BIOGRAPHY: Article from " History of Sangmon County" John JamesMcGovern (deceased) who was prominent in labor circles in Springfield,Illinios, had the best interests of his community at heart and wasrecognized as a public-spirited, useful citizen. He was born atNewcastle, Delaware, February 2, 1855, a son of Patrick and Elizabeth(Sheridan) McGovern. The father was a native of Ireland and came toAmerica as a young man. After living several years in Delaware, hewent to Weir City, Kansas locating on a farm nearby. The mother wasalso a native of Ireland and they had 5 other children