Among the prosperous and substantial farmers in this vicinity we should surely place the name of the genial and capable gentleman that introduces this paragraph, for he deserves representation in the history of his County.
John H. Utt was born in Jersey County, Illinois, in 1842, being the son of John and Nancy (Gardner) Utt, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was born in 1800, came as a pioneer to Illinois when there was but one store in Alton. He took part in the Black Hawk War and is now dead. The mother died in 1861.
Our subject remained with his father on the farm, gaining from the country schools the educational discipline needed to assist him in the battles of life, until he was of age. Then he went to Plumas County, California, and farmed for five years. In 1883, he settled in Chautauqua County, Kansas, where his home was for sixteen years. In 1866 Mr. Utt went to Illinois and married Miss Nancy, daughter of James and Nancy Armstrong. Mrs. Utt was born in Illinois, and in 1883 was called from her happy home by death, leaving her husband and four children to mourn her loss. The children are named as follows, Rufus, in Nez Perces County; Jennie Bothwick, in Little Rock, Arkansas; John E., in Palouse, Washington; Mony. Mr. Utt has the following named brothers and sister, Henry, William, deceased, Sarah J., deceased.
Mr. Utt is interested in political matters and is associated with the Democratic and Populist parties. His brother William was a participant in the great struggle of the Civil war and fought for his country Mr. Utt is quite active in advocating good schools and general progress. He owns a good farm in Cedar Vale, Kansas, in addition to the quarter section where he resides, one mile southwest from Peck. He took this last land with his government right in 1899. Since that time he has devoted himself to its improvement and is one of the respected men of the vicinity, being public spirited and ever ready to aid his fellows in the race of life.
Back to: Nez Perce Biographies
Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903