Person:Lysander Sawyer (1)

From: Portraits & Biographical Record of Lee County IL" 1892 Leander Cyrenus Sawyer, a representative farmer, residing on section 1, Amboy Township, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, January 11, 1818, and was eighteen years old when his parents removed to Lee County. He continued to reside under the parental roof until he was nineteen years of age, at which time he started out for himself, working on a farm until his marriage, which took place in Bradford County, Pa., July 28, 1842. The lady of his choice bore the name of Nancy Shumway. She was born in Bradford County, June 10, 1823, and was there reared to woman hood. On coming back to Illinois after his marriage, our subject settled on section 1, Amboy Township, where he has ever since continued to reside, and he is the only settler between Lee Centre and Dixon who is at present living on land which was originally taken from the Government. This gentleman has always been engaged in farm work, at which he has been very successful. owning now two hundred and twenty-five acres of fertile and productive land, and having upon this excellent estate a first-class set of farm buildings. Besides the raising of cereals, Mr. Sawyer deals quite extensively in the raising of fine stock of all kinds, buying and selling. Mr. Sawyer and his worthy wife have become the happy parents of four children, namely: Cyrus W.,who is a banker in Woodbury County, Iowa; Lucinda F. married William II. Millen, of Ida County, Iowa; Aniiette B., who is the wife of F. A. Salsberry, of Ida County. Iowa; and a daughter who died in infancy. The subject of this notice is always in favor of anything that will enhance the prosperity of his township or county, and especially anything pertaining to educational matters, and hence he has been active as a School Director, and has also held some of the minor offices of his township. In his political views, he is always a stalwart Republican, and a strong temperance man. Mrs. Sawyer is a consistent Christian and a valued member of the Congregational Church. The parents of Mrs. Sawyer were Cyrus and bridget (Clink) Shumway, both natives of New York State, being residents of Bradford County, Pa. The father of our subject was Joseph Sawyer, a native of New York State, while his mother, Sarah Farnham, was born in Vermont. The father was an old school teacher in Vermont and Ohio, and taught for awhile after coming to the Prairie State, and was the first Postmaster of the old Inlet Grove Postoffice; he was also captain of a militia company in Ohio. For a more complete history of the parents, see the sketch of Darius Sawyer, which will be found elsewhere in the Record. Mrs. Sawyer had two brothers who fought in the late war - Henry and Harrison Shumway - the latter of whom was killed in Missouri.

Lysander Cyreno Sawyer who resides on section 6, Lee Center Township, was born in Clark County, Ohio, January 11, 1818, and is a twin brother of L. Cyreruis Sawyer, of whom see sketch in another part of this volume. He came to Illinois with his parents, and remained at home until he was eighteen years old, when he started out in life by himself. He worked for other people, and was also employed in improving his claim, located on section 1, Amboy Township. lie also worked one winter in the lead mines in Jo Daviess County. He then traded his claim for a farm in China Township, on which he settled, and where he lived almost fifteen years, then purchased the farm where he now lives, and which comprises fifty acres. He has here made good improvements, and has his farm in first-class shape. In 1850, Mr. Sawyer, in common with so many of the Western people, was attacked by the gold fever, going overland to California with an ox team, the journey occupying six months' time. He remained in California about two years, during which he had the usual varied experience of the seekers after gold. He was ill a good part of the time, and on this account was not so successful as He might otherwise have been. He returned by way of the Isthmus and came very near being drowned, as the steamer on which he embarked at San Francisco was unseaworthy, but they succeeded in reaching Acapulco, when the vessel completely gave out, the crew and passengers, however, congratulating themselves that matters were no worse. Mr. Sawyer returned to his far in China Township, where he has since remained. He was married in Lee Centre Township in September (28) 1840, to Miss Charlotte Shumway, who was born in Bradford County, Pa., September 19, 1820 where she grew to womanhood. The father of Mrs. Sawyer, Darius Shumway, was a native of New York State, and her mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Hulburt, was born in New Jersey. They emigrated to Illinois, settling in Inlet Grove, in this county, but on account of sickness remained there but one year, when they returned to their old home in Pennsylvania, where they died. They had nine children, of whom Mrs. Sawyer was the second in order of birth. Our subject and his wife are the parents of three children; Sarah E., who is the wife of Daniel Corell; William H., a farmer in China Township; and Hiram C., also a farmer, who resides in Sac County, Iowa. Mr. Sawyer is a strong Republican, and has held the office of School Director. Hrs. Sawyer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is highly esteemed for her many amiable qualities.

1. ↑
   Obituary - Amboy News (Lee, OK) June 21, 1901
   GONE TO HIS REWARD L. C. WAYER, AN OLD SETTLER OF LEE COUNTY PASSES AWAY.
   Lysander Cyreno Sawyer, was born in Clark county, Ohio, January 11, 1818. He came to Illinois in 1835 with his parents and remained at home until he was eighteen years old when he started out in life for himself. He worked for other people and was also employed in improving his claim, located on section 1, Amboy township. He also worked one winter in the lead mines in Jo Daviess County. He then traded him claim for a farm in China township, on which he settled and where he lived almost fifteen years, then purchased the farm where he has ince lived. He has made good improvements, and has his farm in first-class shape.
   In 1860 Mr. Sawyer, in common with so many of the Western people was attacked by the gold fever, going overland to California with an ox team, the journey occupying six months time. He remained in California about two years, during which he had the usual varied experiences of the seekers after gold. He was ill a good part of the time and on this account was not as successful as he might otherwise have been. He returned by way of the isthmus and came very near to being drowned, as the steamer on which he embarked [sic] at San Francisco was unseaworthy, but they succeeded in reaching Acapulco, when the vessel completed gave out, the crew and passenger, however, congratulating themselves that matters were not worse. Mr. Sawyer returned to his home in China township where he has since remained.
   He was married in Lee Center township in Septembet, 1840 to Miss Charlette Shumway, who was born in Bradford county, Penn., Rev. Barbar of the Congregational church at Lee Center officiating. Interment was made at Woodside. He leaves an aged wife and three children to mourn his loss.