According to various sources, the George Shiess family(multiple spellings for this name!) left Washington Co., MD approximately 1855 for Buffalo Grave (now Polo), Ogle Co., IL. The family consisted of George, Sophia (wife), and four children; one child, Mary Jane was apparently born in Polo in 1856. This farm family must have lived in this area until approx. 1859-1860 when they moved to Iowa. The family were Lutheran. The eldest daughter Susan (born c1840, MD), married Abraham Cox, who may have also lived in the Ogle Co. area before moving on to Iowa with the family. I am attempting to trace this Abraham Cox. Since this is mid-1850s, I am not certain what records, if any, may exist for this period of time that would facilitate finding this elusive Abraham. If anyone has any ideas for research or any information on these families, I would appreciate your help. Thank you.