Hello again--I am getting more excited about proving the connection between Francois LaBolle of Loda and Augustine LaBolle of DeKalb/LaSalle County. I was able to visit the Pine Ridge cemetery in Loda back in 1999 and there is a fairly large monument quite visible from the center black top road as you come in towards "Christies house". However, I have not found any mention of the LaBolles in the town history book. His son George married Nellie Cook whose father ran a Watkins Spice business from a horse and carriage. George was killed in a bad farm accident in 1930 or 32 and was dragged under the horses. I have recently heard that some of my childrens cousins still travel from Chicago to Loda for hunting. Background--Was there a large French contingent? What would have pulled Francois to Loda? I don't know where he worked. His wife was from Ireland. I think he was a farmer. If as I suspect, he first came to DeKalb I wonder why he went to Loda. Any thoughts? I found Francis (Francois) on the 1880 census but we cannot find him on the 1870 census although we found Augustine spelled as Leabold. Francois had children born in Illinois before 1870. Any suggestions appreciated--Aloha--Lois