Biographical Sketch of Benjamin D. Hamblen

Benjamin D. Hamblen, farmer; P. O. Etna; is the son of Francis and Martha B. Hamblen; was born in Mt. Pleasant, Hardin Co., Ky., March 17, 1840; moved with his parents Dec. 24, 1852, to Moultrie Co., and then to Coles Co., March 13, 1868; is the owner of 120 acres of land, valued at or near $5,000; was Justice of the Peace five years; also School Director and Road Overseer. Was married to Sarah M. Newport, the daughter of Benjamin and Ellen Newport, of Coles Co., Ill.; names of children – boys, Henry F. (born Oct. 3, 1870); girls, … Read more

Hamblen, Sylvester – Obituary

La Grande, Union County, Oregon 1918-1998 Sylvester “Sid” Hamblen, 80, died Sunday evening, November 29, at his La Grande home. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Summerville Cemetery, with Pastor Roger Cochran officiating. Payne Family Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Hamblen was born January 19, 1918 in Eugene, to Harry and Elma Hamblen. He married Cora Brown in 1942, and they had three children. They divorced after 26 years of marriage, but remained friends. He married Pauline Willis in 1969. She died in 1996. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and he … Read more

A History of Swan’s Island, Maine

History of Swan's Island

Upon the very threshold of this historical sketch we find ourselves quite destitute of early public records for Swan’s Island. For over half a century from the settlement of this island until its organization as a plantation no municipal records were kept. But we are fortunate that H. W. Small saw purpose in bringing to light many private family records, old deeds showing what lots were occupied by the pioneer settlers; and written mutual agreements, which seem to have been often the result of arbitration on any disputed point where different claims to land conflicted with one another.