Doneva, Thanks for the kind words. Here is a little more for you and Bryn. I don't have the first part of this article, as I only photocopied the few things I needed at the time, but it does give a few more families that left Maryland, and settled in Mt. Morris, Ogle Co. Hope it helps some of you out there: Taken from the book " Mt. Morris: Past and Present". " Now as to the first family settlers in Ogle Co., west of the Rock River, I believe that my father, John WAGNER with ten children, and Jacob RICE with a like number of children, were the pioneers and the first of the Maryland Colony in Ogle county at least. Of course there may have been others at this time locating homes, some of whose families where then on the way and would arrive later in the summer, and fall of the same year, Samuel HITT was then arranging for a strong colony from Maryland. John PHELPS of Tennessee, who preceeded his family, was preparing a home for them, and many others prospecting for new homes; but for absolute family settlement from Maryland, our families in my opinion took precedence." After the WAGNER family settled here 2 more children were born and this remarkable family of six sons and six daughters all lived to ripe old ages. The circle was not broken until the death of Joseph in 1891, at which time the eldest was aged 75 yrs. and the youngest 49 yrs. The WAGNER homestead was located three miles northeast of Mt. Morris, later owned by George W. Carr The Jacob RICE family which accompanied the WAGNER family also consisted of ten children. They took up a homestead north of town, and here the large family was raised and scattered to different parts of the country. Those of the family best known in Ogle County were Isaac RICE, father of Joseph L. RICE, John RICE, father of John H. RICE; and Jacob RICE, father of Fred N., William (Timothy Bunker), and Eldrige. All three of the above generations have passed away leaving no descendants. Two of the daughters were Mrs. Daniel ETNYRE of Oregon and Mrs. Susan THOMAS of Leaf River. Another prominent family which arrived in 1837 was that of Caleb MARSHALL. His son, Rueben S. MARSHALL, raised a large family on the old homestead, 3 miles north of town, and a number of descendants now living in Mt. Morris and vicinity. That is all I'm up to tonight, but there are some biographical articles on some members of the above mentioned families: Dr. Isaac RICE - Caleb MARSHALL - Reuben S. MARSHALL, and some from the last article I will send tomorrow naming many Md. settlers. John F. FRIDLEY - Thomas FORD - Philip T. SPRECHER - Samuel KNODLE. I'm not going to copy all of these biographies, unless someone really thinks one could be of help to them. If anyone feels that is the case, let me know,and I'll type it up. Good night all, Ellen