John Dryden

John Dryden, son of Thomas and Margaret Dryden, was born in Northumberlandshire, Eng., April 28,1821, where his father's death occurred September 6, 1874, at the age of eighty-six, and his mother's in 1876, in her eighty-fourth year. John Dryden is the fourth child of a family of nineteen children. His early life was spent at farm labor until his twenty-first year, when he began mining. In 1847 he married Miss Margaret, daughter of George and Mary Renwick, born in Cumberlandshire, Eng., June 22, 1820. In 1854 he came to America; proceeding at once to Stark county, Ill., and purchased a piece of land near Wyoming, remaining there three years, during which time he was engaged at mining. He revisited England for his wife, and the same year (1857) they returned, and in the years after they removed to West Jersey township. In 1864 they purchased a farm on section 18, where he is engaged in agriculture, owning 160 acres, within three miles of the village. Five children have blessed their union, three of whom are still living: Thomas J., George (deceased), Mary J. (deceased), Maggie A. and John G. Politically Mr. Dryden is a Green backer, and has held several township offices. In 1873 Mr. Dryden was called back to England on account of the illness of his father, and at his death was engaged in the settlement of the estate, he being the eldest son.