Biography of Schuyler Ransom

Lee County Illinois

…he began to break raw prairie, and he turned many hundred acres of sod, working hard to obtain the means to get a good start as a farmer. He also drove a team all over the northern part of the State, his principal route being from Chicago to Galena and to Dubuque, Iowa. He thus had a good opportunity to see the country while much of it was still in its primitive wildness, with but few signs of the coming civilization, and he can compare its past with its present condition as a witness of the wonderful change that has…

Biography of Fitchyou Cummings of Concord, Illinois

History of Bureau County, Illinois Title Page

Fitchyou Cummings, Concord, was born in Gallatin County, Illinois, May 8, 1818, and is the son of Thornton Cummings, deceased, and brother of William Cummings. Fitchyou Cummings came to Bureau County with his parents in 1834, and since that time has resided in Concord Township. His opportunities for an education were the most limited. Instead of schools, when coming to French Grove, there was excellent opportunity for the hunter to find game. As Mr. Cummings was of an independent nature, he wished to make for himself a farm, and as money was at that time almost impossible to obtain, he…

History Of Horticulture In The County

In 1870 the most complete account of the development of the horticultural interests of the county was written by H. J. Dunlap, now of Kankakee, Illinois, but for many years secretary of the County Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Association. It is as follows: “The first orchard planting of which I have been able to obtain any information was done about the year 1838 by William Sadorus, in the timber near the southwest corner of the county, now called Sadorus’ Grove. It was made of fifty Milam sprouts obtained near Terre Haute, Indiana, eighty miles distant, and afterwards extended by planting…

The Return Journey of Joliet and Marquette

They justified their return in the following manner: First, they were satisfied that the Mississippi emptied into the Gulf of Mexico, and not into the Gulf of California, nor into the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia. Second, they feared a conflict with the Spaniards, who occupied and claimed the Gulf coast. Third, they feared the Indians of the lower Mississippi, for they used firearms and might oppose their further progress south. Fourth, they had acquired all the information they started out to obtain. And so, on the 17th of July, 1674, they turned their faces homeward. They had been just two…

22nd Illinois Infantry

22nd Illinois Infantry The TWENTY-SECOND INFANTRY ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS was organized at Belleville, Illinois, May 11, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service, for three years, at Caseyville, Illinois, June 25, 1861, by Captain T. G. Pitcher, U.S.A. On July 11, the Regiment moved to Bird’s Point, Mo. November 7, seven companies engaged in the battle of Belmont-three being left to guard transports. Loss, 144, killed, wound and missing. January 14, 1862, made a reconnoisance, under General Grant, into Kentucky, in the rear of Columbus. The Twenty-second was on detached duty a great deal of the time, and not…

Biography of William B. Page

Lee County Illinois

William B. Page of Lee County represented the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co., a global enterprise with factories in Europe and the United States, including in Dixon, Illinois, where Page managed the successful local branch. Born to pioneer settlers, Page thrived in a family distinguished for enterprise: his brother George H. Page managed the company’s growth into a multi-million dollar entity; his brother Charles A. Page gained fame as a journalist and war correspondent, later contributing to the company’s international expansion until his death; and David S. Page assisted general management in Europe. William’s own international experience in condensed milk production…

Biography of Simon Rhodes of South Dixon Township

Lee County Illinois

…Rhodes. No member of the farming community of this county is more worthy of representation on these pages than Mr. Rhodes, who has shown the value of his citizenship, as an intelligent and practical farmer; by helping in the great work of carrying on the agricultural industries for which this State is noted; and as a patriotic and useful soldier during the late war who nobly did his part in saving our country from disunion and dishonor. Our subject was born in Somerset County, Pa., January 12, 1839. His father, David Rhodes, was also a native of that county, coming…

Biography of John Holdren of Compton

Lee County Illinois

John Holdren, a wealthy farmer residing in Compton, Illinois, was born on February 4, 1825, in Mt. Pleasant Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania. His father, Edward Holdren, originally from New Jersey, moved to Pennsylvania and became a successful farmer. In 1851, John relocated to Lee County, Illinois, settling on land his father had acquired. He initially improved his farm south of Compton before moving to another property in Brooklyn Township in 1863. In 1876, John moved to Compton village. He married Phebe A. Derr in 1849, and they had five children: William C., Eleanora, Edward, Janet, and Sherman J. John Holdren,…

Biography of William S. Straw of Palmyra Township

Lee County Illinois

…Party. William S. Straw is one of the progressive farmers and well-to-do citizens of Palmyra Township. He operates two hundred and twenty-four acres of valuable land on sections 19 and 20, and this farm is recognized as one of the finest in the community. It is complete in all its appointments, its arrangement has all been made with an eye to convenience, and it seems to be lacking in no particular. Most of the improvements stand as monuments to the thrift and enterprise of the owner, and the neat appearance of the place and the well-tilled fields attest his careful…

Biography of James M. Atchison

Portrait and biographical record of Macoupin county, Illinois

…part of the war, the former becoming First Lieutenant of Company A, Ninety seventh Illinois Infantry. He was killed at the battle of Vicksburg, at which time he was commanding a company, as the Captain, Mr. Woods was then off duty. Nathan enlisted at the age of sixteen years and though young proved himself a brave soldier. After participating in many engagements he was shot by the enemy at Altoona Pass, Ga. Mr. E. Atchison was placed on the pension rolls in 1877 for disabilities received in the service of his country, at the rate of $12 per month from

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