Joseph Deford born July 19, 1827 richland county, Ohio
Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois
page 463
Joseph Deford, Bernadotte Township is a rich agricultural center and the men who conduct its farming interest 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 cooperation of a capable trusty helpmate and a true wife in Eliza M., daughter of David and Eliza Rouse, of Wapello County, IA. the following is recorded of the three children two daughters and one don, the friut 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 residence in the north-east corner of Bernadotte Township on what is now 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 purchased twenty-two and one-half acres of land on section 14, so thatnow 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.