One of my favorite places to visit would be the small town of Apple River, Illinois. This is a town that many probably travel through and don’t give a second look in this rural area of Northern Illinois. For me it holds a great deal of history and it brings hugs from years ago. My Greatx3 Grandparents were pulled to this area through their longing for land in this new country around 1845. What they got was beautiful black loamy soil that was rich for farming and held the ability to raise a family of twelve.
Before and after arriving in the United States my Grandfather was a miner. This occupation had its hard work and dangerous working conditions. In Ireland he mined copper and in the U.S. he brought lead to the surface. His long, hard days were measured by the burning of candles one after the other to measure the workday. Miners were given tools (picks and shovels) by the company to retrieve the precious metals only to have them weighed at the weeks end to be charged for the metal that had been worn away. This loss of metal was charged against the small pay that they were to receive. Don’t get me wrong, I am sure they were grateful for the work but the conditions were less than favorable and the pay was barely enough for a family to survive on. Many of these miners were woman and children as well. It took most of the family working to have food to eat and a very small “roof” over their head.
My Grandparents were fortunate to have left Ireland before the “an Gorta Mór”. They instead worried and grieved for family still remaining in the country during this horrible time. During this time in Ireland land was taken from those that had worked it for many generations and given to landowners by the governing body. Land was a scarce commodity and therefore a big achievement for emigrants arriving in the states. We are very proud of where we come from and the grit and determination it must have taken for our ancestors to achieve all that they did and I pull a lot of my inspiration from them.
In Apple River, Illinois stands the home and farm of my Greatx3 Grandparents. It appears that they built the barn and lived in it while they built their Irish-style stone house. It is a three up, three down Irish-style house made of stone. The stone was acquired from a quarry not far from the homes location. The windows have deep sills and the front faces South to maximize the warming light during those cold winter days. We are so fortunate to still have this home standing. It has been restored and cared for by the John and Barbara Rutherford family. John, having a love of history was so pleased when my Uncle discovered the property and was able to interject our family history into the home of which he was so passionate about. Our families will always have a bond together because of this beautiful home and farm.
Much thanks to the Rutherford family for saving
our precious family history!