Iles, Elijah, 1796-

Elijah Iles (1796-1883), a shopkeeper, farmer, politician, landowner & real estate developer in Springfield, Ill.; Washington Iles (1800-1871), Elijah's brother, a farmer and businessman in Sangamon County and Springfield, Ill.; and their relatives and descendants.

Born in Kentucky to Thomas and Elizabeth (Crockett) Iles, both Iles brothers had settled in Illinois by 1825. Elijah Iles opened the first retail store in Springfield in 1821, and with 3 other investors, bought, surveyed and platted the town site in 1822-1823. He was a State Senator (1826-1834), and a Winnebago (1827) and Black Hawk (1831) Indian War veteran. He spent the major part of his life investing in businesses, developing land and promoting Springfield, Ill., and died a very wealthy man with no direct heirs. Washington Iles settled in Woodside Township in 1825. Besides farming, he had a wool carding business and other investments. He and his wife, Ann (Foster) Iles, had 11 children. They and Elijah's many other nieces and nephews inherited his fortune.

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