Hi Rich - and Van Buren County list.... My connection to Van Buren County is my great grandmother, who was born in Farmington, Mar 1860. Her name was Lydia Ann Phillips. She was the daughter of Elam S. Phillips and Eliza Jane Fox. Lydia married Daniel B. Adams down in Schuyler Co., MO; 21 Aug 1876. They are both buried in Putnam Co. (Worthington) MO The information I'm looking for concerns her parents. Elam was a cooper by trade. I find him on the 1856 state census for Van Buren County, but no where else until he shows up on the 1880 mortality schedule for Putnam Co., MO. He'd apparently lived there - probably with Lydia and Dan - for about 2 weeks before his death - September 1879. Can anyone tell me anything else about this man?? I find that at times his name is spelled Elan or Elen instead of Elam. He was a veteran of the Civil War - serving from Iowa, mustered out at Keokuk. Any help will be most appreciated!! I was born in Novelty, MO - grew up in central WY, and have lived in NORTH Idaho for the past 42 - almost 43 years. We are 35 miles east of Spokane, WA and 99 miles south of the Canadian border!! Lea