|
Thomas Ellwell, blacksmith in the village of Reedyville, is a native of Knox county Ohio, born November 21, 1835. He emigrated to McDonough county, Illinois, and located, with his mother, on a farm in Eldorado township. In the spring of 1849 he went to Vermont, Fulton county, and there engaged with T. G. Wisdon to learn the blacksmith trade, and with whom he served and apprenticeship of three years. He then went to Quincy, Illinois, and worked three months as a journeyman blacksmith, for T. J. Weatherwax; remained with him three months, then returned to McDonough county, and worked two months at his trade for Andrew J. Donelson, after which he went to Browning, Schuyler county, and remained three years, still following his trade. While in that place he was married, in 1858, to Ellen E. Edwards, who was born in Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, August 16, 1839. They have had six children, five of whom are living -- Mary E., aged 25, now married to C. M. Sylvester, of Fairfield, Clay County, Nebraska; Henry M., aged 22; Fannie M., aged 18; James H., aged 16; and Lewis G., aged 13 years. Angeline C. is deceased. Mr. Elwell built the house in which he now occupies, in 1870. It cost $500, and was the first house erected in the village of Reedyville. He is a republican in politics, and an enterprising and useful citizen. Transcribed by Darla Stimbert January 2004 History of McDonough County, Illinois : together with
sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and
political history, portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the
representative citizens : history of Illinois, embracing accounts of the
pre-historic and historic races and a brief review of its civil and military
history. |