My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM BLUE, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 34; P. O. Downs; one of the early settlers of McLean Co.; born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Feb. 11, 1836; he emigrated with his parents from Ohio, and located in McLean Co., Ill., in the fall of 1836, being then 9 months old. His father, Zachariah Blue, upon his arrival located in Downs Township, one-half mile from where the town of Downs now stands, where he entered 160 acres of land, upon which he lived several, years. He died in Downs Township, Oct. 9, 1858. Mrs. Blue died in the fall of 1871, upon the place now owned and occupied by her son. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents until 23 years of age, until January, 1859. He then was united in marriage with Kate Wood; she was born in Virginia June 17, 1841. Upon his marriage, he purchased forty acres of his present place, all except five acres being timber and brush; he then commenced improving his place, until he has brought it from its wild prairie condition to its present high state of cultivation. Upon locating here, he had but little means, purchasing his first forty acres, for which he paid $15 per acre, upon time. He has since added by purchase, until he now owns 256 acres of land, with good farm buildings, and which is now considered second in value to none in the township of its size; 120 acres of the above being purchased at $50 per acre. The children of William and Kate Blue are seven in number, all of whom are now living; their names are: Bert, born Oct. 17, 1860; Hattie, born May 10, 1864; Katie, born Nov. 30, 1866; Delia, born April 23, 1870; William, born Oct. 22, 1872; Harry, born Feb. 24, 1875, and Gracie, born April 7, 1878. Mrs. Blue was a daughter of Joshua Wood, who was born Nov. 6, 1804; he emigrated from Virginia to Illinois, and located in McLean Co. about the year 1850. He died in Old Town Township June 3, 1863. He was married in Virginia to Ann Hedrick; she was born in Virginia; she died April 1, 1875. They were the parents of six children, of whom five are now living — George, Ahaz, Ezra, John and Kate.