ANDREW F. NISBIT, merchant. Mount Erie was born in Mount Erie Township. this county, September 4. 1827 and is consequently one of the oldest native born children in the township.
James Nisbit. the grandfather of our subject. came to this country from Scotland some little time before the Revolution. William, a brother. was afterward a Captain in that conflict. The grandfather settled in South Carolina. and there married Jane Bratton, who was also of Scotch descent. There, also Alexander Nisbit the father of our subject. was born September 2, 1792. When he was eight years of age. his fatjer moved to Kentucky and settled in Hopkins County, where the latter (died in 1860). In that State the father grew to manhood. and married Dorcas Ramsey, a daughter of Alexander and Ellen (Lynn) Ramsey, who afterward became early settlers in this county. In 1816.
Alexander Nisbit. accompanied by Alexander Ramsey, James Ramsey, William Farmer, William McCormick and Michael Book came to White County, Ill.. and settled in what was then called Seven-Mile Prairie, near where the town of Enfield now stands. In that county they lived two years. and then the party building a pirogue came up the Little Wabash as far as the mouth of Miller's Creek. Here they stopped, and made their way to the foot of the hill on which Mount Erie now stands, but which they then called Ramsey's Grove. Here they spent the night (Christmas Eve) together, making the first settlement in the township, and the next morning each family chose a home for itself.
The Nisbit family settled about one mile and a halt' west from the present village of Mount Erie. On that farm the father lived about two years. and then moved within about three-quarters of a mile from the village. About 1856, he removed to the village, and there resided until his death, which occurred July 8, 1878.
Alexander Nisbit was a man who cared more for his home and its kindred affairs than for office-seeking and political renown, and it is said that during his long residence in this county he never held an office in his life. As far, however. as his political views went, he was Democrat, voting for Jackson, and afterward for Douglas, and remained true to that party until his demise. He was, however, a strong Union man. and did what he could for the cause at that time.
In 1851, he connected himself with the Methodist Church, and remained connected with that denomination through life.
Mrs. Nisbit, who (died in 1841) was the mother of ten children. of whom our subject was the seventh. Of this number. but three are now living—
Our subject's education, which was but slight, was received in the subscription school, and since coming to manhood he has taught himself. He worked on the home farm until about twenty-one, and, starting for himself, purchased a farm about three-quarters of a mile east of town. There he, remained about six years. and then, in 1856, he moved into the village of Mount Erie. Here he commenced merchandising, and has followed that vocation ever since. At present he carries a stock of about $3,000. For a number of years, he was connected with the Gem Flouring Mill, of Mount Erie, but in August, 1883, sold out his interest in that concern. He also has farming carried on, owning about 500 acres.
Mr. Nisbit was united in matrimony. December 16, 1849, in Mount Erie Township, to Miss Jane Bleakley. This lady was the daughter of Matthew and Jane ( Job) Bleakley, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. She was born in Ireland in 1829, and died April 30, 1854. The result of this union was three children, of whom two are now living—
October 1, 1856, our subject was married to Miss Lizzie Massey, a daughter of James and Matilda (Harlan) Massey. The parents were probably natives of Tennessee, and were early settlers in this county. The father was an early pioneer Methodist preacher, and preached over this part of Illinois and Indiana. Mrs. Nisbit was born in 1839, and is the mother of three children, of whom two are now living—
Mr. Nisbit enlisted in Company E, of the Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; went out as First Lieutenant in July, 1861, but was out only a short time; resigned on account of sickness.
In politics, subject is a Republican, and in connection with county affairs has been a member of the board four terms. Is a member of the Mount Erie Methodist Episcopal Church, and also of Mount Erie Lodge, No. 331, A., F. &. A. M.< /p>
| Visit Our Neighbors | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | Clay | Richland | |
| Jefferson |
 |
Edwards | |
| Franklin | Hamilton | White | |
