BIOGRAPHY - CHARLES READ
That Ford county affords ample opportunity for the acquirement of wealth through agricultural pursuits finds verification in the fact that Charles M. Read is now one of the prosperous and well-to-do agriculturists of this section of Illinois, owning at the present time eight hundred acres of valuable land, situated in Pella township. He is a native of the state of New York, his birth having occurred in Chautauqua county on the 24th of June, 1852, his parents being Thomas and Elizabeth (Ferguson) Read, extended mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of Thomas Read on another page of this work.
Charles M. Read acquired a common-school education during the period of his boyhood and youth and when he embarked upon a business venture he chose as his occupation the tilling of the soil. To know of the success he has gained thereby one needs but to glance at his valuable farm, comprising eight hundred acres, situated in Pella township — a farm which for productiveness is exceeded by no other in this portion of Ford county. In addition to this land Mr. Read also owns seven hundred acres in Mississippi, from which he derives an excellent income. In his farming operations Mr. Read has always followed practical and progressive methods and his place in all its equipments presents an. attractive appearance. He has improved his property with good outbuildings and a nice country residence, where are found many conveniences and comforts to be enjoyed by the members of the household.
It
was in 1889 that Mr. Read established a home of his own by his marriage on
the 25th of September of that year to Miss Melvina Marble, who was born in
Odell, Livingston county, Illinois, in the year 1862, a daughter of Daniel
and Alzada (Hugobonn) Marble, both of whom wore natives of the Empire state.
In 1860 they made their way westward, locating in Missouri, where they spent
one year, subsequent to which time, in 1861, they removed to Livingston
county, Illinois. In 1869 the father removed with his family to Ford county
and the father here passed away during that same year. He was a carpenter by
trade, always following that pursuit in order to provide for his family,
which numbered seven children. The mother, however, is still living and
makes her home about, a mile west of Piper City.
Mrs. Read was practically reared in the county in which she now makes her home, being a little maiden of but seven years when she accompanied her parents on their removal from Livingston to Ford county, and in the schools of the latter place she acquired her education. Prior to her marriage she engaged in teaching for four years, meeting with success in this venture. She has become the mother of three children, Charles Edwin, Orvil and Elmo E., all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Read voices his political allegiance through his support of the men and measures of the republican party. At the present time he is serving as a school director and ever takes a deep interest in educational affairs, doing all in his power to uphold the standard of the schools. He is a Mason, belonging to lodge No. 608, at Piper City, and the commandery at Fairbury. He also affiliates with Modern Woodmen Camp at Piper City, while both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The family is one well known not only in their immediate neighborhood but throughout various sections of Ford county and Mr. Read is numbered among the well-to-do landowners and capable business men of this section of the state.
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 632-635.
