My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES T. GILDERSLEEVE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Hudson; born in Hempstead, Queens Co., N. Y., Aug. 13, 1830, but removed, when 6 years of age, with his father’s family, to Illinois, His father, James T. Gildersleeve, became a member of what has since been termed the Hudson Colony, but, it seems, the original organization was under a different title, and this only a local application. We quote from “The Good Old Times of McLean Co.,” setting forth the origin: “In the winter of 1835-6, in the town of Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Ill., certain parties drew up articles of agreement, associating themselves together to form a colony. The association was formed Feb. 6, 1836, and it was known as ‘The Illinois Land Association.’ The business of the association was conducted by an Executive Committee of three; these were George F. Purkitt, Horatio N. Pettit and John Gregory. James T. and Joseph D. Gildersleeve subscribed for four colony interests, which gave them the right to nearly 700 acres of land, consisting of prairie and timber land, and town lots in Hudson.” In September, 1836, Mr. James T. Gildersleeve left New York City for his prospective home in Illinois. They came by way of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh; thence by boat to St. Louis; thence up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Pekin, and from thence across the country to Bloomington. They soon located at Havens’ Grove, Hudson Township, this county. The family lived in a small house with Mr. David Trimmer, until they could build a dwelling, which was completed and occupied in December of that year. This house is now the residence of Charles T. Gildersleeve, two rooms and a hall of which were plastered by John Magoun in the spring of 1837. The ceilings of these rooms are now in a good state of preservation, notwithstanding the work was done over forty-two years ago. The subject of this sketch worked on his father’s farm until the summer of 1855, when he was employed as station and express agent, remaining in their employ nearly fourteen years, during which period he was also engaged in the lumber and grain trade. In 1869 he resumed the occupation of farmer, which has since been his business. He owns 320 acres of land in Hudson Township. In 1854, he was married to Miss Mary A McCaughey, who was born in Medina Co., Ohio, Aug. 28, 1833; six children by this union, three of whom are living — Mary A., wife of T. W. Stevenson, of Bloomington; James T., and Henrietta R. The deceased are — Charles T., died May 28, 1857, Edgar C., April 9, 1870, and Bessie B., March 21, 1869. Mr. G. has many relics, which date far back into the past, among which are a cane presented to his great-grandfather on his voyage from Wales to the United States; a watch, of English manufacture, carried by his grandfather from the age of 16 until his death; a will, dated at Hempstead, Queens Co., N. Y., Sept. 17, 1838; a copy of the Bloomington Observer, bearing date June 15, 1839, published by J. W. Fell; also many other relics.