by Randolph County Genealogical Society | Mar 1, 2014 | Biographies
John Montgomery settled near the east bank of the Kaskaskia River about three miles above the village of Kaskaskia in 1780. The group of settlers of which he was one suffered more than the usual hardships and dangers. Many died or left the vicinity, but Montgomery was...
by Randolph County Genealogical Society | Mar 1, 2014 | Biographies
Pierre Menard, with his brothers, Hypolite and Francois, came from Quebec to Kaskaskia in 1790. Hypolite became a successful farmer. Francois became a distinguished trader and flatboat operator on the Mississippi. Pierre remained at Kaskaskia and became a wealthy...
by Randolph County Genealogical Society | Mar 1, 2014 | Biographies
The name of Archibald McNabb is a prominent one in the early English history of Prairie du Rocher where he settled in 1800, having come from Kentucky. Seeing the need for leather, he established a tannery, and McNabb’s tanning yard was a prosperous business for many...
by David McKelvey | Mar 1, 2014 | Biographies
Hugh McKelvy (b. 1762 in North Ireland, d. March 13, 1835 and is buried in Old Bethel Cemetery.) was a private in the South Carolina militia during the reduction of Charleston. This is acceptable as Revolutionary War Service. Hugh came to Randolph County in 1818, with...
by David McKelvey | Mar 1, 2014 | Biographies
John McFerron – unwittingly did one thing that keeps his name alive. He was the first one to enter land on the site of the present city of Chester. This he did in 1818. Some years later, he sold his holdings to three men, Samuel Smith, J. L. Lamb and Thomas...
by Randolph County Genealogical Society | Mar 1, 2014 | Biographies
Stacy McDonough was a venturesome and picturesque figure who came to Randolph County in 1797. He had served with the Kentucky militia against the Indians in several campaigns. He served with St. Clair, “Mad Anthony” Wayne, and Clark in other campaigns. At times he was...
by Randolph County Genealogical Society | Mar 1, 2014 | Biographies
An increasing number of settlers required some regular means of travel. To fill this need, John M. McCutcheon established an early day stage line from Chester to St. Louis by way of Sparta. Carrying passengers and mail, these stages operated on schedule for many...
by Randolph County Genealogical Society | Mar 1, 2014 | Biographies
About 1816 James McClurken came to Sparta. He settled a short distance southeast of town. McClurken was a rather versatile business man. We find him establishing or interested in numerous ventures: a cotton gin, a woolen mill, a castor bean press, a steam gristmill...
by Randolph County Genealogical Society | Mar 1, 2014 | Biographies
The blacksmith and gristmill operator were two persons very necessary to the prosperity of a pioneer community. William McBride was blacksmith (1804), and Robert McDaniel (1816) became miller of the community lying southwest of Baldwin.
by Carolyn Whitaker | Mar 1, 2014 | Biographies
Quite a colony of enterprising citizens came to Randolph County early in the present century, 1804 from South Carolina whose ancestors were from the northern part of Ireland, and yet earlier from the mountain portions of Scotland, among them was the grandfather and...
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