ITHAMAR WIRE, deceased, was born in Cortland County, N. Y., Dec. 30, 1827, and was the son of Augustus Wire, a native of Connecticut. His grandfather, born in England, was kidnapped when a boy and brought to America, where he was soon thrown upon his own resources and obliged to look out for himself. His wise parents, however, began his training early, and he early became possessed of great self-reliance and independence of character, so that he was well fitted for the vicissitudes of his later life. His natural habits of industry set him on the road to prosperity in his youth, and he became a man of property and greatly respected in his community. He spent his early years in Connecticut, then removed to New York and settled in Cortland County, where his death took place at an advanced age. His family included eight sons and four daughters, of whom David, the father of our subject, grew to manhood under the parental roof, and after his marriage settled on a farm adjoining that of his father in Cortland County, where he spent his entire life. His wife was, before her marriage, Miss Louisa Neal, also a native of Connecticut. She survived her husband a few years, and departed this life at the home of her daughter in Cortland County.

Ithamar Wire received excellent training from his parents, and was educated in the district schools of his native township. All the children were made useful as soon as old enough, and he, in common with the rest of their family, assisted his parents around the homestead, and early in life began to lay his plans for the future. After reaching his majority he started out for himself, working by the month for a time in his native State, and in 1850 decided to see something of the farther West. He made the journey to Chicago by the Lakes, and thence proceeded on foot and by stage to this county. He was still unmarried and, accompanied by his cousin, before locating, visited Southern Wisconsin and different parts of Northern Illinois. He finally selected the place now occupied by his widow, entering a part of the land from the Government, and for which he afterward paid $2.50 per acre. He at once commenced the improvement of his purchase, and kept bachelor's hall in a log cabin until the spring of 1858. He was then married, on the 12th of May, to Miss Maressie Butler, and the two commenced life happily and contentedly together after the manner of the pioneers. Mr. Wire had put up a small farm house for the reception of his bride, which they occupied for eleven years following, and where five of their children were born. Then the small house was abandoned for a larger and more pretentious one which was supplied with more modern conveniences and gave to the growing family a larger amount of room. Afterward Mr. Wire put up a substantial barn and other out-buildings, planted fruit and shade trees, and embellished his home by other methods as time and opportunity offered.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wire consisted of three daughters - Addie, May and Jennie. Addie married Garver Lutz, who is farming in West Point Township; the others are at home with their mother. The latter, with her younger daughter, is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a lady greatly respected for her upright character and kindness of heart. In the absence of sons of her own, Mrs. Wire, in 1871, adopted a motherless boy, Clinton B., when he was one year old, and who has since been a member of the household, receiving equal care and attention with that of her own children. He is now a lad of seventeen years, and assists in the management of the farm. The homestead includes 140 acres of well-cultivated land, and forms a most comfortable abiding-place for Mrs. Wire and her little family.

The father of Mrs. Wire, James Butler by name, was born in County Waterford, Ireland, where he grew to manhood and was married to Miss Margaret Whaling, a native of the same locality. They emigrated to America soon after their marriage, and located in the town of Berne, Albany Co., N. Y., where their daughter Marinda was born, and where they continued to live until their earthly labors were ended. Mrs. Wire was well educated, and commenced teaching when fifteen years of age, in her native State, where she continued until 1857. She then joined her brother in this county and followed her profession until her marriage.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 608