Revolutionary War Archives – Illinois Genealogy

Biography of Joseph Shultz of North Dixon

Joseph Shultz, a retired farmer, settled in North Dixon in 1880 after moving from South Dixon Township, where he had farmed successfully since 1864. Born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, on May 30, 1819, he was the son of Conrad Shultz, who had German ancestry. Joseph’s first wife, Catherine Hannah, died young, leaving him with thirteen children, of whom four survived. He later married Maria McCloskey, who bore him three children. Joseph was active in the Evangelical Association and served as Justice of the Peace, aligning with the Republican Party throughout his life.

Biography of John D. Sitts of Franklin Grove

John D. Sitts, born January 23, 1831, in Oneida County, New York, is a longtime resident and grocery merchant in Franklin Grove, Lee County, Illinois. Coming from a family with deep American roots, his grandfather, Henry Sitts, was a Revolutionary War soldier. John moved to Illinois in 1854, initially working in railroading and later in the lumber trade before settling into the grocery business. He married Eva E. Lincoln in 1863, and they had four children: Henry B., Gertie G., Bertha C., and Helen Edna. John has been active in local politics, serving as a Justice of the Peace and a County Supervisor.

Biography of Charles A. Morris

Charles A. Morris, editor of the Paw Paw Herald, has crafted a distinguished career in journalism in Lee County, born in 1863 into a lineage marked by valiant contributions to American history. His ancestry spans from Revolutionary War heroes to Civil War soldiers, imbuing his work with a rich heritage of patriotism and dedication. This introduction traces Morris’s journey from his education at East Paw Paw Seminary to becoming a pivotal figure in local media by 1866, highlighting the intersection of his family’s military legacy and his own professional achievements. Through Morris’s story, we explore the enduring impact of familial history on individual pursuits and community service.

Biography of George F. Stainbrook

George F. Stainbrook, serving as Lee County Sheriff, epitomizes the drive and determination of a successful young man from Dixon. Born in the county in 1858, he descends from a Pennsylvania Dutch lineage with roots stretching back to a German immigrant and a Revolutionary War hero. George’s life, deeply intertwined with farming, shifted towards law enforcement when he became Deputy Sheriff, leading to his election as Sheriff in 1890. Recognized for his youth and efficacy, George, alongside his wife Anna B. Mulkins, an accomplished artist, contributes to the community while adhering to Republican principles and participating in various civic organizations.

Biography of Hon. James Ryon, M.D.

Hon. James Ryon, M.D., of Amboy, has a storied past beginning in 1827, Pennsylvania. With Irish heritage, he pursued medicine, graduating from Rush Medical College, and later delved into law and politics, notably serving in the Illinois Legislature and as a Civil War Colonel. Post-war, Ryon focused on his medical practice, also engaging in banking and coal business ventures. Married to Ruth A. Ives, they had a daughter, Carrie S., whose early demise deeply affected them. A staunch Republican, Ryon’s contributions span medicine, politics, and community service, reflecting a lifetime of dedication and impact.

Biography of Benjamin C. Esq. Couch of Tiskilwa, Illinois

History of Bureau County, Illinois Title Page

Benjamin C. Couch, Esq., Tiskilwa, was born September 19, 1822, in Boscawen, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. He is a grandson of Benjamin Couch Sr., a native of New Hampshire, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, participating in the battle of Bunker Hill, where he had a bullet shot through his ear. He married a Miss Heath, who was the mother of five children. Of these Benjamin Couch, Jr. was the father of our subject. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a native of New Hampshire, where he died. The mother of our subject, Mrs. Sallie (Morse) Couch, … Read more

Biography of Nicholas Cottrell of Dover, Illinois

Nicholas Cottrell, Dover, was born December 8, 1829, in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. His father was Rufus Cottrell, a native of Hampshire County, Massachusetts. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1868, aged seventy-four years, in Malden, Illinois. His grandfather, Nicholas Cottrell, was a native of Massachusetts, where he died; he was a blacksmith by occupation, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, where he served with distinction. The mother of our subject was Sarah (Odell) Cottrell, a native of Dutchess County, New York; she died in Malden, Illinois, in 1872, aged seventy-six years. She was the mother of … Read more

Biography of Martin Corley of Westfield Township, Illinois

Martin Corley, deceased, was a native of the Parish Ashgraw, County Conard, Ireland, where his parents, Daniel and Mary Moulton, died. Martin Corley came to America when quite young and became a captain of a boat on the Genesee River. He was married in Rochester, New York to Sarah Biglow, born November 26, 1815, near the Canada line in Berkshire Township, Vermont. She is the daughter of Stephen and Phebe (Wing) Biglow, the former a native of Rhode Island and of Welsh extraction, and the latter of Connecticut and of English and Irish descent. Her father commanded on of the … Read more

Biography of Hamilton F. Corey of Ohio, Illinois

Hamilton F. Corey, Ohio, was born in Cayuga County, New York, July 17, 1811, and is the son of John and Lucina Corey, formerly of Connecticut. Mr. Corey’s grandfather, David Rodes, was a soldier of the Revolution, and died in New York at the age of eighty-four. Our subject’s father, John Corey, was a soldier of the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch was raised on the farm, where he resided till the spring of 1835, when he came to this State and settled with his sister (now Mrs. Lemuel Carey) in Morgan County, where he remained till … Read more

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