ELISHA WEED BIGELOW BURNS DEAN GILBERT HARTMAN HOVEY PLUMMER STARKS TAIT Elisha WEED is a retired farmer living in the village of Hamlpshire, and is well and favorably know throughout Kane Co. He was born in Bloomfield township, Trumball Co. Ohio, Aug. 20, 1817. His educational advantages were such as were provided in the early days in his native county, when teachers were paid eight dollars a month and board around, many of them knowing but little more than some of their pupils. The school houses were built of logs and provided with wooden benches for seats. John WEED, the father of our subject, was born near Bangor, Maine, and by occupation was a farmer. In the war of 1812, he served 2 years as sergeant in a Maine regiment and was in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. In Ohio he married Jemima BIGELOW, daugher of Timothy BIGELOW, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, who came with the family to Ohio, where he died. His wafe was a Miss HOVEY. In 1815 Timothy moved with his family from Vermont to Ohio, the father and son walking all the way, the mother driving a four horse wagon containing all their earthly possessions. In Cattaraugus Co., NY, wolves killed one of their horses, and from there they drove three. They settled in Ohio when that was a wilderness and lived the life usual to pioneers. Of the nine children born to John and Jemima WEED, four are as yet living, as follows: Elisha, our subject; Goerge N. living in Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of John BURNS of Hampshire; and William who resides in Missouri. At the age of nineteen our subject went to Indiana, working in Bartholomew, Johnson, Floyd and Tippecanoe counties, at one time being employed on the old state road from New Albany northwest. While at this work the contractor failed, and Mr. WEED could get no pay for his labor. The contractor promised to pay him, however, and agreed to keep him until he was paid. Mr. WEED walked one hundred miles to the contractors home, where he remained for some time, and was finally paid. For a time he rented land in Indiana and engaged in farming. On the 19th of March, 1842, at Blue River, Bartholomew co., Indiana, Mr. WEED was united with Miss Julia A. HARTMANN, who was second in order of birth in a family of eleven children born to Frances and Magdeline GILBERT HARTMAN, both of German origin. She was born near Little York, Penn., July 22, 1822. A few years later her parents moved to Indiana and settled in Bartholomew Co., at a time when the country was comparatively new, and where they had none of the comforts of their old Pennsylvania home. The mother cried over the desolate outlook, but after a time became more contedted. By this union there were 5 children: the first named died in infancy; Helen M. married E.L. STARKS of Starks Station, and died, leaving one daughter, Mabel H., while one child died in infancy; Frances W. married Rachel DEAN by whom he has four children, Carrie A., Harry, Edith, and Frederick, and they reside in Sac co., Iowa; George A. married Jane TAIT and lives in Sac Co. Iowa; and Frederick P. A. who married Harriet PLUMMER and lives on the old home farm. In 1845, Mr. WEED came to Kane Co. Ill., traveling by wagon drawn by oxen, and located in Hampshire tsp. where he bought 40 acres on section 27, to which he later added one hundred and twenty acres. His deeds, signed by James K. Polk, then president of the United States, have never been transferred. Deer, wolves and wild game abounded in the country at that time and the few neighbors were very far apart. It was nearly all raw, unbroken prairie and timber. Mr. WEED is a member of the Masonic order, and is the last of the charter members living, of Hampshire Lodge No. 443. He has been a Mason for over 40 years. In early life he was a Whig, his first vote being for William H. Harrison, in 1840. Since the formatin of the Republican party he has been a strong advocate of its principles, and has voted his party's ticket. In early life he served as constable, road commissioner, school director and in other minor offical positions. He is now one of the solid and substancial men of Hampshire township. The conditions of life now existing are very different from what they were when Mr. and Mrs. WEED came to Kane co., a young married couple. Mrs. WEED learned to spin, weave linen and wool, and in the early days made all the clothes for herself and family. After a long and useful life they are now living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of their former toil, and surrounded by those who have intimately known them in days gone by. The Biographical Record of Kane Co., Illinois 1898 S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago pg 20 Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above parties. Use your "BACK" button on your browser to return to Kane County ILGenWeb pages.