McCool Name Study - Pope County Illinois

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Pope, Illinois, United States
Surnames/tags: McCool McCoole

Illinois became the 21st state in 1818, but Pope County was established in 1816 from portions of Gallatin and Johnson County. Several border changes occurred, especially in 1839, before today's borders were finalized in 1847.^[1]

Pope County, Illinois is the southeasternmost county in the state. It is located on the Ohio River, directly across from Livingston County, Kentucky. Because the county is so hilly, it has always maintained a small population despite the river access.

Several McCool families were among the early settlers.

Pope County McCools

This is a very partial list of McCool family members believed to be associated with Pope County, IL. All details need verification unless linked to a WikiTree profile.

We theorize that this line descends from Benjamin McCool Sr (c1735-c1805) through his son, Benjamin Jr, but the paper trail is almost non-existent.

• Benjamin McCool Jr (abt.1780 NC - abt.1851 Pope County IL) m Ellen Louisa (Lawson) McCool (abt.1790 KY - aft.1851 Pope County IL)
  • Jesse W McCool (1820 Pope Co IL - ?) m Hulda Ford (c1839 TN - ?)
  • Ellen Elizabeth McCool (1822 Pope Co IL - ?) m Franklin Anderson
  • Lidia McCool (1828-1854) m Peter M Grisham (c1828-?) - 2? daughters?
  • Benjamin T File McCool (1830 Pope Co IL-1874 Pope Co IL) m Mary Jane Anderson (1837 IL - c1909)
    • Lydia Mary McCool (c1853 Pope Co IL - ?) m Benjamin J Ragsdale
    • John Wesley McCool (1856 Pope Co IL - ?) m Susan E Barger (1857 AR-?)
      • Ben H McCool (c1888 Pope Co IL - ?)
    • James N McCool (c1858 IL - ?)
    • Jacob F McCool (c1860 IL - ?)
    • Joseph T McCool (1863 Pope Co IL - 1908 Walker Co AL) m Christia A Morris (c1880 IL - ?)
      • Bursey McCool (1893 Pope Co IL - 1971 Walker Co AL m Anna Lee Tune (1906-1996)
      • Denna McCool (c1896 Pope Co IL - ?)
      • Alta (McCool) Leith (1901 Pope Co IL - ? Walker Co AL)
      • additional children born in Walker Co AL starting 1905

Findagrave Listings

McCool family members listed as buried in Pope County, Ilinois:

• Lydia (McCool) Grisham (1830-1853) - believed to be the daughter of Benjamin McCool (1780-1851)^[2]

• Benjamin T F McCool (1830-1874) - includes daughter Lydia Ragsdale^[3]
• Millie Ann (McCool) Williams (1886-1975) - includes spouse and children^[4]
• Ben McCool (1888-?) - includes wife Delsia and Hensen couple^[5]
  • Delsia (Unknown) McCool (1892-1949)^[6]
• James William McCool (1891-1963) - includes wife Effie, four children, and obit^[7]
  • Jeannette McCool Lockwood (1916-1993) - includes parents, spouse, and siblings plus obituary^[8]
  • Effie E (Parmley) McCool (1893-1978) - names spouse James and four children^[9]
• Mary Frances McCool (1911-1912) - died at 4 mos; parents unnamed^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Illinois
2. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #259831407 (accessed 22 July 2024)
   Memorial page for Lydia McCool Grisham (1830-1853), citing Ellis Cemetery, Pope County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Robin Hughes (contributor 50850893).
3. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48089100/benjamin-t_f-mccool
4. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37068466/millie-ann-williams
5. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/162790211/ben-mccool
6. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/162790773/delsia-mccool
7. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28951411/james-william-mccool
8. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32199219/jeannette-lockwood
9. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28951429/effie-e-mccool
10. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28951374/mary-frances-mccool