E. A. LA DUE

The commercial interests of Spring Valley find an active factor in E. A,. LA DUE, who is conducting a drug store and who in his business career keeps in touch with modern ideas of progress and development. He was born in New York state, August 21, 1839. His father, Abraham LA DUE, was likewise a native of the Empire state, as was his wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah YOUNG.Throughout an active business career he devoted his time and energies to farming, and he died i 1898, at the very venerable age of ninety years.

In his boyhood days E. A. LA DUE was public school student in Wadesport, New York, where he pursued the high school course, and later he continued his studies i Monroe Academy at Tlbridge, New York.  When sixteen years of age he became interest din a general store, which he conducted successfully in Montezuma, New York, for three years, but thinking that the middle west would offer better business opportunities, he made his way to Illinois in 1860 and located in Yorktown. There he opened a general store, which he conducted for three years, after which he deterred commercial life as a merchant of Yorktown. tow years later he removed to Tampico, when business as a merchant and druggist for fifteen years. He has continued in the latter line since 1873, and in 1887 he came to Spring Valley. After removing twice he erected the commodious and attractive store building which he now occupies, carrying on a large and growing trade. He has a full line of drugs and sundry goods and a liberal patronage is accorded him. He has also erected two handsome residences in Spring Valley, one of  which he occupies.

In 1861 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. LA DUE and Miss Cecelia M. LANE, a native of Michigan. They have become the parents of two sons and two daughters: Dr. B. LA DUE, a practicing physician of Ottawa; F. M., who conducts a farm in Whiteside county, which was purchased by his father forty-four years ago; Emma, now the wife of J. C. PINKLEY, of Spring Valley; and Mary, the wife of N. H. SMITH.

Mr. LA DUE belongs to S. M. DALZALL lodge, NO. 805, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a charter member, and he attends the Congregational church, being a charter member at Yorktown. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party, but he has never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, being capably conducted have led to substantial and gratifying success. he stands among those to  whom prosperity has come as the reward of earnest and diligent effort and he has won simultaneously an honored name.