JAMES L. INGERSOLL
Page 493
JAMES L. INGERSOLL
Page 493
 JAMES L. INGERSOLL, who is engaged in business in Easton as a dealer in farm implements, claims Ohio as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Medina County, on the 3d of February, 1834. His father, Reuben Ingersoll, was a native of Massachusetts, and in early life was a farmer, but in 1849 opened a hotel on St. Claire Street in Cleveland, Ohio, and continued in that line of business for some years. He married Christine Van Dusen, also a native of the old Bay State, and in 1818 they removed to Medina County, Ohio where they resided until 1849, in which year they became residents of Cleveland. In later years the father laid aside business cares and in his last days lived a retired life in the home of his son, A. D. Ingersoll, now of Green Valley Prairie, Tazewell County, Ill. In the family were eleven children, six of whom are living at this writing, in the summer of 1894, namely: A. D., just mentioned; John, a resident of Arkansas; Dr. B. F., who makes his home in Nebraska; James L., of this sketch; Orman V. and Mary, also of Nebraska. Mr. Ingersoll of this sketch spent the first fifteen years of his life upon his father's farm in Medina County, Ohio, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Cleveland. He acquired his education in the public schools, and on starting out in life for himself secured a position in the car shops of Cleveland, where he was employed until 1858. In that year he determined to seek a home in Illinois. The following year he made a permanent location in Mason County, and purchased a farm on section 5, Pennsylvania Township. It was a tract of wild land, no improvements having been made thereon, but with characteristic energy he began its development and improvement. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Ingersoll chose Mary E. Ryno, who was born in New Jersey in 1844, and came to Illinois about 1858. Their marriage was celebrated in 1860, and they began their domestic life upon a farm which was their home until 1889, when they came to Easton. Here they have a pleasant home, and in addition Mr. Ingersoll owns two hundred acres of valuable land which he now rents. In February, 1890, he built his present fine store building, and was in partnership with Andrew Furrer until January, 1892, when Mr. Furrer sold out to Bruce Cheneoweth, and the firm is now Ingersoll & Cheneoweth. They handle all kinds of farm implements and are doing a good business. To Mr. and Mrs. Ingersoll were born twelve children, eleven of whom are yet living: George C., Mrs. Emma Bruning, Mrs. Nellie Hedrick, Mrs. Eugenia Furrer, Lyman, Mrs. Marcia Blunt, Elsie, Freeman, Della, Edgar and Fred. Mr. Ingersoll has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for fifteen years and has taken the Knight Templar Degree. He supports the men and measures of the Republican party and since attaining his majority has been one of its warm advocates. He has been School Director, was Road Commissioner for seven years in Pennsylvania Township, and was Drainage Commissioner in the Garden Special Drainage District for seven years. He was one of the original commissioners and filled the office until his removal to Easton. |