Hi everyone, Well, here we go again with Lem. I'm convinced he's under a rock somewhere in Fayette or Bond County and need help digging him up <g> According to an old letter from an aunt of Lem's, he's the g-grandson of Alexander Elam who came in from North Carolina. The letter was from a Mrs. S.E. Sands who states her mother was the daughter of Alexander and was about 2 when they moved to IL. She states her mother was born Aug 1824. Lemuel Emmit Patterson ELAM was born sometime about 1872 probably in Fayette Co., IL, although the family bounced between Bond and Fayette Co. According to sources, his father (unknown) died probably about 1878. His mother remarried a man named George FRANCIS. I've not been able to find this marriage though. Lem married Sarah Elizabeth COIN in Fayette Co., IL on 04 Oct 1891. Source of this was Illinois State Genealogical Society, Illinois Marriage Record Index, Microfiche #40, Original Source: Fayette Co. IL Marriage Register Book A, page 270. Sarah Elizabeth was the d/o Ruel Birdle COIN and Anna Mariah WARD who were married 11 Jun 1871 in Grand Tower, Jackson Co., IL. This family is found on the 1880 Fayette Co. IL census. Lem and Elizabeth had the following children: William Birdle Elam was born 11 Jul 1892, Seminary Twp, Fayette Co., IL and died 09 Jun 1972, Gilbertsville, Marshall Co., KY. He married Orpha Mae Perkins on 13 Oct 1913 in Bond Co., IL. Orpha was born 03 May 1895, Bond Co., IL and died 05 Sep 1983, Clifton, Bosque Co., TX. She was the d/o George PERKINS and Alzada EDWARDS who were married in Bond Co., IL 08 May 1892. Cora Jane Elam was born 26 Jan 1894, Prob. in Fayette Co., IL and died 06 Oct 1988. She married a gentleman by the last name of WICKAM. There was also a baby who did not survive who was born about 1896. Sometime between 1896 and 1899, Lemuel and Elizabeth divorced as Elizabeth married Colemore UPTON 09 Jan 1899 in Fayette Co., IL. They had several children. Elizabeth died 30 Jul 1940 in Vienna, Johnson Co., IL and is buried in Vienna Fraternal Cem., Vienna, Johnson Co., IL. After the divorce, Lem went west, spending some time in MO and then going to Oregon. He's found in the city directory of Cottage Grove, Lane Co., OR in 1910 and 1912. He served in the Army from 09 Feb 1915 to 28 Feb 1919 and left with an honorably discharge. He was with the 75th Coast Artillery as a cook. When Lem was killed in the auto accident, he was believed to be a resident of Cabool, Texas Co., MO. We do know that he was on his way to San Marcos, TX, to visit a half sister when his car was hit by a gas truck. He was killed instantly and is buried in Fairview Cem, Callisburg, Cooke Co., TX. I've got quite a bit of information on the other lines in this family, but we have next to nothing on the Elams because after the divorce, Elizabeth would never speak of Lem. She even cut him from all photographs. If anyone connects with the other lines mentioned here, I'll be glad to give you what information I've got. Jen