Hello I am preparing my Illinois Pioneer applications for these five surnames from Effingham County. They are all ancestors of my terrific father, Le Roy Phifer Jr William and Rebecca GRANT OWENS came to Moccasin Township about 1856 from Knox County Ohio along with many other early settlers. Their daughter Sarah, married Dr. John PHIFER, who came in 1869 with his parents, who were married in Knox County Ohio in 1833. There are numerous Phifers who are descended from Silas' uncle, Cornelius of Fayette County, one of the first coming from Knox County. LeRoy PHIFER DDS, my grandfather, John and Sarah's son, literally married the girl next door, Lillie ENGEL. Her great-grandparents, Philip and Catherina METZLER came to Illinois in 1851. In 1855 their daughter Catherine married Louis ENGEL who had come to Illinois as a teenager before 1850. The METZLERs and ENGELS moved to Shumway from St Clair County. Louis ENGEL's son John, married Ida RATH. She was born in Summit Township in 1866. Her parents were Charlie (Charles Carl) RATH and Ernestina/Elizabeth GROSKOPF. I believe they were married in Mecklenburg Germany before coming to America. Lillie was the first child of John ENGEL and Ida RATH. John second wife, Mary APPEL, the daughter of William APPEL, was also born in Shumway, I am interested in data and pictures about my family. Mary ENGEL lived in the house John built in 1905 until she died in 1960. It was an incredible Prairie Vernacular house. Dr. John Phifer built one of the first brick houses in town. Are any of the houses of these families standing? I am interested in any information to expand my knowledge of all of these people. I am happy to share all that I have found. I have already benefited from incredible acts of kindness. Lynn Phifer