Part of the Massachusetts Biographies Project
Edward Washburn
From Portrait and Biographical Album of McLean County, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent representative citizens of the county… published by Chapman Brothers, 1887 Chicago p. 724-5
Edward Washburn, junior member of the enterprising young firm of Smith & Washburn, has been in business as a member of said firm since April 7, 1883. He was born in Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., Mass., Dec.11, 1847, and is the son of Rotheus and Mary (Hayward) Washburn, also natives of New England. The father of our subject was a skillful mechanic, and remained in his native state nearly all his life. The parental household included five children, of whom only two are living: William H., a resident of Tremont, Tazewell Co., Ill., and Edward, the subject of this sketch.
Edward Washburn resided in his native State until fifteen years of age, and then accompanied his brother, William H., to Illinois. They located in Tazewell County, and in 1864, during the progress of the late war, our subject enlisted as a soldier of the Union in Co., A, 108th Ill. Vol. Inf., in which he served until the close of the war. Having enlisted late in the conflict, he was present at only one regular engagement, this being the battle of Spanish Fort, at Mobile, Ala. After retiring from the army he returned to Tazewell County, where he rented land and engaged in farming until 1871. He then purchased 160 acres in Vermilion County, this State, which he operated until 1883, then sold out and removed to Cropsey, this county, where he engaged in his present business.
Our subject was united in marriage with Miss Caroline G. Sniffin in 1871. Mrs. Washburn was born in Tazewell County, and was the daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Sniffin. Of the union of our subject there have been born two children, a son who died in infancy, and George A. They occupy a pleasant and comfortable home, and enjoy the acquaintance of the best people in the town. Mr. Washburn is Republican in politics and socially belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the G. A. R.