In the year 1837, my father Asa Hicks about the 14th.day of October, started from Belmont Co. Ohio to move his family to Illinois. During the preceding summer he had made a trip by land on horseback, to look for a location. He succeeded well and had selected a beautifully located farm near Tremont, the county seat of Tazewell County. He returned to Ohio by way of St. Louis and up the Ohio river to Wheeling, and from there back to Barnesville, Belmont Co.
He immediately set upon making preparation to move west to his prospective home. His family was quite numerous, consequently ample preparation had to be made for such a move. I can well remember the many conversations my father and mother engaged in regarding it. The neighbours often came in to talk about the move and help in getting ready and I remember the deep anxiety depleted on my father's countenance through all those days. Rapidly the time of preparation flew away. The wagon was loaded, everything was ready, the neighbours came in and many were the tears shed at the last farewell. I said that our family was quite numerous. There were ten, and they are Israel, Eleanor, Asenith, Eli, Milton, Asa, Anna, Harrison, ELWOOD and Emeline (the babys).
Oh that I could describe that morning that we started. It was calm and the sky without a cloud. The relatives and friends had given the last "fare-thee-well" but very few words were spoken. As we started my father left the house on foot and walked up through the orchard to get out onto the main road. As he went along I heard him say to mother, " I have done the best I could" and mother gave him some words of encouragement, as she was so capable of doing. I saw that he was not able to keep up but fell to weeping. His walk was that of a man carrying a heavy burden, inclining a little forward with his hands crossed on his back. Such is a brief description of our departure.
We went on through the neighbourhood, recieving the wishes of safe journey and farewell as we passed the places of our acquaintances. The first place we came to was a small town on the National Road called Henrysburgh. We travelled, I think, about 12 miles and put up at a hotel in the town of Fairview. The next place of mention was Zanesville, and the next that I remember was Columbus, the capital of Ohio. I have but a faint rememberance of that place, yet I do remember passing the state prison. From there we went to Dayton on the Miami River and from there to Richmond, Indiana and from Richmond to New Castle. At this place my mother's brothers and sisters were living and we visited here about a week. The family appeared to quit all kinds of work, and gave their whole time to visiting with my father and mother. I remember those happy days we had there. So the time fled. Monday morning we were all astir, and the sad time for parting came. Of this I do not so well remember , as these relatives appeared so strange to me. Farewell, safe journey and hand shaking passed and we started. We put up the following night at a town called Milton, on the National Road. I do not remember many places but the next place that attracted my attention was Indianapolis, the capitol of the state, and from here we had to travel on corduroy bridges and mud roads for miles and days. At length we neared the western river of the state of Indiana. And here I fain wish I could pass the next that followed.
I do not remember the date, but the morning I do remember . It was still and calm, but cloudy. We got off at about the usual time of starting and I think, we had not gone more than four or five miles. My father and mother and , I think, about five children were riding in the wagon. As we were ascending a light grade (my oldest brother was driving and having loosed the lines which was quite customary with drivers who had been travelling as we had been ) a dog from a house nearby ran out and started the colts we had with us. They ran past the team, frightening the horses into a run. My brother could not catch the lines and father attempted to get out, as we thought, as though he wanted to get on one of the horses. In the effort he failed and slipped from the wagon tongue and getting his foot fast he fell or was thrown under the wheels, and in a few minutes expired.
How dark was that day! I well remember his dying prayer. As the dark wings of the Archangel of Death were hovering over him as he uttered he words, "Oh Lord have mercy on my soul". His voice grew faint and his eyes dim, then closed in death. We thus left, were cared for by the good people who came from the surrounding country. The next day, being the first day of the week, father was buried in a lonely little graveyard on the east side of the Wabash River. If we could have done so I think we would not have gone any further but mother thought after consulting some of the people there, that we had better go on as we had a place to go to, so on the second day of the week we moved on. It was a sad sight to see my poor mother and her little ones.
We started and one young man from a neighbouring house ( I do not remember his name) acted as a guide as far as the Wabash river and I rather think he came on a day with us. We crossed the river at Campbell's ferry. The next place of note was Danville, Illinois. The next was at a big slough near where Mt. Pleasant is now located ( called by us as Isaac's) and the next the town of Bloomington. The next was Stout's Grove (or the big woman) and the next Mackinaw where we crossed the river in a ferry boat. About dark the same day we arrived at Tremont, Tazewll county, and stayed with an uncle. The following day we went on to the place father had purchased. We lived on that place four years. It was known as the Dillon farm, and was situated 11/2 miles south west of Tremont.
It is now thirty-nine years, three months and a few days since we came to Illinois, as I leave Streator for Danville, Illinois, from whence I want to go to the spot where my father now reposes in an unknown grave. He has lain there for almost forty years, and with one exception, not a tear has ever been shed over his grave. I do not think I can do him any good. He cannot come to me, but this may had the effect of bringing me nearer to him. David said, " I know my child cannot come to me, but I can go to him."
He immediately set upon making preparation to move west to his prospective home. His family was quite numerous, consequently ample preparation had to be made for such a move. I can well remember the many conversations my father and mother engaged in regarding it. The neighbours often came in to talk about the move and help in getting ready and I remember the deep anxiety depleted on my father's countenance through all those days. Rapidly the time of preparation flew away. The wagon was loaded, everything was ready, the neighbours came in and many were the tears shed at the last farewell. I said that our family was quite numerous. There were ten, and they are Israel, Eleanor, Asenith, Eli, Milton, Asa, Anna, Harrison, ELWOOD and Emeline (the babys).
Oh that I could describe that morning that we started. It was calm and the sky without a cloud. The relatives and friends had given the last "fare-thee-well" but very few words were spoken. As we started my father left the house on foot and walked up through the orchard to get out onto the main road. As he went along I heard him say to mother, " I have done the best I could" and mother gave him some words of encouragement, as she was so capable of doing. I saw that he was not able to keep up but fell to weeping. His walk was that of a man carrying a heavy burden, inclining a little forward with his hands crossed on his back. Such is a brief description of our departure.
We went on through the neighbourhood, recieving the wishes of safe journey and farewell as we passed the places of our acquaintances. The first place we came to was a small town on the National Road called Henrysburgh. We travelled, I think, about 12 miles and put up at a hotel in the town of Fairview. The next place of mention was Zanesville, and the next that I remember was Columbus, the capital of Ohio. I have but a faint rememberance of that place, yet I do remember passing the state prison. From there we went to Dayton on the Miami River and from there to Richmond, Indiana and from Richmond to New Castle. At this place my mother's brothers and sisters were living and we visited here about a week. The family appeared to quit all kinds of work, and gave their whole time to visiting with my father and mother. I remember those happy days we had there. So the time fled. Monday morning we were all astir, and the sad time for parting came. Of this I do not so well remember , as these relatives appeared so strange to me. Farewell, safe journey and hand shaking passed and we started. We put up the following night at a town called Milton, on the National Road. I do not remember many places but the next place that attracted my attention was Indianapolis, the capitol of the state, and from here we had to travel on corduroy bridges and mud roads for miles and days. At length we neared the western river of the state of Indiana. And here I fain wish I could pass the next that followed.
I do not remember the date, but the morning I do remember . It was still and calm, but cloudy. We got off at about the usual time of starting and I think, we had not gone more than four or five miles. My father and mother and , I think, about five children were riding in the wagon. As we were ascending a light grade (my oldest brother was driving and having loosed the lines which was quite customary with drivers who had been travelling as we had been ) a dog from a house nearby ran out and started the colts we had with us. They ran past the team, frightening the horses into a run. My brother could not catch the lines and father attempted to get out, as we thought, as though he wanted to get on one of the horses. In the effort he failed and slipped from the wagon tongue and getting his foot fast he fell or was thrown under the wheels, and in a few minutes expired.
How dark was that day! I well remember his dying prayer. As the dark wings of the Archangel of Death were hovering over him as he uttered he words, "Oh Lord have mercy on my soul". His voice grew faint and his eyes dim, then closed in death. We thus left, were cared for by the good people who came from the surrounding country. The next day, being the first day of the week, father was buried in a lonely little graveyard on the east side of the Wabash River. If we could have done so I think we would not have gone any further but mother thought after consulting some of the people there, that we had better go on as we had a place to go to, so on the second day of the week we moved on. It was a sad sight to see my poor mother and her little ones.
We started and one young man from a neighbouring house ( I do not remember his name) acted as a guide as far as the Wabash river and I rather think he came on a day with us. We crossed the river at Campbell's ferry. The next place of note was Danville, Illinois. The next was at a big slough near where Mt. Pleasant is now located ( called by us as Isaac's) and the next the town of Bloomington. The next was Stout's Grove (or the big woman) and the next Mackinaw where we crossed the river in a ferry boat. About dark the same day we arrived at Tremont, Tazewll county, and stayed with an uncle. The following day we went on to the place father had purchased. We lived on that place four years. It was known as the Dillon farm, and was situated 11/2 miles south west of Tremont.
It is now thirty-nine years, three months and a few days since we came to Illinois, as I leave Streator for Danville, Illinois, from whence I want to go to the spot where my father now reposes in an unknown grave. He has lain there for almost forty years, and with one exception, not a tear has ever been shed over his grave. I do not think I can do him any good. He cannot come to me, but this may had the effect of bringing me nearer to him. David said, " I know my child cannot come to me, but I can go to him."
In the year 1837, my father Asa Hicks about the 14th.day of October, started from Belmont Co. Ohio to move his family to Illinois. During the preceding summer he had made a trip by land on horseback, to look for a location. He succeeded well and had selected a beautifully located farm near Tremont, the county seat of Tazewell County. He returned to Ohio by way of St. Louis and up the Ohio river to Wheeling, and from there back to Barnesville, Belmont Co.
He immediately set upon making preparation to move west to his prospective home. His family was quite numerous, consequently ample preparation had to be made for such a move. I can well remember the many conversations my father and mother engaged in regarding it. The neighbours often came in to talk about the move and help in getting ready and I remember the deep anxiety depleted on my father's countenance through all those days. Rapidly the time of preparation flew away. The wagon was loaded, everything was ready, the neighbours came in and many were the tears shed at the last farewell. I said that our family was quite numerous. There were ten, and they are Israel, Eleanor, Asenith, Eli, Milton, Asa, Anna, Harrison, ELWOOD and Emeline (the babys).
Oh that I could describe that morning that we started. It was calm and the sky without a cloud. The relatives and friends had given the last "fare-thee-well" but very few words were spoken. As we started my father left the house on foot and walked up through the orchard to get out onto the main road. As he went along I heard him say to mother, " I have done the best I could" and mother gave him some words of encouragement, as she was so capable of doing. I saw that he was not able to keep up but fell to weeping. His walk was that of a man carrying a heavy burden, inclining a little forward with his hands crossed on his back. Such is a brief description of our departure.
We went on through the neighbourhood, recieving the wishes of safe journey and farewell as we passed the places of our acquaintances. The first place we came to was a small town on the National Road called Henrysburgh. We travelled, I think, about 12 miles and put up at a hotel in the town of Fairview. The next place of mention was Zanesville, and the next that I remember was Columbus, the capital of Ohio. I have but a faint rememberance of that place, yet I do remember passing the state prison. From there we went to Dayton on the Miami River and from there to Richmond, Indiana and from Richmond to New Castle. At this place my mother's brothers and sisters were living and we visited here about a week. The family appeared to quit all kinds of work, and gave their whole time to visiting with my father and mother. I remember those happy days we had there. So the time fled. Monday morning we were all astir, and the sad time for parting came. Of this I do not so well remember , as these relatives appeared so strange to me. Farewell, safe journey and hand shaking passed and we started. We put up the following night at a town called Milton, on the National Road. I do not remember many places but the next place that attracted my attention was Indianapolis, the capitol of the state, and from here we had to travel on corduroy bridges and mud roads for miles and days. At length we neared the western river of the state of Indiana. And here I fain wish I could pass the next that followed.
I do not remember the date, but the morning I do remember . It was still and calm, but cloudy. We got off at about the usual time of starting and I think, we had not gone more than four or five miles. My father and mother and , I think, about five children were riding in the wagon. As we were ascending a light grade (my oldest brother was driving and having loosed the lines which was quite customary with drivers who had been travelling as we had been ) a dog from a house nearby ran out and started the colts we had with us. They ran past the team, frightening the horses into a run. My brother could not catch the lines and father attempted to get out, as we thought, as though he wanted to get on one of the horses. In the effort he failed and slipped from the wagon tongue and getting his foot fast he fell or was thrown under the wheels, and in a few minutes expired.
How dark was that day! I well remember his dying prayer. As the dark wings of the Archangel of Death were hovering over him as he uttered he words, "Oh Lord have mercy on my soul". His voice grew faint and his eyes dim, then closed in death. We thus left, were cared for by the good people who came from the surrounding country. The next day, being the first day of the week, father was buried in a lonely little graveyard on the east side of the Wabash River. If we could have done so I think we would not have gone any further but mother thought after consulting some of the people there, that we had better go on as we had a place to go to, so on the second day of the week we moved on. It was a sad sight to see my poor mother and her little ones.
We started and one young man from a neighbouring house ( I do not remember his name) acted as a guide as far as the Wabash river and I rather think he came on a day with us. We crossed the river at Campbell's ferry. The next place of note was Danville, Illinois. The next was at a big slough near where Mt. Pleasant is now located ( called by us as Isaac's) and the next the town of Bloomington. The next was Stout's Grove (or the big woman) and the next Mackinaw where we crossed the river in a ferry boat. About dark the same day we arrived at Tremont, Tazewll county, and stayed with an uncle. The following day we went on to the place father had purchased. We lived on that place four years. It was known as the Dillon farm, and was situated 11/2 miles south west of Tremont.
It is now thirty-nine years, three months and a few days since we came to Illinois, as I leave Streator for Danville, Illinois, from whence I want to go to the spot where my father now reposes in an unknown grave. He has lain there for almost forty years, and with one exception, not a tear has ever been shed over his grave. I do not think I can do him any good. He cannot come to me, but this may had the effect of bringing me nearer to him. David said, " I know my child cannot come to me, but I can go to him."
He immediately set upon making preparation to move west to his prospective home. His family was quite numerous, consequently ample preparation had to be made for such a move. I can well remember the many conversations my father and mother engaged in regarding it. The neighbours often came in to talk about the move and help in getting ready and I remember the deep anxiety depleted on my father's countenance through all those days. Rapidly the time of preparation flew away. The wagon was loaded, everything was ready, the neighbours came in and many were the tears shed at the last farewell. I said that our family was quite numerous. There were ten, and they are Israel, Eleanor, Asenith, Eli, Milton, Asa, Anna, Harrison, ELWOOD and Emeline (the babys).
Oh that I could describe that morning that we started. It was calm and the sky without a cloud. The relatives and friends had given the last "fare-thee-well" but very few words were spoken. As we started my father left the house on foot and walked up through the orchard to get out onto the main road. As he went along I heard him say to mother, " I have done the best I could" and mother gave him some words of encouragement, as she was so capable of doing. I saw that he was not able to keep up but fell to weeping. His walk was that of a man carrying a heavy burden, inclining a little forward with his hands crossed on his back. Such is a brief description of our departure.
We went on through the neighbourhood, recieving the wishes of safe journey and farewell as we passed the places of our acquaintances. The first place we came to was a small town on the National Road called Henrysburgh. We travelled, I think, about 12 miles and put up at a hotel in the town of Fairview. The next place of mention was Zanesville, and the next that I remember was Columbus, the capital of Ohio. I have but a faint rememberance of that place, yet I do remember passing the state prison. From there we went to Dayton on the Miami River and from there to Richmond, Indiana and from Richmond to New Castle. At this place my mother's brothers and sisters were living and we visited here about a week. The family appeared to quit all kinds of work, and gave their whole time to visiting with my father and mother. I remember those happy days we had there. So the time fled. Monday morning we were all astir, and the sad time for parting came. Of this I do not so well remember , as these relatives appeared so strange to me. Farewell, safe journey and hand shaking passed and we started. We put up the following night at a town called Milton, on the National Road. I do not remember many places but the next place that attracted my attention was Indianapolis, the capitol of the state, and from here we had to travel on corduroy bridges and mud roads for miles and days. At length we neared the western river of the state of Indiana. And here I fain wish I could pass the next that followed.
I do not remember the date, but the morning I do remember . It was still and calm, but cloudy. We got off at about the usual time of starting and I think, we had not gone more than four or five miles. My father and mother and , I think, about five children were riding in the wagon. As we were ascending a light grade (my oldest brother was driving and having loosed the lines which was quite customary with drivers who had been travelling as we had been ) a dog from a house nearby ran out and started the colts we had with us. They ran past the team, frightening the horses into a run. My brother could not catch the lines and father attempted to get out, as we thought, as though he wanted to get on one of the horses. In the effort he failed and slipped from the wagon tongue and getting his foot fast he fell or was thrown under the wheels, and in a few minutes expired.
How dark was that day! I well remember his dying prayer. As the dark wings of the Archangel of Death were hovering over him as he uttered he words, "Oh Lord have mercy on my soul". His voice grew faint and his eyes dim, then closed in death. We thus left, were cared for by the good people who came from the surrounding country. The next day, being the first day of the week, father was buried in a lonely little graveyard on the east side of the Wabash River. If we could have done so I think we would not have gone any further but mother thought after consulting some of the people there, that we had better go on as we had a place to go to, so on the second day of the week we moved on. It was a sad sight to see my poor mother and her little ones.
We started and one young man from a neighbouring house ( I do not remember his name) acted as a guide as far as the Wabash river and I rather think he came on a day with us. We crossed the river at Campbell's ferry. The next place of note was Danville, Illinois. The next was at a big slough near where Mt. Pleasant is now located ( called by us as Isaac's) and the next the town of Bloomington. The next was Stout's Grove (or the big woman) and the next Mackinaw where we crossed the river in a ferry boat. About dark the same day we arrived at Tremont, Tazewll county, and stayed with an uncle. The following day we went on to the place father had purchased. We lived on that place four years. It was known as the Dillon farm, and was situated 11/2 miles south west of Tremont.
It is now thirty-nine years, three months and a few days since we came to Illinois, as I leave Streator for Danville, Illinois, from whence I want to go to the spot where my father now reposes in an unknown grave. He has lain there for almost forty years, and with one exception, not a tear has ever been shed over his grave. I do not think I can do him any good. He cannot come to me, but this may had the effect of bringing me nearer to him. David said, " I know my child cannot come to me, but I can go to him."
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