Biography - Hugh Walden
HUGH NELSON WALDEN. a well-known stock-raiser and farmer residing on section
31, Windsor Township, Shelby County, was born just a quarter of a mile south of
his present residence, January 19, 1830. His father, Hugh Walden, was a native
of North Carolina, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Montgomery, was
born in Kentucky. They both came to this State before marriage, and were united
near Shawneetown, and became residents of Illinois Territory in those early days
prior to its admission as a State. It was in 1827 that this young couple came to
Shelby County, and settled in Richland Township, and there they spent the
remainder of their days, the father being called hence in 1869, and the mother
surviving him for ten years.
Every one of the five sons and five daughters of this worthy couple lived to
attain maturity, marry and establish families of their own, but eight of the ten
have now passed away, seven of them dying of that dire disease, consumption. The
only surviving brother of our subject is Leonard V., the youngest of the family.
He lives on the old homestead, which is now a portion of his brother's large
farm. Our subject has been twice married, his first wife being Maria Davis, to
whom he was united March 17, 1853. Seven children were born of this marriage, of
whom three are now living — Mary M., Nancy Ivy and Harlan, all of whom have
grown to maturity and are living with their father. Their mother passed away
March 6, 1874. Mr. Walden was married a second time, April 13, 1875, and was
united at that time with Theoda D. Hazen, who was born in Bridgeton, Me., April
11, 1842. She is a daughter of John and Esther (Libbey) Hazen. Her father died
in his native State April 14, 1877, and the mother still resides in Bridgeton.
Only one of her three sons and three daughters have passed away, and Mrs. Walden
is her eldest. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Walden have had three children, all
of whom are deceased, two dying in infancy. Abbie Hazen, who was born October 2,
1877, died March 12, 1890; she was a bright, beautiful girl of thirteen summers,
whose place can never be tilled to her sorrowing parents, and who was sincerely
mourned by many admiring friends and playmates.
Go to thy rest fair child.
Go to thy dreamless bed
While yet so gentle, undefiled,
With blessings on thy head.
Ere sin hath seared thy breast,
Or sorrow waked thy tear,
Rise to thy throne of changeless rest
In yon celestial sphere.
If any man may be called a pioneer of Shelby County, Mr. Walden is pre-eminently
one, as it has been his home for sixty-one years. Six hundred splendid acres
constitute his farm in Windsor and Richland Townships, and upon them he has
excellent buildings and fine improvements, the whole estate being in fact an
ideal country home. Mr. Walden has always been a Democrat in his political
views, and he says he expects to die a Democrat. He is a Universalist in his
religious belief, although he holds no church connection. His excellent wife
joined the Cambridge Baptist Church in Massachusetts, when she was only
seventeen years of age, and she has ever maintained her membership with that
organization. The township of Windsor has honored both itself and our subject by
giving him at various times every office within its gift. He served seven years
as Supervisor, ten years as Highway Commissioner, one term as Assessor, and
School Director and Trustee for nine and ten years each.
Extracted 29 May 2017 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 271-272.
