TAYLOR, Mariam K., Mrs.
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, pp 1002-1005
Mrs. Mariam K. TAYLOR, born in NH on 09 Apr 1814, and Mrs. Sally CHAMBERLAIN, born in Franklin County, NY on 11 Apr 1822, are the daughters of Richard C. HOVEY, who was originally from Grafton County, NH.  The father was one of two children, and was left fatherless when about two years of age.  He was reared by his adopted parents, and remained with them until 20 years of age, when he married Miss Abigail KIMBALL, a native of the same place, and began housekeeping at Hanover, NH, near Dartmouth College.   Six years later they removed to NY, settled at Ft. Covington, Franklin County, and there Mr. HOVEY was engaged in lumbering during the winter months and farming during the summer seasons until 1833.  He then sold out, and with his wife and children moved to OH, where he was engaged in lumbering and milling for some time.

Led by the promise of the Western prairies fo IL, Mr. HOVEY came to Boone County, where he took up 350 acres of government land.  He erected a large log house and resided in this for many years, but subsequently a fine residence was built, in which he and his thrifty and industrious helpmate passed the closing scenes of their lives, the father dying when 79 year of age, and the mother at the age of 84 years.  The last-named was a daughter of Ezekiel and Mariam (BLAKE) KIMBALL, natives of NH, who spent their entire lives in that state, dying when quite aged.  Mr. HOVEY served as Postmaster, and was Justice of the Peace for 30 years.

Mrs. TAYLOR and Mrs. CHAMBERLAIN [see also the biography of LeRoy E. CHAMBERLAIN] are the sisters of Mrs. Nathan H. WOOSTER [see also the biography of Nathan H. WOOSTER], and are of a family of 12 children, ten of whom lived to be old people.  Mrs. TAYLOR was married on 21 Apr 1835 to John G. TAYLOR, and became the mother of four children, only one of whom is now living, Mrs. Esther LARKIN, who has five children.  Mrs. TAYLOR has about 25 great grandchildren, the eldest of whom is 15 years old.  Mr. TAYLOR was born in NH and died in LeRoy Township, Boone County, IL, when 57 years of age.  He was a shoemaker by trade and came to Boone County about 1842.  In connection with his shoemaking, he was also engaged in farming in Boone County and left a nice property at his death.

Mrs. CHAMBERLAIN was married to Joseph CHAMBERLAIN on 23 Oct 1839, and became the mother of 11 children, all of whom grew to mature years, but only six are now living:  Helen M. married and had five children, three of whom are now living; William W. was one of the four to answer his country's call, enlisting in Company I, 37th IL Infantry, and died in the army; Adelia married, and died in NE, leaving three children, one of whom is now married and has a child; Eliza married and has four children; Leroy married and has five children; Harry D. married and has three children; and Horace married and has two children.  Mr. CHAMBERLAIN was born in Delaware County, NY, and came to Boone County, IL, in 1832 or 1833, becoming one of the the very first settlers.  He was a carpenter by trade and built the first house in Rockford [p 1005], also the first mill in Beloit [Rock County], WI.  Later in life, he took up 320 acres of government land, but only proved up on 160 acres.  At his death, which occurred when he was 78 years of age, he left a fine farm on which he had resided for 52 years.  He only followed his trade for five or six years after coming to IL, engaging in agricultural pursuits instead.

Mrs. TAYLOR and Mrs. CHAMBERLAIN have been members of the Christian Church for years, the former having professed religion at the age of 18 years, and both are highly respected for their many estimable qualities of mind and heart.  Both husbands were Republicans in their political views, and each held many of the different township offices.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.