Family History by Robert Monroe Fleming (Sr.)

Notes on Fanily History by Iva Causey Fleming
(Part 28)

Transcribed by Robert M. Fleming Jr.


Lincoln, Neb.      Dec 8th, 1893

Judge A P McCormick
Dear Sir: Your letter of Oct 6th was duly received and had been read with much interest by many of the children and grandchildren, of your two Aunts, Juliet and Lillah. Few of whom had any definite or satisfactory information concerning Uncle Hanson's family. In 1856 I met a college classmate of yours from whom I learned of you. And that you and your sister Elizabeth were the only living children of his family. I have often met people since who knew you. And I remember that about two years since I received your kind regards through Miss Kate Owsley of Lincoln. Who met you at Danville, Ky. I have often thought I would write to you and hoped to meet you sometime. You state that you have never seen either your Aunts Juliet and Zillah, and I presume you could have included Aunt Eliza Causey in that statement. Who is the elder and and who came to Illinois with her husband and settled in Woodford County in 1835, I think. You are unfortunate in not having known these three Aunts. They each possessed strong individuality. They lived very beautiful and useful lives. Each was the mother of a large family of children. Their husbands were farmers and each had property sufficient to enable them to live comfortably.

Aunt Eliza was of a literary turn of mind and spent much time reading good books. I taught school near her home in 1854 and 1855, and was with her as much of the time as I could spare. I loved and admired her very much.

You request me to give you details of my mother's and Aunt Zillah's families. I regreat that I am unable to give you a correct genealogy of Aunt Eliza Causey's family also.

They had ten children. Six sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to manhood and womanhood. The two eldest daughters, Euphemia, who married a Mr Whorrall, an Englishman of good education, a farmer, residing near Metamoram Woodford, Co., Ill. She had eleven children, four girls, seven boys, I believe. She has been dead several years. Emeline married a Mr Gish, a farmer residing near her Father. They had a large family of children; accumulating a good preperty. They moved from that county some years since. And I have not their address.

John Lucian was a merchant of much energy, but unfortunate. He failed several times. lost his wife, his daughter and only child, and all his property, and is now destitute, I heard. Again I heard he was not. That he had a store in 1882.

Henry(Charles), Joesph and Thomas, all large fine looking young men and near each other in age, enlisted in the army. Henry(Charles) and Joseph died of malaria in the swamps of the Yazoo river.

Thomas died at Spokane, Washington, in 1889. He was an active member of the presbyterian church in that city. He left a family.The others, two sons and two daughters, married and moved to Missouri. I do not know their address.

I regret that I do not have the address of a member of the family. I shall continue efforts to get correct details of the family.

My Father, James Hall Boyd, was born June 20th, 1807, in Stewart Co. Tenn., near Dover. See "Boyd's" in General Grant's map of Fort Donelson in his Memoirs, page 258.

My Mother, Juliet Ann McCormick, was born July 23rd, 1808, in Christian Co., Kentucky. My Father was a farmer and resided in Christian Co., Ky., until in Mary, 1839, when he came to Illinois and settled in Christian Co, seven miles Southeast of Taylorville. Here he died August 30th, 1846, leaving his family in comfortable circumstances. They had eight children, four sons and four daughters.

Joseph Caldwell, born August 5th, 1830, died December 30th 1830. Sarah Elizabeth, born April 28th, 1832. John Henry born April 11th, 1834. Died November 28th, 1854. Abner Clemens born March 30th, 1836. Adlai Hanson born April 8th, 1838. Isabella McCormick born November 29th, 1840. Died January 12th, 1841. Ann Eliza born March 11th, 1843. Died August 30th, 1847. Cornel R.H. born November 26th, 1846. Died October 20th, 1848.

My Mother married (second time) Joseph McCreary Bone, November 7th, 184[last digit missing beyond right margin] [next line has two or more lines on top of each other] He was born in East Tenn. April 12th, 1812. Came to Ill. with his Father in 1831, and continued active in the ministry until the death of my Mother in 1876. He possessed ability as a preacher and pastor, and was recognized in his presbytery as a wise couselor. He made but one change of the pastorage after 1845. He died August 9th, 1888, at the residence of his son, Thomas Andrew, born June 19th, 1851. We loved him very much. They had but the one son, one child. My Mother died July 10th, 1876 at the residence of her son, Thomas A Bone, who resided at Pomona, Kansas.

Sarah Elizabeth, second child of Jas. H Boyd, married first, John Allen Bell, Oct. 1st, 1851, in Christian County, Ill. He was a farmer of Macon County, Ill., and in 1864 he moved to Lincoln County, Ill. In 1871 he moved to Pomona, Kansas, Where he died Aug. 3rd, 1873. They had no Children. She married second time, Calvin G Koewn, a Cumberland Presbyterian clergyman. They have a beautiful home at Lincoln. And enjoy the income from two valuable farms near the city. They have no children.

I married Mary Elizabeth Paisley, at Elm Point, Bond County, Ill., Dec. 22nd, 1859, by whom I have two children. Joel Henry, born Feb. 10th, 1861. Ann born Jan. 28th, 1865, was married Sept. 15th, 1886 to Frank Annis Dearborn, cashier of First National Bank of Wayne, Neb. He is second son of the late Hon. Luther Dearborn, a well lnown State Senator and corporation lawyer of Chicago. He is now of the firm of Bresler & Dearborn, in real estate and loan business, at Wayne, Neb. They have three children. Helen Boyd born Jan. 4th, 1888. Luther born Feb. 17th, 1890. Henry born May 4th, 1892. My wide died Nov. 12th, 1884.

In 1852 Father Bone left the farm to reside in Taylorville, Ill. I then went to school and taught school for four years. And in March, 1856, I went into a store as clerk for one year. In Sept. 1857, I engaged in merchandising at Donnellson, Ill., and continued there until 1864, when I came to Lincoln, Ill. and at once engaged in the dry goods business, and have continued in that business since. Two years after death of my wife, my daughter was married and left me. I then took rooms in a private residence which my son and I occupied since. We are living at a hotel.

I have tried to supply the loss of my home and the companionship of my wife and daughter with good books. And have found much entertainment in the vestibule of the temple of history with gibbon, guizot, Carlyle, Hume, Maccaulay, etc, and have other interesting authors.

Adlai Hanson, 5th child of Jas. H and Juliet Boyd, married Nancy Jane Donnell in Bond County, Ill., Jan. 11th, 1859. Where he engaged in farming. In 1874 he moved to Pomona, Kans. And again engaged in farming. In 1885 he moved to Ottawa, Kans., invested in some real estate, and is still living there in poor health. They have had four children: Abner Hall born Nov. 7th, 1859. Anna Bell born Aug. 9th, 1861. Elizabeth Eva born Jan. 17th, 1855. Died Nov. 29th, 1877. Lulu May born May 6th, 1881. Abner Hall Boyd, 1st child of A M Boyd married Ida Clayton in Kansas Dec. 30th, 1865. They have four children. Donnell Clayton born May 18th, 1887. Ethel born Dec. 26th, 1888. Verrie born Aug. 16th, 1890. Kemlin Guyle born Aug 9th, 1892. He practiced medicine for four or five years in Kansas and then went into the ministry of the M E Church in that state. The two daughters of Adlai M Boyd are at home with their Father.

Thomas andrew Bone, my Mother's youngest child married Katharine Asenith Hill Feb. 4th, 1875, by whom he had four children: Hugh McCreary born Jan. 13th, 1876. Gussie Hill born July 16th, 1879. John J born June 14th, 1882. Died April 14th, 1883. Emma Viola born July 7th, 1884. Thomas A Bone was a farmer until 1887 when he moved to Decatur and is now superintending the Hatfield Milling Co's. plant at Decatur, Ill.

Alfred Boyd was born Nov. 7th, 1809 near Dover, Stewart County, Tenn. Zillah A McCormick was born July 7th, 18[strikeover illegible] in Christian County, Ky. They were married in that County Dec. 27th, 1832. And at once settled on a farm in Trigg County, Ky. Where they resided until May 1839. They came to Ill. [possible missing line at bottom of page] lands, where they remained until they died. Zillah Boyd died Sept. 9th, 1877. Alfred Boyd was run down by a fast train on the Wabash Railroad and instantly killed on Nov. 13th, 1880, near his own door yard. Aunt Zillah was a most excellent Christian woman. She had great maternal effection that touched all within the circumference of her sympathy. She and Uncle Alfred were very devoted members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as are now all their children who are living. There were thirteen children born to them. Eight sons and five daughers, eight of whom are now living: Joseph A born Jan. 21st, 1834. John A born Oct. 9th, 1835. Died Oct. 28th, 1835. Rebecca A born Oct 16th, 1836. Died May 6th, 1870. James M born Nov. 5th, 1838. Thomas A born Oct. 3rd, 1840. Died Oct 5th, 1841. Elizabeth E born Sept. 7th, 1842. Alfred Ewing born May 12th, 1844. Robert Andrew born May 15th, 1846. Sarah Eliza born Aug. 26th, 1848. Josiah Leslie born April 25th 1850. Harriet E born Nov. 5th, 1852. Died Dec. 13, 1854. Mary L born Feb. 3rd, 1855. David B born June 1st, 1857. Died April 19th, 1867.

Joseph H Boyd the first child of Alfred and Zillah Boyd married Minerva Ann Donnell, Sept. 15th, 1858. By whom he had nine children. Seven sons, and two daughters of whom eight are living: John A born Oct. 7th, 1859. James A born Aug. 27th, 1861. Adlai Milner born March 23rd, 1863. Ollie L born Sept. 23rd, 1865. Ottis H born Mar. 4th, 1869. Died Oct. 12th, 1870. Ewing D born June (April) 11th, 1873. Calvin O born June 12th, 1874. Flossey Alberta born Feb 24th, 1880. Robt. Rollin born Nov. 3rd, 1885. Minerva A his wife died Nov. 3rd, 1886. He married second time Florence C Davis, Aug. 5th 1891. Has one child by her, Emily E born Aug 19th, 1892. He is a prominent citizen. Was a farmer, an extensive dealer in live stock, grain and lumber. And proprietor of the town of Palmer, Ill., where he resides. He accumulated a large property. But it went down in the panic of 1873. He had been dealing in options. He came out however with two good farms of about 160 acres each. Which he saved from the wreck. His integrity and ambition saved his credit and he is recovering some.

John A oldest son of Joseph M Boyd married Ida Cassel Mar. 3rd, 1885. Had four children: Alfred C born April 6th, 1886. Elsie A born July 3rd, 1887. Died July 28th, 1888. Bunetta born Oct 2nd, 1885. Mary born July 30th, 1891. John A is a promising young man. Is merchandising at Palmer, Ill. Is an elder in the C.P. Church, Supt S.School and a church worker.

James Azel, 2nd son of Joseph H Boyd married Minnie Curry Oct. 1st, 1890. His one child, Vera, born Sept. 20th, 1891. He is a farmer near Palmer, Ill. -- Adlai Milner, 3rd son of Joseph H Boyd married Elizabeth Huefjner Jan. 15th, 1891. Is a successful miller at Appletron City, Mo. and is a fine young man. -- Olive L, 4th, child of Joseph H Boyd was married to J A Shrout Mar. 20th, 1890. They have one child, a son, Earl born Jan. 6th, 1891. He is a farmer. Raises fine stock. Is a merchant in a general store, trader. A regular hustler. At Palmer, Ill. -- Ewing D 5th child of Joseph H Boyd married C E Corn Feb. 22nd, 1893. Is farming in Christian County, Ill. -- The three younger children of J H Boyd are at home with their father. The above sons of Joseph H Boyd are energetic, of good habits and are all members of the C P Church.

Rebecca A 3rd child of Alfred and Zillah Boyd was married to B M Burdick Oct. 13th, 1856. They had five children. Three died in infancy. The two living are: Jennetta A born Oct 13th, 1860. Emma M born July 6th, 1863. Mr Burdick was a native of New Jersey. Came to Ill. in 1850. Engaged in teaching and farming. And was very successful. After the death of his wife, May 6th, 1870, he remained on his farm with his two little girls until he died in 1878. -- Jennetta A oldest daughter of Rebecca A married Allen Dorzine Mar. 12th, 1879. The have four children: Roy A born Dec. 22nd, 1882. Bertha N born Feb. 22 1885. Clarence Glenn born Feb 19th, 1887. Grace A born May 24th, 1890. -- He resides on his wife's farm in Christian Co. Ill. to which he had added other farms and [rest if line is illegible -- it is the last line on the page and the carbon paper was too high and as the line continues less and less of the tops of the letters are visible. The first line on the next page begins a new paragraph.]

Emma M 2nd daughter of Rebecca A Burdick married Warren Corzine Oct. 26th, 1881. They have five children: Maude E born Nov. 22nd 1882. Charles N born Nov 24th, 1884. Josie M born Dec. 8th, 1886. Pearl born Nov. 13th, 1889. Edith born Jan. 12th, 1891. -- Warren Corzine is also a farmer in the same county and is quite as successful as his brother above mentioned. Their address is Stonington, Ill. -- James M Boyd fourth child of Alfred and Zillah Boyd married Martha Leigh April 4th, 1861. They had ten children, eight now living: Charles N born April 18th, 1862. Addie A born Aug. 17th, 1865. Edgar N born Feb. 18th, 1867. Died Feb. 24th, 1869. Joseph E born Mar. 16th, 1869. Lillie A born Jan. 26th, 1871. Edgar S born Dec. 31st, 1875. Alfred L born Dec 31st 1877. Died Mar. 6th, 1879. James born Jan. 20th, 1880. Clara born Feb. 14th, 1882. Lida born May 16th, 1884.

James M Boyd served about four years in Co. G 41st Reg. Ill. Vol; was Second Lieutenant when the war closed. When he came home his once splendid Physique was ruined and his health broken down. He has succeeded in supporting and schooling his large family of children: Charles E, eldest son of James E Boyd, married in N Dakota, Sept. 23rd, 1888. Has three children. He is a carpenter at Turlor, N D. -- Addie N Second child of J M Boyd married Christian Rothinburger Nov. 6th, 1887. He is a machinist. Have not his address. He lives in N Dakota. They have three children. -- Lillie D third child of J M Boyd married Suel Boyd of S Dakota. He is farming. I have not his address. They have two children. -- The rest of the children of James M Boyd are at home with their Father.

Elizabeth Ellen, sixth child of Alfred and Zillah Boyd married Cyrus B Denny Nov. 6th, 1861. They had four children: Eliza Bell born Feb. 7th, 1863. -- Alfred William born Feb 1st, 1865. --Addie E born June 10th, 1867. -- Cyrus B born Aug. 9th, 1869. Died Aug. 20th, 1870. -- Cyrus S Denny was a farmer in good circumstances, prominent and popular in church and community. He died Oct. 13th, 1869, leaving ample means to support his family. Elizabeth E married (a second time) William D Volentine, Mar. 19th, 1873. They had three children. -- Thomas E born Feb. 20th, 1874. -- Mary I born Feb 1st, 1876. -- Zillah E born Nov. 30th, 1877. -- She lives on her farm at Sorento, Ill. with her three Volentine children. -- Eliza Bell eldest child of Elizabeth E Denny is not married. Owns a farm and is teaching at West Plains, Kas. -- Alfred William second child of Elizabeth E Denny married Josephine McPherson Nov. 5th, 1891. He has one child, Eugene Roland born Aug. 14th, 1892. He is a minister in the Cumberlad Presbyterian Church. Will complete a classical course in Lincoln University this year. He is a promising young man. -- Addie E third child of Elizabeth E Denny married Finnie T Thacker, a farmer. Resising at West Plains, Kas. They have one child, Vera I born Aug. 30th 1888. --

Alfred Ewing seventh child of Alfred and Zillah Boyd married Cyrena Volentine Oct 3rd, 1873. They had three children. -- Ollie Helen born Jan. 2nd, 1875. -- Effie Volentine born Dec.3rd, 1876. Died in infancy. -- Benjamin F born Mar. 9th, 1877. -- His wife died Mar. 20th, 1877. He married, second time, Julia A Randall May 10th, 1879, by whom he had six children: Florence E born May 20th 1880. -- Earnest Arthur born Aug. 6th, 1882. -- William Logan born Sept 13th 1884. -- Mary May born April 30th, 1886. -- Sallie Loretta born Mar. 23rd, 1887. -- Alfred Stella born Sept 18th, 1890. -- He is farming and resides on his Father's old homestead, is a member of the County Board of Supervisors, Christian Co. Ill.

Andrew Robert eighth child of Alfred and Zillah Boyd married Sarah Harvey Nov. 14th, 1872. They had five children: Jessie J born Jan 29th, 1874. -- James E born May 6th, 1876. -- Robert A born Oct 22nd, 1878. -- Frank L born Jan. 14th, 1881. -- Emma E born May 16th, 1883. -- Frank L died July 7th, 1881. -- He is a farmer residing at Nelson, Cal. He has but small means but is a large, noble looking, respectable, self relying man.

Sarah Eliza ninth child of Alfred and Zillah Boyd married John T Anderson Jan. 25th, 1870. They had four children. Mary D born July 10th, 1871. -- Walter B born Feb. 23rd, 1873. - George Barton born 23rd, 1875. -- Addie E born Feb. 26th, 1878. -- He is an architect and builder. Resides atTaylorville, Ill. Owns a farm. Is an elder in the C P Church and a very active consistent churchman. Is a democrat, the only one of that family connection. But a very fine man.

Josiah Leslie 10th child of Alfred and Zillad Boyd married Laura Hewitt May 16th, 1875. ( She is a sister of W L Long's wife. Their Father was a wealthy farmer of Christian Co., Ill.) They have seven children: Franklin A born Feb 6th, 1876. -- Zillah A born July 6th, 1877. -- Laura E born Aug. 29th, 1880. -- Olive Edna born Aug. 9th, 1877. -- Emma Lotta born Jan. 23rd, 1886. -- William L born Feb. 25th, 1888. -- Velma G born Jan. 15th, 1892. -- Josiah Leslie is merchandising at Palmer, Ill. And managing his wife's farms.

Mary L 12th child of Alfred and Zillah Boyd married Geo E Anderson Sept. 23rd, 1874. He was a farmer residing in Christian Co., Ill. They had two children, daughter and son: Jessie Myrtle born Dec. 7th, 1875. -- Harry Boyd born Nov. 3rd, 1877. -- Geo E Anderson died Aug 26th, 1879. Mary L is residing at Lincoln and educating her two children in Lincoln University.

Not one member of my Father's family, or of Uncle Alfred Boyd's family or of their descendents, have ever been intemperate. The same can be said also for Aunt Eliza's family. And as far as I know, informed, only one member of her family used tobacco in any form.

Acting on your suggestion I have taken a copy of the above details to file with my papers. With this in mind I have made brief notes through out that may not be of interest to you, and I fear you will think it tedious.

Hoping you will not pass through Lincoln again without stopping to see me.

Very truly your cousin and friend,
A C Boyd.


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