My Genealogy Hound

LIKELY, SAMUEL C. Sr., farmer, and stock raiser, Sec. 10. P. O. White Hall. Samuel C. Likely is a native of Pennsylvania, born on the 7th of April, 1808. Third child of Wm. and Agnes Likely, whose maiden name was Taylor. The days of his youth were spent upon the old farm homestead, and at seventeen he became apprenticed to the trade of blacksmithing, and subsequently became a journeymen workman, and applied himself diligently to his calling. On the 11th of April, 1836, he was united in marriage by the Rev. Mr. Marshall, to Miss Rachel Clark, a daughter of Alexander Clark, a native of Pennsylvania During the year mentioned, Mr. L. concluded to cast his fortunes in the West, and accordingly removed to Griggsville, Pike Co., Ill., where he followed his vocation until 1849. Mrs. Likely did not long survive her journey to Illinois and passed away some three years from the date of the family’s location at Griggsville. On the 2nd of January, 1845, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine T. Pastors, a daughter of Wesley and Mary Pastors, who were natives of Baltimore, Maryland, and Jefferson, Ohio. In 1849, Mr. L. made an overland trip to Oregon, in search of the shining metal, and subsequently made his way to the Pacific Slope. Landing at San Francisco when it consisted principally of the long wharf and a few scattered buildings erected after the Spanish mode, he found the few inhabitants stirred to an intense pitch of excitement, as the State had then gained its admission into the Union. Remained in Oregon and California some two years where he conducted the blacksmith shop for Messrs. Slofoot & Pierce, receiving one-half the earnings of the establishment. At the expiration of this time, he shipped on board the ocean steamer Northerner, at San Francisco. After the usual voyage the vessel landed at Chagres where the passengers were transferred to the U. S. mail steamer Georgia, which conveyed them to the city of Havanna, where during this time it will be borne in mind that Lopez had created considerable disturbance, and the Spanish Government, on the alert for the Fillibusters, captured both crew and passengers, imprisoning them for a short time,, but by the intercession of the American Consul, the Americans were released. Returning eventually to Griggsville, Ill., he resided until his removal to Greene Co., in 1852, when he purchased the farm property owned by Jos. Phillips, which consisted of 360 acres, and now comprising 240 acres of valuable land. Mr. L. ranks among our most progressive liberal farmers, and few are better known for their liberality and kindly acts. Of the second marriage ten children were born, of whom only three are living: Samuel C., William W., and Luther M. (Note.) One incident in the voyage of the Northerner is worthy of note: As the vessel plowed its way over the waters, a sudden squall struck the vessel with force and the good ship careening, carried the yard-arms far into the water, and created considerable alarm among its passengers.