Vermilion county Illinois, JAMES M. GEDDES ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Joy Fisher ==================================================================== p. 213-214 JAMES M. GEDDES, an Illinois pioneer of '56, and a man who has been the architect of his own fortune, is now the owner of a fine property, comprising a well-appointed farm located on section 7, in Ross Township. He is a scion of an excellent old family of Scotch ancestry, and the son of Joseph Geddes, whose father, George Geddes, emigrated from the Land of the Thistle to America about 1788. Making his way to the Territory of Ohio, he located on a tract of land in the wilderness, near where the town of East Liverpool now stands, but which then for miles around was destitute of any signs of civilization. He had been married in Boston, Mass., to a lady who was descended from old Plymouth stock—people who came over in the Mayflower—and who was reared in the strict doctrines of the old Presbyterian faith. They began their wedded life together in the wilds of Ohio, where they reared their family, and spent the remainder of their days, each attaining to a ripe old age. Of their children, seven in number, Joseph, the father of our subject, was the youngest, and was born in 1805. He was reared at that home in the wilderness. The country was gradually settled up, and among the other adventurous pioneers who followed in the wake of the Geddes family were William Moore, whose daughter, Catherine, became the wife of Joseph Geddes, and the mother of our subject. The mother's parents lived just across the Ohio River in Brook County, Va., until their deaths occurred. Joseph Geddes and his young wife continued to reside near the old folk in East Liverpool about six years, and in the meantime their son, James M., the subject of this sketch, was born April 21,1837. About 1839 they removed to Tuscarawas County, and later to the northeastern part of Indiana, where Joseph Geddes departed this life at the age of sixty-five years, and the mother at the age of seventy-six. They became the parents of twelve children, all of whom, with one exception, are living. The second child, Elizabeth, died when about seven years old. Those besides our subject, are named respectively, John, William, Mary A., Wilson, Richard, Robert, Nancy J., Lucinda, Joseph, and Minerva. The latter, the youngest of the family, is thirty-six years old. The household circle remained undivided by death for more than fifty years—a circumstance scarcely equalled in the history of any other family in this region. The parents of our subject, during their younger years, were identified with the Presbyterian Church, but later became connected with the United Brethren, in the faith of which they died. James M., upon coming to Illinois in 1856, located first at Momence, but later removed to Iroquois County. There he was married, in 1862, to Miss Emma, daughter of Thomas and Anna (Barkley) Young. They lived there until the spring of 1883, engaged in farming pursuits; then our subject disposed of his interests in that section and purchased his present fine farm of 160 acres, which he proposes to make his permanent home. Upon coming to this State he was without other resources than his good health and strong hands, and like the wise man of Scripture, he has increased his talent ten fold. During his younger years he experienced all the hardships and difficulties of life in a new country, and improved his first farm from the raw prairie. He cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln, and has been a steadfast supporter of Republican principles, especially since the outbreak of the war, and has ever maintained an ardent admiration for the martyred President, Lincoln. Both he and his wife belong to the Christian Church at Prairie Chapel. Their seven children, who are all living, were named respectively: Elmer L., Joseph F., Maude, Ruby, Nellie, Grace and Nora. They form a bright and interesting group, and are being given the educational advantages which will fit them for intelligent and worthy members of society.