My Genealogy Hound

MRS. MARY ANN WALLER, who is well known throughout Jackson County, and now resides on section 27, Murphysboro Township, was born in Franklin County, now Williamson County, on the 11th of October, 1834. Her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Hinchcliff) Crawshaw, were both natives of England, and in that country were reared and married. In 1828, they emigrated to America, reaching their destination on the 2d of October. They first located in Philadelphia, where they remained for nineteen months, when they came to Illinois, and settled on what was known as Eight Mile Prairie, about six miles east of Carbondale. The county was then wild and unimproved, the land was in its primitive condition, and there were wolves and panthers in the neighborhood. Mr. Crawshaw took up his residence in this community June 11, 1830, and in the midst of the forest developed a farm. In 1836, he removed to a place three and a-half miles southwest of Carbondale, and was one of the earliest settlers of that locality. There he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1852, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife, who was born in 1791, passed away at the age of seventy-eight years. Their family numbered nine children, but only three are now living, Mrs. Eliza Davis, Mrs. Hannah Etherton and Mrs. Waller. The parents were both members of the Christian Order, and Mr. Crawshaw was a preacher of that denomination. One son, Thomas, served throughout the late war.

In her parents’ home, Mrs. Waller spent her girlhood days, performing the duties of the household and acquiring an education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood, in 1852, when eighteen years of age, she became the wife of George Hagler, a native of Union County, Ill., born in 1830. He was one of twelve children, whose father, John Hagler, was numbered among the pioneer settlers of Union County, whither he emigrated from North Carolina. George Hagler was reared in Union and Jackson Counties, and after his marriage located upon a farm in Carbondale Township, which he continued to develop and improve until after the breaking out of the late war, when, in 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Eighty-first Illinois Infantry. He died January 20, 1863, at Memphis, Tenn., leaving a widow and four children. The latter are William, who married Sarah J. Hanson; Allen, who married Ida Lindsey; Joseph, who wedded Frances Etherton; and George, who married Jane P. Burkey.

In 1864, the lady whose name heads this record became the wife of William Waller, who was born in Union County, Ill., March 26, 1823. He, too, had been previously married, his first wife having borne the maiden name of Sarah Diskan. After her death he married Lucinda Lipe, and they had four children, who are yet living, namely: Mrs. Sarah L. Crawshaw; Mrs. Mary Crow; John, who married Ann Thorp; and William Joseph, who wedded Mary E. Thorp. Mr. and Mrs. Waller became the parents of five children, of whom four are yet living, Hannah, who married W. R. Lee; Elbert E., Gilbert and Alice. Luvisa married Dr. F. E. Trobaugh, and died a few months afterwards, aged twenty-three years.

The death of Mr. Waller occurred December 26, 1891, and was deeply mourned throughout the community, for he had many friends. He was a faithful member of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which he served as Deacon, and was also School Director. He voted with the Republican party, and kept well informed on the issues of the day. Throughout life he followed agricultural pursuits, and was a successful farmer. Since her husband’s death, Mrs. Waller has carried on the home farm with the aid of her younger son. It is a tract of three hundred acres of valuable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. Mrs. Waller is also a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and is a lady whose many excellencies of character have gained for her the high regard in which she is justly held.