In 1912, Edwin C. Silliman wrote the following about his uncle, Minott Silliman, and his grandfather, Minott's father, Rev Gershom Silliman. I thought it would be good to add this to Minott's Find A Grave Memorial. Thanks, Baxter
"THE SILLIMAN FAMILY
By Edwin C. Silliman, 1912
Rev. Gershom Silliman was born near Hart ft. Connecticut, May 24, 1783; married to Polly Colman of East Coventry, Oct. 6, 1809, who was born Aug. 1787. They moved to Roxbury, Delaware County. N.Y., from which place he enlisted for the war of 1812 as a Lieutenant in Capt. Denio's Company of Col. Fitzwilliams' Regiment, First New York Militia. After his discharge in 1814, he lived a short time in New York State, then moved to Salt Creek, Jackson County, Ohio, and in 1828 came to Peoria County, crossing the river at Peoria, September 25, 1828. There were ten teams in the party, and it was called "The big train." Simon Reed, who with his brother Aaron had come here in 1825, had gone back and induced his neighbors to come west, and piloted them through.
Mr. Silliman bought a farm of Hiram Cleveland. with a double log cabin upon it, on the Galena road about a mile south of Simon Reed's. This farm was later owned by Joseph Silliman and sold by him to his brother-in-law, Merrit Reed. Upon the south side of this farm is located LaSalle Cemetery, the land for it given by Gershom Silliman, and the only consideration being the reservation of a lot for the use of the Silliman family. In that cemetery lie today a large number of the early settlers of that vicinity, some of the stones dating back to 1830.
In the log house on this farm Marshall B. Silliman and Silas Allen remained for two months during the Black Hawk War in 1832. The women and children for a time were sheltered there and at the Simon Reed block-house, going out after dark into the woods to sleep for fear of the Indians. They soon moved across the river from Peoria to Meacham's Mill or, as it was later called, ''Ten Mile." For two months Silliman and Allen saw no one except a messenger now and then going from Peoria to the front near Dixon. The house was picketed, and in day time these two men looked after the stock and homes of the settlers. This Allen and his brother Samuel laid out the town of Allentown, between Chillicothe and Rome, which in its palmy days had two houses. It, like some other Western towns, was laid out to sell to Eastern speculators. In a few years the desire to be in the timber caused Mr. Silliman to move a mile and a half West near the bluff and open up a new farm, on which he resided until his death, which occurred on December 2, 1856; his wife died December 24, 1864.
Rev. Gershom Silliman was the first Baptist minister to locate permanently in Peoria County. He preached in private houses until school houses were built, and in 1838 he helped to organize the first Baptist church in the town of Chillicothe, being its first pastor. He was succeeded by Elder-Rider C. D. Merrit, Elder Bodley, and others of later years. He was a man of sterling character who left his impress on the community in which he lived. He had a large family.
Minott Silliman, his oldest son, was at the lead mines near Galena, in '31 and '32, it being the only place where one could get cash for one's labor. When the Black Hawk War came on he enlisted in a company from there. In 1834, he and his brother Marshall broke the first ground where Toulon now stands. Marshall soon returned to Peoria County where he resided until his death, but Minott lived and died in and near Toulon In 1833, he married Rhoda Smith, a daughter of Benjamin Smith who had settled in Essex Township Stark County in 1830. Minott Silliman built a log cabin on what is now the main street in Toulon. His wife died in 1841, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. Clarissa Wilcox, who lives at Blair, Nebraska. He then married Miss Henrietta Bathan, daughter of Robert Bathan, who died leaving one son, Levi Silliman, a resident of Toulon. On Nov. 4, 1847, Minott Silliman was again married to Miss Letetia Oziah, by whom he had two daughters, Mrs. Andrew Stickney of Toulon and Mrs. Sarah Stickney of Vancouver, Washington He died Jan. 6, 1894, and his wife on Jan. 2, 1907. He was the first Treasurer of Stark County, and held other offices of trust. He always took a great interest in the history of Stark and Peoria Counties, as their early history was closely interwoven."
"THE SILLIMAN FAMILY
By Edwin C. Silliman, 1912
Rev. Gershom Silliman was born near Hart ft. Connecticut, May 24, 1783; married to Polly Colman of East Coventry, Oct. 6, 1809, who was born Aug. 1787. They moved to Roxbury, Delaware County. N.Y., from which place he enlisted for the war of 1812 as a Lieutenant in Capt. Denio's Company of Col. Fitzwilliams' Regiment, First New York Militia. After his discharge in 1814, he lived a short time in New York State, then moved to Salt Creek, Jackson County, Ohio, and in 1828 came to Peoria County, crossing the river at Peoria, September 25, 1828. There were ten teams in the party, and it was called "The big train." Simon Reed, who with his brother Aaron had come here in 1825, had gone back and induced his neighbors to come west, and piloted them through.
Mr. Silliman bought a farm of Hiram Cleveland. with a double log cabin upon it, on the Galena road about a mile south of Simon Reed's. This farm was later owned by Joseph Silliman and sold by him to his brother-in-law, Merrit Reed. Upon the south side of this farm is located LaSalle Cemetery, the land for it given by Gershom Silliman, and the only consideration being the reservation of a lot for the use of the Silliman family. In that cemetery lie today a large number of the early settlers of that vicinity, some of the stones dating back to 1830.
In the log house on this farm Marshall B. Silliman and Silas Allen remained for two months during the Black Hawk War in 1832. The women and children for a time were sheltered there and at the Simon Reed block-house, going out after dark into the woods to sleep for fear of the Indians. They soon moved across the river from Peoria to Meacham's Mill or, as it was later called, ''Ten Mile." For two months Silliman and Allen saw no one except a messenger now and then going from Peoria to the front near Dixon. The house was picketed, and in day time these two men looked after the stock and homes of the settlers. This Allen and his brother Samuel laid out the town of Allentown, between Chillicothe and Rome, which in its palmy days had two houses. It, like some other Western towns, was laid out to sell to Eastern speculators. In a few years the desire to be in the timber caused Mr. Silliman to move a mile and a half West near the bluff and open up a new farm, on which he resided until his death, which occurred on December 2, 1856; his wife died December 24, 1864.
Rev. Gershom Silliman was the first Baptist minister to locate permanently in Peoria County. He preached in private houses until school houses were built, and in 1838 he helped to organize the first Baptist church in the town of Chillicothe, being its first pastor. He was succeeded by Elder-Rider C. D. Merrit, Elder Bodley, and others of later years. He was a man of sterling character who left his impress on the community in which he lived. He had a large family.
Minott Silliman, his oldest son, was at the lead mines near Galena, in '31 and '32, it being the only place where one could get cash for one's labor. When the Black Hawk War came on he enlisted in a company from there. In 1834, he and his brother Marshall broke the first ground where Toulon now stands. Marshall soon returned to Peoria County where he resided until his death, but Minott lived and died in and near Toulon In 1833, he married Rhoda Smith, a daughter of Benjamin Smith who had settled in Essex Township Stark County in 1830. Minott Silliman built a log cabin on what is now the main street in Toulon. His wife died in 1841, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. Clarissa Wilcox, who lives at Blair, Nebraska. He then married Miss Henrietta Bathan, daughter of Robert Bathan, who died leaving one son, Levi Silliman, a resident of Toulon. On Nov. 4, 1847, Minott Silliman was again married to Miss Letetia Oziah, by whom he had two daughters, Mrs. Andrew Stickney of Toulon and Mrs. Sarah Stickney of Vancouver, Washington He died Jan. 6, 1894, and his wife on Jan. 2, 1907. He was the first Treasurer of Stark County, and held other offices of trust. He always took a great interest in the history of Stark and Peoria Counties, as their early history was closely interwoven."
In 1912, Edwin C. Silliman wrote the following about his uncle, Minott Silliman, and his grandfather, Minott's father, Rev Gershom Silliman. I thought it would be good to add this to Minott's Find A Grave Memorial. Thanks, Baxter
"THE SILLIMAN FAMILY
By Edwin C. Silliman, 1912
Rev. Gershom Silliman was born near Hart ft. Connecticut, May 24, 1783; married to Polly Colman of East Coventry, Oct. 6, 1809, who was born Aug. 1787. They moved to Roxbury, Delaware County. N.Y., from which place he enlisted for the war of 1812 as a Lieutenant in Capt. Denio's Company of Col. Fitzwilliams' Regiment, First New York Militia. After his discharge in 1814, he lived a short time in New York State, then moved to Salt Creek, Jackson County, Ohio, and in 1828 came to Peoria County, crossing the river at Peoria, September 25, 1828. There were ten teams in the party, and it was called "The big train." Simon Reed, who with his brother Aaron had come here in 1825, had gone back and induced his neighbors to come west, and piloted them through.
Mr. Silliman bought a farm of Hiram Cleveland. with a double log cabin upon it, on the Galena road about a mile south of Simon Reed's. This farm was later owned by Joseph Silliman and sold by him to his brother-in-law, Merrit Reed. Upon the south side of this farm is located LaSalle Cemetery, the land for it given by Gershom Silliman, and the only consideration being the reservation of a lot for the use of the Silliman family. In that cemetery lie today a large number of the early settlers of that vicinity, some of the stones dating back to 1830.
In the log house on this farm Marshall B. Silliman and Silas Allen remained for two months during the Black Hawk War in 1832. The women and children for a time were sheltered there and at the Simon Reed block-house, going out after dark into the woods to sleep for fear of the Indians. They soon moved across the river from Peoria to Meacham's Mill or, as it was later called, ''Ten Mile." For two months Silliman and Allen saw no one except a messenger now and then going from Peoria to the front near Dixon. The house was picketed, and in day time these two men looked after the stock and homes of the settlers. This Allen and his brother Samuel laid out the town of Allentown, between Chillicothe and Rome, which in its palmy days had two houses. It, like some other Western towns, was laid out to sell to Eastern speculators. In a few years the desire to be in the timber caused Mr. Silliman to move a mile and a half West near the bluff and open up a new farm, on which he resided until his death, which occurred on December 2, 1856; his wife died December 24, 1864.
Rev. Gershom Silliman was the first Baptist minister to locate permanently in Peoria County. He preached in private houses until school houses were built, and in 1838 he helped to organize the first Baptist church in the town of Chillicothe, being its first pastor. He was succeeded by Elder-Rider C. D. Merrit, Elder Bodley, and others of later years. He was a man of sterling character who left his impress on the community in which he lived. He had a large family.
Minott Silliman, his oldest son, was at the lead mines near Galena, in '31 and '32, it being the only place where one could get cash for one's labor. When the Black Hawk War came on he enlisted in a company from there. In 1834, he and his brother Marshall broke the first ground where Toulon now stands. Marshall soon returned to Peoria County where he resided until his death, but Minott lived and died in and near Toulon In 1833, he married Rhoda Smith, a daughter of Benjamin Smith who had settled in Essex Township Stark County in 1830. Minott Silliman built a log cabin on what is now the main street in Toulon. His wife died in 1841, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. Clarissa Wilcox, who lives at Blair, Nebraska. He then married Miss Henrietta Bathan, daughter of Robert Bathan, who died leaving one son, Levi Silliman, a resident of Toulon. On Nov. 4, 1847, Minott Silliman was again married to Miss Letetia Oziah, by whom he had two daughters, Mrs. Andrew Stickney of Toulon and Mrs. Sarah Stickney of Vancouver, Washington He died Jan. 6, 1894, and his wife on Jan. 2, 1907. He was the first Treasurer of Stark County, and held other offices of trust. He always took a great interest in the history of Stark and Peoria Counties, as their early history was closely interwoven."
"THE SILLIMAN FAMILY
By Edwin C. Silliman, 1912
Rev. Gershom Silliman was born near Hart ft. Connecticut, May 24, 1783; married to Polly Colman of East Coventry, Oct. 6, 1809, who was born Aug. 1787. They moved to Roxbury, Delaware County. N.Y., from which place he enlisted for the war of 1812 as a Lieutenant in Capt. Denio's Company of Col. Fitzwilliams' Regiment, First New York Militia. After his discharge in 1814, he lived a short time in New York State, then moved to Salt Creek, Jackson County, Ohio, and in 1828 came to Peoria County, crossing the river at Peoria, September 25, 1828. There were ten teams in the party, and it was called "The big train." Simon Reed, who with his brother Aaron had come here in 1825, had gone back and induced his neighbors to come west, and piloted them through.
Mr. Silliman bought a farm of Hiram Cleveland. with a double log cabin upon it, on the Galena road about a mile south of Simon Reed's. This farm was later owned by Joseph Silliman and sold by him to his brother-in-law, Merrit Reed. Upon the south side of this farm is located LaSalle Cemetery, the land for it given by Gershom Silliman, and the only consideration being the reservation of a lot for the use of the Silliman family. In that cemetery lie today a large number of the early settlers of that vicinity, some of the stones dating back to 1830.
In the log house on this farm Marshall B. Silliman and Silas Allen remained for two months during the Black Hawk War in 1832. The women and children for a time were sheltered there and at the Simon Reed block-house, going out after dark into the woods to sleep for fear of the Indians. They soon moved across the river from Peoria to Meacham's Mill or, as it was later called, ''Ten Mile." For two months Silliman and Allen saw no one except a messenger now and then going from Peoria to the front near Dixon. The house was picketed, and in day time these two men looked after the stock and homes of the settlers. This Allen and his brother Samuel laid out the town of Allentown, between Chillicothe and Rome, which in its palmy days had two houses. It, like some other Western towns, was laid out to sell to Eastern speculators. In a few years the desire to be in the timber caused Mr. Silliman to move a mile and a half West near the bluff and open up a new farm, on which he resided until his death, which occurred on December 2, 1856; his wife died December 24, 1864.
Rev. Gershom Silliman was the first Baptist minister to locate permanently in Peoria County. He preached in private houses until school houses were built, and in 1838 he helped to organize the first Baptist church in the town of Chillicothe, being its first pastor. He was succeeded by Elder-Rider C. D. Merrit, Elder Bodley, and others of later years. He was a man of sterling character who left his impress on the community in which he lived. He had a large family.
Minott Silliman, his oldest son, was at the lead mines near Galena, in '31 and '32, it being the only place where one could get cash for one's labor. When the Black Hawk War came on he enlisted in a company from there. In 1834, he and his brother Marshall broke the first ground where Toulon now stands. Marshall soon returned to Peoria County where he resided until his death, but Minott lived and died in and near Toulon In 1833, he married Rhoda Smith, a daughter of Benjamin Smith who had settled in Essex Township Stark County in 1830. Minott Silliman built a log cabin on what is now the main street in Toulon. His wife died in 1841, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. Clarissa Wilcox, who lives at Blair, Nebraska. He then married Miss Henrietta Bathan, daughter of Robert Bathan, who died leaving one son, Levi Silliman, a resident of Toulon. On Nov. 4, 1847, Minott Silliman was again married to Miss Letetia Oziah, by whom he had two daughters, Mrs. Andrew Stickney of Toulon and Mrs. Sarah Stickney of Vancouver, Washington He died Jan. 6, 1894, and his wife on Jan. 2, 1907. He was the first Treasurer of Stark County, and held other offices of trust. He always took a great interest in the history of Stark and Peoria Counties, as their early history was closely interwoven."
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