John Deere’s Route to Grand Detour, Illinois 1836
Following the War of 1812, pioneers began to move west as new states were founded (ie. Louisianna, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois and others). In the 1830s and 40s, the flood of people heading west ballooned, causing the population of these states to grow as people traveled farther west across the Mississippi River.
In 1836, John Deere was one of those pioneers heading west from Vermont to Grand Detour, Illinois. The following spring, his wife Demarius and their five children also traveled west to join John. John traveled west first to check out the area and to build a blacksmith shop to start earning a living.
In 1836, John Deere was one of those pioneers heading west from Vermont to Grand Detour, Illinois. The following spring, his wife Demarius and their five children also traveled west to join John. John traveled west first to check out the area and to build a blacksmith shop to start earning a living.
John traveled with just a few supplies in a pack. He left Hancock, Vermont, and traveled south to the Erie Canal. His canal boat ticket took him to Buffalo, New York, where he bought a ticket on a ship around the Great Lakes. After reaching Chicago, we presume he caught a wagon ride across the prairie to Grand Detour, Illinois.
Demarius Deere and Children’s Route in 1837
We assume each family had their own wagon. They drove their wagon west to Buffalo, New York, traveling near the Erie Canal. The wagons where then loaded on a boat to travel across Lake Erie to Detroit, Michigan. After unloading the wagon from the boat, they headed across the state of Michigan, then on to Chicago, across the Illinois prairie and finally reached Grand Detour, Illinois.
Demarius Deere
John & Damarius’ children:
Francis Albert age 9
Jeannette age 7
Ellen age 5
Frances Alma age 3
Charles – a few months old
John & Damarius’ children:
Francis Albert age 9
Jeannette age 7
Ellen age 5
Frances Alma age 3
Charles – a few months old
John Peek
Samuel age 12
William age 9
George age 8
Jeanette 7
Frank age 5
Melony age 3
John age 1
(and Lucretia was pregnant with their eighth child on the trip)
Lucretia Lamb Peek (sister of Demarius)
Their children:Samuel age 12
William age 9
George age 8
Jeanette 7
Frank age 5
Melony age 3
John age 1
(and Lucretia was pregnant with their eighth child on the trip)
For children’s activities about their trip, click on Education in the top menu.