Biography - JOSEPH S. WYETH
Joseph S. Wyeth was for many years previous to his
death prominently identified with the affairs of Douglas county. He, with
his brother, T. J., and their wives, came to Coles county in 1850 and
settled on farms four miles south of Hindsboro, where they remained until
1860, when they removed to Tuscola and engaged in mercantile business. The
partnership lasted four years, when it was dissolved. L. j. remaining in the
business and Joseph S. locating on a farm in Garrett township where his
widow now resides. This was in 1864. (For a very full and complete ancestry
of the Wyeth family see sketch of L. J. Wyeth on another page).
From the Tuscola Review: "Tuesday morning, at his home in Garrett township,
Joseph S. Wyeth, a pioneer resident and farmer of Douglas county, departed
this life. He was seventy years and two months old.
"Deceased was born in Franklin county, Massachusetts, April 15, 1828. In
1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Joanna Hunt in Licking county, Ohio.
Mrs. Wyeth and six children survive him, and two children long since
preceded their father to the grave. Mr. Wyeth had been in poor health for
many years, and the last few years of his life seldom left the home place."
"At one time he was quite a wealthy man ami was a large dealer in live
stock, but owing to failing health he was obliged to retire from active life
a number of years ago. He leaves his family well provided for. Those who
best know him speak of Mr. Wyeth in the highest praise as a citizen,
neighbor and Christian man. During his life he followed the bible injunction
to 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you,' and he went to the
grave honored and respected by all who knew him.
"Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon at Cartwright
church. Rev. Geo. Rippey officiating, and it was one of the largest funerals
ever held in Garrett township."
Mrs. Wyeth, his widow, is a daughter of Elijah Hunt and Rhoda (Hillyer)
Hunt, who were born respectively in Vermont and Connecticut and were engaged
in agriculture pursuits. Elijah Hunt, her father, was in the war of 1812.
His death occurred February 12, 1873, in the seventy-seventh year of his
age. Her grandfather, Justin Hillyer, was a Revolutionary soldier. Her
grandfather Hunt was a native of Vermont. To Mr. and Mrs. Wyeth were born
the following children: Rhoda, wife of W. B. Brenton, of La Salle, Illinois;
Franklin L., farmer in Garrett township; Harry L., also a farmer in the same
township; Susan, wife of Joseph Gregory, of Garrett township; Luella, wife
of William Romine, of Garrett, and Daisy, who is the wife of John Burk, a
merchant of Garrett. The farm upon which Mrs. Wyeth resides is owned by her
and two of her sons and contains three hundred and thirty-seven acres.
Extracted 25 May 2019 by Norma Hass from the Historical and Biographical Record of Douglas County, Illinois, published in 1900, pages 188-189.
