McDonough ILGenWeb

TRUMAN, John George, Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager of "Trumans' Pioneer Stud Farm" at Bushnell, McDonough County, Ill,, was born in Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire, England, January 17, 1865, a son of Jonathan Hall and Mary Elizabeth (Crane) Truman, both natives of England, where the father was born in Whittlesea, and the mother in Thorney, Huntingdonshire. His grandfather, George Truman, was a native of Yaxley, Huntingdonshire, and his grandmother, Ann (Brown) Truman, of Whittlesea. Jonathan Hall Truman, who has always maintained his residence in the land of his birth, was one of the very first to become identified with the importation of American cattle into England, and the first to introduce "Shire" and "Hackney" horses into America for business uses. In furtherance of the latter undertaking he organized the enterprise now under the management of his son, John G., in which he still holds the office of President. He is one of the most noted importers and exporters of horses and cattle in the world, and has made a very high record in that sphere of operation. An extended narrative of his life, together with interesting details pertaining to this branch of the Truman family, may be found in these pages, and Is well worthy of perusal In connection herewith.

John G. Truman was reared on the paternal farm in Cambridgeshire, and in boyhood attended school in the vicinity of his home. He received his later education in the Classical and Commercial School at Peterborough, England, from which institution he was graduated in due time. His youth was characterized by a strong liking for all kinds of animals, particularly horses, and this predilection had an important influence in shaping his subsequent career. In 1882 he came to the United States, locating at the Union Stock Yards, Chicago, and moved in 1884 to Bushnell, Ill., and taking part in the widely known concern established by his father a few years previously. With this enterprise he has been prominently identified for nearly twenty-three years, and no small degree of its prosperity and widely extended reputation are attributable to the thorough knowledge of methods and details, and the sound judgment and business sagacity which he has brought to bear in the development of the original scheme projected in 1878. He is a recognized authority on matters pertaining to pure-bred horses, is a charter member of the Saddle and Sirloin Club, Chicago, and holds the office of President of the American Shire Horse Association. In the course of his participation in the affairs of "Trumans' Pioneer Stud Farm," Mr. Truman has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and has made fifty-two round trips across the Atlantic Ocean.

On July 28, 1887, Mr. Truman was united in marriage, at Avon, Fulton County, Ill., with Lulu Gertrude Tompkins, who was born in that town, and whose parents were among the very earliest settlers in Fulton County, locating in Avon when the place bore the name of Woodstock. From this union two children have been born: Jonathan Hall Truman, Jr., born in June, 1888, and Herbert Arthur Truman, born in May, 1894. The religious connection of Mr. Truman is with the Church of England. Politically, he is allied with the Republican party. In fraternal circles, he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of the Mystic Workers of the World. Socially and in business relations he is held in high regard, and his earnest interest in public affairs bears evidence of superior intelligence and clear discernment.

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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 1024-1025, extracted 07 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass.