Biography for Joseph Essex

Joseph Essex, one of the early settlers of Henderson County, 
(Illinois) who since 1858 has carried on general farming on 
section 12, township 10, range 5 west, is a native of 
Chillicothe, Ohio. His father, Isaac Essex , was a native 
of Maryland. He was born below Baltimore, on the bank of 
Chesapeake Bay, and in that locality spent his early 
childhood. At the age of seventeen he left his native State 
and removed to Virginia. Later he started westward, and took 
up his residence in Ross County, Ohio, whence he went to 
Indianapolis, Ind., about 1830. Four years later he came to 
Illinois, settling in Rock Island. The remainder of his life 
was passed in this State, where his death occurred in 1850. 
In the Essex family were eight children, four sons and four
daughters, namely: Mrs.Sarah Van Pelt, Mrs. Eleanor Peckham, 
Mrs. Maria Call, Mrs. Mary Chapin, Francis Campbell, Joseph, 
James Doolittle and Solomon Bush . The subject of this sketch 
received but limited educational advantages, his knowledge 
having been acquired largely through business experience, 
reading and observation, and not through school-room drill. 
At the early age of fifteen he started out to make his own 
way in the world, and has since been dependent upon his own
resources, so that whatever success he has achieved in life 
is due entirely to his own efforts.

He began work on a canal-boat, and in this way provided for 
his own maintenance for some time.At length he turned his 
attention to farming, and as soon as possible became the 
owner of a farm In 1850, Mr. Essex was married, the lady of
his choice being Miss Julia A. Bailey , who came of an old 
Connecticut family, and who has been to him a faithful 
companion and helpmate along life's journey. Their union has 
been blessed with two children, a son and daughter: Charles 
H. and Mary L., the later being now the wife of George 
Miller , of Biggsville. In 1858, Mr. Essex purchased a tract
of land on section 12, township 10 north, range 5 west, and 
has since made his home thereon, giving his entire time and 
attention to the cultivation and improvement of his land. It 
is nowa rich and fertile tract, and every department of the 
farm is characterized by and air of neatness and thrift.

The owner has led a busy and useful life, yet has found time 
to devote to public interests, especially to those calculated 
to prove of public benefit. He votes with the Republican 
party, and has served as School Director for about six terms.

During his long residence in Henderson County he has become 
widely known, and is held in high regard by all, for he 
possesses many excellent characteristics.

Note: This is the end of the Biography. I want to state that 
there is errors here!!

Isaac Essex died 1873 in Mercer Co, IL per his obituary. 
Joseph D. died in 1914 so the date in this Bio. isn't for 
either. There was a child on the 1850 Mortality Schedule 
Rock Island named Joseph Essex, female, age 2ys!! I haven't 
been able to clarify that child; altho, I have strong data 
that my line of Essex had connections to the Essex who were 
pioneers of Stark Co, IL!! 

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Hancock, McDonough 
and Henderson Counties Illinois, Chicago 1894


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