Biographies

FRANK BACON, one of the self-made men of Henderson County, now living in Media, has from a humble position worked his way steadily upward to one of affluence, and for his success in life deserves great credit.

He was born in New York, December 24, 1826, and is a son of Silas and Chloe (Wait) Bacon, who were also natives of the Empire State, the former born in 1787, and the latter in 1797. They were married in 1820, and in 1837 emigrated with their family to Illinois, reaching Henderson County on the 13th of September. Here the father engaged in farming, which was his life work. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the Government, and began the development of a farm, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, his death occurring in 1841. His wife long survived him, passing away in 1870.

Our subject is the only one of their five children now living. Alonzo, the eldest, died in Henderson County in 1861; Mary J. died in 1844; Franklin is the next younger; Charlotte died in 1844; and Ransom departed this life in 1872.

Amid the wild scenes of the frontier Mr. Bacon of this sketch was reared to manhood, and with the family he shared in all the hardships and trials of pioneer days. His educational privileges were very limited, and his opportunities in other directions were also quite meager, except that he had ample time and opportunity for hard work.

On the 6th of November, 1851, Mr. Bacon was united in marriage with Miss Lucretia Lake, daughter of John and Sarah Lake, who were natives of Pennsylvania.

Five children were bom to them: Almira J., now the wife of Granville Priest, of Iowa; Charles E., a farmer of Henderson County, who was united in marriage with Miss Eveline Galbreath in 1879, and is a Republican in politics; Viola C, wife of John Shull. an agriculturist of the Hawkeye State; and two deceased.

The mother of this family was called to her final rest May 12, 1862, and on the 1st of September, 1863, Mr. Bacon was joined in wedlock with Miss Almira J., daughter of George and Christa Anderson, who were natives of New York, but in an early day removed to Pennsylvania, and in 1839 came to Henderson County. Ill., where Mr. Anderson engaged in farming. Their family numbered five children; Sophia, wife of George W. Connelly, a resident of Iowa; Lavina, wife of Richard Dizney, an agriculturist of Henderson County; Mrs. Janet Bacon, who was born March 17, 1831; Willis, who is living in Kansas; and George, who makes his home in the same State. Willis Bacon was married to Miss Hannah Westfall in the year 1861, and enlisted in the army in the same year, where he remained three years. He then came home, but returned the fourth year. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. George was married to Miss Calista Parkin 1858. He also enlisted in the army, in 1862, and remained until the close of the war. Like his brother, he is a true Republican, and a Methodist. To Mr. and Mrs. Bacon were born three children, but Walter and Edna both died in infancy. Florence, born July 6, 1871, is still living with her parents.

The parents and daughter are leading and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Bacon has filled all the offices in both church and Sunday school. His life has been an honorable and upright one, and thereby he has gained the confidence and esteem of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. In politics, he is a supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party. He now has a comfortable home and a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which has been acquired entirely through his own efforts. He is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of the community, and as such we present him to the readers of this volume.

From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.