My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD HEALEA, farmer; P. O. Empire. The subject of this sketch was born in Harrison Co.. Ohio, May 1, 1829; he was raised upon the farm of his father, until 19 years of age, when, in 1848, he rented land and engaged in farming until 1856, when, with four horses and a Pitt’s thresher, he started West, continuing his journey until he arrived in Empire Township, where, after setting up his machine and threshing a few bushels, he disposed of the same and one team of horses, driving the others back to Ohio, and the following summer again brought a thresher to Empire Township, which he sold after using one season, and, in the spring of 1858, he removed with his family to McLean Co., where, after putting in his crop upon rented land, he ordered a threshing machine from Ohio, following threshing during the season for sixteen years; he still owns this machine and now declares it to be as good as new. Mr. Healea continued to live upon rented land until 1868, when he removed upon his present place, which he had purchased in 1865, and which he has since brought from its wild prairie condition to a high state of cultivation. He owns 160 acres upon his home farm, upon which he has expended a large amount of skillful labor, as the pleasing surroundings of his dwelling will at once show. In front of his residence he has planted a large number of useful and ornamental trees of both native and foreign growth, and his familiarity with the names and nature of each of the many different kinds will show the careful study he has given to the same. He does not confine his farming to the raising of corn and grain. His grape-vines may be counted by the hundred. He also raises a large amount of raspberries, cherries, peaches and apples, with which his neighbors are liberally and gratuitously supplied. He has for the past three years been engaged in shipping hay to New Orleans and the Eastern markets, the same being the production of his own farm. He is also largely engaged in buying corn for J. O. Peckham & Co., Providence, R. I. having purchased upwards of 12,000 bushels during the present season. His marriage with Amy Tilton was celebrated Feb. 19, 1848; she was born in Ashland Co., Ohio, Sept. 24, 1829; three children were the fruit of this union — George G., born Nov. 29, 1849; John, born June 18 1851, and William, born Nov. 6, 1861. They also have an adopted daughter, Mary Healea, born Dec. 17, 1866.