Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Naden, Obadiah 
************************************************
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 March 25, 2006, 5:10 pm

Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

Obadiah Naden


There is something in the spirit of the American government and of the 
American nation which wins the loyal support of almost all of its adopted 
sons.  Its freedom from monarchical rule, its advantage for progress and 
improvement, unhampered by caste, seem to call forth the best efforts of those 
who come here to seek homes; and, encouraged by the example of many self-
reliant and self-made men, they rise by their own labors, becoming faithful 
and valiant citizens, and often reaching positions of prominence. 

There arrived in Grundy county in 1846 a young man destined to win success and 
gain for himself an honorable name in business circles.  He was a native of 
England, his birth occurring in Staffordshire, four miles from Buckston, June 
5, 1829, his parents being Samuel and Martha (Millner) Naden.  They had nine 
sons and three daughters, as follows:  Noah, James, John, Samuel, Thomas, 
Isaac, Henry, Philip, Obadiah, Sarah, Rebecca and Mary.

In 1844 John came to the United States, and, being well pleased with the 
country and the opportunities it offered, he wrote favorable accounts to his 
parents, who crossed the Atlantic in 1846, locating in Big Grove township, 
Kendall county, Illinois.  In 1848 another son, Samuel Naden, also became a 
resident of the United States.  The father settled four miles from Lisbon, and 
there devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, but was not long 
permitted to enjoy his new home, his death occurring in 1848.  His wife 
survived him many years, passing away in 1866.  In England the entire family 
worked in a print manufactory.  Obadiah entered that factory when only six 
years of age, and was there employed until his seventeenth year, at which time 
he accompanied his parents to the United States.  He was then capable of doing 
twenty different kinds of work in the factory, but he never received more than 
seven shillings per week in compensation for his services, and other laborers 
in the mill were as poorly paid.  It is no wonder, then, that the family 
sought a home in the new world, where they could earn better wages and where 
advancement was more certain.

In this country Mr. Naden, of this review, has always followed farming.  He 
began agricultural pursuits for himself until his marriage in 1856.  For four 
years he cultivated rented land, and during that time was enabled to save one 
hundred and fifty dollars.  He also owned a team and six young colts.  With 
his money he made a partial payment upon a quarter section of fine farming 
land in Plattville, Kendall county, Illinois.  With characteristic energy he 
began the development of the farm and the task of clearing it of all 
indebtedness.  His energy and economy enabled him soon to do this, and 
prosperity has steadily attended his efforts, so that his financial resources 
have increased and he has added to his farm until it now comprises three 
hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land.  It is under a high state 
of cultivation, the well tilled fields yielding to him a golden tribute in 
return for the care and labor he bestows upon it. He also has a quarter 
section of land in Iroquois county, Illinois, and three hundred and twenty 
acres in Indiana. He has met with sonic reverses, but his determined purpose 
has enabled him to overcome all obstacles and work his way steadily upward.  
On the 14th of August, 1881 a disastrous fire destroyed all of his barns and 
considerable produce and grain, together with some stock and farm implements, 
but the following year he erected new buildings, and soon afterward gave his 
farm over to the management of his sons, since which time he has lived retired 
in Morris.

In 1856 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Naden and Miss Jane Green, who was 
born in Liverpool, England, December 24, 1833, and in 1855 came to the United 
States with her brother, George, who is now a practicing physician of Aurora, 
Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Naden have been born the following children: Samuel 
J., a farmer of Iowa; Martha, the wife of Omer Smith, of Hoopeston, Illinois; 
Mary, the wife of Perry A. Johnson; Walter, who died at the age of twelve 
years; James and Stanley, who are working their father’s farm; Lida, the wife 
of J. W. Challacombe, stenographer and bookkeeper for the Woelfel tannery in 
Morris; and Burt, at home. The parents are consistent members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and enjoy the high regard of all with whom they have been 
brought in contact.

In 1868 Mr. Naden visited England, and in 1898, accompanied by his wife, he 
again crossed the Atlantic to the land of his birth, where they spent many 
pleasant hours amid the scenes of their childhood and renewing acquaintances 
of their youth. Mr. Naden has been fortunate in his business affairs, and his 
success is due to his own energy and not to circumstances.  He has labored 
earnestly and indefatigably, and success withholds not its rewards from those 
who diligently seek. He is a public-spirited citizen, and in his support of 
measures for the general good he has shown that he has become a true American 
in thought and interests.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy Counties 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, pages 502-504

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/naden625nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/

File size: 5.9 Kb