![]() ![]() ![]() Henderson County, Illinois
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JOSEPH ESSEX, one of the early settlers of Henderson County, (Illinois) who since 1858 has carried on general farming on section 12, township 10, range 5 west, is a native of Chillicothe, Ohio. His father, Isaac Essex, was a native of Maryland. He was born below Baltimore, on the bank of Chesapeake Bay, and in that locality spent his early childhood. At the age of seventeen he left his native State and removed to Virginia. Later he started westward, and took up his residence in Ross County, Ohio, whence he went to Indianapolis, Ind., about 1830. Four years later he came to Illinois, settling in Rock Island. The remainder of his life was passed in this State, where his death occurred n 1850. In the Essex family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, namely: Mrs. Sarah Van Pelt, Mrs. Eleanor Peckham, Mrs. Maria Call, Mrs. Mary Chapin, Francis Campbell, Joseph, James Doolittle and Solomon Bush. The subject of this sketch received but limited educational advantages, his knowledge having been acquired largely through business experience, reading and observation, and not through school-room drill. At the early age of fifteen he started out to make his own way in the world, and has since been dependent upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts. He began work on a canal-boat, and in this way provided for his own maintenance for some time. At length he turned his attention to farming, and as soon as possible became the owner of a farm In 1850, Mr. Essex was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Julia A. Bailey, who came of an old Connecticut family, and who has been to him a faithful companion and helpmate along life's journey. Their union has been blessed with two children, a son and daughter: Charles H. and Mary L., the later being now the wife of George Miller, of Biggsville. In 1858, Mr. Essex purchased a tract of land on section 12, township 10 north, range 5 west, and has since made his home thereon, giving his entire time and attention to the cultivation and improvement of his land. It is now a rich and fertile tract, and every department of the farm is characterized by and air of neatness and thrift. The owner has led a busy and useful life, yet has found time to devote to public interests, especially to those calculated to prove of public benefit. He votes with the Republican party, and has served as School Director for about six terms. During his long residence in Henderson County he has become widely known, and is held in high regard by all, for he possesses many excellent characteristics.
Note: This is the end of the Biography & I want to state that there are errors here!! Isaac Essex died 1873 in Mercer Co, IL per his obituary. Joseph D. died in 1914 so the date in this Bio. isn't for either. There was a child on the 1850 Mortality Schedule Rock Island named Joseph Essex, "female", age 2ys!! I haven't been able to clarify that child; although I have strong data that my line of Essex had connections to the Essex who were pioneers of Stark Co, IL!!
Source:PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties Illinois, Chicago 1894
Submitted by: Peggy Carey
Note: My research hasn't proved the Essex were German nor the Smith English! The Essex of Stark Co, IL I am trying to connect with claim to be English. To date I haven't been able to find my Smith line in Henderson Co!!
Source: PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties Illinois, Chicago 1894
Submitted by: Peggy Carey
Daniel H. and Ellen (Wimmer) Snodgrass located at Little York after their marriage. After profitably operating leased farms for about a quarter of a century, Daniel bought land in Oquawka Township, but nine years later removed to Burlington, Iowa, where he was for five years a dealer in wood and coal. Since he closed out that enterprise, his wife having died in 1873, he has been a member of the family of his son James.
James Snodgrass remained with his father until 1888. On February 4, 1890, he married Miss Mattie May Anderson, born at Oquawka, a daughter of Martin and Gertrude (Nelson) Anderson. For twenty-one years after his marriage he lived on a rented farm which he had operated several years before that event. Then he bought 500 acres of land in Oquawka and Rozetta Townships, 350 acres of which he has under cultivation, devoting the balance to pasture. Giving first attention to general farming, he is at the same time successful with cattle and swine.
Politically, Mr. Snodgrass adheres to the principles of the Republican
party. While not in the acepted sense of the term an active politican, he is
zealous for the public welfare and locally exercises no small influence for
its promotion. His neighborliness and his public spirit have made him useful
and respected. To Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass have been born children whom they
have named James Robert, Helen Adaline, Marjorie, Mamie and Edith Genevieve.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Henderson County, Vol. II. Illustrated.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois edited by Newton Bateman, LL. D. and Paul Selby, A. M.
History of Henderson County edited by James W. Gordon.
Chicago, Munsell Publishing Company, publishers, 1911
Contributed by Sheila Warner, one of our look-up angels!
In the 1850 Census it lists Amos as living with his father and mother at Township 8 N 5 W, Henderson County, Illinois and value of real estate is $3,500.
In the 1860 Census it lists Amos as living with his father and two brothers and a sister at Township 8 N 5 W, Henderson County, Illinois and the post office listed is Terre Haute. Value of fathers farm is $15,000 real estate and personal estate $2000.
The 1870 census Amos is a farm laborer living with his father and stepmother plus 2 brothers and two sisters at Township 8 Range 5, Henderson County, Illinois and the post office listed is Terre Haute. The real estate value of the farm has jumped to $55,000 and personal estate to $5,000. The 1880 census lists Amos and Mary in Terre Haute, Henderson County, Illinois and his occupation as farmer.
The 1900 census lists he and his family living with Clinton Campbell family in Chelan and the occupation listed is farmer. Can’t read the 1910 census occupation. The 1920 census lists Amos and Mary A. along with son Palmer D. on Second Street in Chelan next to Chester G. Ridout family. Amos occupation listed as agent in real estate. The Edmunds Home was on West Okanogan Street and was built in 1901. The house was moved across the street and now faces Third St. Upon retirement he moved back to Terre Haute and died at Galesburg Hospital in Galesburg, Illinois on 23 Sep 1923.
Compiled & contributed by Russell Miller of Chehan, Washington in his Chehan research.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage on January 12, 1905,
with BLANCHE JOHNS, who was born in Ackley, Iowa, and after undergoing a
preliminary scholastic training in the public and high schools in the
vicinity of her home, pursued a course of study in Ellsworth College,
Iowa Falls, Iowa. Politically, Mr. Berry casts his vote and exerts his
influence in favor of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is
affiliated with the K. of P.
Source: Historical encyclopedia of Illinois;
Chicago: Munsell Pub. Co., 1907, Page 825