This is quoted in the MaGinnis Family History by John F. Meginnis, privately published, Williamsport, 1891, pgs 220-222. "The following record appears in Power's Biographical History of Sangamon County, Illinois: '1. David McGinnis, b. (???), 1798, in Mercer County, Kentucky; m. Elizabeth Gibson, in Boone County, December 24, 1820. She d. November (???), 1844, in Sangamon County, Illinois, and he married, second, Mrs. Sally M. King, of Warsaw, Kentucky, in 1851. Her maiden name was Spencer. His death, which occurred July 2, 1867, was caused by injuries received by being thrown from a buggy by a runaway horse. After marriage he settled in Boone County, Kentucky, and must have resided there several years, for I find that they had three children born to them in that county. In the fall of 1826 he visited Sangamon County, Illinois, and after selecting a place to locate, returned to Kentucky. On the 18th of November, 1827, he brought his family to Sangamon County, Illinois, and settled in what is now Island Grove Township. He was accompanied by his brother, Greenbury Dawson, and in a short time they were followed by two more brothers. By dint of hard work he broke up land and opened a farm. That he was prosperous we have evidence, for the local historian says that in 1838 he stall fed about sixty head of cattle. This was the first thing of the kind done in that part of the State. He drove them to St. Louis and sold them for $18 per head. They averaged 1600 pounds in weight. He brought the money home in silver, and kept it for months in an old secretary, without locks on it, or on the doors of the house. The doors of the desk were open so that the money could be seen, and several hired men were about, and there never was a dollar stolen. In 1836 he erected a brick house in Island Grove, and a few years ago it was standing in a good state of preservation. It was about the first structure of the kind built in Sangamon County, outside of Springfield. David McGinnis and his brother William were the inventors of a device for guiding prairie plows by wheels and a lever, which they put in operation in the summer of 1829. It was adopted throughout the prairie country, and might have made them a fortune, but it was never patented. His death, which occurred July 2, 1867, was caused by injuries received by being thrown from a buggy by a runaway horse. His widow was, at last accounts, living at the old homestead, three miles southwest of Curran. David McGinnes and his first wife had issue: i. Mary Jane, b. October 9, 1821, in Kentucky; m. Bernard A. Vanderen, of Sangamon County, Ill., and d. August 5, 1842. Her only living child, John D. Vanderen, is married and lives in Labeth County, Kansas. ii. William, b. July 27, 1823, in Boone County, Kentucky, June 19, 1845, he married Lorinda Darneille. They had three children living, viz.: 1. Zachary T., m., November (???), 1871, Fannie Wright, daughter of Dr. N. Wright. They have two children; live at Chatham, Ill. 2. Emma; m., December 24, 1874, Jacob Staley. 3. Charles. Lives with his parents. iii. Martha A., b. September 1, 1827, in Kentucky; m. Thomas J. Darneille, of Sangamon County, Ill.; d. December 2, 1853. iv. Elizabeth, b. October 25, 1829, in Sangamon County; m. James A. Hall. v. John J., b. February 8, 1832, in Sangamon County; m. Elizabeth Green July 16, 1855. She was born February 5, 1838, in Owen County, Kentucky. They had two children--David R. and William. Mr. McGinnis d. February 15, 1856. vi. America, b. (???), 1834; d. (???), 1844. vii. Margaret, b. (???), 1836; m. R. R. Roberts. Had one child, and mother and child both died. viii. David S., b. December 15, 1838; d. in 1860. ix. Elizabeth J., b. March 29, 1840; m. John J. Green April 2, 1867. He was b. October (???), 1842, in Owen County, Kentucky. They had two childred--David M. and John M. The mother d. February 3, 1873. There was no issue by the second marriage.'" -- Roy and Marcie Van Deren Rocky Mountain "HI" RV Park and Campground http://kalispell.bigsky.net/rmhc/ mailto:rmhc@bigsky.net