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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 Eugene DITMARS 

[Surnames: DITMARS, GRIMES, VAN CLEEF] 

DITMARS, EUGENE 

    
He has been successfully engaged in farming in Fairview Twp., Fulton County for nearly 30 years, and was born in Somerset Co., NJ on Nov. 20, 1856. He is a son of James and Maria (VAN CLEEF) Ditmars, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. James S. Ditmars was also engaged in agricultural pursuits, but followed this occupation during his entire life in the State where he was born. He was a man of diligent and frugal habits and blameless character, and his labors were rewarded by a good measure of success. To him and his worthy spouse were born four children, as follows: Eugene, Garadina, Mary Jane and James. 
    
In early youth Eugene attended the district schools in the neighborhood of the parental home, in which he received the mental discipline for which his intervals of leisure afforded opportunity. Until he reached the age of manhood he remained on the homestead with his parents, helping his father in carrying on the work of the farm of 160 acres. When he was about twenty-one he determined to start out on his own responsibility and journeying to Illinois, located in Fulton Co. Since 1877 he has been engaged in farming in Fairview Twp., and has been rewarded by the results which follow industry, energy and careful management. In addition to general farming he devotes much of his attention to the raising of stock, breeding Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. 
    
On Jan. 29, 1877, at Farmington, Mr. Ditmars was joined in matrimony with Emma GRIMES, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Grimes. Mrs. Ditmars is a native of Fairview Twp., where she was born May 1, 1859, and where in girlhood she enjoyed the advantages of public schools. From this union have resulted in six children: Charles, Roy, Harry, Lena, Mayme and Eugenia. 
    
In politics Mr. Ditmars is in accord with the principles of the Republican party. In religion he is an adherent to the faith of Universalism. He takes a good citizen's interest in all measures affecting the welfare of his township and county and bears an excellent reputation wherever known.