Ellis, James

ATLAS MAP
OF
SCOTT COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1873

 Andreas, Lyter & Co., Davenport, Iowa


Transcribed by: Becky Jenkins

Page 37

JEREMIAH HURD.-This pioneer was born in Burneston, Yorkshire, England, in 1809. George HURD, the father of the above, was a farmer, and was born and lived on the same property that his father occupied before him. There were four children in all, of whom Jeremiah was the eldest. He assisted his father on the farm, and at intervals attended school at Scarborough, about four miles distant from his home. Gilbert FOX, the teacher, was a man of considerable ability, and the young student drank deep at the fountain of knowledge. He remained at home assisting his father till thirty years of age, when he received by will of his late grandfather a fine body of land, upon which he immediately removed. About a year after his obtaining the property, he was married to Miss Elizabeth HARRISON, daughter of George HARRISON, Esq., the comptroller and surveyor of the custom house at Scarborough. The ceremony took place the same day that Victoria was crowned Queen of Great Britain. After a while, having three sons, he was anxious to emigrate to America, where he could obtain plenty of land for his children. Accordingly, after having counseled with the best lawyers of London, he sold his land and emigrated to America. The family embarked at Liverpool, and after a pleasant voyage of nearly seven weeks, arrived in New York on the 12th of August, 1842. Mr. HURD immediately proceeded west with his family, and after looking over the country, visiting friends in Morgan and Scott counties, in the spring of 1843 purchased a farm, upon which his family still resides. At the date of his death, in 1864, he possessed over one thousand and five acres of choice land. He dealt largely in stock, and paid especial attention to the raising of sheep, in which branch he obtained a great reputation. In the raising of wheat he was an adept, and no one in the county could obtain a better price for the same. Besides being a good business man, he was kind and liberal to the poor, and ever extended a helping hand to the new comer. His business career was without a stain, and his moral character is without reproach. Every act of his life was open and above suspicion.
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