Lee County Archives – Page 2 of 12

Biography of George W Bruner of South Dixon Township

George W. Bruner is an accomplished farmer in South Dixon Township, owning 150 acres of well-cultivated land. Born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in 1849, he moved with his family to Illinois in 1865, where he became a skilled farmer and later purchased his homestead in 1876. A dedicated Lutheran and a straight-talking Democrat, Bruner is active in his community and has served on the Board of Directors for the Lutheran Assembly in Dixon. He is married to Clara E. Mosely, with whom he has two daughters, one of whom passed away young.

Biography of Nathaniel G. H. Morrill of Dixon

Nathaniel G. H. Morrill, a prominent pioneer in Dixon, Illinois, was born in Massachusetts in 1808. He moved to New Hampshire before settling in Illinois in 1838. Morrill became a skilled mechanic and contractor, significantly contributing to Dixon’s development through various public works, including the first bridge across the river. He was a dedicated community member, promoting moral and educational advancements. Morrill was married twice and had several children, with his second wife, Caroline Meyers, managing his business after his death in 1886.

Biography of Henry Sanders of Franklin Grove

Henry Sanders, born in Pennsylvania in 1826, is a respected pioneer of Lee County, Illinois, known for his contributions to farming and stock-raising. After moving to Illinois in 1845 and settling in Franklin Grove, he became an early landowner and influential figure in the area. Married in 1851 to Rachel C. Morgan, they had six children. Upon retiring in 1888, Sanders enjoyed a prosperous life while managing significant landholdings. A self-made man with strong values, he remains well-regarded for his sound judgment and community spirit, having transitioned from Republican to independent political views.

Biography of John F. Stager of Palmyra Township

John F. Stager, born in 1833 in Pennsylvania, is a successful farmer and mechanic who has lived in Palmyra Township since the early 1860s. He owns a 316-acre farm, equipped with buildings he constructed himself, and enjoys a retired life. Stager began with humble beginnings and credits his success to perseverance and his late wife, Harriet, who supported him throughout their marriage. They had four children, with only one surviving.

Biography of Edward B. Knight, Jr. of Dixon Township

Edward B. Knight, Jr., born on December 21, 1850, in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a dedicated farmer in South Dixon Township, known for his systematic farming methods. His family has deep New England roots, and after moving to Illinois in 1854, he embraced agriculture as his life’s work. In 1884, he purchased a fertile 130-acre farm, where he and his wife, Emma B. Woodruff, raised their family. They have experienced both joy and sorrow, with three surviving children after the loss of two. The Knights are respected members of their community and the Presbyterian Church.

Biography of Jonathan Depuy (1816-1891)

Jonathan Depuy, 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.

Biography of Richard S. Farrand of Dixon

Richard S. Farrand, born on October 1, 1852, in St. Joseph Township, Indiana, became a prominent figure in Lee County, Illinois, through his dedication to law and public service. After leaving home at eleven, Farrand supported himself and pursued an education, eventually moving to Lee County at age fifteen. He taught school before becoming Deputy Sheriff in 1877, and later studied law under A. C. Bardwell, gaining admission to the bar in 1879. Elected County Judge in 1882, Farrand served multiple terms and was also a former Mayor of Dixon. He married C. J. Marsh in 1873, and they had two sons, one of whom, Ernest W., survived to adulthood.

Biography of George W. Hulbert of Bradford Township

George W. Hulbert, born January 24, 1836, in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, moved to Lee County, Illinois, at the age of six with his parents, Elias and Hannah Hulbert. He grew up in Bradford Township, where he pursued farming and became an active community member. In 1859, he married Loraine L. Evitts, with whom he had three children. George held several local offices, including Assessor and Collector, and played a key role in establishing the Bradford Mutual Insurance Company. After his death on January 5, 1888, Loraine managed the family’s 120-acre farm, demonstrating her capability and resilience.

Biography of Hugh Fitzpatrick of May Township

Hugh Fitzpatrick, born in April 1823 in County Cavan, Ireland, emigrated to the United States where he became a prominent farmer and civic leader in May Township, Lee County, Illinois. After working on railway construction projects in New York and Pennsylvania, Fitzpatrick settled in Lee County in 1857, eventually amassing substantial farmland. He married Ann DeLacy, also from County Cavan, in 1850. Despite the loss of their two children, the couple became integral members of their community, with Hugh serving over ten years on the Lee County Board of Supervisors. He was a devout Roman Catholic.

Biography of Christian B. Classen of South Dixon Township

Christian B. Classen, born October 4, 1815, in Varel, Oldenburg, Germany, was the son of Claus and Eliza (Varner) Classen. After losing his parents early in life, Christian married Sophia Christians, also of Oldenburg, and the couple emigrated to the United States in 1852. They settled in Illinois, first in Sugar Grove and later in Whiteside County, before purchasing a farm in South Dixon Township in 1869. Despite the loss of their three children, Christian and Sophia became respected members of their community, known for their strong Lutheran faith and successful farming endeavors.

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