BISSEL P. BELKNAP. During the early settlement of this county it seemed the cynosure of all eyes over a territory extending from the Middle States to the northeastern portion of New England. The intelligence of its fertile lands awaiting development reached the ears of the young man anxious to start out in life for himself by a way which we can hardly now account for, before the advent of the daily paper or the telegraph, and while mail facilities were limited and slow. Certain it is, however, that the news traveled and greeted eager and willing ears, brave hearts and strong hands, who considered that no sacrifice was too great if they could attain to the accomplishment of their desires. Among the young men thus willing to make the sacrifice of leaving their childhood’s home and old associations, was the subject of this sketch, whose log and interesting experience if fully detailed would make a volume will worth perusal.

Mr. Belknap began life in Randolph Township, Orange County, Vt., Dec. 24, 1811. His grandfather, Moses, Sr., and his father, Moses Belknap, Jr., were natives of Somers Township, Conn., where the former followed shoemaking and farming, and materially assisted in the building up of that section of country. Subsequently he removed to Vermont, locating in Randolph Township, where his death took place at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. His son, Moses, Jr., followed farming his entire life, and died in the county of his birth about 1837.

Our subject remained under the parental roof in his native county until twenty years of age, and then, desirous of beginning to make his own way in the world, went to Albany, N. Y., where he engaged in draying, and was thus occupied from 1831 until 1835. Thence he migrated to New York City, of which he remained a resident one year, and subsequently went into St. Lawrence County, being employed there upon a farm. Two years later, in 1839, he started for the West, going first to Wisconsin, where he spent the winter, and in the spring of 1840 migrated to this county. The journey from New York was made via the lakes to Milwaukee, where he had intended to take a stage coach. The seats all being taken, however, he started on foot and walked a distance of 125 miles to Gratiot, Wis., where he had relatives. At that point he employed himself as a carpenter, erecting barns and other buildings in that vicinity. He was a natural mechanic, and took up the trade readily without serving a regular apprenticeship.

Mr. Belknap had been married in Vermont in 1836, and after having decided to make his permanent home in this county he sent for this family, who joined him the following summer. He first rented a tract of land in Oneco Township, on section 23, which he occupied two years, and then moved two miles southeast, where he took up a claim of 160 acres, cut a quantity of wild hay, and then deferred his operations for a time. Subsequently he sold this property at a good profit, and with the proceeds purchased the land included in this present homestead. This also was a wild and uncultivated tract of the same extent as the other, but the location pleased him better, and he was satisfied to consider it his abode for an indefinite period. He commenced breaking the sod, moved a frame building, which had been used as a blacksmith shop, from another locality, and thus provided a shelter for his family until he was enabled to erect a more pretentious dwelling, which he did in the summer of 1854. This building, which still continues the family residence, was built of brick, the material being manufactured two and one-half miles distant. When completed it was the admiration of all the country around, and was considered one of the finest structures in that locality. Afterward a good barn and other necessary out-buildings were added, and Mr. Belknap was enabled to relax his arduous labors and take time to look about his possessions and enjoy the comforts which he had accumulated for himself and his family.

All the education our subject received was obtained in the district school of his native county, away back in Vermont. But he was a bright and intelligent boy, made the most of his opportunities, and was considered quite an oracle among his associates. After becoming a resident of Oneco Township he was instrumental in the establishment of the first school, in which he also officiated as pedagogue. The temple of learning consisted of one-half of a log cabin, whose owner was good enough to rent it for school purposes. The seats and desks were home-made, constructed of slabs, and the other conveniences for teaching “the young idea how to shoot” were in keeping with the other devices of that day. People at that time believed in the birch rod as an effectual means of compelling knowledge, but our subject being more than ordinarily kindhearted, seldom resorted to this method of instruction, and was beloved by his pupils accordingly. Mr. Belknap since that time has been prominent in the affairs of his township, where his worth as a citizen has always been recognized. He served as Collector two years, was Constable eight years, Road Comissioner two years, and County Coroner one year. When he first became a voter he identified himself with the old Whig party, but upon its abandonment cordially cast his lot with the Republicans. His whole course has been marked by manly worth and honesty of purpose, and few men in Oneco Township are held in greater respect than he.

The faithful and affectionate wife of our subject, who has been his closest friend and companion for over a period of fifty years, was formerly Miss Deborah Beebe, and assumed his name Jan. 10, 1836. She was born in Orange County, Vt., and is the daughter of Calvin and Deborah (Cole) Beebe, natives of Windsor County, that State. The marriage took place after the removal of our subject to Albany, N. Y., and during the days he was employed there in draying. His wife did not accompany him to the West, but joined him afterward, when he had prepared a shelter for them. She cheerfully shared with her husband the hardships and privations of life in a new settlement, and their pleasures and responsibilities were augmented by the birth of nine children. Of these, three have been laid away in the quiet country burying-ground. Those surviving are: Mary, Mrs. Everett, of Monroe, Wis.; Hannah, Mrs. Mulks, of White Water, Wis.; Corwin, who, although thirty-nine years of age, is still unmarried and remains with his parents, attending to the more arduous labors of the farm and relieving them of care and labor; Horace lives about two miles north of the old homestead; Edwin A. is an employe (sic) of the Ft. Scott, K. & G. R. R. Co.; Lillie, the youngest, is enjoying single happiness at home.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 215-16