ZIPRIEN LAMAR is one of the oldest of the native born citizens of Calhoun County, of which he is now a respected farmer, owning and occupying a good farm located about two miles north of Hardin. He was born on the present site of Hardin, December 24, 1830. His father, who bore the same name as himself, was a native of France, and coming from there to the United States, settled on the present site of Hardin and was one of the earliest pioneers of Calhoun County. His useful career was cut short by his untimely death in his pioneer home in 1831. His wife survived him until 1840, when she too passed away. Her name in her maiden days was Lida Digerlie.
Her parents were natives of Canada and were of French ancestry. The subject of this sketch was left an orphan at an early age and was taken care of by his uncle until he was able to earn his own living. He was obliged to start out in life on his own account when he was very young. In his youthful days but very little farming was done in this county the land being timber and the people were employed to a very great extent in getting wood, hoop poles, staves, etc., and our subject was thus employed for seven years.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Lamar bought eighty acres of land in Hardin Precinct, which he soon sold however and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land in the same precinct. He cleared a portion of it and lived thereon about five years, when he bought where he now resides. His present farm contains forty-nine acres of finely tilled land, supplied with neat buildings and all necessary improvements. Mr. Lamar has here a fine orchard of about nine acres of choice fruit from which he derives a good income. He is industrious, is a man of good habits, and by thrifty and wise management has been enabled to secure a competency.
Our subject has had the valuable co-operation of a good wife since 1858 when he was wedded to Miss Sarah Carpunky. Mrs. Lamar's father, John B. Carpunky, was a Canadian by birth and one of the early settlers of Pike County. He was married there to Rachael Johnson, who now resides with her daughter in Hamburg Precinct. Her parents were among the early settlers of Pike County, locating there when Illinois was a Territory. Mr. Carpunky came to Calhoun County with his family in 1840 and spent the remainder of his days here.
Mr. and Mrs. Lamar have the following seven children living: Maria, Charlie, Joseph Z., August, Dennis, Katie and Mollie. Mr. and Mrs. Lamar are members of St. Michael's Catholic Church and are greatly esteemed in their neighborhood for their personal worth.
Extracted 16 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, published in 1891, pages 464-465
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