History of DeWitt County Illinois: with biographical sketches of prominent representative citizens of the county.
Chicago: Pioneer Publishing Co., 1910
Charles S. Lafferty. (Volume II, Page 84)
Charles S. Lafferty, who is now living retired at Clinton save for the supervision which he gives to his property interests, is widely recognized as a prominent citizen and extensive landowner of DeWitt county. His birth occurred in this county on the 26th of March, 1850, his parents being William and Amanda (Anderson) Lafferty, who were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. Samuel Lafferty, the paternal grandfather, was born in Virginia and came of Irish descent. He acted as city magistrate in Ohio for fifty years and was also identified with educational interests as an instructor for many years. The last four or five years of his life were spent in DeWitt county, Illinois, with his children and his demise occurred in the town of DeWitt when he was about ninety years of age. Unto him and his wife were born the following children: Catherine, William H., John, Joseph, Isaac, Susan and Mary.
William Lafferty, the father of Charles S. Lafferty, followed general agricultural pursuits throughout practically his entire business career. In the fall of 1838 he took up his abode at DeWitt, Illinois, but soon afterward purchased a farm near the village, continuing to reside thereon until 1874, when he returned to DeWitt and there made his home until called to his final rest in 1875 at the age of sixty-eight years. His demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained many friends during the long period of his residence here. For two terms he had served in the office of county judge. He joined the Presbyterian church when still but a youth and his Christian faith permeated his entire life. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amanda Anderson, and who was an only child, lost her parents when very young and was reared by John M. Richter of Springfield, Illinois. She came to DeWitt as a young woman and here spent the remainder of her life, passing away in 1902 at the age of seventy-eight years. She was a devoted member of the Methodist church and her kindly, helpful spirit endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. Unto William and Amanda (Anderson) Lafferty were born eight children, five sons and three daughters, as follows: Isaac C., who lives on the old home place in DeWitt county; William S., whose demise occurred April 5, 1910; Amanda Ann, who died when eighteen years of age; Charles S., of this review; Susan M., the deceased wife of M. B. North, of Hastings, Nebraska; Samuel, who passed away in 1908; Perry, who died in early life; and Clara A., the wife of J. R. Bosserman, of Clinton.
Charles S. Lafferty was reared on his father's farm in Rutledge township and attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. When twenty-one years of age he became crippled. After recovering he was engaged in the mercantile business at DeWitt for two years and then went to Weldon, where he conducted a general store for thirteen years. On the expiration of that period he came to Clinton and for eight years was here identified with business interests as a shoe merchant. Subsequently he became cashier of the DeWitt County National Bank but at the end of five years was obliged to resign that position on account of failing health. Since severing his connection with the institution he has given his attention to the supervision of his property interests, owning two fine farms in DeWitt county as well as tracts in Oklahoma and Winnipeg, Canada. Since 1897 he has lived in a handsome residence which he erected at No. 417 South Center street.
On the 27th of September, 1882, Mr. Lafferty was united in marriage to Miss Edith M. Crumbaugh, whose birth occurred near Le Roy, Illinois. Her parents, James H. L. and Amanda M. (Buck) Crumbaugh, were natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively, the latter being born on the 10th of February, 1828. Henry Crumbaugh, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Lafferty, was a native of Maryland and a farmer by occupation. In company with his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Baldock, he came to Illinois in 1828, first residing near Springfield for two years. They then took up their abode near Le Roy and there spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of twelve children, six of whom reached years of maturity, namely: Narcissa, Lucy M., James H. L., John Edgar, Jackson and Lewis Cass. Hiram Buck, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Lafferty, was born in New York and also followed farming as a life work. For his wife he chose Miss Mercy Karr and they came to Illinois in 1833, passing away near Le Roy when well advanced in years. Unto them were born six children, namely: Amanda M., Thomas Lee, Martha E., Nancy J., Charles Albert and Rebecca Elizabeth. James H. L. Crumbaugh, the father of Mrs. Lafferty, was but two years of age when brought to this state by his parents in 1828. His demise occurred at Le Roy in 1904, when he had attained the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, who still survives him, has now passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey and is well preserved and in excellent health for a woman on life's journey and is well preserved and in excellent health for a woman of her age. They reared a family of three children, as follows: Laura Elizabeth, the widow of William Lafferty, a brother of our subject; Mrs. Lafferty; and Hiram H., who is a resident of Le Roy, Illinois.
In politics Mr. Lafferty is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Universalist church, with which his wife is also affiliated. Fraternally he is identified with DeWitt Lodge, No. 87, A. F. & A. M.; Goodbrake Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M.; Clinton Commandery, No. 66, K. T.; and Mohammed Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star and the latter also belongs to the White Shrine. Mr. Lafferty enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance in the county where his entire life has been spent and is widely recognized as a most substantial and respected citizen.
Return to Biographical Sketches