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DAVID W. READ, deceased, was born in Erie County, Pa., Jan. 19, 1820, and was the son of David and Wealthy (Warren) Read, who were natives of Connecticut. He learned the mason's and builder's trade, at which he worked in his native State till 1841, when, hoping to find a better field for his skill and energy in the fast growing West, he emigrated to Illinois and located at Belvidere, Boone County.He was married at that place, Dec. 22, 1843, to Miss Perlina Ledyard, daughter of David and Cynthia (Barker) Ledyard. Mrs. Read was born in the town of Greene, Chenango Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 1823. Her people were natives of Connecticut and were of English descent. Seven children were born of their union, four of whom only are living: Cassius M., died at the age of twenty-seven years, leaving a wife; Wealthy, the wife of Henry Gull, resides in Chicago; Livonia E. lives with her mother at Belle Plaine; Clara B. is the wife of Charles Blossom, a banker of Gladbrook, Iowa; Ida M. is the wife of Elias E. Hughes, Cashier of the City Bank at Jefferson, Iowa; for many years train dispatcher at Belle Plaine, in the employ of the C. & N. W. Ry.; Judson W. died at the age of eighteen years, and Charles in childhood.
Mr. Read came from Marengo, Ill., to Belle Plaine, Iowa, in 1869. He was engaged extensively as a railroad contractor while at Marengo, and also in farming and stock-growing. After coming to Belle Plaine he was engaged in the sale of agricultural implements and owned a part interest in an elevator. He was one of the founders of the First National Bank of Belle Plaine, and was the first President of that institution. Mr. Read was a man of strict business principles, and while he was exacting as to his just dues, he was equally as particular in meeting every obligation against him fairly and honorably. He was energetic and pushing in whatever he undertook, was possessed of superior financial ability, and succeeded in acquiring a large fortune. He was a member of the Congregational Church, and in politics voted with and gave his support to the Republican party. He continued to make his home at Belle Plaine until his death, which occurred Feb. 12, 1885. His wife survives him, and with her second daughter resides at the old home in Belle Plaine. Both are members of the Congregational Church.
Source Citation: "1887 Benton County, Iowa Biographies" [database online] Benton County IAGenWeb Project. <http://iagenweb.org/benton/>
Original data: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Benton County, Iowa." Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887, p. 361.
Transcribed by: Sue Soden. Submitted to the Benton County IAGenWeb Project on February 18th, 2009. Copyright © 2009 The IAGenWeb Project.
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