The Frosts migrated from Michigan to Illinois in 1836, where they "took a section" of land in Marshall County, IL. According to the family Bible, Oriana P. Frost died in Illinois, March 23, 1837. Malaria was prevalent during this time, but we do not know the cause of her death. She was buried in Lacon, Marshall County IL.
The oldest son, Luther P. Frost, age 21, was married in 1838 to Caroline White.
There is much information about early years of pioneers in Marshall County at this website, with some fascinating stories. Marshall County History.
”On May 4, 1837, an act was passed at the last session of legislature, changing the name of the town Columbia, in Putnam County, to Lacon. As there is an older post [office] town in the state by the name of Columbia, this change is necessary and proper. Lacon is handsomely situated on the east bank of the Illinois River, about twenty miles below Hennepin. It has a large stream flowing and saw-mill and several stores, and like most other towns on the river, business in it is brisk and flourishing. The inhabitants in the town and country adjoining are principally emigrants from Ohio and North Carolina.” Formerly part of Putnam, now Lacon is the county seat of Marshall County. Alton Observer (Alton, Illinois) on History of Lacon, IL
Neighbors of the Frost family in the earliest years of their stay in Illinois would have been the Graves Family who later made the journey toward California, attaching themselves to the Donner Party, with many meeting their deaths in the frozen passage. There were nine Graves children on the trip. Two children and the parents did not survive. A story of the Graves Family during their years in Sparland, Illinois, when they would have lived about a mile across the river from the Frosts, is recounted here.
Graves Family of Donner Party
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