Biographies

ANDREW JACKSON DITTO, who carries on general farming on section 14, township 10 north, range 5 west, has the honor of being a native of Illinois, for his birth occurred in Mercer County, on the 5th of November, 1838. He is a son of Andrew and Margaret (Wyland) Ditto, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and of French descent, while the latter is of Dutch lineage. They became pioneers of Mercer County, locating there in 1836. The father embarked in farming and developed a good home. In the family were ten children: John W. and Sarah, both of whom are now deceased; George W., a prosperous farmer of Henderson County, who is represented elsewhere in this work; Frank, who resides in Gladstone, Ill.; Betsy, widow of Benjamin Fox, of Oregon; Samuel, who is living in Seaton, Ill.; Devi, of Kansas; Andrew J., of this sketch; Barbara, widow of John Cotton; and Louis N., of Henderson County. In his native county, Andrew J. Ditto spent the days of his boyhood and youth. His father died in 1854, and he then went to live with his eldest brother, John W., with whom he made his home until his marriage.

On the 3d of April, 1856, he led to the marriage altar Miss Ellen J. Wright, a native of Mercer County, Ill., and a daughter of Elias Wright, who was born in Sangamon County, Va. The young couple began their domestic life in Mercer County, and there remained for a number of years. In 1872, they came to Henderson County, and for a year resided on a farm northeast of Oquawka. Two years were then passed on a farm south of Gladstone, and in 1875 they took up their residence upon their present farm. In that year Mr. Ditto purchased one hundred and fifty-five acres of land, and has since devoted his time and attention to its cultivation.

Unto our subject and his wife were born the following children: Mrs. Anna Zeina Leonard, who is now living in Taylor County, Iowa; Mrs. Aurora N. Wheatley, also of Taylor County; Elizabeth and James A., both deceased; Mrs. Orpha Duvall; John W., who is located in Taylor County, Iowa; Budd; Clyde H., deceased; and George L. and Bert A., who are still on the home farm.

Mr. Ditto has been a supporter of the Democracy since casting his first Presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He has never sought or desired political preferment, wishing to give his entire time and attention to his business interests and to the enjoyment of the home, yet he is recognized as a public-spirited and progressive citizen, and the best interests of the community always receive his co-operation. In the management of his farm he displays good business ability, and now has one of the well-cultivated places of the neighborhood.

From the Portrait and Biographical Record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.