HOLETON, J. W.
J. W. HOLETON, on of the energetic and progressive farmers of
Evans township, resides upon a farm of one hundred and forty
acres of well-improved land, which he owns on section 21, and is
now devoting his attention to its cultivation with most
excellent results. He is honored and respected by the entire
community, who look upon him as one of their most wide-awake
farmers and model citizens.
His father, Francis H. HOLETON, who was of Scotch descent,
was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1818, there grew to
manhood and was united in marriage with Hannah COCKERELL, whose
birth occurred in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1814. She was the
daughter of Elias and Sarah (BUTLER) COCKERELL, with whom she
removed to Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1824. After
their marriage the young couple made their home upon a farm in
that county until 1856, when they went to
Iowa, but in the spring of the following year came
to Marshall
county, Illinois,
where for six years they rented a farm. The father then
purchased the farm now owned by the heirs of John KANE, then in
its primitive condition, and he continued its cultivation and
improvement upon his removal to Vermilion county, this state.
Upon his farm there he lived a comparatively retired life until
his death on the 4th of April, 1888. The mother, who still
survives him, finds a pleasant home with our subject. Both were
earnest and consistent members of the Methodist church and he
took an active part in the Sunday school. Of the five children
born to them, three grew to maturity – Edith, deceased, wife of
Jacob M. BRENN, by whom she had one child, Hannah Thayer; J. W.,
of this sketch, and George H., of Omaha, Nebraska, who married
Lizzie OGLE.
Mr. HOLETON, whose name introduces this notice, first opened
his eyes to the light April 23, 1845, in Muskingum county,
Ohio, and was twelve years of age when he became a
resident of Marshall
county. After pursuing his studies for some time in the district
schools, he completed his literary course at the old seminary in
Wenona, and he remained at home until reaching manhood. On the
1st of April, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Edith
OLIVE, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1846, and died
in 1872, leaving two children – Walter O., of Vermilion county,
and Jesse M., deceased.
Mr. HOLETON was again married January 31, 1876, his second
union being with Mrs. Susan GAGE, nee WASHBURN, a daughter of
Ira F. WASHBURN, who was born at Sackett’s Harbor, New York, in
1813, and became one of the early settlers of Rock county,
Wisconsin. In his native place the father married Jane E. PRATT,
who was born in the same county in 1824, and in 1834 he
emigrated to Wisconsin,
where he opened up a new farm. His death occurred October 31,
1889, and his wife passed away April 29, 1878. They held
membership with the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon
and took an active part in its work. In their family were four
children, namely: Louisa, wife of James A. MILLETT, of Nebraska, by whom she has five children; George W., also
of Nebraska, who was one of the
brave boys in blue during the civil war; Mrs. HOLETON, and Frank
F., of Arkansas, who is married and has two
children.
Mrs. HOLETON, who was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, in
1846, was educated in the district schools and at the seminary
at Fulton,
that state. By her former marriage she has one child, Georgia
Leone, wife of Eugene CUSAC, of Bennington
township, Marshall county, and the
mother of one child, Beulah. Six children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. HOLETON – Frank H., Eddie W., Edith M., Edna S., Gracie
E., and Winifred M.
It was in 1870 that our subject settled upon his present
farm, then all raw prairie land, but has now placed it under a
high state of cultivation and devotes his time and attention
exclusively to his farming interests, raising principally grain.
His ballot is cast in support of the men and measures of the
republican party, has served as road commissioner and school
director, and is an intelligent, industrious man, who well
deserves the regard of those with whom he has so long made his
home.
Extracted April 2011 by Norma Hass from
The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois,
1896.
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