BACHELDER, Alonzo
Past and Present of the City of Rockford and Winnebago County, IL, C. A. Church.   Chicago:  Clarke Publishing Company, 1905, pp 769-70

Alonzo BACHELDER, although a resident of Rockford [Winnebago County, IL] for but a brief period, became well known among the business men here and gained many friends.  He was born in Strafford, Orange County, VT, 16 Dec 1820.  His parents always resided in the east and both died in VT.  In the schools of VT Alonzo BACHELDER acquired a good education and then, attracted by the better business opportunites of the west, he came to the Mississippi valley, locating in Fond du Lac [Fond du Lac County], WI, where he secured a position as express messenger, being the first one to occupy that position on the railroad between Milwaukee and Oshkosh, WI.  For several years he was thus engaged, after which he married and removed to Sheboygan Falls [Sheboygan County], WI, where he had charge of a flouring mill for a few years.  On the expiration of that period he returned to Fond du Lac, where he learned the carriage maker's trade, following that pursuit until he came to Rockford.  Here he entered the employ of his brother-in-law, Dr. M. D. OGDEN, with whom he continued for several years, but because of failing health he returned to Fond du Lac, where he again followed carriage trimming.  Later he began traveling for his health and received treatment in Boston and NY.  He also took an ocean trip in the [p 770] hope of being benefited thereby and eventually he returned to Chicago for further treatment, but grew worse instead.  He then again made his way to his old home in Fond du Lac, where his death occurred on 22 May 1871.

About 16 years before that time, Mr. BACHELDER had been married, on 19 Jun 1855 in Fond du Lac, to Miss Eliza A. OGDEN, a native of Cooksville [Ontario], Canada, born 20 Sep 1831, and a daughter of Samuel and Sara (COOK) OGDEN.  Her father was a farmer of Canada and removed thence to Fond du Lac, where he resided for a few years.  He then came to Winnebago County, IL, and purchased a farm in Cherry Valley Township, where he carried on general farming until his death on 03 Jan 1874.  His wife survived him until 08 Aug 1880.  They were pioneer settlers of this county and were well known, while high regard was ever given them by those with whom they came in contact.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. OGDEN were born four children, who are yet living:  Mrs. BACHELDER; Mrs. STARKWEATHER, also a resident of Rockford; Georgia Gertrude, who is living in Loyalton [Sierra County], CA; and E. J. BACHELDER, who is a practicing physician of Chicago.

Mr. and Mrs. BACHELDER became the parents of five children, of whom three are yet living:   Laura, the eldest, born 26 Jun 1856, became the wife of Charles P. WOODRUFF, who died in Connellsville [McConnellsville, Oneida County], NY.  They had four children:   Georgia Luella, Truman J., Bert and S. Mitchell, all of whom are living with their mother.  After losing her first husband Mrs. WOODRUFF became the wife of William A. JACKSON, who was a barber of Rockford and died in this city.  There was one child by that union, Bessie May, who is a stenographer of Rockford.  Fred M. BACHELDER, born 24 Apr 1858, married Lucy BALDERSON, and is a shipping clerk, residing in Rockford.   Carlton, born 19 Nov 1859, has been twice married.  After the death of his first wife he wedded Bessie COWPER, who is also deceased.  He is now engaged with the Springfield Transfer Company at Springfield [Sangamon County], IL.  Of the daughters who passed away, Ida May died in childhood, and Addie, who became the wife of Professor George BLAKELEY, died in Saginaw [Saginaw County], MI, 15 Oct 15 1890.

When Mr. BACHELDER was called to his final rest his remains were interred by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which lodge he had long been a consistent and exemplary member, acting at times in various offices, being for years noble grand.   His wife was also connected with the ladies auxiliary (the Rebekah lodge) at Fond du Lac.  His political views were in accord with republican principles and he has always cast his ballot for the men and measures of the party.  He held church membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged, and he was well known as an earnest Christian man, justly meriting the regard in which he was uniformly held.  For some time he was the owner of much valuable property in Fond du Lac, including the site of the leading hotel of that city, and he traded the same for a pair of boots.  He afterward owned other property there and also a farm near Fond du Lac, making judicious investment in real estate.  He was a very charitable man, of kindly spirit and generous disposition, and the poor and needy found in him a friend.   He was also charitable in thought as well as act, never judging his fellowmen harshly, and to his family he was a devoted husband and father.  Since her husband's death, Mrs. BACHELDER has returned to Rockford and has since lived with her children, now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. JACKSON, at No. 724 Chestnut Street.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.