Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

Horace MESSENGER, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 33; P. O. Lockport; was born in Chenango 
Co. N. Y., April 26, 1807; he lived with his parents to the age of 20, farming, then farmed 
six years in Onondaga Co., N. Y., by the month; in 1834, he came to this county (then Cook) 
and made his claim; then returning to Onondaga County, married and returned with his wife 
in 1835, and worked and improved the farm upon which he has ever since resided, containing 
over four hundred acres; Mr. MESSENGER is one of the earliest settlers in the county. Has 
been Highway Commissioner, but, although repeatedly requested, steadily has refused to 
hold any other office. Married Miss Fanny SHEAD (daughter of Stephen SHEAD, Onondaga Co., 
N. Y.) in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in April, 1835; she was born in Vernon, N. Y., June 13, 
1810; they had seven children, six living - Horace, born April 26, 1807; Fanny S., June 
13, 1810, Mary Jane, Nov. 4, 1838; Francis Ann, March 18, 1840; Horace Isaac, Feb. 5,
1844, and Helen Louisa, April 18, 1847; one dead - William H., born Feb. 20, 1836, 
died April 4, 1839.