JONATHAN TAFFT

(Synopsis)

COLLINS 
GILBERT 
HALLEY 
HOXIE 
WEST 
WILCOX 
WORDEN

Jonathan TEFFT, living 2 1/2 miles south of Elgin, is among the earliest settlers of Kane Co.  The family emigrated from Madison Co, NY. to Kane Co. in 1835. The paternal grandfather, Jeremiah TEFFT, was native to Rhode Island, married Rhonda HOXIE of Richmond, Kings Co., Colony of Rhode Island Oct 23, 1768.  After the close of the Revolution, he moved to Madison Co. where he spent the remainder of his life.  

Jonathan TEFFT Sr. was born in Madison Co. NY, where he married Elizabeth COLLINS, born Dec. 8, 1792, and daughter of Solomon COLLINS.  They had 14 children, six of whom still live: Amos, Jonathan, Thomas W., Louisa widow of P.C.GILBERT, Emeline, widow of William WORDEN; and Rhoda wife of Chauncey B. HALLEY.  Mr. TEFFT Sr. first settled in Cook co., adjoining the present city of Elgin.  In 1836, he bought land in Sect 36 Elgin tsp and Sect 31, Hanover tsp Cook Co. His first farm he sold to son Dr. Joseph TEFFT, first physician in Elgin. His death occured 26 Jan. 1886, at nearly 76 years.  

Jonathan TEFFT, our subject, was born in Lebanon, Madison Co. NY, and was 18 when the family moved west.  He purchased 110 acres of land north east of Elgin, and in 1850 purchased 143 acres in Sec. 31, range 9, south of his fathers homestead.  He resided there til 1 Mar. 1865, when he moved to the old farm.

He married Apr. 8, 1841 to Miss Delinda WEST, of Madison Co. NY, daughter of Isaac WEST, who first married Ruth WILCOX, daughter of Daniel WILCOX.  The WESTs moved from Madison Co. the year after the TEFFTs.  Isaac died at 82 in 1876.  The TEFFTs have had 5 children, of whom Jenny and Frank survive.  Mr. TEFFT has a large dairy farm.  He resides in a large home he built on his fathers old farm, with 100 head of cattle.  He is a Republican, and was made a Master Mason in 1854.


The Biographical Record of Kane Co., Illinois
1898 S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
pg. 62

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

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