My Genealogy Hound

MRS. MARY A. WHITLOCK, one of the plucky pioneer women of Kearney county, Nebr., was born in Clinton county, N. Y., March 28, 1833, and is the daughter of John Van Horn and Lucinda (Tubbs) Vandervort.

Her father was born on the Mohawk river in New York, while her mother was a native of Vermont. The former died in 1856, and the latter in 1867. Both were devoted members of the United Brethren church. The subject of this brief memoir was married to Hiram P. Whitlock, January 1, 1851. He was a native of the Green Mountain Stale, having been born in Rutland, May 10, 1827. He was a son of James and Elmira (Eaton) Whitlock, both of whom were natives of Vermont. His parents immigrated to New York soon after marriage, and subsequently to Illinois, where they died. Mr. Whitlock came with his parents to Illinois in 1845, and upon arriving at the age of maturity, began farming, which vocation he has since followed. To this union were born four children, namely — John C., born August 11, 1852 (deceased); Cornelius L., born November 29, 1855 (deceased); Lucinda E., born April 24, 1858, and David L., born April 25, 1863. Mrs. Whitlock came to Kearney county, October 5, 1877. The country was new and thinly settled, but she was delighted with it and determined to make her home here. She accordingly took a homestead in May township and began to improve the same at once. She caused a substantial frame dwelling to be erected, and planted several acres of timber, which has since grown to a considerable height. Settlers were few and far between and buffalo and antelope roamed almost at will. She now owns 240 acres of as fine land as can be found anywhere in the state, and the improvements are of the best. She is a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and possessed of an indomitable will.