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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.



EDWARDS, AMERICA J., sister to J. Jordan, Elcey and William, was born in Morgan county, came to Sangamon county with her brothers, married Michael Morris, had four children, and he died near Knoxville, Iowa. She moved to Texas with her children.

According to: Betty Brewer Chigbrow

This is the true story of America Jane Edwards.

"She married Michael Morris Jan.30, 1842 in Sangamon Co. and they moved to Red Rock Twp., Marion Co., Iowa. They had 5 children, all born in Iowa: Zelma E. Morris, Carrol Morris, Warren Morris, Napoleon B. Morris, and Winfield Scott Morris. Michael Morris died in Iowa in 1853-1854. America Jane married Mordecai Yearns. They had 3 children, also all born in Marion Co., Ia: Neoma Yearns (she married my G. Grandfather Evan Brewer), James E. Yearns, and John Henry Yearns. Mordecai had two children from former marriage (Adaline Yearns and George Yearns) which Mordecai and America Jane also raised. Mordecai and “Jane” lived in Red Rock through the 1860 census but then after 1862 they moved to Barry Co., Mo.. They lived in the Roaring River Area (above Cassville) the rest of their lives. America “Jane” died there Feb. 12, 1904 and Mordecai died May 2, 1907. American Jane never went to or ever lived in Texas. I know this information to be true as I have Marriage Certificates, birth records and death records for these people."



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