Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Umsted, Norris 1849 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 10, 2007, 12:39 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

NORRIS UMSTED. This county is famous for the richness of its soil, and for its 
many farms that are scarcely exceeded in production and the value of their 
improvements by that of any other section of our fair land, and this gentleman 
is represented in this volume as the fortunate owner of a large farm in Wesley 
Township, that compares favorably with any in this locality. Our subject was 
born April 30, 1849, to Bazil and Julia Ann (Haynes) Umsted, natives of Ohio. 
The father was born in Ross County. His family originated in Pennsylvania and 
were early settlers of Ohio, where he was reared and married and himself and 
wife were life-long residents there, he dying in 1851, and she in 1890. They 
were parents of six children, five of whom are now living. Their son Norris 
was bred to the life of a farmer, and received a good common-school education. 
At seventeen years of age he began life for himself and was employed on a farm 
until twenty-one, when he became the owner of the old homestead that had been 
his birthplace. He farmed at good advantage for several years and then decided 
to try agriculture in this State, and in 1871, bought his present farm in 
Wesley Township. He now has two hundred and forty-two acres of as fertile 
farming land as is to be found in this section of the country, all lying 
together and under excellent improvement. He has wrought many changes since 
taking possession of the farm, that have greatly increased its value, and has 
on it substantial buildings which he has altered and made more convenient for 
his use. He carries on mixed farming, raising good crops and having his farm 
well stocked with standard grades of cattle. He was married May 14, 1870, to 
Miss Margaret Foley, a daughter of Charles Foley. Her father was a native of 
Ireland, came to this country with his wife when quite young, and they are now 
residents of Ohio. The home circle of our subject and his wife comprises six 
children, as follows: Annie, Nellie, Minnie, Edward, Margaret and Retha, four 
of whom are now attending school in this district, and their father intends to 
give them good educational advantages. Mr. and Mrs. Umsted have lost two from 
their little flock. Mrs. Umsted is a worthy woman and a consistent member of 
the Catholic Church at Wilmington. In the prosecution of his labors Mr. Umsted 
has shown a practical knowledge of his calling and has exhibited sufficient 
foresight and discretion to acquire a competency. He has a pleasant, obliging 
disposition and his willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone in trouble 
has won him the esteem of this community where he came to establish a home 
nearly twenty years ago. For the last ten years he has taken an active part in 
local educational matters and as School Director for his district has done 
what he could to procure the best of schooling for the children of the 
neighborhood. He takes an interest in the political issues of the day and 
votes the Republican ticket.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 

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