1906 Biography

CHARLES WESLEY WEDDING

Foremost among the leaders of agricultural interests in Bureau county is numbered Charles W. Wedding, who is operating a farm of one hundred and ninety-seven acres situated in Ohio Township, Bureau County. A native son of this county, he was born November 20, 1857, a son of John W. and Harriet (Adams) Wedding, both natives of Ohio and now deceased. Eleven children were born of this marriage, of whom our subject is the sixth in order of birth.

Charles W. Wedding, whose name introduces this review, received his education in the public schools at Princeton and on putting aside his text books started out in life on his own account, following the occupation of farming, which has always been his life work. He had no financial assistance when he started out in the business world but possessed those qualities which are always sure to win success--industry and perseverance--and with this as a foundation he advanced steadily year by year, raising excellent crops which added to this financial resources until he is now operating on quite a large scale. For twelve years he rented the Gray farm and was very successful in the management of his affairs there. He has, however, for the past three years been operating one hundred and ninety-seven acres of valuable land, which he rents and which is situated in Ohio township. Here he is engaged in the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, following practical and modern methods in his farm work and using the latest improved machinery in the cultivation of his fields. He is meeting with very gratifying success in the management of his business interests, accumulating a handsome competence which in due course of time will enable him to become the possessor of a farm of his own.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Wedding chose Miss Rosa Cork, likewise a native of Bureau County, to whom he married on the 17th of May 1884. She was born November 3, 1861, a daughter of Stephen and Jane (Hubbard) Cork both of English birth, who emigrated to America in 1845, settling in Bureau County, Illinois. In their family were ten children, Mrs. Wedding being the eighth in order of birth. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wedding has been blessed with four children but only three survive, namely: Lilly M., born October 26, 1884, Maud D., born April 21, 1886, and Harry D., born Aug. 6, 1899. Their eldest son and third child, Stephen W., born January 13, 1888, died in July following.

In politics Mr. Wedding supports the men and measures of democracy, and in religion faith is liberal, being identified with no church organization. One daughter is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. Fraternally he is connected with Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 3681, at Ladd. Starting out in life on his own responsibility and without assistance, but with a strong determination to succeed, he has, with this end in view, worked his way steadily upward year by year until he is now operating one of the extensive and valuable farms of Ohio township and is numbered among the most prominent and progressive agriculturists of this section of the state. He is honest in his dealings with his fellowmen, energetic in his farm labor and, possessing sterling traits of character, has won the confidence and good will of his fellow townsmen and is deserving of mention among the leading citizens of Bureau County.

[Past and Present of Bureau County, Illinois by George B. Harrington, A.M., Together With Biographical Sketches, Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Co., 1906, pg. 798, submitted by Shirley Beams Simmons]