JOHN F. DERRICK, a gentleman of more than ordinary ability and fine personal traits, which have secured him the high regard of those who enjoy the pleasure of his acquaintance, is the descendant of an old and excellent family of English ancestry, the first representative of which, in this country, located in Jefferson County, Ohio. The grandfather of our subject, John Derrick by name, a native of England, remained in the land of his birth until reaching manhood, in the meantime learning the carpenter's trade, and being married to Miss Jane Farnham, a native of the same county. After becoming the parents of several children, they emigrated to the United States, settling first in Pennsylvania, and removing later to Jefferson County, Ohio, where the death of grandfather Derrick took place about 1817. He had served as a soldier in the War of 1812, being then over sixty years of age, but he was a man of strong force of character, decided in his views, and a stanch friend of freedom. His wife survived until 1845, reaching the advanced age of ninety years.

Among the children of John and Jane Derrick, was James, one of the young members of the family, who was the only son, and was highly prized on this account, as the family for two generations previously had also been represented by one son only. The lives of these sons, as was natural, were guarded with jealous care, as they were depended upon to perpetuate the name. James Derrick was born in Allegheny County, Pa., and while still a boy, removed with his parents to Jefferson County, Ohio, where he was educated in the district school, and, like his father before him, learned the trade of a carpenter. After reaching manhood, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Ellis, a native of Ohio, whose parents had removed there from Maryland during the pioneer days. Her father, Christopher Ellis, it is believed, was a farmer by occupation. He was married in Maryland, and several of his children were born there. He and his second wife both died in Ohio. The first wife had died in Maryland after the birth of two children. Mrs. Derrick was the daughter of the first wife, and was left motherless at an early age. She remained with her father until old enough to earn her own living, and afterward supported herself until her marriage. James Derrick and his young bride settled in Jefferson County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and fulfilled all his obligations as an honest man and a good citizen. He is remembered by those who knew him, as a gentleman of excellent Christian character, and for many years was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He identified himself with the Republican party soon after its organization, and late in life came to Illinois and made his home with our subject in Silver Creek Township, where his death took place Dec. 1, 1883, when seventy-eight years old. The mother had died in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1869, aged sixty-six. Mrs. Derrick, like her husband, was a devoted Christian, and a member of the Methodist Church.

The subject of this history was the oldest son, and second child of his parents, whose household included six children, and he is the only one now surviving. The eldest, a daughter, died in infancy; James E. and Enos W. served as Union soldiers in the late war, James E. being a member of the 46th Illinois Infantry, and died in the service at Cairo, Ill., June 9, 1862; Enos enlisted in the 93rd Illinois Infantry, and yielded up his life in the hospital at Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 27, 1863. The latter enlisted after the death of his brother. Wesley B., who possessed literary talent of a high order, at the age of nine years, was attacked with rheumatism, which left him a cripple the remainder of his life. He, however, acquired a practical education and employed his time largely in writing for the magazines and local papers. We can only give a brief extract from some of his published writings, which indicates the tenor of his poetical thought, and was written upon his removal from Ohio to Illinois:

This, with a little volume of other poems, was published some time since, and is preserved by the family as a precious relic. He spent his last days at the home of his brother, our subject, where his death took place Sept. 24, 1885. Harriet, the youngest child, died when twenty-six years of age, at the home of her husband, J. L. Clark, in the city of Cleveland, Ohio.

The early life of our subject was spent in Jefferson County, Ohio, and he was educated in the district schools. He remained there until twenty-four years of age, when he emigrated to Illinois, arriving in Silver Creek Township in November, 1854. He purchased a part of the land included in his present homestead, and has been a continuous resident of Silver Creek Township since that time. He has effected great improvements since taking possession, the land being now in a good state of cultivation, and provided with suitable frame buildings, pleasantly located and suited to all the requirements of the first-class agriculturist. In addition to this property, Mr. Derrick is the owner of eighty acres in Florence Township, six acres of which are in timber.

The marriage of John Derrick and Miss Barbara J. Chapman was celebrated at the home of the bride in Freeport, Ill., Oct. 28, 1856. Mrs. D., like her husband, was born, reared and educated in Jefferson County, Ohio. She came to Illinois with her parents in 1854, the same year in which her husband emigrated, and is the eldest daughter and child of Gilead and Elizabeth (Shelly) Chapman, also natives of the Buckeye State. They were married in Jefferson County, where her father followed farming until coming to Illinois. After reaching the Prairie State, he settled first in Ridott Township, whence he subsequently removed with his family to Freeport, and spent his last years retired fro active labor, his death taking place in the spring of 1866. The mother is yet living at the old homestead at Freeport, being now seventy-six years of age. They were most estimable people, and members in good standing of the United Presbyterian Church. MO< Mr. and Mrs. Derrick have no children. The wife of our subject is a lady possessing all the womanly virtues, and is noted for her charity and hospitality. With her husband, she is an active member of the Methodist Church, in which both have labored with much zeal to promote the cause of religion, and exert a good influence upon the community around them. They have been cheerful and liberal contributors to the support and maintenance of all good enterprises, and are held in the highest esteem throughout Silver Creek Township. Mr. Derrick votes the straight Republican ticket, and is a gentleman whose excellent breeding and high character impress themselves at once upon the stranger, and are the means of attaching to himself hosts of warm friends.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 374