Biography - John Hendricks
JOHN HENDRICKS. Among the prominent families who have helped to make the local history of Shelby County, we take pleasure in naming again the one of which our subject is a representative. John Hendricks resides on section 22, Okaw Township, and is a son of Samuel and Mary E. Hendricks. The grandfather of our subject, who bore the name of George Hendricks, came to this State from North Carolina, and settling in Okaw Township, made his home there with his worthy wife and there they resided until they were called from earth by the call which no man disregards. His death occurred some years previous to that of his faithful companion. He was born in North Carolina, January 29, 1799 and died July 14, 1835, while his wife, who was a native of the same state, had her birth October 26, 1798 and passed away April 24, 1872. They reared to usefulness three sons and two daughters, namely Samuel, John R., Zimri, Amanda, and Losada.
Samuel and Mary E. Hendricks were the parents of eight children, one of whom died in infancy and seven grew to years of maturity, namely: Rebecca A. (Mrs. Charles Turney) John, our subject, David, deceased, Charles, Lawson, Alonzo and Mary E. (Mrs. Lewis Hawk).
Our subject was reared on the farm and received his education in the common schools of Shelby County, he is the eldest son and second child of his parents, being born January 22, 1850. His early choice of an occupation for life was made in favor of farming pursuits, and he was married August 24, 1871, to Anna L. Patterson, a daughter of James and Frances Patterson and a native of Shelby County, Ill., where she was born October 26, 1851.
About three years after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks settled upon the farm of eighty acres where they now reside. Their eight children bear the names of Minnie F., William E., John E., James A., Carrie E., Rhoda E., Myrtle F., and an infant who is yet unnamed. The political views of Mr. Hendricks are in accord with the declarations and platform of the Republican party but his interest in the welfare of the farming community has influenced him of late to vote with the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. He is an active worker in the Christian Church and a man whose usefulness therein is accorded by all who know him.
David F. Hendricks, deceased, a brother of our subject, is worthy of note in connection with this sketch. He was born July 24, 1853, and died May 15, 1881. Mr. Hendricks was a graduate of Chicago Commercial College and was book-keeper for a leading firm of contractors at Shelbyville. For five years he was chorister of the Christian Sunday-school and for one year chorister of the Royal Purple Temperance Association and also led the singing in church for some time. He was an honored and beloved member of the Christian Church and was also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His death was greatly felt in the community where he had made his home from childhood.
Extracted 08 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 248-249.
