Family:Whitney, John Franklin (c1815-1888)
John Franklin Whitney (James), was born about 1815, Vermont, and died 23 May 1888, Minnesota.
He married Sarah Nokes, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Fuller) Nokes. She was born Swanton, Vermont.
In the 1850 Census the family is in Brown County, Illinois those in household were John F Whitney, 35, M, occupation Miller, born VT... Sarah, 34, F, born VT... Hannah, 13, F, born NY... Jacob, 8, M, born NY... Joseph, 6, M, born Ill... Sylvester, 4, M, born Ill... Rhody Hamlin, 39, F, born NY In the household listed before John F Whitney's family was James Whitney age 59, farmer, born Mass. Others in his home were Solomon Whitney, 8, born NY and Aaron Inman, 15, born Ohio.
In the book, "The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois..." Chicago: O.L. Baskin & Co., 1879 pg 343 Village of Athens in Village Incorporated section. It mentions that March 7, 1859 John F. Whitney was elected as Constable.
In 1860 Census Township 18 Range 5, Menard County, Illinois John F Whitney, 44, M, Farmer, Vermont... Sally, 44, F, Vermont... Hannah, 22, F, New York... Jacob, 18, M, Farm Labourer, New York... Joseph, 17, M, Farm Labourer, Illinois... Sylvester, 14, M, Illinois... Mary, 9, F, Illinois... John N, 4, M, Illinois... Oliver Cross, 21, M, Farm Laborer, Illinois... Isaac Gong (?), 16, M, Farm Labourer, Pennsylvania.
Couldn't find John F and family in the 1870 Census, but in 1880 he is living in Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota as a Boarder in the home of Alvina E Judd age 57. John F Whitney is 67, listed as widowed, occupation (?) eclectic phisition, born Vermont, father NY, mother NY. At this time his son Jacob N. Whitney is also living in Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota.
On 23 Feb 1892 a land patent was issued to the heirs of John F Whitney. The Land Entry Files had the following information: The Homestead application was entered by John F Whitney on Dec. 3, 1886 for land found in Section 25 Township 43 of Range 32. At that time John F Whitney lived in Fort Ripley, Minnesota solemnly swore that he was a widower over 21 years of age, a native born citizen of the United States. On June 5, 1891 Jacob N. Whitney filed for the final certificate for the heirs of John F Whitney. In this section, Jacob N Whitney swears that he and his father John F are native born citizens of the United States and that his father lived on the land from February 1885 until May 1, 1888 at the time of his death. He, Jacob N has resided on the land since May 1, 1888. In the Homestead Proof- Testimony of Claimant Jacob states that he is 49 years old living in Ft. Ripley, Crow Wing, Minnesota and his father, John F Whitney died in May 1888 and was 74 years old. Jacob N was born in New York and John F was born in Vermont. His father John made the homestead entry at St. Cloud land office 3 Dec. 1886. At this time Jacob's family consisted of a wife and 4 children. John F Whitney at the time of his death had 5 children, grown. There are 2 witnesses to the fact that Jacob N and John F Whitney have lived on and cultivated the land since 1886. The files also contained a notarized paper signed by Jacob N Whitney stating the names and ages of the heirs at law of John F Whitney dated June 19, 1891. Jacob N. Whitney aged 49 years, Joseph B Whitney aged 47 years, Sylvester Whitney aged 45 years, Hannah Graham aged 53, and Mary J Beckman aged 43 years.
Information from the 1875 Minnesota State Census
- John F Whitney is living with his daughter and son in law in Maine Prairie, Stearns , Minnesota.
- Samuel M Beckman 30, male, white, born Ill, father Va, mother Pa.
- Mary J Beckman 24, female, white, born Ill , father Ill, mother Ill
- Mary H Beckman 7, female, white, born Ill , father Ill, mother Ill
- John F Beckman 4, male, white, born Ill , father Ill, mother Ill
- Sarah E Beckman 2, female, white, born Ill , father Ill, mother Ill
- John F Whitney 60, male, white, born Vt, father Vt, mother Vt
1885 Minnesota State Census
Mooresville, Crow Wing, MinnesotaJ N Whitney 40, male, white, born New York
- Sarah Whitney 22, female, white, born Conn
- Annie Whitney 0, female, white, born Minn
- Jno F Whitney 70, male, white, born Vermont
Note:there is a Coleman family in the household between the Whitney's and Beckman's
- Samuel Beckman 40, male, white, born Ills
- Mary Beckman 36, female, white, Ills
- Mary Beckman 17, female, white, Ills
- John F Beckman 14, male, white, Ills
- Sarah E Beckman 12, female, white, Ills
- Anna Beckman 6, female, white, Minn
- Jacob Beckman 1, male, white, Minn
- John Beckman 87, male, white, Virginia
The death entry at the Crow Wing, Minnesota Courthouse had the following information for John F. Whitney. Death date: May 23, 1888; Name: John F Whitney; Male, White, Widower; Age: 74 years, 6 months, 7 days; Where born: Vermont; Cause of Death: Consumption; Where: Mooersville; Occupation: Doctor; Parents: James & H Whitney; Date filed: June 8th 1888
Children of John F. and Sarah (Nokes) Whitney:
i. Hannah Whitney, b. June 27, 1837 New York (likely Jay, Essex, New York), d. Jan 7, 1929 Menard County, Illinois. ii. Jacob N. Whitney, b. Feb 1842, New York, d. 22 Mar 1921, Crow Wing County, Minnesota. iii. Joseph B. Whitney, b. 31 March 1844, Illinois, d. 2 Dec 1917, St. Cloud, Stearns, Minnesota. iv. Sylvester Whitney, b. Illinois. v. Mary Jane Whitney, b. Menard County, Illinois, d. 29 Apr 1931, Wabedo, Cass, Minnesota. vi. John N. Whitney, b. Illinois.
References
Census, Death Certificates
Copyright © 2006, Kristy Fitterer and the Whitney Research Group.
