This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Life and childhood memories from early Illinois settlers
A long reminiscence recounts pioneer life in Illinois from 1820 to 1825. The narrator describes prairie farming methods, bee hunting, animal life, hunts, and first neighbors near Clay County, the Weatherspoon and Dean families, and early moves toward Missouri and St Louis. He recalls hounds, deer, wolves, mills, and crossing the Mississippi toward Rock Island, with details of ferries, trade, and shifting settlements.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Peter Acta
Lotte
Kimi
Birt
Wwe
Bass Ward
Father
John Bishop
Tveking
Ada
Elas
Dian Pasang
Woathiee
Wallace Wath
Hanting
Thas
Eman
Harrison Docs
Shase
Carnon
Dean
Hack Hla
Clay County
Campbell
Selph
Weatherspoon
Muddy Fork
Tontedhia
Wien
Simeon Betton
Naidebbe
Lee
Missoury
St Loum
St Lowing
St Louis
Tee
Sete Stream
Alton Ness
South Henderson River
Morramee
Milla Wilsons
Knoxville Road
Rock Island County
Jo Daviess County
Mall Creek
Koonville Road
Rock River
Milan
Big
Joshua Woodruff
Canal
Vandruil
Joshua Vandruff
John W. Spencer
Pence
Wm. Sears
Henry Cash