My Genealogy Hound

SECOR, E. J. farmer and stock raiser, Carrollton, is a son of Joshua and Tryphenia Secor, whose maiden name was Raynor, a native of Morristown, N. J. Joshua, the father of E. J. is a near descendent of a family who were compelled to leave their native country on account of religious persecution, and coming here, settled in the wilderness of New York, and named the place New Rochelle, in memory of the place they had been driven, and around which clustered memories not soon to be forgotten. Joshua was born in Westchester County, N. Y., in 1782, learned the trade of a cabinet maker, was a fine mechanic and an inventive genius; afterwards constructed in Illinois the first saw mill ever run in the State by wind as the propelling power. Was married in 1810; at that time he belonged to a “Union” that encouraged a “strike,” and to become isolated from it, he not being in sympathy with it, went to Charlestown, S. C. and remained one Winter; returning, he went to Greene County, Pa,, where he lived eighteen years, and in May, 1833, having a desire to try his fortunes in the West, emigrated to this county, and settled in town 10, range 11, section 24. Log cabins were like “angel’s visits,” few and far between; they camped at first, their covered wagon in which they came being their place of abode until circumstances afforded them better. First bought 240 acres in the prairie and 80 in the timber; the people ridiculed his idea of buying prairie land, they at that time deeming only the timber land of any value, but the sequel proved the wisdom of his selection. His father lived until he attained his 92d year. E. J. remained with his parents until his 22d year, then returned East to attend to some business pertaining to the estate; staid one Winter; made a second trip in 1841, and while there married his wife, Elizabeth A. Lockwood, of Belmont, Ohio, daughter of Judge L., a prominent jurist of that locality; she was born July, 1818. Upon their arrival West he bought the land he now owns, and has since lived there, and is about the only one in the township, with one exception, who is now living on the land purchased at the time. July 17, 1870, Mr. Secor’s house was burned to the ground, a large portion of the contents were consumed—fire accidental. The family then moved in a house built for a tenant, and the 17th of July the same year, it was struck by lightning, killing his son Edward instantly; the entire contents were burned this time, leaving the family houseless in a drenching rain in their night clothes. Mr. and Mrs. Secor have now five children: Rebecca, now the wife of Geo. Robinson, now of Kansas; Eliza, now the wife of President Davis of McLeansboro College, this State; Luther, now practicing law in St. Louis; Ben L. and Arthur at home. Mr. and Mrs. S. are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; he is of Republican faith, but is not much interested in politics.