ASEL C. GRANGER

Asel C. Granger gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. November 21, 1828 born in New York
D. April 1872
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

Father: Elisha Granger; born July 1, 1795 in Hartford, Suffield County, CT; married Sarah “Sally” Granger on July 1, 1795 in Sodus, Wayne County, NY; Elisha died January 22, 1847; buried in Brick Church Cemetery, Sodus Center, Wayne County, NY “age 52”

According to the Portrait Biographical Album of Lake County, Illinois (1891), page 743, regarding Charles Granger:

“Mr. Granger was born in Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., February 8, 1823, and is the second in order of birth in a family of nine children, numbering five sons and four daughters. The father, Elisha Granger, was born in Massachusetts July 1, 1795, but was reared in the Empire State. He made farming his life occupation and died in Wayne County, N. Y., at the age of fifty-five years. In politics he was a stanch Democrat and was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, being especially active in Sunday-school work. For many years he held the office of Superintendent and did much in the interest of the school.”

Mother: Sarah “Sally” Granger born January 22, 1798 in Westfield, Hampden County, MA; Sarah died May 9, 1880 in McHenry, McHenry County, IL (See section pertaining to Sarah “Sally” (Granger) Granger buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
Siblings:
- Emeline Granger; Emeline died October 22, 1833; buried in Brick Church Cemetery, Sodus Center, Wayne County, NY “dau of E and Sally”.
- Charles Granger born February 8, 1823 in Lyons, Wayne County, NY; married Betsy Horton (1824-1897); Charles died April 12, 1904 in Lake County, IL; Charles and Betsy are buried in Wauconda Cemetery, Wauconda, Lake County, IL

According to the Portrait and Biographical Album of Lake County, Illinois (1891), page 743-744:

   “CHARLES GRANGER, one of the early settlers of the county of 1849, is now engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 16, Wauconda Township. He now owns and operates one hundred and fifty acres of land which is under a high state of cultivation and improved with all the accessories of a model farm. There are to be seen substantial buildings, the latest machinery, good grades of stock, and the well-tilled fields present a neat appearance, which indicates to the passer-by something of the thrift and industry of the owner. We are pleased to present to the readers of the ALBUM this sketch, for our subject is one of the leading citizens of the community.
   Mr. Granger was born in Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., February 8, 1823, and is the second in order of birth in a family of nine children, numbering five sons and four daughters. The father, Elisha Granger, was born in Massachusetts July 1, 1795, but was reared in the Empire State. He made farming his life occupation and died in Wayne County, N. Y., at the age of fifty-five years. In politics he was a stanch Democrat and was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, being especially active in Sunday-school work. For many years he held the office of Superintendent and did much in the interest of the school. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarha Granger, was born in Massachusetts about 1798. After her husband’s death she emigrated to Lake County, in 1849, and her remains were laid to rest in Ft. Hill Cemetery. She, too was a member of the Baptist Church, and like Mr. Granger delighted in doing good. Of their family Emeline is now deceased; Charles is the next younger; Delia is the wife of Franklin Blodgett, a farmer of Wisconsin; Asel is also deceased; Noble died in the gold regions of California; Chauncey is married and follows farming in Wisconsin; Alonzo makes his home in Milwaukee; Albert is also deceased; Emily is the wife of Attorney Freeman, a prominent citizen of Oshkosh, Wis.; and Dorlisca is living in McHenry County.
   In the usual manner of farmer lads Charles Granger was reared to manhood and in the log schoolhouse attained his education. The family was large and the father’s income small, so that to relieve him of his support our subject began working as a farm hand at $10 per month. The next year he worked for $9 per month, and in this way he labored until twenty-four years of age. He was married, on Christmas Day of 1846, to Miss Betsy Horton, who was born in Dutchess County, N. H., June 24, 1824. Her parents, Joseph J. and Nancy (Shaw) Horton, were also natives of the Empire State. The former was born in 1794, and followed the occupation of farming throughout his entire life. He remembered distinctly many incidents of the War of 1812, and in politics he was a Democrat of the Jackson type, his first vote being cast for James Monroe. He died in Wayne County, N. Y., at the age of seventy-two years. Mrs. Horton had learned the weaver’s trade in her maidenhood, and worked at that labor for some time. She died in 1853, a strict Methodist from the time she was fifteen years old.
   Three years after their marriage Mr. Granger and his wife emigrated Westward, traveling by way of the Lakes on board a vessel having seven hundred passengers. At length they arrived safely at Little Fort, now Waukegan, and began life in the West in an old house which did not furnish shelter from the weather. They had on $40 in money, and to purchase eighty acres of land Mr. Granger had to go into debt, but he possessed great energy and industry, and by his labors soon reached a good substantial position. The closest market in those days was at Waukegan, over twenty miles away, game was plentiful and Indians of the Winnebago tribe were still seen in the neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Granger have witnessed almost the entire growth and development of Lake County and have done all in their power to aid in its advancement and upbuilding. Their labors have been crowned with prosperity and a comfortable competence, the fruit of their own labors, supplies them with all that goes to make life worth the living.
   Five children have been born onto Mr. and Mrs. Granger, namely: Helen, who is a teacher of recognized ability, and also displays much skill in the framing of hair wreaths; Albert, who wedded Miss Mary Root, a native of Illinois, and is engaged in farming; Ella, wife of Lorenzo Parker, a farmer of McHenry County; Adelia, who died in infancy; and Carried, wife of Myron Francisco, a dairyman of McHenry County. The members of this family hold a high position in the social world and are worthy the respect and esteem of all. Mr. Granger cast his first vote for James K. Polk, and since its organization has been a support of the Republican party. For six years he served as Road Commissioner and for twenty-one years has been School Director, a fact which testifies to his fidelity and efficiency. Socially he is connected with the Masonic lodge of Nunda, and also holds membership with Roseville Lodge of the Patrons of Industry, of which order he is an enthusiastic member, believing that through its workings the farmer will receive great benefit.”

According to the Herald (Crystal Lake IL) Thursday, April 21, 1904, page 5:

“Charles Granger.

Charles Granger, one of the oldest residents of Lake county, died at his home Tuesday, April 12. He was aged 82. With his wife he settled in Lake county in 1849, and acquired a competence as a farmer. His wife died a few years ago, and four children are left. The funeral was held last Friday from the Baptist church in Wauconda.”

- Cordelia “Delia” (Granger) Blodgett born December 24, 1839 in Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, NY; married Franklin Blodgett (1824-1898); children of Cordelia and Franklin are (1) Ellen/Helen Blodgett (1850-1927), (2) Charles M. Blodgett (1852-1912), (3) Celia (Blodgett) Tipler (1854-1946) and (4) George E. Blodgett (1859-1917); Cordelia died January 30, 1897 in Nennah, Winnebago County, WI; Cordelia and Franklin are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Nennah, Winnebago County, WI

According to the Neenah Daily Times (Neenah WI) Saturday, January 30, 1897, page 1:

“Death of Cordelia Blodgett.

This morning at six o’clock, occurred the death at her home in this city, of Cordelia Blodgett, wife of Franklin Blodgett. Deceased was born Dec. 12, 1824, at Sodus, N. Y. Was married to Franklin Blodgett Feb. 13, 1849, and came to Clayton in May 1849. About two years ago the family removed to this city, which has since been her home. She is survived by a husband, two daughters, Mrs. David Tipler and Helen Blodgett, and two sons Charles and George. The deceased was held in the highest esteem by a large circle of acquaintances who sorrow at her death. The funeral will be on Monday from the house, corner of Sherry and Isabella streets, at 10 o’clock a. m., Rev. J. Schneider officiating.”

- Noble Granger born about 1828 in New York; Noble died in California
- Chauncey Granger born about 1830 in New York; married Dorothy R. Hamilton, Chauncey died February 9, 1920 in Bear Creek, Waupaca County, WI; buried in Floral Hill Cemetery, New London, Waupaca County, WI

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, February 19, 1920, page 1:

“Former Residents Dead

Miss Dorlesca Granger received the sad news last week of the death of her brother, Chauncey Granger, who passed away at the home of his son at Bear Creek, Wis., on Monday of last week, pneumonia being the cause of his death. On Jan. 17, a sister, Mrs. Emily E. Freeman, died at her home in Chicago after a short illness of pneumonia and was buried at Oshkosh, Wis. She was formerly Miss Emily Granger and a resident of this village.”

- Alonzo Granger born May 2, 1832 in Sodus, Wayne County, NY; a veteran of the Civil War, Sergant, Company C, 10^th Wisconsin Infantry; married (1) Helen Parker; married (2) Laurelia A. Granger (1837-1937) on August 7, 1873 in Winnebago, WI; his occupation was a sailor; Alonzo died February 27, 1916 in Grand Haven, Ottawa County, MI; buried in Lake Forest Cemetery, Grand Haven, Ottawa County, MI
- Albert Granger; deceased
- Emily E. (Granger) Freeman born May 25, 1837 in New York; married as his second wife, Captain James Clark Freeman (1828-1904) in 1857 a veteran of the Civil War; a pioneer Oshkosh, WI attorney; James first married Marie Antoinette Marble (1828-1854) on August 9, 1850 in Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Marie Antoinette (Marble) Freeman buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery); Emily died January 17, 1920 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; Emily and James are buried in Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh, Winnebago County, WI

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, February 19, 1920, page 1:

“Former Residents Dead

- Dorleska/Dorlisca Granger born April 28, 1841 in New York; a dress maker in 1900 residing in McHenry, McHenry County, IL; Dorleska died August 4, 1922; buried in Woodland Cemetery, McHenry, McHenry County, IL

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, August 10, 1922, page 7:

“DEATH CLAIMS OLD RESIDENT
Dorleska Granger Passed Away Here
Last Friday Morning.

   Dorleska Granger, for many years a highly respected resident of this village, passed away at the home of Mrs. C. N. Culber, here early last Friday morning, following an illness covering a period of more than two years.
   The deceased was born on April 28^th, 1841, and has claimed this village as her home during the greater part of her life.
   For many years she conducted a dress-making establishment here and at one time owned and occupied the home on Main street now the property of Mrs. Mayme Harrison. She disposed of this residence some years ago, but continued to make her home in McHenry, where she kept house for herself until a few years ago. During the post five years she has made her home with Mrs. Culver.
   Miss Granger will always be remembered by her many friends as a good neighbor and esteemed citizen and one who ever looked upon the bright side of life. Our older residents, who knew her best and for whom she did sewing during the years in which she was established in business, remember her as a woman of many fine qualities.
As state above, she has not been well for a long time, but it was not until a few months ago that she made known, to a few of her close friends, the seriousness of her ailment.
   She was a member of the McHenry M. E. church, having been baptized only a short time before her death.
   The funeral took place from the M. E. church at two o’clock on Sunday afternoon, with Rev. Raymond Sanger officiating. Mesdames T. J. Walsh and H. C. Bobb sang. Interment was made in Woodland cemetery.
   As she was the last of a family of ten children, there are no near relatives, although she is survived by a number of nephews and nieces, most of whom reside in distant cities and states.”

Additional Information:

According to the 1850 U.S. Census for the Town of Avon, Lake County, IL, the household members were:

“Sarah Granger, age 52, born in Massachusetts; Noble Granger, age 22, occupation: farmer, born in New York; Chuncy (sic possibly Chauncy) Granger, age 20, occupation: farmer, born in New York; Emily Granger, age 13, born in New York; Dorlissa, age 9, born in New York; Azel Granger, age 26, occupation: farmer, born in New York”

According to the 1860 U.S. Census for the Town of Wauconda, Lake County, IL, the household members were:

“Charles Granger, age 37, occupation: farmer, born in New York; Betsy Granger, age 36, born in New York; Hellen Granger, age 12, born in New York; Albert Granger, age 19, born in Illinois, Ella Granger, age 8, born in Illinois; Sarah Granger, age 62, born in Massachusetts; Ezel Granger, age 31, occupation: farming, born in New York”

According to the “Portrait and Biographical Album of Lake County, Illinois”, 1891, Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago:

“Asel and Charles were sons of Sarah. In 1849, she “emigrated to Lake County and her remains were laid to rest in Ft. Hill Cemetery.”

According to the 1870 U.S. Census for Avon Township, Lake County, IL, the household members were:

“Sarah Granger, age 72, occupation: keep house, born in Massachusetts; Asel Granger, age 42, occupation: at home; born in New York; Dorlesca Granger, age 28, occupation: at home, born in New York; Sheffer Batens, age 24, occupation: farmer, born in Prussia; David William, age 24, occupation: Works on farm, born in England”