Isaac B. Essex

Isaac B. Essex, the pioneer of Stark county, was born in Virginia in 1800, moved to Ohio, and thence to Peoria, Ill., under Rev. Jesse Walker, the Methodist itinerant. In 1828 he selected his home in this township, and settled here permanently in 1829 with his family. In 1831 his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Essex, their four sons, their daughter, Mrs. David Cooper, and her husband, arrived. The father, Thomas, died at David Cooper's house on sec. 10, May 15, 1853, and the mother, Elizabeth, January 26, 1853. Thomas Essex was born in Virginia January 13, 1771, and Elizabeth, his wife, in 1773. Joseph, brother of Isaac B., died in 1876, as related in the history of Toulon; Thomas resides in Peoria county, David is in California, Isaac B. moved to Dongola, Ill., John remained in the district, also Mrs. Cooper, while William moved to Knox county. Whether to credit the statement that Isaac B. Essex joined the Mormons to Mr. Baldwin, of Peoria, Capt. Haacke, of Peoria, Martin Shallenberger, of Toulon, or an old record of Mormon circuits in Illinois, the writer cannot determine. It is certain, however, that the statement was made on what appeared to be good authority. At the close of this volume a complete sketch of the Essex family and of their settlement in Illinois is given.