BIOGRAPHY - JAMES SHAMBROOK
James R. Shambrook, who owns and operates eighty acres of rich and productive land on section 6, Lyman township, was born in that township on the 1st of May, 1878, a son of John and Mary (Parkin) Shambrook, who were both natives of Devonshire, England. The father, whose birth occurred in 1827, emigrated to the new world in 1854, first locating in Tazewell county, Illinois, whence he came to Ford county in 1866. In the year 1857 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Parkin, of Woodford county, Illinois, who departed this life in 1874. John Shambrook passed away on the 30th of December, 1900, in his seventy-third year, his death being occasioned by heart failure. He was one of the first settlers in this section of the state and took a prominent part in many of the events which constitute its early history. He lived to see this region transformed from swamp land into the most fertile district of this great commonwealth, and in the work of reclamation he bore his full share. When his remains were laid to rest in the Roberts cemetery the county mourned the loss of one of its honored pioneer settlers and influential citizens. One of the eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Shambrook died in infancy, the others being: Fred, of Ford county; Mrs. V. Montz; James R., of this review; Harrison, who resides in this vicinity; Mrs. Ida Toon, of Pontiac, Illinois; Mrs. S. Moller, who makes her home at Forrest, Illinois; and Susie, living in Washburn, Illinois.
James R. Shambrook acquired his education in the common schools of his native county, and remained with his father until he had attained to mature years. He then purchased eighty acres of land on section 6, Lyman township, where he still resides and has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement through the utilization of modern and progressive methods of agriculture. Though still a young man he has already gained a gratifying measure of success in his farming operations, and is widely and favorably known throughout the community.
In 1899 Mr. Shambrook was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Taylor, who was born in Brenton township, Ford county, Illinois, in 1883, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Prather) Taylor, the former a native of England and the latter of Ohio. The parents of Mrs. Shambrook had a family of six children and are still living in Brenton township, Ford county. Unto our subject and his wife were born three children, namely: Marion Eugene, Faye Elizabeth and Glenn John.
In his political views Mr. Shambrook has always been a republican, believing that the principles of this party are most conducive to good government. Both he and his wife support the Presbyterian church and are highly esteemed throughout this locality as people of genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character, having gained the confidence and regard of all with whom they have come in contact.
Extracted 17 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 857-858.
