MRS. VIRGINIA GREENFIELD Mrs. Virginia Greenfield, who resides on section 6, Long Creek Township in Macon Co,, is a vative of Wythe County, VA. Her father, John Flora, was a native of Pennsylvania, and in that State wedded Mary Ott, who was of Dutch and Irish descent. In 1829 he came with his family to Illinois, reaching his destination in the latter part of December. He moved his family and effects in four wagons drawn by horses, and at length reached John's Hill. Decatur had just been laid out, and Springfield was a market at that time. Mr. Flora entered land from the Government, and in a log cabin the family lived in true pioneer style, dressing in buckskin and wearing coonskin caps. Their beds were made on poles inserted between the logs, and clapboards were placed upon these. There were thirteen children in the family, hence the household was a large one. In Virginia the father owned a saw and grist mill, but after coming to the West he carried on agricultural putsuits. He became well-to-do, and, although he had served in the Revolutionary War and was granted a pension, he would never draw the money. The members of the family were Sarah and Henry, who died in this county; Katie, on the old homestead; Cynthia and David, both deceased; Eleanor, who died in Long Creek Township; Polly, deceased; Mary Ann; Rhody; Jonathan, a farmer who died in Arkansas*; Israel, who died in Urbana, Ohio; Cyrena, who died near Macon; Jackson, who died in this county; Isaac, who died in Virginia; and Mrs. Greenfield. About 1825, David, Henry and Cynthia came to Illinois, and in 1829 the rest of the family joined them. This was the winter before the deep snow. They suffered all the experiences and hardships of pioneer life, having to go to Springfield and St. Louis to trade, and they ground their hominy by scooping a hole in the end of a log and making a sweep to pound the corn. Mrs. Mary Ann Querry, sister of Mrs. Greenfield, was born in Virginia, January 4, 1810, and remained at home until her marriage in October, 1830, when she became the wife of George W. Querry, a native of the Old Dominion and a carpenter by trade. He died on his farm in this county some eighteen years ago. Their children were Lucretia J., wife of John Shaffer, of Blue Mound Township; Louisa Ann; Armena Maranda and John Wesley, who died in childhood; Mrs. Rosanna Terry of Arkansas; William, of Renwick, Iowa; James, who died in 1861; Angeline, deceased, wife of George Martin; Emeline, deceased; Virginia, wife of Jack Booker, of Blue Mound; and Joseph, who married Clar Frey and operates the home farm for his mother. Joseph has a little daughter, Nellie May. Mrs. Querry is a consistent member of the Methodist Church, as was her husband. For sixty-four years she made her home in this county, and has been an eyewitness of all the changes that have transformed it from an unbroken ! tract of land, uninhabited, into one of the best counties of the State. Mrs. Virginia Greenfield, who is numbered among Macon County's pioneer settlers, was not quite five years of age when she came with her parents to Illinois. At that time Indians were still living in the neighborhood. The long prairie grass waving in the wind looked like the undulations of the ocean. There were deer, wolves and all kinds of game that were used for food. Mrs. Greenfield attended the subscription schools for a short time, and became familiar with all the ways of the hosehold, learning to spin and weave and care for a home. She remained with her parents until their death, caring for them in their old age as they had done for her in her childhood. In February, 1851, she became the wife of Ambrose Greenfield, a native of Ohio, who when a young man came to Illinois, and in Decatur enlisted for the Mexican War. His wife now receives a pension in recognition for his services. They continued to reside upon the old Flora homestead, where their marriage was celebrated , and Mr. Greenfield carried on farming and stock-raising. He was an industrious and enterprising man, a good citizen and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a supporter of the Democracy. He passed away June 22, 1890, at the age of sixty-four. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Greenfield were born the following children: Martha Ellen, who became the wife of David Chamberlain, and died at the age of twenty-one years, leaving one daughter, Minnie, who was reared by her grandmother, but is now married; Drusilla Jane, who was the wife of Ringold Martin, of Missouri, and died, and her two children, Bertha Ella and George A., are living with Mrs. Greenfield; Mathias C., who operates the home farm; Sabra Ann, wife of J.S. Vowel, a farmer of Mt. Zion Township; John William, a farmer of Dade County, Mo.; Walter, who married Elsie Myers and follows farming; and Charles, who completes the family. The children were all born and reared upon the old homestead and have been provided with good educational advantages. The family is one highly respected and widely known throughout the community. Mrs. Greenfield has led a life in harmony with her professions, and her many excellencies of character have won her the love and esteem of all. * (error in copy, he died in Cass Co., MO) History of Macon Co., Illinois, pgs 638-670 Transcribed by Pat Hageman ------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Pat Hageman (© 1997 Pat Hageman)