Untitled Document

VICTORIA C. M. TRACY

She was born near Cleveland, Ohio, January 28, 1847, daughter of John and Emeline C. (Hicks) Morris. Her father was born in Somersetshire, England, May 27, 1816, and came to America with his father in 1840, and settled near Cleveland. Ohio. March 1, 1846, he married Emeline C. Hicks, of Zanesville, Ohio, who was born in that state August 20, 1827. Her father was killed by robbers in Zanesville, leaving a brother (Thomas Hicks) in Kentucky, and a son (John) in Louisville, Kentucky.

Her mother was Esther Black, of French descent, her family living near Philadelphia. Mrs. Tracy came to Illinois with her parents in 1851, by the lakes to Chicago, and thence by team to Mercer county, settling near Keithsburg. Five years later they moved to Warren county, and in 1865 returned to Mercer county, Mr. Morris buying a farm in section 9, in Greene township, where lie resides now.

His father died near Keithsburg in 1856. aged sixty-eight ; and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Brewer, died in 1864, aged eighty-one years. April 22, 1869, Miss Victoria married Jonathan Tracy, of Rivoli township, their residence being on S. E. 1/2 of Sec. 1. Mrs. Tracy has three children : Ida (born Februar y 28, 1870), Baz. (May 1, 1872), and Fred. (August 13, 1S74). May 26, 1878, Mr. Tracy died, since which time Mrs. Tracy has managed the affairs of the farm, consisting of 372 acres, with marked ability, taking high rank among the large and successful farmers of the county.

Her business tact caused her neighbors to elect her school director of her district, which office she still holds. In 1871 Mr. Tracy built. a large and elegant residence on his farm, where the family now reside, one and one-half miles north of the village of New Windsor. Jonathan Tracy was born in Mason county, Kentucky, November 25, 1830. His father (Vesey Tracy) and mother (Rachel Hayden) were natives of that state, and were married in 1828. In 1839 his mother died, and his father afterward married Miss Nancy Grenard, by whom he had two sons, George W. and Francis M., who live near Winterset, Iowa.

In 1850 he married Miss Mary Dancer, who died a year later. In 1853 he came to Illinois, and purchased land in Henry county. May 21, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth Love, a native of Mercer county. Having sold his farm in Henry county that year, he bought land in the S. E.1/2 of Sec. 1, Rivoli township, which firms a part of the present homestead. Here were born : George (December 31, 1857, who died in his sixth year), Rachel (September 22, 1859), Jane (March 3, 1861), Emma (November 8, 1862), Mary (December 7,1864); and in August, 1868, his second wife died, leaving him with four motherless children. Mr. Tracy was always engaged in farming, and by industry and energy raised himself from humble beginnings to the position of a well-to-do farmer. He was not a member of any church or society, and in politics adhered to the democratic faith.

History of Mercer and Henderson County

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Illinois Ancestors