Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Marsh, Horatio N 1812 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 5, 2007, 1:32 pm

Author: Portraits & Bio Sketches, 1890

HORATIO N. MARSH. 

This hale and vigorous old man has spent a long business life in Joliet, by 
whose citizens he is highly honored and respected. He came to this city in 
December, 1835, Mr. Woodruff having been here a little longer time, but no 
other resident of so early a date now living here. Although nearly four-score 
years old he carries on a business in real estate and loans, his office being 
in Jefferson Street, opposite the Court House. He is a descendant from the 
Marsh family that settled on the Connecticut River in 1635, gradually working 
up the stream until in 1710 his immediate ancestors located in Montague 
Township, opposite Deerfield. On a farm there Quarius Marsh, the father of our 
subject, was born and there the son also opened his eyes to the light on the 
same farm. After reaching man's estate, Quartus Marsh married Miss Sarah Holt 
and reared a family of six children. He was employed as a farmer, first in his 
native State, and from 1828 to 1835 in Monroe County, N. Y. The family then 
came to Illinois, making the journey in the customary way, by canal and lake 
to Detroit, Mich., and driving the rest of the way. This county was not then 
organized, but the father settled in what is now Crete Township, where he 
lived until called from time to eternity in 1850. The mother survived her 
companion about three years. Of the sons and daughters of this worthy couple, 
Mary Ann and Jonathan died in this county; Edwin, Henry and Francis now live 
in Kansas. When the Marsh family came to this county Joliet was a village of 
one hundred inhabitants. Here the subject of this notice engaged in the 
cabinet business, having learned that trade in the Empire State. He had been 
born in Franklin County, Mass., November 15, 1812, and was therefore but 
little past his majority when he began his career in the city that has known 
him so long and well. When the Rock Island Railroad was built in 1852, Mr. 
Marsh took the position of Ticket and Freight Agent, which he held for thirty-
two years, or until 1884, when he considered himself too old for farther 
service in that capacity. For a time he had also transacted the express 
business. From April, 1863 until 1866, he had been Postmaster, going out under 
Johnson's administration. When he resigned the position that he had held for 
more than a quarter of a century, he embarked in the business he now carries 
on, being too active in mind and body to wish to abandon the ranks of workers 
in some capacity. In Monroe County, N. Y., Mr. Marsh was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Kile of that county, who died in 1840, leaving one son, William 
H. The young man gave his life to his country's cause, dying a soldier's 
death, with his face to the foe, in front of Vicksburg, and leaving to his 
sorrowing father the consolation that comes from a knowledge of duty done even 
at the cost of life. The second wife of our subject was in her girlhood Miss 
Mary L. Pond, she also being of Monroe County, N. Y. The union has been 
blessed by the birth of a son, Frank E., who is representing the Fourth Ward 
in the City Council. He married Miss Jennie R. Foster, a native of New York, 
but whose home was in Delavan,Wis., at the time of their marriage. Young Marsh 
is a well-known, grain dealer of this city. A man so highly respected as 
Horatio N. Marsh, could not be without opportunities to fill a public office 
and he has served as the representative of the Fourth Ward for five years. His 
legitimate affairs have been sufficient to occupy his time fully and politics 
have had but little place in his career. He belongs to the Presbyterian 
Church, his probity and life-long honesty are recognized by all, and his 
genial nature makes him popular wherever he is known.

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 
 


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