Transcribed by Deb Thormahlen

p. 227

            Solomon Farwell, resident at Unionville, has been a citizen of Whiteside County since 1853.  His parents, Solomon and Sabine (Burlingame) Farwell, were natives respectively of Massachusetts and Vermont.  The former was born in Groton, Mass., March 23, 1773.  The birth of the latter occurred in Wethersfield, Vt., Dec. 29, 1780.  After their marriage they settled for a time in Vermont, afterward going to Lewis Co., N.Y., where they were pioneers and residents for many years.  Late in life they went to Loraine, Jefferson co., N.Y., where the father died June 17, 1850.  The mother died Feb. 5, 1856.  Their nine children were born in the following order: Submit, Leonard M., Selah, Eunice, Sabina, Eliza, Lemuel, Phila A., Hannah E. and Solomon.

            Mr. Farwell was born Jan. 11, 1824, in Denmark, Lewis Co., N.Y., and is the youngest child of his parents.  He attended the common schools and became a carpenter and joiner, following that business until his removal to Whiteside County, and since that time has continued to work at this trade in connection with his farming.  In September, 1853, he bought 60 acres of land in the township of Ustick, where he was engaged in the pursuit of agricultural projects about 16 years, and then sold and purchased a farm in the township of Union Grove.  He remained there but a short time, selling his farm and returning again to Ustick Township, where he bought another farm, on which he resided and operated until he determined to retire from active business life.  In the fall of 1882, he sold his landed interests and removed to Unionville.

            He was married in Denmark, Lewis Co., N.Y., Feb. 4, 1848, to Margaret Plank, and they are the parents of nine children,-Celia H., Emma E., Carrie A., J.D., Nellie F., Minnie P., Fred B., Lulu G. and Gertie L.  The child last named died when four months old.  Mrs. Farwell was born Sept. 21, 1829, in Denmark, and is the daughter of John and Eleanor (Ostrander) Plank.  Her parents were born in the State of New York, and four of their children reached mature life,-Margaret, Hannah, Nancy and John H.

            Politically, Mr. Farwell is a Republican.  He held the positions of Township Clerk and Assessor while a resident of Ustick.  He and his wife are members of the Universalist Church.

p. 247

Levi Houghton, retired farmer of Fulton, and an early settler of Whiteside County, was born in the State of New York, March 26, 1805, and is the son of Elijah and Martha (Oaks) Houghton.  He removed with his family to Otsego Co., N.Y. in childhood, and from there to Herkimer County when he was 13 years of age, where he was married Sept. 30, 1830, to Clarissa Jackson, daughter of Samuel Jackson, whose father was a cousin of Gen. Jackson.  They had five sons and two daughters: Harrison married Clarissa Blodgett and lives in Ustick; George died in childhood; Amelia C. is the wife of Mr. Conkey, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Samuel N. married May McDaniels and lives in Nebraska; Clarence B. married Mary French and lives in Ustick; Sedate W. is the wife of James F. Ward, of Fulton; and Daniel S. is single and lives in Dakota.

Mr. Houghton moved from Herkimer to Lewis Co., N.Y., soon after his marriage, and from there to Ustick, Whiteside Co., Ill., in 1845.  He had a fine farm of 400 acres in that township, which he has deeded to his two youngest sons, reserving the income while he lives.  Mrs. Houghton died Oct. 25, 1861.  Mr. Houghton was married again April 15, 1862, and in the town of Ustick, to Miss Elizabeth Todd, daughter of Moses Todd, of Newburyport, Mass.  Mrs. Houghton was born in Philadelphia, Pa.

Mr. Houghton retired from farming in 1872 and came to Fulton, since which time he has resided in this city.  He was a Democrat up to 1860, when he joined the Republican party.  Mrs. Houghton is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Fulton.