McDonough County Genealogical Society
Humphrey Horrabin Blandinsville Township
Born near Liverpool, England in 1817, a boy grew up in a world of little means and education. The education Humphrey Horrabin received came from the church his family regularly attended. At thirteen, Horrabin was bound for seven years as a shoemaker’s apprentice and later a journeyman. Humphrey married Elizabeth Smalley in 1836 and their family grew to six children.
He continued in the profession in England until he decided to seek his family’s future in America. In Spring 1847, he sailed alone to New Orleans and up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. He found employment in Lewistown, Illinois, and set to work for a company making leather into shoes.
Horrabin lived well below his means, saving back a good portion of his salary to have enough money to send for his family.
