HIRAM F. PUTNAM, merchant, Elco. The grandfather of Mr. Putnam emigrated from England and located in Vermont, where to him was born a son, whom he named Hiram, who married Sallie Black, the result being our subject. The parents of Hiram settled in Otsego County, N. Y., where their son was born May 12, 1825. He attended the country schools as much as was convenient, and became qualified to teach, at which he applied himself for a few terms. He went to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where he carpentered for three years. After having spent some time at different places, he, in 1854, came to Illinois and clerked in a store in the town of Warren. In two years, he went to Howard County, Iowa, and at once entered upon a traveling tour which lasted six years, and finally decided to locate at Memphis, Tenn., but, on account of the breaking-out of the war, he only remained I six months. He then came to Anna, this county, and in one year he went to Charleston, Mo., following all the time the trade of a carpenter. In 1862, he made his final settlement in Alexander County, at the present site of Elco. Here he farmed for a while on some rented patches, after which he clerked and kept books for A. A. Soule & Co., of Pulaski County. In 1866, he returned to Alexander County, where he purchased a farm of forty acres, where he remained about six years. When the town of Elco was laid out he clerked for Leavenworth & Duncan, subsequently for Durham & Cauble, the successors to the above firm. Ill February, 1878, he was appointed agent for the St. Louis & Cairo Railroad at Elco, which position he held for five years. In 1880, he formed a partnership under the firm name of Putnam & Standard, general druggists and grocers. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1869; re-elected in 1877, serving in all two terms. Was married, April 6, 1865, to Elizabeth Stacey, the result being five children, two of whom survive — Flora A. and Mary F. She died February, 1875, and he subsequently married Mrs. Ellen Barnett, a daughter of Dr. Victor, of Ullin, Pulaski County. She died in November, 1877, and he was married the third time, to Mrs. B. J. Standard, May 27, 1880. Her maiden name was Henderson. He is a Methodist, and an Elder of that organization at Elco.
Extracted 29 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, pages 226-227.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
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Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
