F. F. Brockway

F. F. Brockway, the son of J. H. and Harriet (Fuller) Brockway, was born in Broome county, N. Y., in the year 1832. His paternal grandparents were natives of Scotland who emigrated to America and settled in the state of New York about the year 1800, and there reared a family of six children. J. H. Brockway, their only son, was born in Scotland, and with parents came to New York at six years of age, remaining at home until about seventeen years of age, and then spent some three years in Illinois, prospecting, with the object of obtaining land. He entered 6,000 acres near Jacksonville. Returning to his father's home, he, at the age of twenty-three years, was married to Miss Harriet Fuller. They resided in Broome county until 1844, when they removed to Illinois and settled in Boone county, where he purchased land and remained some seven years. The death of his faithful wife, whom he followed to the grave some years Later, took place there. He had been a man prominent wherever he had, resided, having held the office of sheriff of Broome county, N. Y., eight years. His family comprised six children, three of whom are still living. F. F. Brockway, the second child of the family, remained in Broome county, N. Y., until about thirteen years of age, when with his parents he made the journey in wagons across the prairie to Boone county, Ill. Until about the age of eighteen he remained in that county, and then went as an apprentice to learn the trade of a mason, and after two years began work for himself; but desiring to know his business thoroughly, he went to St. Louis and served again his time, thus showing a determination that but few possess. After two years of hard work, having become proficient in his business, he obtained important contracts for work on public buildings, as the jail, cottage female seminary, and other buildings at Davenport, Iowa. Thus two years were passed, when he turned his steps toward Stark county, where his home has since been made. For one year here he devoted his whole time to his trade. In the winter of 1856 he was married to Miss Catherine Trickle, of Stark county, daughter of Jefferson Trickle. After their marriage they settled upon a farm in the southern part of Essex township, where for fourteen years they resided, when they moved to Wyoming, Mr. Brockway engaging in mercantile business there. He continued in business five years, returned to the farm and erected the finest farm house in the county, which was unfortunately burned owing to a defective flue in the spring of 1884. Some nine years after returning to the farm they again left it, and moving to Duncan village, reengaged in mercantile business, and built up by all odds the largest and most progressive house of the place. In the spring of 1886 Mr. Brockway turned the business over to his sons, and since has given his attention to stock buying and feeding. Five children have blessed their home, of whom death has claimed one. M. J. Brockway is a farmer of Stark county; W. L. and C. G. are in business at Duncan, and Hattie attends school at Knox seminary. Politically Mr. Brock-way is independent, voting for the best man and measure rather than party. The family is one well known and very much respected, being-foremost in all enterprises for the welfare and upbuilding of their town, and Mr. Brock way stands prominently among the best citizens of the county.