CINNAMON, Robert
Robert CINNAMON. Among the self-made men of
Marshall
county – men who have accumulated a sufficiency of this world’s
goods through their own energy and thrift – may be reckoned the
gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is pleasantly located
on section 23, Bennington township, where he owns two hundred
and forty-seven acres of rich and productive land, which his not
only well cultivated, but is improved with good and substantial
farm buildings.
Mr. CINNAMON first opened his eyes to the
light in County Down, Ireland, twenty miles from Belfast, in 1830, a son of John and Mary
(MAGINNIS) CINNAMON. He was the youngest in their family of
eight children, and was only one month old at the time of his
mother’s death, while his father died when he was in his ninth
year. He then made his home with an older sister until thirteen
years of age, when he started out to seek his own fortune. He
was given a good common education, which would fit him for the
responsible duties of life, and in his native land attended the
Church of England.
In 1849 Mr. CINNAMON crossed the broad
Atlantic to the new world, landing at Quebec, after eight weeks spent upon the
water. Stopping first at Kingston, Canada, where his brother John was living, he
remained there from June until October, and then came to Lacon, Illinois,
his brother James being a carpenter of that place. In Marshall county, be began work on a farm at
eight dollars per month, but during the three years he was thus
employed his wages were increased. Going to Lacon, he secured a
position with Mr. SHINN to drive a stage and carry the mail from
that place to Peoria, Kappa, Spring Bay, Hennepin, Wenona,
Tonica and other points in Illinois, remaining in that service
fro eighteen months. The following summer he again worked by the
month, after which he purchased a team and broke prairie at
three dollars per acre during the year 1855. His next venture
was in operating a thresher, which he purchased in
Ohio
and run for about nine years, and this proved a profitable
investment.
It was in 1863 that Mr. CINNAMON began
farming on his own account, and after operating rented land for
four years, purchased an eighty-acre tract of wild land – a part
of his present fine farm. It was still in its primitive
condition, but he erected a little house, which is now used for
a granary, and at once began to break, develop and cultivate his
land. To the original purchase he has added until within the
boundaries of his farm are comprised two hundred and forty-seven
acres of excellent and well-improved land. His present
comfortable and commodious residence was built in 1886. Besides
his farm he also owns property in Rutland. He has had very little time for
idleness, and the success which he has achieved is but the just
reward of honest toil, guided by sound judgment.
In February, 1864, Mr. CINNAMON wedded Miss
Jane McLAIN, and to them were born six children, five of whom
are still living: Emma, now the wife of Douglas VINECORE, of
Rutland, Illinois, by whom she has four sons; Robert, Albert,
Sarah and Vena. The wife and mother departed this life August 7,
1888.
On the 5th of March, 1891, Mr. CINNAMON was
again married, his second union being with Mrs. S. A. SYFERT,
nee NEWTON, a native of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and a
daughter of David and Sarah Ann (BRUNDAGE) NEWTON. When she was
an infant her mother died and her father later married again. At
the age of six years she accompanied him to Stark county,
Illinois, there grew to womanhood and
received a good common-school education, which fitted her to
begin teaching at the age of seventeen, which profession she
followed for four terms. She then married Simpson SYFERT, of
Shelby
county, Illinois,
by whom she had two children: William N., a farmer of Groveland,
Tazewell county, Illinois, who is married and has three
children; and Mary Ida, wife of Thomas SUDDUTH, of Edinburg,
Christian county, by whom she has two children.
Mr. CIMMAMON has been an ardent republican
since voting for
Lincoln
in 1860, but has steadily declined becoming an office-seeker. He
and his estimable wife, who are numbered among the most valued
residents of the community, attend the Christian church, though
she was reared a Baptist.
Extracted May 2011 by Norma Hass from
The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.
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