Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Haven, Hon Dwight 1821 - ************************************************ 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 May 8, 2007, 11:47 pm Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 HON. DWIGHT HAVEN. A great poet has said, "The evil that men do lives after them, The good is oft interred with their bones." Be it our task to record the honorable careers of those who so order their lives as to exert a beneficial influence on the society in which they move, assist in the grand work of uplifting humanity to heights before unknown "And, departing, leave behind them Footsteps on the sands of time—Footsteps that perhaps another Sailing o'er Life's solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, may take heart again.'' The immediate progenitor of the Hon. Dwight Haven, of New Lenox Township, was Samuel Haven, who was born in Chesterfield, N. H.. July 14, 1799. In Sheridan, Chautauqua County, N. Y., January 11, 1821, he married Hephzibah M. Denny. This noble woman was born in Greenville, Greene County, N. Y., May 29, 1802, and died in Will County, Ill., August 11, 1860. For several years after their marriage, Samuel Haven and wife lived in Chautauqua County, and during that period four children were born to them. In September, 1834, they removed to Illinois and settled in New Lenox Township, Will County, being numbered among the pioneers of that locality. Here Mr. Haven gave his chief attention to farming, resting from his labors on March 12, 1866, when he crossed the River of Death. He was an upright and conscientious man, living as he believed right in the sight of God, regardless of the opinions of men. A strong Abolitionist, he was indicted for assisting negroes in their flight to Canada. He is entitled to the honor of organizing the first temperance society in Sheridan, N. Y., which was also one of the first in the Empire State, dating from 1826. He and his wife belonged to the Congregational Church, of which he was a Deacon many years. The family of the honored couple comprised eight sons and daughters, the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch being the first-born. Carlos was serving his second term as State's Attorney for Cook County when death took took him from among his fellow-men; Samuel Rush died in New Lenox Township, this county, May 4, 1890; Emily M. became the wife of William B. Cleaveland, and died in Frankfort Township, October 20, 1855; Amanda Cordelia is the widow of James Goodspeed, of Joliet; Helen M. died July 28, 1839; Alvan S. died in New Lenox Township, November 29, 1878; Helen E. is the wife of William P. Kimball, of Chicago. The Hon. Dwight Haven was born in Sheridan, Chautauqua County, N. Y., December 14, 1821. He came to the Prairie State in an emigrant wagon with his father, and lived with him until his marriage. During this period he toiled, studied and enjoyed the recreations in which farmer lads generally participate, and shared in some of his father's labors of love toward humanity, helping him in work on the "Underground Railway," and in other ways becoming more of a companion than many sons. He adopted the pursuit of agriculture as his life work, from which he has now retired, although he still occupies his pleasant rural home. It consists of one hundred and sixty-five acres, bearing the various improvements which it would be expected that a man of his ability and progressive spirit would make, the house being particularly attractive and comfortable. In Homer Township, this county, on November 3, 1847, the interesting ceremony was performed which gave to Mr. Haven a companion and help-mate. The lady of his choice was Helen L., daughter of the late Deacon Levi Savage. She was born in New York, November 12, 1825, and died in New Lenox, July 28, 1859. The union was blessed by the birth of six children, of whom we note the following: Lizzie J. is the wife of A. Allen Francis, of New Lenox; Mary E. is the wife of Charles Francis; Helen L. is the wife of Thomas Ferguson; Emma J. is the wife of Gilbert Van Duser, of Kansas; a pair of twins died in infancy. Mr. Haven, in Chicago, December 26, 1861, was a second time married. His bride on this occasion was Miss Elizabeth Craig, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, and came to America when eight years old. She presides over the home of which she is one of the chief attractions, and in whatever circle she is placed her intelligence, tact and amiable character give her prominence. She bore her husband five children—Dwight C., Samuel R., Edward, Edith A. and Bertha A. Edward died November 8, 1880, when eleven years old. For many years the Hon. Mr. Haven has been identified with public affairs in this county, and since 1854 he has held a commission under every Governor of the State. He has been Township Supervisor several terms, and for upwards of thirty-six years has held the office of Justice of the Peace. He has taken an active interest in educational affairs, exerting a wide influence in behalf of the advancement of the schools, and for four years giving especial attention to elevating the standard of the office of County Superintendent, to which he was elected in 1865. It would naturally be supposed that a man reared under the influences which surrounded his boyhood, would be deeply interested in political affairs, and such is the case. He has borne a prominent part in the work of the Republican party, to which he has belonged since its organization. In the fall of 1886, he was elected to the Thirty-fifth General Assembly, and served one term with honor to himself and his constituents. Since the death of his brother, Samuel Rush Haven, he has had charge of the business of the latter, and the settlement of his affairs. He has been blessed with a sufficient amount of this world's goods to enable him to gratify all reasonable tastes and desires, and to assist with his means as well as his personal influence in various good works. Lithographic portraits of Mr. Haven and his wife appear elsewhere in this work, and it is needless to say that they are well and favorably known, and have many warm personal friends, the circle extending over a wide extent of territory. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/haven1453nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 6.8 Kb