DeFord, Joseph bio

History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious, Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co., Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 508, Bernadotte Township
Joseph DeFord, farmer, sec. 14; P. O., Lewistown; was born in Ohio July 19, 1827; his father (Thomas) was a native of Maryland; came with his parents to this county in 1838. His father still lives in Bushnell. Has held the office of Road Commissioner in this township. Was married to Miss Eliza Rouse April 9, 1849. This union has been blessed with three children, all of whom are living; their names are Milton J., Louisa A. and Anna L. Mr. De Ford and lady are members of the M. E. Church. Democrat.
submitted by Carla Finley

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 463-464; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Joseph DeFord. Bernadotte Township is a rich agricultural center and the men who conduct its farming interests are enterprising, self-reliant and shrewd business men. Among these the subject of this sketch occupies no unimportant place. His parents were among the pioneers of the county, coming here in 1838. He was then a lad of eleven years, having been born July 19, 1827, in Richland County, Ohio. At the age of twenty-two he started out in life for himself in the spring of 1849. He early secured the co-operation of a capable trusty helpmate and a true wife in the person of Eliza M., daughter of David and Eliza Rouse, of Wapello County, Iowa. The following is recorded of the three children two daughters and one son, the fruit of their marriage: Milton J., born in 1852, married Amanda Goudy, and they live on a portion of his father's farm, one mile south of the paternal home; Louisa A., born March 16, 1855, married Frank Sheets and they live one and one-half miles southwest of the city of Lewistown, on a farm of their own containing over one hundred acres of land; Anna L., born in 1866, lives at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. DeFord have also taken to their homes and hearts a nephew whom they reared from childhood. He is now thirty-one years old and still makes his home with them.
When Mr. DeFord first began his career as a farmer, he rented a farm west of Canton for one year. He then took up his residence in the north-east corner of Bernadotte Township on what is known as the Engle farm. A year later he rented a farm west of Cuba, which he operated two years. He next became the proprietor of a farm of his own, buying sixty acres of land on section 14, Bernadotte Township, on which he now makes his home. Twelve years later he added one hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land on section 23, to his original purchase. This last tract was covered with woods. He has since cleared off the timber and has purchased twenty-two and one-half acres of land on section 14, so that now he has two hundred and forty-two acres of as fertile farming land as ever the sun shone on. He has a handsome, substantial two-story frame residence; a large barn, 50x30 feet in dimensions; granaries, cattle sheds, etc. His farm is well-stocked with high bred horses and cattle.
Mr. DeFord is a Democrat in principle, but is independent in action, voting for the man and not the party. He has held the offices of Road Commissioner, School Director and School Trustee, and has discharged the duties thus devolving upon him with characteristic fidelity. He has witnessed much of the pioneer growth of this county and has acted well his part in its development. Those were very trying times in the early days of the settlement of this county as the pioneers had much to contend with. There were scarcely any facilities for carrying on labor such as the farmer of to-day enjoys. He can well remember when their flour was made by the most primitive methods, and the pioneers had to grind the grain by hand or go hungry. It may be his pride that he has not only witnessed the growth of this county but has taken an active part in its advancement. Mr. DeFord is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his life is that of a true Christian.