The Grand Adventure

Daniel and Sarah embarked on a grand adventure in 1838.  They decided to try their luck at farming the rich moist soil of central Illinois.  With five other Morgan County, Ohio families, they packed up all of their belongings and their four small children, in a wagon pulled by a small horse and headed west.   They were seeking the promises available to hardy pioneers, who with lots of grit and determination could make a better life for themselves.

The 26-day trip was pleasant but long.  Along the way, they discovered the prairie grass had grown very tall and all gone to seed.  All kinds of game were available along their trek. They covered over 500 miles, walking almost straight west, across Ohio, Indiana and most of Illinois to Brooklyn Township in Schuyler County, Illinois.[1]  

      

   

[1] Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens (Chicago, IL  Biographical Review Pub. Co.,1892), 279