Apple River Canyon Genealogical Info sought

[Kakaik]

Thanks Bob, I finally got caought up and am posting this here.
I'm looking for information concerning the Apple River Canyon/Park area. While doing genealogical research I came across reference to Absalom Power and several other Power's living in and around what is now Apple River Park. The source indicates that at one time Absalom may have owned some or all of the land that is now the park. The source also indicates that there may be some Power's buried in the park at a site that was once known as "Power Mound". I would appreciate any help you might have confirming this.
BTW, the relevance to this board is that Absalom was Cpl. in the Blackhawk war along with his relative George Power, 2nd Lt. Both of these gentlemen enlisted in Sangamon County where I am informed that George was a judge.
Thanks, Jeff Powers

[Robert Braun]

Again... welcome to the board, Jeff.

Can any board participants provide Jeff with some assistance?

Thanks! r.

[Chris Gordy]

Jeff,
If you're talking about the Apple River Fort site then I would suggest giving them a call at 815-858-2028. One of the staff members was the last to own that particular property and has a lot of knowledge on its past owners. He still owns quite a lot of property next to the park area as well. I would think that it is worth a try if that's the park area you're speaking of.

Chris Gordy

[Chris Gordy]

Okay, after giving a little more mind-time to it I thought I'd share some info in case it helps. You stated that Absalom Power and others in the family lived in or around what is now the park. Again, if you're speaking of the Apple River Fort park then I can tell you that there were some homesteads in the area during the Black Hawk War. Today you can spot 2 or 3 structures in the park's vicinity that date back to the period. Further, it has been suggested through a few sources (primarily from accounts of the battle at the fort) that there may have been a small log home or two in what is now the park area. The area in question is now the large native prairie grass lot as you drive up to the fort. On another note, the fort itself was built around a small homestead. From what we know (actually you can find this information in the archaeological report of Apple River Fort) this homestead consisted of a small, single-pen log house and one log outbuilding.
Again, however, you may want to give them a call. You can talk to Susan Gordy about this as she would probably be interested in knowing who was living in and around the fort area.

[Marge Smith]

All the Apple Rivers in Jo Daviess County does get confusing. I believe your Power family were in the town of Apple River and the Township also called Apple River. The 1879 county history shows

A. Power, retired; Apple River
Alvin Power, stone mason, Apple River
N. Power, farm, Sec. 30, P.O. Apple River (this is in Apple River Township)
Oscar Power, laborer, Apple River

Apple River Canyon State Park is south of there. I believe all the tombstone transcriptions have been put on the rootsweb Jo Daviess web site.

[Chris Gordy]

There was also some archaeology done at Apple River Canyon State Park last year. Where that park is was the site of a town called Millsville. The same archaeological team that did the Apple River Fort also did this one. They found a lot of information on the people who lived there. You may try contacting them to find out where you can get that information.
Last Spring the director of the team gave a great presentation on their findings.