JOHN BOURCHIER carries on agricultural pursuits on section 34, Carbondale Township, Jackson County, where he has a good farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres of rich land. Of this, one hundred acres are under a high state of cultivation, and yield to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them. He also raises a good grade of stock. The neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a practical and progressive farmer.
Mr. Bourchier was born in County Limerick, Ireland, July 27, 1846, and is a son of Thomas and Maria (Hines) Bourchier, both of whom were natives of the Emerald Isle, the former born in 1819, and the latter in 1820. The year 1849 witnessed their emigration to America. They landed at New Orleans and spent a year and a-half in that city, after which they came to Jackson County. In his native land Mr. Bourchier had engaged in the grocery and bakery business, and after coming to America was employed as a salesman in a dry-goods store for a time. He knew nothing about farming, but secured a tract of land on which was a log cabin. His nearest neighbor was four miles distant, and it was eleven miles to the nearest post office. Practical experience made him a good agriculturist, and in course of time he developed a fine farm, on which he made his home until his death. He served as School Director for the last twenty years of his life, and was a prominent citizen. He and his wife were members of the Catholic Church. His death occurred September 15, 1881, and she passed away on the 30th of November following.
Our subject was only three years old when brought by his parents to the New World. He was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, and aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm. He took charge of the old homestead on the death of his parents, and it has since been his property.
In 1872 Mr. Bourchier was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of George and Amanda (McCullom) Simmons, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, the former born in 1823, and the latter in 1826. They were married in that state, and thence emigrated to Illinois. The father was a soldier in the Mexican War. Mrs. Bourchier was born in Randolph County, Ill., on the 2d of June, 1851, and acquired her education in the schools of Chester and the Southern Illinois State Normal University. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and presides with grace over her hospitable home. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children: Thomas, Laura E., Anna M., George, Clarence R. and Nellie.
Mr. Bourchier takes quite an interest in political affairs, and by his ballot supports the men and measures of the Democracy. He has served as School Director, and the cause of education receives his hearty support. He and his wife are devout and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also take an active interest in the work of the Sunday school. The family is one of prominence in this community and well deserves representation in this volume.
Extracted from Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois, published in 1894, page 342.