SIDNEY JOEL STEBBINS, one of the oldest residents and a representative farmer of Silver Creek Township, owns a fine body of land on section 2, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He bears the honor of being the second settler in the township, which has remained his home continuously since the fall of 1836. The main points in his history we briefly transcribe as follows:

Mr. Stebbins was born in Lebanon Township, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 21, 1813, and is the son of Joel Stebbins, a native of Massachusetts. The latter was reared on a farm in his native State, and after reaching manhood emigrated to New York State, locating first in Madison County. There he met and married Miss Abigail Berry, of Brookfield Township. Both families were of English ancestry, and New England parentage. Joel Stebbins after his marriage and the birth of five children, of whom our subject was the third, and the two youngest of whom were twins, removed from Madison to Erie County, and locating on a farm in Eden Township with his estimable wife spent there the remainder of his days. Their remains now lie side by side, with one child, in the cemetery at Eden. The only surviving son besides our subject is John Wayne, now a resident of Sardinia Township, Erie Co., N. Y. Our subject remained a member of the parental household until twenty-five years of age, and was married thereafter, Nov. 17, 1838, the wedding taking place in Erie County, and the maiden of his choice being Miss Jane Stearns. She was born on July 22, 1817. Mrs. Stebbins was born and reared in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and is the daughter of Isaac Stearns, who served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in St. Lawrence County after reaching the advanced age of three-score and ten years. His wife was, in her girlhood, Miss Margaret Clark, and she died in Franklin County several years after the death of her husband. Mrs. Stebbins was a young woman when her parents removed from St. Lawrence to Erie County, where she made her home with them and with a sister until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins have had eight children, of whom four are still living, namely: Abigail, Mrs. E. S. Brown, of Silver Creek Township; Adelbert, who is farming in Silver Creek Township; Homer F., in Lancaster Township, and Warren W. The latter occupies his father’s homestead in Silver Creek Township. Those deceased are Joel E., Emma J. and James.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins started at once for Illinois, making the journey overland and bringing with them their household goods and provisions. They located on section 2, in Silver Creek Township, where Mr. S. entered 320 acres of land which he has occupied continuously since that time – the spring of 1838. The city of Freeport was then but a humble hamlet of a few houses, including a store and a saloon. Mr. S. had made a flying trip to this section in 1836, and at that time took up land which he divided later with two other men, Joel Whitmore and Chauncey Stebbins, by drawing cuts, the longer one determining the first choice, the next the second, and the shortest taking what remained. Mr. Stebbins was obliged to accept of “Hobson’s choice,” but has had little reason to regret the lot which fell to him. He possessed more than ordinary energy and industry, and in due time distinguished himself as one of the most skillful and enterprising farmers in this section of country. He is widely and favorably known and universally respected as having been an important factor in the development of Northern Illinois. Since the organization of the Republican party he has been a cordial supporter of its principles, and his estimable lady is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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