ISRAEL OLIVE

OLIVE

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/21/2020 at 12:34:00

ISRAEL OLIVE, the enterprising proprietor of Mr. Olive farm, on section 18, Prescott township, was born in Lancashire, England, April 3, 1843, a son of Matthew Olive, a native of the same place. His mother, whose maiden name was Miriam Cochran, was born in Scotland, of Scotch parents. Israel was eight years old when his father came to America, and they labored assiduously to earn the money with which to bring over the rest of the family, which was accomplished in about two years. The family then settled in La Salle county, Illinois, at Split Rock, where father and son opened and worked the best coal mine in that county. The mother died there, and the father died at Springfield, that State, at the age of seventy-four years. Six of their children grew up. One of them, John, joined the One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the war, and was killed at Duval's Bluff, Arkansas, when thirty years of age. Another son, Thomas, lives in Prescott township; Robert was killed in a coal mine in England; and the second Robert, named after the first, was killed by an accident in La Salle county, Illinois, when a small boy.

Mr. Israel Olive grew up to manhood in La Salle county, followed coal- mining and other occupations for twenty years there and then settled on ninety-two acres of wild prairie in Adams county, where he has since made his home. He now owns 215 acres, - the "Mr. Olive farm," which is one of the best in the township. On it is a fine modern dwelling, 18 x 24 feet, with an L 14 x 16 feet, and both two stories high, beautifully adorned surroundings and farm buildings and appurtenances, all in good condition. The barn is 32 x 46 feet, with 20-foot center posts. On this beautiful homestead the proprietor and his family can spend their days in comfort.

Mr. Olive was married in Ottawa, La Salle county, Illinois, January 2, 1874, to Miss Ellen Bush, a native of Scotland and a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Watson) Bush, also of Scotch nativity. Her father died June 29, 1885, and her mother is living with her. The Bush family came to America in 1853, settling in Pennsylvania, and in 1862 they removed to La Salle county, Illinois. Mrs. Olive has one brother, James Bush, at Streator, that county. Mr. and Mrs. Olive have five children living, namely: Thomas, Charley, Estella, Maggie and Cora.

Mr. Olive is a Republican, is an Oddfellow and was reared a Methodist. Mrs. Olive was brought up a Presbyterian, but in Illinois united with the Baptist church.