Tazewell County Photo of the Month

James Franklin Rollings

James Franklin Rollings

The History of Tazewell County, Illinois... Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago), 1879 states:

“James Franklin Rollings, merchant and farmer; P.O. Dillon; was born in Jackson County, West Va., Sept. 23, 1843. His parents were James W. and Sarah (Casto) Rollings.

Mr. Rollings came to this county in the spring of 1852 [See Note Below], attended the common schools of this State, and spent his early days on the farm with his father. Has held the offices of Constable, Justice of the Peace and Postmaster.

He was married September 28, 1865 to Martha Bliss. They have five girls—Sarah E., born June 25, 1867; Mary A., June 10, 1871; Minnie J., August 1, 1873; Martha M., May 25, 1876; Emma L., December 21, 1878.

Mr. Rollings is a member of the Methodist Church.”
My grandfather, Samuel Franklin Rollings, son of James Franklin was born 3 April 1883 in Tremont after the History of Tazewell County was published.

Note: I believe the date they came to Tazewell County is incorrect. The book says spring of 1852 but James had a brother, Luke, that was born August 1851 in Dillon, so it would have been spring of 1851, not 1852.

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