Biography - PHILIP REDINGTON

A native of Madison county, Illinois, Philip Redington became a resident of Macoupin county in his boyhood and has spent the greater part of his life in this county, gaining a position through his industry and good management as one of its highly prosperous citizens. The record of his birth was lost but he is now about fifty-three years of age and in the prime of his strength and usefulness. His parents were Michael and Honorah (Malloy) Redington, both of whom were born in Ireland, the former being a native of County Galway. The father came to the United States early in life and settled in Western Mound township, Macoupin county, about the close of the Civil war. The mother died when the son Philip was in his infancy, he being her only child. The father afterwards married Mrs. Mary Tuhey and to this union two children were born: Michael, deceased; and Julia, the wife of Terrence Mullen, of Chicago. Mr. Redington died about four years after locating in Macoupin county. He was a member of the Catholic church and his body was the first to be buried in the Catholic cemetery at Carlinville.

Being deprived of his father by death in boyhood Philip Redington took up his home with an uncle, John Redington, and continued in his family until about twenty years of age. He possessed advantages of attendance at the public schools of Western Mound township, and as he grew to manhood assisted his uncle in work about the farm. He secured employment with the Santa Fe Railway Company and was for six years connected with bridge construction on that line, the principal portion of the time being spent in Kansas. He advanced to the position of foreman of the construction gang hut he came to the conclusion that more favorable opportunities were presented in agriculture and stock-raising than in the employment of the railway company. He, therefore, resigned his position and returned to Macoupin county and for three years rented the John Arnett place. At the end of this time, having acquired sufficient capital, he purchased one hundred acres of land in sections 22 and 27 of Western Mound township. He has made all the improvements on the place, including buildings, fences, drainage, and the setting out of an orchard and shade trees, making it a highly desirable property. Owing to his close application and good business judgment he has prospered in his chosen calling and has no reason to regret becoming permanently identified with Macoupin county.

On the 4th of October, 1887, Mr. Redington was married to Miss Anna McAleney, a daughter of John and Mary (McGilligan) McAleney, both of whom were natives of Ireland but were married in Scotland and on coming to America in 1859 located in Portland, Maine. They subsequently removed to Madison county, Illinois, where Mr. McAleney followed farming until 1867, when they came to Macoupin county and settled in Bird township. Throughout his residence here Mr. McAleney continued to engage in agricultural pursuits but both he and his wife are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Redington have six children: John Lewis, who is now occupying the position of checkman in the freight office of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway at Chicago: and Philip William, Nora, Michael, Joseph and Augusta, all of whom are at home. Mr. Redington is a supporter of the democratic party and for three years past has served as highway commissioner. He has also filled other offices of responsibility, having discharged the duties of township trustee, assessor and school director. He is thoroughly efficient in whatever he undertakes and possesses the entire confidence of his neighbors, and of all with whom he has business or social relations. It is such men who reflect credit upon their state and who may be relied upon in every emergency to pursue the course that is right and just. In religious belief Mr. Redington and his wife are earnest adherents of the Catholic church.

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 365-366.