My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM BROCK is one of the large land-owners of Greene County, in which his long life has been almost entirely spent and where he is well known as a reliable and trustworthy citizen, a man of enterprise in worldly affairs and of consideration and kindly feeling toward his fellow-men. His reputation extends far beyond the limits of the county and the name which he represents has been honored in other sections of America. He was born in Madison County, January 8, 1818, but was brought to this county when but five years of age, and reared in the neighborhood of his present home.

The parents of our subject were Francis and Sarah (Harper) Brock, the former of whom was born in North Carolina. Mrs. Brock was a daughter of John Harper for whom Harper’s Ferry was named. When Francis Brock moved on to his place in Greene County there were but ten acres cleared. The balance of the seven hundred which he owned was cleared during his life which ceased October 10, 1857. His wife survived several years, dying October 9, 1865. Their family comprised five sons and two daughters.

The gentleman with whose name this sketch is introduced passed his early years in what was almost a wilderness, seeing the parental estate gradually assume a more cultivated look as the forest gave place to fields of waving grain, and the early dwelling of the family was replaced by one of the first brick houses erected in the county. The school which he attended was two and a half miles from his home. When he grew to manhood he bought two hundred and fifty acres of land, which was mostly in brush and woods. This he put under good cultivation, ere long having a well improved and attractive estate which produced abundantly of first-class crops. In 1859, a commodious and well-designed brick residence was erected, which is one of the finest on the Federal Pike east of Xenia. Among the features of the home estate is a large orchard which is well kept and furnishes an abundance of luscious fruit. Mr. Brock has owned as high as thirteen hundred acres of land, his home farm now consisting of two hundred and ten acres. In addition to this properly Mrs. Brock holds in her own right two hundred and forty-six acres in Fayette County, which came from her father’s estate.

The marriage of William Brock and Sydney Hidy was celebrated at the bride’s home in Fayette November 30, 1845. Mrs. Brock is a daughter of Joseph Hidy who was born near Philadelphia, to which place his father, John Hidy, had come from Germany. Upon leaving the parental roof Joseph Hidy went to Hardy County, Va., coming thence to Fayette where he married Mary, daughter of Martin Carr. Their daughter Sydney is a woman of more than ordinary intelligence, having taken advantage of every opportunity to increase the knowledge which she obtained in early life. She possesses refined tastes, being especially fond of flowers by which her home is beautifully adorned. Her character is a noble, motherly one, and wins respect from all who know her.

The family of our subject and wife comprises four children. A sketch of the oldest child, Owen, is to be found elsewhere in this volume. Louisa is the wife of L. S. Carper, and mother of three children — Idella, Annie and Willie; the family live in a part of the dwelling of our subject, and Mr. Carper works a portion of the estate. Joseph is married and living on a farm of his own in Fayette County; he has seven children — Estella, Burton, Frank, Ethel, Joseph, Earl and Floy. Frank, who is now living in California, is unmarried.

Mr. Brock has held the office of Trustee and has been a candidate on the Democratic ticket for Commissioner. He is a sturdy Democrat whose devotion to his party has been manifested for many years. For years he has served as School Director faithfully endeavoring to advance the cause of education. He and his wife belong to the Universalist Church, while their daughter, Mrs. Carper, is a member of the Christian Church.