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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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LEWIS CASE, farmer, Sec. 25; P. O. Holder; one of the early pioneers of McLean Co.; born in Ontario, N. Y., Feb. 27, 1809, where he was brought up to farm labor until 1824, and, at 13 years of age, emigrated to Huron Co., Ohio, from which place he emigrated to Illinois and located upon Sec. 25, Old Town Township, in 1833; his capital at that time consisted of one yoke of oxen and wagon (with which he hauled his family and worldly goods from Ohio), two featherbeds and bedding, and $50 worth of leather, which he traded for a cow, one hog and seven pigs, and provisions for the winter; he managed to get in a crop of corn, and, in the fall, he lost his cow, four pigs and one of his oxen, which left him in a worse condition than when he located; the following summer, he made a short poke and plowed his corn with his single ox; he built his first house of hewed logs, besides which he got out the rails and fenced forty acres the first year; about the year 1835, new settlers came in and gradually increased until school districts were formed and churches were held. The first religious meeting held in Old Town Township was in the log house of Mr. Case, and in this log house the early settlers assembled from a distance of many miles, where they worshiped God some thirteen years. Mr. Case erected the first frame barn, in which were held two quarterly meetings, and where school was kept. Mr. Case first entered forty acres of land, upon which he erected a rude log cabin; to this forty acres he has since added until he now owns upward of six hundred acres; in the place of the log house stands the best of farm buildings, and his taxes have increased from 25 cents to $250. His marriage with Sarah Hendrix was celebrated Oct. 13, 1881, in Ohio; she was born in New York State Jan. 14, 1810; they were the parents of five daughters, of whom four are now living, viz., Mary A., Olive, Sarah and Hannah E. Mr. and Mrs. Case have taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, having, with his wife, been a member of the M. E. Church for about half a century, and their children all being members of the same Church. The writer of this article is inclined to give Mr. Case the credit of being the oldest continuous living settler of this township, but not feeling perfectly satisfied in this matter, he feels safe in saying that the two oldest continuous residents of Old Town Township are Lewis Case and Frederick R. Cowden.

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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois

View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies

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