Biography - Edward Husted
Nothing in the way of history could be written about Roodhouse without a mention of Edward Manfred Husted, whose likeness appears on another page of this work. He has been more thoroughly identified with the growth of the town than any other man in it. To him much of the credit for securing the Kansas City branch of the Chicago and Alton Railway is due. He was one of a committee of three who waited on General Manger Blackstone and espoused the cause of Roodhouse. How successfully their work was done the result shows. He did not come to Roodhouse. It came to him. While he was here leading the quiet life of a farmer, the town begged for a home with him and the request was granted. Ever since then he has been connected with every enterprise for the upbuilding of Roodhouse, besides assisting in the promotion of business ventures beyond his home town. He was President of the Greene County Fair Association at Carrollton one year, and a member of the Board of Directors for twelve years. For three years he was President of the Old Settlers’ Association of Greene County, during which they had the most successful meetings of the association. Since Mr. Husted’s retirement from the organization five years ago, interest has dwindled from some cause or other, until last year no meeting was held. In Beardstown in August of this year, the Lower Illinois River Valley Improvement Association, wanting a man of well known executive ability at the head of the organization, selected Mr. Husted as President.
Although an uncompromising Republican, and active in behalf of his party, Mr. Husted has never sought or held any political office except that of Justice of the Peace in the early days of Roodhouse. From 1890 to 1897 he was Chairman of the Sixteenth Congressional District Republican Committee. From 1850 to 1880 he was school director and member of the Board of Education. No one in Roodhouse has done more to assist and improve the cause of education in Roodhouse than has Mr. Husted. Often he has gone down in his own pocket and contributed to the school (in its early history here) when taxes were light and funds scarce.
Edward Manfred Husted was born in Addison County, Vermont, September 9, 1830, and is the son of Lyman and Emily (Denison) Husted. Edward was the third of four children, his mother dying when he was four years of age. In 1836 his father married again and emigrated west and located on Apple Creek Prairie in Green County, Illinois, coming via Chicago and the Illinois River. He died soon after returning from an overland trip to Chicago after household goods. The subject of our sketch was educated in the common schools of this county and was for many years engaged in farming, at present owning 800 acres of as good land as there is in this section, part of which adjoins the city of Roodhouse. In 1876 Mr. Husted was chosen President of the Roodhouse Bank, a position which he still holds.
In 1850 he was married to Miss Harriet M. Swallow, daughter of Guy and Katherine (Bonnister) Swallow. TO them three children were born only one of whom is living, Edgar M., now residing on the old homestead. Emma and Effie C. are deceased. The latter was the wife of J. J. Lee and died in 1894, leaving five children. Edgar M. has four children, which makes nine interesting grandchildren to brighten up his home and make it lively when they come to visit "grandpa." In 1864 Mrs. Husted died, and in 1865 Mr. Husted was again married. The second time to Augusta C., daughter of Elisha and Olive Bonnister, both now deceased.
Mr. Husted is a member of E. M. Husted Lodge No. 796, A. F. & A. M. and of Carrollton Chapter No. 50 and Hugh de Payen’s Commandery No. 29. He has always been very active in lodge work and to him is due much of the credit for the elegant lodge rooms at this place. In everything which he undertakes he is invariably successful. He is liberal minded and progressive in the full sense of the terms. Being of a sociable, courteous and obliging disposition, has won for him the high esteem in which he is held by his neighbors and placed him in a position to enjoy in ease and comfort the balance of an active and useful life. A picture of his beautiful home is to be found on another page.
Transcribed 25 Oct 2006 by Linda Jones Craig from Souvenir of Roodhouse, 1897.
