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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of John Harvey ALDEN 

Pages 519-520, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: ALDEN, LEIMEBAUCH, RUNYAN, SWENEY] 

    
JOHN H. ALDEN. The agriculturists of Lee Township are as a rule possessed of general intelligence, thorough understanding of their own calling, and great energy, and they therefore rank well among farmers the world over. One of these gentlemen who are successfully pursuing the peaceful occupation of tilling the soil is the gentleman above named, whose comfortable estate consists of eighty acres on section 18. The land is under thorough tillage, bears a full line of adequate improvements, and produces a goodly store of the various crops, to the raising of which it is devoted. 
    
Mr. Alden is the second son and fourth child of Smith D. and Sarah E. (Runyan) Alden, and was born in this county, October 25, 1842. His educational privileges were limited to the district schools of Lee Township, but he made such good use of his advantages as to acquire a fair share of practical knowledge. In 1863, when twenty-one years old, he enlisted in Company L, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, remaining with the regiment until after the close of the war. He took part in the battle of the Red River and many other heavy engagements, and bore a share in the other duties which are connected with a soldier's life. June 20, 1866, he was discharged at Springfield, and returning to his father's house, again gave his attention to farm work. 
    
Realizing that it is not good for man to live alone, Mr. Alden won for his wife Miss Mary A. Sweney, with whom he was united in marriage December 17, 1868. Mrs. Alden is a daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Leimebauch) Sweney, and was born at Galena, December 17, 1850. Her parents were natives of the Keystone State, whence they came to this county in 1837, locating in Lee Township. Mrs. Sweney breathed her last about 1865, but Mr. Sweney is still living, his home now being in Wilson County, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Alden have six children--John D., born November 22, 1869; Laura G., December 21, 1871; Charles F., July 6, 1874; William B., April 26, 1877; Clyde G., February 26, 1880; Elmer T., August 19, 1883. 
    
After his marriage Mr. Alden located on the land where he now resides, and where he and his interesting family enjoy the comforts of a good home and the pleasures of a charming domestic life. None of the children have yet left the home fireside, but pursue their studies and the occupations suited to their years under the eyes of parents who are devoted to their interests. Mr. Alden is now Supervisor of the Township, and School Director, and he formerly served as Township Collector and Constable. He is a member of the society known as the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is a good Republican. 
    
The father of our subject was born in the Empire State and the mother in Rhode Island. Their marriage was solemnized in New York, whither they came to this county with a team in October, 1842. They made their home on section 5, Lee Township, but after sojourning there until 1851 removed to section 8, and in 1859 made another removal, settling on section 18, where they spent the balance of their lives. The father closed his eyes in death March 9, 1870, and the mother in August, 1887. They were the parents of two daughters and three sons. 

Note: Tim O'Shea, great-great grandnephew of John Harvey ALDEN, provided us with John Harvey ALDEN's full name and with a link to a photo and another biography of John's brother Charles Smith ALDEN on ILGenWeb's Civil War Photos website (http://civilwar.ilgenweb.net/photos/aldenjohnharvey.html). 

See the 1890 biography of John's brother Charles Smith ALDEN above for more information on Smith David ALDEN and Sarah E. RUNYON, the parents of Charles Smith ALDEN and John Harvey ALDEN.