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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Cyrus I. ALCOTT 

Pages 816-817, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: ALCOTT, FISHER, FOSTER HOWE, PRATHER] 

    
CYRUS I. ALCOTT. This name will be recognized by the majority of our readers as that of a man who is extensively interested in raising fine stock, particularly Shropshire sheep. To him is due the credit of having introduced those animals into this county--an enterprise which has proved very profitable, not only to himself but to other agriculturalists. He generally keeps on hand about one thousand head of the fleecy animals, and likewise a number of very valuable horses and cattle. 
    
Mr. Alcott is fortunate in tracing his descent from ancestors noted for their strength of body, mind and purpose, who lived to very advanced years. His great-grandfather Alcott was a Welshman, and his great-grandmother, Scotch. In the family of this couple was a son, Israel, born on the coast of New Jersey, who located in Ross County, Ohio, about the beginning of the nineteenth century. He figured in the frontier labors and also in the War of 1812. He came to this State at an early day, and died here when eighty-five years of age, while his widow reached the age of ninety years. 
    
Following Israel Alcott in the direct line of descent was his son Henry, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, but went to Indiana with his parents when he was eighteen years old. In that State he married Martha Foster, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, but went to Indiana in her girlhood. She was of English descent, the first home of the Fosters in America having been On the banks of the Potomac. Her mother belonged to the Prather family, a branch of which is well-known at Springfield, this State, and her grandmother belong to the family which produced Gen. How, of the English army. 
    
The life of Henry Alcott was an extraordinary one in respect to his financial success. He began his personal career with no capital but that provided by nature--a good mind, a good body and good health. He had earned about $500 when, ambitious to make his mark in the world, he left the Hoosier State for a country farther west. With a horse and wagon and three yoke of oxen, he and his wife drove to Central Illinois, where their capital was invested in land. A tract of eighty acres was bought, upon which settlement was made in 1836. So well did Mr. Alcott act his part in life that he became the owner of an extensive tract of land, consisting of more than one thousand acres, together with flocks and herds, and personal property of considerable value. One of his peculiarities was that of going straight to the point in a bargain, neither changing his own price nor attempting to make others change theirs. He passed away June 5, 1888, at the age of seventy-six years, eight months and four days. His faithful companion had preceded him to the silent land, dying in 1877 at the age of sixty-five years. Of the children born to them two grew to maturity, Mary C. and Cyrus I. The birth of Cyrus I. Alcott took place March 20, 1884, on the homestead he now operates. He was married to Josephine Fisher November 18,1880, and unto them three sons were born: John Henry born October 31, 1881, died April 13, 1890, aged eight years, 5 months and twelve days; Leonard Curtus, born December 18, 1883; and Guy Fisher, born November 3, 1885.