My Genealogy Hound

HIRAM HAVENS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 21; P. O. Hudson; born in Licking Co., Ohio, March 29, 1817; when about 12 years of age, his father, Jesse Havens, moved to Illinois; they first stopped at Big Grove, near the present site of Urbana, Champaign Co. In January, 1830, the family located at Havens’ Grove, Hudson Township; the condition of the county at that time, and the hardships consequent to the settling of a new country, will be fully set forth in the history of this and other townships. The subject of this sketch worked on his father’s farm till about twenty-one years of age, when he became a tiller of the soil on his own account, combining his farm work with hunting, not only for amusement, but quite frequently as a matter of necessity, to furnish food from the flesh of the deer, and kill wolves for the protection of their poultry and flocks. Prior to the settlement of the Havens family, two parties, Harbard and Grose, had made claims within the present confines of Hudson Township, but their stay was temporary, their claims being purchased by Mr. Havens’ father for $100 in silver; Mr. H. being therefore the first permanent settler of this township. Mr. Hiram Havens was married to Miss Sarah A., daughter of John Trimmer, April 5, 1838; she was born in New Jersey, Feb. 4, 1831. Mrs. Havens’ father came to Smith’s Grove, now in Towanda Township, in the summer of 1826, and of this family further mention will be made in histories of Towanda and Money Creek Townships. Mr. Havens has served as Justice of the Peace twenty years; Supervisor one term; he has given to his children a part of his land, but still owns and operates a farm of 170 acres. They have three children now living — Martha H., wife of John S. Johnston; Alice, wife of Allen Hibbert, and Etta B.; they have lost two — Adaline died Nov. 1, 1860; John B., Aug. 18, 1839.