"Old Settlers of Jersey County"
Pg. 31 - William D. Landon, the fourth of a family of nine children, was born in Addison county, Vermont, February 4th, 1813. His parents, Horace and Drusella Landon, were both of English descent. Horace Landon, whose occupation was that of a farmer, left Vermont with his family in 1834, and removed to the present limits of Jersey county, locating on a farm west of Jerseyville, where he died in 1857. His widow survived him until March, 1866.

The subject of our sketch attained a good knowledge of the rudiments of an English education in the schools of his native state. He came to this state with his parents, at the time above stated, and entered a farm in Greene county, which he improved, and soon after sold. He then spent two years traveling about, and, in March, 1837, was married to Mrs. Elvira Cowan, daughter of Zopher Cory, formerly from Addison county, Vermont, and also an old settler of this county. Mrs. Landon was born in 1814. They have had ten children, nine of whom are yet living --six married, and three single, the latter residing at home.

Mr. Landon commence life comparatively poor, but, with that indomitable energy which characterizes the man, has been enabled to accumulate considerable wealth. He is now one of the largest farmers of Jersey county, and is frequently spoken of for his industry, honesty, and strict integrity. Hem, like most of the old settlers of those early times, had to encounter many inconveniences and hardships which are incident to pioneer life, though these adverse circumstances did not discourage him, and he is ranked among the solid men of Jersey county.

Early in life he became an advocate of the principles of the whig party. He voted first for General Harrison, and after the whig party became extinct, he joined the republicans, and puts upon record with pride the fact that he voted twice for Abraham Lincoln. During the late civil war he was a strong Union man. H says he propses to vote again for U. S. Grant.

Mr. Landon is among the older residents of the county, and is highly respected by a large circle of friends with whom he has acted for over thirty years. ~~ provided by: P. Meado
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