BIOGRAPHY - J. CARSON
The business interests of Perdue find a worthy representative in J. B.
Carson, who is the owner of two grain elevators. He is also dealing in seeds
and coal and his business under his capable management has developed to
large and profitable proportions. He has placed his dependence not upon any
outside aid or influence, but has won success through close application and
unfaltering- diligence, guided by sound judgment.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Carson was born in Pickaway county, in May, 1863, his
parents being Ebenezer and Jennie (Berry) Carson. The father, who was born
near Chillicothe, Ohio, died in October, 1891, at the age of sixty-three
years, in Ford county. His wife, who was born near Canonsburg, Washington
county, Pennsylvania, died in 1896, and was also about sixty-three years of
age at the time of her demise. They were the parents of five children: David
M., who is engaged in the grain business at Clarence; Bessie, now the wife
of Harvey Thompson, a resident of Paxton; J. B., of this review; Ulysses T.,
who follows farming near Paxton; and Mary B., also of Paxton.
J. B. Carson spent the first sixteen years of his life in the county of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their .removal westward to Illinois. The family home was established on a farm a half mile south of Perdue in Ford county, and in this locality- he has since remained, gaining for himself an enviable place in business circles. He assisted his father in the work of the home farm, taking his place in the fields, where he labored from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. In 1889 he established the grain business in Perdue, beginning, however, in a primitive way. During the first ten years all grain was loaded in the cars with a scoop shovel, but he had visions of what he would do when his success was greater, and year by year he added to his earnings as the result of his industry and careful expenditure. At length his capital was sufficient to enable him to see the formation of his hopes in the building of an elevator in 1899. This had a capacity of thirty thousand bushels, and in 1904 it was increased to sixty thousand. In 1907 Mr. Carson purchased an elevator of fifty thousand bushels and now operates both, having built up an extensive grain trade which is not only a source of income to him but also ,of value to the community, furnishing a market to the grain producers in this part of the state. He also deals in coal and seeds and his business has become extensive and gratifying. He likewise owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which his elevator stands, and his farm is likewise a desirable asset to his business.
In December, 1892, Mr. Carson was united in marriage to Miss Edna A. Kemp, a native of Marshall county, Illinois, and a daughter of Nicholas M. and Katharine (Axline) Kemp, the former a native of Pennsylvania but now deceased. The mother resides in Paxton. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carson have been born two children: Jessie, who was born March 4, 1900, and John Kemp, born May 13, 1903.
Mr. Carson is a republican, having given stalwart support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as school treasurer here since 1898 and was assistant supervisor for four years, from 1903 until 1907. While manifesting a public-spirited interest in all things pertaining to the general welfare, he prefers to concentrate his time and energies upon his business. He has reason to be proud of what he has accomplished, having been both the architect and builder of his own fortunes. Brooking no obstacle that could be overcome by determined and honorable effort, he has steadily advanced on the highway of success and day b}^ day is drawing nearer to the goal of prosperity.
Extracted 16 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 529-531.
