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Below is a family biography included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published by Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ARDINGER, J. W. flouring mill, Greenfield, was born in Washington County, Indiana, Jan. 1, 1838; was the son of Charles and Jane Ardinger, who were both of German descent. Mr. Ardinger is a knight of the pick; his father before him being an old-time miller and is now running a large flouring mill in Williamsport, Maryland. In the early part of the life of J. W. he remained with his father until he obtained his majority, when he then set out for himself in Baltimore, where he remained three years until the outbreak of the war. when he enlisted in the first Maryland Cavalry, and remained three years and three months, with Col. Wetsky, Banks’ Division; daring which time the regiment was engaged in doing scouting and skirmishing duty, yet were engaged in several engagements daring the war, Anteitam, Gettysburg and others. Mr. Ardinger was married Nov. 10, 1859, to Susan Ellen Albert, daughter of George Albert; by this marriage they had nine children, seven of whom are now living, viz.: Mary, William, George, Susan, Fannie, Charles, Winnie. In Aug. 1864, Mr. Ardinger moved to this State; he has made several changes; went first to Springfield, where he remained for eighteen months; from there to Logan County, Mt. Pulaski, where he remained at his business for a term of seven years, when he moved to Carlinville, remained one year, then went to Girard, where he remained until Feb. 1876, then came to Greenfield and since remained. First he was in partnership with Haven and French, and the next year he purchased one-half of the mill and has since retained it. When Mr. Ardinger came here the mill was very badly out of repair, and as a result, the trade was very poor, but since the present management the mill has been thoroughly repaired being now in first-class order, and by doing first-class work, and square dealing with the people, he has now built up a fine trade, and now have all they can do, and from the known ability of the proprietors, success will attend their further efforts.

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This family biography is one of 744 biographies included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Greene County, Illinois

View additional Greene County, Illinois family biographies here: Greene County, Illinois Biographies

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