Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros. Chicago, IL
Reproduced on CD purchased from OLD GLORY ACCENTS

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page 627

RICHARD DRURY

Richard Drury, a substantial farmer of Newton Township, resident on section 4, is a citizen of the United States by adoption. He was born May 15, 1826, in Lincolnshire, England, which was the native shire of his parents, William and Mary (Ingamells) Drury.

The son was reared a farmer near where he was born, and at the age of 23 years came to the United States on the sailing vessel "Ivanhoe," landing at New York after a voyage of 33 days. He went to Albany in a steamboat on the Hudson River, whence he came to Buffalo, and thence on the lake to Detroit. He spent a month at Dexter, Mich., and came next to New Buffalo, and from there on Lake Michigan to Chicago. He spent a month working on a boat on the Illinois Canal. At the end of that time he started for Whiteside County, coming by rail from Chicago to St. Charles, whence he proceeded by stage to Albany. He was in the employ of his brother-in-law, William Minta, one year, and in that succeeding he went to New Orleans. He was seized with illness in the Crescent City, and spent five weeks in the hospital. He returned up the river as far as St. Louis, and there engaged as overseer in the employ of an extensive market gardener. At the end of the season he came to Garden Plain Township, and after passing a few weeks with his brother-in-law, he went to Albany and engaged as an assistant in the warehouse of McIlvaine & Hopper, operating in their interests three months. In the spring of 1851 he rented a farm in Newton Township, on which he purposed to spend one year in company with William Brewer. After three months he sold his interest in the crops to his partner and bought three yoke of oxen, with which he engaged in breaking prairie. In the fall he operated as a farm hand in the harvest.

In August, 1852, he was married to Sally A. Bradley, and they began housekeeping in Albany. Mr. Drury was occupied through the fall and winter in teaming. In 1853, he settled on unimproved land in what is now Newton Township, locating on section 4. He built a house 14x18 feet in dimensions and one story high, entering at once on the improvement of his land. He was resided on the same plaace since that time, a period including more than 30 years, and is now the owner of 310  acres of land, all fenced and improved with the exception of six acres of timber. In addition to his homestead, he owns 640 acres of land in Floyd Co., Texas. He has erected three frame houses on the place and four fine barns. Fruit, shade and ornamental trees have been planted on the premises, and 1,000 rods of hedge has been set. The farm is considered on of the best in Whiteside County. Mr. Drury is interestd in raising stock and grain. His first wife died May 17, 1866, aged 38 years, 11 months and 9 days. Three children survive the mother: Mary J., wife of T. W. Huggins, William W. and Robert I. Mr. Drury was married a second time Feb. 24, 1875, to Mary Becken.

In his success Mr. Drury typifies the value of the privileges to be enjoyed by those who come to this continent from the crowded  acres of the Old World. He came with naught but his manhood's strength and correct habits, with which he has carved out a position second to none, and at three-score can comtemplate in affluence the results of a well ordered life.