Ariel S. Morey
Ariel S. Morey, farmer, section 20, Malta Township, was born may 24, 1840, in the township of South Columbia, Herkimer Co., N.Y., whence he came with his parents to DeKalb County in 1853. He was then about 13 years of age, and he continued a member of the home circle and acted as his father’s assistant until the date of his marriage. That event took place May 24, 1864, when Miss Elizabeth Van Vlack became his wife. Her parents, John and Anna M. (Oliver) Van Vlack, were born in the State of New York, and were of German ancestry., They were descendants of families who were among the earliest settlers of the Empire State. Mrs. Morey was born Aug. 4, 1842, in East Glenville, Schenectady Co., N.Y. Her father died when she was about nine years of age, and six years later (1857), she accompanied her mother to DeKalb County, locating at Shabbona village. She is the youngest of three children and received a good education. The death of her father occurred March 9, 1851, when he was 40 years of age. Her mother died at Shabbona Grove, Feb. 6, 1863, at the age of 51 years. Mr. and Mrs. Morey have become the parents of five children, born as follows: Floyd, Aug. 31, 1865; Nettie, Oct. 31, 1869; Jessie, Sept. 18, 1875; Myra, Oct. 24, 1878; Lilla, twin sister of Myra, died when nine months old.
Mr. and Mrs. Morey established their independent home life immediately after marriage and settled on a farm in Shabbona Township. On this place Mr. Morey conducted agricultural operations 16 years when the family removed to Malta Township, where the father, in company with his brother, Wm. H., located on 264 acres of land on section 20. They have continued their joint labors, and have operated extensively in agriculture and as stock growers, ranking among the best and most progressive farmers of the township. They are Republicans in political faith and connections.
Smith Morey, the father of Mr. Morey of this Sketch, was born Sept. 9, 1812, in Onondaga Co., N.Y. Jesse Morey, father of the former, was of French lineage and married Faith Wilcox. She was born in Connecticut, and was of purely Yankee origin. Smith Morey married Jeannette Smith Jan. 1, 1839. She was born in Suffield, Conn., and died at the home of her son Dec. 17, 1877, aged 64 years. Her three sons, Hiram D., of Shabbona, Ariel and W.H. survive her. The family were among the first settlers in Shabbona Township in 1853. He labored there as a farmer until 1869, when another transfer was made of the joint family interests of the father, eldest and youngest sons, to Malta Township, where they located on 264 acres of land and have since managed their farming interests together.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb Co.
