Description
The story of northern Illinois pioneer William A. McConnell and his rural farm, this book is a fascinating look at how the 19th century unfolded across time and geography. The authors—one of whom owns McConnell’s farm—discovered that McConnell took part in many of the 19th century’s key events: creating a "frontier" town, church building, railroading, wildcat banking, the Civil War, and the rise of Illinois’ dairy business in the 1860’s. In addition, Montelona Farm presents both William and his wife, Elizabeth Bodine’s, interesting genealogies which offer readers insight into the Dutch Huguenot settlement of Manhattan in the 1600’s, Quaker immigration via William Penn’s ships to Pennsylvania, and the Scots-Irish diaspora of the 1700’s. The book continues the farmstead’s story into the present day by describing the creation of the surrounding Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. In full color with numerous photos, maps and illustrations.
