Portrait and Biographical Record of Lee County, Illinois

The “Portrait and Biographical Record of Lee County, Illinois,” created in the late 19th century, stands as a remarkable compendium of personal histories, reflecting the lives and legacies of individuals who contributed to the development of Lee County. This volume, compiled by the Biographical Publishing Company, offers a unique lens through which genealogists and historians can explore the lives of past residents. As you delve into this collection, it’s essential to approach the information with both appreciation and a critical eye, recognizing its dual role as a primary and secondary source.

As a primary source, the album provides direct insights from the individuals or their contemporaries, capturing the essence of their lives through personal narratives. This firsthand information is invaluable for genealogists, offering detailed accounts that enrich family histories with depth and context. These stories, chronicling everything from humble beginnings to notable achievements, humanize the past and provide a vivid record of the individuals who resided in the communities of Lee County, Illinois, up to the 20th Century.

Simultaneously, the volume acts as a secondary source, interpreting and collating these personal accounts into a cohesive historical record. While the narratives are rooted in personal testimonies, the compilation process introduces an editorial layer that shapes the presentation of these stories. Genealogists should be mindful of the potential biases or inaccuracies that might arise from this secondary interpretation, cross-referencing information with other records when possible to ensure a comprehensive and accurate family history.

Approaching the album as a genealogical tool requires a balanced understanding of its strengths and limitations. The richness of personal detail offers a glimpse into the past, yet the selective nature of its contents and the potential for editorial influence underscore the importance of critical analysis. By corroborating the album’s accounts with other primary sources such as census records, birth certificates, and other official documents, genealogists can construct a more nuanced historical narrative.

Alphabetical List of Lee County Biographies

1. John H. Abbott
2. William H. Acker
3. Mrs. Catherine E. Aschenbrenner
4. Jacob Aschenbrenner
5. Charles A. Becker
6. Samuel A. Bender
7. Henry Bly
8. Henry Bollman
9. John F. Bossemeyer
10. Henry C. Brookner
11. Jules Brechon
12. William S. Brierton
13. Thomas W. Brown
14. Thomas J. Buckaloo
15. William Burd
16. Loyd Burger
17. Thomas Clayton
18. Hon. Sherwood Dixon
19. Thomas Dolan
20. Col. Alex. P. Dysart
21. Samuel Dysart
22. Charles F. Emerson
23. William H. Fiscel
24. Adolphus Fisher
25. John L. Geiger
26. Richard Gooch
27. Josiah L. Gray
28. Dennis C. Harden
29. Chester Harrington
30. William W. Heckman
31. Jacob Hepperlin
32. George W. Hill
33. William H. Hilles
34. John Holdren
35. Barren De F. Holly
36. Ithiel A. Horton
37. Hon. William Ellery Ives
38. Charles Jones
39. Frank King
40. George L. Klostermann
41. Peter Kreiter
42. Joshua E. Lahman
43. Eli Lloyd
44. George S. and Elliott S. McCleary
45. Thomas P. McCune
46. John Mensch
47. Henry Miller
48. Merritt Miller
49. Richard F. Miller
50. Samuel Mong
51. Charles A. Morris
52. Will1am H. Mossholder
53. David Murray
54. William B. Page
55. Richard Phillips
56. Hon. Abijah Powers
57. Charles F. Preston
58. Levi Rafensperger
59. Schuyler Ransom
60. Elijah H. and Daniel B. Raymond
61. Andrew Reinhart
62. Simon Rhodes
63. Hon. James Ryon, M.D.
64. David B. Senger
65. John Shank
66. John D. Sitts
67. Ira S. Smith
68. James Sneed
69. George F. Stainbrook
70. George Stenger
71. John M. Sterling
72. Thomas H. Stetler, M.D.
73. Joseph Tait
74. Rev. James Treacy
75. John M. Trostle
76. William T. Tuttle
77. Henry Uhl
78. Sardias Vosburgh
79. Cornelius Vroom
80. Elijah Walker
81. Emrich Weishaar
82. Ernest Wernick
83. Moses C. Weyburn
84. Harlow A. Williamson
85. Stewart Wilson