HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Its Past and present
Chicago: Donnelley, Loyd & Co., Publishers, 1878.
(reprinted by the Jacksonville Area Genealogical and Historical Society, 1975)
LAKE, Aaron, farmer and blacksmith, Sec. 30, P.O. Meredosia; born in Cass County, Ill., Aug. 29, 1835, six miles northeast of Meredosia, where he lived until his twentieth year; came to this county in 1855; has lived here since. He follows farming and black smithing for a living; runs a corn sheller and wood saw. He was married 1857 to Sarah Bosseck, who was born in Montgomery County, Ind., April 15, 1840; have six children living: Nellie, born Jan. 5, 1859; Elizabeth, born Feb. 11, 1861; Hattie, born May 31, 1863; Laura, born Sept. 21, 1865; Effie, born April 27, 1867; George, born April 17, 1877. They lost three children: Hannah, born Oct. 9, 1870, died in infancy; Mary, born Sept. 8, 1872, died Oct. 27, 1874; Artist, born Feb, 8, 1875, died Feb. 8, 1876. His father, Lindsay Lake, was married seven times: Milly Carter, first wife; second wife, Jane Langdon, widow; third wife, Caroline Evans; fourth wife, Dorothy Hatfield, widow; fifth wife, Sarah Bruce, widow; sixth wife, Lizzie Bigelow; seventh wife, Susan Bond, widow.
LAMB, John, farmer and stock raiser, Morgan. Born in Mason Co., Kentucky, April 13, 1813; married, Sept. 14, 1837, to Caroline Ricketts, born in Mason Co., Kentucky, April 1, 1818. Have eight children living: Mary F., born Sept. 21, 1838, married John Kinnett, living in this village; Richard R., born Aug. 11, 1843; Harriet, born March 1, 1846, married John White, living in Chariton Co., Mo.; America, born June 30, 1850; Caroline, born Oct. 28, 1852; Rachael Jane, born Aug. 28, 1854; William, born Dec. 25, 1856; Charles F., born May 27, 1862; John P., born Sept. 2, 1848, died Sept. 9, 1852; James, born Sept. 10, 1848, died Nov. 4, 1876. Mr. John Lamb left Mason Co., Ky., Oct. 6, 1833; his occupation there was farming; then he went to Franklin Co., Ind., where he remained eight years. The first house they ever lived in was made of puncheon floor; now they have a fine two story frame house, fronting T., W. & W. R.R. track. Came to this county in Nov. 1841; owns 220 acres land, value about $11,000. Both he and wife, together with five children, are members of Christian Church.
LAMB, Lafayette, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 17, P.O. Jacksonville, son of Erie Lamb, of Ohio, born March 18, 1837. Came to Morgan Co. in 1858, where he has since resided. Married Oct. 31, 1865, to Mary Jane, daughter of Alfred and Catherine Thompson of Morgan Co., born Dec. 6, 1846. This union has been blessed by five children, viz.: Erie, born Dec. 30, 1866; Alfred, July 22, 1869; Joseph, May 8, 1872; Lee, Nov. 18, 1874, died Sept. 9, 1875; and Lafayette, Sept. 30, 1875. Mr. Lamb’s house was destroyed by fire Dec. 26, 1876, during a heavy snow storm, at four o’clock in the morning. The homestead consists of 266 acres of beautifully located land, showing the industry and thrifty husbandry of its owner on every hand.
LANDRETH, J. O. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 31, P.O. Waverly. The subject was the seventh child of a family of eleven children; his father, Jonathan Landreth, who has lived in Macoupin Co. since 1833, was born in Virginia, 1800; on his emigration to Illinois, in 1821, he married Miss Mary Thompson in Union Co. J.O. Landreth is worthy of more than a passing notice; he was born in Virginia, in 1832; one year later, as elsewhere stated, his parents moved to Macoupin Co.; close to the Neighborhood where he now lives were passed the early years of young Landreth; in 1856 he married Miss Martha A. Yowell, a daughter of James and Emily Yowell, natives of Kentucky, who moved to Illinois in 1851; by this marriage five children: Luella, born 1857, Ora, born 1859, Olivia, born 1862, James A. born 1864, Noah W.H. born 1873; after his marriage Mr. Landreth attended a course of medical lectures at Chicago, and has practiced to such an extent as do not conflict with his farm duties the profession of a physician. In 1873 he was elected justice of the peace. For many years Mr. Landreth has followed farming; owns eighty acres. It should be stated that Mr. L. attended the lectures heretofore mentioned at Rush College in 1864, and has been a hard working student in his profession.
LANDRETH, James M., importer and breeder of horses, South Main St., Sec. 29, P.O. Jacksonville; born in Tennessee, March 7, 1838, removing with his parents at the age of eight years to Mississippi, and again to Arkansas in 1852, here he remained until 1862 when he removed to Brighton, Macoupin Co. Ill., where he continued to reside until Sept. 1876, when he took up his residence in Jacksonville; married at Brighton, Sept. 19, 1876, to Mary, daughter of Thomas H. and Elizabeth Wilson, formerly of England, born July 22, 1842; this union has been blessed by one child, Martha W., born Feb. 16, 1878; Mr. Landreth in his early years was raised to agricultural pursuits; he has been extensively engaged in the importation and breeding of blooded horses for many years, in which business he has been highly successful; among his importations are notably the famous horses of the Percheron_Norman specialty, Napoleon, Preferie, Baalbec, St. Benoit, St. Nazaire, Sanspariel, &c., &c.
LANGLEY, POLING, (picture) merchants, dealers in dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, etc. In 1864, the above named firm became established in business; the partners of said firm were then J. C. Crabtree, W. W. Hays, Wyckoff Poling, and James Langley, under the firm name of Crabtree, Poling, Hays & Co.; in 1866, the style of the firm name changed to Langley & Poling, on the retirement of the other members; the elder member of this firm, James Langley, is now upward of ninety-three years of age, still hearty and vigorous; his memory, considering his advanced years, is something remarkable. Born in 1797, he settled in Morgan County in 1829, where he now lives, universally respected by all who know him. His portrait appears in this work; a brief study of the face by the intelligent reader, discloses immense will and strength of character, traits of character that carried him successfully through the stormy scenes of western life. This company constructed a large store in the year 1866, which was consumed by fire in the year 1877, proving a hard blow, but one from which the company rapidly recovered, and now do an extensive business, selling goods at prices to suit the times, bearing in mind the old adage, that a nimble sixpence is better than a slow shilling; herein lies the secret of their success. Wyckoff Poling, of whom we here append a biography, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y.; in an early day he accompanied his parents to Quincy, Adams Co., Ill.; in 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss Josephine, only child of James Langley; 1848, Mr. Poling moved to Morgan County, locating at Franklin, where he first became a carriage manufacturer; the first wife of Mr. Poling died in 1850, leaving to his care two children, Katy and Mary; Katy deceased; in 1868, he united his fortunes to Mrs. Bristow; one child born of this marriage, Gertrude Frances.
LANKFORD, Champlain, farmer and stock_raiser, P.O. Franklin. Mr. Lankford was born in Tennessee, March, 1822, where his father was engaged in farming, and where Champlain grew to man’s estate, acquiring an education in a subscription school; at twenty_five he married Miss Nancy Ann Jones, daughter of Edward Jones, a native of Virginia; purchasing a small farm, he worked very diligently for many years; in 1856, owing to the reports of the fertility of Illinois, he set his face toward the west; in due time he arrived in Morgan County, settling in what is commonly called Mud Prairie, where he first rented, until he became enabled to buy; in 1862, his wife departed this life, the remains being interred in the Jones cemetery; on the decease of his wife Mr. Lankford was left with a family of five children; owning a farm of 170 acres, perhaps no man in the county worked more than he to bring land to a proper state of cultivation; the success achieved is due to his individual efforts; five children: Wm. E., Amanda, Hillery C., Reuben, and Harriet Ann
LAWLER, Henry, farmer, Sec. 27, P.O. Jacksonville; son of Jas. and Ann Lawler, natives of Ireland; Henry was born near Dublin City; when fourteen years old, his parents emigrated to America, settling in Vermont; two years after, the subject of this sketch moved to Morgan County, locating at Jacksonville in 1852; farming it one season he then became employed in the Insane Asylum with Dr. McFarland; he afterward became engaged in the ice trade; on the abandonment of this enterprise, Mr. L. turned his attention to farming; in 1859 he married Miss Bridget Maher; five children, three living.
LAWS, John P. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 20, P.O. Waverly. Mr. Laws was born in Scot Co., Ill., July 1844; his parents, Stephen and Sarah, were early residents of Morgan Co., afterward removing to Scott Co., where the elder Laws followed for many years the calling of a cooper; in this county young Laws passed the earlier years of his life; at twenty_three he married Miss Margaret E. Crisman, a daughter of E.M. Crisman, the noted stock dealer of Scott Co. It should have been previously stated that in his eighteenth year Mr. L. enlisted in the war for the Union, in Co. F., 129th Ill. Inf., sharing the hardships of Sherman’s Atlanta campaign; he became engaged in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, Buzzard Roost, Atlanta, Burnt Hickory, etc.; promoted corporal; on the close of the war he was honorably discharged and returned to Scott Co., where he married; two years later, he removed to old Morgan, where he owns an estate of eighty acres; by this marriage three children; only one living: John Elmer, born Dec. 1, 1877; Sallie L. and Edgar S. deceased
LAZENBY, John, Sr., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 15, P.O. Jacksonville. The subject of this sketch was born at Drax, Yorkshire, England, April 11, 1803; came to this country, settling in Morgan Co., July, 1829. Was married December, 1827, to Sarah Green, of Hurst, Yorkshire, England, who shared with her husband the perils and discomforts of a sea voyage and the many hardships incident to making a home in a new country. Mr. Lazenby, without other capital than industry and indomitable perseverance, has acquired considerable land in this country and in Iowa, but with his declining years has parted with it for his family’s benefit. Mr. and Mrs. Lazenby’s family has consisted of seven children, viz.: Mary, Oct. 11, 1828, now Mrs. A. Moody, of Scott Co.; John, April 1831; Elizabeth, died in early childhood; Jane, Oct. 19, 1836, married to Wm. Jolly, of Missouri, and died September, 1858, leaving two sons, George and Lorenzo; William, July, 1839; Charles, April, 18941; and Isaac, May 7, 1843. William enlisted in the Twenty-seventh I.V.I., and Charles enlisted in the 101st I.V.I., each serving three years. Mr. and Mrs. Lazenby are still living at the old homestead, spending their declining years in ease and retirement, and recall with vivid recollection the many incidents of their emigrant life.
LEAK, Thomas, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 21, P.O. Waverly; youngest child of George and Jane Leak. George Leak was born in Yorkshire, England, and there married Miss Jane Hiles; six children were born of this marriage: William, John, George, Thomas, Alice, and Fanny. During the Spring of 1851, the family stepped on board a sailing vessel bound for America, landing in New York City; there they remained during the summer, and during the autumn of that year moved to Illinois and settled on the Mauvaisterre. For some two years George Leak worked for Judge Wood, and then rented the land now owned by Daniel Sevier, where he died; his wife survived him many years, being laid at rest in 1876. Thomas, whose name stands at the top of this sketch, was born in Yorkshire, England, Sept. 11, 1835; when the family arrived in Morgan Co. he had attained his sixteenth year; he married, at twenty_one, Miss Mary Jane Jones, a daughter of James and Harriet Jones; by this marriage six children, three of whom are living: George D., James, and Josephine; Martha, Harriet, John deceased. Since his arrival in Morgan Co., Mr. Leak has followed farming, owning seventy acres.
LEONHARD, John M., farmer, Sec. 12, P.O. Meredosia. Born in Germany, Aug. 4, 1840; came to this country in 1844, and to this county 1867; owns 120 acres of land, valued at $6,000; married in 1865, to Julia Riman, who was born in this county, 1847; have five children: Frank H., Lizzie M., Charles H., Morris W., Louise A.
LESTER, Fountain, telegraph operator, station and express agent, Alexander; was born in Ky., Dec. 1, 1845, came to this county in 1870, and in April 1872 went back to Ky., where he remained until the next Aug. when he returned to Alexander, and in the Winter of 1875 went to the R.R. station as assistant and to learn telegraphing, and was appointed agent and operator on the resignation of E.S. Hinrichsen, May 1, 1876, and has filled that position since; married Louisa J. Jasper, Sept. 25, 1870; she was born in Ky.; have three children living: Susie, Bertie, and William; lost one.
LEVINGS, Charles W., teacher, Sec. 9, Township 15, Range 9, P.O. Jacksonville, was born in New Hampshire in 1832, his father being a Methodist preacher, he received his education in different towns of New Hampshire and Vermont, and graduated at the Orange County Grammar School, and entered Dartmouth College in 1853, where he remained two years, when he commenced teaching, which he has followed since in the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, and came to this county in September, 1855, and for the past eight years has taught the Mauvaisterre school, seven miles east of Jacksonville; married Maggie B. Headington, daughter of Rev. Joel Headington, well known in this county as a Christian preacher and teacher, and died in 1857. Was married in 1859; she was born in 1837. Have six children living: Florence M., Lelie L., Nellie W., Lottie M., William H., Dollie G., and Laura, who died in 1864.
LITER, Joseph, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 2, P.O. Liter, born in Bourbon Co., Ky., in 1815, and settled in Morgan Co., in 1839; he was married to his cousin, Catherine Liter. She was born in Fayette Co., Ky., in 1830. Two children, Mary E. and John W.; owns farm of 245 acres.
LOLLIS, D. H., judge of the county court. Residence Meredosia.
LOMELINO, Joseph Ferrira, farmer, Sec. 9, P.O. Jacksonville; Jos. F. Lomelino was born on the Island of Maderia, 1813, and fled to the West Indies to escape religious persecution, where he remained several years, but finally came to the United States settling in Morgan Co., in 1851; during his residence at Trinidad, West Indies, he was married to Jozifa Nunis; by this union five children were born, three of whom only are living, viz: Emanuel F. April 1, 1849; Joseph F. May 9, 1852; and Mary F. June, 1859, now Mrs. Daniel Meline, Morgan Co.; Mr. Lomelino followed the occupation of farming, and by industry accumulated a comfortable competence; he died Feb. 13, 1878; his son Joseph whose name heads this sketch, was born at the homestead, where he still resides and devotes his industries to agricultural pursuits.
LONG, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 23, P.O. Jacksonville; was born March 3, 1812, in Granger County, East Tennessee, seven miles from Rutledge; married nov. 11, 1833 to Melvina Bridgeman; had nine children: Martha, now Mrs. John Mallicoat; John Wesley, Hezekiah, Mary, now Mrs. F. Gish; William, Henry, Eliza, now Mrs. George Leonard; Frederick, and Aldoney, who is dead; his wife died in 1854; married again in 1857 to Mary Stabler; had two children by her, Thomas Jefferson, and Nancy; his second wife died in Oct. 1867; married again Aug. 1, 1869, to Mrs. James Gish, her maiden name was Comfort Gish, born Sept. 4, 1819, in Kentucky; he was raised in Tennessee, farming most of the time; he carried the government mail from Knoxville to Bruntsville, Va., nine years and two months, and lost but two trips; he came to this county in 1856; he enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, in the 101st Reg. Co. B, and was honorably discharged April 10, 1863; he was taken prisoner at Holly springs while standing guard at the government stables; while a prisoner, he was at times three or four days without anything to eat, and slept out on the wet ground; he was taken with quick consumption and rheumatism, from which he is now suffering; he draws a pension in consequence.
LUCKEMAN, Henry, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 7, P.O. Alexander; was born in Prussia, Germany, November, 1822; in the mother country he acquired a liberal education; for three years he served as a soldier in the standing army; in his native place he married Theresa Kanust, daughter of John T. Kanust; in 1850, accompanied by his family, he emigrated to America; after a three months’ voyage the vessel touched at New Orleans; from there Mr. L. made his way to St. Louis; during the Summer of 1851, he became employed on a wood boat on the Mississippi River, and worked for some years; from this point he came to Jacksonville; first worked by the month for J. T. Holmes; in 1859, he purchased 80 acres in prairie and 10 acres in timber; in 1860, he moved into the log cabin still standing opposite his frame residence; many years were passed in this log structure, where the fare was at times plain, but the wants of the early settler were few, and easily satisfied; the years spent here were years of self-denial and economy; when Mr. Luckeman landed in St. Louis he had but $5.00; on arrival in Jacksonville he was penniless, but he had a wife and two children depending upon him, and he set about in the battle of life with a strong determination to win; Mr. L. now owns 400 acres; the farm is well improved, and every thing systematically and orderly arranged; and a better stock farm for its size would be difficult to find; there are five children: Fanny, Maggie, Frank, John, and Theodore.
LUKEN, Henry, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 9, P.O. Alexander. Among our German speaking population none are more highly respected than Henry Luken, whose life has been characterized by upright dealings. He was born in Hanover, Germany, about 1818. In 1839 he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Borgstede; in 1855 he emigrated to America on board the sailing vessel Bessell, bound for New Orleans; arriving in New Orleans from there he proceeded to St. Louis, thence to Naples and from there made his way to Sangamon County, first working by the month, then rented property five years of W.D. Huffaker, and then purchased land and now owns 330 acres. The union of Mr. and Mrs. L., was blessed with eight children, five living: Casper, Carrie, William, Henry C., and Sarah.
LUMSDEN, William G., retired farmer, Sec. 17, P.O. Murrayville. The genealogy of the Lumsden family is of the purest Anglo_Saxon, the ancestry coming from the mother country at a period coeval with the settlement of the State of Virginia. The parents of Mr. Lumsden were born in Virginia, and in 1818 moved to the then frontier State of Kentucky, and his business was that of a brick mason. After settling at their new home he gave up the trowel to engage in farming. The demise of Mr. Lumsden is somewhat obscure, but thought to be in 1824; the mother survived her husband, and died in 1856. The subject of this biography not relishing the odium of being “a hewer of wood and a drawer of water,” in the State of human slavery, conceived the idea of going to the land of the setting sun, and, in company with Elijah Hollens, packed their household goods in a covered wagon, making the trip overland, enjoying in their journey the sport of killing all kinds of game; on his arrival he found that he was able to count and foot up his whole capital to $20; owned two working nags and a sucking colt; rented a piece of land for two years, then bought a small tract in Sec. 7; improved it; sold it, and rented for four years; about the year 1840 purchased three parcels of land of Van Eaton, Viz: 40, 80 and 20 acres, the deeds were executed in 1842, all laying in Sec. 17, where he now resides. At the time of settling on their present home the residence had none of the civilized pretensions of today; the house was double log with a clapboard roof. He was married Sept. 1, 1831, to Miss Lucy Keeling, daughter of Edmund and Nancy Keeling, natives of Virginia, then residing in Kentucky. They have been blessed with nine children, all living: Susan E., born June 18, 1832; James W., Feb. 20, 1835; Martha A., July 19, 1836; Francis Marion, Dec. 10, 1837; John T., April 16, 1839; Mary J., Nov. 21, 1840; Edmund W., June 14, 1842; Nancy Frances, Sept. 28, 1843; Lucy Angeline, Oct. 26, 1846. Susan married John Bracewell, and lives in Iowa; James married Mary S. Bradley, and lives in Morgan, and owns real estate in Macoupin Co.; Martha married Thomas Widdup, and lives in Iowa; Marion married Rebecca A. Wyatt, and lives on the old homestead; John married Elizabeth Ayre, and lives in Champaign Co.; Edmund married Parthenia Ayre, and lives at Monticello, and does a good business in the butcher trade; Nancy F. married Howarth Ayre, and resides in England; L. Angeline married Nicholas T. Watson, whose death occurred recently near Oswego, Kas., and his devoted widow lives with her parents. Mr. Lumsden was born Sept. 23, 1806, and Mrs. Lumsden Oct. 11, 1803. Mr. L. has lived through the conflicts of a pioneer life; is well respected by all. John enlisted in Co. G, first Mo. Cav., in 1861, and followed the fortunes of that veteran command, participating in the death struggle at Pea Ridge, Ark., and in many other engagements; was discharged at Helena, Ark., in 1864.
LURTON, J. H., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 22, P.O. Jacksonville; born in Scott Co., Kentucky, March 21, 1813, and removed to this State, settling in this county, in 1832; he may thus be rated as an early settler, and one prominently identified with this country’s development; married Jan. 24, 1844, to Mary E. daughter of the Rev. W.D. and Mahala Stribling, of Bourbon Co., Kentucky, born Dec. 8, 1822; this union has been blessed by nine children, viz.: Wm. S. Nov. 15, 1844; Johanna, Sept. 28, 1847, wife of Dr. Sarchette of Charlestown, Ill.; James F. Oct 7, 1849, died Sept. 21, 1852; Henry, Feb. 10, 1852; Mary E. April 21, 1855, now Mrs. James Smith of Cass Co.; Robert, July 8, 1858; Ben. B. Jan. 7, 1860; Lawrina H. Jan. 14, 1864, and Mary May, Sept. 28, 1867; Mr. Lurton has served the people of this county in various positions of trust for nearly thirty years, always proving himself an efficient and trusty public servant; homestead consists of 450 acres, delightfully located one mile east of town.
LUTHER, Charles, corn sheller, hedge trimmer, and sheep shearer, P.O. Alexander, Town 15_8. Was born in Ashford, England, Dec. 15, 1849; came to America and to Alexander, May 1, 1866. Returned to England in 1874 on a visit, and is now engaged in shelling corn, trimming hedge and shearing sheep for the farmers in the vicinity of Alexander and Orleans.
LUTTRELL, John W., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 28, P.O. Franklin. The gentleman who heads this sketch was the third child of Hiram and Sarah L., who were natives of Kentucky; were among the first settlers of Morgan County, where the subject of this notice was born, Feb. 22, 1837; on the farm his parents had settled he passed away the days of his youth. His preliminary education was received in the district school and afterward completed when the free school system came into vogue. When the War of the Rebellion came on, and the Flag of our Union was in danger, he responded to the call for volunteers and enlisted in Co. I. 14th Ill. Vols., in 1861, at Jacksonville, and was there mustered into the service and shortly after went to the front and became engaged in the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, siege of Vicksburg, Big Hatchie, and many other smaller engagements. Mr. L became a non_commissioned officer in the capacity of 2d Sergeant. On the 23d of June, 1864, he was honorably discharged, and mustered out of the service at Springfield, Ill., and returned to the scenes of his early life, where he has since followed the occupation of farmer. During the Autumn of 1865 he united his fortunes to Miss Nancy Burnett, daughter of Richard and Polly Burnett. Four children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. L. Three are now living: Sherman, Minnie E., and Grant. At this writing Mr. L. resides on his farm, composed of 150 acres well_improved land.
LUTTRELL, Smiley H., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 21, P.O. Waverly; fifth child of Hiram and Sarah Luttrell, natives of Kentucky; who moved to Illinois at its earliest settling, locating at what is now known as Apple Creek. At the time of which we are writing, Hiram Luttrell was but a boy; horse mills were then scarce and far between, and it frequently fell to the lot of the boy, young as he was, to carry the grist to the mill. As he grew to man’s estate he became known for his force of Character and kindness of heart. He became quite a successful farmer; he married Miss Sarah Marston. At the time of his decease, which occurred April 22, 1876, his remains were laid to rest in the Waverly cemetery, and his widow is now residing in comfortable circumstances at Waverly, a true type of the pioneer woman, who had shared with her husband the hardships of their early settling, weaving and spinning the garments for the children. Smiley, roughing it in common with other boys of that period, developed great strength of character. At twenty years of age he married Miss Mary Wyatt, daughter of Martin Wyatt, an old resident of Morgan County. But habits of economy and industry led to his future success; now owns 160 acres of well_improved land; six children, four living: Charles H., Geo. M., Emma M., and Luna L.
LYNCH, Michael, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 11, P.O. Franklin; Michael was the youngest of a family of six children; his parents,Patrick and Mary, were natives of County Galway, Ireland, where the subject of this sketch and born, about the year 1822; when old enough he came in for his share of the duties appertaining to the farm; in the year 1854, while still a young man, he left Erin’s green isle for America; arriving in New York city, he made his way to Massachusetts, but remained but six months; thence to Illinois settling in Morgan County, where, for the first few years, he worked by the month; in 1861, he married Mrs. Mary Stapleton, relict of John Stapleton; by first marriage of Mrs. L. two children: Margaret and Bridget; Mr. Lynch is the owner of 150 acres of well improved land; commencing life with no capital, he has made a successful farmer.
LYNN, Joseph, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 8, P.O. Jacksonville, son of James and Lucinda, who were among the early settlers in Morgan Co. James Lynn, the father, built the first railroad in Morgan Co., then known as the Wabash, and now comprised in the Toledo, Wabash and Western; he was raised on a farm, but when old enough became a contractor on railroads, and followed the business for a period of fourteen years; at the expiration of this time he became a farmer; he is at the present writing living near Woodson, in Schuyler Co., Ill. Young Lynn was born September, 1840; his education was acquired in district schools; in 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Sorrells, daughter of Hiram and Mahala, who settled in Morgan County at an early date. In 1869, he moved to Morgan County; since he became a resident, he has held several offices of trust; children, in order of birth, are: Eliza Jane, born Sept. 22, 1862; Laura Viola, Oct. 10, 1864; Francis Harvey, Sept. 22, 1866; Georgiana, Nov. 28, 1868; Ida Mahala, Jan. 28, 1870; James Herschel, Dec. 24, 1873.