History and Reminiscences Archives

The Slane Family of Princeville

This biography recounts the life of Benjamin Slane (1798–1875), a Virginia-born pioneer who settled in Illinois in 1831. Slane married Delilah Cheshire in 1824, with whom he had six children. The family’s journey to Illinois was marked by challenging conditions and encounters with Native Americans. After Delilah’s death in 1839, Slane raised their children alone, eventually settling in Princeville. Known for his integrity, he served as justice of the peace and supervisor. His children largely remained in the community, continuing his legacy of hard work and respectability.

The John Smith Family of Northwest Princeville

“The John Smith Family of Northwest Princeville” is a biography written by Miss Mary J. Smith in 1906. The book details the lives of John Smith and his wife Jane Payne, who settled in Princeville Township in Illinois in 1844. The couple, along with other friends and relatives, traveled from Virginia to Illinois in prairie schooners, enduring six weeks on the road. The book describes the couple’s lives as pioneers, their family history, and their contributions to the community. The biography also highlights the religious and pious nature of the Smith family, including the family’s devotion to family worship.

The Morrow Family

“The Morrow Family” by S. S. Slane, originally published in 1906, is a historical account of one of the earliest families to settle in Akron Township, Peoria County, Illinois. The article traces the family’s roots from their origins in Park County, Indiana, to their arrival in Illinois in the early 1830s. It focuses on Hugh Morrow, who was the first white child born in Akron Township, and who remained on the same section of land for over six decades. The article also notes the various other members of the Morrow family, including their deaths and relocations to other states. Overall, “The Morrow Family” provides a glimpse into the lives of early settlers in Illinois and their legacies in the region.

The Sloan Family of Princeville

The Sloan Family, written by S.S. Slane in 1906, recounts the story of Jerome Sloan and his family, who left New York in 1837 and settled in Princeville, Illinois. The family consisted of the mother, five sons, and one daughter, and they faced hardships and privations during their pioneer life. Jerome Sloan married Charlotte Barnes in 1860, and together they had eleven children. Despite never being associated with any religious community, Mr. Sloan held strong beliefs of his own. At the time of the writing, he was 93 years old and in excellent health.

The William P. Blanchard Family

The William P. Blanchard family is a historical account written by Mrs. J. E. Merritt in 1906, chronicling the journey of William P. Blanchard and his family as they settled in Peoria County, Illinois, in the 1830s. The family left Kentucky to find a larger scope for expansion, and after exploring the West and North of Lawrence County, Illinois, they purchased a quarter-section of land in Prince’s Grove and began their new life. The family endured many hardships, including a severe winter, but eventually built a log cabin and established themselves as pioneers in the area. The Blanchard family was active in their community and known for their hospitality, with their home serving as a gathering place for religious services and family reunions. The article honors the bravery and perseverance of the pioneers who paved the way for future generations.

Stephen French and Family

“Stephen French and Family” by Mrs. J.E. Merritt, 1906, is a historical account of the French family’s early pioneering days in Prince’s Grove, Illinois. The story chronicles the challenges faced by Stephen and Anna French as they settled in the area and the hardships they endured, including sickness, wolves, and encounters with wild Indians. The French family’s legacy is also highlighted, with emphasis on their hospitable and kind-hearted nature towards all, as well as their tragic losses, including the death of Captain John French during the Civil War. The article provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the early settlers of Prince’s Grove.

Daniel Prince

The article, “Daniel Prince” by Mrs. J. E. Merritt in 1906, recounts the story of the first white man to settle in the Grove area of Illinois in 1821. Daniel Prince lived a solitary life among the wild men of the forest until he married in 1833 and started a family. He was known for his hospitality and kindness to his neighbors, often providing food for the poor in the vicinity. Despite his lack of religious profession, he allowed ministers to hold services in his cabin. The article offers an insight into the life of this pioneer and the impact he had on the community he helped found.

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