Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Hadden, William B July 13, 1854 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 20, 2006, 7:09 am Author: Bio/Gen Rec LaSalle/Grundy Counties 1900 From sterling Scotch ancestry Mr. Hadden is descended, and some of the leading characteristics of that race are manifest in his honorable business career. Thomas Hadden, the original American ancestor, left the land of hills and heather for the New World, taking up his abode in New Jersey during the early settlement of the colonies. The records show that he was a resident of Woodbridge, New Jersey, in 1727, and that he died there in 1783. He was a carpenter by trade and a Quaker in religious faith, taking an active part in the administration of the affairs of the Society of Friends. He was also prominent in village affairs, serving as commissioner of highways and as overseer of the poor for many years. In the year 1727 he married Margaret Fitz Randolph, the wedding taking place in Woodbridge, New Jersey. After her death he wedded Margaret Vanquellen, of Bloomfield. She was a widow and the wedding was celebrated in 1750. Afterward he was again married, his third wife, Mrs. Catherine Hadden, surviving him. His children were all born of the first marriage and were: Elizabeth, who married William Smith in 1753; Mary, who became the wife of Thomas Brown in 1754 and afterward married Mr. Dobbs; Nathaniel; Joseph; Thomas, who married Annabel Crowell in 1758; Margaret, who married John Hurd in 1757; and Martha, who became the wife of Nathaniel Loofburrow. The father of these children was disowned by the Quakers in 1750, on account of his marriage to Margaret Vanquellen, who was an Episcopalian. Thomas Hadden, the son of Thomas and Margaret Hadden, was born in Woodbridge, New Jersey, in 1736, and was the great-grandfather of our subject. He spent his entire life in his native town and was there married in 1736 to Annabel Crowell. During the Revolutionary war he joined the Colonial forces and fought for the independence of the nation as a member of the First Regiment of Middlesex militia, state of New Jersey. At the time of his death, which occurred September 2, 1778, he was serving as a lieutenant colonel in that command. The regiment took part in the battles of Monmouth and Trenton and endured all the hardships of the memorable winter of 1777 at Valley Forge. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Woodbridge, New Jersey, and his wife died there many years later, passing away July 28, 1821. Their children were: Thomas, who was born June 24, 1761, wedded Mary Baker and died July 30, 1803. Nathaniel, who was born June 8, 1765, and died November 18, 1842, was married first to Mahala Marsh and in 1808 wedded Sarah Marsh Brown, while on the 13th of July, 1819, having also lost his second wife, he wedded Mary Halsey Marsh. Crowell, who was born March 8, 1768, and died September 11, 1833, is one of the heroes of the Revolution. He married his first wife, Elizabeth, in 1791, and after her demise he married Anna May. Christian, who was born March 8, 1775, and died February 6, 1840, was married in 1791 to William Harrison. Thomas Hadden, the third of the name, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born in Woodbridge, New Jersey, and wedded Mary Baker. Their children were as follows: John, who was born September 8, 1781, was married in 1808 to Rebekah Brown and died August 8, 1862. Catherine, who was born February 9, 1783, became the wife of Henry Hale and died October 15, 1831. Ephraim, who was born March 30, 1784, was married in 1810 to Isabel Manning Harriott and died March 6, 1872. Matthias, who was born April 5, 1786, died December 29, 1814. Cornelius, who was born May 2, 1789, died October 22, 1793. Jacob, who was born May 18, 1791, was married in 1816 to Sally Ayres and died December 22, 1871. Thomas, who was born June 1, 1794, died June 30, 1833. Cornelius, who was born April 16, 1798, and died February 27, 1895, first married Elizabeth Spencer and in 1850 wedded Mary Spencer Bennett. Mary, who was born January 16, 1801, and died April 8, 1879, was married in 1825 to Uzziah Bloodgood. The father of these children was a substantial farmer of Woodbridge, New Jersey, where he owned a well improved tract of land and a good home. There he died July 30, 1803, and his wife passed away September 6, 1842. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and was always loyal to his duties of citizenship. His homestead is still in the possession of his descendants. Cornelius Hadden, the father of our subject, was born in Woodbridge, New Jersey, April 16, 1798, obtained a good education for that day, became a well informed man and possessed excellent business judgment. He was reared as a farmer, but in early life became a ship carpenter, working for the ship- building firm of Brown & Bell. When a young man he went to Athens, New York, establishing his home at that place. Twice married; he first wedded Elizabeth Spencer, who died in Athens nineteen years after their marriage. He then wedded her sister, Mary P. (Spencer) Bennett, who was born at Albany, New York, August 6, 1813. The Spencers were probably of Holland lineage. The children of the second marriage were: Charles H., born February 26, 1852; and William B., who was born July 13, 1854. Cornelius Hadden followed ship- building at Athens, on the Hudson river, for many years, prospering in his undertakings and becoming a substantial citizen. He was for some years in partnership with William H. Morton, and the firm not only carried on operations on an extensive scale along the line of ship-building, but also engaged in merchandising. On the 2d of May, 1861, Mr. Hadden arrived at Morris, Illinois, and a few days later settled on what is known as the Hadden homestead, having purchased the land in 1857. It was then a wild tract of one hundred and sixty acres, on which a log cabin had been built and a few acres had been broken. It was pleasantly situated on Waupecan creek and is well timbered. Mr. Hadden improved the property by developing the fields and erecting good buildings. At one time he was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Iowa, but sold that and spent his last days on his Illinois farm, where he died January 27, 1895. He was a man of excellent judgment, of retentive memory, and was well informed on all general topics. His sterling characteristics made him highly respected. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat and he was very firm in upholding his honest convictions. William B. Hadden, whose name introduces this review, was born in Athens, New York, July 13, 1854, and with his parents came to Illinois when about seven years of age. He has therefore witnessed much of the growth and development of Grundy county. He obtained his education in the common schools, and through the summer months assisted in the work of field and meadow. Not long after attaining his majority he was married, in Morris, Illinois, January 26, 1876, by Rev. John Arthur Montgomery, to Laura Frances Allison, who was born in Stark county, Illinois, December 3, 1856, and is the daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth (Mann) Allison. Her paternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth (Stewart) Allison, the former an Ohio farmer of Scotch-Irish descent. His parents; were James and Barbara Allison, and the former is the first of the name of whom we have record. John Allison died in the Buckeye state. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, enlisting at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He served for two hundred and seventy-four days under the command of Captain Coulson and Colonel Free. He and his wife located in Belmont county, Ohio, in early pioneer days. He married Elizabeth Stewart, who was born, June 28, 1800. Their children were James, Jebsel, John, Hiram, George, Susan and Rebecca. The mother of these children was a daughter of Jesse and Mary Stewart. Her father was born October 12, 1777, and died October 8, 1846. His wife was born March 12, 1762. Their children were Elizabeth, Rebecca, Matilda, Mary and James P. Jesse Stewart removed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1844, having for some time previous lived in Marietta, that state. He was living there at the time of the breaking out of the war of 1812. Responding to the country's call for troops, he enlisted under Captain Van Horn with the attachment that went northeast to Lake Champlain and thence by the Niagara route to Lake Erie. He participated in the battle on Lake Erie, under Commodore Perry, September 9, 1813. He was the great-grandfather of Mrs. Hadden. Hiram Allison was born in Ohio, December 3, 1825, attended the common schools and was married in Morristown, Belmont county, Ohio, by Alexander Ewing, to Elizabeth Mann, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1832, and is a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Elerick) Mann. Her father conducted a tavern at the foot of the Alleghany mountains, and there died in middle life. His wife was of sturdy Pennsylvania Dutch stock. They had seven children, namely: John, David, George, Holdridge, Mary, Catherine and Elizabeth. Hiram Allison was a carpenter by trade, who in 1852 came to Illinois and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Stark county. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place, but he carefully developed it and after some years removed to Sedalia, Missouri, where he spent nine years. He then returned to Grundy county, where he carried on farming for some time, but is now living retired in St. Clairsville, Ohio, at the venerable age of seventy-five years, his toil in former years enabling him at the present time to rest in the enjoyment of a comfortable competence. His wife died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hadden, July 29, 1889. Their children were: Catherine Elizabeth, who was born January 12, 1849; Clara Agnes, who was born December 16, 1850; John W., born December 25, 1852; Hiram D., born March 15, 1855; Laura F., born December 3, 1856; Joseph A., born June 13, 1858; James L., born May 18, 1860; William O., born June 18, 1862; Margaret J., born March 29, 1864; and Samuel A., born July 7, 1868. Mr. Hadden has remained upon the old homestead and has made many excellent improvements on the place. In 1896 he erected a large and commodious residence, in the modern style of architecture, and the home is tastefully furnished and pervaded with an air of culture and refinement. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hadden has been blessed with the following named: Lena Belle, who was born October 9, 1877, and died June 13, 1878, William M., born April 22, 1879; Samuel C., born July 15, 1882; and Gardie A., who was born May 27, 1889, and died June 2, 1890. Mrs. Hadden and her sons are members of the Congregational church, and in his political views Mr. Hadden is a Jeffersonian Democrat. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and he has served as a member of the school board in his district for one term and is at present school trustee. He has lately been elected to the office of highway commissioner. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Mazon Lodge, No. 826. He also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen camp at Wauponsee, being now venerable counsel. A well known and representative citizen and a man of unblemished character, he enjoys the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and his genial and pleasant disposition has made him very, popular and has gained him many warm friends. Source: Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p592-596 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/hadden179nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 12.1 Kb