Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Warner, Alfred 1814 - ************************************************ 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 9, 2007, 12:43 am Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 ALFRED WARNER. Of honorable ancestry Squire Warner has throughout his long life conducted himself so as to bring no discredit upon the name he bears, but, on the contrary, add to its lustre. He occupies a high position in Wesley Township, with whose agriculturists he has long been numbered. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres of improved land on section 21, a frame residence and all necessary farm buildings, and a due supply of orchard and shade trees, making it attractive, and adding to its value. William Warner, the grandfather of our subject, was a Revolutionary soldier, and after the war became possessed of much property. He had a large amount of Continental money, which became utterly worthless. He, therefore, being unable to pay his debts, was informed upon by Tories and imprisoned for debt. His eldest son, Asahel, was born in Columbia County, N. Y., and being but a lad at the time of the Revolution, was not able to do soldier's duties, but accompanied the army, employing himself in running bullets for those who could take part in the scenes of strife. During the War of 1812 he was able to exert his strength against the enemies of his country, and rose to the rank of Major. After his father was imprisoned, it fell to Asahel Warner to support the family, and he earned money by hiring out by the month. He married Sarah Ketchum, a native of the same county as himself, and going into Livingston County, the young couple built up a home there. They became the parents of nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only survivor. The father was a member of the State Legislature of New York, representing Livingston County. His record in war and peace is one to which his son can refer with just pride. He died in the Empire State in 1846, and the mother in 1833. In Livingston County, N. Y., May 19, 1814, the eyes of our subject opened to the light of day. He was reared upon a farm but given most excellent educational advantages, first obtaining an academic education at Chittenango Polytechnic Academy, under Prof. Yates, and later attending college at Lima. He remained at home until twenty years of age, when his father divided the property among his children and our subject took possession of his patrimony, and therewith began his personal career. Young Warner remained in the Empire State five or six years, then made a trip to Ohio, where he married, returning with his bride to his native State. After a sojourn of about three years they became residents of Medina County, Ohio, where they remained five years, Mr. Warner being employed in mercantile pursuits during that period. In 1848 he came to Illinois, and having purchased land warrants in Chicago, he located four hundred and eighty acres in Kankakee County. The next year he brought his family hither and settled on a farm now owned by the sons of Asahel Warner. After remaining there two years, our subject removed to his present farm, which was at that time raw land. The residence first occupied by the family was destroyed by fire in 1856. Mr. Warner had gone on a trip and his wife was alone at the time. She bought a store building at Rockville, five miles east, had runners put under it and it was hauled to the Warner farm the same day. In 1853 Mr. Warner went to Australia, via New York and Cape of Good Hope, remaining there twenty-three years. He returned via the Sandwich Islands and San Francisco, again took possession of the farm, and has since remained with his family. During his absence Mrs. Warner had charge of the farm and resided there until 1864. She then moved to Wilmington, sojourned there two years, and then went to Rockford, which she made her home until the return of her husband. Their affairs were in competent hands. Mrs. Warner having business capacity and judgment. Mrs. Warner bore the maiden name of Rachel L. Curtis. She was born May 24, 1819, in Marcellus, N. Y., was finely educated and prior to her marriage was a school teacher. Prof. John McGregor, of Scotland, President of the Sharon Academy, at Medina, Ohio, was the instructor under whom she completed her studies. President Garfield was at one time under the instruction of the same noted educator. Mrs. Warner possesses literary talent of a high order, and the articles from her pen frequently find place in the newspapers and magazines. She became the wife of our subject February 14, 1839. They are the parents of four children—Norman C., Clara Elizabeth, Richard Allen and Harvey Alfred. The two latter were twins, and are deceased. The son, Norman C., was born November 26, 1839. He finished his studies at Aurora, Ill. In September, 1861, he was enrolled in Company E, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry—Yates Phalanx—and served until 1865. At the battle of Deep Bottom, Va., August 16, 1864, he was severely wounded in the right lower limb by a minie ball. Amputation at the knee took place on the field and he fell into the enemy's hands and was carried to the hospital and returned to the Union lines again. He was then sent to Hampton Hospital, Fortress Monroe, where his mother joined him, remaining two months and giving him her loving care. In 1866 he secured a clerkship in the War Department at Washington, spent the evenings in study, and entered Columbia Law School, from which he was graduated in due time. After being admitted to the bar, he settled in Rockford, Ill., where he still resides, occupying a prominent place among the legal fraternity and well known for his services as City Attorney. The daughter, Clara Elizabeth, is the wife of Everett E. Hudson, banker and insurance agent in Yankton, Dak. The parents of Mrs. Warner were Col. Norman and Elizabeth (Lampson) Curtis, natives of Connecticut and Vermont respectively. The father was a farmer, a soldier in the War of 1812 and a Colonel in the Ohio State Militia. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis spent the first few years of their wedded life in the Empire State, and then removed to Medina County, Ohio, where the wife died in 1854. Col. Curtis came to Illlinois in 1855, and died here in 1884, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. His family consisted of seven children, Mrs. Warner being the second; three of them are now living. The labors of Squire Warner, aided by the good management of his wife, have resulted in securing to them a goodly share of substance, which they employ in procuring reasonable enjoyments and aiding in good works. In Medina County, Ohio, Mr Warner was Assessor, and in his Illinois home he has long served as Justice of the Peace. He has always been interested in politics, votes the Democratic ticket and has been a delegate to county conventions. A reliable citizen, an intelligent and well-bred man, he is duly esteemed, while the womanly nature, fine talents and thorough breeding of his wife give her a position fully equal to his own in the opinion and regard of those about them. Harvey Warner, a brother of our subject, came to Will County in 1849, settling on the farm now owned by the Linton family. Another brother, Asahel H., came here in 1651. Both are now deceased. 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/warner1536nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 7.9 Kb