LEDFERD, FRANK L., the well known and successful proprietor of an attractive and well patronized bookstore in Jacksonville, Ill., was born on a farm just east of the city, on January 8, 1874. He is the youngest son of William H. and Julia Frances (Chamberlain) Ledferd, of whom the father was born in 1823 at Salem, N. C., and the mother, in New York City in 1830. The former came to Illinois in 1865, and settled on a farm near Jacksonville. After spending a year there he bought a farm four and a half miles east of Jacksonville, where he lived until 1902, when he retired from active business life to his home on East College Avenue, in that city. During the Civil War Mr. Ledferd was living in Missouri, and being the only Union man in his immediate vicinity, lost several hundred acres of land through the hostility of his neighbors. He is a very active member of the Salem Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he officiated as Deacon and Trustee for a number of years. He and his wife became the parents of the following children: William C.; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of James Tunison, of Atlanta, Ga.; George, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of George Graff; Fannie, deceased; Emma J., widow of Charles Corrington; Charles H., of Atlanta, Ga.; and Frank L.
Frank L. Ledferd received his early mental training in the district schools, and afterward graduated from Brown's Business College, in Jacksonville. After his graduation from this institution he was occupied for four years as traveling salesman and office manager for H. C. Tunison. In 1897 he purchased Stout's bookstore in Jacksonville, which he has since successfully conducted, having to a large extent also dealt in sporting goods.
On October 6, 1897, Mr. Ledferd was united in marriage with Millicent Arenz, a daughter of Albert W. and Ella (Rapp) Arenz, of Jacksonville. This union has been the source of four children: Frank A., James W., Aileen and Byron. In politics, Mr. Ledferd is a supporter of the Republican party. He has always taken a lively interest in public affairs, and his benevolence and liberality toward the charitable enterprises of the city are well known and appreciated. Religiously, he is a member of the Century Methodist Episcopal Church, and has always been active in church work. He held the office of Recording Secretary of the Y. M. C. A. for a number of years. Socially, he is popular, and is Secretary and a very active member of the Jacksonville Country Club, as well as Secretary and a very active member of the Jacksonville Country Club, as well as Secretary of the Central Illinois Golf Association. In fraternal circles, he is identified with Illini Lodge No. 4, I. O. O. F., and Jacksonville Lodge No. 152, K. of P. He is among the most popular and highly esteemed of the younger business men in Jacksonville.