McDonough ILGenWeb

TRUMAN, Herbert Henry, M. R. C. V. S. and F. V. M. A., who is interested to a considerable extent as a shareholder in "Trumans' Pioneer Stud Farm," at Bushnell, McDonough County, Ill., was born in Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire, England, on November 8, 1869. Although always a resident of the land of his birth, it is deemed proper to include a sketch of his career in the biographical records of this volume, partly on account of his financial connection with the above named enterprise. Another reason which makes the insertion appropriate is that he is a son of its widely known founder, and a brother of the four members of the Truman family who make their home in Bushnell, and whose ability and energy have largely developed the important project of their father into its present proportions, and have caused it to become a credit to McDonough County and to the State of Illinois. Narratives of the lives of the head of the family and his four sons who operate the Pioneer Stud Farm and the Trumans' Veterinary Medicine, together with interesting details pertaining to the management and business of the farm, appear herewith.

Herbert H. Truman, whose home Is in March, England, is a son of Jonathan Hall Truman, a native of Whittlesea, and Mary Elizabeth (Crane) Truman, who was born in Thorney, Cambridgeshire. His paternal grandparents, George and Ann (Brown) Truman, were also of English nativity, the birthplace of the former being in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire, and that of the latter in Whittlesea. Mr. Truman was reared on his father's farm, and in youth entertained a strong partiality for animals of all kinds, desiring even when an infant to be constantly among them. Naturally, with such an inclination, he has always been fond of outdoor life. Since early manhood he has been closely identified with the raising of pedigree stock — horses, cattle and sheep. His education was received at the Classical and Commercial School in Peterborough, England, and he afterward took a course in the Royal Veterinary College, London, the premier veterinary institution of Great Britain, from which he graduated in May, 1892, receiving the degree of M. R. C. V. S. After completing his professional studies he made a tour of the United States lasting two years. On returning to England he acted in the capacity of assistant to T. J. Merrick, M. R. C. V. S., of Northampton, whose veterinary practice was one of the largest in that country. Subsequently in 1896, he entered into practice for himself at March, England, with branch offices at Chatteris and Ramsey, Huntingdonshire. Thus he has continued since that year, conducting a veterinary establishment surpassed in patronage by few in the British Isles. In addition to the work involved in his practice, Mr. Truman is engaged in farming and in the breeding of Shire and Hackney full-blood horses, a considerable number of which he sells in various parts of the world. He is also the buyer in France and Belgium for "Trumans' Pioneer Stud Farm" at Bushnell, having frequently traversed those countries. In the course of his operations he has also made repeated visits to all parts of the United States and Canada. Mr. Truman holds the office of Veterinary Inspector of the Isle of Ely (England) County Council. He was elected Chairman of the March (England) Horse Show Society February 2, 1903, and is Chairman of the March Shire and Hackney Horse Society. Aside from honors pertaining to his business and profession, he is a member of the Board of Governors of the March Grammar School, and of the Consolidated Charities of that place.

On September 7, 1898, Mr. Truman was united in marriage at March, England, with Edith Emilie Morton, of Grandford House, whose birth occurred there on February 25, 1875. Mrs. Truman is a twin daughter of the late William Morton, of Grandford House, who was the most extensive farmer and landowner in that vicinity. He died in April, 1905.

In religion, Mr. Truman is an adherent of the faith of the Church of England. Politically, he is allied with the Conservatives, and belongs to the March Conservative Association, a political organization. On the Conservative ticket he was elected a member of the March Town Council in April, 1905, and in the same month a member of the March Burial Board. He is a man of superior intelligence and attainments, excellent business capacity, and in his profession, ranks among the foremost in England.

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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, pages 1023-1024, extracted 07 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass.