1884 BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES
BARNHILL TWP
bh02
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 i 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.: Warren. David and 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.: Martha M, William
W., Delbert B. and 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.
Oct 1, Y2K
Copyright © Dec 1999-Present D. Williams
All rights reserved.
Last rev. by D. Williams.