McDonough ILGenWeb

HENDRICKS, James B., retired farmer, Bardolph, McDonough County, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, July 1, 1823. Mr. Hendricks was most fortunate in his ancestry, his grandfather, George Hendricks, being a sturdy German who took Catherine Boggs to wife. His maternal grandfather was Berryman Underwood, a native of Wales, who married Jane Humphreys. His great grandfather Boggs served in the Revolutionary War. His father, Frederick Hendricks, was a native of Kentucky who married Nancy Underwood, a Virginian. James B. was their third child, they being the proud parents of fourteen sturdy youngsters, eight boys and six girls. The father died in Lamoine Township, McDonough County, February 21, 1879.

Mr. Hendricks was educated in the public schools of Illinois, remaining on the homestead until 1844, at which time he went to Quincy, where he learned the trade of a mason. In 1845 he became interested in the lead mines at Dodgeville, Wis., where for nearly three years he had quite an interesting experience. At the end of this time he returned to Illinois in order to prepare for a trip across the plains to California. He was four months en route, and could, if he would, tell exciting tales of this episode in his life, but being a modest, retiring man, he always endeavors to escape notice and does not seek to attract the attention of the public by anything he may do or say.

In 1856 Mr. Hendricks and his brother bought a half-interest in the growing town of Bardolph. Here they built a tavern, store-house and blacksmithshop. Later they disposed of this property, and purchased 240 acres of land in Mound Township, which he retained until 1859. In February, 1861, he bought a 160-acre farm in Lamoine Township, where he made his home until 1903, when he retired from active labor and settled in Bardolph.

On October 25, 1856, Mr. Hendricks was married to Hester A. Jackson, and one child was born of this union — Eugene. Mrs. Hendricks died July 21, 1860. On October 7, 1862, Mr. Hendricks was united to Ellen King, of Champaign County, Ohio, and to them five children have been born: Benjamin F., Bessie, Dr. W. W., John and Nora. In his political associations, Mr. Hendricks is a Republican. He has served two terms as School Trustee of Lamoine Township, and, although nominally retired, leads a useful and busy existence.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 905, extracted 09 Mar 2019 by Norma Hass.