The history of the Case family in this country begins with two brothers who came from England to Connecticut prior to the Revolution. Through several generations they were closely connected with the history of New England, being numbered among the prominent men of the communities in which they lived. The father or our subject was Imri Case, who was reared to the business of a farmer, and was the first married in Connecticut, the wife dying in New York State after the birth of two children, a son and a daughter, both of whom are now deceased, but who lived to rear families. The son, Albert, was a prominent Universalist minister in Massachusetts and other New England States, and was likewise prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The daughter, Phebe, married Lucius Cole, of the Empire State, wherein she died.

Prior to the death of his first wife, Imri Case with his family removed to the Empire State. In Oswsego County he was married the second time, his wife being Mrs. Chloe A. Whitesides, nee Hawley. She belonged to an old New England family, her parents and herself being natives of the Green Mountain State, wherein she grew to maturity, and married Peter Whitesides. The young couple later removed to Oswego County, N. Y., where Mr. Whitesides died leaving three children, all of whom are now deceased. A few years after his decease the widow married Imri Case, and made her home on a farm at Sandy Creek until the death of her second husband, which occurred October 24, 1830. Mr. Case was then in his fifty-second year, having been born January 22, 1779.

Mrs. Chloe Case finally came to Illinois with her children, dying October 14, 1853, in Medina Township, Peoria County. Her natal day was April 13, 1784. Like her husband she was a firm believer in the doctrines promulgated by the Universalist Church, and was of sterling worth of character. They had two sons and three daughters, our subject being the eldest son and second child. The oldest daughter is now deceased; she was the wife of N. Howse, who now lives in Peoria, and to whom she bore two children. The other sons and daughters are married and living in this county. The father responded to his country’s call in 1812, and fought bravely to defeat British tyranny. He won the promotion from private to captain. He several times narrowly escaped being killed or captured.

Our subject was fourteen years of age when his father died, after which time he remained with his mother until her demise. He was nineteen years old when he landed in the Prairie State. Wanting better schooling, he hoarded his resources, attended school and secured a practical education. Having decided that two heads are better than one, he returned to his native county in New York when about twenty-nine years old, and there married Miss Salina Howe, who, coming with him to the West, helped him to make a good home. She spent her last days on the farm where Mr. Case now lives, being cut down in the prime of a promising life when but twenty-eight years of age. She left two children, who still live to honor her memory. The first-born, Ensley J., married George Edgett, who died leaving three children—Morris, Willard and Flossy; he afterward married Nettie Waugh and is now living in Peoria, engaged in the wholesale drug trade. He also owns the plating works, and was Supervisor of the Medina Township. The second son of our subject and his wife is Clarence E., a groceryman in Alta, and for some time Postmaster, agent of the station, telegraph operator, and Township Treasurer of that place. He married Julia Schnebley, and they have two children, Harry and Georgie.

Mrs. Salina Case was born in Sandy Creek Township, Oswego County, N. Y., December 4, 1827. She was the recipient of a good home and educational advantages. Her father, Newell Howe, a native of Connecticut, was a farmer and brickmaker; he died in the Empire State when quite old. His wife, formerly Jane Snyder, was a native of New York, and of German parentage. Her death took place in Oswego County, N. Y., at a goodly age. Mrs. Salina Case died in October 1851, mourned by the family and community.

Mr. Case is and has been President of the Grange Insurance Company of this county for the past ten years, and has proved a success.

Pages 582-583