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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.

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Source: Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois, 
Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Davenport, Iowa. 1871
(page 42)

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Luther Birge, the subject of this sketch, was born in Towingford, Litchfield county, Connecticut, on the 28th day of October, 1797. He was married to his first wife, Harriet Curtis, daughter of Urial Curtis of New Hartford, Connecticut, in May, 1821. She was born February 20th, 1801, and died May 24th, 1827. They had three children -- Luther C., who died May 30th, 1825, and Luther Cornelius and Harriet Adaline (twins), who died August 18th, 1828, aged. one year and nine months. He then married his present wife, Miss Nancy A. Wilson, daughter of Samuel Wilson, of Harwinton, Litchfield county, Connecticut. She was born at the Onondago salt works on the 24th day of September, 1806. They have raised only two children, both girls. Harriet A. is the wife of G. W. Cone, who resides at Galva, Illinois, and Carrie A. is the wife of A. N. Wilcox, who now resides at Memphis, Tennessee. 
    
The subject of this sketch came to this County in the fall of 1836, having been six weeks coming from Connecticut, traveling both day and night, by water all the way. He landed at Farmington and settled on the north-east quarter of section eleven, which was then all timber, but is now one of the best farms in Fulton county, and has resided there ever since. He was a carpenter by trade, and worked at his trade for a number of years, building some of the first houses in Farmington. The first house he lived in was a small frame, which was used as a place of religious worship for years. 
    
Mr. Birge was one of the first to espouse the cause of abolitionism in Fulton county, and says he has rode days and nights to assist fugitive negroes on their way. He says his house was the headquarters for them twenty years ago. He called the first abolition meeting that was ever held in the county. He is now a strong advocate of woman's rights. 
    
For thirty-six years Mr. Birge was a constant user of tobacco, but during the latter part of his life, has ceased to have anything to do with it. Mr. and Mrs. B. are still living, healthy and hearty, and bid fair to live many years to enjoy the fruits of their past labors.