Who We Were, Are & Will Be Our Family: Illinois

Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts

24 July 2021

Obituary for Louisa Victoria Dutton (nee. Brindsen 1840-1915)

The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, Missouri), February 14, 1915, Sunday, Page 5 --

Mrs. Lou Dutton Dies After Short Illness
After a short illness of pleuro-pneumonia, Mrs. Lou V. Dutton of 432 West I.ocust street, 75 years of age. died yesterday morning at her residence.
Mrs. Dutton was the wife of Captain H. J. Dutton of Company A. 33rd Illinois Infantry, a Civil War veteran. Besides the husband, Mrs. Dutton is survived by one son, Clarence A. Dutton, of Los Angeles, and four daughters. Mrs. A. O. Mack, Mrs. R. E. M. Mack, Mrs. G. A. Coover of this city, and Mrs. F. A. Dunlap of Kennewick, Wash.
Mrs. Dutton was born in Burford, Can, October 17, 1840. Left an orphan at an early age, she went to relatives in Illinois and was married at Metamora, Aug. 29, 1866. In 1869 she moved to Cedar county, Mo., where she lived until 1884, when she moved to Springfield.
Funeral services will be announced as soon as word is received from the son and daughter living in the west.

Louisa was the wife of my 2xg-grandfather Harvey J. Dutton, whom I blog about often.

19 July 2021

Another Case of Family Tree Serendipity (years 1668 and 1855)

"In 1668 Thomas Dutton [of Woburn] brought an action of slander against Michael Bacon Jr., who had charged him with being a thief…The following paper also appears as evidence in this case and is very valuable for its autographs: Wee whose Names are under written testyfy that Thomas dutton having lived amongst us in the Towne of woburne nere the space of tenne yeares, has bine very Industrus in his calling and and has not to our knowledg bine any way given to steall or to take any thing that is not his owne. Josias Conuars, William Johnson, Mathew Johnson, James Conuars, Samuell Conuars, John Broockes, Thomas Peirce, Samual Walker senyer, John Russell Junior, henry broockes, Isack Broockes, Edward win, Richard Gardner, John Russell Sen., John Carter.
"The plaintiff obtained a verdict of fifteen pounds."

-- Johnson, E. F. (1906). Woburn Records of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. United States: Andrews, Cutler, & Company, 3:83, footnote to Dutton.
-- AmericanAncestors.org,, Middlesex County, MA, Abstracts of Court Files, 1649–1675 (online database, 2003). Unpublished abstracts by Thomas Bellows Wyman, "Abstract of Middlesex court files from 1649," n.d.: 2:48, Dutton vs. Bacon.

Thomas Dutton (1621-1687) was my 8xg-grandfather, and Samuel Walker, Sr. (1615-1684) was my 9xg-grandfather.

One hundred and eighty-seven years later, in 1855, in the small town of Metamora, in central Illinois,

my 2xg-grandfather Henry Walker, Sr. (1829-1865) married my 2xg-grandmother Louisa Dutton (1833-1913). Direct descendants of Samuel and Thomas.

24 June 2021

Death of George Hall (1845-1908) in Newspaper Back Home

From The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), November 3, 1908, Tuesday, Page 3 --

Danvers
DEATH OF GEORGE HALL OCCURS AT ELDORADO, KAS.
Remembered by Older Residents

The news of the death of George Hall was received here Monday from Eldorado, Kas. Mr. Hall was born here about 70 years ago, was the son of Jeremiah Hall. He was wounded in the army and this was the cause of his death. For many years he resided near Gibson City and Fairbury. He later moved to Kansas. His wife was Miss Marion McKee, a daughter of William McKee, near Oak Grove. He will be remembered by the older residents here and at Carlock.

George Hall was my 2xg-grandfather on my mother's maternal side. I did not know he lived near Gibson City and Fairbury! Clues for more research.

18 June 2021

The Railroad Comes to Danvers, Illinois in 1869

From The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), November 26, 1869, Friday, Page 4 --

The depot at Danvers will be on the north side of the railroad, upon ground formerly owned by Mr. Otis Hall, southeast of town. Mr. Hall donated eight acres for this purpose and the town two more, and the whole was presented to the railroad company.

We predict a bright future for Danvers, now that she has the railroad. Two years ago the township voted $30,000 for the road, with only eleven dissenting votes, while some of our townships refused to vote a cent. Last winter the village was incorporated, and now contains about 600 population. Several new homes have lately been erected; Mr. Washburn is about completing one at a cost of $3000; Jeremiah Hall one costing about the same amount; a Congregational parsonage is just being finished at a cost of $2500; Rev. James Mitchell has just occupied a new $3000 house, and Mr. J.C. Vockrodt has just finished a dwelling house costing $2500.

My 3xg-grandfather Jeremiah Smith Hall (1809-1882) was an early settler of Danvers, a town founded by his older brother my 3xg-granduncle Israel Woodbury Hall (1799-1865). Israel had died four years earlier, so I suppose you could say he was represented above by his son Otis Taylor Hall (1828-1899). Otis was my first cousin 4x removed.

17 June 2021

William McKee's Horse is Stolen

From The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), April 17, 1873, Thursday, Page 2 --

----We have a novel case of horse-thieving. A man named Wm. Barret stole a horse below Forest City, Mason county, rode him up toward Green Valley, stopped at a stable where he was well acquainted with the stock, swapped for the best horse in the lot, road on into Dillon and doubled his stock by stealing another from Wm. McKee, and thence pushed on to Mackinaw. There he traded again. By this time men were in pursuit, and one man got into town in time to see McKee's horse ridden in by a boy. He took possession and told the boy that he had his horse. The boy told him that his father had traded for it, and that he could show him the man, and the horse that he had let the fellow have. Search was made and the horse found, but the man had smelt a mice and "broke for tall timber." One man too McKee's horse and rode to Delavan, another pursued the thief to Hopedale, where he had just taken the cars south. The lightning went ahead of Constable Cobean, who met the gentleman in the cars at Delevan, and took him into custody. He gave his name as Hudson. He is now in jail in Pekin awaiting trial.

Wow. I am not used to the use of catchwords in news stories. I am guessing that means the story is mostly for amusement? I am guessing "cars" means railway cars. I am guessing "lightning" means telegraph. I am guessing "smelt a mice" is what we mean when we say "smelled a rat."

One thing I am not guessing -- William McKee (1810-1873) was my 3xg-grandfather on my mother's maternal side.

06 June 2021

Hall Family Quarrels in Court (1883)

From The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), August 30, 1883, Thursday, Page 4 --

A Family Quarrel In Court.
--Yesterday Wilbur Hall, of Danvers, filed a bill in chancery against his mother, Mrs. Hannah Hall, and other relatives, for title to certain real estate in this county. Complainant says be purchased of John P. Morrison twenty-five acres of land in section 16) in Dale township, and that he purchased of John Mickens five acres in section 31 In Danvers township. He further says the deeds were made to his father, Jeremiah S. Hall, with the express understanding that this property was to be deeded to or for complainant when he so elected. October 16, 1878. Jeremiah borrowed $500, and gave a mortgage on this property to A. E. Merritt. Jeremiah died and did not redeem the note. Merritt endorsed the note to George S. Hall and he endorsed it to his wife, one of the defendants. Orator says that he knew nothing of the mortgage and received none of the money, and further says that Mrs. Marion W. Hall, the endorsee, knew full well before she received them that the property belonged to complainant.

There are a few factual errors here. First, Wilber's mother was Jane (Combs) Hall and she died in 1874, nine years before her husband and this article. Hannah was Wilbur's older sister, not his mother. Second, there is no record anywhere on any legal documents of George or Mariam (McKee) Hall having middle names (or middle initials).

I found other newspaper reports of court complaints involving the estate of my 3xg-grandfather Jeremiah Smith Hall (1809-1882) internal to the family. It is my hopes to get down to the McLean county courthouse and follow up on all of them. George and Mariam Hall were my 2xg-grandparents.

04 June 2021

Newspaper Announcement that Jeremiah Smith Hall (21 Apr 1809 - 6 Sept 1882) was Dying

From The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), September 4, 1882, Monday, Page 3 --

Dying from a Curious Cause.
-Mr. Jeremiah Hall, one of the oldest settlers of North Danvers, now a resident of Danvers, is lying very near death's door, his death being hourly expected. In 1844 he accidentally run a thorn in one of his fingers, the effect of which came near throwing him into the lock jaw. The finger was amputated many years ago, but the effect of the wound remains with him until this day. He Is 73 years old.

I reported the details of the accident HERE. It said it effected his nerves so greatly that if he got too excited his body would become stiff and rigid. Very strange. And here it is claiming his life?

Two days after publication, Jeremiah S. Hall would pass. He was the 3xg-grandfather on my mother's maternal side.

31 May 2021

Memorial Day 2021: Lt. Edward Woodbury Hall (1839-1963)

Less than two weeks after the fall of Vicksburg, my 2xg-granduncle died in the battle to retake Jackson, Mississippi. I report the story HERE. He was a member of Company B, 3rd Iowa Infantry Regiment.

Lieutenant Edward W. Hall was born in Danvers, McLean, Illinois on August 28, 1839. He died in battle outside Jackson, Rankin, Mississippi on July 13, 1863. He did not have a spouse or children. The family erected a cenotaph to him in the family plot in Stouts Grove Cemetery, Danvers, IL. Edward was my 2xg-uncle on my mother's maternal side. He was only 23 years old.

23 May 2021

Harvey J. Dutton -- Founder of Illinois State University Debating Society

From The Vidette (Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois), Tuesday, May 28, 1963 --

Debate Team's First Meeting Held In Candlelight Years Ago

By LINDA BLOYD

Friday evening, October 9, 1857, just four days after Illinois State first opened her doors, 14 serious-minded male students met by the light of a single flickering candle in a small classroom on the third floor of Bloomington’s Major’s Hall. Their purpose as expressed by their leaders, Harvey J. Dutton and Charles Irons, was to found a debating society which would "extend social relations and elevate moral character and intellectual attainments.”
Thus began the Normal Debating Society later to be known as the Wrightonians (or more familiarly as the "Wrights”). . . .

Harvey James Dutton (1836-1928) was my 2xg-granduncle. I blog about him more than anyone, but he was a great man and there is a lot written about him. And like a lot of family historians, I go first for the low hanging fruit.

14 May 2021

Harvey J. Dutton Sends His RSVP in 1927 at Age 90

From an article entitled MANY LETTERS RECEIVED BY HOMECOMING COMMITTEE:

OLD GRADUATES FROM MANY PARTS OF COUNTRY TELL OF THEIR DESIRE TO ATTEND I. S. N. U. HOMECOMING, as published in The Vidette (Illinois State Normal University, Normal, Illinois) Wednesday, November 2, 1927, page 1 --

. . . One of the most interesting of these letters received by Miss Cooper was the one from Mr. H. J. Dutton of Springfield, Mo. The letter is as follows:

“Dear Madam:

“Yours of the 6th inst. at hand and contents noted. In reply I desire to say that while I thank you very sincerely for your kind invitation to attend the Normal Homecoming, believing that I should very heartily enjoy meeting even the very few who may remember me as a Normal student, the meeting comes too late in the season for me to attend for more reasons than one.

“Had the date been a month earlier I should have been strongly tempted to attempt the trip, notwithstanding my fourscore and ten years.

“Because of the uncertainty of favorable weather and the further fact that on the date mentioned I have planned to be on my way to Florida where I have been spending the winters of late years. I am constrained to deny myself the pleasure of meeting with you.

“I do, however, send most cordial greetings to any and all who may remember me. Should be very glad to receive an account of Homecoming. My Florida address, is: Zephyrhills, Florida.

“Very truly and sincerely yours,

“H. J. DUTTON.”

“P. S. I deem it unnecessary, for a person of my age to make any apology for using pencil.”

The writing in this letter was legible and consistent. Mr. Dutton was graduated from this institution in 1861.

Of the letters the university Homecoming Committee received, this was the only one they decided to publish in full. He would pass away only two months later, at his winter home in Zephyrhills, Florida, at age 91. Harvey James Dutton (1836-1928) was my 2xg-granduncle on my Father's paternal side.

13 May 2021

Samuel C. Walker (1860-1933) Sells His Business

From The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), February 13, 1913, Page 8 --

FOR SALE--BLACKSMITH SHOP AND TOOLS and good business in Cooksville, Ill.; a bargain if taken at once. S.C. Walker. f13-3t

Samuel Clark Walker (1860-1933) was my great-granduncle on my Dad's paternal side. He moved around frequently and had a variety of jobs. Before this he was living north in Chicago and working for the railroad. After this, he was living south in Pontiac (IL) working as a school janitor.

07 May 2021

Yes, Newspapers DO Make Mistakes

From The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), 30 Nov 1923, Fri, Page 7 --

Entertained For Brother
Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Walker, 103 West Ash street, entertained the former's brother, S. C. Walker and family of Funk's Grove at dinner yesterday.

Well, now that you mention it? Not really. --

1) There is no "Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Walker." Correctly, it is "Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Clarke" doing the entertaining. William S. Clarke (1823-1903) is married to Mrs. Letta Agnes Clarke (nee. Walker, 1857-1947).

2) It is Mrs. Clarke that is the sibling to Samuel Clark Walker (1860-1933), not her husband.

06 May 2021

Map of Historic Sites of Metamora, Illinois

CLICK TO ENLARGE.

Both my Walker and Dutton ancestors lived in and around Metamora during the nineteenth century.

04 May 2021

Tombstone(less) Tuesday : Samuel C. Walker (1860-1933)

I have been thinking about posting this all week. I am not sure why it bothers me so much that my great-granduncle Samuel Clark Walker does not have a marker? But it really does! He is the older brother of my paternal great-grandfather Henry M. Walker (1864-1952). He is buried at Cedar Park Cemetery (Calumet Park, Illinois), plot is Sec. Sharon, Lot 4, Block 3, Grave 2.

02 May 2021

It's The Little Things

I was watching a webinar last night on all the good things that genetic genealogy can do for the family historian. One of the good things mentioned was the confidence it can give the researcher that they are researching the right ancestors, and not someone else's ancestors.

But it is not just a DNA test that can lend you that little bit of confidence. Sometimes it is a single, sole, lone sentence in a local newspaper. From The Butler County Democrat (El Dorado, Kansas) 18 Jun 1897, Page 5 --

Geo, Hall is visiting his old home, Bloomington, Ills.

George Hall (1845-1908) was my 2xg-grandfather on my maternal side. He was born and raised in a small town called Danvers, Illinois, a short distance from Bloomington. After the Civil War and marrying the love of his life, he moved his family to Butler County, Kansas, where he spent the rest of his life.

Take a breath Kevin, your research remains consistent.

24 June 2020

Wordless Wednesday: Poster of Company C, 33rd Illinois Veteran Volunteer Regiment, U.S. Civil War, 1865

(Click to Enlarge.)

Image provided by McLean County Museum of History, Bloomington, Illinois.

23 June 2020

Tombstone Tuesday: Sisters Grace Combs (1803-1892) and Sarah Combs (1800-1876)

Sarah Combs and Grace Combs were my 3xg-grandaunts on my mother's maternal side. They never married. They are interred at Stouts Grove Cemetery, Danvers, McLean County, Illinois.

20 June 2020

At Least Five Civil War Ancestral Relatives Have Their Names in Bronze

(Click to Enlarge.)

From a Vicksburg Mississippi website:

The Vicksburg National Military Park, established by Congress on February 21, 1899, commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg during the Civil War. The 1,800 acres of the park are dotted with over 1,300 monuments, the most impressive being the Illinois Monument, which was dedicated on October 26, 1906 and modeled after the Roman Pantheon. On its walls are 60 bronze tablets which record the names of the 36,325 Illinois soldiers who participated in the Vicksburg campaign.

On those bronze tablets are the names of at least five of my ancestral relatives, most notably my gg-grandfather Pvt. George Hall (1845-1908) --

-- Three other more distant ancestral relatives 3xg-uncle Pvt. Josiah McKee (1844-1921), and First Cousin 4x removed Pvt. Levi W. Hall (1841-1923) and First Cousin 4x removed Pvt. William P. Lamphier (1839-1865) --

-- And finally we have the ancestral relative of whom I am the most proud, 2xg-uncle Capt. Harvey J. Dutton (1836-1928), who was only a Lieutenant at Vicksburg. He was also shot in the leg in the battle and kept fighting --

(Click to Enlarge.)

-- The Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg were both completed on the same date -- July 4, 1863. The Battle of Gettysburg got most of the attention from the press at the time for a number of reasons, including that it involved the defeat of the great General Robert E. Lee, and happened closer to Washington D.C. But arguably, the Battle of Vicksburg was much more important to the ultimate Union victory. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's victory at Vicksburg gave the Union Army control of the entire Mississippi River, and cut off the Confederate deep south from the supplies of the commodity-rich southwestern states like Texas.

Copyright © 2020 by Kevin W. Walker

19 June 2020

Thirty-miles and One Hundred Years

(Click to Enlarge.)

I have never had a familial affinity for Illinois. My heart has always belonged to Nebraska. It was Nebraska that I associated with family, and my family history. But truth be told, Illinois could reasonably lay a claim to my heritage. Direct ancestors of both my father and mother made homes here. And startlingly they did it only thirty miles apart from each other.

(Click to Enlarge.)

Around 1855 in Woodford County, in and around the town of Metamora were my Dad's ancestors 3xg-grands Aaron and Submit (Clark) Walker, my 2xg-grands Henry and Louisa (Dutton) Walker Sr., and my g-grandfather Henry M. Walker, Jr. Also my 3xg-grandmother Nancy (Smith) Dutton.

At the same time, only thirty miles away in McLean County, in and around the town of Danvers were my Mom's ancestors 3xg-grands Jeremiah and Jane (Combs) Hall, and also 3xg-grands William and Sarah (Moore) McKee.

One hundred years later in northern California, my Mother from Phoenix, Arizona would meet my Dad from Dix, Nebraska, get married and produce me.

As I currently reside in Illinois, this state reminds me of her involvement in my development everytime I travel her highways, and of course visit the graves of my deceased ancestors. I am blessed that I live so close to where I can walk the same ground my ancestors walked on.

Copyright © 2020 by Kevin W. Walker

25 April 2016

Amanuensis Monday: Answer to Inquiry About Henry M. Walker, Jr. (1864-1952)

Sept 26, 1973

Mrs. Stanley Paist
2730 Avenue G
Kearney, Nebaska 68847

Dear Mrs. Paist:
I inquired from several of the older residence about Henry Walker but none knew anything about his family.
I found out when he passed away and went through the files of the paper and could only find the following.
Henry Martin Walker, 88, passed away October 13, 1852 at the Lizer Nursing Home in Stockton, Ill. He spent the last three years at the above home.
Henry was born in Metamora, Illinois June 19, 1864 where he spent most of his life. He came to Lena in 1924 while working as a watchman on Highway 20, which was being built.
He was survived by nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at the Schreier Funeral Home in Stockton with Rev. H.D. Bedinger, of Stockton Nazarene Church officiating. Burial was in Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton.
Sorry but this is all I could find out for you. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
(signed)
Curtis R. Taylor

Ruby Tull Lena Ill. City Clerk of Lena

"Mrs. Paist" is my dad's cousin Flora "Mae" (Walker) Cunningham Paist. According to my grandfather, Mae was the only one Henry stayed in touch with after he left the family. Must not have stayed in touch very much if she is left sending off inquiries.

It appears Mr. Taylor relied heavily on the faulty newspaper obituary. He did not spend most of his life in Metamora; he had a wife and kids; he tried to kill his wife and went to prison, etc., etc. Regular readers here know the story.

Copyright © 2016 by Kevin W. Walker