Excerpts from the HISTORY OF BUREAU COUNTY, H.C. Bradsby, Editor, 
Chicago: World Publishing Co. 1885
 
J. R. EARNEST, Princeton, was born July 8, 1842, in Bedford, Penn. He is 
the son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Sill) Earnest, both of whom were 
born in Pennsylvania. They came to Bureau County, Ill., in 1854. By 
occupation the father was a mechanic; he died in this county. Mr. J. R. 
Earnest’s life has mostly been spent in the schoolroom, either as a 
scholar or an instructor. He first attended the Northwestern College at 
Plainfield, Ill., after which he taught five terms of school in Bureau 
County; he then took a complete business course in the Bryant and 
Stratton Business College, of Chicago. After graduating at the business 
college, he kept books for B. R. Moss in the City Mills, of Princeton. 
He then again engaged in teaching, and continued till 1870, when he 
removed to Oskaloosa, Kan., at which place he was Principal of the city 
schools for two years, and then was elected County Superintendent of 
Public Instruction. Mr. Earnest served one term in this office, after 
which he removed to Springdale, Kan., and was again engaged in teaching 
for two years. He then returned to Princeton, Ill., and for two years 
was Principal of the schools of DePue; he then engaged in farming, which 
occupation he followed till 1883, when he was appointed agent for the 
American Express Company at Princeton, which position he now fills. He 
was married in Princeton, Ill., to Miss Annie E Charlton, who was born 
in Philadelphia, Penn., November 27, 1846. She is the daughter of Henry 
and Sarah (Clee) Charlton, both natives of England. To Mr. And Mrs. 
Earnest one child – Alpha F. – was born June 16, 1874. Both Mr. And Mrs. 
Earnest are members of the Congregational Church. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. /[my edit: Independent Order of Odd Fellows]/, and in 
politics is Republican.