John Harvey Alden is the second son and fourth child of Smith David and Sarah E. (Runyan) Alden, and was born in Lee Township, Fulton County, Illinois on October 25, 1842. As a young adult his complexion was fair, eyes were blue, his hair dark and he stood 5’ 8” tall.   In 1863, when twenty-one years old, he enlisted in Company L, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry Regiment.  John was transferred on March 2, 1863 from Company L to Company G and then transferred on June 23, 1865 from Company G to Company D due to consolidation.  During his service he was promoted to the rank of Full Sergeant.  He took part in the battle of the Red River and many other heavy engagements, and bore a share in the other duties, which are connected with a soldier’s life.  He was mustered out at Houston, Texas, on May 29, 1866 and arrived at Springfield on the 14^th of June, and on the 18^th, he received final pay, discharge and returned to his father’s farm.  His brother Charles Smith Alden served in Company H, 32^nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

Following the war, John married Miss Mary A. Sweney on December 17, 1868 in Bushnell, Illinois.  Mary was the daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Linebaugh) Sweney.  From this union came six children Laura G., December 21, 1871; Charles Frank. July 6, 1871; William B., April 26, 1877; Clyde G., February 26, 1880; and Elmer T., August 19, 1883.

John Harvey farmed eighty acres on Section 18.  He was a Lee Township Supervisor, Township Collector, and Constable.  John went home to be with the Lord on January 7, 1912.