This is from the 1968 History of Hancock County: The old Wells Tavern stood on the north side of the road about a mile east of Elvaston. It was owned and operated by a Mr. and Mrs. Wells. Mrs. Wells had three chilren by a former husband (Ruddell), a married daughter, Mrs. Benson, who lived in a small house in an orchard east of the tavern, and her twin sons, Thomas and Jackson Ruddell, unmarried, who lived at home with their mother. She had two younger children, Douglas and Clara Wells, by her second husband. A nephew, Isaac Cox, whom she reared from childhood also lived with her. The old tavern was sometimes called "Half-Way House", since it stood about halfway between Warsaw and Fountain Green. In those days, Warsaw was the chief market for the farm products raised in and around Fountain Green. Farmers, hauling their grain in wagons to Warsaw, from where it was sent by boat, would stop at the old tavern, or Half-Way House. There were only two houses between Carthage and Warsaw, the Wells Tavern and Satyr Comer's place, about two miles southwest of Elvaston. All the rest was wild prairie. The old Wells Tavern stood on the north, faced the south and was close to the road. The south half of the ground floor consisted of four rooms. The bar was in the southwest room, with an entrance on the west. Adjoining this and extending across the front were the proprietors' living quarters. The north half of the lower floor was a typical public dining room with a kitchen on the east and an open stairway leading to the secon-floor ballroom, from which bedrooms opened on both sides. ----- Original Message ----- From: <mhking@pacbell.net> To: <ILHANCOC-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 6:51 PM Subject: [ILHANCOC] Prairie TWP Hotel > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Surnames: Curtis, Blakeley, Wells > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/Eg.2ADI/2342 > > Message Board Post: > > In the 1860 census a Lorenzo Wells is listed as an "Inn Keeper '" and Amos > Curtis as a "Hotel Manager." Does anyone know the history of this hotel > or its' owners? The hotel seems to be in the Prairie TWP near Galveston. > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ILHANCOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Here is the E-mail address for the Historical Society. hchs68@adams.net Roberta Summers

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Curtis, Blakeley, Wells Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/Eg.2ADI/2342 Message Board Post: In the 1860 census a Lorenzo Wells is listed as an "Inn Keeper '" and Amos Curtis as a "Hotel Manager." Does anyone know the history of this hotel or its' owners? The hotel seems to be in the Prairie TWP near Galveston.

Carolyn, I'm a member of the Hancock Co Hist Soc but I don't know whether they have cemetery books for sale or not. Someone on the forum can give you Frank Burkett's email or the email for the HCHS. Moss Ridge cemetery is in Carthage township, and the township cemetery board has records for Moss Ridge. There are also burial lists for Moss Ridge at the HCHS, but I don't know if they have been published. I can give you the person to contact, who has the records, on the cemetery board if you wish. If so, please write a note back to me privately. Robert Webb

Thank you, Mary Carolyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mary Keller" <rkeller@adams.net> To: <ilhancoc@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 8:10 AM Subject: Re: [ILHANCOC] Moss Ridge Cemetery records > Like Mr. Webb, I don't think there are cemetery books available for > purchase > but they do have the record itself at the historical society. --and as > time > goes on, some of those are going to be outdated with burials occurring as > we > know! > > Shawnee Ramey began putting some of the cemetery records on the Hancock > Co. > part of Rootsweb. I don't know if you might find anything you hope for on > that???? Worth looking, I suppose. > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ILHANCOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Thank you Robert, I would like to have the name of the person to contact about the names of the people buried in Moss Ridge so I can verify some of my ancestors death dates. Carolyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert L. Webb" <bwebb9@juno.com> To: <ilhancoc@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 6:33 AM Subject: [ILHANCOC] Moss Ridge Cemetery records > Carolyn, > I'm a member of the Hancock Co Hist Soc but I don't know whether they > have cemetery books for sale or not. Someone on the forum can give you > Frank Burkett's email or the email for the HCHS. Moss Ridge cemetery is in > Carthage township, and the township cemetery board has records for Moss > Ridge. There are also burial lists for Moss Ridge at the HCHS, but I don't > know if they have been published. I can give you the person to contact, > who has the records, on the cemetery board if you wish. If so, please > write a note back to me privately. > Robert Webb > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ILHANCOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Like Mr. Webb, I don't think there are cemetery books available for purchase but they do have the record itself at the historical society. --and as time goes on, some of those are going to be outdated with burials occurring as we know! Shawnee Ramey began putting some of the cemetery records on the Hancock Co. part of Rootsweb. I don't know if you might find anything you hope for on that???? Worth looking, I suppose.

Robert, is there a cemetery book for the people buried in Moss Ridge Cemetery? I have relatives buried there and if possible I'd like to buy a cemetery book. Thank you, Carolyn Flowers cflowers13@comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert L. Webb" <bwebb9@juno.com> To: <ilhancoc@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 12:23 PM Subject: [ILHANCOC] Progress at "Old Brick" > Just a note to say that all five of the Cravens stones have now been > delivered back to Old Brick, and are now lying beside or standing on their > bases, and ready to be mortared in place, when weather permits. Two high > school boys helped me with the two heaviest stones, and also helped me > with three other stones which I could not lift alone, this morning. I > haven't accomplished much this month until today, at the cemetery, for > several reasons, but it has been a good year, and it looks a lot more like > a cemetery than it did in the beginning of 2004. I took a few more > pictures, of the work in progress. > Robert > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ILHANCOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Just a note to say that all five of the Cravens stones have now been delivered back to Old Brick, and are now lying beside or standing on their bases, and ready to be mortared in place, when weather permits. Two high school boys helped me with the two heaviest stones, and also helped me with three other stones which I could not lift alone, this morning. I haven't accomplished much this month until today, at the cemetery, for several reasons, but it has been a good year, and it looks a lot more like a cemetery than it did in the beginning of 2004. I took a few more pictures, of the work in progress. Robert

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Carter, Gunnell, Shultz Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Eg.2ADI/380.720.717.724 Message Board Post: Would he happen to be related to Ann Hanes and Lewis Hanes? I have an old photo album of tin types and other photos from a William Shultz (our Gunnell family connection) and I have pictures labeled Ann and Lewis Hanes. Not the same spelling, however, I thought there might be a connection. I am also trying to establish relationships. William Shultz's father Lewis settled in Hancock Co. from Scotland Co Missouri. It would be interesting to make a connection. Thanks, Julia Carter (Carter, Gunnell, Shultz)

Thank you for sharing this history with us. I lived on a farm near Fountain Green and attended school there for two years so I really enjoyed reading about it. I was also neighbors to the McConnell family. Roberta Summers

*NOTE - Allen G. Geddes (1888-1977) was farmer, teacher, historian and my grandfather. Barb in BC Speech at Fountain Green on 100th Anniversary of the Settlement of Hancock County February 1926 by Allen G. Geddes FOUNTAIN GREEN TOWNSHIP HISTORY One hundred years ago today the forests of Hancock County rang for the first time with the measured stroke of the white man's axe. The deer were startled by the first crack of the white man's rifle. The fox slunk to his den, never more to come out without fear. The Indian was called upon to yield to the white man the most western part of Illinois. This was the dawn of white man's dominion. Today the public schools of Hancock Country are asked to commemorate the 100th anniversary with appropriate programs. It is my purpose to give you a brief account of the settlement and achievements of the people of Fountain Green Township before 1870. The first permanent settler in this township was Ute Perkins who made his first home near the site of Allen's Store in what is now Webster in1826, and in the following year came John Brewer. In 1829 the John Days and the Lincolns moved in. The latter family were uncle, aunt and cousins of the president. These people came from Kentucky and Tennessee by pack horse and ox-teams over the Indian Trail then leading from Springfield to Warsaw, through what was later Beardstown, Rushville, Brooklyn, Fountain Green, and Carthage. This trail can be traced south of the Lesley Rhea's, north of Garland Springs, and east past the old Catholic Chapel. West of here it passed what is known as the Mart Yetter homestead. The Brewers settled a mile north of the Ute Perkins home of Webster on the McConnell brothers' farm; the Lincolns, north of the Wallace McCahough home on the west side of the road; and the Days on the M.H. Yetter farm across the road from the old Alton homestead. Upon their arrival, these earliest people found a trapper and fur trader by the name of Doc Garland who lived alone in his cabin beside the spring that bears his name. His nickname was Doc, and he claimed to have been there for four years. He moved west soon after these settlers moved in. To the south, on Crooked Creek, they found some of the Black Hawk's Indians, a tribe of the Sacs and Foxes. These Indians were friendly and visited their new neighbors and in return feasted them on wild turkey, venison, squirrel and prairie chicken, the last two having been boiled together with their insides left in. It isn't recorded that they ate heartily. In the next eight years, we find the names of many more of those who had much to do with the early settlement viz: Hobart, Beebe, Prentiss, Wright, Prion, Geddes, Ferris, Miller, McConnell, Alton, McClaurey, Tyler, White, Taylor, Andrews, Hopkins, Leach, Walker, Mudd, Hardey, Lionberger, and still later families by the name of Spangler, Duffy, Curr, Yeager, Huston, Dennison, Latherow, Parson, Callihan, Thompson, Brandon, Mesick, Yeager and others. With few exceptions these people came from the straight East, mostly from Pennsylvania, also from New York and Connecticut, making it a dominately Eastern settlement. Pennsylvania School was named after the state from which the people in that quarter came. This part of the state was in the Military Tract and veterans of the War of 1812 were given land for free. We have buried in the township five veterans of that war: Lt. Col. Francis McConnell, Lt. James McConnell, Stephen Tyler, John Brewer and John Elsie. In 1829, the first white child was born in this township. It was Thomas Brewer, the second was James Day, and the third child's name was Alexander Taylor. The first death was Mordecai Lincoln who perished in the big snow of December 29, 1830. The second death on September 15, 1834, was that of Pittillo Perkins, who died of a poison from a home-made herb medicine which he had taken for ague. In 1837 William Duff the third, died due to [being hit by] a falling limb. In 1833 Jabez Beebe became postmaster and remained so for 12 years. The office was on the northeast corner of the lot south of the park. Other postmasters were Matthew McClaurey and James McConnell. Later ones were C.C. Tyler and T. J. Latherow. Jabez Beebe and Setphen H. Tyler laid out Fountain Green in 1835 and they named the village. It had been called Lick Grove or Horse Grove, and the ditch that drains it today is still called the Horse Grove Branch. These early settlers found a clear, sparkling spring surrounded by green grass; from it they derived the name Fountain Green. This spot is east of the Will Jackson home. Several years ago, a well was dug and a pump was installed that marks the place so well known to our ancestors. These early pioneers settled along the streams and among the hills for there they found fuel, water, game, fruit, and nuts abundant. The soil was loose and easy to work when the timber was removed. The prairies were yet to be drained and that had to wait for the steel mouldboard to cut the tough sod. The problems of moving here were many. How was a man to move his family out here, build a home, clear land, put in a crop to feed himself and his family through the next winter? It was worth much to have a neighbor, and often a settler offered some friend or relative a cleared field and those here helped him build his home. My grandfather, Thomas Geddes, deeded a field of 20 cleared acres to his brother-in-law, Alex Walker, on condition that he buy and settle on the 160 acres west of it. Land in that day could be purchased for one dollar and 25 cents per acre. In 1836 the first store opened for business under the firm name of Hopkins and Tyler. It was called the Arcade. Martin Hopkins and Stephen H. Tyler were co-owners. They supplied the community with its every need and did an extensive business. They bought everything the farmers had to sell except cattle. These were driven to Beardstown or Fort Edwards. They bought and butchered hogs, dry-salted the hams, shoulders and sides, throwing the ribs, head, backbones, and feet in the ditch north of town. This was told to me by C.C. Tyler, at one time a clerk and later partner. This cured pork was shipped to St. Louis or New Orleans if not sold at Fort Edward. Dry goods, groceries, and tools were brought back to sell. Other towns nearby were: Franklin (now LaHarpe); Job's Settlement (now Blandinsville); Joe Duncan, a town laid out by merchant Robert Miller where the school now stands. Ramus, (later Macedonia) was laid out by Wightman in Morman times and grew to an incorporated town of 600 people. Ramus is now called Webster. The first private school, a log one room building on the northwest corner of the lot south of the park, was taught by Susan Alton. In this building on November 27, 1840, the Presbyterian Church was organized. Col. Thomas Geddes and James McConnell were made elders and twelve members enrolled. They continued having services at the school until 1851 when a church was built facing the park on the northeast corner of this same lot. The ministers were: Rev. Chase, Steward, Ralph, and Walker. In 1841 the first public school was built on the main road south of the T.J. Latherow home, and John M. Ferris was the teacher. He was later a county judge. I will now give you a list of the early business establishments that furnished many needs and services in the early times: 1. Cooper Shop made wooden barrels, kegs and buckets. Fabun] 2. Blacksmith and plow maker. Fred Albright 3. Millinery and dry goods store. Ann Kelly Miller and Kate Miller 4. Grocery. Thomas Campbell, Fred Mesick, Andrew Henry. 5. General Store. Tyler & Hopkins, C.C. Tyler, John Evert 6. Barbers. Henry Coats, later Bruce Murtland 7. Tailor Shop, Jake Emerick 8. Shoe Shop. Wm. Henry Gebbert, Chamberlin, & later Hiram Shilling 10. Tin Shop & Hardware. Forford 11. Butcher Shop. E.E. Harris, Geo. Hamrick 12. Brooms. J.A. Mull 13. Painter. Howard Harris, Ralph and Fred Hesick 14. Doctors. A.J. Griffith, Maurice Crump, L.T. and Chas. Ferris, J.A. Barr, later S.M. Parr and Albert Bouseman 15. Stock Buyers. S. H. Tyler, Lewis Yetter 16. Harness. Marion Robinson and Hiram Shilling 17. Fountain Green Milling Co. John Frank, Mgr. 18. Drugs. Drs. Crump, Ferris, Law 19. Casket and Furniture. David Funk, John Mesick With the exception of the Black Hawk War which caused only slight worry to this region, these people lived in peace and prosperity, un-interrupted until the coming of the Mormons in 1839-46. The ordinance of 1787 excluded slavery from the Northwest Territory. The laws provided amply for education, and these people came here because of this guarantee. They were men of culture and refinement or they would not have cared for education. They were men of fine moral fiber or they would not have moved away from slavery. Were such people going to allow their children to grow up under the influence of polygamy, a way of life not acceptable to any civilized society. As well, they felt that their lives and property were no longer safe [with the arrival of the Mormons]. It soon became apparent that one of the other of these opposing forces must go. Anti-Mormons from Hancock and surrounding counties became alarmed and organized to drive them out. Gov. Ford, who came to Carthage to investigate the situation told Col. Thomas Geddes, who had charge of the troops there, that our people were justified in driving the Mormons out and that no state troops would be sent in until this was done. (See Geddes Statement Gregg's History, p.372.) Dissension and discord broke out among the leaders of the Mormon Church. The well-equipped Nauvoo Legion became inefficient after the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, who were thought to have been killed by the Missouri mob. The Mormons put up no fight, though they had the guns and manpower. They were so thoroughly demoralized and their practice so thoroughly exposed, that they broke into several factions, each with a different leader. Many did not know what was going on and the Mormon church seems to have since reformed. The next great issues that confronted our sires were those leading to the Civil War: Slavery, nullification, secession, squatter rights, sovereignty, emancipation, Wilmont Provie, Dred Scott Decision, fugitive slave laws, interstate slave trade. These and dozens of other important questions were thrashed out down at the old Arcade. The hotter the argument, the thicker the shavings [as the men whittled]. We can see today, however, that the mistaken stand taken on these issues in many localities was not made by ours. The same vision and foresight that brought them here led them to see clearly their duty and give them courage to send their sons to make sure no stars should fall from our flag. One hundred sixty sons went from Fountain Green Township to the Union Army. In 1863 a home guard was organized to hold the home front when the Golden Circle became so bold. Fountain Green boys fought and died at Fort Donelson, Henry, Shiloh, Champion Hills, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and Chicamaugua. They stormed Missionary Ridge and struggled in the battle above the clouds. They marched with Sherman to the sea and took part in the Grand Parade. Many were killed in battle and some died of disease or languished in the prison at Andersonville. Of all of these, only three remained of my acquaintance: Capt. Cyrus Geddes of El Dorado, Kansas; Duncan Williams of Tennessee, Illinois; and Daniel Ebert who is the only living Civil War veteran living in this township. (1926) As we review the local and national crises through which these early settlers passed, may we not say that the representative people of this township have always been on the right side of every issue, ready with no sacrifice too great for the common good. May the children of this generation be as willing to perpetuate the institutions founded by their forefathers as they continue to build them and as willing to protect the memory of these pioneers as they are to protect our future.

I am seeking the gravesite of Sara (HUNTER) STEPHENSON who died in Hancock Co. IL during or shortly after the Civil War. Here are some family details: Sara was born 25 March 1822 in Ohio. S he married William 28 Nov. 1840 in Decatur Co. Indiana. Their first four children were born in Indiana. Two more were born in Iowa. They are found in the 1856 census of Appannoosa County Iowa. By 1860 I believe they may have lived near Warsaw, Hancock County Illinois.This information is from Max Coppage's book on the Stephenson family. It is not known when the family first went to Hancock County but the LDS pioneer Issac Henderson Stephenson was in Hancock Co. as late as 1846 and he had a brother, William Stephenson, born ca 1818 according to Bible records, in Knoxville Tennessee. My William may have been Issac Stephenson's brother. William Stephenson enlisted in the Union Army from Bosco, Illinois in August 1862. He w as a private in the company of Captain Mourning, Camp Butler, Illinois, Co. H. 118th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, and was discharged for disability 23 march 1863 in Milikens Bend Louisiana, under Col. John Fonda. I believe that Sara, his wife, died during the Civil War or shortly thereafter. I believe William to have two gravesites--one in Hancock Co. IL, the other in Garnett, Anderson Co. Kansas. His civil war monument is located in Garnett. His second wife was from Kansas and they resided in Garnett. I believe him to be buried in Kansas. I am still seeking the gravesite of Sara, my 2nd great grandmother. Any help on this search would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Barbara

Greetings, I have a little good news to share. Two wonderful people, Mark Davis and Helen Wolgemuth (and two young men who help them), whose work is restoring pioneer cemeteries, came from Indiana, to Carthage, yesterday, on their way to another job, and they were able to, and did in a very professional manner, get the four Cravens family stones safely removed from their cement base at Moss Ridge Cemetery. So, as of yesterday afternoon, part of the stones and bases have already been taken back to the Old Brick Cemetery and reunited with their original limestone bases and footstones. The rest will be taken, hopefully in the near future, weather permitting. This has been done of course, with the knowledge and permission of the township cemetery board and caretaker, and I appreciate their cooperation and help very much, too. I'm very happy about the the very professional work which was done, and will recommend these people whenever possible for the wonderful work they are doing. You can see their websites at the following URL's: http://www.stonehugger.com/ http://www.geocities.com/md9105/StoneSaverCemeteryRestoration.html?102917 2883930 Best wishes, Robert

William and Sara Stephenson (Stevenson) located near Warsaw in Hancock Co. IL abt. 1860. William enlisted in the Civil War in Illinois Co. H. 118th reg. under Capt. Mourning abt. 1962. Sara died in Hancock Co. during or shortly after the war. I am seeking the location of her grave. A book by Max Coppage indicates that William had two tombstones--one in Hancock Co. where Sara was buried and an official military stone in Garnet Kansas city cemetery. William is believed to be buried in Garnet but the location of Sara's grave is still unknown. Thank you for any help you may be able to provide in locating Sara's gravesite. Barbara

Greetings, I have a little good news to share. Two wonderful people, Mark Davis and Helen Wolgemuth (and two young men who help them), whose work is restoring pioneer cemeteries, came from Indiana, to Carthage, today, on their way to another job, and they were able to, and did in a very professional manner, get the Cravens stones safely removed from the cement base at Moss Ridge Cemetery. So, as of today, part of the stones and bases have already been taken back to the Old Brick Cemetery and reunited with their original limestone bases and footstones. The rest will be taken, hopefully in the near future, weather permitting. This has been done of course, with the knowledge and permission of the township cemetery board and caretaker, and I appreciate their cooperation and help very much, too. I'm very happy about the the very professional work which was done, and will recommend these people whenever possible for their wonderful work they are doing. Best wishes, Robert

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Eg.2ADI/2341.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Thank you for the information. Do you know if Franklin and Anna Kettenring had any children? And where I could get an obituary for Cora Kettenring?

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Eg.2ADI/2341.1.1.1 Message Board Post: The Kettenring gravestone you are looking for is located in the north ½ of lot E-54, of the South Half (first addition) of the Bowen Cemetery, which is in the S. W. quarter of Sec. 22 in Chili township, Hancock Co. IL. This is about 1 mile west and 1/2 mile south of Bowen, IL. The stone is a red/brown granite marked with an Odd Fellow emblem. The stone has 3 sets of names and dates on seven lines as follows: (1) KETTENRING, (2 )Franklin P., (3) 1858 – 1936, (4) Anna S. - His Wife, (5) 1863 – 1913, (6) Cora S. – His Wife, (7) 1871 – 1963).

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Eg.2ADI/2341.1.1 Message Board Post: I'm looking for information on Franklin P. Anna S. & Cora S. Kettenring. Cora S was my g Aunt, she was the second wife of Franklin Pierce Kettenring. Anna S was his first wife, I believe. Thank You for your help. Could you give me the dates on their gravestones or burial records.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Eg.2ADI/2341.1 Message Board Post: There is a Benjamin, Edith G., Frederick P., Martha A., Emma M., Franklin P., Anna S., Cora S., William H., and a Jacob S. Ketterring in the Bowen Cemetery. There is also a Raymond, Margaret, Mary, and a "child" Martin in the Bowen Cemetery. Who are you looking for?