Illinois

Illinois Heritage

The Migration from Canada to US via "Illinois" began resumption of US history. Several if not all of Joseph and Hannah's children came to the US between 1836 and 1855. It is not known how many siblings if any of Joseph and Hannah's children may have stayed in Canada. It is possible that their son George may have stayed in Canada. Very little is known about George or his family if indeed he had one. When son Jonathan and his family migrated to Illinois in 1855. Jonathans son Martin stayed in Canada. It is not exactly clear yet who and where they settled. Most of the families that settled in Illinois migrated to neighboring states by 1866 after the end of the civil war. Some of the family moved to Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, and Missouri. Some stayed in Illinois.

Under Construction new info being added daily as time allows.

1836 Pheobe (1806) (Daughter of Joseph and Hannah) and her husband came to Illinois.

Pheobe (1806) Pheobe married Horace Stevens 1825 in Leeds County, Upper Canada. Records show him with no children living next door to his mother Eunice and 11 members of her family. However, there were 5 children born to Pheobe and Horace. By 1835 he has left the area and settled in Illinois along Lake Michigan half way between Michigan City and Chicago. They Built a dam and sawmill at this location. Unfortunately it was erected on unsold Indian property which had been retained by the Indians, and he lost his investment. He moved with others of the family to Perry, 8 miles from Naples ILL. Horace died in 1838. The children are said to have lived with the families of Dr Uriah Stevens, an older brother of Horace. Horace Stevens was the youngest son of Abel Stevens Sr.

Oliver (1799) Note: Reuben's brother Oliver owned land in New Bedford Township, Upper Canada from at least 1834 to 1836. It is recorded that he sold that land in 1836. However, his daughter Sara was born there in 1838 or 39. Could it be that he moved with brother Reuben to US via Illinois or perhaps to Bastard Township where Reuben lived or maybe in Westport or Newboro where they and others had lived previously. Oliver did wind up in Iowa and later Missouri. It is not known if Oliver's migration to Iowa was via Illinois.

1843 to 1846 Reuben (Son of Joseph and Hannah) and his family arrived in Illinois.

Reuben (1798) was married to his first wife

1855 Jonathan (Son of Joseph and Hannah) and his family arrived in Illinois.

Jonathan (1803) and wife Nancy and part of their family made their way to Dekalb Co., IL in 1855 where they settled. Records and Family-lore indicate they were probably farm laborers or sharecroppers. It is known that son Martin stayed in Canada. It appears that Jonathan's family lived in or around Mayfield. Some reference has also been made to Paradise. The following information is known about the family.

Ellenor 1825 Ellenor, age 30, came with Jonathan to Illinois with her husband Andrew Stephenson (d. 1904, Mayfield, MI.) and 5 of their children born in Canada. Two other children (Edward and Eliza) were born in Illinois. Census shows Andrew as a farm laborer. Ellenor died 28 Apr 1864, Mayfield, Dekalb, Co., IL. The oldest sons was 10-20 years of age. The youngest son Edward was 5. The baby, Eliza was 2 years old. It is not clear what happened to the boys but later Michigan census show Eliza in Jonathans household.

George 1827 George, age 28, came with Jonathan with his wife Betsey and two children born in Canada. Five more children were born in Illinois. George died 11 Jul 1895, Dekalb, IL. This indicates that George nor his family migrated to Michigan with Jonathan. In addition, son Archibald is shown as a farm laborer in Il. in 1870.

Melissa 1831 Melissa came with husband Justin Fowler at age 24 and one son (George), born in Canada West in 1853. Three children were born in Illinois. Another son Joseph Fowler was born in Grand Traverse Co., Michigan in 1872. This means that Melissa and Justin made the migration to Michigan with Jonathan. A land patent was issued to Melissa in Grand Traverse Co., MI.

Alonzo 1833 Alonzo came to Illinois with Jonathan at age 22. He never married and had no children. He volunteered for The Union at the beginning of the Civil War. Alonzo fought in the American civil war. Enlisted as private in 13th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company F, enlisted 1 Jan 1864, Transferred on 1 Jan 1864 to the Illinois 56th Infantry Regiment, Company I , as a Private in the Union Army. His Home was referenced as Sycamore, IL. He was wounded and died in a confederate prison at Cahawba, Alabama on 23 Sep 1864. His Home was referenced as Sycamore, IL.

Elizabeth 1835 Elizabeth came to Illinois with Jonathan at age 20. She was single and later, 17 Feb 1856 married James Mc Michael in Dekalb, IL. They had 9 children, 5 were born in Illinois. They moved to Perry, Dallas Co., IL about 1865, prior to birth of Mary (1866) and subsequent children were born there. Elizabeth died 08 Jun 1908 in Perry, Dallas Co., IA. She is buried beside husband James at Violet Hill Cemetery, Perry, Dallas Co., IA.

Joseph 1837 Joseph came to Illinois with Jonathan at age 18. He enlisted in Union Army 14 Aug 1862, Co. K 105th Illinois Infantry. He fought entire length of Civil War. He was discharged in Washington, D.C.17 Jun 1865. In later years he was given a pension for a war-time disability. He married Mary Jane Duffy, age 21, 18 Feb 1866 after returning from The Civil War. He accompanied Jonathan in their migration to Mayfield, Michigan where they had 4 sons. He and his family later migrated to Texas.

Mary Ann 1839 Mary Ann came to Illinois with Jonathan at age 16. She married Daniel Walter Colton, 21 Mar 1858 in Dekalb, IL. It is not clear when or where they moved to Iowa but their two children were born there in 1874 and 1876 in Boone Co., IA., She died in Perry, Dallas Co., IA. and buried at Violet Hill Cemetery.

Nancy Ann 1843 Nancy came to Illinois with Jonathan at age 12. She married Philo Blackman, in Dekalb, IL, 26 Feb 1863. Their first child was born in Illinois. They accompanied Jonathan in their migration to Michigan. Six more children were born in Michigan. Nancy died in Cadillac, MI.

Jonathan 1844 Jonathan Jr. came to Illinois with Jonathan at age 11. Jonathan Jr. enlisted in the Union Army at Dekalb, Illinois, on November 8, 1863. He was 19 years old, and his occupation was listed as a farmer. He was mustered into Company C Co., 17th Illinois Calvary, as Sixth Corporal at Saint Charles, Illinois, on September 22, 1864. Discharged Nov 23 1865, Ft Leavenworth KS. He was granted a disability pension in later years. After returning from the war he married Rebecca Ann Russell, 28 Mar 1872 in Genoa, Kingston Twp., DeKalb Co. IL. A. and is buried there.

Oliver 1848 Oliver came to Illinois with Jonathan at age 6. He accompanied Jonathan in their migration to Michigan. Oliver married Alice Pease, 21 Aug 1870, in Grand Traverse Co. Michigan. They had three children. Only one, William survived to adulthood. Oliver died 1927 Grand Traverse Co., MI.

Elgin 1850 Elgin came to Illinois with Jonathan at age 4. He accompanied Jonathan in their migration to Michigan. He married Emma Van Hyning, 9 Nov 1880, in Traverse City, Grand Traverse Co, MI, They had one daughter Maud in 1884. Elgin died 8 Sep 1929, Grand Traverse Co., MI., Age 79.