(DECEASED)

Robert LOUDEN one of the early settlers of the western part of Clinton county, was a native of the county Derry, Ireland. He was descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry. His father, John Louden, died when the subject of this sketch was a small child. Though he had only ordinary advantages, he secured a good business education. He was raised on a farm but learned the trade of a weaver. On reaching manhood he married Rebecca Jane SCOTT who was born in the same part of Ireland. Soon after his marriage he emigrated to America, and for some years worked at his trade of a weaver in the city of Philadelphia. From Philadelphia he moved with his family to Illinois, first settling in St. Clair county, and from there coming to Clinton county in the year 1839. On making his home in Clinton county, he entered land in the Looking Glass prairie, five miles south of Trenton, where he lived till the year but 1875. He then became a resident of the town of Trenton, and resided there till his death in 1880. He came to the west without any means, and by energy, industry, and good business judgment, succeeded in accumulating a competence. He made wise investments in land, and at one time owned a large amount of real estate, a great part of which he divided among his children previous to his death. For a number of years he was a member of the Methodist Church. In his political opinions he was at first a whig, but when the republican party was formed he connected himself with it, and was afterwards an active member of that organization. He was a warm friend of education, and took a great interest in the public schools. He had no ambition to fill public office, but was content to lead the quiet life of a private citizen. As far as personal honesty and integrity were concerned, no man stood higher in the county. He was about eighty years of age at the time of his death. Six of his thirteen children are now living. The oldest, John Louden, resides at Lebanon, St. Clair county. George Louden lives at Trenton. Benjamin Louden is post-master at Trenton, and a dealer in agricultural implements. The daughters are Mary, Margaret and Annie.

Source: History of Marion and Clinton Counties, Illinois, 1881, Brink, McDonough & Co., Philadelphia

Submitted by: Pamela Safriet

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