Kinfolk Klippin's #6 March 1990
This issue's topics:
Pierson Roll... biographical sketch concluded
The following story... newspaper story about the fatal
accident of Henry Schumacher
Pierson Roll...
biographical sketch continued from previous issue. Pierson married
Catherine Spencer 8 May 1845. John Carrol Powers states: "They had thirteen
children, four of whom died young." These four were not named. Their first
daughter, Margaret A. Roll, was born 17 August 1846. She married a man named
Joshua Jones. Joshua was born 20 December 1840 in Franklin County, Ohio. He
enrolled in the Union Army at Camp Butler, six miles northeast of Springfield,
on 12 August 1862. He was mustered into service on 18 September as a private in
Company C, 114th Regiment Illinois Infantry, commanded by Captain William A.
Mallory. Company C was composed of men from Sangamon County and Captain Mallory
lived within sight of Camp Butler. Joshua deserted while on a sick furlough of
twenty days that was granted 8 November 1862. He and Margaret were married 29
April 1863. Because of his previous friendship with Lincoln, Pierson wrote two
letters to the president asking him to give his son-in-law an honorable
discharge from the army. The first letter was given to a Congressman and former
law partner of Lincoln and probably never reached the president. The second one
was sent through the mail and is now a part of the Lincoln Collection at the
Illinois State Historical Library. It reads: "At Home January 21st. /64,
President Lincoln Sir I sent a letter to you some time since by the Honlb John T
Stuart and he sent the same up to you and knowing full well that letters that
are sent up in that way never come into your sight, now never having applied to
you or any former President for a favor the one I now ask is this Joshua Jones,
Enlisted in Captain Mallorys Company 114 Regiment and was taken sick soon after
remained so all winter and after his bodily health go good the disease fell in
to his eyes and some time about the first of April he married my oldest Daughter
by my present Wife, and I was advised by some of my friends in town to take this
course to have him discharged from the army and having known you for a number of
years and I have asked this boon of you knowing full well that you will grant my
wish by sending his discharge direct to me, Empropria Personia, Pierson
Roll." He again wrote "President Lincoln" at the bottom of the
page. After reading the letter, Lincoln turned it over and wrote: "Let this
man -- Joshua Jones -- be discharged." He signed "A. Lincoln Jan 28,
1864". The charge of desertion was removed by order of President Lincoln
and Joshua was honorably discharged as a private, to date from 28 November 1862,
the date of expiration of his sick furlough. Joshua and Margaret moved to a farm
about three miles north of Sangamo Town. The had at least five children --
William P., James B., Willard M., Percy Melville (who died at the age of two),
and Kitty. Their second daughter, Sarah P. Roll, was born 19 September 1848. She
married William J. Schroyer 24 May 1866. He was born 7 January 1836 in Fayette
County, Pennsylvania. In 1876, they lived wither her parents. Pierson and
Catherine had seven other children, five sons and two daughters, who lived to
adulthood. His sons were Jacob C., James B., Romold, William N., and John S. His
daughters were Phoebe D. and Judy. Phoebe married a cousin, John E. Roll, 18 Jan
1876. He was the son of Alpheus Roll. Pierson inherited about 1,347 acres of
farmland and timberland in Sacket Township, Gardner Township and Fancy Creek
Township -- all in Sangamon County -- when his father died in 1849. His mother
named him as administrator of the estate and lived with him and his family until
her death. The 1850 census for Gardner Township, Sangamon County, Illinois
states that Pierson's land was worth $6,000. Pierson was a member of the Old
Settlers society of Sangamon County. Membership in the society was restricted to
families of "Snow Birds". The snow started falling on Christmas eve
1830. By December 30, it was three feet deep. On New Year's Day, 1831, warmer
air brought rain which froze as it touched the drifts. More snow fell, reaching
a level of five feet with some drifts reported to be over fifteen feet deep. The
thermometer dropped until it averaged 20 degrees below zero and the snow stayed
until spring. "The winter of the deep snow" became the time-mark for
the settlers of Sangamon County and everything of importance occurred before or
after that winter. Those who lived through the winter of the deep snow were
dubbed "Snow Birds". Pierson died 26 February 1886. His obituary from
page 10 of the Illinois State Journal dated 27 February 1886 reads: "Died
at his home in Gardner Township, Friday, Feb. 26, Pierson Roll, aged about 75
years. Pierson Roll was born at Springfield, N.J., July 31, 1811. Was married in
this county in 1887 to Miss Catherine Spencer. There has been born to them
thirteen children, nine of whom survive the father. They are Mrs. J. James, Mrs.
Mayer, Mrs. W.J. Schroyer, Mrs. Hiram Workman, Mrs. Jones, and Jacob, James,
John, and Noah Roll. Funeral services at Oak Ridge, under the auspices of the
Masonic Fraternity of which he was an old and worthy member." Although
today many people in the Gardner Township area northwest of Springfield may not
know who Pierson Roll was, some of them live in a subdivision called
"Pierson Roll Subdivision". It is located on land that he once owned
and includes what was once known as Roll's ford.
The following story...
is from "The Journal", Springfield, Illinois, Friday morning,
May 7, 1897. "Dragged by Horses. Gardner Township Farmer Suffers Fatal
Injuries. Young team became frightened and ran away, dragging him through his
corn field. Henry Schumacher, a prominent farmer, residing three miles north of
Bradfordton in Gardner Township, was injured in a runaway at his home about noon
yesterday. It is probable that the injuries will prove fatal. Mr. Schumacher was
plowing a field near the home when his horses took fright and ran away. He was
dragged for some distance and sustained the hurts from which it is feared that
he cannot recover. Mr. Schumacher is about 65 years old. He was engaged in
breaking a field about a quarter of a mile southwest of his home and was with a
man who has been his employee for some time. Despite his advanced years, Mr.
Schumacher was active and energetic. He was working a team of young and spirited
horses which had attempted to run away the day previous. His wife had expressed
much concern that he should insist on working the team and yesterday she
suggested that he take another. He laughed at her fears and assured her that he
was capable of taking care of the animals. About noon as Mr. Schumacher neared
the end of a furrow some hogs which had been lying in a hedge at the end of the
field arose and the horses took fright at them. Mr. Schumacher had the lines
fastened about his body and was unable to disengage himself. The horses ran for
some distance dragging the unfortunate man with the plow behind them. The man
who was working in the same field saw the accident but was afraid to leave the
horses he was working. Mrs. Schumacher was standing in the yard at the house and
she too saw here husband dragged along by the frantic beasts. She rushed to the
assistance of her husband. Before reaching him, the horses had stopped. The
injured man was carried to the house and Dr. Berry of Springfield was sent for.
When the physician arrived, he found the man in a precarious condition. He was
paralyzed from the waist down and was badly cut about the face and head. Several
of his teeth were knocked out. He did not lose consciousness, and his sufferings
were intense."
Copyright © 1996 Harry Wahl. All rights reserved