HARVEY LOOMIS, deceased, who became a resident of Stephenson County in 1840, conducted the first school taught at Waddam’s Grove, and afterward became familiarly known among the people of this section as a citizen worthy of their esteem and confidence. He was a New Englander by birth and first opened his eyes to the light in Litchfield, Conn., April 29, 1816. When but a child his parents emigrated to Ohio, settling among the early pioneers of Geauga County, where our subject grew to manhood, assisting in the labors of the farm and making the most of his opportunities for securing an education. After a year’s residence in this county he returned to Ohio and purchased a farm in Geauga County, which he occupied until 1852. He then sold out and, returning to this State, purchased land on section 27, in West Point Township, which he occupied a number of years, then rented and removed to a tract on section 35, the location of which suited him much better. Here he erected a set of frame buildings and brought about all the comforts and conveniences of a home, where he remained until his death, which occurred Nov. 18, 1880.

The subject of our sketch was married, July 6, 1873, to Miss Antoinette Kelley, a native of Broome County, N. Y., and the daughter of Ephraim and Mary A. (Hayes) Kelley. Mr. Kelly came to this county in 1848, and located upon a farm in West Point Township, where his death took place in 1873. The mother had died in 1845, in New York State. The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Loomis were named respectively, Warren E., Susie R., Clarence H. and Henry Charles. They are all at home with their mother. Mrs. Loomis is the possessor in her own right of 272 acres of land, thirty acres of which lie in Kent Township. She is a lady of more than ordinary business capacity, and since the death of her husband is completing the education of her children and training them carefully for the duties and responsibilities of life.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 269