Jonathan Depuy (1816-1891), born on October 2, 1816, in Delaware, became one of the early settlers of Lee County, Illinois, after moving there in 1844. He was a dedicated farmer who contributed significantly to the development of Nachusa Township, where he improved two farms. Depuy first married Sallie A. Klintop in 1837, with whom he had eight children. After her death in 1866, he married Tena Bauman in 1867. Jonathan Depuy passed away on June 16, 1891, leaving behind a respected legacy and a productive estate in Nachusa Township. His widow, Tena, continued to reside on their 80-acre farm.
Jonathan Depuy. This well-known and highly respected citizen of Nachusa Township died at his pleasant home on section 36, June 16, 1891. He made this county his home in 1844, hence was one of the very earliest settlers and has witnessed the marvelous growth of the country from a vast wilderness into beautiful and productive farms and thriving villages. He improved two good farms and was a hard-working and intelligent farmer.
Mr. Depuy was born October 2, 1816, in Delaware, and accompanied his parents on their removal to Luzerne County, Pa., being at that time only four years of age. The father engaged in agricultural pursuits and, with his wife, passed his last days in the Keystone State, dying at an advanced age, greatly respected by all who knew him.
Our subject was reared to the life of a farmer and educated in the common schools of his neighborhood. When establishing a home of his own, he was married in July 1837 to Miss Sallie A. Klintop, a native of Luzerne County, Pa. Mrs. Depuy was of German ancestry but of American parents, and received a good education in Pennsylvania. She became the mother of eight children. On their removal to Illinois, they settled in Nachusa, this county, where they labored industriously until November 30, 1866, when Mrs. Depuy was called to her long home. She was born January 19, 1816, and during her life was an active worker in the Lutheran Church.
Jonathan Depuy was a second time married, December 12, 1867, to Miss Tena Bauman, who was born in Somerset County, Pa., May 9, 1826. Their marriage was celebrated in Nachusa Township, where they still make their home. Mrs. Depuy was the daughter of Daniel and Katie (Poorbaugh) Bauman, natives of the Keystone State and of German ancestry. They followed the life of farmers in Luzerne County, Pa., and died in Somerset County, near Berlin, when past three-score and ten years. In their religious connection, they were members of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Bauman was a patriot in the War of 1812, and in his death, the county lost one of her best citizens.
Mrs. Tena Depuy was the ninth in order of birth in a family of twelve children born to her parents, all of whom are living with the exception of four, and most of them make their homes in Somerset County, Pa. Our subject’s wife remained at home until her marriage with Mr. Depuy, in the meantime receiving a good education and being trained in all those duties which go to make a first-class housekeeper. Since the death of her husband, she has come into possession of the beautiful estate of eighty acres where she makes her home. She is a member of the Lutheran Church as was also her husband.
By his former marriage, our subject became the father of eight children, four of whom were born prior to their removal to Illinois. Three are now deceased, two dying in infancy unnamed. We make the following mention of those living: Alex makes his home in Dixon, where he is janitor of the courthouse and Presbyterian Church. He married Mary Bittner, a native of Somerset County, Pa.; Rosanna is the wife of John Heller, a farmer of Hanson County, S. Dak.; Fidelia is Mrs. Robinson, and makes her home in Chicago; Jane is the wife of Fred Eggert, and they reside on a farm in Missouri; Miriam is the wife of Charles Hess, and they reside in Pennsylvania.