Lillard, J. W. (John Wesley)

LILLARD, DIVIRD

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/1/2019 at 19:46:38

Biography ~ J. W. [John Wesley] Lillard

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), Pp. 483-84:

"J. W. LILLARD, deceased was a native of St. Louis, Missouri, born in the year 1820. He was reared a farmer, a vocation he made his life work. When fourteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Calhoun County, Illinois. In the spring of 1865 he came with his family to Iowa, and located in Decatur County, on the farm now owned and occupied by his widow. Mr. Lillard lost his life March 2, 1883, by the breaking of a derrick, with which he was drawing a steer from a well into which it had fallen. He was a man much esteemed in the township, and left many friends to mourn the loss of an obliging neighbor. He was a devoted husband and father, and one to whom the needy were sure to go for assistance, his sympathetic nature making him a ready listener to their tales of distress, and his benevolent disposition making him always ready to give of his substance for their relief. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party. In religion his sympathies were with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Lillard was twice married. His first wife died leaving one son – Fenton D. May 18, 1856, he married Miss Harriet Jane Divird, daughter of William Alexander and Elizabeth N. Divird, her father a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Switzerland. To Mr. and Ms. Lillard were born eleven children, six sons and five daughters – Lovina E., Florence Nightingale, Nevada J., Stephen A. Douglas, Sydney B., Frank M., Henry G., Virgil W., Floyd J., Ora E. and Grace."

Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)