File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by 
Terry Erwin 
www.parsonstect.com/genealogy/trees/terwin/camron.htm

History of John Miller Camron Family (part 3) - Fulton, Sangamon Counties,
Illinois


(The following report is copied from an account related by his father, John M.
Camron, as found in the history of the Camron family compiled May 1922 by Elam
Brown, Martinez, California.)

The life and traveling of young Thomas was closely connected with that of his
father, John Camron, so that the life of John Camron, as told by himself, will
be of interest.  While young he (Thomas) lived and moved with his father.

"After marriage with Mary Orendorff, we moved to a place situated about ten
miles south of Red Banks, lived there on a farm until 1812, and moved to a
place sixteen miles west of the mouth of Green River, Henderson County,
Kentucky, and lived here about two years.  Thomas P. was born at this place
(1814) . . . during the yer 1814, at close of the war with Great Britain,
moved the family into White County, Illinois, traveling through dense
wilderness, locating on a farm, built house, planted orchard, and lived there
about three years; sold out, moved into what was called Looking Glass Prairie,
twenty-five miles east of St. Louis, Belleville, St. Clair County, Illinois.
At this place bought a tract of land about the time public land was offered
for sale by the government, twelve miles east and a little south of
Belleville; made a farm, built a house, planted an orchard, lived there about
two years (1819).  Sold out, and moved across the Sangamon River, while it was
a wilderness, about seventy-five miles north of a town on Apple Creek.
Settled at a place seven miles north of what is known as Springfield,
Illinois, two miles north of Orendorff Ferry on the Sangamon; Orendorff (my
brother-in-law) and I built ferry on the river -- also lived two miles north
of Ferry Creek (seven miles south of Elkhorn Grove).  No settlement of white
people, lived there three years (1822), made a farm, log house, sold out and
moved to western part of Sangamon County on a creek called Rock Creek, twenty
miles west of what is now called Springfield, built a house, made a farm, set
out orchard and lived there two years (1825).  Sold out and moved ten miles
north into Sangamon County into what was called Clary's Grove, noted for
desperate characters who lived in and about the neighborhood."  (For
description of the character of the people, etc., see "Life of Abe Lincoln" by
Nicolay and Hay, Century Magazine, May 1885.)

"About twenty-eight miles from where Springfield is now, made a farm, built
large house and prepared to build a grist mill on Clary's Creek.  When about
ready to commence work my neighbors persuaded me to build the mill on Sangamon
River.  Put up the mill on Sangamon River, about three miles from Clary's
Grove and about sixteen miles below Orendorff Ferry.  Here built the mill and
surveyed the town of New Salem.  Also put up two grist mills and one saw mill
on Dry Creek in Sangamon County and lived there about two years (1827).  Here
young Thomas Camron learned the trades of carpentering and millwork by actual
experience.  He was thriteen years of age.  The family lived at the mill about
three years.  This is about the time Orcutt bought the mill from Camron and
Rutledge.  (See "Life of Lincoln" by Nicolay and Hay.)  Here young Lincoln
lived and worked.  It is stated that Abe Lincoln was appointed Postmaster at
New Salem from 1831 to 1836."


"Simon Bernadotte lived with us two years and was with me when we built the
mill on Sangamon River.  I sold the mill and ferry and moved into Fulton
County, on Spoon River, on what was afterwards called Martins.  Bernadotte
built a large saw mill and grist mill about eighteen miles above the mouth of
Spoon River.  I built a set of mills and lived there three or four years.
Caroline was born at that place (1834).  It was called Bernadotte.  My brother
James lived at the town, brother William lived with him, and brother Thomas
lived fifteen miles north, Fulton County.  Sold out and moved into what was
known as River Prairie, eight miles from Canton, still in Fulton County.
Bought property in a little town about eight miles west and three miles east
of Elkhorn Mills on Spoon River, lived close to the town, and made a farm.  It
was here (1837) Thomas was married to Zilla Emery, whose father was David
Emery.  Her mother was Edith Fisher.  We lived there about three years, where
we bought land and furnished timber, and then sold out and moved into Iowa.

"Settled in Big Cedar Creek, Jefferson County, Iowa, since called Fairfield,
the county seat.  There made a farm, planted orchard, and remained three of
four years.  Part of the children were born here; moved to Oscaloosa, Mahaska
County, and was in the mercantile business with son Thomas.  Sold out ny farm
for goods to furnish the store, entered into partnership with Thomas at this
place, bought land, built a farm near town, moved the family about three miles
west of town, set out orchard, and built log house.  The next year after,
1842, when we went there every one of the family was down with fever and ague.
Thomas and Zilla went back to the town and built house and store.  Presume was
there one fall and winter, and in 1849 started to California.


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