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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 Oliver P. POLLITT 

[Surnames: ANDERSON, BECKSTEAD, BOWMAN, ESTES, GARRENS, LEWIS, McELWEE, McGRAW, POLLITT, RANDALL, STOCKMAN] 

POLLITT, OLIVER P.

    
A very enterprising and prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, living in Sect 14, Liverpool Twp, Fulton County, who is regarded as one of the prominent representatives of the agricultural element in Fulton Co., was born in Liverpool Twp. on Dec. 7, 1848. He is a son of Alvin and Emily (ESTES) Pollitt, both of whom are living in the township named, where the former is engaged in farming. They became the parents of nine children, as follows:
Oliver P.
Laura, wife of Abner GARRENS, a farmer in Liverpool Twp.
John A., a farmer in the same township
James T., who lives in Pekin, IL, a sketch of whose life is contained in this work
Alexander, also farming in Liverpool Twp.
William, of Bereton, Fulton County
Charles, a farmer in Banner Twp.
Della J., wife of Oscar McGRAW, of Canton, IL
and one who died in infancy. 
    
Oliver Pollitt was reared to farm life and received his education in the district schools of his neighborhood. He has always made Liverpool Twp. his home except for two years spent in Decatur County, Iowa. For several years he worked in farming by the month. After his marriage he located in the southwest part of the township, where he made his home until 1883, in that year moving to his present home farm of eighty acres. He now owns 320 acres in Section 14, and eighty acres in Sections 22 and 23, a total of 400 acres. On the home farm he keeps the best grades of horses, cattle and hogs, and, in general farming his intelligent, systematic, and progressive operations are productive of the most satisfactory results. 
    
On Apr. 9, 1876, Mr. Pollitt was united in marriage with Mary C. McELWEE, who was born near Ripley, Brown Co. OH on March 7, 1843. She is a daughter of George and Hannah (BOWMAN) McElwee, natives of that State, where her father was born in Adams County, and her mother in Brown County. The family settled in Fulton Co. in 1865, locating near the famous DEPLER Well, in Lewistown. In 66 they sold that farm and purchased a place in Putman Twp., where Mrs. McElwee died Mar. 9, 1883. After her death, her husband made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Pollitt, and died April 6, 1892. They were the parents of the following children:
Mary C.
Elizabeth, who died at the age of twenty-six years
Lydia, who died when fifteen years old
George who died at the age of thirty-seven years
Francis M., of Macon, NE, who married Mrs. Nellie RANDALL
Minerva M., wife of Albert ROBERTS, of Canton, IL
Amanda, wife of Jacob ANDERSON, of Pacific Junction, Iowa
Hattie, deceased wife of John LEWIS, who lives with their six children in Oklahoma.
Benamin F., a physician of Wilcox, NE
Mr. and Mrs. Pollitt are the parents of four children, namely:
George A., born Oct. 10, 1876, a farmer in Banner Twp.
Madge, M. born Oct. 14, 1880
James G., born Dec. 28, 1884, who lives with his parents
Herbert, who died in infancy.
George A. married Eva M. BECKSTEAD, and has had three children:
Clifford B., Mary M., and one who died in infancy.
Madge M. was married to Sherman STOCKMAN Mar 7, 1900, and has three children:
Orval C. born Mar 17, 1901
Oral C. born July 18, 1902,
Hazel, b. Apr. 24, 1906. 
    
For seventeen years, Mrs. Pollitt was a successful teacher in the schools of Ohio and Fulton County, and is a lady of culture and rare strength of character. 
    
Mr. Pollitt is an earnest and influential Republican. He has held the office of Tax Collector for two years, and Assessor for a like period. Fraternally he is affiliated with the A.F.& A.M., being a member of the Morning Star Lodge, No.734, of Canton. Mr. Pollitt is a man of the highest character and enjoys the sincere respect of a wife circle of acquaintances.