All Rights Reserved © Copyright 1999, 2000 All material contained on these pages are furnished for the free use of those engaged researching their family origins. Any commercial use, without the consent of the host/author of these pages is prohibited. We have tried to use images that were obtained from sources permitting free distribution, or generated by the author, and are subject to the same restrictions/permissions. All persons contributing material for posting on these pages does so in recognition of their free, non-commercial distribution, and further, is responsible to assure that no copyright is violated by their submission.
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.



COOPER, AMBROSE, brother to Meredith, was born Dec. 18, 1796, in Botetourt county, Va., and taken by his parents to Smith county, Tenn., where he was married to Mary Kilbraith. They had two children in Tenn., and in 1821 moved to St. Clair county, Ill., where they had one child, and moved to Sangamon county in the fall of 1823, and settled two miles east of the present town of Sherman, where they had one child. Of their four children--

HUGH L., born in Tennessee, and married in Sangamon county, to Elizabeth Taylor. They moved to Iowa, where he died, leaving a widow and five children. One of them married and remained in Iowa. The mother and four children moved to Piatt county, Ill. Two of the sons married there, and moved to Kansas. The widow and two children live in Piatt county.

WILLIAM, born in Tennessee, raised in Sangamon county, went to California, and was married there to Sarah Ide. He came back to Sangamon county, and after a stay of some years, started on his return to California with his family. He died at sea, one day's sail from New Orleans, leaving a widow and two children. ANN E. is married and lives at Lebanon, Linn county, Oregon. ALICE and her mother reside at Red Bluff, Tehama county, Cal.

ANN, born in St. Clair county, married Samuel Yocom. See his name.

MEREDITH C., born May 29, 1824, in Sangamon county, married in 1846 to Frances A. Chapman. They have five children, and live in Williams township.

Mrs. Mary Cooper died Oct. 17, 1827. Ambrose Cooper was a soldier from Sangamon county in the Black Hawk war, in 1831, and when the campaign was over he went to the Galena lead mines, remaining until the spring of 1832, where he enlisted in another campaign against the Indians, and was in the battles that finally subdued them. He returned to Sangamon county, and was married in April, 1836, to Eliza Wilson. They had seven children, four of whom died young.

STEPHEN L., born May 6, 1840, in Sangamon county, enlisted in Springfield, July 20, 1861, for three years, in what became Co. B, 11th Mo. Inf., served full term, and was honorably discharged Aug. 1, 1864. He was married Oct. 11, 1865, to Rebecca Summers, who was born Nov. 5, 1842, in Bracken county, Ky. They have two children, RUFUS and ALVEY, and live near Dawson.

HENRY, born Aug. 12, 1842, enlisted in Springfield July 20, 1861, in what became Co. B, 11th Mo. Inf., for three years; re-enlisted as a veteran January, 1864, and was honorably discharged Jan. 20, 1866, and resides with his parents.

DABNEY, born Sept. 2, 1846, lives with his parents.

Ambrose Cooper and wife are now (1874) both living one mile south of Barclay.



Return to 1876 Biography Index
Return to Sangamon County ILGenWeb