 |
 ASIL B. REDMAN has been a prominent
figure among the farmers and stock-growers
of Ashmore Township since the spring of
1859. He then located upon an uncultivated
tract of land where is now his valuable farm of 160
acres, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation. He deals largely in high-grade Short-horn
cattle and Norman horses. He has a handsome
residence and other buildings, and is in all respects
one of the representative men of an intelligent
community. The farm is located on section 33, in
the southern part of the township, and from its location and natural surroundings is one of the most
desirable in that section. Mr. Redman is a native of the Prairie State, and first drew breath in Edgar County, Jan. 12, 1832. He is the son of Joseph and Lucy (Bennett) Redman, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. Joseph Redman was born about 1785, and came to Illinois in 1831. He lookup his abode in Edgar County, followed farming, and became a man highly respected among his fellow-citizens. He was a member of the Old Baptist Church, and was noted for his integrity and kindly Christian charcter. He served as School Trustee during the establishment of the first school in the county, and in all his dealings bore the reputation of an honest and straightforward citizen. He died in 1850, upou the homestead which he had built up in Edgar County. The mother survived her husband about four years, and was sixty years of age at the time of her death. She was a lady in every respect fitted to be the companion of her husband, and was a member of the same church. Their children were John, Vincent, Amanda; Solomon, now deceased; Harrison, Warder, Hilton, Eli, Lucy, Lancaster; Basil B., of our sketch; Mary, Emily and Joseph. Our subject was reared on the farm in Edgar County, attended the district schools during his childhood and youth, and early in life made himself useful around the homestead. After passing his twenty-third birthday he married Miss Eliza J. Kester, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride’s parents in Edgar County, Ill., in October, 1858. This lady died after becoming the mother of one child, Orson, who after reaching manhood was married to Miss Mary Corty, and is now fanning in Edgar County. Mr. Redman was the second time united in marriage, to Miss Matilda Cornwell, the ceremony taking place at the home of the bride, Nov. 8, 1859, Rev. P. K. Honn, of the Christian Church, officiating. Mrs. Redman, a native of Kentucky, was born May 11, 1837, and is the daughter of Hiram and Lucy (Toler) Cornwell, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. Hiram Cornwell was born in January, 1812, and his wife in 1820. He has followed farming all his life, and both parents are living, making their home in Ashmore Township. They are worthy members of society, and belong to the Christian Church. Their ten children were Ann, Mary, James, Bennett, Susan, George, Lucy, William, Dora and Missouri. Mr. and Mrs, Redman after their marriage, located on their present farm, which was then but a tract of uncultivated prairie. The wife has labored equally with her husband to build up the attractive homestead which now greets the eye of the passerby, and where their children were born. Their eldest daughter, Annie, born in 1860, is now a resident of Ashmore Township; Emma, born July 31, 1861, was taken from the household circle by death on the 17th of April, 1876, when an interesting young girl fifteen years of age; Olive, born in 1862, died Aug. 7, 1877; Willie, born Sept. 27, 1866, married Miss Laura N. Zink, and is farming in Ashmore Township; Alva, born Oct. 9, 1869, is still a member of the parental household. |
 |
| Return To Contents |
|