Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Pages 268-269

John Fieldsend, farmer, resident on section 15, Clyde Township, was born April 30, 1828, in the town of Thurston, Yorkshire, England. Benjamin Fieldsend, his father, was a tailor by profession and instructed his son in the details of that business, which he followed from the age of 14 years to that of 21. He also worked as a “jour” one year.

He was married Aug. 5, 1850, in Yorkshire, to Ann, daughter of William and Lucy A. (Askam) Greaves. The parents of Mrs. Fieldsend were born in Yorkshire and were residents there throughout their entire lives. Her father died Oct. 23, 1881, when he was 77 years old. The demise of the mother occurred in June, 1851. Mrs. Fieldsend was born in Snowdenhill, Yorkshire, June 24, 1826. To her and her husband eight children have been born, two of whom are deceased. William M., born in England, March 11, 1852, married Agnes Platt and is a farmer in Dakota; Ben, born Nov. 19, 1853, in England is deceased; Sarah, born Aug. 12, 1855, in Wisconsin, is the wife of James Davis, a farmer in Plymouth Co., Iowa; Lucy A., born Sept. 6, 1857, in Wisconsin, is the wife of Wm. West, a farmer in Clyde Tp.; Martha, born Dec. 30, 1860, also in Wisconsin, married William Comady, a farmer of Clyde; Isabella was born Aug. 19, 1863, in Wisconsin; Mary, Marcy 27, 1866, in Illinois; and Caroline, born July 11, 1868, also in this State, is deceased.

 Mr. Fieldsend followed his business as a tailor four years subsequent to his marriage. In the summer of 1854 he removed his family to the United States and remained one season in Poughkeepsie, in the State of New York. From there they went to Dodgeville, Iowa Co., Wis. He passed some time working as a tailor and later purchased Government land, on which he “farmed” until 1864. In that year he settled in Illinois on the tract of land which has since constituted his homestead. His farm included 80 acres at the date of purchase, but he has made additional purchases until it now comprises 231 acres of well improved land, under the best kind of cultivation. He owns some fine stock and is interested in its improvement.

Mr. Fieldsend and his wife were reared in the English Church. Politically, he is a decided Democrat.