John H. Addams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John H. Addams
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| Member of the Illinois Senate from the district |
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| In office 1854–1870 |
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| Personal details | |
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John Huy Addams
July 12, 1822 Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania |
| Died | August 17, 1881(aged 59) Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| Resting place | Cedarville Cemetery, Cedarville, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | Sarah Weber Anna H. Haldeman |
| Children | 9, including Alice and Jane |
| Residences | John H. Addams Homestead, Cedarville, Illinois |
| Occupation | Mill owner |
| Profession | Businessman |
John Huy Addams (born July 12, 1822 – died August 17, 1881) was an important businessman and politician from Illinois. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1822. In 1844, he moved to Cedarville, Illinois, with his first wife, Sarah Weber.
In Cedarville, he bought the Cedar Creek Mill and became a very successful businessman. He also worked as a director for two railroad companies and was a bank president. John Addams built a large, impressive home in 1854 that is still standing today. He and Sarah had nine children, including the famous social activist Jane Addams.
John Addams was also active in politics. He served as an Illinois State Senator for sixteen years, from 1854 to 1870. After Sarah's death in 1863, he married Anna Haldeman in 1868. John Addams greatly influenced his daughter Jane, inspiring her to work for social causes. He passed away in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1881 while on a family trip.
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Early Life and Family
John Huy Addams was born in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, on July 12, 1822. He married Sarah Weber, who was five years older than him. Both their families had lived in Pennsylvania for a long time.
In 1844, when John was 22, he and Sarah moved to Cedarville, Illinois. This town is near the border between Illinois and Wisconsin. John quickly became a successful mill owner. He bought the Cedar Creek Mill in 1844.
When they first arrived, they lived in a small two-room house. In 1854, John finished building a much larger, grander home. John and Sarah had nine children, but only four lived to be adults. Their eighth child was Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams, who was born in their Cedarville home on September 6, 1860.
In January 1863, Sarah Addams passed away. Jane was only two years old at the time. After her mother's death, Jane was mostly cared for by her older sisters.
A Successful Business Career
John Addams' milling business grew to be one of the biggest in northern Illinois. It included a saw mill, a linseed mill, and a grist mill. All these mills were located on his property along Cedar Creek.
His success in milling led to other business ventures. From 1864 to 1881, he was the president of the Second National Bank in Freeport, Illinois. He also served on the boards of directors for two railroad companies: the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad and the Illinois Central Railroad. In 1867, he helped start the Mutual Fire Insurance Company. John Addams became very well-known locally because of his many successful businesses. People saw him as the most successful entrepreneur in Stephenson County.
Political Life and the Civil War
John Addams served for sixteen years in the Illinois Senate. He was known for being very honest. One historian said he was famous for never taking a bribe and never even being offered one.
He helped create the Republican Party in Illinois. He was also a friend of Abraham Lincoln's. During the Civil War, John Addams helped gather and equip a group of soldiers. This group became known as "the Addams Guard."
How He Influenced Jane Addams
Jane Addams often said that her father, John, was the most important influence in her life. In her autobiography, she wrote about how she tried to be like him. She said he was the reason she got involved in helping her community. He also taught her to care about important "moral concerns of life."
John Addams was very involved in his community. This deep involvement greatly influenced his daughter, Jane. He was active on the Cedarville School Board. He was also a trustee for the Rockford Young Ladies' Seminary, which later became Rockford College. Jane would later get her college degree from Rockford College. Besides helping to start the Republican Party in Illinois, he also played a key role in bringing the second Lincoln-Douglas Debate to Freeport.
Later Years and Passing
In 1867, four years after his first wife Sarah passed away, John H. Addams married Anna H. Haldeman. Anna was also a widow and had two children of her own. One of her sons, George, also had a strong influence on Jane Addams.
In August 1881, John Addams decided to take his family on a vacation to northwestern Michigan. He wanted to check out some iron and copper mines there as possible investments. They left on August 4. A week later, John Addams became sick while exploring a mine. The family decided to go home by train.
They made it to Green Bay, Wisconsin, but John Addams was too sick to travel further. The family booked a hotel room. John H. Addams passed away suddenly on August 17, 1881, in the hotel in Green Bay. He was 59 years old. His death was a big shock to his daughter Jane.
See also
