I found the following bio for my ancestor Allen McDonell in a book The History of La Salle County, Illinois: together with scetches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons and biographies... published in 1886, which I accessed on-line through my (Oregon State) library. If you think your ancestor might be listed here, let me know and I will look it up (This is a very slow process on my computer so please be patient). I would need the township and the individuals name. If anyone has more information on anyone listed in this bio, I would love to hear from you. Biography from History of La Salle County, Illinois: Allen McDonell, deceased, was born in Invernesshire, Scotland, in 1825, and came to the United States in 1848, locating in Peoria County, Ill., where he was married in 1849 to Mary Taylor, a native of Shropshire, England, born in 1827, daughter of Wiliam Taylor. She came with her parents to America in 1849, and located in Peoria County, where her father died the following year. Mr. McDonell lived in Peoria County till 1864, when with his wife he went to Scotland and remained a year. Upon his return to America, he settled in Osage Township, LaSalle County, where, with the assistance of his sons he improved a valuable farm. He died May 1, 1876, leaving behind him a good name and a memory cherished by all who knew his sterling qualities. The mother with her six children, Donald, Duncan, Sarah, Ronald, John, and Agnes, lives on the old homestead, on section 11. the farm contains 400 acres of land and is located on sections 10, 11 and 23. Amy Reaney Portland, Oregon