Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Hazelton, Willis A ************************************************ 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 http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 6, 2008, 12:55 am Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907 WILLIS A. HAZELTON. The name of Hazelton has long been an honored one in agricultural circles in Will county, the family having resided here since 1854, covering a period of more than a half century, and since that time its representatives have been numbered among the leading and influential residents of this section of the state. Willis A. Hazelton, whose name introduces this record, is a native son of this county, his birth having occurred on his fathers farm in Wesley, township, November 10, 1860. His father, Norman Hazelton, was born in Bennington, Bennington county, Vermont, November 22, 1819, and died in Will county, November 31, 1902. He was first married in Elmira, New York, November 21, 1840, to Miss Lydia Fuller, who was born January 1, 1824. She survived her marriage for only a brief period, passing away April 29, 1842. The only child of this union, a son, died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Hazelton chose Almira Frost, who was born at Catherine, Schuyler county, New York, December 7, 1821, and their marriage was celebrated at that place, March 20, 1845. In 1852 the parents removed from the east to Oswego, Kendall county, Illinois, where they lived until 1854, in which year the family removed to Will county, settling on a farm in Wesley township. At the age of fifteen years the father went to Steuben county, New York, where he learned the wagon-makers trade but he never followed that pursuit after his removal to the west, his occupation here being in the line of agricultural interests, which he followed until the time of his death. He was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church when a youth of seventeen and ever after lived a consistent Christian life, being identified with church work for sixty- seven years. The family of this worthy couple numbered eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom one daughter, Minerva, died in infancy. The surviving members of the family are: Charles N., who was born in Catherine, New York, July 2, 1847, was graduated from Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago and is now practicing his profession at Morrison, Whiteside county, Illinois. Mrs. Mary A. Richardson, who was born at Painted Post, New York, November 19, 1849, is now a resident of Burch, South Dakota. Martha G. who was born August 3, 1852, at Oswego, Kendall county, Illinois, is now the wife of William Johnston, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Sevelon A., who was born in Wesley township, Will county, May 8, 1855, is a farmer of that township and his sketch also appears on another page of this volume. Willis A. is the next in order of birth. LeGrand F., who was born March 21, 1864, also graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, at Chicago, and is now engaged in the practice of medicine at Baraboo, Wisconsin. Walter A., who was born April 20, 1868, is likewise a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College and is now engaged in farming at Girvin, Canada, where in connection with his brother Willis A., he owns a section of land in the wheat belt. The mother of these children passed away on the home farm in Wesley township, on the 21st of August, 1896, at the age of seventy-four years, eight months and fourteen days. Like her husband, she was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having been identified with that denomination for sixty years. She was a patient sufferer, having been ill for about eight months prior to her demise, but she bore her affliction with great fortitude. She was a woman of more than ordinary ability, was untiring in her devotion to her family and was a kind neighbor and faithful friend. Her funeral services were held at Wesley chapel, after which the remains were interred in Wesley cemetery. Willis A. Hazelton, like the other members of the family, was reared on the old homestead farm, assisting his father in its operation during the period of his boyhood and youth, while in the public schools he acquired his early education, which was later supplemented by a course in the Evangelical College, at Naperville, Illinois. He remained with his father until the time of his marriage, after which he began farming on his own account, operating one hundred and forty acres of the old homestead farm, whereon he has since made his home. In addition to this property, Mr. Hazelton also owns landed interests in the wheat belt of Canada, where, in connection with his brother Walter he purchased a section of land in Saskatchewan county, while in 1905 he purchased an additional half section, their crop in the year of 1906 being one thousand bushels of wheat. Mr. Hazelton has always followed the occupation to which he was reared and is likewise engaged to some extent in the raising of stock. He is prospering in his undertakings and each year harvests good crops, for he follows the most modern methods in his farm work and uses the latest improved machinery in the cultivation of his land. Mr. Hazelton was happily married, February 6, 1884, to Miss Elizabeth J. Johnston, who was born near Joliet, October 5, 1861, a daughter of Joseph and Mary C. (Miller) Johnston. The father was born in Leadhills, Wigtonshire, Scotland, July 1, 1833, and acquired his education at Muirkirk, Scotland. The mother's birth occurred in Pennsylvania, January 11, 1834, and their marriage was celebrated November 10, 1859. Mr. Johnston emigrated to the new world in the spring of 1833, taking passage at Liverpool on the sailing ship Columbia on the 2d of June of that year, and after a voyage of six weeks and three days reached the harbor of New York. From that city he made his way at once to Joliet, Will county, reaching his destination on the 30th of July. He made his home in that city until 1859, when he removed to Jackson township, where he farmed for one year, subsequent to which time he removed to Manhattan township, where he purchased a farm, on which he made many improvements, and thereon made his home until 1876, when he disposed of his property and bought a farm of seventy-two acres in Wesley township, which he improved and added to until he owned one hundred and twelve acres. He continued farming operations until 1893, when he retired and removed to Wilmington, where he has since made his home. While living in Wesley township he served as road commissioner for six years and has served for three terms as justice of the peace in Wilmington, his last election being on the 27th of April, 1905, and he is the present incumbent in that office. In politics he is a republican and cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Johnston was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, whose death occurred November 8, 1893, leaving to mourn her loss two daughters and one son, of whom Mrs. Hazelton is the eldest, her sister being Esther A., who is now the wife of Thomas Carns, a resident of Chicago, while her brother is Martin Johnston, who resides in Joliet and is superintendent of the Joliet & Chicago Electric Railroad. After losing his first wife Mr. Johnston was married a second time, December 10, 1895, to Miss Annie Gall, who was born in Bridgeworth, Shropshire, England, March 3, 1864, and there is one daughter by this marriage. Unto our subject and his wife have been born a daughter and two sons: Florence E., who was born October 2, 1887; Ernest N., who was born July 21, 1891; and Lester J., who was born January 21, 1896, and died at the age of three years. Mr. Hazelton served for six years as school director and the cause of education has ever found in him a warm and helpful friend. He also served as road commissioner for nine years, and his political support is given to the men and measures of the republican party. Mr. Hazelton has spent his entire life in Will county, covering a period of forty-six years, so that he has become widely and favorably known. He is public-spirited in a marked degree, is loyal in citizenship and faithful in friendship, and both he and his wife are hospitable people, highly respected in the community where they reside. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/hazelton2504nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 8.9 Kb