Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 577

Elias D. LeFevre, retired farmer and a resident of Sterling, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Dec. 5, 1825. His father, John W. LeFevre, was of French ancestry, and his mother, nee Mary Espenshade, was of French and German parentage. They came to Sterling in 1847, purchasing about 200 acres on section 21, in township 21, where they remained until their death. Mrs. L. died Oct. 31, 1859, and Mr. L, Dec. 31, 1872.

The subject of this sketch resides still in the same house which his father purchased in 1847, taking possession in 1849, the year he was united in marriage to Miss Annabella Hacker. They have had nine children, namely: John W., born Dec. 10, 1850; Lemuel H., Aug. 17, 1852; Mary R., Aug. 19, 1854; Eliza Bell, Sept. 19, 1856; Ida I., Dec. 3, 1858; Lottie B., April 6, 1861; Hattie B., April 20, 1863; Edward H., Nov. 2, 1865; and E. Jasper, June 28, 1870. John W. and Lemuel H. died in childhood. Mary R. died Aug. 31, 1879. She was a graduate of the first class (1873) from the Second Ward School, and was a successful teacher in the same school for five years, and only left her position to come home to die! Eliza Belle is still living and the wife of Charles W. Snyder: they have had three little girls, at one birth, all of whom are dead; Ida I. died July 2, 1884; she was also a graduate of the Second Ward School; Lottie B. is a teacher and a graduate of the Second Ward School, and has secured a position in the same school the coming year; Hattie B. is the family’s stand-by, and qualified for any position; Edward H. is a book-keeper and shipping clerk for H. F. Batcheller & Son, manufacturers at Rock Falls; E. Jasper has not yet finished his education.

Mr. LeFevre has been a member of the Board of Education for the Second Ward for nine years; is a worthy citizen, a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which latter body his wife also belongs.