Person:Amaziah Ratcliff (1)

"Amaziah [Tobias] Ratcliff located in Dawson in 1852 upon a farm which comprised 80 acres. His wife, Sarah, passed away in Dawson in 1892 leaving 3 children, James, Amaziah and Eliza, wife of Walter Judd, a business man of Dawson. Amaziah Ratcliff II married Permelia Shankland in Dawson in 1867 who died in 1875 leaving 3 children, Ida, Effie and Anna, later Anna Crane, now deceased. He later married Emma Wright a native of England. She was educated in Illinois and became the mother of 4 children, namely Arthur, Lorrine, Fannie and John. Mr. Ratcliff served 6 years as President of the Village Board of Dawson. He was a veteran of the Civil War and was in the siege at Vicksburg. Was discharged at Camp Butler in 1865. His daughter, Mrs. Lorrine Bardrick lives on Walnut Street, the site of her father's last home." (History of Dawson, <http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilsangam/twp-mech.htm>)

"Amaziah Ratcliff is now living a retired life in Dawson, but for many years was closely identified with agricultural and mercantile interests in Sangamon county. More than a half century has come and gone since he located in this county - then a lad of eight years. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, December 19, 1844, and is a son of Tobias Ratcliff...In the family are three living children: James, a carpenter by trade, residing in Dawson; Amaziah, of this review; and Eliza, wife of Walter Judd, a business man of Dawson. Mr. Ratcliff, whose name introduces this record is indebted to the public schools for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He was a lad of only seventeen years when, in April, 1862, he bade adieu to his family and, offering his services to his country was assigned to Company F, Seventieth Illinois Infantry. He enlisted for three months' service, and later he re-enlisted in Company d, of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. The regiment went south, joined the Western Army and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, where Mr. Ratcliff was first under fire. Later he took part in a number of skirmishes and the engagement at Eastport, continuing in active service until the close of the war, when he was mustered out with the rank of corporal, being honorably discharged at Camp Butler, in Springfield, 1865. Mr. Ratcliff remained with his mother until his marriage. In 1867 in Dawson he wedded Permelia Shankland, who died in 1875, leaving three children: Ida, the wife of Edward Pierce, a business man of Buffalo, Illinois; Effie, the wife of Samuel Huckleberry of Springfield; and Anna, the wife of Edward Crane, of Dawson. About 1884 Mr. Ratcliff was again married, his second union being with Emma Wright, a native of England and a daughter of Samuel Wright of that country. She was reared and educated in Illinois, however, and has become the mother of four children: Arthur, Lorine, Fannie, and Johnnie, deceased. The eldest is now a clerk in Buffalo. After his first marriage Mr. Ratcliff located on a farm near Dawson and carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years. About 1885 he embarked in the grocery business, which he conducted for about eight or ten years, his efforts in that direction being attended with a gratifying measure of prosperity. When about a decade had been devoted to mercantile life he sold out and since that time has operated to some extent in real estate, but is now largely living retired. ('Past and Present of the City of Springfield and Sangamon County Illinois', 1904, <http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilsangam/1904/ratcliff.htm>)

In the 1870 census for Mechanicsburg, Sangamon Co., Illinois, Ameziah Ratcliff is 23, born Ohio. His wife Amelia is 23, born Indiana, and their daughters are Ida May, 3; and Effie B., 4/12ths -- both born Illinois. (p.238)

In the 1880 census for Dawson, Sangamon Co., Illinois, Sarah Ratcliff is head of household. She is 60, born Ohio (parents North Carolina). Her son James is a carpenter, age 37 from Ohio (parents Ohio). Son 'Amazide' is 35, born Ohio (parents Ohio). Her daughter Eliza is 33. Grandchildren [Amaziah's children] are Ida May, 12; Effa Bell, 10; and Sarah Ann, 7 -- all born in Illinois, father Ohio, mother Kentucky. (p. 395c, NARA T9-0249)

In the 1900 census for Dawson, Sangamon Co., Illinois, 'Amriah' Ratcliff is 55 born Apr 1844 in Ohio (parents same), 'grocerman'; with wife Emmie C. 32 born Jan 1862 in England (parents same), with 2 of 2 children living; children are Arther C. 15 and Lorine 3.

All four are listed in the 1910 census for Dawson; and Amaziah and Emma in 1920.

There are pictures of the headstones for Amaziah and his two wives in Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Sangamon Co. (Sangamon Co ILGenWeb, <http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ilmaga/sangamon/cemetery/mcburg/index_r.html>)