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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.



McELVAIN, SAMUEL, was born Feb. 22, 1794, in Augusta county, Va, Arriving at manhood, he went to Adair county, Ky. He enlisted in the army against Great Britain, and was in the battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815. Returning to Adair county, after the war, he was married Jan. 4, 1816, to Penelope Abell. They had five children, and the family moved to Sangamon county, Ill., arriving Sept., 1828, in what is now Auburn township. Of their children--

HARRIET N., born Oct. 23, 1816, in Kentucky, married May 4, 1844, in Sangamon county, to Harvey Walker, of Cass county, and died while on a visit to the old homestead, in Sangamon county, June 17, 1849, leaving three children, viz: SUSANNAH married a Mr. Wood, of Iowa. They have six children, and live at Indianola, Warren county, Iowa. WILLIAM studied law, and died in 1868. HARRIET N. finished a collegiate course, and died Sept., 1874. MARGARET J., born Sept. 1, 1819, in Kentucky, married Feb. 1, 1844, in daughter. WILLIAM married Miss Richardson, of Missouri, in 1871, and resides near Hiawatha, Butler county, Neb. The other seven live with their parents, near Hiawatha, Butler county, Nebraska.

THERESA, M. H., born Nov. 7, 1827, in Kentucky, married in Sangamon county Oct. 18, 1849, to B. M. White. They had eight children,--five sons and three daughters, and live at Fountain, Miami county, Kansas.

Samuel McElvain died April 1, 1848, and his widow died Sept. 28, 1855, both in Sangamon county. Mr. McElvain and his wife united with the First Presbyterian church, Springfield, in 1829. It was then in charge of Rev. John G. Bergen. Dr. Bergen organized a Presbyterian church at the residence of Mr. McElvain, in 1830. It was composed of twelve members. Mr. McElvain was elected one of the Ruling Elders, and continued to discharge the duties of his office to the end of his life.



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