My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH WHITEHOUSE. The subject of this sketch has been a resident of Randolph County for over forty years, and is an agriculturist of prominence, who, notwithstanding the reverses and discouragements that almost invariably attend those who settle in a new country, has come boldly to the front and surmounted all difficulties. He is residing at the present time on his fine farm of two hundred and seventy acres, located on section 5, township 8, range 5, where he is surrounded by all the comforts of life.

A native of England, Mr. Whitehouse was born in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, in 1809. Losing his parents when very young, he was reared by strangers, and early commenced to battle with life on his own account. He was taken into the home of Mrs. Rebecca Boulton, in whom he found a kind and tender foster mother, and remained in her family until fully grown. After receiving limited school advantages, he secured a position in the iron works at Golds Hill, later at Goldsgreen and finally at Tolls End, where he remained until he embarked for the New World. Leaving Liverpool some time in 1832, he landed in New York after a voyage of forty-seven days, and found his first employment at Boonton, N. J., where he remained for about a year.

From New Jersey Mr. Whitehouse proceeded to Haverstraw, N. Y., where he remained for seventeen years. Meantime he met and married Miss Elizabeth Tudor, the daughter of an old English friend, who had preceded him to New York. Their marriage occurred December 26, 1835, Mrs. Whitehouse being in her eighteenth year. She remained his devoted companion until May 3, 1890, when her decease occurred on the home farm in this county.

The year 1849 witnessed the departure of our subject for the west, his arrival in Randolph County being in April of that year. His first purchase of land consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, to which he later added a like amount. He has resided upon this tract for over forty years, and has consequently witnessed the transformation of the wild land into the many cultivated farms for which Randolph County is noted. To Mr. and Mrs. hitehouse were born nine children, only two of whom survive: Mary Ann, now Mrs. M. Vickers; and William Tudor, who remains at home and superintends the management of the farm. Those deceased are John, Eliza, Harriet, Joseph, Matilda, Fannie and Martha.

In religious belief, Mr. Whitehouse is a member of the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, with which his wife was also identified. Notwithstanding his advanced years, he is hale and hearty, and in the twilight of his useful life is surrounded by every comfort, and is affectionately cared for by his children and grandchildren. Politically, he is as firm in his advocacy of Republican principles as he was in the early days of the history of that party.

The only son of our subject, William T., was born November 12, 1848, in Haverstraw, N. Y. In March, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J., daughter of John M. and Margaret (Galimore) Bridgeman, residents of Rockwood, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Whitehouse departed this life May 3, 1889, after having become the mother of four children: Josie, who was born February 9, 1875, and died February 12 of the same year; Willis H., who was born February 18, 1876; Martha M., August 8, 1878; and Walter E., May 30, 1882.