William Williams; Almira is the wife of Charles Montgomery, a resident of Iowa; Orpha is the wife of Charles Crank who is living in Chicago; Amanda is the wife of George Allhands, of Belmont Township; Jane is the wife of Squire Laird, who resides near Milford and is represented elsewhere in this volume; and Philip is married and resides on a part of his father's farm.

Mr. Purget is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal Church and gives liberally of his means to aid in its support. He cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison and his last ballot for the grandson of the Tippecanoe hero, Hon. Benjamin Harrison. He first supported the Whig party and since the organization of the Republican party has been a stalwart advocate of its principles but has never been an office-seeker. He has led a busy and useful life. By his economy, industry and well-directed efforts lie has acquired a handsome property, and by his integrity and fair dealing has won universal confidence.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Iroquois County, Illinois. Chicago: Lake City Publishing Co., 1893, p 353-54.