When Willis Gurley was born in 1817, in Johnston, North Carolina, United States, his father, William C. Gurley, was 40 and his mother, Martha Cuthbertson, was 39. He married Elizabeth Yandell on 15 April 1843, in Round Knob, Massac, Illinois, United States. They were the parents of at least 7 sons and 4 daughters. He lived in Carroll, Mississippi, United States in 1860 and Beat 4, Tallahatchie, Mississippi, United States in 1870. His occupation is listed as farmer and blacksmith in Massac, Illinois, United States. He died on 10 September 1873, in Massac, Illinois, United States, at the age of 56, and was buried in Masonic Cemetery, Metropolis, Massac, Illinois, United States.
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Mississippi is the 20th state.
Illinois is the 21st state.
Convinced that a group of Native American tribes were hostile, The United States formed a frontier militia to stop them in their tracks. Even though Black Hawk was hoping to avoid bloodshed while trying to resettle on tribal land, U.S. officials opened fire on the Native Americans. Black Hawk then responded to this confrontation by successfully attacking the militia at the Battle of Stillman's Run and then left northward. After a few months the militia caught up with Black Hawk and his men and defeated them at the Battle of Wisconsin Heights. While being weakened by hunger, injuries and desertion, Black Hawk and the rest of the many native survivors retreated towards the Mississippi. Unfortunately, Black Hawk and other leaders were later captured when they surrendered to the US forces and were then imprisoned for a year.
English (Warwickshire): altered form of Gourley .
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
Possible Related NamesTuesday, 15 Sep 1873: On Thursday night, (10 September 1873) after a short illness, at his residence, Willis Gurley departed this life. Mr. Gurley was one of the best known and universally respecte …
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