William N. Marden, deceased, who resided on Section 9, Woosung Township, where he died, recently. He came here like many others, poor in pocket, but rich in perseverance and energy, and accumulated a handsome property. Mr. Marden was born in Strafford Co., N.H., March 16, 1823, and was a son of Joshua and Sally (Seavey) Marden, natives of the old Granite State. They were married there and emigrated to this State as early as 1843, and settled near Sugar Grove, in Lee County, where, 13 years later, in 1856, the father died, aged 62 years. The mother afterwards lived with her son until 1880, when, in the 83d year of her life she quietly and peacefully passed away. She was a consistant Christian, being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a loving wife, a kind mother and a generous neighbor. Her father was a shoemaker and tanner by trade, at which he worked in New Hampshire and also little after coming to this State. He made his own pegs and manufactured the first pair of pegged boots made in New England. The subject of this notice was the only child of his parents and resided with them until their death. He was married Nov. 29, 1854, to Miss Mary F. Jenness, born in Strafford Co., N.H., Dec. 14, 1829. She was the daughter of Levi and Sally (Tucker) Jenness, natives of the Old Granite State, who were the parents of four daughters and two sons. Her mother died when she was a small child, Dec. 11, 1834. The family emigrated to Lee County in 1854, arriving at Dixon December 20, of that year. The father lived with his son at Dixon, and died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Marden, of this notice, April 24, 1872. Mr. Marden resided in Lee County until the spring of 1865, when he was removed to Woosung Township, where the family now own 80 acres of land. They also have ten acres of timber. When he came here he was poor, but by hard labor and economy, coupled with the active co-operation of his entire family, he acquired a handsome and valuable property. The son, Charles, H., manages the farm. He is engaged in stock-raising and also keeps a dairy of 20 cows. Mr. and Mrs. Marden were the parents of five children: Mary O., born Oct. 29, 1855; Sarah F., March 29, 1858; Charles H., Oct. 21, 1862; Ida M., Oct. 22, 1864; Lulu T., Sept. 29, 1868. Mr. Marden died April 25, 1886. The father of Mrs. Marden, Levi Jenness, was a descendant of a family who early in the history of the United States emigrated to this country from England.
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