First Child Born

Edward Perry Fyffe was born in Fort Allison Illinois, during the Native American uprisings when the settlers were forced to inhabit the fort. According to Lawrence County history, he was the first American white child born in the county.  Based on to his age at death according to the death record he was born June 25,1812.

While the Native Americans eventually vacated the country that became Lawrence County, that could not be said of northwestern Illinois in the 1830s. Black Hawk, a Sauck, wanted his lands there returned and the settlers evicted. The militia was sent in to handle the situation. Abner Greer from Lawrence County served as a captain, commanding a battalion of Illinois militia known as the Spy Battalion of Illinois Mounted Volunteers. Perry Fyffe served under him enlisting on May 15, 1832, and leaving the service because of sickness on July 9, 1832.He returned to Lawrence County and lived here for the rest of his life.

Perry Fyffe died March 6, 1878, in Christy twp. Lawrence County Illinois at age 65 years 8 months 11 days according to the death record filed at the Lawrence County Courthouse. His cause of death was “paraplegia” or paralysis of the legs and lower body of which he had suffered for one year.  Burial was at Lone tree Cemetery, Lawrence County Illinois.