John Sharp

- After his fourth child was born, John decided to join the migration to the West. In 1850 he traveled to Illinois either by foot or horseback. After looking over the fertile farm land of central Illinois, he bought property and then returned to Big Valley and moved his family by train and then boat down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi and the Illinois Rivers to Peoria. They then traveled about 18 miles by wagon east to Farneyville, which was located about two miles west of Congerville in Woodford County. In 1851, John bought 80 acres of timberland for $2.25 per acre. From his trip the family kept his pocket watch, compass and walking stick. - John's grandson who lives on John's land remembers him wearing a black coat with hooks and eyes and black pants, the typical Amish attire of Big Valley. - Elmer also related the story of John's sister from Big Valley (probably Mattie) who visited him occasionally in IL. She traveled by train over the hills of PA to the flatlands of Woodford County. On her first trip, she was so afraid the "poor little thing (engine) wan't going to make it up the mountain." To calm her nerves, she sat on the back steps of the train adn smoked her pipe! - Another family tradition says that john was working in his field along the highway one day when he noticed a tall figure approaching him on horseback. As the rider neared, John recognized Abraham Lincoln. Ch - Jonathan m Sara Stuckey, Peterm Barbara Gerber, Rachel m Christian Miller, Anna m John M Lantz, John Y. m Mary Miller* Reference: RootsWeb's WorldConnect - SmartCopy: Sep 25 2017, 21:39:24 UTC

• Reference: RootsWeb's WorldConnect - SmartCopy: Sep 25 2017, 21:42:11 UTC