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

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MRS. ALAN EMMERSON
(Nancy Mounts)
Nancy Mounts Emmerson was born in Lincoln
county, Kentucky, July 18, 1792, <strong>the</strong> daughter <strong>of</strong> Matthias
and Molly Montgomery Mounts. The Kentucky
branch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family are descended from Hugh Montgomery,
who had seven sons, all taking part in <strong>the</strong> Revolutionary
War. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se sons, Thomas, was <strong>the</strong> ancestor
<strong>of</strong> Nancy Mount s.
Nancy was married in Kentucky, in 1810, to Alan
Emmerson, and <strong>the</strong>y became <strong>the</strong> grandparents <strong>of</strong> Louis
L. Emmerson, <strong>the</strong> present Governor <strong>of</strong> Illinois.
When Nancy was about twenty-three years old, <strong>the</strong>
family moved to Indiana. While here <strong>the</strong>y met a band
<strong>of</strong> immigrants from England, who had come to this country
to escape oppressive taxation. Mr. and Mrs. Emmerson
cast <strong>the</strong>ir lot with <strong>the</strong>se Englishmen, and in <strong>the</strong>
spring <strong>of</strong> 1818, came to Illinois and settled on land three
miles west <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> present town <strong>of</strong> Albion, Edwards
county, purchasing <strong>the</strong> land from <strong>the</strong> Government.
Mrs. Emmerson was a kind, hospitable, christian
woman. Though <strong>the</strong> mo<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> a large family, she took
o<strong>the</strong>r children into her home. She possessed <strong>the</strong> courage
needed by pioneer women.
She took entire care <strong>of</strong> her
little ones while her husband fought in <strong>the</strong> War <strong>of</strong> 1812
and <strong>the</strong> Black Hawk War.
Mrs. Emmerson passed away December 6, 1876,
aged eighty-four, and her husband <strong>the</strong> same year, aged
eighty-five years. They were both laid to rest in a little
cemetery adjoining <strong>the</strong> church—a log church with a
thatched ro<strong>of</strong>—<strong>the</strong> land for which had been donated by
Mr. and Mrs. Emmerson.