Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Cameron, Alexander 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 6:25 pm

Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

Alexander Cameron, deceased, came to Grundy county in pioneer days, and as the 
result of his untiring industry and capable management in business affairs he 
became one of the substantial farmers of Maine township. He was born in 
Scotland, near Glasgow, on the 12th of April, 1820, his parents being William 
and Jean Cameron. His father, an agriculturist in Scotland, in 1833 came to 
America, taking up his residence near Peoria, Illinois, where he purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of land, there carrying on agricultural pursuits until 
his death, which occurred in 1864, when he had attained an advanced age. His 
wife died March 2, 1867. They were both consistent members of the Methodist 
church, and he was a straightforward, honorable man who enjoyed the respect 
and esteem of all with whom he came in contact.

Alexander Cameron, the subject of this review, was about thirteen years of age 
when he came to America with his father's family. He soon began work as a farm 
hand in Peoria county, and for eight years was in the employ of Henry 
Stillman, a fact which plainly indicates his fidelity to the interests of his 
employer. He was married June 3, 1846, in Peoria, to Julia A. Morrison, who 
was born March 28, 1825, in Atlas, Pike county, Illinois, in a new brick 
school-house which had never been used for educational purposes, and in which 
her parents had taken up their abode for the winter, it making them a warm and 
comfortable residence. She is a daughter of William H. and Barbara A. (Usong) 
Morrison. Her father was an Englishman from Yorkshire, and when a young man 
came to America, taking up his abode in Illinois. He was married in Athens, 
Pike county, to Barbara Usong, whose birth occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
who was a daughter of Daniel and Mary Catherine (Criss) Usong. Her father, 
Daniel Usong, was born in Germany, and when a young man came with his father 
to America. He was one of a family of twelve children and a location was made 
in Maryland. After their marriage Daniel Usong and his wife removed to 
Cincinnati at an early period in the development of that state, and there Mr. 
Usong owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is now within the 
corporation limits of the municipality. He was a millwright by trade, and 
followed that pursuit in Ohio until his removal to Pike county, Illinois, in 
company with four Ross brothers, who brought their respective families to this 
state. Daniel Usong took up his abode on a tract of wild land, which he 
cultivated for .some time. Subsequently he removed to Peoria county, Illinois, 
where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, part of which was 
prairie and part timber land. There he made a good home and continued his farm 
work until well advanced in years. He died on the old family homestead in that 
county and the community mourned the loss of one of its valued 
representatives. In religious belief he was connected with the Methodist 
church. His children were Jacob, Daniel, John, Ann, Antis and Mary. After the 
death of her first husband Mrs. Morrison married Ira Ackly, a farmer of Peoria 
county, Illinois, living on the Kickapoo prairie. They afterward removed to 
Marseilles, Illinois. Mrs. Ackly finally died at the residence of Mr. Cameron, 
our subject. By that marriage there was one daughter, Lydia, who became the 
wife of Lewis Olmsted, who was a farmer of LaSalle county. Their children 
were: Ralph; Sever, who died at the age of seven years; Volney; and George. 
Mrs. Olmsted died in February, 1885, in Walnut Grove, Missouri. Her second son 
was married December 25, 1890, in Knox county, Indiana, and is a farmer of 
Grundy county. His children are: Ira; Perry and Webster, twins; Edna J.; Nora; 
and Christina, who died in infancy, October 22, 1899. William H. Morrison, a 
brother of Mrs. Cameron, married Esther Colville, of Peoria county, and was a 
farmer by occupation. He took up his abode in Braceville township, Grundy 
county, but died in early manhood, on the 12th of June, 1858. Their children 
were Eliza Ann and Henrietta, who married John Maxwell, by whom she has one 
child, Maud.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Morrison located in Pittsfield, Pike county, 
Illinois, and the former carried on agricultural pursuits, placing his land 
under a high state of cultivation. While on an expedition to secure more land 
he died at Spoon Grove, Illinois. His wife lived to an advanced age and spent 
her last days in the home of Mrs. Cameron, being called to her final rest 
while in Grundy county, at the age of seventy years. She was a member of the 
Christian church and a lady of many virtues. Their children were William, 
Henry and Julia.

Mr. and Mrs. Cameron began their domestic life in LaSalle county, where he 
purchased eighty acres of land, of which only ten acres had been improved. He 
at once continued the work of clearing the remainder, turning the first furrow 
on many an acre. He made a good home, which continued to be his place of 
residence for two years, and in 1856 he came to Grundy county and purchased 
the one hundred and sixty acres of land upon which his widow now resides. As 
his financial resources increased he added to this until he owned two hundred 
and forty acres. This he greatly improved, placing the fields under a high 
state of cultivation and adding to his place all of the accessories and 
conveniences of a model farm. He possessed the sterling qualities of his 
Scotch ancestry, being resolute, determined and persevering, and these 
qualities insured him creditable success. His business affairs were conducted 
in a most honorable manner, and he won the high regard and confidence of all 
with whom he was brought in contact. In politics Mr. Cameron was an old-line 
Whig until the dissolution of the party, when he joined the ranks of the new 
Republican party, casting his vote for Fremont in 1856. He was widely known 
for his thrift and industry and his sterling honesty, and was regarded as a 
loyal friend and neighbor. When he passed away he left not only to his widow a 
comfortable competence but also the priceless heritage of a good name, for 
over the record of his life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of 
evil.

Mrs. Cameron still survives her husband and is living on the old homestead 
which he improved; but she has recently sold her farm to Christopher Mulhall, 
who is a practical farmer and an industrious and upright man. His sister, Miss 
Elizabeth Mulhall, is his housekeeper, and Mrs. Cameron has a comfortable home 
with them. She is familiar with much of the pioneer history of this section of 
Illinois, having gone to Pike county with her parents at a very early age. She 
was eight years of age at the time of the Black Hawk war, and can well 
remember hearing the news of the capture of the famous Indian chieftain. She 
can also recall many interesting stories of pioneer life and of the 
experiences of those early times when the cabin homes of the settlers were 
long distances apart and when the greater portion of the land was still in its 
primitive condition. She has an excellent memory, and thus her conversation is 
enriched by many reminiscences of her girlhood. Her life has been indeed one 
of activity and industry, and to her husband she always proved an excellent 
helpmate. She was reared by her mother to the work of the home, and was taught 
to spin flax and wool and weave the thread into garments. After her marriage 
she not only performed the work of the house but also assisted in much of the 
outdoor work, including the milking of the cows. She was renowned for her 
dairy products, which always commanded an excellent price of the market. Now 
well advanced in years, she is living upon the old homestead and receives the 
respect and friendship of all who know her.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p672-674

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