CAMP, Eliza A.
Eliza A. CAMP, nee HAM, widow of Abner
CAMP, is one of the honored and highly esteemed residents of Henry, Illinois.
She was born in Dover,
New Hampshire, April 27, 1817, and is a daughter of
Titus and Nancy (PURSE) HAM, natives of New
Hampshire and Massachusetts
respectively. She is descended from good old revolutionary
stock, her paternal grandfather having aided the colonies in
their struggle for independence, while her father was a valiant
soldier of the war of 1812. By occupation the latter was a
farmer, and was a man widely and favorably known. He died at Dover, New
Hampshire, as did also his faithful
wife. In their family were eight children, two sons and six
daughters, of whom four are still living. Mary, a sister of our
subject, is the wife of David LITTLEFIELD, of New Hampshire; Louisa is the widow of Leander HOUGH, and a
resident of
Massachusetts; and Carrie E. completes
the family.
Since 1852, Mrs. CAMP has been a resident
of Henry, Illinois, where was celebrated her marriage
with Abner CAMP in 1853. He was a native of New York, and from 1870, until 1887,
conducted a hotel at Henry, of which place he was an old and
respected resident. In politics he was an ardent republican, and
was a great temperance worker. He was well known and honored
throughout the community as a man of inflexible honor and
stability of character.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
CAMP: Clara Belle, who is with her mother, and Charles A., who
is now conducting the Camp house. He married Miss Ella S. LEECH,
a native of Hennepin, Illinois,
and to them was born a son, Ivan C., who was born in 1882, and
died in 1887. The primary education of Charles A. CAMP was
obtained in the public schools of Henry, and he later attended
Grand Prairie seminary, where he was
graduated in 1875. Two years later he took charge of the hotel,
which he has since successfully carried on. Since Mr. CAMP took
charge of the Camp hotel, he has made many improvements, among
which is a bath house, where the luxury of a hot sulphur bath
can always be had. The camp house is widely known for its good
table and hospitable management, and is the leading and most
popular hostelry of the city and county. He is a recognized
leader in the republican party of this community, and on that
ticket was twice elected alderman of Henry. He is now acceptably
serving his second year as mayor of the city. The system of
putting down permanent cement walks was inaugurated by Mayor
CAMP and has been pretty thoroughly carried out, and few cities
in the state are supplied with better sidewalks. He also had
established a curb line which was a much needed reform. The
manner in which its various public interests are being managed
and adjusted gives ample evidence of the efficiency and good
judgment of its present head.
Extracted May 2011 by Norma Hass from
The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois,
1896.
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