Henry Franklin Chittenden (1853 - 1934)

Born 4 Nov 1853 in Mendon, Adams County, Illinois

Ancestors

Died 14 Nov 1934 at age 81 in Mendon, Adams County, Illinois

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Biography

Henry Franklin Chittenden, better known as Harry Chittenden, has for many years been a representative of the farming interests of Adams county and is now living on section 36, Mendon township. His birth occurred in Mendon, November 4, 1853. He is of English lineage, the ancestry being traced back to the year 1638, when William Chittenden, of England, emigrated to America, landing near the present site of Guilford, Connecticut. In successive generations we have mention of the following : John Chittenden, a son of William Chittenden, was married in December, 1665, to Hannah Fletcher. Joseph Chittenden, born in 1672, was married in 1692 to Mary Kimberley. Gideon, born in July, 1698, was married in 1722 to Abigail Bishop. Abraham, born in 1723, was married in 1748 to Mercy Bergis. Abraham, second, born August 10, 1751, was married in November, 1774, to Diana Ward, who died April 24, 1784, and in May, 1785, he married Lida Rose, who died in October. 1819, while his death occurred in March, 1848. John B., born January 16, 1790, was married January 12. 1814. to Elizabeth Robinson, who died October 30. 1862, while his death occurred January 23, 1863. Abraham, born December 15, 1824. was married December 19, 1852, to Lettitia S. Barclay and died May 27. 1904. his widow still surviving him at the age of sixty- eight years. He was the father of Henry F. Chittenden.

Henry F. Chittenden, after attending the public schools completed the scientific course of study at Denmark Academy, in Denmark, Iowa, June 20, 1876. In his boyhood he greatly enjoyed hunting prairie chickens, clucks, quails and rabbits, using a muzzle-loading rifle and nearly always shooting his game in the head. He is yet fond of hunting and, as opportunity offers, indulges in the sport. He was born and reared on the farm and when but eight years of age he dropped nine acres of corn by hand in one day. He helped to cultivate this corn with a one horse ploAV and was always regarded as one of the hands upon his father's farm from this time. When nineteen years of age he began teaching in the Prairie school, having sixty-seven scholars on the roll. He followed that profession for two years and then continued his own education in the Den- mark Academy. After leaving there he again taught for six months in the year for five succeeding years. From this time on his farm required his entire attention and he has engaged in the raising of corn, wheat, oats, hay, hogs, cattle and horses. In each of these branches he has met with reasonable profit. He began handling cattle on his own account when twenty years of age, using the money earned in teaching as capital. Having no way of wintering his stock, when the cold season approached he was compelled to dispose of his cattle. He could, however, get no bid for his two-year-old steers and coming to Mendon he rented a butcher-shop and employed Captain John Rosenbrook to assist him in conducting it. After killing one beef James Corbin of West Point bought the cattle for two and a half cents per pound, but having rented the shop and hired his assistant, Mr. Chittenden continued in the business for three weeks, during which time he made a net profit of one hundred and twelve dollars. lie has always considered Illinois soil the best and safest investment and has used his surplus earnings in buying more land. In October, 1900, he organized the first farmers' telephone company running into Men- don. This company had fifteen charter members, which number has been increased to thirty-seven and the Hues have been extended to Loraine, Illinois, and there is now free exchange with five hundred phones.

Mr. Chittenden has always been an admirer and supporter of the republican party but has never sought or held office. He being a charter member of Mendon camp. No. 751, M. W. A., October 20, 1888, and has been deeply interested in its work. In 1903 he attended the state camp at Bloomington and also the head camp at Indianapolis. He became a member of the Congregational church about 1870 and from his infancy has attended the Sunday- school and always expects to, being an active worker in its behalf and one who has done much good for the organization.

Mr. Chittenden was married March 9, 1877, in Denmark, Iowa, to Ella S. Mills, a daughter of Harlow and Elizabeth (Arnold) Mills. The Mills family were New England people who came originally from Connecticut and migrated to Gustavus, Ohio, where Harlow Mills was born about 1828. His wife was born in New York state, in 1830. In 1850 they removed to Denmark. Iowa, where they assisted in establishing one of the first Congregational churches in the state and in founding the best academy in the west. In their family were the following children: Charles F., born January 23, 1851, is now living in Ashland, Oregon. He was married March 26, 1873, to Ella Atkinson, who died in 1890, leaving two children, Eda and Harlow, and he subsequently married again, having two children by the second union, Eoss and Reginald. .\da T., born July 31, 1853. was married March 17. 1875, to Edwin James, of Denmark, Iowa, and to them were born five children, Chai'les, Fred, Otis, Nellie and one who died in infancy. The mother died April 19, 1889, and later Mr. James married Ella Piatt, by whom he has one child, Lantie. Ella S., born February 27, 1854, is the wife of our subject. Mary E., born July 21, 1856, died October 11. 1873. Nettie S.. born December 2I». 185S, was married December 25, 1881, to O. B. Edgett, living at Moscow, Idaho, and they had six children: Clarence E., Nettie E., Harold, Kuth, Mamie and one who died in in- fancy. Ruth A., born September 21, 1860, married Edwin Langstatf, of Osage City, Kansas, and they had four children, Prank, Harry. Florence and ilamie, who died in infancy. Harry E., born October 30, 1866, lives in Seattle, Washington. He married Mary Tiljbetts and had four children : Florence, who died in infancy : Kenneth, Alden and an infant. John A., born October 16, 1868, lives at Salem, Oregon. He married Amie Barnes and has two children, Waldo and Harry.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chittenden have been born six children:

• Nellie E., born November 28, 1877, was married July 25, 1900. to James Norris, a son of William and Hannah (York) Norris, and died May 2, 1901 ;
• Franklin B , born December 17, 1878, died of appendicitis September 24, 1890, when twelve years of age:
• Ada L., born February 7, 1880,
• Sadie, born September 24. 1882,
• Mary M., born November 1, 1887,
• Ruth E., born November 14. 1901, are all at home.

The family is one of prominence in the community and Mr. Chittenden is regarded as one of the representative agriculturists of Adams county. The work of development and improvement here which was begun by his grandfather and carried on by his father he yet follows in accordance with modern ideas of progress.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Past and Present of the City of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, 1905

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113391389/henry-franklin-chittenden