A Cosmopolitan Place – Vaughan Family

In 1857 Hugh Vaughan, together with several other families, left Wales seeking a better life. They left with a plan, but plans do not always work out.

The Welsh, like the Irish, wanted more political, economic, and religious freedom from English rule. Emigration was one solution, and America was seen as the best place to go.

Hugh planned to colonize with other Welsh immigrants in Tennessee. But that venture fell through, leaving him and the others with no place to settle and no place to farm. Consequently, his plans to marry were also delayed.

Hugh was a young man when he arrived in the U.S. in 1857. He was eager to marry his sweetheart and fiancé Ellen Jones.

Ellen Jones was engaged to Hugh Vaughan when she and her family arrived from Wales with the Davies and Evans families.

Black and white portrait of an old man with a silver mustache and long beard in a black suit with a black bow tie. He is looking straight at the camera with a serious look.

Hugh Vaughan

Black and white portrait of an old man with a silver mustache and long beard in a black suit with a black bow tie. He is looking straight at the camera with a serious look.
Black and white photo of a white woman. She is wearing a pair of round wire spectacles and a black dress with lace trim. She's smiling subtly and tilting her head. Her hair is parted down the middle and pulled back.

Ellen Jones Vaughan

Black and white photo of a white woman. She is wearing a pair of round wire spectacles and a black dress with lace trim. She's smiling subtly and tilting her head. Her hair is parted down the middle and pulled back.

In 1858 Hugh and the other Welsh families came to northeastern McLean County. In an area located between Chenoa and the Mackinaw River, they established a rural farming community similar to the Welsh community they left behind.

This group of families depended on each other for help, practiced their faith together, and shared in family events.

The Welsh settlers purchased land (highlighted in purple) that had rich soil where prairie grass grew “as high as a horse’s shoulders.” It was also close to the Chicago & Alton Railroad. With the influx of more Welsh immigrants, the neighborhood grew.

Photograph of a 3-story frame with men standing and sitting all over the frame, and on the ground. Two men are even on the very top of the roof beam... They must have confidence in their construction, that's for sure! There are approx. 25 men in the photo.

When the Rowland family needed a new barn, all the men pitched in to get it done. The women did their part by making sure everyone was well fed.

Photograph of a 3-story frame with men standing and sitting all over the frame, and on the ground. Two men are even on the very top of the roof beam... They must have confidence in their construction, that's for sure! There are approx. 25 men in the photo.

The Vaughans were founding members of the Congregationalist church in Chenoa, but they desired a church that was closer to home. In 1879 Hugh and Ellen joined the area’s Methodist congregation and donated land for the Salem Evangelical Methodist Church.

Black and white photo of a single-room wooden church, painted white, with two doors at the front.

The Salem Evangelical Methodist Church was part of the Selma circuit, which included four Methodist churches served by one preacher, the Reverend John Rogers.

The Fort, Lexington.
Black and white photo of a single-room wooden church, painted white, with two doors at the front.

Communion set, circa 1880

two goblet cups and one tall pot with lid and handle. They are relatively simple in design.

View this object in Matterport

Members of the Salem Evangelical Methodist Church purchased this pewter communion set. It was used by the congregation until 1946 when the church, by then the Salem Presbyterian Church, merged with the Lexington Presbyterian Church.

Donated by: Janice Elder
2012.48

two goblet cups and one tall pot with lid and handle. They are relatively simple in design.

Hugh and Ellen finally married in 1860 and started a family.

Black and white photo of 17 members of the family, dressed formally.

By the time of this circa 1905 extended family portrait, Hugh Vaughan’s family had grown.

Front row left to right (seated): Elizabeth “Lizzie” Vaughan (Robert Vaughan’s daughter), Robert Vaughan (Hugh Vaughan Sr.'s brother), Ellen Jones Vaughan, Viola Vaughan, Hugh Vaughan Sr., Grace McIver, Kenneth B. McIver Jr., Mary E. Vaughan. Back row left to right: Grace Vaughan Starkey, Earl A. Starkey, Grigola Elliot Vaughan, Robert Vaughan, Kenneth B. McIver, Viola Vaughan McIver, Angus McIver, John G. Vaughan, Margaret Vaughan Thayer. Not pictured: Hugh Vaughan Jr. who died in infancy, and Edward Vaughan who died in 1892 at the age of 28.

Black and white photo of 17 members of the family, dressed formally.
Black and white illustration of a farmhouse with many trees, three barns, and a windmill.

Hugh and Ellen’s family did well. By 1875 they had a large home, and the farm was well established. Their children attended the neighborhood school, called the “Prairie School.”

1874 lithograph of the Hugh Vaughan homestead.
Black and white illustration of a farmhouse with many trees, three barns, and a windmill.

In 1900 many of the Welsh immigrants and their descendants, including the Vaughans, still lived and farmed where they had originally settled. They celebrated with a reunion.

Group photo of over 70 people outside a two-story home.

1. Edith Breese Johnson

2. Ora Jones

3. Roy Jones

4. Paul Hughes

5. Rachael Breese Watson

6 Annie Breese Elder

7. Litta Breese Sron

8. Dwynwan Williams

9. Ed Williams

10. Lizzie Williams

11. John Williams

12. Rebecca Jones

13. Hugh Vaughan

14. William Johnston

15. Jonah Breese

16. ? Smith - Prairie School Superintendant

17. Dave Jones

18. Emlyn Jones

19. Howell Rowlands

20. Bertha Rowlands (Caldwell)

21. ? Vaughan

22. Rose Jones

23. Russell Cochran

24. Annie Williams Farmer

25. Rena Jones

26. Ralph Jones

27. Jessie R. Jones

28. Edwyn Jones

29. Richard “Dick” Jones

30. Robert Jones

31. Lizzie James

32. Florence Chochran

33. Lizzie Chochran

34. Sarah Wolf Elder

35. Emerson Rowlands

36. Nell Carnahan

37. Ann Rowlands Elder

38. Velda Elder

39. Rob Vaughan

40. Essie Cramer

41. Gomer Jones

42. Mae Jones Nettleship

43. Howell Elder

44. Clinton Elder

45. Russell Cochran

46. Dorothy Jones

47. Emry Jones

48. Dick Williams

49. Florence Jones

50. Catherine Rowlands

51. Nina Jones

52. Ellen Jones Vaughan

53. Margaret Veir Jones Cuthbertson

54. Mary Jane Myers Rowlands

55. Anna Richardson

56. Mrs. Davies

57. Mrs. Hughs

58. John James

59. Hugh Rowlands

60. Lucy Daugherty

61. Rowland D. Jones

62. Ben Rowlands

63. Gladys Breese

64. Jeannie Cuthbertson Breese

65. Jeannette Jones

66. Trevor Jones

67. Hugh D. Jones

68. Lillian Jones

69. Margaret Vaughan Thayer

70. Minnie Jones Rowland

71. Grace Vaughan

72. Evan Hughes

73. John Vaughan

74. Mamie King

75. Margaret Jones

76. James Jones

77. Grace Jones

Group photo of over 70 people outside a two-story home.
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