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Biographies Page Jersey County Page
Benjamin WeddingHistory of Jersey County, Illinois, year unknown
Hon. Benjamin WEDDING was born in Scioto County, Ohio April 14th, 1826. He is the youngest of a family of eight children of James H. and Nancy Wedding. They were both natives of the District of Columbia. In 1814 they moved to Scioto County, Ohio where they resided until 1834 when they removed to the present limits of Jersey County. Mr. Benjamin Wedding, being an early resident of this county, was, in a measure, deprived of the advantages of good schooling. Yet, by assiduous industry and application, he gained a noble knowledge of the general branches of an education, and at the early age of twenty was licensed to teach. He then followed teaching six months of the year for about 10 years, farming in summer months. On the 9th of August, 1847, Mr Wedding was married to Miss Tabitha JOHNSON, daughter of Jas. E. and Rebecca Johnson of this county, though formally from Ohio. Mr. Wedding and wife have had 11 children, 5 of whom died in infancy. In 1854, Mr. Wedding was elected coroner of Jersey County and in the year of 1856 was elected sheriff as the candidate of the Whig party.
He filled these offices with credit both to himself and the people of the county. In politics, Mr. Wedding has been a Whig and a Republican. His first vote cast was for Gen. TAYLOR and he subsequently voted twice for the immortal LINCOLN. During the most trying times of the late rebellion, the Union cause had in Mr. Wedding a strong supporter.
In 1856 Mr. Wedding became a resident of Jerseyville, where he has since resided. In 1865 he recieved the appointment of internal revenue collector for Jersey and Calhoun counties and in 1868 resigned that office. In 1862 he became an agent for procuring United States bounties and pensions for soldiers and heirs. In 1870 Mr. Wedding was elected mayor of Jerseyville. He has for many years been recognized as among the prominent members of the Republican party in this county. He has been a citizen of Jersey County for over 38 years and by the kind index of his honest and benevolent countenance, united with his gentlemanly manners, has won the respect of those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, regardless of political aspirations.
Submitted by Robert Wedding, [email protected].
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