My Genealogy Hound

STEELMAN, A. L. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 9, P.O. Barrow. Mr. Steelman is one of the leading farmers of Greene County, and was born in Surrey County, North Carolina, April 19, 1824, He was the second child of James and Catherine Steelman, who emigrated to Illinois from Tennessee in 1851. It should be stated, however, that Ashley Steelman became a resident of Greene County prior to this settling, in 1843. He was then married, his family consisting of a wife and one child, his capital thirty-five cents. Renting a house in Wilmington, he now looked about him for work. Becoming employed as a farm hand, working at the rate of $10 per month, for the late Judge Woodson, he worked one year; when war was declared between Mexico and the United States he enlisted in Company D, 2d Ill. Reg. as 3d sergeant, and was afterward elected by the company orderly sergeant, serving under General Scott; mustered out of Uncle Sam’s service at Alton, Illinois. He was married, on his return home, to Martha J. Ford, a daughter of James Ford. In 1851 or 1852 Mr. Steelman entered 80 acres of land, which is comprised in the property he now owns, and 40 acres north of this. From this small acreage came an estate of over 500 acres. In conclusion, it may be stated, Mr. Steelman’s success in life is due to no lucky chance, but to solid hard work, uniting energy and honesty. His marriage took place in 1849.