Wikipedia has several interesting articles about the history of the southern Illinois areas where the Dixon and Fisher families settled in the 1800's. Geneology Trails has several interesting web pages about the area.
The wiki I plan to develop, with your help, will function similarly to the larger Wikipedia encyclopedia.
Just click on each link to read some interesting history and return to this page for the next link.
Edwards County Illinois has an interesting history, as it once covered almost half of the state of Illinois. Eventually, other counties were carved from it and it is now one of the smallest counties in the state.
Albion is the county seat and the Illinois home of the Dixon and Fisher clans. Here's a picture of Albion High School. Did George and Della attend in this building?
Specifically, there is (was) a place called Dixon Precinct, (described on a great site called Geneology Trails) presumably named after John Dixon, who came over from Leeds. Wikipedia doesn't have an entry, although the space has been allocated. Wikipedia is developed completely by volunteers.
It was the home of The English Settlement. That's us! Although John Dixon wasn't apparently part of the initial wave. The folks of The English Settlement were apparently leaders of the anti-slavery movement. Seems like that connects with our family's attitude about race.
My dad, Jerry, once called the sheriff because he was concerned that the KKK was meeting at the sale barn on Alexandria Pike just down the hill from the home of Dr. Campbell and were about to cause trouble... the Campbells were one of three black families that lived in Richland Township and attended Highland High School. Long story short... it was Halloween and some folks stopped by the sale after trick or treating! I heard from Alvin Bridges a few years ago. Al was in Bruce's class at Highland. Al's dad was Dr. Bridges. The Lawler family was the third family... they were farmers. Here's more from Geneology Trails about The English Settlement just prior to the arrival of John Dixon.
Grayville is a nearby town, which is mostly within White County. Only the northern edge of the town is in Edwards County. It was the birthplace of George and Della's first two children... Wilma Dixon Thacker and Jerry Dixon. Need to track down a picture of the hospital. More likely, they were born at home.
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