My Genealogy Hound

JOHN NORTH, deceased, formerly of Gridley Township; was born in Lincolnshire, England, Nov. 4, 1812, and there resided until his removal to this country. He was one of number of brothers who settled in the western Part of Gridley Township and the eastern part of Woodford Co., several years ago. He was married in England, in June, 1838, to Miss Rachel Ratcliffe, who was also born in Lincolnshire, March 4, 1818; about the year 1850, he emigrated to the United States, and settled in Washington, Tazewell Co., Ill., and in 1854 removed to Woodford Co., just across the line from McLean, and, after several years, to the place where he lived till his death. He was a successful man, and accumulated a comfortable property, leaving at his death an estate of 280 acres. He was a man of exemplary life and steady, temperate, industrious habits a member of the Baptist Church, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He died Jan. 3, 1865, leaving a family of seven children, all of whom are now living — Sarah (wife of Edmund Tippler) James R., Henry, Joseph R., Elizabeth (wife of William Bailey) Spencer H. and Ellen (wife of Harvey Leonard), all of whom are settled in the neighborhood except Henry, who lives in Oregon. Mrs. North resides on the homestead, surrounded by her children and their families, and in the enjoyment of an ample estate, and honored by the entire community.