BRIMBARGER, JOHN - The history of the old soldiers of the country is very interesting. In spite of their hardships and the ill health from which they have suffered, the survivors of the mighty struggle have quietly gone on their way, faithfully discharging the duties laid upon them in civil life with the same fidelity they showed when in the field. One of Sangamon County's honored veterans is John Brimbarger, a farmer and gardener of Springfield. He was born in Gallatin County, Ill., November 20, 1840, a son of James and Matilda (Carroll) Brimbarger, the former born in Kentucky, in 1815, and the latter born in Illinois, in 1824. The father was a farmer and located in Gallatin County, making it his home for some years, or until his death, which occurred near Shawneetown. His widow went to Missouri in 1867, dying there in 1870. A brother of John Brimbarger died in Gallatin County a number of years ago.
When he was only five years old John Brimbarger came to Sangamon County, which has since continued to be his home, with the exception of his war service. He was there education and grew to manhood's estate. On August 12, 1862, he enlisted in the service of his country, in Company C, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Mallory. The regiment went into camp at Camp Butler, but two months later were ordered to Memphis, where Mr. Brimbarger was taken sick, and he was placed in Jefferson Hospital. After three weeks there he rejoined his regiment at Vicksburg in time for the first engagement, in which he participated, as well as in the three months' siege. After this he was returned to Memphis, where he was placed on the Veteran Reserve Corps and assigned to guard duty at the prisons. This continued to be his work during the remainder of his service, when he was honorably discharged.
On December 13, 1883, Mr. Brimbarger was married to Fannie F. James, daughter of George B. James. She was born March 13, 1852, and brought from Indiana to Springfield by her parents, who later moved to Barclay, Ill. The father died in 1905 and the mother in 1908. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brimbarger: Tillie, wife of Alva Lanam of Riverton, employed by the Illinois Central Railroad; Lessie, wife of Philip Spain, living at home; Ora, wife of Tanier Baxter, a butcher by trade, residing at Rochester; Frank lives near Riverton and is a farmer. Mr. Brimbarger has two grandchildren, of whom one, Dorothy Spain, lives with him, and Cecil Lanam, of Riverton.
In politics Mr. Brimbarger is a consistent member of the Republican party, giving it his hearty support upon all occasions. The Christian Church holds his membership and he contributes to it both time and money. His comfortable modern home is surrounded by two and one-half acres of land, tastefully laid out, on which he produces magnificent vegetables and flowers.
Although he has almost reached the age of three score years and ten, he is active and enjoys his simple pleasures in a way many men much his junior might envy. All his life he has worked hard, and the material comforts he now enjoys have been honestly earned by personal effort. His children have been carefully reared, given good educations, and fitted for the battle of life. For sixty-three years he has been an honored resident of Sangamon County, during which time he has witnessed many remarkable changes, and he is proud of this fact and of the part he has borne in the general upbuilding of his community. Such as he can be relied upon as being the supporters of good government and advocates of all measures that have for their object the advancement of the common people.