My Genealogy Hound

R. E. GIFFORD, grocer, McLean; one of the active business men of McLean; is a native of Watertown, N. Y.; born in April, 1850, and at the age of 2 years came West with his people, they locating in Pike Co., where he remained until March, 1864, then located at McLean, McLean Co. At the age of 19 years, he engaged with Mr. Aldrich, with whom he remained for three years. In 1864, he began traveling for C. Wakefield & Co., of Bloomington, his route being principally through Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska; he was with Mr. Wakefield until the spring of 1878, when he decided to engage in business on his own account. In a short time after leaving the road, he located at McLean, and embarked in the grocery trade, which he has since continued with good success; his stock consists of a general assortment of goods—a full line of groceries and provisions, queensware, china and glassware, fresh and canned fruits, syrups, oils, smoked, pickled and dried meats, brushes; nails, salt, and garden seeds, and, in fact, everything pertaining to a well-stocked grocery and general assortment store; he is pleasant and courteous in his treatment of customers, his four years’ experience on the road having taught him many valuable ideas of commerce.