WOOSTER, Nathan H.
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago:
Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, pp 238-240
Nathan H. WOOSTER was born in New Haven, CT, in the town of Oxford, 25 Dec 1821, and is
now one of the old and much esteemed citizens of Boone County, IL. He has been
identified with the interests of this county for many years and is one of the oldest
living Justices in IL, having served continuously for nearly 35 years. He is
doubtless the third, if the the second, oldest Justice of the Peace in IL. He is of
English descent and traces his ancestry back to three brothers, Englishmen, who came to
America at a very early date and one of whom settled in MA, another in NH, and the other
in CT. One of our subject's uncles was a General in the War of 1812.
Our subject is a son of Washburn and Betsey (CHATFIELD) WOOSTER. Washburn WOOSTER
was born in the Nutmeg State [CT], and was a farmer the principal part of his life.
For some time he was in the sawmill business in CT getting out ship timber, but
agriculture was his chosen occupation. He came to IL about the year 1840, and died
in McHenry County when 72 or 73 years of age. His parents were natives of CT and
died in that state when quite aged people. All his ancestors were farmers so far as
known. Our subject's mother, Mrs. Betsey (CHATFIELD) WOOSTER, was also born in CT
and passed her last days in McHenry County, IL, her death occurring when about 80 years of
age. Her parents were natives of CT and in that state were contented to pass their
entire lives.
Nathan H. WOOSTER came to Boone County, IL, with his parents in Oct 1840, and settled in
LeRoy Township, where he took up 80 acres of land. On this he erected a rude log
cabin in which he lived for several years, and then built a good frame dwelling. Our
subject remained at home until his marriage on 04 Oct 1844 to Miss Abigail A. HOVEY, who
was born in Franklin County, NY, 30 May 1827. [See also the Boone County IL
biographies of Mrs. Mariam K.. TAYLOR and LeRoy E. CHAMBERLAIN, sister and brother-in-law
of Abigail A. HOVEY.] Nathan H. WOOSTER then took up his residence with his
father-in-law, Richard C. HOVEY. Mr. HOVEY was born in NH, as was also his
wife, Abigail (KIMBALL) HOVEY, and their nuptials were celebrated there. Later in
life they removed to NY State, and in 1838 came to Boone County, IL, from OH, where they
had resided about six years. They first settled in LeRoy Township, where Mr. HOVEY
took up 160 acres and on whcih he built a log house. A number of years later he
built a frame house, and here he died when 78 years of age. His wife passed away
when about 84 years of age. They were the parents of 12 children, seven now living,
so far as known. [The biography of Mariam K. TAYLOR, sister of Abigail A. HOVEY,
states that six are living.]
There were seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. WOOSTER, but one died when four years of
age. The remainder are named as follows: Laura E., born in Boone Township,
Boone County, IL, 15 Nov 1845, married John M. CONLEY, and has lost two children; Mary J.,
born in Boone Township, 18 Nov 1847, married John H. LANDON and has one child; George J.,
also a native of Boone Township, was born 27 Dec 1849, and married Miss Helen NICHOLS, who
bore him three children; John W., born in McHenry County, IL, 15 Apr 1852, married Miss
Carrie E. ADAMS; Nathan H., Jr., born in LeRoy Township, IL, 19 May 1854, married Miss
Elmina T. CRAMER, and is the father of two children; and Minnie E., born in Boone
Township, Boone County, IL, 27 Mar 1870. The one deceased was Cora M., who was born
in Boone Township, 22 Oct 1864, and died four years later. The children are all well
educated and a number have taught school. Miss Minnie has been engaged in
educational work since 1887, and for two years has been in the primary department of the
schools in Capron. Another daughter, Miss Mary J., is quite a worker in Eastern Star
Lodge, of Newton, KS, and has been Worthy Matron of that lodge.
Up to the time of his marriage, our subject remained at home, and then took up 160 acres,
on which the village of Capron is now standing, and on this erected a small, rude, log
house, 10x12 feet, in which he and his wife lived for seven years. After this they
were in McHenry County for two years and then returned to LeRoy Township, Boone County,
where our subject worked his father's farm, also 80 acres of his own. In 1856 Mr.
WOOSTER sold out all his property in that township and bought 80 acres where he now lives,
on which stood a small house. About 25 years ago he erected his present residence,
and he was the first inhabitant of the town of Capron.
Our subject has held a number of local offices in the township and has ever been one of
the prominent men of the same. He was elected Justice of the Peace the first or
second year after coming to Capron, in 1855, and was Associate Justice for four years.
He has also held the position of Collector and Trustee, and numerous other
positions. He was a Democrat up to 1854 and then voted for J. C. Fremont, since
which time he has voted the straight Republican ticket. His first Presidential vote
was cast for J. K. Polk. He has been a delegate to different county conventions and
has ever been an enterprising and public-spirited citizen. [p 240] When on the farm
our subject engaged in general farming, and when he first settled in Boone County all his
marketing was done at Chicago, but later he went to Kenosha [Kenosha County], WI, also.
Mr. WOOSTER is practically retired from the active duties of life but he attends to
some official business yet. He is an honest, upright citizen and has a host of warm
friends. Mr. WOOSTER was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in the 142nd IL
Infantry, Company C, and was Orderly Sergeant.
Submitted by Cathy Kubly.