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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of John M. CATTRON 

[Surnames: ABBADUSKY, ALCOTT, CATTRON, MAGEE] 

CATTRON, JOHN M. 

    
For many years one of the most extensive and prosperous farmers and stock-raisers in Fulton County, and now a resident of Fairview, he was born in Fulton County, Apr. 4, 1844. His father, Hezekiah Cattron, also a farmer and stock-dealer and one of the most prominent among the pioneer settlers of the county, was a native of VA, his mother, Rachel (ALCOTT) was born in OH. Hezekiah Cattron made an experimental journey to Western Illinois about the year 1832, sojourning for a brief period in Fulton Co. He traveled the entire distance on horseback, his object being to secure government land for his future home. In 1837 he moved his effects by wagon to Bernadotte Twp., and after staying s short time, went to Young Hickory Twp., where together with his father entered a tract of land. His father, however, returned to his former home. A portion of the land (160 acres) was entered in his own name and an equal amount in the name of his sister. On this he settled, and there lived until his death, which occurred on Jan. 29,1903. His first dwelling was a log cabin. Ultimately he became the owner of 1300 acres in Fulton Co. and ranked as one of the most prosperous farmers in that region. He filled the office of Supervisor and Collector and discharged the duties of Justice of the Peace for 20 years. 
    
To Hezekiah and Rachel Cattron were born four children, namely: Mary Eliza, Josiah A., J. M., and I. N. 
    
In boyhood, John M. Cattron first attended the schools in the vicinity of his home, and pursued a course of one year and three months at Abingdon, IL, applied himself to teaching continuing this for eleven years. 
    
In 1867 he went to KA where he taught for 18 years. In the meantime, having bought a quarter-section of land, he returned to Fulton Co., and taught there for a year. Returning to KS, he taught there two years, and again came to Fulton Co., pursuing his calling as a teacher until 1879 when he began farming in Hickory Twp., moving later to his father's farm of 170 acres, in Sect. 6, Joshua Twp. His father died in 1903. In 1904, John M. Cattron retired from active business pursuits and established his residence in Fairview, retaining 251 acres. Mr. Cattron has a vivid recollection of his first visit to KS, when during the daytime the grasshoppers were so numerous in the air as to hide the sun, inducing the belief that they were clouds. The next morning they were on the ground, but in such numbers that it was impossible to put the tip of his finger to the surface without touching a grasshopper. 
    
Mr. Cattron has been twice married. On Apr 15, 1879, at Fairview, he married Alice ABBADUSKY, a native of Fulton Co. who died in 1888. They had one son, Hezekiah, who lives at home. His second marriage took place in Galesburg, IL, Feb 24, 1892, when he wedded Mary J. MAGEE, who was born in Henderson Co., IL. Their union resulted in one daughter, Hazel B. 
    
Mr. Cattron is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is a Republican. He has lived an upright and useful life and has borne no inconsiderable part in the development of Fulton County. His success is well merited.