Titterington, Fred

The following data is extracted from Biographical History of Rock Island Illinois.

Few men are sufficiently versatile to successfully pursue two separate and entirely different vocations during their lives. Rare, indeed, is the farmer that becomes a dividend earning manufacturer, especially after he has attained middle age, and become a man of substance through his own efforts in tilling the soil. Such, however, has been the achievement of Fred Titterington, formerly a farmer in the vicinity of Edgington post office and now secretary and general manager of the Argillo works at Carbon Cliff.

Mr. Titterington is another native of Rock Island County, having been born at Edgington September 1, 1852. He was the son of Charles and Sophia Titterington, pioneers of the community. His early education was that of the average farmer boy, save that he had the additional advantage of a course at Knox Academy at Galesburg, Illinois. Until he was nineteen years of age he worked on his father's farm and then he set out for him-self, and for a number of years tilled the soil on the present site of the village of Reynolds. Later he farmed in Buffalo Prairie Township and eventually purchased a tract of land in Edgington Township, which was his home till 1899.

Always a more or less active Republican, he was rewarded by his party by election to the offices of treasurer of Rock Island County in 1894, serving one term of four years, during which time the present Court House was erected. Upon retiring from this service of the county he disposed of his farm interests and became connected with the Argillo Works, manufacturing clay products, and was chosen secretary and manager. Under his direction the company has prospered, the plant has been expanded and the business put on a basis that insures continued success.

Mr. Titterington, in addition to having served as county treasurer, has held various township offices as well as that of supervisor from Buffalo Prairie. He became a member of the Edgington Presbyterian Church at the age of fifteen, and upon removing to Rock Island in 1899, to take up manufacturing, united with the Broadway Presbyterian Church. He served as an elder in both churches. Mr. Titterington is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Globe.

September 1, 1874, the subject of this sketch was married, his bride being Harriet Edgington, daughter of John and Susan Edgington, of Buffalo Prairie. She passed away September 1, 1887, leaving three children: Susan E., Minnie G., and Forest H. Mr. Titterington later married Rose Powers, daughter of Z. D. and Elizabeth Powers, a native of Edgington. Two children, Beryl and Adria, were the issue of the second union.

Source: Biographical History of Rock Island Illinois

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