My Genealogy Hound

HUTCHENS, ELKANAH, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 8, P.O. Carrollton. Our biographical sketch would be incomplete were we to omit to mention the whole-souled gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Many who sought homes upon the boundless prairies or among the timber belts of Southern Illinois, were natives of the Sunny South, and among this hardy people we class Elkanah Hutchens one of the veteran pioneers of Greene County. He was born in North Carolina in 1803, where he passed the days of his childhood, early youth and grew to manhood, receiving such education as a log cabin afforded. From youth he followed agriculture, and married in North Carolina Miss Frankie Pilcher, a daughter of James Pilcher. In 1829, when many favorable reports were spread abroad about Illinois and its prosperity, Elkanah Hutchens determined to make this new Eldorado his future home, and accordingly made his way over land in a pioneer schooner, or covered wagon; after a monotonous journey, occupying some weeks, he landed in Morgan County on the 7th of May, 1829, near the City of Winchester, in Scott County, and here he entered land from the government, and remained until 1831, when he crossed over to Greene County, and settled in town 9, range 2, the property he now owns, consisting of 160 acres. A cabin had been erected on the land, and here the emigrants made their home for several years. As many anecdotes and incidents of pioneer life find their way in our general history, and as Mr. Hutchens’ life in Greene County was the common lot of all, it only remains for us to say that step by step Mr. Hutchens arose to a condition of independence. He is now the owner of 160 acres of valuable land, and has the respect and confidence of neighbors and friends in Greene County.