McDonough ILGenWeb

WATERS, Edward. — Among the most enterprising and substantial farmers of New Salem Township, McDonough County, Ill., is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Waters was born in New Orleans, La., June 11, 1843, a son of James and Ella (Keys) Waters, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of New Orleans. The parents of Mr. Waters died in New Orleans, and, when two years of age, he came with his brother to Morgan County, Ill., where he lived ten years, during which period he received a modicum of mental training in the district schools. He then came with William Rutledge to New Salem Township, McDonough County, where he worked four years for Clayburn Kerr, and continued his schooling when opportunity offered. He was afterward engaged in farming for one year and sold out his crop in order to join Company L. Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, in which he enlisted September 3, 1861. He served in the Western Army in connection with a scouting expedition, was engaged in several skirmishes, and was mustered out in the fall of 1864. On returning to McDonough County he rented a farm in New Salem Township, which he cultivated for one year. About two years after his marriage, he bought forty acres of land in Section 26, New Salem Township, on which he lived thirteen years. Three years previously he had purchased 160 acres in Section 36, in the same township. He has made all the improvements, including a fine residence and all the out-buildings.

On December 7, 1865, Mr. Waters was joined in wedlock with Lydia L. Kerr, who was born in Fulton County, Ill., and after receiving her elementary instruction in the public schools, pursued a course of study in Bloomington College. Ten children were the offspring of this union, as follows: Ella J., who died at the age of twenty-eight years; George; M. Hettie and Gertrude, who are at home; Frank; Edward; Dora, who is at home; Grace, who died at the age of twenty years; Ralph, who died when three years old; and Vera, who is with her parents. On political issues Mr. Waters is a prominent Republican. He is an active partisan, and has served a term as Supervisor and filled the office of Road Commissioner. In fraternal affiliations, Mr. Walters is connected with the A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and K. of P. Intelligent, energetic and honorable, he is one of the truly representative farmers of New Salem Township.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 1037, extracted 26 Oct 2020 by Norma Hass.