Brief biographies of the figurines on display in ... - University Library

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MRS. THOMAS K. CARSON
(Ca<strong>the</strong>rine Kendall)
Ca<strong>the</strong>rine Kendall Carson was born in Shenandoah
county, Virginia, September 11, 1785. She married
Thomas K. Carson, May 11, 1803. They moved to Morganfield,
Kentucky, in July, 1822, and in April, 1824,
traveled to Illinois in a "mover wagon" drawn by oxen.
Mrs. Carson carried <strong>the</strong> door and window frames on her
arm, riding on horseback, from Jersey Prairie, Illinois,
where <strong>the</strong>y were made, to Jacksonville, Illinois. They
were for <strong>the</strong>ir cabin home which had two rooms, <strong>the</strong>
whole being eighteen feet square. In this cabin or tavern,
as it was later called, was tried <strong>the</strong> first case in
Morgan county, Illinois.
Mrs. Carson was a woman <strong>of</strong> strong physical constitution,
penetrating intellect, <strong>of</strong> unusual energy and
determination. It was a matter <strong>of</strong> pride that one <strong>of</strong> her
ancestors was a noted Indian, hence <strong>the</strong> indomitable
spirit and courage for which she was noted. She qualified
herself for <strong>the</strong> important pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>of</strong> an "accoucheuse,"
or in common parlance, that <strong>of</strong> "mid-wife."
She rose to a high position in this pr<strong>of</strong>ession. Her records
show that she was present at <strong>the</strong> birth <strong>of</strong> 3,500
children. She was <strong>of</strong>ten called to St. Louis to visit her
patients, as well as to Springfield and <strong>the</strong> neighboring
towns.
She was <strong>the</strong> mo<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> nine children, <strong>the</strong> first child,
Alexander W<strong>of</strong>fendall, being <strong>the</strong> first male child born
in Jacksonville.
Mrs. Carson died November 22, 1869, and so respected
was she by all, that upon motion <strong>of</strong> Judge William
Thomas, Court adjourned to attend her funeral.