In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1867, Western township
From History of Henry County, Illinois (1910)
EDWARD WASHBURN.
Among the many progressive farmers of Colona township, whose work has contributed no mean share to the fair name enjoyed by this locality as an agricultural center must be included Edward Washburn, who operates a fine farm of eighty acres. A native of this county, he was born in Western township, January 24, 1867, and is a son of Chauncey and Emily (Piatt) Washburn, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of George Washburn, a brother of our subject, in another part of this volume.
Edward Washburn spent his childhood and youth upon the home farm, obtaining the fundamental lessons for life under the guidance of his parents and in the district schools of his native township. When he had completed the course of instruction offered by those institutions he attended for a time the normal school at Geneseo. He did not relinquish his agricultural interests, however, but worked with his father until he married and had the nature desire to establish a home of his own. In the spring of 1896 he took up his residence upon the place in Colona township which has since been the scene of his labors. Forty acres was the home of the Piatt family when Chauncey Washburn and Miss Emily
Piatt, the parents of our subject, were married, and as it came into the possession of Mr. Washburn shortly before his own marriage it still belongs to a descendant of the Piatt family. The tract Mr. Washburn now operates, however, embraces eighty acres and is one of the fertile farms of Colona township. As it is cultivated by careful and progressive methods, by a man who has an understanding of the science underlying the best agriculture, it yields harvests that compare favorably with those reaped from fields which are known widely as rendering the largest returns for the investment of thought and toil.
On the 25th of December, 1895, Mr. Washburn wedded Miss Mary A. Greer, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Bell) Greer, of Coal Valley, Rock Island county, Illinois. The Greers came originally from Ireland, while the Bells came from England, and both settled in Rock Island county among the early pioneers of this state. Mr. Greer was for many years a successful coal operator, but later in life gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he found a success that justified his retiring from active life. He and his wife are still living in Rock Island county. It was there that Mr. Washburn met their daughter, she being at that time a popular and progressive teacher.
Like all the Washburn family, Edward Washburn is a democrat, but he takes little part in political matters, though he is a student of issues and conditions and is always an intelligent voter, being well informed upon all matters of loyal or national importance. His administration as road commissioner and school director has been marked by zealous exertions in behalf of public welfare. For the past twenty-one years he has been a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 684, I. O.
As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1910. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.