In a previous post, I wrote about Hiram M. Currey, my 3rd great-grandfather who seems to have gone missing after about 1846. Today’s story continues that thread—but this time, the mystery follows his stepson, Harris (Harrison) Whitaker. Harris grew up in the Currey household after his mother, Rachel (Harris) Whitaker, married Hiram following the death of her first husband, Andrew Miller Whitaker. Like Hiram, Harris left a faint trail in the records—appearing in early Illinois land and marriage records and briefly during the Civil War—but then disappearing from view. What remains are fragments of his life: his marriages, his children, and the generations that followed. Though the documents are few, they tell a story of family connections, perseverance, and westward movement across the American frontier.
The Whitaker Family Story
Harris (Harrison) Whitaker
Harris (or Harrison) Whitaker was born to Andrew Miller Whitaker and Rachel (Harris) Whitaker. His early life was marked by both family and loss. After his father Andrew’s death, his mother Rachel married Hiram Currey, and young Harris was raised in the Currey household. This connection to the Currey family shaped much of Harris’s early life and explains why his name appears in local records associated with Hiram Currey.
In fact, one of the earliest mentions of Harris comes from March 19, 1836, when he witnessed a land entry made by Hiram M. Currey in Peoria County, Illinois. It’s likely that by this time Harris was already living as part of Hiram’s family, helping with the work on the farm and absorbing the values of hard work and perseverance that defined his generation.
By 1860, Harris was living in Spring Bay Township, Woodford County, Illinois, where he was supporting his own family. When the Civil War began, Harris enlisted in Company B of the 47th Illinois Infantry on August 19, 1861. He served faithfully until October 12, 1862, when he was discharged due to disability. The record notes that “Harris Whitaker of Spring Bay was discharged from service with a disability,” a somber reminder of how deeply the war affected the men who fought it.
Marriage to Charlotte Duycus
Harris married Charlotte Duycus on February 27, 1845, in Woodford County, Illinois. Their marriage lasted only a few short years before Charlotte’s death on July 10, 1849. She was buried in Eichhorn Cemetery near Spring Bay.
Harris and Charlotte had one son:
- Jacob S. Whittaker, born about 1847 in Spring Bay, Illinois.
Second and Third Marriages
After Charlotte’s death, Harris remarried within the Ruckle family. On January 26, 1851, he wed Mary Ann Ruckle, daughter of George Ruckle and Nancy Ayers. Mary Ann died only a year later, on January 17, 1852, at age 20, shortly after giving birth to a daughter, Helena Whittaker, on January 10, 1852.
Harris then married Elizabeth Ruckle, Mary Ann’s sister, on April 18, 1852, in Woodford County. Elizabeth, born about 1827 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, was also the mother of a daughter named Amy Thompson, born around 1848. Harris and Elizabeth lived together in Spring Bay for many years, and she helped raise his children from previous marriages.
Second Generation
Jacob S. Whittaker (1847–1884)
Jacob S. Whittaker, son of Harris and Charlotte (Duycus) Whitaker, was born about 1847 in Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois. He appears in the 1850 and 1860 censuses living in the community where his father settled.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Jacob enlisted during the Civil War—joining Company F of the 85th Illinois Infantry on June 21, 1862. He served honorably and was mustered out in Washington, D.C., on June 5, 1865.
Jacob married Marietta Woodcock on July 24, 1865, in Woodford County. The couple later moved west, eventually settling in Chico, Butte County, California, where Jacob became active in the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), joining Halleck Post No. 19 in September 1883.
By early 1884, Jacob was living in Oroville, California, where he finally received his long-awaited military pension—just weeks before his death. Newspaper reports from March 1884 described him as “a brave and gallant soldier” who “received the wound from the effects of which he died.” He was only 37 years old.
Jacob and Marietta had one infant daughter:
- Amnie (or Annie) Whittaker, born February 11, 1882, who died a week later and was buried in Andover Cemetery, Butler County, Kansas.
After Jacob’s passing, Marietta was living in Texas, where she was mentioned in his obituary.
Helena Whittaker Fuller (1852–1933)
Helena, the daughter of Harris and Mary Ann (Ruckle) Whitaker, was born on January 10, 1852, in Illinois. She married Stillman Metcalf Fuller, who was born January 30, 1845, in Brimfield, Peoria County, Illinois. The couple spent their early married years in Kansas before joining the wave of settlers who moved into Oklahoma Territory in the late 19th century.
Helena and Stillman raised a large family whose members spread across the Midwest and West, reflecting the pioneer movement of the era. Stillman died on December 24, 1920, and Helena lived another thirteen years, passing away on January 5, 1933, in Ringwood, Major County, Oklahoma. Both are buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Meno, Oklahoma.
Their fifteen children include:
- Oran Lovander Fuller (1869–1901), buried in Ringwood, Oklahoma.
- Charles Sylvester Fuller (1868–1948), buried in Portland, Oregon.
- Edward Brooks Fuller (1872–1961), buried in Anthony, Kansas.
- Elvira Louisa Fuller (1875–1949), died in Oklahoma.
- Elsie E. Fuller (1878–1881).
- Willard Austin Fuller (1878–1957), buried in Enid, Oklahoma.
- Martin Luther Fuller (1880–1978), buried in Enid, Oklahoma.
- Clara C. Fuller (1880–1893), buried in Andover, Kansas.
- Everal Harris Fuller (1884–1930), buried in Campo, Colorado.
- Minnie Ethel Fuller (1887–1959), buried in San Bernardino, California.
- Louis Albert Fuller (1888–1963), buried in Fort Supply, Oklahoma.
- Harry Robert Fuller, Sr. (1891–1989), buried in Wabash, Indiana.
- Clara Comfort Fuller (1893–1894).
- Nellie Lula Fuller (1895–1992).
- William Frank Fuller (1897–1975), buried in Enid, Oklahoma.
Legacy
From Andrew and Rachel Whitaker, through their son Harris, and down through Helena and Jacob, the Whitaker family’s story spans nearly a century of American history—migration, war, hardship, and endurance. The family’s connections to both the Currey and Ruckle families illustrate how closely intertwined pioneer families were in the developing Midwest.
Their descendants carried the Whitaker legacy from Illinois to Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and California, shaping the communities they joined and preserving the spirit of courage and perseverance that began with Harris’s parents, Andrew and Rachel Whitaker.
RootsMagic Narrative Report
First Generation
1. Harris Whitaker witnessed the land entry of Hiram M. Currey on 19 Mar 1836 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States. [1]
He lived in Spring Bay, Woodford, Illinois, United States in 1860. [2]
He enlisted in the military Company B of the 47th Illinois Infantry on 19 Aug 1861 in Illinois. [3]
Harris was discharged from the military on 12 Oct 1862. [3] Harris Whitaker of Spring Bay was dischaged from service witha disability.
Harris Whitaker and Charlotte Duycus were married on 27 Feb 1845 in Woodford, Illinois, United States. [4–6]
Charlotte Duycus [4] died on 10 Jul 1849 in Woodford, Illinois, United States. [7]
She was buried in Jul 1849 at Eichhorn Cemetery in Spring Bay, Woodford, Illinois, United States. [7]
Harris Whitaker and Charlotte Duycus had the following child:
+2 i Jacob S. Whittaker, born abt 1847, Spring Bay, Woodford, IL; married Marietta Woodcock, 24 Jul 1865, Woodford, Illinois, United States; died 18 Mar 1884, Chico, Butte, California, United States.
Harris Whitaker and Elizabeth Ruckle were married on 18 Apr 1852 in Woodford, Illinois, United States. [8]
Elizabeth Ruckle, daughter of George Ruckle and Nancy Ayers, was born in 1827 in Henry Clay Township, Fayette, Pennsylvania, United States.
She was the mother of Amy Thompson who was born about 1848 in Illinois. [2]
She lived in Spring Bay, Woodford, Illinois, United States in 1860. [2]
Elizabeth died.
Harris Whitaker and Mary Ann Ruckle were married on 26 Jan 1851 in Woodford, Illinois, United States. [9]
Mary Ann Ruckle, daughter of George Ruckle and Nancy Ayers, was born on 25 Dec 1831 in Henry Clay Twp,Fayette,Pennsylvania.
She died on 17 Jan 1852 at the age of 20 in Woodford, Illinois, United States.
Harris Whitaker and Mary Ann Ruckle had the following child:
+3 i Helena Whittaker, born 10 Jan 1852, Illinois, United States; died 5 Jan 1933, Ringwood, Major, Oklahoma, United States.
Second Generation
2. Jacob S. Whittaker was born about 1847 in Spring Bay, Woodford, IL.
He lived in Woodford, Illinois, United States in 1850. [10]
He lived in Spring Bay, Woodford, Illinois, United States in 1860. [2]
Jacob enlisted in Company F of teh 85th Infantry for Illinois on 21 Jun 1862. [11–12]
He was mustered out of the military on 5 Jun 1865 in Washington, D. C.. [11]
On 26 Sep 1883, he was a member Halleck Post, No. 19, G.A.R. in Chico, Butte, California, United States. [13]
Jacob received pension in Mar 1884 in Oroville, Butte, California, United States. [14]
He died on 14 Mar 1884 at the age of 37 in Butte, California, United States. [13]
He died on 18 Mar 1884 at the age of 37 in Chico, Butte, California, United States. [15]
[Unknown] [Unknown] and Jacob S. Whittaker had the following child:
4 i Annie Whittaker was born on 1 Feb 1882 in Andover, Butler, Kansas, United States.
She died on 18 Feb 1882 at the age of 0 in Andover, Butler, Kansas, United States.
She was buried on 21 Feb 1882 in Andover, Butler, Kansas, United States.
Jacob S. Whittaker and Marietta Woodcock were married on 24 Jul 1865 in Woodford, Illinois, United States. [16]
Marietta Woodcock lived in Texas in 1884. [13]
Jacob S. Whittaker and Marietta Woodcock had the following child:
5 i Amnie Whittaker was born on 11 Feb 1882. [17]
She died on 18 Feb 1882 at the age of 0.
She was buried in Andover, Butler, Kansas, United States.
3. Helena Whittaker was born on 10 Jan 1852 in Illinois.
She died on 5 Jan 1933 at the age of 80 in Ringwood, Major, Oklahoma, United States.
She was buried on 7 Jan 1933 in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Meno, Major, Oklahoma, United States.
Stillman Metcalf Fuller was born on 30 Jan 1845 in Brimfield, Peoria, Illinois, United States.
He died on 24 Dec 1920 at the age of 75 in Ringwood, Major, Oklahoma, United States.
He was buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Major, Oklahoma, United States.
Stillman Metcalf Fuller and Helena Whittaker had the following children:
6 i Louis Albert Fuller was born on 24 Dec 1888 in Andover, Kansas.
He died on 11 Jan 1963 at the age of 74 in Fort Supply, Woodward, Oklahoma, United States.
7 ii Minnie Ethel Fuller was born on 15 Jan 1887 in Butler, Kansas, United States.
She died on 10 Oct 1959 at the age of 72 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California, United States.
She was buried in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California, United States.
8 iii Harry Robert Fuller Sr was born on 29 Oct 1891 in Andover, Butler, Kansas.
He died on 9 Jan 1989 at the age of 97 in Carmel, Hamilton, Indiana.
He was buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Wabash, Indiana, United States.
9 iv Everal Harris Fuller was born on 10 Sep 1884 in Butler, Kansas, United States.
He died on 21 Sep 1930 at the age of 46 in Campo, Baca, Colorado, United States.
He was buried in Campo Cem., Campo, Baca, Colorado.
10 v Martin Luther Fuller was born on 27 Sep 1880.
He died on 18 Jul 1978 at the age of 97 in Enid, Garfield, Oklahoma, United States.
He was buried in Enid, Garfield, Oklahoma, United States.
11 vi Clara C. Fuller was born about 1880 in Kansas.
She was buried in 1893 in Andover, Butler, Kansas, United States of America.
She died on 28 Apr 1893 at the age of 13.
12 vii Clara Comfort Fuller was born on 25 Aug 1893 in , Butler, Kansas.
She died on 28 Mar 1894 at the age of 0 in , Butler, Kansas.
13 viii Willard Austin Fuller was born on 25 Sep 1878 in Andover, Butler, Kansas, United States.
He was buried in 1957 in Enid, Garfield, Oklahoma, United States of America.
He died on 16 Mar 1957 at the age of 78 in Enid, Garfield, Oklahoma.
14 ix Elsie E. Fuller was born in 1878 in , Butler, KS.
She died on 28 Jul 1881 at the age of 3.
15 x Elvira Louisa Fuller was born on 16 Feb 1875 in Bruno Township, Butler, Kansas, United States.
She died on 4 Jan 1949 at the age of 73 in Oklahoma.
16 xi Nellie Lula Fuller was born on 4 Apr 1895 in Labette, Kansas, United States.
She died on 13 Mar 1992 at the age of 96.
17 xii Edward Brooks Fuller was born on 7 Nov 1872 in , Butler, Kansas.
He died on 25 Oct 1961 at the age of 88.
He was buried in Anthony, Harper, Kansas.
18 xiii William Frank Fuller was born on 30 Dec 1897 in Kansas.
He died on 2 Jan 1975 at the age of 77 in Enid, Garfield, Oklahoma, United States.
He was buried on 5 Jan 1975 in Enid Cemetery, Enid, Garfield, Oklahoma, United States.
19 xiv Oran Lovander Fuller was born on 22 Dec 1869 in Brimfield, Peoria, Illinois, United States.
He died on 11 Dec 1901 at the age of 31 in Ringwood, Major, Oklahoma, United States.
He was buried in Forrest Cem, Ringwood, Major, Oklahoma.
20 xv Charles Sylvester Fuller was born on 13 Mar 1868 in Woodford, Illinois, United States.
He died on 15 Dec 1948 at the age of 80 in Portland, OR.
He was buried on 18 Dec 1948 in Portland, OR.
ENDNOTES:
1. Hiram M. Curry (Peoria County) Preemption, certificate no. #8250, Quincy, Illinois , Land Office; Land Entry Papers 1800-1908; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
2. 1860 U.S. Census, Woodford County, Illinois, population schedule, Spring Bay Township, Woodford County, Illinois, page 214, Image 7 of 13, family 1513, Harrison Whittaker; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 17 October 2025)
3. Illinois, Army Records 1861-1866. Film #008916207. Harris Whitaker, 1862; page 414; image 216 of 371, digitized images, FamilySearch familysearch.org : viewed online 16 October 2025.
4. Marriage Record, Marriages — Illinois to 1850 searched on 2/14/1999 (Doc. Curry.IL.086).
5. “Illinois, Compiled Marriages, 1790-1860,” Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (1 July 2021), Harris Whitaker.
6. “Illinois, Compiled Marriages, 1791-1850,” Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (1 July 2021), Harris Whitaker.
7. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 16 October 2025), memorial for Charlotte Whitake (?-1849), Find a Grave Memorial no. 76847821, created by Amelia Crombie-Christy, citing Eichhorn Cemetery, Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois;, Charlotte Whitaker.
8. “Illinois, Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900,” database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 17 October 2025), Harrison Whitaker / Elizabeth Thompson.
9. “Illinois, Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900,” database Harrison Whitaker / Mary Ann Ruckle.
10. 1850 U.S. Census, Woodford County, Illinois, population schedule, District No. 56, Woodford County, Illinois, page 460, Image 33 of 108, family 226, Jacob Whitaker in household of Benjamin Merthew; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 17 October 2025)
11. Historical Data Systems comp, U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009), Jacob Whitaker.
12. “U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865,” National Park Service, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : Illinois, viewed online (17 October 2025), Jacob Whittaker.
13. “Another Veteraqn Gone,” Chico Weekly Enterprise (Chico, California), 14 March 1884, page 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 17 October 2025).
14. “Local news,” The Weekly Mercury (Oroville, California), 21 March 1884, page 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 17 October 2025).
15. Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans 1879-1903 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2007)
16. “Illinois, Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900,” database Jacob Whitaker.
17. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 17 October 2025), memorial for Amnie Whitaker (1882-1882), Find a Grave Memorial no. 19826487, created by Stan Weir / maintained by Gary Cowart, citing Andover Cemetry, Andover, Butler County, Kansas; accompanying photograph by Stan Weir, Amnie WHitaker.