McDonough ILGenWeb

PURDUM, Robert V., a well-known stationary engineer, of Macomb, Ill., was born December 15, 1853, in Schuyler County, Ill. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Tullis) Purdum. His father was a native of Maryland, and his mother was born in Ross County, Ohio. His paternal grandfather was Walter Purdum, and his grandfather on the mother's side, John Tullis, born in Ohio. Samuel Purdum, who was a farmer, came to McDonough County in 1835. Robert V. Purdum was the third of seven children born to his parents. He lived with them on the farm in Schuyler County until he was twenty-one years of age, attending the common school when opportunity offered. Then he came to McDonough County and worked at farming until 1888, when he located at Macomb and was employed as a carpenter for three years, as janitor of the Second Ward school house. He served on the night police force for twenty months, and at the end of that period (January 1, 1901), became engineer of the Macomb Electric Light and Gas Company, where he still continues. In March, 1897, he was assigned to the duty of a guard in the election contest at Springfield, Ill., and continued thus for two months.

On September 5, 1883, Mr. Purdum was married to Laura J. Wilcox, who was born in Scotland Township, McDonough County, and there received her schooling. Five children were born of this union, namely: Walter R., Bertha B., Lena E., John A. and Mary F. In politics, Mr. Purdum is an active Republican. He was elected Alderman of the Third Ward in Macomb in 1903, and for eight years served as a member of the Republican Central Committee. His religious connection is with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Court of Honor, Knights of Pythias and Loyal Americans. The subject of this sketch is one of the most public-spirited and useful citizens of Macomb, and is widely respected.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 984, extracted 17 Mar 2020 by Norma Hass.