My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES E. WADLEIGH. The agriculturists of Pettis County are, as a rule, possessed of a thorough understanding of their calling, and therefore rank well among the farmers the country over. Among those who are successfully pursuing the peaceful occupation of tilling the soil is Mr. Wadleigh, whose farm comprises two hundred and forty acres, located on section 13, township 44, range 23. The land is under thorough tillage, bears a full line of adequate improvements, and produces a goodly store of the various crops to the raising of which it is devoted.

Our subject was born in New Hampshire, October 2, 1843, and is the eldest member of the household of Daniel F. and Lucinda (Libbey) Wadleigh, both of whom were also natives of the Granite State. There the father was closely identified with the farming interests of his particular section until 1855, when he moved with his family to Lasalle County, Ill. There, in addition to cultivating the soil, he was engaged in the lumber business, and made his home in the Prairie State until 1869, the year of his removal to this county. He at once located on the farm which he is still engaged in farming, although he is in his eighty-first year. He has five brothers living, the eldest being eighty-six, and the youngest sixty-nine years of age. His good wife, the mother of our subject, departed this life in 1873.

Charles E., of this sketch, was given a common-school education in Illinois, and was working on the home farm when the tocsin of war resounded throughout the country. Although but eighteen years of age, he answered his country’s call and enlisted as a member of Company B, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, and was mustered into the service September 3, 1861. He was on the field of battle for four years, but during that time was neither injured nor taken prisoner, although he experienced the hardships and exposures which invariably fall to the soldier. His health was greatly undermined and he still feels, at times, the effect of his army experience. December 7, 1865, he was mustered out of the service and returned home to Illinois. He attended school for one season and thereafter gave his attention to farming.

In 1871 he came to Pettis County, locating at once upon his present estate, where he has one of the finest farms in the entire county. It contains many valuable improvements in the way of buildings and machinery, and the stock on it is of a good breed.

Mr. Wadleigh was married, in 1871, to Miss Hannah M., daughter of Edwin F. Brewster, a native of Connecticut. Her father has a complete record of his family in this country and can trace his ancestry back to the landing of the “Mayflower.” Mrs. Wadleigh was born in Grundy County, Ill., and by her union with our subject she has eight children, all of whom are living at home. They are: Daniel E., Walter E., Nettie, Florence, James A., Fannie L., Helen M., Robert L., and Clarence L.

Socially Mr. Wadleigh is a member of E. D. Baker Post No. 68, G. A. R. In politics he is a stanch supporter of Republican doctrines, and is interested in all worthy matters that affect the welfare of his community, being at all times a willing contributor to public causes. He has many friends and leads a happy life, surrounded by a loving family and all the comforts which a good income can secure.