BIOS: Isaac HALE, 1889, Morgan & Scott Co's., IL, and Hancock Co., KY ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Contributed for use in USGENWEB Archives by: Jeanie (Hale) Lowe E-mail Registry submittor SWLowe1234@aol.com Date: Friday, November 29, 2002 8:30 AM ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net. ****************************************************************************** Isaac Hale Biography was taken from the PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF MORGAN AND SCOTT COUNTIES, ILLINOIS Chicago: Chapman Bros., Publishers, 1889. At the time of the writing and publishing of this biography, Isaac Hale and his family lived in Illinois, in Morgan County, just outside of the little river town named Meredosia, IL. ISAAC HALE. The snug farm of 120 acres belonging to this gentleman is pleasantly located on section 31, township 16, range 12, (Morgan County, IL) and comprises land which he cleared from the wilderness mostly with his own hands, building up a comfortable homestead. He has, in common with the men around him, labored early and late, and is recognized as possessing all the qualities of a useful and worthy member of his community. He is a native of Hancock County, Ky., and was born Aug. 24, 1823. The parents of our subject were William and Catherine (Snyder) Hale, who were probably born and reared in Virginia, and removed thence to Kentucky at an early day. The father served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and, after the conflict had ended, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Isaac remained in Kentucky until the fall of 1845, then emigrated to this State and settled in what is now known as Cass County, where he lived until the spring of 1859. Then, crossing the Mississippi, he established himself in Saline County, Mo., where he sojourned about two and one-half years, and then, in the fall of 1861, made his way to Central Illinois and settled upon a part of the land which he now owns and occupies. The first purchase of Mr. Hale in this county was eight acres, mostly covered with timber, which he cleared and brought to a state of cultivation. His labors, however, were interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War, and, after watching the conflict, he finally enlisted, March 18, 1865, in Company K, 28th Illinois Infantry, and was ordered with his regiment to Mobile. In July following he was among those who crossed the Gulf of Mexico with the view of enforcing the Monroe Doctrine. The war had now closed, and he soon after returned to this county, since which time he has given his close attention to his farming interests. Mr. Hale was married in Kentucky, Jan. 9, 1845, to Miss Lurissa J. Lake, who was born in Perry, Ind., but was reared in Kentucky. She was the daughter of Jesse and Mary Lake. This union resulted in the birth of eight children, seven of whom are living: Minor P. is a resident of Kansas; Mary C. is the wife of C. W. Hyde, of Meredosia precinct; Martha J. became the wife of Milton Sibert, of Jacksonville; William J. is a resident of Meredosia; Israel L. resides on the homestead; Charles T. makes his home at Meredosia; Harriet H. is the wife of David Buruss, of Meredosia; and David H. died when nine months old. A man essentially the architect of his own fortune, Mr. Hale has labored under many disadvantages, but was endowed by nature with the qualities of industry and perseverance, which have placed him in a good position among his fellow men. His education, which was quite limited, was conducted in the primitive log school-house of Kentucky on the subscription plan. The temple of learning in its furnishings was widely different from the buildings of the present day, the floor being made of puncheon and the seats and desks of slabs with home-made wooden legs. Light was admitted through greased paper, which was stretched along the aperture formed by sawing out a log on one side if the building, and a huge fireplace occupied nearly one end of the structure; the chimney was built outside of earth and sticks. The Western country at that time was less developed than the Blue Grass regions, and Mr. Hale has been the interested witness of the extraordinary changes taking place around him. He is now serving as a School Trustee in a district of well-educated and civilized people, whose children con their lessons in a shapely and well-furnished building from an abundance of books. In Mr. Hale's boyhood one book usually went through the family, and was used until worn out. He is a Democrat, politically, and in favor of all enterprises set on foot for the general good of the people. The duties of life began with him at the early age of five years, when he was set to work in the tobacco fields for his father, and from that time on knew little rest or recreation. While with the army in Mexico Mr. Hale was principally on picket duty, and was elected Corporal. The experience was a useful one, full of interest, and upon which he looks back with the feeling that it afforded him opportunities for observation of men and a section of country, and which, from actual experience, he can retain in his memory better than if he had read it from books. Submitted by great great granddaughter Jeanie (Hale) Lowe