He was a farmer but studied law with a local attorney and was finallye lected judge.
Residences & events in his life;
1875 After his wife died, he moved back in with his parents, probablys o his family could help take care of his small daughter, Bertha.
1880 E Nelson Twp, Moultrie Co, IL. He was still living with hispare nts as a farmer when the census taker passed by.
1900 Sullivan, Moultrie Co, IL. In this census his occupation wascou nty judge. He and Rosa had 3 children and 8 year oldgranddaughter, Et hel, living with them.
The following is recorded in the history of the French Cemetery ofMoul trie Co, IL:
"During the funeral of Mrs. Eldridge (Matilda) A. Goodwin in 1897, thew eather was so bad that the children nearly froze. It was thendecided t o build a chapel. Instead, Jack French, Walter Delana, JohnD. Purvis a nd Columbia Misenhiemer went to the 1905 St. Louis World'sFair and pur chased a building complete with chairs. This was movedadjacent to the c emetery. These same chairs have recently been givento families of the i nterred for keepsakes. There never was anorganized church but church a nd Sunday school were well attended.The chapel is now used for Memori al Services only."
His obituary in one newspaper simply stated:
"John D. Purvis ex County Judge of Moultrie County died Sunday at homei n Sullivan. Buried at French Cemetery Monday. Born in East Nelsontow nship 54 years ago."
Another had quite an extensive article:
"John D Purvis died at his home in East Nelson township at 3:15o'clock S unday afternoon, Jan. 13, 1907. He was stricken withparalysis in the s ummer of 1906, and for a short time his conditionwas serious, but he r ecovered sufficently to believe that he wouldsoon be in his normal con dition. On the evening of Nov 14 he wasagain stricken and his conditi on steadily grew worse until the endcame....The attendance of friends a nd relatives at the funeral waslarge, considering the almost impassabl e condition of theroads.....John D Purvis was always active in the aff airs of life andin business, politics, lodge, and church his counsel w as sought andhis influence felt. He was a member of the Christian chu rch inSullivan and at the time of his death was a member of the board o ftrustees. He was a member of Moultrie Lodge No 222, K of P, and was devoted to the teachings of the order. In politics he was a democratan d always was an active worker. He was twice elected county judgeof Mo ultrie county, and in his hands the business of the countycourt, the m anagement of estates and the rights of widows and orphanswere in safe k eeping. The loss of no other citizen will be morekeenly felt, especia lly in East Nelson and surrounding communitieswhere he came in close t ouch with the people as neighbor and friend."
His funeral was held on a Monday with Rev JG McNutt delivering thefune ral sermon. Ceremonial rites were performed by Moultrie Lodge222, K o f P,
