Biography - JOHN J. WYCKOFF

John James Wyckoff, deceased, for many years on of the prominent and substantial citizens of Macoupin County, was born in the State of New York, June 16, 1832, and died in Macoupin County, March 30, 1901. He was a son of Ambrose and Elizabeth A. (Hanmer) Wyckoff.

Ambrose Wyckoff was married on November 9, 1831, to Elizabeth A. Hanmer, and they had two children: John James, our subject, and Hanmer. Mrs. Wyckoff died March 15, 1837, and her husband was later married to Sarah Gelder, who died in September, 1899, leaving five children. Ambrose Wyckoff died September 28, 1872.

John J. Wyckoff was educated at Delhi, Jersey County, Illinois, and was there engaged in a hardware business, under the firm name of Wyckoff & Hobson, for a number of years. In 1862 he removed to Macoupin County and became interested in farming, which he continued until his death.

In 1860, he married Sarah Utt, who died November 23, 1864. His second marriage, October 22, 1868, was to Nancy E. Ewing, who was born October 23, 1848, and is a daughter of Obadiah and Narcissa Y. Ewing, the former of whom was born in Wayne County, Ohio, April 1, 1823, and was a son of William and Elizabeth (Glass) Ewing. Obadiah Ewing was a farmer and a school teacher. The mother of Mrs. Wyckofif was born April 15, 1829, and has survived her husband since his death, March

16, 1901. She is one of the most highly regarded ladies of Virden and its vicinity. She was reared in the faith of the Baptist Church. She is the mother of six children, as follows: Nancy E., Madora Jane, William James (deceased), Mary Elma, Edgar Spink and Alicia Malissa. Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff, viz: Sarah Narcissa, born October 12, 1869, who married Major W. Treadway, and has three children, Carrie E., born August 17, 1897, John J., born November 28, 1901, and Herbert, born February 11, 1903; and Eliza A., born September 9, 1873, who married, on October 28, 1896, Dr. E. K. Lockwood, formerly of Virden, and died December 15, 1902.

The late Mr. Wyckoff was a man of excellent business capacity and was possessed of large means at the time of his death. His widow inherited 1,000 acres of land and also some valuable city property. Both she and her mother have many pleasant social connections in Virden and enjoy the esteem of all who know them.

Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 490-491.