Bordner, Lucinda Bearce bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 637-638; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Mrs. Lucinda (Bearce) Bordner. Could the biographies of the pioneers of Fulton County be written in detail, a large and most interesting volume might be compiled. It is our pleasure to select the principal facts in their lives and record them for the perusal of coming generations. The lady, with whose name we introduce this sketch, has been a resident of Fulton County sixty-five years, coming here with her parents, Eli and Sarah Bearce, in 825, and consequently has witnessed the entire growth and development of this part of Illinois. She is a native of this State, and was born in Sangamon County, February¸182; for her parental history we refer the reader to the sketch of Orsen Bearce. Being but two years of age when she came to this county, she has no knowledge of other than her adopted home. Her girlhood was passed in attendance at the pioneer schools and in assisting her mother in household duties, and on January 2, 1842, when eighteen years of age, she was united in marriage with Jonathan Bordner.
Mr. Bordner whose portrait appears in connection with this sketch, was born in Northumberland County, Pa., February 11, 1816. For the history of his parents, Peter and Christina Bordner, see sketch of Moses Bordner. He was about nine years of age when his parents took him to Licking County, Ohio, and there he remained till 1839. In that year he ventured further westward, starting out on foot with all his effects in his knapsack and walked to this county. He soon found employment here on the farm of Jacob Shawver. He was industrious, wisely save his earning and was soon enabled to buy a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of timber land, comprising the northwest quarter of section 25, Lewistown Township, paying 2.50 an acre for it. He built a log cabin on the place and in that humble abode, he and his bride commenced housekeeping. They were obliged to live in the most primitive manner, Mrs. Bordner doing her cooking by the fireplace as they had no stove. Deer were quite plentiful and could oftentimes be seen peeping through the fence that surrounded the cabin.
After he was fairly established here Mr. Bordner actively entered upon the pioneer task of felling the forest trees and preparing his land for cultivation, and in due time he had a fine farm. He erected a commodious brick house, a substantial frame barn, sheds and other necessary buildings. He planted fruit trees, shrubbery and in other ways adorned the place, where he spent his last years, surrounded by all the comforts that are to be found in an Eastern home. His life was rounded out September 19, 1873, when an honored and useful citizen was removed from the community. He aided in building up the township and his memory is cherished as that of one of our most worthy pioneers.
Mr. Bordner was exceedingly fortunate in securing a wife who devoted herself to his interests and was an important factor in making his life a success, and they were very happy and contented in their marriage relations. Mrs. Bordner, with three of her children, still occupies the homestead. She is a sincere and active Christian, a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is held in high regard by her neighbors and friends. She has reared eleven children to good and useful lives, as follows: Harvey P., Alfred, Christiana, the wife of Martin Weirauch; Sarah, who married John Fitzhenry; Frank, who manages the home farm; Homer; Amanda, wife of D. A. Burleigh; Emma, wife of John Weirauch; Mary, who married Robert Miller; Hattie and Eva, at home with their mother. Harvey was a gallant soldier in the late war and bravely gave up his life in the defense of the Union. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company H., One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry, and was mustered into service at Peoria October 2. He was soon sent South with his regiment and took part in the battle of Missionary Ridge. While courageously fighting the enemy he was mortally wounded and died eleven days later. The remains of the noble young soldier were brought home to the bereaved family, and tenderly interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.