Notes for John HOLDREN

Notes for John HOLDREN

SOURCE: Newspaper Obit. Patricia Morehouse, Barrington IL.

Newspaper article Obituary for John Holdren

Born Feb 4, 1825 died Feb 3, 1899. Our village was shocked when informed of the sudden death of one of its old and prominent citizens. Mr Holdren died at the close of the dinner hour. Four some time he had been troubled with his heart and two weeks ago was taken sick with the grip. The place of his birth was Mt. Pleasent township, Columbia county Pa. When a boy he worked on his father's farm. He assisted in the management of the farm until after his marriage. In August 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Phebe A. Derr. Mr. Holdren brought his young wife west in June, 1851, and located in this county, one mile south of Compton. In 1876 Mr. Holdren rented his farm, and with his family took up his residence in Compton. He was a man of Highest integrity, an upright citizen and a devoted father.

Public affairs received a large portion of his attention during his life, being at the time of his death, president of the village board, also president of the cemetery association. He leaves five children, two girls and three boys, to mourn his loss, his wife having died about a year ago. The children are Mrs. Shepard Mannon, Mrs. Janet Davison, Messrs. William, Edward, and Sherman Holdren. Years ago he united with the Baptist church, but after comming west he never identified himself with any church but continued to live in the faith of his early choice. The furneral was held Sunday moring at 10 o'clock from his late home. The services were conducted at the M.E. chruch by the pastor, Rev. Hetrick, assisted by the Rev. Baumgardner.

compiled by Patricia Morehouse

John Holdren, a wealthy farmer residing in the village of Compton, is honored as one of the pioneers of Lee County, whose work has helped in making it one of the richest and best developed agricultural counties of Northern Illinois. He was born February 4, 1825, in the part of Mt. Pleasant Township, Columbia County, Pa, now included in Montour County. John was educated in his native county and there grew to man's estate. He was early taught to be of use on his father's farm, and he continued to assist him in its management until after his marriage, remaining an inmate of the parental home until then. In 1851 he determined to emigrate to the fertile prairies of Northtern Illinois, his father having landed interests here and on the 15th of June he arrived in this county to make a permanent settlement here, and to ally his fortunes wtih those of the pioneers that had preceded his into this then sparsely settled wilderness. He located on a tract of land that his father had entered from the Government, situated one mile south of the present site of Compton. The prairies were then but little used for agricultural purposes, as the early settlers had not realized their value as land of surpassing fertility. There were no railways, and Aurora and Peru were the nearest market towns, through the farmers of then took their grain and other products to Chicago.

Mr. Holdren erected suitable buildings on his, land and busily engaged in its improvement for some years. In 1863 he sold it and bought another on section 16 Brooklyn township, upon which he lived until 1876, when he took up his residence in the village of Compton, and has remained here since. He has acquired a handsome property by the exercise of those traits of character that mark him as a thrifty, sagacious man. with a full under-standing of the best way to handle his affairs so as to make money. He is the owner of four hundred acres of fine farming land. Conventently divided into three farms, that are amply supplied with all the necessary buildings, and are under excellent tillage. In what he has accomplished our subject has been greatly aided by his wife who has been to him all that the term helpmate implies, as it was his good fortune to marry, in August, 1849, Miss Phebe A. Derr, a native of the same State as himself. Her birthplace being in Northuberland County. They have five children, William C. Eleanora, Edward, Janet and Sherman J. William married Miss Ellin Adrian, and they have two children, Frannie and John. Eleanora married Shepard Mannon, and they have three children, Emma C. Willard and Laura. Janet is the of Alonzo Davison and has two children Gracie P. and R. Palmer, Edward married Miss Emma G. Swope, and they have two children, Emma C. and Calvin. Sherman married Miss Ellen N. Kline, and they have one child Rosanna.

Portratt and Biographical Record page 280. 1850 census Anthony township Montour county Pa. 1880 census Brooklyn township Lee County IL.