James J. Freeman, of Homer, represents the second generation of a family that has played a worthy part in the affairs of Champaign County for over sixty years, and he is managing with thrift and a high degree of prosperity a fine farm in the locality where he was born.
Mr. Freeman was born in Champaign County, May 27, 1858. His parents were Thomas and Nancy {Redman) Freeman, the father born in Ohio and the mother in Illinois. His father was one of the early agriculturists in this county and died in Champaign County in 1910, while the mother died here in 1902. Both of them died in the month of April and their birthdays were in the same month. There were six children: Mary M., deceased; Edmund E. of Ogden, Illinois; John T. of Homer; James J.; and William and Margaret, both of whom died in infancy.
James J. Freeman lived with his father until he was twenty-five years of age, and in the meantime had the advantages of the local schools and also a training which well fitted him for the responsibilities he has later assumed. At the age of twenty-five he bought a farm, subsequently having a brief mercantile experience in Homer, then returned to the farm, and for another short period was engaged in the lumber business at Homer. Mr. Freeman owns 110 acres of the old homestead of 280 acres, and also has a quarter section north of Ogden. His business is stock and grain farming and he has brought about many improvements and much increased productiveness on the land which he helped work as a boy.
Mr. Freeman married Flora E. Yount, a native of Vermilion County. Three children were born to their marriage: Cleavie, who died at the age of four years; a daughter that died in infancy; and Gordon A., at present in Battery C, Seventeenth Field Artillery. Mr. Freeman is independent in politics. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the family are members of the Presbyterian Church.