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Alison Binnie McClean
d. June 29, 1906
FOR MANY YEARS A RESPECTED RESIDENT OF THIS LOCALITY,
LEAVES A LARGE FAMILY
Died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G.D. Silliman,
at 214 Lawrence Ave., Elgin, at 2:30 O'clock on Friday
morning, June 29, 1906, Mrs. Alison McLean, aged 69 years,
4 months and 6 days.
Alison Binnie, one of a family of six brothers and sisters,
was born at Airdrie, near Edinburg, Scotland, February
23, 1837 and came to this country with her parents in
1849, they settling near Dundee, in Kane County. There
she was married to John McLean also from Scotland, on
September 7, 1852. To them were born 14
children-eight sons and 6 daughters-eleven of whom are
still living in the order of their age as follows: James
McLean, Gridley, Ks; Robert McLean, Woodstock, Mrs. Agnes
Strickland, Gridley, Ks.;Mrs. William Thompson,
Woodstock, Mrs. Ephraim McBroom, Renville, Mn, Mrs. G.D.
Silliman, and Walter McLean, Elgin, William McLean,
Woodstock, Mrs. Thomas McBroom, Woodstock, Mrs. O.H.
Howe and Henry McLean, Renville, Mn. The aged
husband is also a resident of Woodstock, and one brother,
James Binnie, is still a resident of Dundee.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. McLean lived one year
at Huntley, in this county and moved thence to Benton
County, Iowa and later to Clayton County of the same
state. Later coming to Seneca Township in this county
in 1868. Here they became and remained for many
years among the most prosperous and thrifty tillers of the
soil in that prolific region. there the larger
part of the large family were reared in the sturdy Scotch manner of
their parents, becoming accustomed to the hard labor
and learning the value and nobility of honest toil. About
four years ago, Mrs. McLean moved to Woostock, purchasing
a home on the South street where she passed
through keen sorrow in the death of a beloved son and
a grandaughter and where fell disease laid its hands
upon her, obtaining such a hold that it conquered the
rugged frame and carried her to the land of perpetual rest
and sunshine, developing at the last into septicemia
gangrene.
On account of the condition of the body, no funeral services
were held in the church. Mrs. McLean being
posessed of sturdy virtures, instilled into her childrens
minds by whom she was ardently loved, the mother love
overreaching and overstopping all of the affection bestowed
upon her by her offspring. She was faithful to her
home and only after the brood had entered into active
fields of usefulness for themselves did she break up the
old home nest and seek a quiet habitation in which to
pass the evening of her life in the rest so well earned.
Her last days were full of suffering and pain, but she
bore herself uncomplainingly and passed away peacefully
and with a consciousness of having well performed the
duties and responsibilities that came to her life.
On account of the death of their mother the following
named children and other relatives gathered at the home
of Robert McLean, on Sunday last to talk with pride of
the many virtues and heroic self-sacrifices of the
devoted mother for those whom God had placed in her care:
Mr.and Mrs. G.D. Silliman, Charles Silliman and Mr.
and Mrs. Wlater McLean, of Elgin, Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim
McBroom, Mrs. O.H. Howe, and Henry McLean, of
Renville, Mn, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McBroom, William and
James McBroom, John Thompson, and Mr. and Mrs.
William McLean and family of Woodstock.
contributors note: Many of my ancestors settled
in McHenry, Kane and McDonough counties of Illinois. Here
they lived and died. They are the McLeans and Binnies.
All sturdy, Scottish immigrants. They came and tilled
the land and became prominent citizens. I am very
proud to be part of thier heritage and to be part of Illinois
heritage.
Submitted by Barb Norbie
John McClean
d. 1906
John McLean Found dead
On sunday morning last, when William McLean
called at the home of his father on Lake Avenue, he found the
aged sire cold in the embrace of death, he having evidently
passed away during the night and being alone in the
house, the family that occupied the place with him having
moved out but a day or two before.
John McLean was born near Glasgow, Scotland,
June 26, 1826 and when but a young man of 23 years he left
his native country for America, settling at Dundee, in
Kane County, Ill. There he married Miss Alison Binnie on
September 7, 1852. She also from Scotland.
After their marriage they lived one year near Huntley, in this
county, and from there moved to Benton county Iowa, where
they remained but a short time and then moved
to Clayton, in the same state. On October 5, 1864,
he enlisted as a private in Company K of the 15th Regiment
of Iowa, and was discharged from the service, July 24,
1865. While in the service he was in General Sherman's
army and was one of the many brave men who were in Sherman's
March to the sea.
Three years after his return from the army
he and his family moved back to this locality, settling on a farm in
Seneca Township, where for many years he conducted one
of the most successful farming enterprises in
McHenry county. We are creditably informed that
Mr. McLean was one of the pioneers in the milk shipping
business from this city to Chicago, he having, it is
said, shipped one of the first cans of milk from Woodstock to
Chicago market.
To Mr. and Mrs. McLean were born 14 children-eight
sons and six daughters-eleven of whom are still living in
order of age as follows: James McLean, Gridley, Ks.,
Robert McLean, Woodstock, Mrs. Agnes Strickland, Gridley,
Ks., Mrs. William Thompson, Woodstock, Mrs. Ephraim McBroom,
Renville, MN., Mrs. G.D. Silliman, Elgin, Walter
McLean, Elgin, William McLean, Woodstock, Mrs. Thomas
McBroom, Woodstock, Mrs. O.H. Howe, and Henry
McLean, Renville, MN.,The mother passed away only last
year, and one son, Albert, but a few months
preceding her. Besides the children mentioned,
there are thrity-five grandchildren and
eleven-greatgrandchildren.
Mr. Mclean ceased from active labor
many years ago, and spent the last few years of his life in the home
where he died.
The remains were taken to the home
of his son William, where funeral services were held on Tuesday
forenoon, Rev. S.C. Hay officiating, and the itnerment
was in the family lot in Oakland Cemetary.
CARD OF THANKS
We desire to thank the friends who rendered
us such kindly assistance in the bereavement that has come
upon us.
The family
Submitted by Barb Norbie
Allison McClean McBroom
Howard McBroom
Mrs. Ephraim McBroom Passed Away
Died Sunday Morning after long suffering from Cancer.-Funeral will be held this afternoon.
Renville relatives and friends learned Sunday morning with a shock that Mrs. Ephraim McBroom passed away at 5:30 O'clock and that her son Howard McBroom had also passed away at Camp Hancock, Ga. the evening before. This is a double affliction that seldom comes to a family just in that way.
Alison McLean was born at Elkadar, Iowa on May 30,1861,
and at the time of her death was in her 58th year, being 57 last May.
On May 30, 1866, with her parents, John and Alison (Binnie) McLean, who
were born in Scotland, moved to Woodstock, Ill.; where on September 6th,
1882, she was united in marriage to Ephraim McBroom. The McBroom's
moved to Ericson Township, Renville, Cty, in 1890 leaving family and friends
behind,
where they have since resided.
Eleven children were born to this
union of whom nine are living; Roy on the old homestead in Ericson; Harley,
Renville,; George, Camp Lee, Virginia, Mrs. George, Wordes, Renville, Harrison
at Naval Base; New London,Conn., Alice, Margaret, Mary and Guy in Renville.
Charles died 13 years ago and Howard Saturday last, passed to the great
beyond. The following are brothers and sisters that morn:
James Mclean, Gridley, Kan.; Mrs.
Frank Strickland, Gridley Kan.; Robert McLean, Mrs. Wm. Thompson, Mrs.
Tom McBroom, all of Woodstock, Ill; Mrs. George Silliman, Walter McLean,
Wm. McLean all of Elgin, Ill.; Mrs. O.H. Howe, Henry McLean, Minneapolis,
Minn.; two brothers are deceased, John and Albert McLean.
Mrs. McBroom felt the fatal disease,
cancer, coming on about three years ago. She consulted specialists
in the cities who gave her some relief from pain and perhaps prolonged
her life, but aside from that they could not affect a cure, as there apears
none for that malady. Mrs. McBroom was a model wife and mother in
the home. Her
family cares were many, but to each member of the family
of children, she gave that mothers love without stint and guided each aright
in the pathway of life and all of whom are a credit to the community in
which they reside. She was a faithful member of the Rebekah lodge
of Renville. In all the walks of life she was ernest and capable.
But it was in the home, surrounded by her husband and children where her
character shone the brightest light.
Submitted by Barb Norbie
Ephraim McBroom
d. November 21, 1919
On November 21, 1919, Ephraim McBroom was taken suddenly
very ill and was taken at once to Northwestern
Hospital, Minneapolis, Mn, for treatment. He failed
to rally as his friends had hoped, but gradually grew weaker
and when there was no hope for him and a desire to return
home, his son, Harry, went down Sunday and
brought him home on the night train. It is said by those
who met him at the train that he seemed not to be
suffering much and had all his faculties of thought and
speech as usual. After reaching home he rapidly grew
worse and passed away at 1:40 O'clock Monday morning.
Eleven years ago, while threshing, he suffered a
stroke of parallysis and he seemed to have fully recovered
from it, but for the past year or more he began to fail
and finally the end came.
The deceased was born on June
16, 1856, St. Lawrence County New York. He received his early education
in New York state and In Illinois, where he attended
the district school.
He came to Woodstock, Ill.,
in 1869. On Sept. 6, 1882, he married Miss Alison McLean. Whos parents
are
John and Alison (Binnie) McLean, also from Woodstock.
In 1890, they moved to Ericson Township, Renville,
County Minnesota. He owned and managed 320 acres
of land. Here most of his children were born and raised.
In 1914, he retired and came to Renville to live.
Since coming to town, his wife was stricken with Cancer, the
fatal malady which there is no cure and died in the fall
of 1917.
Mr. McBroom gave three sons
for service to his country in the late war, one of which, Howard made the
supreme sacrifice.
Eleven children were born to
this union, namely, Roy, Harley, Charles, George, Winifred (Mrs. Geo. Wordes),
Harrison, Alison, Howard, Margaret, Guy and Mary.
Two of the boys Charles and Howard, preceeded their father
to the grave. They all residents of Renville and
vicinity except Geroge, whos home is at Atwater.
Mr. McBroom was a member of
Pap Wilson Lodge, I.O.O.F., Renville. He held many town offices and
was a
member of the Farmers Elevator Co.
The funeral was held from the
Methodist Episcopal church on Wednesday afternoon. The ceremony was
under the auspices of the Odd Fellow Lodge, Rev. Henry
Nobbs officiating. He delivered a most able discourse
on the life of the diseased; spoke of how kind he was
in his family and his goodness of heart.
The pall bearers were his brother
Odd Fellows; Lester Smith, E.A. Berg, A.A. Moline, Fred Scott, A.G.
Siewert, O.A. Stensvad.
The church was well filled by
old-time neighbors and friends who came many miles from around the country.
Contributors Note: Ephraims parents were William
and Maria (Miller) McBroom. They were both born in
Ballyalbana County Antrim Ireland, 1814. William's
parents were John McBroom Sr. and Margaret (Rooney)
McBroom. Ephraim's wife Alison, was born in Elkadar,
Iowa. Her parents were John and Alison (Binnie) McLean,
born in Scotland. John and Alison, lived in Woodstock,
Ill. as most of their 15 children were born there. They
were married and had large famlies that lived in the
McHenry and Kane county area.
Submitted by Barb Norbie
Henry M. McOmber
d.March 29, 1910
McHenry Plaindealer 7 April 1910*
HENRY M. M'OMBER
Resided In McHenry For a Period of
Seventy-three Years
Henry M. McOmber,who passed away at his home here on Tuesday,
March 29, 1910, was born at Colesville,Broome County, N. Y.,
February 27, 1825. He came to this village with his parents in June
of the year
1837 and has resided here continually ever since, a period of seventy-three
years.
The journey from his birthplace to McHenry was made
by wagon,years before
the advent of the railroad. The trip to McHenry one can easily
imagine was a
long and weary one. From the old home the family crossed the
Niagra River into
Canada and passed on to Windsor, where they again entered the
States at Detroit.
They then crossed Michigan,through northern Indiana
to McHenry, where they arrived in
June, 1837. At that time there was no road from Wheeling, Ill.,
to this place,
but a large letter "H" had been cut into the bark of trees to
donate highways.
When McHenry was reached the place contained only a few
log cabins and was inhabited by
such early arrivals as Dr. Christy G. Wheeler.The McOmber family's
first place of residence
in McHenry was a log cabin that occupied a site near the present
mill dam.
The first school that the subject of our sketch attended
was in what was in those days
known as Brown's log tavern, taught by one Arculas Sias. As was
the custom in those days,
there was a bar in one end of the tavern, while school was kept
in the other.Among
the school books used were the old Columbian speller and English reader,
which the deceased
had carefully preserved as precious relics.
He next attended school in a small frame house
kept by Rev. Joel Wheeler, which stood
where the residence of Jacob Justen now stands. Among the scholars
attending the school was Miss Emma Thomas, who boarded with Mr. Wheeler,
and who afterwards became the wife of the deceased, the wedding taking
place in February,1847.
Dr. H.T.Brown and Webster and Allen Colby were also
among the pupils of the same school. His playmates during school days were
to a great extent Indians of the Pottawattomie Tribe. The Indian camps
extended along Fox River both ways from where Buch's hotel now stands.
At the time that the McOmber family arrived in McHenry they saw 500 Indians
camped on the west side of Fox River in a beautiful white oak grove, which
at that time covered the site of our present village. At that time the
river was much wider and and larger and filled its banks more fully than
it does now. It was a great diversion to the Indian boys to see Mr. McOmber
try to manage the birch bark canoes. At first he would roll over, canoe
and all but he soon learned to manage them and within a very short
time was able to outdo his Indian companions in expertness.
Capt. Morgan, one ofthe Indians,in later years,became an intimate
friend of Mr.McOmber and the two went out on many a hunting expedition
together.On one occasion the two succeeded in shooting seven beautiful
deer, this expedition being one of the most thrilling that the subject
of our sketch ever had.
Mr. McOmber has held many offices of trust during life
in this township, which were those of constable, justice of the peace,
police magistrate, deputy sheriff, and tax collector, each and everyone
of which he filled in a highly efficient and honorable manner.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs.McOmber, five of whom
are living, as follows:
Mrs. J.M. Preston, and F.L.McOmber of this village;
Mrs.John I.Story and C.M.McOmber of Chicago; A.W. McOmber of Sioux Falls,S.D..These
with their mother are left to mourn the death of a kind and loving husband
and father.
The deceased was of the sterling Scotch-Irish stock, a
man of uprightness, a good neighbor,
kind friend and a loyal citizen. He leaves a record that is worthy
of emulation.
The funeral services,which were largely attended,were conducted
from his home last Thursday morning, the remains being laid to
rest in Woodland Cemetery.
Contributed by Sandie Schwarz