Pgs 412-686 - Illinois Ancestors

OP ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
Xan.; James H., in Essex; Mary A. (Mrs. J. H. Moran), widow at
home; Franklin J., in Essex ; Harriet E. (Mrs. A. J. Smith), Essex;
Forney L., Essex ; Herlnie Augusts, Essex ; ancl Archie L , Essex.
Mrs. Graves has rearecl a family of useful citizens, and is considered
one of the county's foremost women.
James G'rcbveC~, one of the oldest settlers of the county, mas born at
Chathain, N. C., January 6, 1818, his parents, John ancl Elizabeth
(Freeman) Graves, being natives of North Carolina ancl Virginia respectively,
and their ancestors natives of Ireland. John was born in
1'789, was married in 1813, moved to Ohio in 1821, died there in 1844.
His wiclo~\r came with her son James to this county soon after, where
Mrs. Graves died in 1875, in her eighty-first year. Of her twelve children,
nine *rew to manhood and womanhood, six are living and fire
reside in t 7 lis county. Jaines Graves mas married in 1!42 to fiIiss
Maria, daughter of John and Mary (Waters) Fi.ancis, who was born in
Ross countv, O., in 1820, her par&ts being of Gennan ancl Irish origin.
She ieillt~inetl at her father's home, but being a good spinner was
alrvays a 117elcome guest and helper at the wheel througliout the neighborhood.
While 11~1th Mrs. Graves, Sr., the friendship which led to her
marriage waIs formed. In settling in Essex, Mr. Graves and his brother
purchased fifty acres on credit. This s111all beginning has grown into
an excellent fan11 of three hundred acres, fully improvecl anti equip ed.
Of- his cllildren, Mary, inarriecl S. Cox, is deceasecl; B. F. Graves; %atilcla
is now Mrs. G. &%. Thomas, of Chicago; Frances, now Mrs. M. R.
Cox ; ik1alintla A., now Mrs. H. L. Crone ; Amanda, Austin and John,
deceased. This family has been closely identified wit11 the county for
over fort years, and has always been on the side of progress.
J ~ ~ ~ Graucs, X N son of John II. and Amy (Willrinson) Grares,
was born in Vinton county, O., in 1833. Until twenty-three years of
age he assisted on his father's farm ancl attenclecl school. At this age
he mas appointed teacher in charge of the district school, and for three
winters mas engaged in teaching. In 1856 he accompanied his father
to Stark county, located, and purchased the one hundred and sixty
acres on mllich he now resides, and in the course of a few weeks returned
to Ol~io. In 1861 he revisited this township, but did not come
to reside here until 1863. In 1865 he began to imbrove this farin, ancl
has since made his lloine here, transforlrlincr the mill land into one of
the most fertile tracts in the county. On beceinber 12, 1867, he married
Miss Mary J., daughter of Theodore ancl Elizabeth Whitten, a
native of Licking county, 0. This lacly came to Stark county with
her parents in 1855, and was one of the earlv teachers in our schools.
A few months after this marriage they itssGmed the work of housekeeping
on their farin in the same house ~vllich has been recently rebuilt.
Their children are : Carrie E., John W., Amy E., Theodore,
Alva L. (deceasetl), l\ilarion R. and Alice M. The mother, when a
young woman, united with the 31. E. ch~~rch of West Jersey, while
Mr. Graves united with the Christian church in Ohio. EIe is decidedly
Republican, mas a member of the Union Lea ue in the time of tlie
Rebellion, ancl always foremost in supporting TV % at seems just as well
as what promises the greatest good to the greatest number.