Francis M. HAZEL, a farmer of much enterprise and business ability, who has a
well-ordered farm on section 12, Grantsburg Township, and is also
interested in the lumber trade at this point, comes of sturdy pioneer
stock, and is a native of Pope County, born on the old family homestead
August 2, 1859. His father was Alfred M. HAZEL, who was born in
Tennessee, and in the opening years of manhood came to Illinois with
his father.
The
paternal grandfather of our subject settled in Pope County in the early
years of its settlement, coming hither by team through the intervening
wilderness. He was a poor man, but made the best of his opportunities.
He entered land from the Government, and the typical pioneer log house
that he erected to shelter his family was his home the remainder of his
days, and is still standing on the premises.
The
father of our subject was brought up on a farm, and was of great
assistance to his father in clearing his land and felling magnificent
forest trees of primeval growth, that would now be almost priceless,
and burning them to get them out of the way. He lived with his parents
until his marriage to Martha ELLIS, a native of Illinois,and then he
moved onto some land that he entered in Pope County, and entered
vigorously into the pioneer task of preparing it for cultivation. He
subsequently removed to a farm on the so-called "Hog-eye Tract," and
afterwards took up his residence on what is now known as the Simmons
Farm. He improved that, laboring hard to carry out his plans, and made
it his home for thirty years. Then
selling that place, he bought a little farm of forty acres on section
12, Grantsburg Township. Four years later he disposed of that farm and
retired from active business, living with his children until his death
in July, 1886, and all that was mortal of him was laid to rest in the
Hazel graveyard. The mother died in 1888, and was buried in Morris
graveyard. The father was twice married. His first wife bore him one
child, Mary Jane, wife of Hamilton TRIPLETT, of Panther Valley, Mo. His
second marriage was to Vienna DIXON, and twelve children were born to
them, of whom these four are living: Alfred Thomas, a farmer in Johnson
County; Green W., a farmer in Pope County; Francis M; and Ruan,a
resident of Pope County.
The
subject of this sketch was reared to agricultural pursuits, and early
became familiar with every kind of farm labor. He attended the common
schools, but his education was necessarily limited, as he had but few
advantages. He has, however,in a great measure, made up for his early
deliciencies, experience, observation and reading teaching him much,
and he is a well-informed man, having a practical knowledge of all
things pertaining to business, etc. He remained at home until he was
eighteen years of age, and then began life on his own account, working
on a farm and in the timber. For two years he did not make much
headway, but his prospects brightened the third year, and he contrived
to lay up money the ensuing three years. At the end of that time he
went to farming for himself, investing in a farm of one hundred and
forty acres, which was but little improved, but his well-directed and
untiring labors have wrought a great change, and it is now in a fine
condition. He has increased its area from time to time, buying first
twenty acres additional, then ten acres, and then twenty acres, and it
now comprises one hundred and ninety acres of good land.
Mr.
HAZEL's attention is by no means confined to farming; he has branched
out in other directions, and is interested in various enterprises. He
is engaged to quite an extent in buying standing timber, employing a
number of men to cut it, and he is part owner of a sawmill, from which
he derives a good
income. He is a live business man, and is quick to take advantage of
all opportunities for making money by legitimate trade, his sagacity,
keen foresight and native shrewdness carrying him successfully through
any undertaking. A type of our self-made, self-educated men, he has
developed into a good citizen, who is interested in all that pertains
to the welfare of the community, and in public spirit is second to none
of his neighbors. Appreciating the value of education, he is giving his
children a chance to train the brain as well us the hands, by sending
them to good schools.
Our
subject owes much to the cheerful co-operation of his estimable wife,
who was formerly Miss Ellen MORRIS, and was born on her father's farm
in Johnson County. Her parents are both deceased. Her mother was from
Tennessee, while her father was born in Illinois, and was a son of one
of the early pioneer families. Mr. and Mrs. HAZEL have had six
children, as follows: Martha Jane, who lives at home; Ida Viola,
deceased; Mary L., at home; Clement D., at home; a child that died in
infancy; and Lillie, who died at the age of two years.
transcribed by Nan Starjak
Source:
The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin
Counties
Chicago
Biographical Publishing Co., 1893
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