Aledo Illinois

Aledo, Illinois is a city and the county seat of Mercer County, Illinois in the United States, established in the 1850s with its founding dated March 20, 1855, shortly before the post office opened on September 24, 1856, marking the beginning of formal civic record-keeping in the community; it was incorporated on August 15, 1863 under Illinois law. Early growth was tied to its selection as the county seat in 1857 and later arrival of the railroad (Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) in 1869, which stimulated settlement, business development, newspapers, and infrastructure in the mid- to late-19th century. Aledo lies on high ground in central Mercer County drained by tributaries of the Mississippi River and today retains many 19th-century buildings in its historic downtown; genealogists will find Mercer County vital records (births, marriages, deaths), land and probate records, census returns from 1860 onward, historic newspapers, cemetery records, and other local archives at county repositories and the Mercer County Historical Society. Before Euro-American settlement in the 19th century, the broader region of western Illinois was part of lands used by Native American peoples including Illini-state Algonquian tribes before removal under U.S. government treaties.

Loosely, Charles A. – Obituary

Charles A. Loosely, a well-known fraternalist, passed away at his home in Enterprise, Oregon, on August 29, 1920, after a period of critical illness. Born in Illinois on November 2, 1877, he married Nina Baner in 1898 and had a son, Donald. The family moved to Oregon in 1908 and later to Portland, returning to Enterprise in 1919 for health reasons. He is survived by his wife, son, mother, and two sisters, and was an active member of the I.O.O.F. and Rebekah lodges.

Biography of Burton Emory Clifford

Burton Emory Clifford, born May 7, 1872, in Aledo, Illinois, rose to prominence as a lawyer and ex-prosecuting attorney of Allen County, Kansas. His legal acumen was built on a solid education and extensive experience, complemented by an innate understanding of human nature. After graduating from Kent Law School in 1898, he established a successful practice in Iola, noted for his fearless prosecution and thorough legal knowledge. A member of various bar associations and fraternal organizations, Clifford was married in 1899 but had no children.

Biography of Walter Charles Isern

Walter Charles Isern, born on October 18, 1887, in Ellinwood, Kansas, is a prominent businessman and manager of Alden’s leading mercantile enterprise. Hailing from German ancestry, he gained practical experience in retail from a young age, emerging from business college in 1904 to work in the family store. By 1914, he had become the manager of Alden’s only department store, which serves a twelve-mile radius. Isern is politically active as a Democrat and plays a significant role in the Methodist Episcopal Church, while raising a family with his wife, Phoebe Scannell.

Biography of James M. Beardsley

James M. Beardsley, born June 23, 1843, in Illinois, came from a notable family with a long history of military service. He enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, participating in significant battles, including Resaca and Atlanta, where he was wounded and later captured. After the war, he excelled in various careers, including manufacturing and government service, while remaining active in fraternal organizations. He married Hannah Hally Beardsley and had three children, establishing a legacy of respect and community involvement.