**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890 **************************************************************************** The Biography of Morrison DARLAND Pages 241, 242, and 245, transcribed by Marna Scott, the great-granddaughter of Morrison Darland. [Surnames: DARLAND, HENRY, MCFARLAND, MORRISON, RIST, SHOFERS, SHREEVES, WHITE] MORRISON DARLAND is one of the oldest settlers in the county and ranks with the leading farmers, although he is now retired from active labor, the management of the estate being in the hands of his sons. He has been a very hard-working man and well deserves the rest he is enjoying and the competence he has secured. He owns a valuable tract of land in Young Hickory Township, comprising three hundred and twenty acres on Sections 13 and 25, and another tract of forty acres on Section 11. Our subject is the fourth child of Isaac and Jane (Morrison) Darland. His father was born in Kentucky, grew to manhood there and then made his way to Ohio, locating in Preble County. There he married the good woman who shared his joys and sorrows for many years. Like himself, she was a native of the Blue Grass State. After his marriage, Mr. Darland cleared a farm, which was his home until the death of his wife, when he became an inmate of the households of his children. He spent two years in this county, but returned to Ohio prior to his demise. Politically, he was an old-line Whig. The members of the parental family are: John, who died in Ohio; Benjamin, now living in Marble Rock, Iowa; Harrison, who died in Ohio; our subject; Van Lew, who died in Iowa; Nathan, a resident of Kansas; Isaac, who died in that State; Hannah and Catherine, who died in Ohio. Van Lew belonged to an Iowa regiment in the Civil War and contracted a disease from which he died soon after his return to his home. Our subject was born near Paris, Preble County, Ohio, November 8, 1812. His school privileges were limited, consisting of attendance in the winter in the old-fashioned log schoolhouse, where instruction was supplied under the subscription system. He was early set to work on the farm, and being unusually large and strong for his years, had to put his shoulder to the wheel in quite heavy labor. Being obliged to chop, burn and clear timber, he early became adept at using the ax. He remained with his father long after he was of age and was the last of the boys to leave the home fireside. The idea finally grew upon him of visiting the broad prairies of Illinois, of which he had heard so much, and of selecting a location in which to make himself a home. He, therefore, in 1835, came on horseback through the Indiana and Illinois mud to this county, where he soon purchased land. Mr. Darland located near Fairview on a quarter section, and buying another horse, set to work to improve his estate. He built a rude log house and other necessary buildings; and when the land was somewhat improved had an opportunity to sell it to advantage. He therefore, disposed of it and bought an equal amount east of Fairview, this also being raw land. Here he used cattle in breaking the sod and cultivating the soil. In those early days the market was Copperas Creek Landing to and from which all produce and goods must be hauled. The principal crops at that time were wheat and rye, whereas at present the fields are mostly covered with corn. Mr. Darland split hundreds of rails with which to fence his farm, and otherwise exerted his powerful physical forces, which were above the average. About 1845, Mr. Darland sold his property in Fairview Township and bought one hundred and sixty acres of his present estate, already somewhat improved. He now has a growing orchard of five acres of apple and peach trees, which he set out on land grubbed by himself at noons, when, as he says, he was resting. Energy and perseverance secured the meed of success, and year by year the circumstances of our subject improved. In 1870, he bought an additional quarter section adjoining his first purchase in the township, paying $40 per acre. This he has also improved, making two farms with the necessary buildings. His forty-acre tract is timberland. He has always raised a good grade of cattle and hogs, and has also bred some very fine draft and driving horses. He is an excellent judge of horse flesh, and his farm has been well supplied with equines. About a decade since he retired from active life, and his sons are carrying on the work which he so well instituted. The first marriage of Mr. Darland took place in Fairview Township, June 2, 1838. His bride was Miss Ann Shreeves, who was born in Franklin County [see endnote], December 19, 1809. Her father, Thomas Shreeves, is numbered among the early settlers of this county. The death of Mrs. Ann Darland occurred October 26, 1850. She left five children: Milton I., Mary J., Benjamin, Marion Foster and Thomas S. Mary J. is now the wife of Asa White, of Young Hickory Township; Benjamin M. enlisted in Company B., One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry, during the first year of the war, was taken sick; sent home on a furlough and died about a year after his enrollment. The other children died here. January 26, 1851, Mr. Darland was united in marriage with Mrs. Jane Rest [Note: this should be Rist - MMJMS] Henry, the ceremony taking place in Young Hickory Township. The bride was a daughter of Jacob Rest[sic: Rist], was born near Connellsville, PA., February 24, 1820, and lived in her native place until nineteen years old. She had no school advantages and is self-educated, and has likewise acquired a good knowledge of the domestic arts. Her manners are those of a friendly, gracious woman, who meets with due respect from her acquaintances. In 1838, she accompanied her parents to this county, coming overland and being four weeks on the way. She remained at home until her marriage to Jacob Henry, July 2, 1841. The husband was born in New Jersey, came to this county with his uncle in the early days and engaged in farming. he often hauled wheat to Chicago when two weeks were consumed in the trip. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Henry located on Spoon River, in Young Hickory Township, where the husband died in 1846. He owned a good farm, but the administrator took such advantage of the widow that she lost the little estate. She had two children, a son and a daughter. John enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry, in 1862. At Chattanooga, he was shot in the leg, necessitating the amputation of that member. A second amputation became necessary, and this caused his death. The daughter, Hannah, married J.S. McFarland and lives in London Mills. The present Mrs. Darland is the mother of four children by her last union. The first-born, Joseph, a prominent farmer in Fairview Township, is represented elsewhere in this work; Eliza and Ellen are deceased; Morrison W., an enterprising youth, is in charge of the home farm. Mrs. Darland is a member of the Christian Church. Some facts regarding her ancestry may be found in the biography of Mrs. Lewis Shofers, which is included in his album. Mr. Darland has been Commissioner of Highways, School Director and Trustee at various times. He has served on grand and petit juries. In politics he staunchly supports Democracy, never failing to cast his vote for the candidates who are pledged to uphold its principles. Transcriber's note: No state is given for "Miss Ann Shreeves, who was born in Franklin County," but Census of 1850 states it was Ohio - the Anderson papers on the Shreeves family state Thomas, Ann's father and family went to Highland Co., Ohio, so this is probably the place of her birth. --Margaret Marna Jeanne Mills Scott