ABEL D GIFFORD

(Synopsis)

CAIN 
CHAPPELL 
FLOOD 
HOLDEN 
ROOT 
STICKNEY 
TALCOTT 
WHITTEN

	Abel D. GIFFORD, pioneer of 1837, now resides at 254 Villa St., Elgin.  He was born in Chenango Co. New York, at Sherburne, Aug 9, 1818, and is a son of Asa and Dinah TALCOTT GIFFORD, natives of Massachusetts, who at a very early day settled in Chenango Co. NY; moving from there to Oneida Co. where they died; the latter in Nov 1822 at about 57 years and the former in May 1837 in his 70th year.  They were the parents of 11 children, 5 sons and 6 daughters, of whom 10 grew to adults.  Ruth, Experience, James T., Peleg, Sarah, Susan, Asa, Hezekiah and Harriet.  Peleg died at about 1 yr, and Sarah at age 22.
	All of the children came west to Kane co. in 1835 except Abel, who stayed at home to care for his parents.  Both were Baptists, and the father was a deacon for many years. He was a carpenter, and also served as Sheriff of his county, a county judge and justice of the peace for some years.
	The paternal grandfather was of English descent, and died in Massachusetts in middle age. The maternal grandfather was a judge in Herkimer Co. NY, being about 78 yrs when he died.
	Abel D. GIFFORD was reared in Chenango Co. NY on the farm.  His education was in the public schools with a few terms at Vernon Academy.  Soon after the death of his parents, he came west and located 2 miles east of Elgin. Since 1889 he has lived in Elgin. Mr. GIFFORD married on 20 Feb. 1838 to Miss Harriet M. ROOT, daughter of Dr. Anson ROOT, a pioneer physician of Kane Co.  There was one child, Frank A., who died at age 9, and his mother died 18 days later.  His second marriage was to Miss Julia E. CHAPPELL, 9 Aug 1855, daughter of Harvey M. and Mary CHAPPELL. For some years prior she had taught school.  They have 2 children, Carrie L. wife of Charles HOLDEN, and Charles A., married to Florence STICKNEY. 
	Mrs. Julia GIFFORD died 10 July, 1893, in her 69th year.   Mr. Gifford chose Mrs. Clara F. WHITTEN, widow of Dr. Parker WHITTEN, and daughter of David and Harriet CAIN FLOOD.  They married on Dec 15, 1896.  Her parents were natives of Maine, who died in Lewiston Maine in 1865, at the age of 45.  His widow is still living, at Woodsville, New Hampshire.  The paternal grandfather of Mrs. GIFFORD was John FLOOD, native of Maine, of Irish descent; he served in the War of 1812.  Her maternal grandfather was Moses CAIN, a farmer and minister of the gospel.
	Abel's brother James T. GIFFORD laid out the city of Elgin.  Abel has been a resident of this vicinity for more than 60 years. He is the only surviving charter member of the First Baptist Church of Elgin, organized in 1838, and is a trustee.  He is a Republican and has served as road commissioner of Hanover tsp. and also township assessor.  He built his home in Elgin in 1889.


The Biographical Record of Kane Co., Illinois
1898 S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
pg. 52

Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above parties.

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