Bureau County Archives – Page 8 of 14

Biography of Joseph H. Brigham of Dover, Illinois

History of Bureau County, Illinois Title Page

The Brigham family came to this country at a very early date in the history of America, having formerly resided on a tract of land called Brigham lying between Scotland and England, and at that time belonging to neither country, but now owned by England. From this family are descended all the Brighams now in America. They are of remarkable longevity; on one tombstone in the old burying ground in New Hampshire is recorded the age of one hundred and three years. Another family of seven children lived till their average age was eighty years, and one member yet survives. … Read more

Biography of Martin Brenneman of Selby, Illinois

Martin Brenneman, Selby, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., March 12, 1819. His parents, Martin and Varunaca (Kendick) Brenneman, were both natives of Lancaster County, Penn., but their ancestors came to America among the first German immigrants to the New World, coming from Rhinelyarn over 200 years ago, and of their descendants in the country the sixth generation is now living. When our subject was about eleven years old he removed with his parents to Wayne County, Ohio. His mother died in Stark County, Ohio. She was the mother of ten children, four of whom are living, viz.: Anna, widow … Read more

Biography of Dr. Simon Peter Breed of Wyanet, Illinois

Dr. Simon Peter Breed, Wyanet. In the possession of William J. Breed, of Raynham, Mass., are records stating that A. D. 1100 a colony of Breeds emigrated from Germany to Sussex County, England, and there founded a town called Breed, which bears that name to the present day. From this colony of Breeds sprang Allyn Breed, of 1601, who came to America and settled in Lynn, Mass., in 1630, and became the sole progenitor of the Breed family in America. One of his great-grandsons, Ebenezer Breed, is noted for being the owner of Breed’s Hill, where was fought the battle … Read more

Biography of Erastus P. Boyden of Tiskilwa, Illinois

Erastus P. Boyden, Tiskilwa, who is the subject of the following biography, was born February 16, 1823, in Pelham, Hampshire Co., Mass. His father, Plyna Boyden, was born November 2, 1788, in South Walpole, Mass., near Boston. He was a shoe-maker and farmer by occupation, and died September 25, 1866, in Henry County, Ill. The Boyden family is of English descent and are classed among the pioneers of New England. The mother of our subject, Clarissa Fales, was born July 6, 1793. She died June 5, 1861. She was a daughter of Joseph Fales, and was the mother of six … Read more

Biography of Albert W. Boyden of Sheffield, Illinois

Albert W. Boyden, Sheffield, son of Dr. Wyatt and Elizabeth Woodbury Boyden, was born in Beverly, Mass., May 24, 1833. His father was a practicing physician of Beverly, and intended his son should be a farmer, consequently, when old enough, he was placed on a farm during the summer seasons, and was also employed in a band for some time, and there was taught lessons which have been valuable to him in his business career. In September, 1853, Mr. Boyden came West. clerking a while in Chicago, and for the Stevens firm in Tiskilwa, and then settled on his farm … Read more

Biography of Nathaniel Boyd of Concord, Illinois

Charles S. Boyd was a merchant tailor in New York City till 1920, when he closed out business and came to Illinois with hid former partner in the tailoring business, John Dixon. They came most of the distance to the State with ox teams, and when they landed in Springfield, Ill., Mr. Boyd erected the third cabin there. From 1820 till 1830 he resided at Springfield, and would work at his trade whenever he could during the summer, and would often get paid for his work in cattle, so during the fall he would drive the cattle to the lead … Read more

Biography of Thomas Bowen of Bureau, Illinois

Thomas Bowen, Bureau, was born at Woodchurch, Kent Co., England, August 13, 1831. He came to America with his parents, Thomas and Phebe (Markwick) Bowen, in 1838. They settled in New York; first in Monroe County, and then in Orleans County, where our subject’s father died in 1850. The mother is still living at an advanced age. Our subject was the second in a family of ten children, six of whom are now living, five in New York. Mr. Bowen was reared in New York, and there learned his trade of blacksmith. In 1851 he came to Bureau County, and … Read more

Biography of Alden Booth of Fairfield, Illinois

Alden Booth, Fairfield, was born September 24, 1811 in Tompkins County, N. Y. He is the son of William and Sally (Ashley) Booth, natives of Massachusetts, as was also Grandfather Joseph Booth, who died in Tompkins County, N. Y. William Booth was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a farmer and died in Cattaraugus County N. Y. His widow, a native of Salem, Mass., survived him and drew his war pension. She died in Whiteside County, Ill., aged ninety-two years. She was the mother of seven children, viz.: Ashley, now a resident of Whiteside County; Phebe, deceased; … Read more

Biography of William Bowen of Neponset, Illinois

William Bowen (deceased). The following biography is devoted to a man who is well remembered by our older settlers, and who distinguished himself as a soldier in our late war, and what is more, as a useful citizen after the war, in all matters pertaining to the interest of the community. He was born October 19, 1836, in Scropton, Derbyshire, England. He was a son of George and Sarah (Moocroft) Bowen, who were natives of Sctopton, England, and the parents of six children, viz.: Hannah, William, John, Mary, George, and Sarah, who was born in Bureau County, Ill. The immigrated … Read more

Pin It on Pinterest