from Charles Bassi 6/10/02:
"There are no mentions of the Hennings in "Record of the Olden Time", but that is not surprising since in order to get in the book you had to promise to buy a copy. According to Grace, the Hennings were famous for their frugality."
NEWS ITEMS (from piperspages.com):
PUTNAM RECORD
March 16, 1893
Elisha Henning of Mt. Palatine, who has been attending school here the past winter, had to quit and go home last Friday. Spring work on the farm prevented him from remaining in school any longer.December 11, 1901
E. G. Henning, son of John Henning of Hennepin, who went to the west a few months ago has returned and will make Kewanee his home for the present. He went to Idaho but the climate did not agree with him, so he thought best to return to old Illinois. He was unable to get a house in Kewanee to live but being a carpenter, he bought a lot and is building a house on it.Hennepin, Wednesday, April 11, 1906
E. G. Henning and family of Granville, spent a few days last week with Mr. and Mrs. John Henning in Hennepin. E.G. was putting a new roof on the Hill residence, besides other repairs and Mrs. Henning and children came along to make a visit.
NEWS ITEMS (from piperspages.com):
"HENRY REPUBLICAN
Local News, March 29, 1900
"Myrtle Cassell, of near Florid, gave her account of how John Dunbar drove her away from her home in Putnam county, took her to Lacon, 18 miles distant, where by threats of killing bother her and himself if she did not marry him, she consented to the marriage. She was only 18, an innocent country girl, unused to the ways of the world, and feared to accost anyone and tell them of her predicament on account of Dunbar's threats. When they reached her home that night she told her folks what had happened. They drove Dunbar away, with her consent, and she has never seen him since. She knew at the time that Dunbar had a wife and children in Kansas. She has now moved into LaSalle county, in Eden township, where she lives with her parents. Her brother accompanied her here today. R. M. Barnes of Lacon is her attorney. The case is peculiar in many ways and goes to prove that Myrtle Cassell, though an innocent country girl, had the grit after all not to allow Dunbar to ruin her life. That he is a scoundrel need not be related here. Miss Cassell told a Free Trader reprensentative today that she had received a letter from which convinces her that Dunbar went from Putnam county to Iowa, where he has married again. - Free Trader " [is this the same as Grace's mother "Mertle Mary Cassell" who would have been 21?]
immigrated from Ireland in 1846.
William and Catherine [NICHOLLS] HENNING were immigrants from Ireland to Pennsylvania circa 1848, following their sons who had immigrated a few years before. It is said that "William served for twelve years in the British Army, being with Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo when Napoleon met his defeat that practically terminated his brilliant career. After leaving the Army, Mr. HENNING rented land [in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, Ireland] belonging to an Irish officer. In fact, he secured a life lease, which, however, he sold on coming to America". From the newspaper article, (sic) 'It's Like This', by John Barron in the Putnam County News: "A survivor of the Battle of Waterloo is buried in the cemetery at Granville. He was William Henning, aide-de-camp to General Crummy under the Duke of Wellington who defeated Napoleon in the 1815 battle that changed the course of history. A native of Dumfries, Scotland, after the battle he was awarded land in Antrim County Northern Ireland near Belfast where he married Kather12 children
Civil War Veteran.
(1) GAR headstone next to the John-Susan headstone in Florid.
(2) IRAD reports: CASSELL, JOHN H SGT I 47 IL US INF CONSNACHWINE
Company I, mustered out Jan. 21, 1866 (http://www.piperspages.com/Marshall/CivilWarRosters.htm, taken from Henry News Republican)from Charles Bassi 6/10/02:
"ran the Vicksburg blockade, served as a scout and spy for nine months visiting the rebel camps as a spy. He served 3 years and reenlisted and remained until the close of the war. He was the 20th Illinois Cavalry." [his source was "Record of the Olden Time" which was originally printed in 1880. I don't think there is any unit referred to as "20th IL Cavalry"]
NEWS ITEMS (from piperspages.com):
PUTNAM RECORD
October 19, 1882
A new nightwatch at J. H. Cassell's at Cottage Hill. It's a girl.Thursday, September 18, 1873
Died in Florid, Putnam county, September 5, Minnie, age 15 months, daughter of J. H. and Susan Cassell.Cottage Hill, August 5, 1902
John Henry Cassell of Granville, who has been visiting his brothers, W.B. and A.K. Cassell, for the past week was very ill last night. He has been a very great sufferer from asthma for nearly two years and there seems to be but little help for him.Hennepin, January 13, 1904
W.H. Lucas, who accompanied Mrs. Cassell to the old soldiers home in Quincy, on account of the serious illness of J.H. Cassell, Mrs. Cassell's husband, who is an inmate of the home, returned home last Friday evening. They found Mr. Cassell much improved when they reached him, and when Mr. Lucas left him, he was feeling first rate and considered out of danger.Florid, November 6, 1907
Rufus Cassell of Missouri is here visiting his brothers, W. B. and A. K. Cassell of Cottage Hill and John Henry of Granville.
HENNEPIN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1908
J. H. Cassell, who has been spending several months with his family in Granville and daughter in Hennepin, returned to the Soldier's Home in Quincy, Illinois last Monday.
HENNEPIN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1909
Mrs. J. H. Cassell met with a very painful accident last Thursday while helping her daughter, Mrs. W. J. Lucas with her work about the house. In moving a piece of furniture, she caught her foot and fell, crushing the flesh of her ankle and receiving other painful bruises. Mr. McCormick was called to dress the wound.
HENNEPIN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1909
John Henry Cassell, who has been at the Old Soldier's Home in Quincy, Illinois, recently returned to Hennepin and he and his wife have returned to housekeeping in the congregational parsonage.
NEWS ITEMS (from piperspages.com):
PUTNAM RECORD
HENNEPIN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1909
Mrs. J. H. Cassell met with a very painful accident last Thursday while helping her daughter, Mrs. W. J. Lucas with her work about the house. In moving a piece of furniture, she caught her foot and fell, crushing the flesh of her ankle and receiving other painful bruises. Mr. McCormick was called to dress the wound.
Was he a Civil War Veteran?
IRAD reports at least two Augustus Cassell's from Putnam Co:
CASSELL, AUGUSTUS P PVT D 69 IL US INF FLORID
CASSELL, AUGUST C REC E 4 IL US CAV HENNEPIN
Could Augustus P be Philip Augustus b. 1844?from Charles Bassi 6/10/02:
"have a reprint of the book "Record of the Olden Time" which was originally printed in 1880. In it are several references to the Cassells. It lists Judge Augustus Cassell's children (those that were living in 1880): John H., William B., Sarah A., Alson K., Rufus L., Mary Ellen and Isadore. It gives his wife's name as Mary Bear (sic). It says Augustus and Mary were Methodist and he was a once a merchant in Florid. During the Civil War he sent three sons to the Army. One of whom--John H. ran the Vicksburg blockade, served as a scout and spy for nine months visiting the rebel camps as a spy.
Augustus Cassell was elected County Judge in 1872 and again in 1876, and was Justice of the Peace for 27 years."
from piperspages.com (includes explanation of "Judge", how parents came to be buried in Putnam Co):
"Augustus Cassell was born on January 3, 1813 on his father’s farm in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. He spent his early life on his family’s farm there. Augustus and his brothers started helping their father on the farm at an early age. As young boys, they learned to swing an ax, cradle and scythe which were the principle farm implements during that time. Whenever possible during the winter season, Augustus and his brothers attended the local school which was held in a log cabin and did their lessons on a slab bench. Augustus and his brother, Joseph traveled to the wilderness of Putnam County, Illinois during the Black Hawk War of 1832. They liked it so well that they decided to stay and were considered two of the first settlers of Putnam County in 1833. Augustus was to be married, so they returned to their homes in Pennsylvania.
At the age of 20, Augustus married Mary May Baer on November 14, 1833 in Pennsylvania. The first few years of their married life they resided in a small stone house owned by his aunt Esther Berry in Annville, Pennsylvania. His aunt Esther died in January 1836 and Augustus and May’s home was willed to his cousin Christian Miller. In the spring of 1836, Augustus, May and their young son John Henry joined his brother Joseph and new family in traveling back to Putnam County, Illinois.
August and Joseph became two of the first settlers in the new village of Florid. Florid was established in December of 1835 and was located several miles south of Hennepin, Illinois. Only one man, had settled there before them. Near the village was Fort Cribs which was used as a block house against Indian attacks. Several months later, their brother Christian joined them and then Berry joined them in 1838. Berry liked Putnam County so well that he convinced their parents join them in Illinois. By 1845, all of August’s six brothers, his parents and all of his sisters - except Sophia were living in Illinois.
Augustus and May had nine children. John Henry was born on October 31, 1834 in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. William Baer was born on November 28,1836 in Putnam County, Illinois. Sara Ann was born on April 26, 1839. Allson was born on October 10, 1841 in Putnam County, Illinois and Rufus was born in November 4, 1844 in Putnam County, Illinois. Sidney was born in 1847. Augustus was born in 1849. Mary Ellen was born in 1852 and Isadora was born in 1856. Augustus and Sidney died in childhood.
Augustus and Mary settled near Florid, Illinois at Cottage Hill. There they lived out the remainder of his years. Augustus worked there as a cabinet maker. For several years, he owned and conducted a steam saw mill and was once a mercantile business at Florid, Illinois. In 1871, he also worked as an auctioneer. Augustus belonged to the Methodist Church in Hennepin, Illinois. Augustus was elected Putnam County judge in 1872 and again in 1876. He was also a Justice of the Peace for 27 years. On April 21, 1880, according to the Putnam Record, the local paper for Putnam County, "Judge Cassell" was called home by the severe illness of his wife. She had a paralytic stroke. His wife never recovered and died in 1885.
In September of 1881, according to the Putnam Record there was a severe storm that did considerable damage to a number of trees in Augustus's orchard, twisting off the top of them. It also carried "twenty to thirty rods into the timber". In April of 1887, a fire broke out at a neighbor’s farm which quickly spread. Augustus lost most of his fences and a lot of his timber. In 1892, Augustus became extremely ill and had to be replaced on the bench at court. He never fully recovered and retired. Augustus passed away at his home on Friday morning, February 12, 1901. After his death, he was buried beside his wife in the Florid cemetery, Florid, Illinois."NEWS ITEMS (from piperspages.com):
September 22, 1870 - Putnam County Items
Augustus Cassell offers himself to the people of Putnam county as an independent candidate for sheriff. Will submit his claims to a people’s convention of(if) one is held.
July 20, 1871
A. Cassell of Florid is an licensed auctioned for "little Put".PUTNAM RECORD
Wednesday, August 12, 1871
Augustus Cassell announces hisself in this paper as an auctioneer. Mr. C. has had considerable experience in Auctioneering and will not fail to suit all who call upon him.Thursday, April 8, 1872
Putnam County News - Other Towns
A. Cassell, Esq., while filing a circular saw was badly cut in the leg and arm by a revolution it made accidently.
November 13, 1873 (Summary)
Augustus Cassell won the election for Judge over J. W. Hopkins by a margin of 171 votes, receiving 409 total votes. From Magnolia Twp - 123, Hennepin - 175, Granville - 97 and Snachwine - 74.
November 20, 1873
Putnam County News - Miscellaneous Items
We shook hand with A. Cassel, Esq., county judge elect on Monday. He feels none the worse for his election, - in fact is happy. We predict Judge Cassel will fill the position with ablility and fidelity.FLORID NEWS, APRIL 21, 1880
School election passed off very quietly in our district. Ephriam Cassell was re-elected .
Hennepin News, Wednesday, April 21, 1880
Judge Cassell was called home last Tuesday morning by the severe illness of his wife, paralysis we believe. Court was adjourned until Monday next. Further news from him Wednesday, he reported no hopes of her recovery.HENRY REPUBLICAN
April 22, 1880
This is county court week, but Judge Cassell adjourned court this morning on account of the serious illness of his wife.
Mrs. Judge Cassell of Florid was stricken with paralysis last Saturday and has been lying in a critical condition for some days. Her children were summoned including a married son, living in this city, employed at the harness shop of J. M. Krenz.
Hennepin News, April 29, 1880
County court in session this week. We overheard Judge Cassell saying to friends that his wife seemed to be improving slowly.PUTNAM RECORD
Hennepin, August 8, 1889
Judge Cassell and W. H. Casson took a little fishing excursion Tuesday morning. They report a catch of 10 fish.HENRY REPUBLICAN
January 19, 1893
Local and State Items
One of the most social events of the season came off at the residence of W. B. Cassell at Cottage Hill, Putnam County on the 6th, inst., where Judge Cassell invited all of the poor of the neighborhood down to the 4th class to a feast and thereby to help him pass his 80th mile post of life's journey. Even some of the courthouse officials of Hennepin were there and you aught to have seen them gnaw at the turkey bone and good things in general. About 80 enjoyed the judge's hospitality and no one enjoyed it better than he. To cap the climax, Rev. Bliss in a neat little speech, in behalf of the friends, presented the judge with an elegant reclining chair, for his declining days.PUTNAM RECORD
Cottage Hill, February 10, 1899
Judge Cassell has been bothered with chills for several days and is hard to tell what the outcome will be. His son J. H. of Granville, is waiting on him. Edward Foster has also had to keep close to the fire.
PUTNAM RECORD
Cottage Hill, April 10, 1900
Judge Cassell is troubled to get his breath in bed and has to sit up most of the time.Cottage Hill, April 24, 1900
Judge Cassell is much better and looks as though he will be able to go fishing in the near futureCottage Hill, October 2, 1900
Judge Cassell's health is still poor but he enjoys a good talk with old friends.
Cottage Hill, Janaury 22, 1901
Judge Cassell is now in very poor health and talks as though the end is near.
Cottage Hill, January 29, 1901
Judge Cassell is quite low and the death messenger may come at any time. His son A. K. of Chicago, and Mrs. Murphy, a daughter of Tampiko are here waiting on him with other relatives. His mind seems to be bright as ever but he seems anxious to go up yonder.
Cottage Hill, February 12, 1901
Judge Cassell passed to the other shore, last Friday at 8:00 a.m. and was buried in Florid yesterday. Rev. Bliss officiating and the church was filled with sympathizing friends. He had passed his 88th year and several days before he died I heard him exclaim "Jesus, Jesus, let me to thy bosom, fly!" in the Christian life that he has manifested in life work, we feel that he is safe on the other shore. Undertaker Keller was in attendance and had to have four horses to get through the snow drifts, while others used their sleighs and sleds.
Wednesday, February 13, 1901
Obituaries
Judge Augustus Cassell.
January 3, 1913 and February 8, 1901 are the dates by which are identified the life of Augustus Cassell. One whose long life was one of activity and usefulness. A kind and loving friend and neighbor, none knew him but to love and honor him. Augustus Cassell was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania January 3, 1813. Coming west in 1836 and settling in Putnam county. His wife was formerly Miss Mary Baar, to whom he was married November 14, 1833, she being also a native of Lebanon. To his union were born 9 children, John H., William B., Sarah A., Allson K., Rufus L., Mary E., Isador, Augustus and Sidney. Three of which the reaper of death hath gathered into his fold. Both himself and wife were member of the Methodist church. Mr. Cassell was a cabinet maker by trade and very ingenious in the use of tools. For several years, he owned and conducted a steam saw mill, and was once in the mercantile business at Florid. He was elected county judge in 1872 and again in 1876 and was Justice of the peace for 27 years. Mr. Cassell's last sickness was of but short duration, although he had been failing in health for some time. But patiently he bore it, and seemed waiting to be born by angel's hands to that celestial home above, where we'll never know a sorrow when we are there. Many times during the day, he spoke of ging home to Jesus. The remains were taken to Florid and placed beside those of his wife and children, Monday, February 11, at 10:00 a. m.HENRY REPUBLICAN
Florid, February 14, 1901
The remains of Judge Cassell of Cottage Hill were interred at Florid, Monday, Feb. 11th, the Rev. James Bliss officiating, Undertaker, G. W. Keller of Henry.
Mortuary Record, February 14, 1901
Augustus Cassell
Another of the early settlers of Putnam county, after a long life of usefulness and fullness of days, has been gathered unto the fathers. He was a native of Lebanon Co. PA, born in 1813. His wife was also a native of the same town, a Miss Mary Baer, where they were married November 14, 1833. They came west in 1836, settling in Putnam county, where his life has been spent. He was the father of seven children, four boys and three girls. He was a cabinet maker by trade, a skilled mechanic and ingenious in the use of tools. He was an extensive farmer, owning a fine farm at Cottage Hill, which was his home. For several years he owned and conducted a steam saw mill and was once in the merchantile business at Florid.
In politics, he was a staunch republican and during his prime held a number of offices of trust. He was a justice of the peace for 30 years and a wise counselor and just judge. He was elected county judge in 1872 and so honorably and faithfully did he serve in this high office that he was elected for several terms. ….. Judge Cassell was an upright man, neighbor, friend, husband and father, led a worthy, useful life, and lived to a ripe old age. The funeral was held on Monday and was largely attended, Rev. James T. Bliss officiating.
from piperspages.com:
"Mary Baer was born on June 2, 1813 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. She spent her childhood in Pennsylvania and was united with the Lutheran church at a very young age. At the age of 20, Mary married Augustus Cassell on November 14, 1833 in Harrisburg,Pennsylvania.
Mary and Augustus had 9 children. The first few years of their married life they resided in a small stone house owned by Augustus’ Aunt Esther Berry in Annville, Pennsylvania. His aunt Esther died in January 1836 and Augustus and Mary’s home was willed to his cousin Christian Miller. In the spring of 1836, Augustus, Mary and their young son John Henry joined his brother Joseph and new family in traveling back to Putnam County, Illinois.
Mary continued living the remainder of her life in Putnam County where she was a faithful member of the Weslyan Methodist Church. In 1880, May had a paralytic stroke from which she never recovered. After her death on September 10, 1885, she was laid to rest in the Florid cemetery."NEWS ITEMS (from piperspages.com):
PUTNAM RECORD
September 17, 1885
Died, Mrs. Mary, wife of Judge Augustus Cassell of Cottage Hill of paralysis, September 10, age 72 years. Besides her aged husband, 7 children mourn her passing, two have preceded her in death. Burial was made in the Florid cemetery.HENRY REPUBLICAN
September 17, 1885
Mrs. Augustus Cassell
The last sad rites of the living to the dead were paid the venerable WIFE OF JUDGE AUGUSTUS CASSELL, at Cottage Hill, on Saturday. She departed this life on Thursday. She had been an invalid for upwards of five years. In the year 1880 she was stricken with paralysis, which no doubt shortened and ended her life. MARY BAER was born in Dauphin County, PA., Feb. 3, 1813; married to Mr. Cassell at Harrisburg, Pa., in 1833, having lived 52 years happily with her aged husband; nine children were born, seven surviving their stricken parent. Their residence in Putnam county dates back to 1836 - 49 years. Naturally of a thoughtful and religious mold of mind, Mrs. Cassell united with the church in early life, first the Lutheran, and afterwards the Wesleyian Methodists. Exemplary in all her ways, kindly and generous in her impulses and offices, an excellent wife and mother, a noble hearted, Christian woman has completed life work, and in the triumphs of a living faith, has gone home to everlasting rest. Sweet peace.
from piperspages.com:
"William Cassell was born on August 15, 1784 in Annville Township, in Lebanon County Pennsylvania. He grew up in Lebanon County and was very well-educated. As a young man he taught school. William married Elizabeth Leidig around on March 5, 1811 at the Salem Lutheran Church, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The witnesses to their marriage were their fathers - Chistian Cassel and Michael Leidig.
William and Elizabeth lived in Lebanon and Dauphin County, Pennsylvania in 1813 until 1839.. They had 10 children, Augustus, Rosannah (Allen), Sophia (Albert), Joseph, Esther (Albert), Christian, Berry Hill, Henry, John, and Michael. William was a farmer during his life in Pennsylvania. He also was a member of the United Brethren Church. William belonged to the Whig party - then became a Republican. There are stories of him fighting during the revolutionary war but it was probably the war of 1812 because of his birth-date.
In 1839, William and Elizabeth’s son Berry, convinced them to join their sons, Augustus, Joseph and Christian - who were living in Illinois., They started on their journey in the fall of 1839. William and his family traveled down the canal from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The water was so low that steamers could not run so the family traveled by keelboat to Louisville, Kentucky. The trip took them 21 days.
In Louisville, William and his family rented a house to wait for low water. After a few weeks, they grew tired of waiting and purchased a one horse wagon. William and his family came by land from Louisville, Kentucky to Decatur, Illinois. By this time the weather was so severe that their son, Berry froze his feet during the trip. They arrived in Decatur, Illinois on the November 20, 1839. By this time the snow was 4 foot deep and the weather so severe that they couldn’t travel any further. Their son, Berry notified his brothers living in Putnam County, and one came to pick up them up to take them to their new home.
William and his wife Elizabeth settled in Putnam County in the small village of Florid (which is 4 miles south-east of Hennepin). William made a living as a basket maker, while Elizabeth took care of the home.. William's wife, Elizabeth died in 1851. She had nursed the people of Florid through the cholera epidemic of 1849, but fell victim to the disease and died. William continued living in Florid, Illinois for another 11 years until his death at his home in Florid in December of 1862. He was buried beside his wife in the Florid cemetery."
from piperspages.com:
"Elizabeth Leidig was born on June 20, 1789 in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania and spent her childhood in Lebanon County. She married William Cassell on March 5, 1811 on March 5, 1811 at the Salem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. The witnesses to their marriage were their fathers - Chistian Cassel and Michael Leidig. William and Elizabeth had 10 children - 7 boys and 3 girls. Elizabeth and her family lived in Pennsylvania until 1839. There, Elizabeth taught her daughters the art of processing and weaving cloth.
Then in the fall of 1839, Elizabeth with her husband, and their sons, Henry, Michael, John and Berry traveled to Illinois to join their sons, Augustus, Christian and Joseph who had settled in Putnam County, Illinois. Elizabeth wasn't given the opportunity to enjoy life in their new home for very long. There was a cholera epidemic in 1849 and she nursed the people of Florid through the epidemic. She, unfortunately, herself, succumbed to the disease. She died in Florid in on August 23, 1851 and was buried there in Florid, Illinois."
from Charles Bassi 6/10/02 (his source was "Record of the Olden Time"):
"There is another entry for a Joseph Cassell who was born in Dauphin County, PA in 1815 and located in Putnam Co. in 1837 where he worked as his trade as a blacksmith for nine years. He discontinued this work in 1850 and went to farming (on section 22 Hennepin Township) which he has continued since. He married Miss Sarah Lynch in 1833. She was born in Lebanon Co., PA and died in 1845 leaving 5 children:Edwin, Esther A., Calvin, Ephraim and Philip A.
Joseph Cassell married again to Miss Laura Bosley in 1847 by whom he had 4 children: Sarah, Emma A., Jennie and Sidney. His influencial member of the Luthern Church was a school director about 12 years and road master 13 years. He had 3 sons in the Army.
Ephriam veteranized (sic) and was captured at Altoona (no state given). He was twice wounded and was one of the first on the ramparts on the assault upon Vicksburg."from piperspages.com:
"Joseph Cassell was born in 1817 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He spent his early life on his family’s farm there. Joseph and his brothers started helping their father on the farm at an early age. As young boys, they learned to swing an ax, cradle and scythe which were the principle farm implements during that time. Whenever possible during the winter season, Joseph and his brothers attended the local school which was held in a log cabin and did their lessons on a slab bench.
Joseph and his brother, Augustus traveled to the wilderness of Putnam County, Illinois during the Black Hawk War of 1832. They liked it so well that they decided to stay and were considered two of the first settlers of Putnam County in 1833. Augustus was to be married, so they returned to their homes in Pennsylvania.
Joseph married Sarah Lynch on February 12, 1835 in the Salem Lutheran Church in Lebanon Pennsylvania. In the summer of 1836, after the birth of their son, George Edwin, Joseph and Sarah joined his brothers Augustus and Christian in traveling back to Putnam County, Illinois where they became two of the first settlers in the new village of Florid. Florid was established in December of 1835 and was located several miles south of Hennepin, Illinois. Only one man, had settled there before them. Near the village was Fort Cribs which was used as a block house against Indian attacks. Their brother Berry joined them in 1838. Berry liked Putnam County so well that he convinced their parents join them in Illinois. By 1845, all of Joseph’s six brothers, his parents and all of his living sisters were living in Illinois.
Joseph worked as a blacksmith in Florid for about 15 years. Joseph and Sara had five children. George Edwin was born in 1836. Esther was born in 1838. Calvin was born in 1839. Philip Augustus was born in 1844 and Ephriam was born on August 20, 1841. Sara unfortunately passed away shortly after Philip's birth, leaving Joseph with four small children.
Joseph married Laura Bosley on May 21, 1846 in Putnam County. They were married by Joseph’s brother, Augustus Cassell, who was Justice of the Peace. Joseph and Laura had 3 children. Sarah was born in 1847. Emma was born in 1848 and Mary Jean was born in 1850. In 1850, he purchased a farm on Section 22 of Hennepin Township. Joseph made a living farming for many years. Jospeh was faithful member of the Lutheran church. He was the Florid school director for 12 years and a road master for 13 years. His wife Laura died suddenly from heart failure in 1880. Shortly after that Joseph retired from farming and moved to the village of Florid.
Joseph's health began to fail about 10 years before his death. In 1881, he was confined to his bed for nearly 2 months because of an illness. In 1883, Joseph traveled to Decatur, Illinois where his brothers, Berry, Michael and John lived. There he met his future wife, Kate Chambers. Joseph and Katherine Dingman Chambers were married on February 17, 1883 in Decatur, Illinois by his brother-in-law, Thomas B. Albert.. After their marriage, Joseph returned to Florid, where he had a new home built for his new wife. Joseph continued to live out the rest of his life in the village of Florid.. Joseph died at his home on March 4, 1891. He was buried in the Florid cemetery in the family plot."