BENJAMIN J. HOLLEY, one of the familiar figures of West Point Township, is in possession of a good farm finely located on section 36 and 1. He came to the Prairie State in 1844, and first entered land in Lake County, thirty-three miles from what was then the unimportant town of Chicago. He did not, however, take up his abode there until two years later, when he erected a frame shanty of which he took possession and began to cultivate the soil. His produce was marketed at Chicago and Waukegan, but he was not quite satisfied with his prospects in that locality and in 1853 came to this county and purchased 206 acres of land on sections 36 and 1, West Point Township. A part of the land was broken, but there were no buildings. He put up a frame house 16x24 feet in dimensions, which he occupied with his family until 1868, and then with his accumulated means superintended the erection of a substantial brick dwelling which was the admiration of all the people around. This with its later improvements constitutes the valuable family homestead, which could scarcely be purchased with money. The improvements are of a first-class description, including a commodious and substantial barn, with good out-buildings and all the machinery required by the modern agriculturist. There is also a fine assortment of live-stock.

The subject of this history was born in Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., Sept. 1, 1820. His father, Benjamin Holly [that is the way it is spelled in the book], Sr., a native of Preston, Conn., was born in 1788, and his grandfather, familiarly known as Squire John Holley, was of English parentage, but it is supposed was also a native of New England. In about 1790, the latter removed with his family to the Western frontier, which at that time was Washington County, N. Y. There was not even a carriage road and the journey was made with pack horses. Squire Holley settled in what is now the town of Hartford, where he cleared a farm from the wilderness, which he occupied until resting from his earthly labors. The grandparents reared a family of sons and daughters, among whom was Benjamin, Sr., the father of our subject. He was trained, like his brothers, to habits of industry and economy, and early in life secured his independence by learning the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked and received good wages, being a mechanic of more than ordinary skill. He invested his savings in a tract of partly improved land which is now occupied by the town site of Harford, and in connection with his carpenter work cultivated his farm and built up a comfortable home. He lived to the ripe old age of fourscore and seven, and passed away amidst the regrets of a community which had yielded him profound respect in consideration of the worthy life which he had ever presented before them. The wife and companion of his early manhood was, before her marriage, Miss Eunice Weatherbee. She died on the old homestead near Hartford previous to the decease of her husband, in the sixty-fourth year of her age. Of their eleven children, seven grew to mature years: Rebecca became the wife of Edmund Vaughn, and died in Kingsbury, Washington County; Daniel, now eighty years of age, is living at Ft. Ann, N. Y.; Lucy became the second wife of her brother-in-law, Edmund Vaughn, and died at Hartford in middle life; James died in Lockport, N. Y., aged about sixty-four years; Betsey, the wife of Caleb Hendershot, died in Michigan when fifty years old; Benjamin J., of our sketch, is the next eldest living; Richard occupies the old homestead in Washington County.

The subject of our sketch remained a member of the parental household until he was twenty-two years old and then commenced life for himself, working out for from $9 to $12 per month. His life subsequently, after coming to this State, we have already indicated. In January, 1843, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Holbrook, a native of his own town and his playmate in childhood. Of this union there are two children living – George M. and Alice E. Mr. H. and his wife for many years have been earnest and active members of the Baptist Church, with which he united when nineteen years old, and of which his estimable wife became a member when sixteen. He cast his first Presidential vote for John R. Hale, and upon the dissolution of the old Whig party, wheeled into the Republican ranks and has been loyal to that party ever since. He was a great admirer of Gen. John Fremont. Mr. Holley has always taken a lively interest in the welfare of his township and community, and has served as Commissioner of Highways and as School Director. He was connected with the West Point Township Insurance Company for a number of years. His life has been a useful and busy one, and he has been far happier with continuous employment than with any life of idleness which he could picture. The pioneers do not take kindly to the fashions and extravagances of the present but instinctively follow the old and simple habits of industry, honesty and contentment. Mr. Holley has added to his first purchase until he is now the owner of 270 acres of choice land in one body.

Contributed by Carole Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888