Eldred, William

BIOGRAPHIES
1905 PAST and PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY ILLINOIS

Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.


   


Page 396

WILLIAM ELDRED, deceased, was for many years prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Greene county. He was a native of Connecticut and of English lineage. The progenitors of the Eldred family in America were three brothers of the name, who, leaving England, braved the dangers incident to an ocean voyage at that early period and established their homes in New England about three hundred years ago.

His father, Joshephat Eldred, was also a native of Connecticut and was a soldier of the war of 1812. The family was established in Herkimer county, New York, at an early period in its development and was there represented until 1820, when the father removed with his family to Illinois, arriving in that year at Ridge Prairie, below St. Louis. The following season, however, he came to Carrollton, locating west of the town. He secured a tract of land about two and a half miles from that city and this is now a part of the celebrated Eldred farm, being still in possession of his descendants.

William Eldred came with the family to Greene county and cast in his lot with the early pioneer settlers, sharing in the hardships and trials incident to life on the frontier. He also assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm, turning the first furrow upon many a field. He continued to reside upon the old family homestead up to the time of his death. Successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits.

In early manhood Mr. Eldred married Miss Ruth Brace, a native of Herkimer county, New York. Her father came to Illinois about 1827 and established his home in Greene county. He was then quite well advanced in years and after his removal to the west he practically lived retired from business. Mr. and Mrs. Eldred were the parents of twelve children. He died on the 24th of July, 1854, when sixty-four years of age, and his wife, long surviving him, passed away in September, 1888, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Both were respected and worthy people, enjoying the warm friendship of many and the high regard of all with whom they were associated. Mrs. Eldred was a lady of many excellent traits of character which gained for her the love and admiration of all. Mr. Eldred was regarded as one of the representative men of his day, progressive in citizenship, active and enterprising in business and influential in public affairs. He was always found on the side of right, improvement and justice, and he left to his family an honored name.


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