My Genealogy Hound

JAMES TODD, who is one of the oldest settlers of Perry County, has been successful as a farmer, and his understanding of agriculture in its various departments is broad and deep. He owns four hundred acres of land, one hundred of which he has improved and has erected thereon attractive and commodious buildings. Mr. Todd is a native of Ireland, having been born in Londonderry, in 1830. His parents, Joseph and Anna (Shannon) Todd, having decided to come to America when he was a lad of nine years, he accompanied them on their journey across the Atlantic and has ever since made his home in the New World.

The parental family included eight children, of whom our subject was the eldest. The other members of the household are: Patrick A., a farmer in Washington County, this state; Catherine, the wife of Charles Latchner, of St. Louis; Mary J., deceased wife of Peter Readelbarger; Richard P., also deceased; Joseph, who resides in Texas; Annie, Mrs. Patrick Smith, and Thomas, who resides on the old homestead and is the possessor of about three hundred acres of land.

The father of our subject established the first sawmill in Perry County in 1854, and with the aid of his sons conducted that enterprise until 1870. He departed this life in 1880, at the age of eighty-two years. His father, the grandfather of our subject, after coming to the United States followed his trade of a baker for a number of years, and settling in St. Louis in 1842, remained in the Mound City until his removal to Perry County.

The lady whom our subject married in 1873 was Mrs. Ann (Riley) Anderson, a native of County Cavan, Ireland. As before stated, Mr. Todd owns four hundred acres of land, and the success which he has gained is that of which he is worthy. His property has been gained through much hard labor on his part, and he is a man who has the confidence of all, his word being considered as good as his bond. In his political relations our subject is a stanch Democrat and for twenty years was Trustee of his township. His brother Thomas, who is likewise very prominent in political affairs, has been Township Treasurer seven years. Mr. Todd and his family are members of the Catholic Church and are classed among the substantial citizens of the township.