Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-08-09
CONCERNING CANOE CREEK.
biography OF some OF the Leading
Citizens or the Upper End Town


biography or some OF the Leading
citizens or the Upper End Town
ship.
HnIsDALE, Aug. EN- our serial
this week we desire to present to
the readers of the ARGUS brief
biography of two OF our prominent
citizens. Mr.. Alex Ashdown, whom we
shall first present, is a citizen of this
country by adoption. He is one Of the
leading and entcrprising farmers of
Canoe Creek township, owns a we'll im-
proved farm OF 100 acres three miles
north of Hillsdale. His career as q farms
er has been above the average, and what
his present position is he owes To his in
domitable perseverance and good judg-
ment in his business transactions, as well
as long and hard struggle so well
known to the pioneers of any country.
He was born in County of Kent. England,
April o.. 1924. and is son of Edward
and Nancy Ashdown. He was reared on
farm in his native country. but finding
that his labors were no more fruitful
than his sire's before him, he set sail for
the United States, leaving London. June
90. 1857, taking passage on the James X.
passage of forty five days and he came
at once to Rock Island county and locat
ed in this township renting farms for u
period of seven years. AT the end Of
this period lie bought the farm which is
now his residence, but which has greatly
improved by his labors ellie is particular
ly interested in fruit raising, but does not
by any means contine his lahors to this
alone. Ms the livestock and grain houses
10 be seen will present To the visitor
the fact that he is most thorough and
systematical farmer. He was married to
Charlotte Martin, a native of Kentshire
Hills. England. in 1850. She was born
May %, 1881, and has been faithful
companion to her husband through the
hard struggle in the earlier days. to their
now prosperous and happy old age. They
have eight children. all married with the
exception of Emma, the youngest child .
George, the oldest, is a ranchman in
wyoming; Eliza. the widow of Joseph
Robinson, now residing in Nebraska
Henry, a renter of the homestead, Al
fred. residing in MonOna county, Iowa
Fanny. wife of w. G. Mcconnell. Clara.
wife of G.. W. Liphardt. Katie, wife OF
j. nj. Martin. all residents of Canoe
Creek township. Politically. Mr. A. is
an independent democrat. and = member
of the u. Il. church.
Mr.. Henry Fender, whose biography
we also desire to place before our readers,
is a member of one of the leading gro
Gerry firms of Hllsdale. His past life
needs no commentator from us; it
speaks for itself, as he has the full conf
dence of all who know him. He was
born in Cambria county. Pa. June 10
1849 is son of Frederick and Elizabeth
(Kiper) Fender. He was reared on
farm in his native state, and at an early
age started In life for himself by working
in the iron works. In 1869 he came t.
Prairie City, Ills, where he resided clever
months. then went TO Topeka. Kan q,
where he remained for three years
when be returned to his native state, re-
remaining short time and then made q
second journey to Illinois, this time com
ing TO Rock Island county He remained
only nine months and again returned t.
Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1881
took up his permanent abode in Canoe
Creek township, and is today one of its
leading and most popular citizens. Ii
Sept 1882 he, in partnership with Henry
Virgins bought the stock of goods theI
owned by Shuck S Duncan, and ha.
been member of the firm ever since, al
though changing partners several times
The name of the present firm is Fender 4
Nunde. Mr.. +. was married in 1877 to
Mary Livingston, of Summerset county
Pennsylvania, but in the terrible epe.
demic of diphtheria which prevailed
through that part of the country in 1886
his companion was claimed as victim OF
the dreadful disease. He was married 3
second time in May 1882, to Flora Wig
gins of this place. Two children have
blessed their home-both boys--nameC
Franklin and Harry, but in 1885 the sac
messenger of death claimed little Frank.
lin. Politically Mr.. Fender is stauncf
democrat, and member of the order OF
Modern WOodmen of America, holding
membership at Hillsdale. He has fol
several years been the banker of the local
camp.