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EARLY SETTLERS OF SANGAMON COUNTY - 1876
By John Carroll Power

These biographies were submitted by a researcher and evidently abstracted from the 1876 History of Sangamon County, IL. Errors could occur, so one should always verify the correctness by obtaining copies of vitals and performing all necessary research to document what is contained herein.




COLBURN, ABEL, was born Sept. 20, 1790, in Sterling, Mass., a brother to Isaac, William and Ebenezer. He was married in April, 1811, at Hebron, N. H., to Deborah Phelps, who was born at Hebron in July, 1794. Mr. Colburn was a soldier from that place in the war of 1812. They had nine children, all born at Hebron, and in 1839 Mr. Colburn came to Sangamon county, and afterwards brought his family. Of their children--

JOSEPH R., born August, 1812, married in Massachusetts, to Ruth Fowler, and moved to Springfield, Ill., in 1838. He aided in building the State House, then in course of construction. They had six children; two died under seven years. Of the other four, ABNER K. married in Minnesota to Phebe Walters, and resides in Portland, Oregon. IRA is married, and lives in Minnesota. CHARLES lives with Adna Phelps, near Springfield. FREMONT lives with his mother. Joseph R. Colburn died in December, 1870, and his widow resides at Preston, Minn.

ELVIRA M., born April 18, 1814, at Hebron, N. H., married at that place March 7, 1832, to Stephen F. Fowler. He died Jan. 21, 1845, at Quincy, Mass., and Mrs. F. was married Oct. 8, 1845, at Troy, Wis., to Jeremiah D. Sanborn, who was born Feb. 7, 1818, at Franklin, N. H. Mrs. S. traveled across the American continent on wagons, except in crossing Lake Michigan, and spent five years in Nevada and California, and Mr. S. spent three years there. They reside at Loami.

ISABEL, born April 17, 1816, at Hebron, N. H., married Sept. 11, 1838, to Thomas Lucas, who was born June 19, 1811, at Romney, N. H. They had five children. GEORGE M. went from Loami to Springfield, and enlisted July, 1861, in what became Co. C, 11th Mo. Inf., for three years; was 1st Sergeant; reenlisted as a veteran Jan. 1, 1864, and died of disease at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., Nov. 14, 1864. He was commissioned 1st Lieutenant, to date from August 18, 1864, but the commission did not reach the hospital until the day after his death. FRANCENA I. died at thirteen. EDWARD W. enlisted Nov. 20, 1861, for three years, in Co. B, 30th Ill. Inf.: re-enlisted as a veteran Jan. 1, 1864; was with "Sherman in his march to the sea;" served to the end of the rebellion, and honorably discharged July, 1865; was married October, 1866, to Mary A. Starr, has one child, VALLIE M., and resides at Loami. ISABELLA E. died at seven years. LUELLA A. married August, 1867, to James L. Mahard, and died March, 1873, leaving two children, MARY J. and GEORGE M. Thomas Lucas died March 4, 1851, at Loami. His widow married Samuel P. Colburn. See his name.

IRA C., born in 1818, married at Quincy, Mass., Sept. 4, 1838, to Cyrena Chard, a native of Pomfret, Conn., moved to Minnesota, and had three children. JOHN E. was a soldier in a Minnesota regiment, veteranized, served to the end of the rebellion, and lives in Minnesota. ROMANZA died at seven years.

ACHSA P., born Feb. 17, 1820, in Hebron, N. H., married August, 1838, at Quincy, Mass., to John P. Davis, who was born April 17, 1815, in Boston. They came to Sangamon county with her parents, and had three children. ELVIRA M. married Sanford Withrow. See his name. CHARLES W. died in infancy. LAURA E. married Josiah Jones. See his name. John P. Davis enlisted at Springfield, July 9, 1847, in Co. D, 4th Ill. Inf., for one year. He served as Sergeant of that company in the war with Mexico, until July 9, 1848, when he was honorably discharged. He raised Co. B, 30th Ill. Inf., entered the United States service as Captain of the same, August, 1861. His company re-enlisted as veterans, January, 1864. He was with Sherman in his "march to the sea," and was promoted to Major of the regiment while on the trip. He commanded the regiment several months, and was honorably discharged July 17, 1865. Now resides at Loami, Sangamon county, Ill.

LUTHER P., born September, 1823, married in New Hampshire to Lydia Whittaker, raised one daughter, and reside in Lebanon, N. H.

NATHAN P., born December, 1826, in Hebron, N. H., married in South Reading, Mass., to Mary J. Eames, had four children, moved in 1855 to Minnesota, was a member of the Convention that framed the State Constitution, and has served several terms in the State Legislature. He raised a cavalry company and fought the Indians in Minnesota in 1863. Was Paymaster at one time in the army, against the rebellion. He is a practicing attorney, and resides at Preston, Minn.

MELINDA, born Sept. 13, 1830, married Oct. 23, 1845, to Samuel P. Colburn. See his name.

EMELINE, born July, 1832, married in 1848 to William Huffmaster. See his name.

Abel Colburn died Oct. 21, 1851, at Springfield. His widow married Adam Barger. See his name. He died, and she resides with her son-in-law, Samuel P. Colburn, at Loami.




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