W. J. MILFORD, farmer, P. O. Hodge's Park, was born in Steward County, Tenn., September 25, 1821. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Lumous) Milford, and was the fifth of seven children. When eight years old, his father came with him to Clinton County. Ill., and there the father lived until 1838, when he went back to Alabama. The education of subject was received mainly by his own efforts, his first schooling being obtained when he was seventeen years of age, when he paid his way to the subscription schools. He worked around on different farms of Clinton County until 1844, and then came to Franklin County and remained there until February, 1845, when he came to this county and first worked on the farm of William Clapp, of Sandusky Precinct, and then for Jack Hodges, Sr., of Unity Precinct. In 1852, he settled on his present farm, then Congress land; it contained eighty acres, and was situated in Section 35, Town 15, Range 2. He now has the place in cultivation. Subject was married, August 5, 1847, to Eliza Caroline Howard, a daughter of Rev. Thomas Howard, Pulaski County. She was the mother of seven children, three of whom are now living, viz.: Sarah Elizabeth (wife of John S. Ryal, of Dogtooth Precinct), Martha Ann (wife of William Minton, of Unity Precinct), and Frances Decatur. His wife died September 16, 1861, and he was married the second time, October 7, 1861, to Mrs. Martha Caroline Atherton, nee Childers. She was the daughter of James Childers, and was the mother of three children — John A. (now in Davenport, Iowa), Eliza Melvina and Willie. This lady died January 29, 1875, and a third time he wedded Mary F. Kelsey, a daughter of Naman and Sarah Jane (Barber) Kelsey; she is also the mother of three children — Laura Ione, George Edward and Jefferson Eugene. Mr. Milford is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Baptist Church.
Extracted 29 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, pages 241-242.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
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Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
