Hadley Township near Barry in Pike County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
John Bixler and Kezia Clark
New Philadelphia Walking Tour
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Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 5, 2026
1. John Bixler and Kezia Clark Marker
John Bixler was an early resident. While living in Kentucky in 1824, Bixler freed his slave, Kezia Clark, and her one-year-old daughter, Louisa. Bixler and Clark left Kentucky, settling in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, before coming to New Philadelphia in the early 1840s. Bixler and Clark each purchased one lot in New Philadelphia, and Clark also owned an 80-acre farm east of town. Bixler's home was between where you are standing and the cabins to the east.
Point the New Philadelphia AR Tour app at this Virtual Guidepost.
Erected by NPS Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative, and the New Philadelphia Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, New Philadelphia National Historic Site Walking Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 39° 41.846′ N, 90° 57.681′ W. Marker is near Barry, Illinois, in Pike County. It is in Hadley Township. It is on 306th Lane/Broad Street (County Road 2159E) south of County Route 2, on the left when traveling south
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Regionally, this marker is in the Illinois River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hadley Station (here, next to this marker); Blacksmith Shop (a few steps from this marker); Spaulding and Ann Burdick (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. Christopher Sanborn Luce (within shouting distance of this marker); Free Frank and Free Lucy McWorter Homestead (within shouting distance of this marker); David A. Kittle (within shouting distance of this marker); Free Frank and Free Lucy McWorter (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to New Philadelphia (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barry.
Also see . . . New Philadelphia National Historic Site. (Submitted on June 10, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 5, 2026
2. John Bixler and Kezia Clark Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 10, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
