Wayne County

Nathan Atteberry

1884 Biographical Sketches of Barnhill Twp

NATHAN ATTEBERRY, farmer, P. 0. Fairfield, was born August 10, 1803, in South Carolina. His father, Richard Atteberry, was born in South Carolina, where he farmed; he died in Grayson County, Ky.

The mother of our subject was Rebecca (Bennet) Atteberry, born in South Carolina and she died in Kentucky. She was the mother of fourteen children, of whom our subject was next to the youngest, and is the only one living. He went to school in Kentucky, where he lived several years.

In the fall of 1819, he came to Wayne County, Ill., where he has lived ever since. He came here when the woods were filled with wild beasts and the country was a wilderness. He came here with his older brother. It was in a time when the mustering day surpassed in grandeur our fair day; at least more bad whisky was stowed away, and more free fights indulged in. Here, on Turney's Prairie, he lived with an old gentleman, and the first 9 winter went to school about three months. He finally bought forty acres at $1.25 per acre, and with a brave heart and hardened muscles went to work improving it. He at one time owned 300 acres of land, and now owns 128 acres, a part of which is the -old homestead.

Our subject has seen a great many changes, and has at least seen more than two generations rise and pass away. He was married twice. His first wife, Maria Butler, was a native of Kentucky, and died here in 1861, leaving eight children, of whom three are now living, viz.:

  1. Warren
  2. David
  3. Thomas

The latter is living in California.

His present wife, Martha A. (George) Atteberry, is a daughter of William W. George, Esq., a prominent citizen of this county. This union was blessed with four children, viz.:

  1. Martha M.
  2. William W.
  3. Delbert B.
  4. Oscar B

Mr. . and Mrs. Atteberry are active members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and their standing in the community is the very best.

Mr. Atteberry is a true type of our old pioneer, and quite strong in body and mind for a man of his age, he having seen eighty summers unfold their beauteous foliage. He is no politician, but is identified with the Democratic party.



Visit Our Neighbors
Marion Clay Richland
Jefferson Edwards  
Franklin Hamilton White
Search the Archives