My Genealogy Hound

SEALS, JOSEPH, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Loraine. He is the fourth child and second son of James Seals (deceased); was born in Clermont county, Ohio, March 27, 1819; came to Adams county in 1839; walked from Shawneetown to St. Louis; thence to Keene township. There was but a few settlers on the route from Shawneetown to Keene township; there was plenty of deer, wolves, and wild cats. Married Miss Catherine Cecil, Feb. 3, 1853. She was born in Kentucky in Oct. 14, 1830. Came with his parents in an early day to Knox county, Ill. Have had four children, three living. When Mr. S. first came, worked at his trade, bricklaying and plastering. Owns 155 acres of land, 105 under cultivation, worth $6,200. His first residence was a log cabin, 14x14, kitchen, sitting-room, and parlor. Used what is termed Jackson or Prairie bedsteads; hoop poles for bed cords, and puncheons for floors. His first crop of wheat was sold at twenty-five cents per bushel; hauled it to Quincy, and traded it out in goods. Pork was worth $1.50 per hundred, and that in trade. For the first two years money was so scarce that they could not get enough to pay postage. Rattle snakes were more plenty in those days than greenbacks are at present. “Haw Buck,” “Gee Bright,” were the organs that we played in those days, and hog and hominy was the fare. Had to go twenty-eight miles to mill, eight miles southeast of Quincy, on Mill Creek; made the trip in two days. The first winter salt was $4 per bushel, coffee twenty-five cents per pound. Mr. S. was sixty years old March 27, 1879, and don’t owe a dollar in the world.