E. R. Florence
E. R. Florence was born on the old Robert Florence home farm, six miles west of London in 1837, and has spent most of his life in Madison county. He was elected sheriff of the county in 1872, and moved to London, where he has since resided. After serving two terms as sheriff, he was elected county treasurer and served two terms in that capacity. Mr. Florence has always been an ardent Democrat and his election to county office four different terms in a county in which his party is greatly in the minority, speaks highly of the esteem in which he is held here. After his service in public office he embarked in the lumber business and built and operated the Florence planing mill and lumber yards for twenty years, retiring from the business five years ago.
Mr. Florence's time is now devoted entirely to handling his farm lands, about 540 acres, and he resides at his beautiful residence on North Water street erected by him several years ago.
From Madison Democrat 50th Anniversary - Published by the Madison Democrat, 1908
E. R. Florence, ex-Treasurer of Madison County, London, was born in Paint Township September 7, 1837. His father, Robinson Florence, is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and came to Madison County about 1831 or 1832. He located in Paint Township, where he still resides, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He married Elizabeth Williams, a native of this county. This union has been blessed with ten children, seven of whom are living. Our subject is a second child and son, and obtained a very thorough English education at a private school. He was engaged in farming and stock-raising on the old home farm until January, 1873. when he was elected Sheriff of Madison County. on the Democratic ticket. He served four years in this position, and during that period was further honored by being nominated and elected to the position of Treasurer of Madison County. He took possession of the latter office in September, 1878, and was subsequently re-elected in 1879. His second term expired 1882. Mr. Florence was an able and efficient public official and well esteemed by all. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Presbyterian Church, and has ever been Democratic in political matters. He was united in marriage in the spring of 1879, to Mary E. Cover, a native of Madison County. They have no children. Mrs. Florence is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]