My Genealogy Hound

ELDRED, ELON, deceased, who took a leading position among the wealthy farmers of Greene County, was born in Connecticut, in 1802. In an early day his parents moved to Herkimer County, New York, where Elon grew to manhood. About the year 1820 glowing accounts of the West reached his ears, and accordingly thither he directed his footsteps. Pleased at the prospect, he returned again to the East, where he united his fortunes to Miss Jane Stuart, and shortly thereafter he returned to Illinois, and settled at Edwardsville, Madison County, and shortly after located in Greene County, on the farm now owned by Frank M. Bridges, representative. When the family became fairly located in Greene County, a cabin composed of hewn logs was erected; it was some eighteen feet square; this was the main structure. In after years other buildings composed of logs but of smaller dimensions, were erected for the accommodation of hands, Mr. E. becoming largely engaged in the manufacture of castor oil. This cabin consisted of one room, for all intents and purposes; still, overhead was a garret, where the narrator of this sketch, Charles H. Eldred, when the shade of night drew around, climbed to his bunk beneath the rafters, oft times lying awake listening to the melodious concerts of numerous packs of wolves. After a long life of usefulness, while Elon Eldred, who had journeyed to a farm owned by him in Montgomery County, was on his return trip and near Girard, in Macoupin County, he was taken suddenly ill, and expired very suddenly. There thus passed away a man who was as remarkable in his sphere of life as Washington or Lincoln were in theirs. The owner of over 5000 acres in the State of Illinois, he had reaped the reward of the diligent. Of this marriage six children were born: William, deceased; Louisa, who married L. F. Wheeler, present mayor of Carrollton; Lucius, who married Miss Ellen Cavenaugh, of Jacksonville; Charles H., who married Adela Avery, in 1860, by whom he had one child, Dudley. Mrs. Charles Eldred died in 1864. Julia, who married Robert Pierson, the well known banker of Carrollton; and Jane who resides with her brother Charles H. in his elegant mansion east of Carrollton. It will be well to note the fact, in connection with this history, that Mrs. Elon Eldred was among the pioneer school teachers of Greene County, who merited the respect of her pupils, many of whom bear a prominent part in the annals of the State and county, among whom we mention David Pierson, Esq.