NADEN, Obadiah
There is something in the spirit of the American government and of the American nation which wins the loyal support of almost all of its adopted sons. Its freedom from monarchical rule, its advantage for progress and improvement, unhampered by caste, seem to call forth the best efforts of those who come here to seek homes; and, encouraged by the example of many self-reliant and self-made men, they rise by their own labors, becoming faithful and valiant citizens, and often reaching positions of prominence.
There arrived in Grundy county in 1846 a young man destined to win success and gain for himself an honorable name in business circles. He was a native of England, his birth occurring in Staffordshire, four miles from Buckston, June 5, 1829, his parents being Samuel and Martha (Millner) Naden. They had nine sons and three daughters, as follows: Noah, James, John, Samuel, Thomas, Isaac, Henry, Philip, Obadiah, Sarah, Rebecca and Mary.
In 1844 John came to the United States, and, being well pleased with the country and the opportunities it offered, he wrote favorable accounts to his parents, who crossed the Atlantic in 1846, locating in Big Grove Township, Kendall county, Illinois. In 1848 another son, Samuel Naden, also became a resident of the United States. The father settled four miles from Lisbon, and there devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, his death occurring in 1848. His wife survived him many years, passing away in 1866. In England the entire family worked in a print manufactory. Obadiah entered that factory when only six years of age, and was there employed until his seventeenth year, at which time he accompanied his parents to the United States. He was then capable of doing twenty different kinds of work in the factory, but he never received more than seven shillings per week in compensation for his services, and other laborers in the mill were as poorly paid. It is no wonder, then, that the family sought a home in the new world, where they could earn better wages and where advancement was more certain.
In this country Mr. Naden, of this review, has always followed farming. He began agricultural pursuits for himself until his marriage in 1856. For four years he cultivated rented land, and during that time was enabled to save one hundred and fifty dollars. He also owned a team and six young colts. With his money he made a Partial payment upon a quarter section of fine farming land in Plattville, Kendall county, Illinois. With characteristic energy he began the development of the farm and the task of clearing it of all indebtedness. His energy and economy enabled him soon to do this, and prosperity has steadily attended his efforts, so that his financial resources have increased and he has added to his farm until it now comprises three hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land. It is under a high state of cultivation, the well tilled fields yielding to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon it. He also has a quarter section of land in Iroquois county, Illinois, and three hundred and twenty acres in Indiana. He has met with some reverses, but his determined purpose has enabled him to overcome all obstacles and work his way steadily upward. On the 14th of August, 1881, a disastrous fire destroyed all of his barns and considerable produce and grain, together with some stock and farm implements, but the following year he erected new buildings, and soon afterward gave his farm over to the management of his sons, since which time he has lived retired in Morris.
In 1856 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Naden and Miss Jane Green, who was born in Liverpool, England, December 24, 1833, and in 1855 came to the United States with her brother, George, who is now a practicing physician of Aurora, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Naden have been born the following children: Samuel J., a farmer of Iowa; Martha, the wife of Omer Smith of Hoopeston, Illinois; Mary, the wife of Perry A. Johnson; Walter, who died at the age of twelve years; James and Stanley, who are working their father's farm; Lida, the wife of J. W. Challacombe, stenographer and bookkeeper for the Woelfel tannery in Morris; and Burt, at home. The parents are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and enjoy the high regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.
In 1868 Mr. Naden visited England, and in 1898, accompanied by his wife, he again crossed the Atlantic to the land of his birth, where they spent many pleasant hours amid the scenes of their childhood and renewing acquaintances of their youth. Mr. Naden has been fortunate in his business affairs, and his success is due to his own energy and not to circumstances. He has labored earnestly and indefatigably, and success withholds not its rewards from those who diligently seek. He is a public-spirited citizen, and in his support of measures for the general good he has shown that he has become a true American in thought and interests.
- Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy Counties Illinois,
1900

• Married: 25 Sep 1856 in Kendall County Illinois
• Change Date: 15 Sep 2010

1. Samuel J Naden
2. Martha Jane Naden b: Apr 1860 in <Lisbon Township (Kendall)> Illinois
3. Mary May Naden b: 7 Sep 1863 in <Lisbon Township (Kendall)> Illinois
4. Walter G Naden b: 1865 in <Lisbon Township> (Kendall) Illinois
5. James "Jim" Franklin Naden b: 8 Feb 1868 in Plattville (Kendall) Illinois
6. Stanley W Naden b: 24 Feb 1871 in Lisbon Township (Kendall) Illinois
7. Lida E Naden b: Abt 1875 in <Lisbon Township (Kendall)> Illinois
8. Albert "Bert" O Naden b: 23 Jul 1877 in Plattville (Kendall) Illinois