HENRY H. DARNELL
Henry Harrison Darnell, a well known farmer and stockraiser of Tazewell County, was born February 23, 1840, in Champaign County. Ohio, and was educated in the public schools. He came from his native State to Tazewell County, Ill., where, in order to obtain a start in life, he worked by the month, but later purchased some land in Hittle Township, Tazewell County, to which he has made subsequent additions, until his holdings now embrace 425 acres. On Mr. Darnell’s homestead is located the first cemetery in Hittle Township. This was started in what is called Hittle Grove by a Mr. George Hittle, who located there in 1826, and John Hittle, the latter’s son, was the first person burled in the cemetery, his death occurring September 1, 1827.
The subject of this sketch was married at Atlanta, Ill., February 7, 1867, to Miss Louisa E. Stroud, and of this union the following children were born: Charles C., Ethel G., Samuel R., and Elvy.
The parents of Mr. Darnell were James and Hester (Grafton) Darnell, the former born in Boone County, Ky., in 1796, while the latter was a native of Virginia. James Darnell removed from Boone County, Ky., to Jackson Township, Ohio, in 1810, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. While living in Ohio, he was engaged in farming.
Mrs. Henry H. Darneil was born Sept. 11, 1848, the daughter of Laban M. and Elvy (Adams) Stroud. Mr. Stroud was a son of Thomas Stroud, whose father was named Jesse and his grandfather Peter, the latter being a native of North Carolina. In 1806 Thomas Stroud migrated with his family to Tennessee where he married Miss Virginia Thompson, whose parents were Virginians. He died March 7, 1858, his wife having departed this life a short time before.
Laban M. Stroud was born in Dixon County, Tenn., Sept. 27, 1822, not far from the home of General Jackson. In 1830 he removed with his parents from Dixon County to Logan County, Ill. He was a member of the Illinois State Legislature, representing the Twenty-seventh District for one term, and at the time of his death, February 25, 1902, owned considerable valuable land. His wife died December 5, 1899.
Mrs. Darnell’s maternal grandfather was John G. Adams, who settled in Tazewell County, in 1828, and was a Captain in the Black Hawk War. On May 14, 1832, Captain Adams was killed in a fierce battle with the Indians, and when his comrades found him the bodies of several redskins, his victims, were piled around him. This engagement was called “The Battle of Stillman’s Run,” and on June 11, 1902, the State of Illinois dedicated a monument to Captain Adams’ memory at Stillman Valley. One of his grandchildren, Miss Millie Stroud, a sister of Mrs. Darnell, unveiled the monument. Abraham Lincoln, who was also a Captain in the Black Hawk War, helped to bury the hero.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 994