Early Days of Greenbush: Alexander willard

EARLY DAYS IN GREENBUSH

JOSEPH MINGS.

Joseph Mings was born in Kentucky, July 9, 1808. He was a son of Aaron and Martha Mings. In early life he came with his parents to Indiana; and on January 22, 1835, at Lexington, in Jefferson county, Indiana, he was married to Harriet Davis. She was born in Rehobeth, Maryland, December 5, 1807; and was a saughter of William and Sarah Francis (Marshall) Davis. The Marshells were natives of Virginia. Mrs Mings moved with her father's family to Woodford county, Dentucky, in 1813. She afterwards removed to Lexington, Jefferson county, Indiana.

In the fall of 1836, Joseph Mings with his wife and one child (Melissa J.), his father, mother and his brothers-in-law, Noah Davis and Isaac Jones, with their families, moved from Jefferson county, Indiana, to Fulton county, Illinois. Mr. Mings then moved to a farm on section 7, in Union township, Fulton county, where he resided until 1856, when he moved to Greenbush township, Warren county, Illinois, and located on section 12, where he resided until his death, which occurred June 17, 1874.

His wife Harriet died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. S.S. Clayberg, in Avon, Illinois, May 6, 1895.

To Josph Mings and wife were born the following-named children:

Melissa J., born December 16, 1835; died October 20, 1841.
James F., born August 16, 1837; married Sarah E. Nance, December 6, 1860. He died November 28, 1898.
Martha M., born August 1, 1839; married Asa K. Grow, January 13, 1859. She resides at Kewanee, Illinois.
Mary Ellen, born July 31, 1841; married Giles Crissey, January 17, 1867. They now reside in Los Angeles, California.
Joseph Wesley, born September 1, 1843; married Mary E. Carr, August 6, 1872. They live at Prairie City, Illinois.
Sarah Frances, born January 6, 1846; married Edwars W. Davis, September 20, 1870. They reside at Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Abigail, born January 29, 1848; married Dr. S. S. Clayberg, June 22, 1875. They reside at Avon, Illinois.
In politiecs Joseph Mings was a republican. His sentiments were strongly against slavery and he was among the first men to advocate this doctrine. In religion he was a Methodist. He was about thirty years of age when he was converted and joined the church of this denomination. Mrs. Mings was also a member of the Methodist church, having jined that denomination in early life.

In 1849, Joseph Mings and wife, Daniel N. Wright, his wife and mother, and Mrs. Dr. Stout founded the M. E. church in Avon, Illinois. Mrs. Mings was the last of the six original members to depart this life.

Joseph Mings was a quiet, earnest man. He and his wife were exemplary Christians, highly esteemed by those who knew them.