My Genealogy Hound

WHITFORD, HENRY S., farmer; Sec. 7; P. O. Keokuk Junction; is the son of Thomas and Martha (Stafford) Whitford, of Rhode Island. He was born in that state, Dec. 6, 1808; learned the tailors’ trade in Providence, R. I.; followed it for nine years; came to Illinois and settled in Clayton township in the spring of 1833; built the house and located where he now resides, in 1859; married Mary James, of Rhode Island, Oct. 20, 1820; had one child, Mary C., now living in Rhode Island; married the second time to Sarah A. Downing, Jan. 16, 1840. She was born in Clark county, Ind., in 1820. This union resulted in nine children: Albert R., James T., Aseneth (deceased), Lydia A., Charles G. (deceased), Edward C., John S., Harriet E. (deceased), and Nancy M. (deceased). Mrs. Whitford died May 6, 1856. His third marriage took place Feb. 7, 1861, to Myra C. Clark. She was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., March 7, 1829. Have five children: Henry B., Alice E., Dora A., Fannie C., and Daniel W. Mr. Whitford is a member of the M. E. church, and Mrs. Whitford of the Presbyterian church. He came to Illinois when the country about him was the habitation of the deer and wolf, and Indian. Little of the soil had been disturbed by the white man. He started in life unaided; has by industry and business tact been quite successful, besides helping each child to some $1,400 as a start in life on arriving at their majority. He now owns 720 acres of land, most of it finely improved. His father was a sea captain, and lost his life on the briny deep in 1816. His mother came west and died in Adams county in Jan. 27, 1872.