Sedgwick R. Hazene

Sedgwick R. Hazen, son of Jacob N. Hazen, whose history is given in this chapter, was born in New Jersey in 1833. He was one of twins, the sister dying in infancy. He accompanied his parents to Illinois in 1839 and here his youth was passed in the manner common to boys of the pioneer period, having to walk two miles to attend the winter school of his district. In October, 1856, he married Miss Mary Isabelle, daughter of William and Amanda Barr, who in 1851 came from Ohio to this county. After his marriage he settled on the Hazen farm where he resided until 1875, when he established a mercantile house at West Jersey, which he carried on for eighteen months, when failing health compelled a change. Disposing of his stock, he resumed agricultural life, and in the fall of 1876 took up his present residence, owning one hundred acres of the best improved land in the township. In official life he has been assessor, road commissioner and school director for a number of years. Mrs. and Mr. Hazen are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a reorganization of the old class of "Hazen's Schoolhouse." Their son, Lewis J., born here December 16, 1857, is also a resident of this township. In political life Mr. Hazen votes the prohibition ticket,— his strong ideas on temperance questions urging him to break away from the old line politics.