From a couple of researchers(David Zellers and Roger Cramer) I saw replies to a very similar question. David said lots of families left for better farmland that was for sale at that time from the government. He has lots of old history books that lists Maryland families that came to Ogle Co. IL. Roger brought up a very good reason also why they left and settled here. The people were tired of the fighting and being run over by the Northern and Southern soldiers. I never thought about the Civil War taking place that far North but when I look at a map, most of the battles took place in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia. (Gettysburg, Antieam). Brenda