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Subject: [PIATT] Ben Pyatt, Morgan Co IL
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 17:59:45 +0000

Another Benjamin, another Sheriff. The following biographical sketch was found
at:

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmorgan/1894/pyatt.htm

*****
Plat Book of Morgan County, Illinois 1894.

BENJAMIN PYATT, ESQ., sheriff of Morgan county, is a native of Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania, and was born in the city of Pittsburg, May 20, 1820. He is the
fifth child of Benjamin and Margaret Pyatt. Benjamin followed the occupation of
carpenter and builder. The ancestors of Mr. Pyatt were French; his wife was of
Irish extraction. In 1836 he emigrated from Pittsburg to Missouri, locating in
Marion county, where he resided till 1848. He then moved to Jacksonville,
Illinois, where he spent the residue of his life. His death occurred March
17, 1866, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Pyatt survived his death
till August 5, 1871, dying at the age of eighty-two years. Benjamin Pyatt, Jr.,
received his early education in the schools of Pittsburg, attaining a solid
education for those times. When about the age of eighteen, he became an
apprentice to the cigar and tobacco business. He moved to Missouri with his
parents, at the above-stated time, and from 1841 till the spring of 1843, he
carried on cigar making, at Palmyra, Missouri, and there became acquainted with
Miss Mary A. Leer, to whom he was married March 28, 1842. She is the daughter of
John and Catharine Leer, formerly of Paris, Kentucky. Mr. Pyatt and wife had a
family of eight children, five of whom are still living; one son and one daughter
are married. Mr. Pyatt has given his children the advantages of a good business
education. In February, 1843, he removed with his family to Jacksonville, where
he has since carried on the tobacco business quite largely, and has been
successful in making it a lucrative enterprise. The firm is now known as B.
Pyatt & Son. It is said to be the largest tobacco house in this portion of the
state, and now, after a period of about thirty years, it is in its most
flourishing condition. At one time, this firm employed twenty-two hands in the
manufacturing department. Mr. Pyatt made his start in life with ninety-five cents
in money, and an abundance of energy, coming, as he did, to Missouri when it was
almost in its primitive state; and of course, he had many hardships to endure. In
November, 1870, Mr. Pyatt was elected sheriff of Morgan county, by a large
majority, and is the present incumbent. In early life, Mr. Pyatt became a member
of the democratic party and has always advocated its principles. His first vote
was given in the interests of that party, though he now expects to take a new
departure for Horace Greeley; and on the expiration of his official term he
intends to resume his former business. As a politician, he has always been active
and efficient. Mr. Pyatt and family are members of the Christian church. He is a
prominent and influential member of the order of the "mystic tie". His life
has been one of earnest, hard work.

--
Laverne Ingram Piatt
Ontario, OH
lapiatt@.att.net

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