DAVID STEAD. England has sent so many of her sons to this country, and they are almost always of so good a class of people, that we have come to look upon them as most desirable acquisitions in every community. To say that a man is an Englishman, is usually a pledge for his standing as a loyal American in all questions of equity and right. Our subject is not only of English parentage but he himself was born in the quaint portion of England, in which the dialect is so broad as to remind one of the variety in origin of its people. He was born in Yorkshire, November 22, 1829. Mr. Stead now is the owner of a fine farm located on section 10, of Nilwood Township.
The parents of our subject were Benjamin and Martha (Taylor) Stead. They were both natives of Yorkshire. The paternal grandfather of the original of our sketch was also Benjamin Stead. He lived and died in Yorkshire, England, having followed the calling of a farmer for the greater portion of his life. David Stead's father emigrated to America early in the �40s, and at once settled in Nilwood Township, Macoupin County, where one year afterward his decease took place. His wife followed him in 1858.
Of a family of eight children our subject was the fourth; his early education was received in his native country, and he came to America with his father and settled with the family in Nilwood Township, July 6, 1851. The next important event in his history was his marriage to Miss Mary A. Boston. She was born in Harrison County, Ind., June 4, 1829. Her parents were Beverly and Elizabeth (Boston) Boston. The former was a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. After their marriage they settled in Floyd County, Ind. The father came to Macoupin County, in 1833, the family following him a short time after. They settled in what is now Nilwood Township, where the mother died, September 7, 1851. The father died in September, 1853. They had ten children, of whom Mrs. Stead was the ninth.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of five children. They are Benjamin A., who is a farmer in Montgomery County, this State; George N., who follows his father's calling in Nilwood Township; John H., who is an agriculturist, also of Nilwood Township; James D., who is also a farmer. The second child, William E. died in childhood. All of Mr. Stead's life has been engaged in devotion to his agricultural pursuits. His farm of three hundred and twenty acres located most favorably is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. His residence is especially noticeable, proclaiming its builder a man of taste as well as judgment. All the comforts and conveniences that give the people of the present day so much the advantage of those of years ago are to be found about the house. His townsmen have shown their confidence in Mr. Stead's ability in executive matters, by appointing him a School Trustee. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which the former has been an Elder for many years. Mrs. Stead is a woman whose amiability and charm of manner endear her to friends and commend her to acquaintances. A woman whose realm is in her family life, but who always has a kind and encouraging word for any one in trouble. She and her husband are generous and open hearted, and are counted among the progressive people of the township.