AZIRAH ENGLAND
Page 695

There is always more or less curiosity to know the true and inner history of a man who has been long and favorably identified with the social and business interests of any community, and undoubtedly the biography of Mr. England will prove interesting alike to old and young. Brought up to a knowledge of farm duties, he naturally chose the avocation of a farmer in early life, which calling he prosecuted for a number of years, but since 1874 has been engaged in the manufacture of brick in Havana. Our subject was the son of George England, who was born in Tennessee, and after coming to this country in an early day, made his home here until his decease, in March, 1875. He was married to Miss Susan Lewis, a native of Kentucky, who departed this life when our subject was an infant. The latter was born in this county in 1847, and spent the years of his life here until his twenty-second birthday, when he went to Fulton County, this state, and for two years was engaged in farming pursuits. Previously, however, in May, 1864, he became a Union soldier, enlisting in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, under the command of Capt. W.H. Colwell, of Havana, and was mustered out of service in November of that year in Peoria. As before stated, Mr. England has been engaged in the manufacture of brick since 1874, and turns out each year in his yard over eight hundred thousand brick, which are well burnt and of a very superior quality. He furnished the brick which were used in the erection of the Court House, in the Methodist Church, Wahlfeler's grocery, Myers Opera House, Masonic Temple, the McFadden Block, First National Bank, Myers drygoods house, and many more of the brick building in Havana. In September, 1868, A. England and Miss Lottie M., the daughter of Charles Beidleman, were united in marriage. Mrs. England is a native of this county, and has become the mother of six children, Charles R., engaged with his father in the brick business; George H., Lewis A., Lottie A., Grace M and Annie May. Mr. England is President of the Illinois River Bridge Company, to which position he was elected in May, 1893. He has served as Alderman of the First Ward in Havana; he was elected on the Republican ticket, although that part of the city has a Democratic majority of ninety. In 1894, he was elected Supervisor of Havana Township, by a majority of one hundred and fifty-four, while the township has a Democratic majority. Socially he is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias, and takes great interest of the workings of the Grand Army Post in the city of which he is a resident. He discharges the duties of citizenship in a most reliable manner, and as an honest, upright man is well known throughout the county, and is well liked by his acquaintances. In 1863, Mr. England made a trip across the plains to Pike's Peak, during the gold excitement. The party left Havana in wagons on the 2d of April, and arrived at the Peak July 15 of the same year, and on the trip enjoyed the antelope and buffalo hunts, and also had some amusements with the Indians.

1894 Biography Index

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