NameCharles Pulford
Birth10 Aug 1818, South Elmham St Margaret, Waveney District, Suffolk, ENG148,503, pp 869-70
Census1850, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 31
Census1860, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 41
Census1870, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 51
Census1880, USA, IL, Carroll Co, Savanna Age: 61
BurialSavanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA
MemoSavanna Township Cemetery
Marriage16 Nov 1873, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA469
SpouseGabriella M. Randall
Birth21 Sep 1837, Castile, Wyoming Co., NY, USA
Census1850, USA, NY, Livingston Co., Portage Age: 12
Census1860, USA, NY, Allegany Co., Burns Age: 22
Census1880, USA, IL, Carroll Co, Savanna Age: 42
Census1900, USA, IL, Carroll Co. Savanna Age: 62
BurialPine River, Waushara Co., WI, USA
Children
Birthca 1850, NY, USA
Census1860, USA, NY, Allegany Co., Burns Age: 10
Birthca 1860, NY, USA
Census1860, USA, NY, Allegany Co., Burns Age: <1
Census1870, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 10
Census1880, USA, IL, Carroll Co, Savanna Age: 20
Birthca 1865, IL, USA
Census1870, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 5
Census1880, USA, IL, Carroll Co, Savanna Age: 15
Birth27 Jun 1876, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA1959,110
Census1880, USA, IL, Carroll Co, Savanna Age: 3
Census1900, USA, IL, Carroll Co. Savanna Age: 23
Census1910, USA, SD, Harding Co., Ludlow Age: 33
Census1920, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Ward 4 Age: 43
Death27 Jul 1920, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA1959 Age: 44
BurialSavanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA
MemoSavanna Township Cemetery
Military ServiceUSA
Marriage7 Aug 1900, St. Joseph, Berrien Co., MI, USA1853,3
BirthNov 1879, IL, USA
Census1880, USA, IL, Carroll Co, Savanna Age: <1
Census1900, USA, IL, Carroll Co. Savanna Age: 20
Death1941 Age: 61
Notes for Charles Pulford
Note: On marriage index forms and in 1850 Census, surname listed as Pulfer. In 1860 census and all other records found, surname is Pulford.
Charles and a brother emigrated from England about 1840 and walked from Chicago to Savanna to join an older brother already living there.
Research notes for Charles Pulford
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois. Edited by Newton Bateman and Paul
Selby. And History of Carroll County. Edited by Charles L. Hostetter.
Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co, 1913 p. 869-70
PULFORD, James Bothwell (deceased), one of the highly respected native sons
of Savanna, Ill., was born here November 17, 1852, being a son of the
pioneers Charles and Sarah (Bothwell) Pulford. Charles Pulford was born in
England, August 10, 1818, while his wife was born in Ireland, May 10, 1814.
He and a brother came to America about 1840, and walked from Chicago to
Savanna to join an elder brother living here. Mrs. Pulford came here about
the same year. At first, Mr. Pulford went to work in a stave mill, but
later took up butchering, he having learned the trade in England,
continuing in it until his health failed, when he retired. He was a
progressive man and assisted materially in the development of Savanna.
About 1850, he built a large stone house on the site of the present public
library, quarrying the rock himself, as well as hewing all the timber used
in the construction of his home. He was a hard-working man who never
spared himself, and was noted for his business judgment and ability, and
accumulated considerable property. Fraternally, he belonged to the Odd
Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Pulford became the parents of five children, of whom
James B. was the youngest. Two survive: Elizabeth, Mrs. Dr. G. W. Johnson,
of Savanna; and Samuel Pulford, of Chicago. Charles Pulford died October
2, 1887, while his wife died March 24, 1867.
James B. Pulford was educated in the public schools of Savanna, and being
very ambitious, when a boy of twelve years he began work ferrying hay and
wood across Plum river, using a horse as motive power. Two years later, he
entered a drug store as clerk and apprentice, and at sixteen bought out the
stock and conducted this store until his death. He built up a very
extensive business, and carried a large stock of drugs, paints, oils, wall
paper, pianos and musical instruments, jewelry, silverware and similar
articles. He was also connected with other business ventures, and at one
time served as president of the Commercial State Bank, holding that office
at the time of his death. Mr. Pulford bought the first electric light
plant built in the city, later installed a larger plant in the opera house
building, and still later erected the present plant, which he owned
individually when he died. In addition to these activities, Mr. Pulford
was an extensive dealer in real estate. He belonged to the city council
for a number of years, and was also on the school board. Politically, he
was a staunch Republican. Like his father, he was an Odd Fellow, and also
belonged to the Modern Woodmen. In early life he was an active church
member. About 1892 he built the present Pulford residence, which is one of
the finest in Savanna; he also built the opera house, and practically all
the houses in the block.
On January 5, 1884 he was married to Lucinda Wiel, born in Hanover, Jo
Daviess county, Ill., August 22, 1861, daughter of Philip and Margaret
(Nicodemas) Wiel, natives of Nassau, Germany, who came to America with two
sons and located in Madison, Wis. Later, they went to Galena, Ill. In
Germany, Mr. Wiel was a carriage maker, but established a vinegar factory
at Madison, moving it to Galena later on. Some time later he sold it,
moving to Hanover, being one of the first to locate there. Mr. Wiel
enlisted in the army during the Civil War, and died at Memphis, Tenn.,
having contracted smallpox in the service. Mrs. Wiel died at the home of
Mrs. Pulford in 1895, aged sixty-seven years. Mrs. Pulford was the
youngest of eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Pulford became the parents of
two children: Pearl B., Mrs. A. D. Shaw, of Savanna, born January 9, 1886;
and Hazel Nell, born November 29, 1887, died January 21, 1909. Mr. Pulford
died May 25, 1905. Few men were more active than he in Carroll county, and
none are more kindly remembered, for his all too short life was filled with
deeds of kindness, and he was always public-spirited to the highest degree.
It is such men as he who build up a community and advance its best interests