Putnam County Illinois Biographies (William Cassell - Joseph) JOSEPH CASSELL (1817-1891) Birth: 1817, Dauphin Co. PA Death: March 4, 1891, Putnam Co. IL Parents: William Cassell and Elizabeth Leidig Siblings: Augustus, Sophia (Albert), Roseannah (Allen), Christian, Esther (Albert), Berry Hill, Michael, Henry 1st Marriage: February 12, 1835 Spouse: Sarah Lynch Children: George Edwin, Esther, Calvin, Ephriam and Philip Augustus 2nd Marriage: 1847, Putnam Co. IL Spouse: Laura Bosley Children: Sara, Emma, Mary Jean (Barnette) 3rd Marriage: February 17, 1883, Decatur, Macon Co. IL Spouse: Katherine Dingman Chambers Children: (step) Walter and Alice (Stance) Joseph Cassell was born in 1817 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He spent his early life on his family’s farm there. Joseph and his brothers started helping their father on the farm at an early age. As young boys, they learned to swing an ax, cradle and scythe which were the principle farm implements during that time. Whenever possible during the winter season, Joseph and his brothers attended the local school which was held in a log cabin and did their lessons on a slab bench. Joseph and his brother, Augustus traveled to the wilderness of Putnam County, Illinois during the Black Hawk War of 1832. They liked it so well that they decided to stay and were considered two of the first settlers of Putnam County in 1833. Augustus was to be married, so they returned to their homes in Pennsylvania. Joseph married Sarah Lynch on February 12, 1835. In the summer of 1836, after the birth of their son, George Edwin, Joseph and Sarah joined his brother Augustus in traveling back to Putnam County, Illinois where they became two of the first settlers in the new village of Florid. Florid was established in December of 1835 and was located several miles south of Hennepin, Illinois. Only one man, had settled there before them. Near the village was Fort Cribs which was used as a block house against Indian attacks. Several months later, their brother Christian joined them and then Berry joined them in 1838. Berry liked Putnam County so well that he convinced their parents join them in Illinois. By 1845, all of Joseph’s six brothers, his parents and all of his sisters - except Sophia were living in Illinois. Joseph worked as a blacksmith in Florid for about 15 years. Joseph and Sara had five children. George Edwin was born in 1836. Esther was born in 1838. Calvin was born in 1839. Philip Augustus was born in 1844 and Ephriam was born on August 20, 1841. Sara unfortunately passed away shortly after Philip's birth, leaving Joseph with four small children. Joseph married Laura Bosley in 1845 in Putnam County. Joseph and Laura had 3 children. Sarah was born in 1847. Emma was born in 1848 and Mary Jean was born in 1850. In 1850, he purchased a farm on Section 22 of Hennepin Township. Joseph made a living farming for many years. Jospeh was faithful member of the Lutheran church. He was the Florid school director for 12 years and a road master for 13 years. His wife Laura died suddenly from heart failure in 1880. Shortly after that Joseph retired from farming and moved to the village of Florid. Joseph's health began to fail about 10 years before his death. In 1881, he was confined to his bed for nearly 2 months because of an illness. In 1883, Joseph traveled to Decatur, Illinois where his brothers, Berry, Michael and John lived. There he met his future wife, Kate Chambers. Joseph and Katherine Dingman Chambers were married on February 17, 1883 in Decatur, Illinois by his brother-in-law, Thomas B. Albert.. After their marriage, Joseph returned to Florid, where he had a new home built for his new wife. Joseph continued to live out the rest of his life in the village of Florid.. Joseph died at his home on March 4, 1891. He was buried in the Florid cemetery in the family plot. Resources Genealogical files "Pulsifer House", Hennepin, Illinois "The Record of Olden Times, Our 50 Years on the Prairie" by A. T. Purvinge,1880. 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 Federal Census Records for Putnam County, Hennepin Township The Putnam Record Newspaper, Oct. 1880, Mar. 1883, Mar. 1891 Marriage Records for Macon County, IL (IL Historical Library SARA ANN LYNCH CASSELL (1818-1844) Birth: Mary 16, 1818, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania Death: September 16, 1844, Florid, Putnam County, Illinois Parents: Philip Lynch Esq. Marriage: February 12, 1833, Pennsylvania Spouse: JOSEPH CASSELL Children: George Edwin, Esther, Ephriam, Calvin, Philip Augustus Sara Ann Lynch was born on May 16, 1818 in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. Sara grew up in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. On February 12, 1835, Sara married Joseph Cassell. The next year, Sara and Joseph moved to Putnam County, Illinois. They settled in the village of Florid where Joseph worked as a blacksmith. Sara and Joseph had five children, George, Esther, Ephriam, Calvin and Philip Augustus. Unfortunately Sara died shortly after her youngest son's birth on September 16, 1844. After her death, Sara was laid to rest in the Florid Cemetery. Resources Genealogical files "Pulsifer House", Hennepin, Illinois "The Record of Olden Times, Our 50 Years on the Prairie" by A. T. Purvinge,1880. (William Cassell - Joseph Cassell - George Edwin) GEORGE EDWIN CASSELL (1836-1850) Birth: 1836, Dauphin Co. PA Death: 1850, Putnam Co. IL Parents: Joseph Cassell (Birth-PA) and Sara Lynch (Birth-PA) Siblings: Calvin, Ephriam, Philip Augustus, Esther, Sara, Emma, Mary Jean (Jenny) George Edwin Cassell was born in the spring of 1836 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvnia. When he was still a baby, his family moved to the village of Florid in Putnam County, Illinois. George spent his short life in Florid. His cause of death in 1850 was listed as inflammation of the brain. After his death, was buried in the Florid Cemetery. Resources Genealogical files "Pulsifer House", Hennepin, Illinois "The Record of Olden Times, Our 50 Years on the Prairie" by A. T. Purvinge,1880. 1850 Death Records for Putnam County, Illinois Florid cemetary, tombstone inscription (William Cassell - Joseph Cassell - Esther) ESTHER CASSELL (1838-?) Birth: 1838, Florid, Putnam Co. IL Death: Unknown - Possilbly Nebraska Parents: Joseph Cassell (Birth-PA) and Sara Lynch (Birth-PA) Siblings: Calvin, Ephriam, Philip Augustus, Esther, Sara, Emma, Mary Jean (Jenny) Esther Cassell was born in the small village of Florid in 1838. When she was just 6 years old, her mother died and her father remarried the next year. Her father worked as a blacksmith in Florid until 1850 when he bought a farm outside of Florid. Esther grew to adulthood on the farm. By 1860, she was no longer living at home. Nothing else is known at this time. Resources Genealogical files "Pulsifer House", Hennepin, Illinois "The Record of Olden Times, Our 50 Years on the Prairie" by A. T. Purvinge,1880. 1850, 1860 Federal census records for Putnam Co. IL (William Cassell - Joseph Cassell - Phillip Augustus) PHILLIP AUGUSTUS CASSELL (1844-?) Birth: 1844, Florid, Putnam County, Illinois Death: After 1903, California Parents: Joseph Cassell (Birth-PA) and Sara Lynch (Birth-PA) Siblings: George, Calvin, Ephriam, Esther, Emma, Sara, Mary Jean Marriage: 1863, Putnam Co. IL Spouse: Sara Cramer Children: Grace (Heron) PHILLIP AUGUSTUS CASSELL was born in 1844 in in small village of Florid, Illinois. Shortly after his birth, his mother died and his father remarried. When Phillip was 6 years old, his father bought a farm in Hennepin Township. Philip grew up on the family farm, helping his father as he grew older. Philip married SARA CRAMER in 1863 in Putnam County, Illinois. Philip and Sara spent the first years of their married life on a farm west of Florid, Illinois. They had one child, a daughter named Grace, who was born in 1881. In 1900, Philip moved his family to California. They eventually settled in Pomona, California. Philip's wife died in 1904. Nothing else is known at this time. Resources Genealogical files "Pulsifer House", Hennepin, Illinois "The Record of Olden Times, Our 50 Years on the Prairie" by A. T. Purvinge,1880. 1850, 1860, Federal Census Records for Putnam County, Hennepin Township The Putnam Record Newspaper, Feb. 1900, Dec. 1904 Marriage Records for Putnam County, IL (County Clerks office) SARA CRAMER CASSELL (1844-1904) Birth: June 20, 1844, Pennsylvania (Cumberland County?) Death: December 12, 1904, Lake Elsinore, California Parents: Paul Cramer (Birth-PA) and Elizabeth Basehore (Birth-PA) Siblings: Ida May (Hetrick), Leviere, John, Mary Jane (Cox), Sara Ann, Luther, Clara (Allen), Amelia, Almonzo, Minnie Marriage: 1863, Putnam Co. Il. Spouse: PHILLIP AUGUSTUS CASSELL Children: Grace (Herron) SARA CRAMER was born on June 20, 1844 in Pennsylvania. In 1851, her family moved to Putnam County, Illinois. There Sara grew to adulthood. She married PHILLIP AUGUSTUS CASSELL in 1863 in Putnam County, Illinois. They had one child, Grace in 1881. Sara and her husband lived in Putnam County until 1901. They then moved to Pomona, California. Sara's death was sudden and unexpected. After her death, she was buried in Pomona, California. Resources Genealogical files "Pulsifer House", Hennepin, Illinois "The Record of Olden Times, Our 50 Years on the Prairie" by A. T. Purvinge,1880. 1850, 1860, Federal Census Records for Putnam County, Hennepin Township The Putnam Record Newspaper, Feb. 1900, Dec. 1904, Jul. 1908 (mother’s obit) Marriage Records for Putnam County, IL (County Clerks office) Letter form Richard Cramer, Aurora, Colorado (William Cassell - Joseph Cassell - Phillip Augustus Cassell - Grace) GRACE CASSELL HERON (1881-?) Birth: About 1881, Hennepin Township, Putnam Co. IL Death: After 1947, California Parents: Phillip A. Cassell (Birth-IL) and Sara Cramer (Birth-PA) Marriage: Between 1900 and 1904 Spouse: William Herron Children: Ann Grace Cassell was born around 1881 on her parent’s farm west of Florid, Illinois. Grace grew up in Putnam County. She attended the Brown's Business College in Ottawa, Illinois from 1898 to 1900. In 1900, her family moved to Pomona, California. Grace married William Herron sometime between 1900 and 1904. They also settled in Pomona, California. Grace and William had one child, Anne. They were still living in Pomona in 1949. Nothing else is known at this time. Resources The Putnam Record Newspaper, Oct. 1898, Jan. 1900, Feb. 1900, Dec. 1904, Sep. 1944, May 1949 (William Cassell - Joseph Cassell’s 2nd Spouse ) LAURA BOSLEY CASSELL (1818-1880) Birth: 1818, Ohio Death: October 11, 1880, Hennepin Township, Putnam County, Illinois Parents: Birth - New York Marriage: 1845 Spouse: Joseph Cassell Children: Sara, Emma, Mary Jean (Barnette) LAURA BOSLEY was born in Ohio around 1818. Nothing is known of Laura's childhood. Laura married JOSEPH CASSELL in 1845. Along with a new husband, Laura became mother to Joseph’s five children. Laura and Joseph settled in Florid, Illinois, where Joseph made a living as a blacksmith. Laura and Joseph had three daughters, Sara, Emma and Mary Jean. In 1850, Joseph bought a farm on Section 22 of Hennepin Township. Laura and Joseph spent the remainder of their married life on the farm. Laura’s death was sudden and unexpected. Earlier that day her health had been fine and she had even been out to look at the fruit in the orchard. She died suddenly of heart failure on Wednesday evening, October 11, 1880. After her death, she was laid to rest in the Florid cemetery. Resources Genealogical files "Pulsifer House", Hennepin, Illinois "The Record of Olden Times, Our 50 Years on the Prairie" by A. T. Purvinge,1880. 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, Federal Census Records for Putnam County, Hennepin Township The Putnam Record Newspaper, Oct. 1880 (William Cassell - Joseph Cassell - Sara ) SARA ANN CASSELL(1845-1871) Birth: 1845, Florid, Putnam County, Illinois Death: September 16, 1871, Putnam County, Illinois Parents: Joseph Cassell (Birth - PA) and Laura Bosely (Birth-OH) Siblings: Esther, George, Calvin, Ephriam,Philip Augustus, Emma and Mary Jean. Resources Genealogical files "Pulsifer House", Hennepin, Illinois "The Record of Olden Times, Our 50 Years on the Prairie" by A. T. Purvinge,1880. 1850, 1860, 1870, Federal Census Records for Putnam County, Hennepin Township Gravestone inscription, Florid cemetery, Florid, Illinois (William Cassell - Joseph Cassell - Emma and Mary Jean) EMMA CASSELL (1848-?) Birth: 1848, Florid, Putnam County, Illinois Death: After 1870 Parents: Joseph Cassell (Birth - PA) and Laura Bosely (Birth-OH) Siblings: Esther, George, Calvin, Ephriam,Philip Augustus, Emma and Mary Jean. Resources Genealogical files "Pulsifer House", Hennepin, Illinois "The Record of Olden Times, Our 50 Years on the Prairie" by A. T. Purvinge,1880. 1850, 1860, 1870, Federal Census Records for Putnam County, Hennepin Township MARY JEAN "JENNIE" CASSELL BARNETT (1850-?) Birth: About 1850 Putnam Co IL Death: Unknown Parents: Joseph Cassell (Birth-PA) and Laura Bosley (Birth -OH) Sibling: George, Calvin, Ephriam and Augustus, Esther, Sara and Emma Marriage: 1871, Putnam Co IL Spouse: Harry M. Barnett (Divorced) Children: Philip A. JENNIE CASSELL was born in 1850 in Putnam County, Illinois Jenny spent her childhood in Putnam County, Illinois. Jenny married Harry M. Barnett in 1871 in Putnam County, Illinois. They had one child, Philip A., who was born in 1873. By 1880, Jennie was divorced and once again living with her parents. Nothing else is known at this time. Resources Genealogical files "Pulsifer House", Hennepin, Illinois "The Record of Olden Times, Our 50 Years on the Prairie" by A. T. Purvinge,1880. 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 Federal Census Records for Putnam County, Hennepin Township Marriage Records for Putnam County, Illinois (County Clerks Office) (William Cassell - Joseph Cassell’s 3rd spouse) KATHERINE DINGMAN CHAMBERS CASSELL (1831-?) Birth: October 1831, New York Death: After 1900 Parents: Birth-New York Siblings: William R. Dingman 1st Marriage: Around 1864 Spouse: James Chambers Children: Walter, Alice, 2 other children 2nd Marriage: February 17, 1883, Decatur, Macon Co. IL Spouse:JOSEPH CASSELL "Kate" Dingman was born in October of 1831 in New York. Nothing is known about Kate's childhood or early life. She married James Chambers around 1864. They had four children. Two of the children died in childhood. The other children were Alice and Walter. By 1870, Kate and James were living in Niantic,, Illinois. Her husband died sometime before 1880 and Kate ran a boarding house in Decatur, Illinois. Kate married JOSPEH CASSELL on February 17, 1883 at her home in Decatur, Illinois. After her marriage, Kate moved to Joseph's home in Florid, Illinois, which is a small village 4 miles south- east of Hennepin in Putnam County. Her husband died in 1891. Kate remained in Florid until at least 1900. Resources Genealogical files "Pulsifer House", Hennepin, Illinois 1870, 1880 Federal Census Records for Macon County, Illinois 1900 Federal Census Records for Putnam County, Illinois The Putnam Record Newspaper, Mar. 1883, Mar. 1891, 1900 Marriage Records for Macon County, IL (IL Historical Library) (William Cassell - Joseph Cassell - Walter) WALTER CHAMBERS (1864-?) Birth: 1864, Canada Death: Unknown Parents: John Chambers and Katherine Dingman (Stepfather: Joseph Cassell) Siblings: Alice Marriage: Unknown Walter Chambers was born in 1861 in Canada. By 1870, his family had moved to Decatur, Illinois. Walter’s father died sometime before 1880 and his mother ran a boarding house in Decatur. In 1883, Walter’s mother married Joseph Cassell and moved the family to his stepfather’s home in Florid, Putnam County, Illinois. By 1898, Walter had bought a farm near Cotton Hill in Sangamon County, Illinois. Nothing else is known at this time. Resources 1870, 1880 Federal Census Records for Macon County, Illinois The Putnam Record Newspaper, Mar. 1883, Mar. 1887, 1897 Marriage Records for Macon County, IL (IL Historical Library) (William Cassell - Joseph Cassell - Alice) Alice Chambers Chance (1871-?) Birth: 1871, Macon Co. IL Death: Unknown Parents: John Chambers and Katherine Dingman (Stepfather: Joseph Cassell) Siblings: Walter Marriage: December 22, 1887, Florid, Putnam Co. IL Spouse: James Chance Children: Ethel, Mabel ALICE CHAMBERS was born in Macon County, Illinois in 1871. She spent the first few years of her life in Decatur, Illinois. Her father died sometime before 1880. In 1883 her mother married Joseph Cassell and the family moved to her stepfather’s home in Florid, Illinois. Alice grew up in the village of Florid. On December 22, 1887, she married JAMES CHANCE at her home in Florid, Illinois. Alice and James had at least two children, Ethel and Mabel. In 1901, Alice and James moved to Louisianna. They returned to Illinois in 1902. Nothing else is known at this time. Resources 1870, 1880 Federal Census Records for Macon County, Illinois 1900 Federal Census Record for Putnam County, Hennepin Township, Illinois The Putnam Record Newspaper, Mar. 1883, Dec. 1887, 1898, 1900, 1902 JAMES CHANCE ( 1858-?) Birth: November 1858, Putnam Co IL Death: Unknown Parents: Catherine (Birth-Bavaria) and John Chance (Birth-OH) Siblings: Curtis A., May, George, Charles, Edward, Jennie, Henry, John Marriage: December 22, 1887, Florid, Putnam Co. IL Spouse: Alison Chambers Children: Ethel and Mabel Resources 1870, 1900 Federal Census Record for Putnam County, Hennepin Township, Illinois The Putnam Record Newspaper, Mar. 1883, Dec. 1887, 1898, 1900, 1902 --------------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. 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