Biography - DAVID DEEDS

Although thirty-six years have passed since David Deeds was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many of the county’s older residents as a substantial agriculturist and representative citizen of Bird township, where at one time he owned two hundred and forty acres of land. His birth occurred in Greene county, Illinois, on the 22d of April, 1832, his parents being Philip and Anna (Metcalf) Deeds, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois respectively. The father, a carpenter by trade, was a pioneer settler of Greene county, Illinois, there passing away when about sixty years of age. His wife was called to her final rest when about forty years old. Unto them were born seven children, of whom the only surviving one is Mrs. Eliza Sapp, who makes her home west of Carlinville.

David Deeds was reared in his native county and came to Macoupin county when about twenty-one years of age, turning his attention to general agricultural pursuits in Bird township. He later resided for a few years in Montgomery county but subsequently returned to his farm in Bird township and remained thereon until called to his final rest in 1875. At one time he owned two hundred and forty acres of land in that township, bringing the property under a high state of cultivation and improvement. His widow now owns a tract of one hundred and forty acres in Bird township.

On the 22d of August, 1851, Mr. Deeds was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Bird, who was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of May, 1833, her parents being William and Mary A. (Stuart) Bird, the former a native of Northumberland and the latter of Penrith, England. Emigrating to the United States, they first settled in Pennsylvania. Subsequently they came to Illinois, locating at Columbiana, Greene county, where William Bird died soon afterward, in 1860. The demise of his wife occurred in Montgomery county some years later. Unto them were born twelve children, nine of whom passed away in early childhood. Two still survive, namely: Joseph Bird, an old settler of Macoupin county and a prominent citizen of Carlinville; and Mrs. Mary A. Deeds. The latter became the mother of eleven children, the record of whom is given below. Elra P., now deceased, was an agriculturist by occupation and for many years served as deputy county clerk in Macoupin county. He wedded Miss Viola Arnett, by whom he had two children, Walter T. and Mary. William A., a traveling salesman, makes his home in Manchester, Tennessee. He married Miss Birdie Green and has one child, William. Horace D., who is a trader, resides in Carlinville. George Edgar, who operates a candy factory in St. Louis, wedded Miss Nellie Switzer and has one son, Russell. Anna Belle, living in Granite City, is the wife of E. M. Comer, by whom she has four children: Vina, Belle, Morris and Letha. Mary E. is the widow of Thomas M. Robison, by whom she had a number of children, four of whom still survive, namely: Juanita, Victor Blaine, Clarence and Mary. Joseph B., an implement manufacturer of Nashville, Tennessee, wedded Miss Frances Ferguson, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, by whom he has one son, Edward Allen Deeds. Ernest L., a traveling salesman, resides in Florence, Alabama. Charles F. is a painter and paper hanger by trade and lives with his mother in Carlinville. The other two children of our subject died in early life.

David Deeds gave his political allegiance to the democracy and served as county coroner for two terms but neither sought nor desired office. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Christian church, to which his widow also belongs. The circle of his friends was coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances, for he had no enemies. Mrs. Mary A. Deeds, who resides in Carlinville, is well and favorably known throughout the community, the hospitality of the best homes being cordially extended her.

Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 432-435.