John Finley

John Finley, who settled on section 19, Essex, in 1839, was born in Fayette county, O., in 1802. His parents, Robert and Mary (Craig) Finley, natives of Indiana, settled in what is now Ashland county, O., prior to the War of 1812, where they resided until their death. John Finley married Miss Rebecca Gaffney in Ohio, came with her in 1834 to Fulton county, Ill., and five years later settled here. As shown in the organic and political chapters, he was a member of the first commissioners' court and second sheriff, was county judge, justice of the peace, and in all points a most excellent citizen. Of their eleven children nine are living: Andrew J., William P., who was killed before Knoxville, November 18, 1863, aged thirty-three years, while serving with the One-hundredand-twelfth Regiment; Priscilla J., John L., Mary E., Albert E., Robert M., James E., Caroline R. and Willis O. John L. went to California in 1852, enlisted in Third Massachusetts Cavalry in 1863, was made prisoner, escaped from Danville, and was commissioned second lieutenant for bravery; Albert P. served with the Third Illinois Cavalry from 1861 to 1864; James E., of the One-hundred-and-twelfth, was wounded before Atlanta, Ga., all of which is told in the military chapter. The father of this great family died at Toulon, February 28, 1883. His first wife died in 1856, aged forty-nine years; but his second wife, Miss Sarah D. Adams, survives him. Andrew J. Finley was born in Ohio, in 1828, came westward with his parents, married Miss Margaret J. Carter, October 6, 1850, and has been a permanent resident of this county for about fifty years. Their children are: Arabella, John L., William J., Mary A., Ella B., Walter B., Oscar E., Margaret C, Daisy N., and two, an infant and Lenora, deceased. Mr. Finley has served his township as justice of the peace and assessor, and was collector of Essex. He has been a member of the Agricultural Society since its beginning. His farm of 460 acres is among the best in Stark county.