In the territory now definied by the township boundary lines he was the first settler, and the first soil broken in that township was by him. He continued to live there until Nov. 3, 1877, when he went to his reward. The vicinity in which he lived still goves by his name, also the church near by is called the Van Brocklin Church. He took an active interest in the erection of the Soldiers' Monument at Freeport contributing both time and money in its interest. His aged partner still survives and lives in Florence Township.She is now in her 84th year and enjoys fairly good health. She tells many pleasant stories of pioner experiences worth of relating. The Indians were frequent visitors at their home and night was often rendered hideous by the howling of wolves.
The family of this good couple consisted of eight children, two of whom ar edeceased, Marcellus, the eldest, and William A., the fourth in the order of birth. Those surviving are Julia, PhoebeC., Lucy A., Sarah M., James M. and Henry O., the latter the subject of this sketch. He has resided in Florence Twp. since Feb. 24, 1846. ALthough the school facilities of those primitive days were very meager, yet by availing himself of all the opportunities offered he became proficient enough to teach several terms of school himself. WIth the exception of the time employed in the capacity of teacher he had devoted his time to farming. When his father died he became sole manager of the old homestead, which consisted of 375 acres, 300 of which were under cultivation.
Mr. Van Brocklin was married in Greene County, N.Y. on the 5th of June, 1871 to Miss mary D. Woolheiser, daughter of Emanuel and Amanda (Crosby) Woolheiser. The latter was related to the noted Revolutionary spy, Enoch Crosby. Mrs. Van Brocklin's birthplace was in Middletown, Delaware Co., N.Y. where she first saw the light of day on the 20th of November 1839. To them five children have been born, tow ow whom died in infancy. The three living are Inez H., Ivy A., and Arthur C.
In politics Mr. Van Brocklin is and has been a Republican, and has been rewarded by his party and the people with several of the more important offices of his township, and in the discharge of the duties of these trusts no word of complaint has ever been uttered. Mr. and Mrs. Van brocklin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Contributed by Al Morgan / Transcribed by Christine Walters
With most persons it is a pleasant matter to trace the genealogy of their family, not only for the credit it may reflect, but for the pleasure afforded by knowing the good qualities of the stock from which they spring. This is peculiarly applicable to the subject of this sketch, whose parents were Conrad adn Harriet (Searl) Van Brocklin. The former was born in Montgomery County, N.Y. and the latter in Massachusetts. Having resided for a short time in Lewis County, N.Y., they concluded to endure the dangers and privations of life in the West at that period, and in 1835 came to Stephenson County, and settled in what is now Florence Twp.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888 Pg. 717