The Descendants of John Heywood of Concord, Massachusetts

Pages 44-46

The subject of this review is one whose history touches the pioneer epoch in the annals of the state of Illinois and whose days have been an integral part of that indissoluble chain which links the early formative period with that of later-day progress and prosperity. Not alone is there particular interest attaching to his career as one of the pioneers of Ogle county, but in reviewing his genealogical record we find his lineage tracing back to the colonial history of the nation and to that period which marked the inception of the grandest republic the world has ever known.

Mr. Trumbull was born near Hartford, Connecticut, September 13, 1813, and is a worthy representative of an old and honored New England family, which was founded in this country by three brothers of English birth. One of these, Governor Jonathan Trumbull, of Connecticut, was a great friend of General Washington, who always made his home headquarters when in that region, and it is believed that the term "Brother Jonathan" originated from this friendship. Four generations of the family, including our subject, were born in the same house on the old Trumbull homestead in Connecticut. Among these was the grandfather, David Trumbull, and the father, James Trumbull, who spent their entire life there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He served as a sergeant in the war of 1812, and died at the age of forty-two years, honored and respected by all who knew him. In early life he married Jane Watson also a native of the Nutmeg state, who survived him a number of years and died on the old homestead. To them were born nine children, but only two are now living: Mrs. Fanny Weller, a widow, now ninety-three years of age, who resides in Waterbury, Connecticut; and Asaph M., our subject.

Until he attained his majority Asaph M. Trumbull remained with his mother and aided in the operation of the home farm. His educational advantages were good for those days, as he attended both the common schools and academies, and for two winter terms he engaged in teaching. When a young man he went to Milton, Union county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the manufacture of brooms for two years. While there he was married in 1838 to Miss Sarah Gotshall, a native of Milton. The following year he purchased a team and wagon, which he loaded with his effects, and in May started for Illinois, being four weeks in making the journey. He joined two brothers, David and Joseph, who had settled in Ogle county early that spring, and he secured a claim of one hundred and forty acres near Byron. He spent the first winter in a log cabin on the banks of a creek, but in the spring that stream overflowed its banks, and as they were threatened with drowning they were forced to leave, moving out of their little home in a boat. Mr. Trumbull then erected a house and barn on higher ground and proceeded to break his land preparatory to planting crops. Two years later he traded that place for a farm in Marion township, of one hundred and ninety acres, which were slightly improved. He planted an orchard, erected a comfortable residence and good outbuildings, and for forty years devoted his energies to the cultivation of his land, making it one of the best and most desirable farms of the township. In 1881 he rented the place and moved to Stillman Valley, where he built a good home and has since lived retired from active labor, though he still looks after his farm and other interests. He has given his support to a number of business enterprises that have done much for the development and prosperity of this part of the county.

Soon after coming to Illinois Mr. Trumbull's first wife died, and he subsequently wedded Mary Patrick, who was a native of Massachusetts, and when young came west with her father, Samuel Patrick, an early settler of Ogle county. She died on the farm in Marion township, and of the three children born to them one died at the age of eleven years and one at the age of two. The only one now living, George Trumbull, a farmer of Marion township, is married and has two children. On the 6th of August, 1861, in Camden, Oneida county, New York, Mr. Trumbull was united in marriage with Miss Honor Preston, who was born,reared and educated at that place, and is a daughter of Rossiter and Orril (Curtis) Preston, both natives of Connecticut. They later lived for a number of years in Camden, New York, finally removing to Rockford, Illinois.

Politically Mr. Trumbull was an oldline Whig and cast his first presidential ballot for Martin Van Buren, but on the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, voting for John C. Fremont in 1856, and has never failed to support each presidential candidate of that party since then. He has ever used his influence toward securing good schools and for a number of years was a most efficient member of the school board. He has also served his fellow citizens in a most creditable and satisfactory manner as supervisor, township clerk and assessor for a few years each. In early life he joined the Presbyterian church, but after coming to this county he united with the Congregational church at Byron.

On his removal to Stillman Valley he became connected with the Congregational church at that place, has taken an active part in church and Sabbath school work, and for thirty years has been a member of the official board, being a deacon at the present time. His life is exemplary in many respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation.