Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Lanfear, William H ************************************************ 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 November 10, 2007, 11:31 am Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County WILLIAM H. LANFEAR has a well-cultivated farm on section 29, Homer Township, where he is engaged in general farm pursuits and in raising Norman horses, cattle and hogs. He holds an honorable place among the men of character and principle, who have had the making of this county and who are active in sustaining its reputation as one of the rich agricultural regions of the state. Having lived in the same neighborhood since a child, he is well acquainted both with the people and the advantages of the township, and has gained a high position among his fellow citizens. After his marriage, in 1852, he settled on a portion of the homestead, and has since built a neat residence, substantial barns and good fences, has made other valuable improvements, including the planting of trees, and has brought the two hundred and thirty-four acres comprising the farm under excellent cultivation. Few citizens of the township have resided here longer than he. It has been his privilege to witness the wonderful transformation of the county during the past sixty-five years, and in the development of its resources he has been an active factor. The Lanfear family was founded in America by Seth Lanfear, a native of Holland, who crossed the ocean in the "Mayflower," and settled in New England. From there his descendants moved to Montgomery County, N. Y. Joshua Lanfear, our subject's grandfather, was born in that county and died on a farm there when ninety-six years of age. His brothers served in the continental army during the Revolutionary war. His son, Asa, who was born in Montgomery County in 1793, became the owner of a large farm in his native county, but after a time decided to seek a home in the then sparsely settled west. In 1834 he made a prospecting trip to what is now Will County, Ill. Being pleased with the location he bought a farm on section 29, Homer Township, and began to break ground and build fences. In the spring of 1835 he brought his family to the new home, where he built a log cabin and began life in the midst of pioneer surroundings. From the first he was prospered. He tilled the soil, reaping large harvests of grain, and also engaged in raising stock. He was a Republican in politics and served his district as a school director. For years he was a deacon in the Baptist Church and Sunday-school superintendent. June 23, 1871, he passed from earth, being then almost seventy- eight years of age. His marriage united him with Olive Burgess, who was born in New York in 1797 and whose step-father was killed by Indians. She died in 1883 at the home of her son, William H., when eighty-five years of age. Of her ten children, the following survive: Ardelia, the widow of Joseph B. Rowley; Lydia H., the widow of Alfred G. Rowley; Enon, a resident of Texas; William H.; Mary J., the widow of William Morse; Joel S.; and Olive M., wife of Curtis Morse. In 1832 Selah, a brother of Asa Lanfear, came to Will County with his family and settled in Homer Township, where he died at the age of thirty-three years. His body was interred in the burial-ground on section 30, being the first to be buried there. His widow was eighty-four at the time of her death. During the Black Hawk war he was captain of a company and built a fort east of Lockport. Years after he had come to Illinois, his brother, Enoh Lanfear, brought his family here and settled in Homer Township. On Christmas day of 1830 our subject was born at Sempronius, Cayuga County, N. Y. When five years of age he was brought to this county by his parents. His education was obtained in common schools, which he attended a few months each year. February 25, 1852, he married Miss Emily M. Savage, a sister of Hon. Amos Savage, in whose sketch the family history appears. She was born in Granville, N. Y., July 24, 1830, and was three years of age when her parents settled in this county. Since then she has resided in this locality, where her family have always stood high. She was educated in the pioneer schools of Illinois and exhibited ability for teaching. She taught four terms in Homer Township successfully. For the first term her compensation was but $1.00 per week and "board around." During the last year she received double this amount, much to the envy of some of her associates. Of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Lanfear three are living, namely: Mary A., who is the wife of Joseph Brown, of this county; Albert H., at home; and Nettie E., wife of Frank E. Hyatt, of Lockport. Four children are deceased: Asa W., born November 8, 1854, died March 22, 1871; Ida M., born August 2, 1856, died January 6, 1860; Charlie E., born November 3, 1872, died July 24, 1873; and Willie H., born November 3, 1872, died September 13, 1874. The family are identified with the Baptist Church at Lockport, of which Mr. Lanfear is a trustee. Additional Comments: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/lanfear1130gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 5.6 Kb