Hello Sharon, Both my Dad, Harlen B. SOPER and his brother, Roy A. SOPER, served in WWII. Yet I have trouble finding them listed online. Dad was in the Army and Uncle Roy in the Navy. I'd certainly appreciate your checking your book for me. Thanks so much for your time and trouble. Happily, Harlene Soper Brown

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/2g.2ADE/565.3 Message Board Post: Sarah Jane Scott Ragains migrated to Berlin, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. She died there 7 May 1940. Thomas J. Ragains was the son of Abraham H Ragains and grandson of David Ragains, who was my Great Great Grandfather.

I was rereading the "Johnson County Heritage Journal" from April 2003. Back in the 60's sometime a 5th Grade class was asked, "If I Could Be Any Person In The World, I Would Be? And Why?" Two of the kids listed are an Ed Soper and a Belinda Soper. I figure we are related, but I don't know who they are. Can anyone shed light on this for me? Thanks so much. Happily, Harlene Soper Brown Granddaughter of Jesse and Jeannette Browning Soper

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/2g.2ADE/983.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Brenda, have you been to Marion yet? It has been a while since we have talked. I have emailed you several times, but have not heard anything from you. Thanks, Modell

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/2g.2ADE/565.2 Message Board Post: Thomas J Ragains (21) married Sarah J Scott (16) 15 April 1880 in Pope Co IL. where both were borned.

I just purchased a book published in 1990 called Johnson County, Illinois History and families. Is this the same book that is at the Johnson County genealogy society called History and Families of Johnson County Compiled by JCGHS - indexed Lisa Hudgens

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/2g.2ADE/117.128.1.1.1.2 Message Board Post: Donna, Dad said that Bessie Pauline Fairless married Wesley Bates, and he thought Wesley Bates was a cousin of his mother, Beulah Lee Bates Fairless. Do you know or know of anyone who knows where Ruby Prudence Killins Fairless is buried or Ruby Dosha Farmer Fairless might be buried ( the tow wives of Arthur Arlando Fairless)?

Sharon , would you see if there are any York's or Mangrum/Mangum/Mangham boys listed for WW I and/or II. Thanks, Darrell Darrell L. York Sr. dlysr33@juno.com

Little Egypt Heritage Articles Stories of Southern Illinois © Bill Oliver 20 February 2006 Vol 5 Issue: #07, Special Edition ISBN: pending Osiyo, Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen of Little Egypt, Mail was a bit heavier this week than most. The posts consisted of comments about the “President’s Day” article for 19 February 2006. They were fun to read and answer. One sharp reader caught me in a gross error. I sure wish I could claim “typo”, but I distinctly remember what I was thinking and what my fingers typed. It was a great “catch” and it “catched” me flat footed. Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was Mrs. CUSTIS before marrying George, not Mrs. CURTIS. For once my fingers type exactly what went through my head, not what they had a “mind” to type. Neither I nor my proofreader caught the mistake. So as a bonus here are some other things most folks don’t know about the “First Couple”. George Washington and Martha Dandridge Custis, both aged twenty-seven years, were wed in January of the year 1759. George was a quick thinker, or no, for the couple had spent a total of fewer than three weeks together. Junius Brutus Stears recreated the scene of their wedding in a 1849 painting called “The Marriage of Washington to Martha Custis”. It hangs in the Virginia Musuem of Fine Arts. It is just one of a series of five paintings representing Washington as Citizen, Farmer, Soldier, Statesman, and Christian. Of Martha's two children from her first marriage to Daniel Parke Custis, George Washington adopted the children as his own. Though women of that day could own property, on her wedding day, a woman in the colonies could expect to relinquish control of any property she owned to her husband. At the time of the marriage, Martha Custis was rumored to be one of the wealthiest widows in Virginia. He gained control of 17,000 acres of farmland, placing him among the ten wealthiest planters in Virginia. The marriage gave George Washington a great financial advantage. I alluded, in the article, to Mr Washington’s attitude toward slavery. The marriage to Mrs. Custis increased his slave holdings nine times over, adding 266 slaves to the 30 he already owned. The marriage lasted 40 years; Mr Washington's death occured in 1799. In his final will, he stipulated that upon his wife's death the 125 slaves that he owned outright would be free. As to his wife's slaves, they would be parceled out to her heirs according to the terms of her will. Martha Washington died three years later. Another reader wrote to be sure that I understood that no where in America’s laws does it say “President’s Day” and challenged me by the statement: “See if you can find reference to any law which creates a ‘Presidents Day’ holiday.” Well, I really haven’t chased that one; rather, I just abstract and quote from the following which was filed in my cabinet: CRS Report for Congress, “Federal Holidays: Evolution and Application”, Stephen W. Stathis, Specialist in American National Government, Government Division, Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress, 1999. <http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/Federal_Holidays.pdf> The Congress of the United States of America has established eleven permanent federal holidays, which are legally applicable only to federal employees and the District of Columbia. “Neither Congress nor the President has asserted the authority to declare a ‘national holiday’ which would be binding on the 50 states.” It is true; however, that they are frequently called “national holidays.” In 1968, Congress passed The Monday Holiday Law which moved Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day, and created an additional holiday to honor Christopher Columbus, to Mondays. Observing these holidays on Mondays was thought to benefit the American people both spiritually and economically – well their economic life, at least. Mr. Stathis wrote that in establishing Columbus Day, the nation would be honoring the “courage and determination” of the immigrants who came here seeking freedom and opportunity in America. The report, written by Mr. Stathis, ended stressing that, “Neither this act, nor any subsequent action by Congress or the President mandated that the name of the holiday observed by federal employees in February be changed from Washington’s Birthday to Presidents Day.” [CRS-8,p12] To some, the report might be just another “dull history presentation”, but I think it rather interesting. e-la-Di-e-das-Di ha-wi nv-wa-do-hi-ya nv-wa-to-hi-ya-da. (May you walk in peace and harmony) and Wado, Bill -=- PostScript: Other sites worth visiting: http://www.deannedurrett.com/codetalkers.html PostScript: = = = = http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/SOIL http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/ILMASSAC http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/state/BillsArticles/LittleEgypt/intro.html

Hi Joyce, I thought perhaps he might have a birth certificate or at least a delayed certificate. We are related. Your Margaret was my grandpa's Aunt, I believe. I do have Robert and Minnie's information, but would like to get documents to back everything up, if I can. Have you found Joel Maze in 1840. I have his wife and kids in 1850, but he is not listed. I've been trying to find him in 1840, but so far no luck. Thanks for responding. Linda

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: White, Hudspeth/Hedspeth Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2g.2ADE/1045.1 Message Board Post: Looking for Whites in Johnson Co., IL.......Serena White wife of George H. Hudspeth/Hedspeth. They lived at Vienna.......The Hudspeths/Hedgspeths came from Maury Co., TN.........I think they were married there before coming to Illinois......large family..........sound familiar?

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/2g.2ADE/1048 Message Board Post: Looking for Info on Ansil Ragan married Martha Rushing. Listed on 1860 census Johnson Cty, Vienna Twshp. Does not show up on 1870 census, but Martha and four children do in the Reynoldsburg twshp. Any info would be appreciated

Little Egypt Heritage Articles Stories of Southern Illinois © Bill Oliver 19 February 2006 Vol 5 Issue: #06 ISBN: pending Osiyo, Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen of Little Egypt, “The weather outside is frightful But the fire is so delightful And since we’ve no place to go Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ...” Parts of Tennessee are getting some snow. The Panhandle of Nebraska has plenty of it and my it’s cold out there – well below zero. The Ohio River area of southern Illinois and northern Kentucky got some white stuff also. And, last week, New York got lots more than they wanted – more than a couple of feet. And, it is cold everywhere between. Cheer up – tomorrow is President’s Day holiday. Originally the holiday was in commemoration of George Washington's birthday in 1796, the last full year of his presidency. Washington, according to the calendar that has been used since at least the mid-18th century, was born on February 22, 1732. According to the old style calendar in use at that time he was born on February 11. By 1796, most Americans who celebrated his birthday did so on the 22nd and some others marked the occasion on the 11th. Also, when I was but a “tad of a lad”, schools at least celebrated Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. And, at least we boys looked forward to the month of February. [smiling] Lincoln was born on the 12th of February. The first formal observance of his birthday took place in 1865, the year after his assassination, when both houses of Congress gathered for a memorial address. While Lincoln's Birthday did not become a federal holiday like George Washington's, it did become a legal holiday in several of the states. In 1968, by House Bill HR15951, legislation was enacted that affected several federal holidays. The observation of Washington’s birthday was set on the third Monday in February each year whether or not it fell on the 22nd. This act took effect in 1971 and give kids and federal employees a three-day weekend in the process. Thus, what began as two holidays in February to honor two Presidents has become a generic holiday to honor all Presidents. George Washington, whose birthday is included in tomorrow’s celebration was this Nation’s first President. And, those of us who grew up with the story of him chopping down the cherry tree, now know that the story is pure fiction. He was though, honest and contemptuous of dishonesty in others. As an example he stood upon his rights and took action through the courts on any who attempted to defraud him. The President had a good “publicist” in the imagination of Parson Weems, who seemed to make a habit of making virtures of Washington’s actions. Truth be known George Washington was human much like the rest of us – we have our faults as well as virtues. However, he was certainly a man’s man, standing six feet and three and one half inches tall. Someone illustrated this by writing that he was “ ... tall and as straight as an Indian”. Mr President was an excellent horseman who “rode to the hounds” and illustrations of this made him appear as an English squire. He had his horse saddled and at his door at dawn ready for the daily inspection trips around his properties. He was amorous and was fascinated by young ladies though seemed to recover quickly when each did not become Mrs Washington. This included rejection by Miss Betsy Fauntleroy. It is reported that he fell in love at the first sight of a wealthy widow, Martha Curtis, and married her shortly thereafter. A female chronicler of the President said he had very lively blue eyes. However, his lower facial features were distorted by poorly fitted wooden teeth that gave him a square jaw appearance captured in portraits of him. In addition, artists gave his skin that “air-brush” look because his face was marked by smallpox. Also, he was sensitive to sunlight and burned quickly when exposed – his face would become florid. George Washington was, when I was young, portrayed as a model for captaincy of industry. He was efficient, industrious, punctual, hard-headed, close-fisted, practical and cautious. As a farmer he practiced crop rotation and crop diversification. In animal husbandry he experimented in the breeding of horses and cattle. As a Virginia Planter, George Washington was a frequent host. House parties were frequent at Mt Vernon. He was recorded as dancing at the age of sixty four. His accounts mention many expenditures for arrack wine and punch. He was fond of picnics, barbecues, and clambakes. Often tea was served out on the veranda, weather permitting. The view is very beautiful there overlooking the Patomic River. The business’ of the “Father of his County” included real estate. In Alexandria, Virginia, where he did his business, he was known as a “hail fellow, well met”. He participated in civil affairs by membership in Alexandria’s first volunteer fire company – Friendship Hose. He apparently gambled. He went regularly to the Williamsburg races and frequently lost money at cards. Though “play houses” or theatres were few in those days he attended stage plays. Due to a very busy life, George Washington was not as literate as one might expect and his diaries exhibit difficulty in grammar and spelling. [Gee, just like me.] He was conscious of this defect in his education and thus, never wrote his memoirs. The Plantation owner’s dislike of slavery was based on economic and social reasons rather than moral ones. He lived in the an era that accepted slavery; however, he did so with dignity, furnishing “fitting” clothing and subsistence. He also employed a doctor for his employees. President Washington was known to show his temper; laying verbally into General Charles Lee for cowardice at the Battle of Monmouth. Though it is not recorded what his reaction was to two young ladies taking his clothes, money and watch while he was bathing in the Rappahannock River. One’s imagination can guess that he didn’t think the “joke” very humorous. At court the girls were sentenced to six months in jail. He felt one should do his duty, so he reluctantly accepted military leadership in the Revolutionary War though he was skeptical of his abilities to do so. Yes, newspaper reading can furnish many gems. And, Mr President I shall, two days short of your natal day, enjoy remembering you as being as human as myself. Weren’t you, also, Ulster-Irish?? e-la-Di-e-das-Di ha-wi nv-wa-do-hi-ya nv-wa-to-hi-ya-da. (May you walk in peace and harmony) and Wado, Bill -=- PostScript: Other sites worth visiting: http://www.deannedurrett.com/codetalkers.html PostScript: = = = = http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/SOIL http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/ILMASSAC http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/state/BillsArticles/LittleEgypt/intro.html

Hi Bill.... I really apologize for correcting you....as you are so good with the stories and I enjoy them so much. But, Martha Washington's name was Custis (not Curtis) before her marriage to George Washington. Please continue the stories, as we all benefit from them. Thanks, Mary

That was an awesome story. Good Job, Keep up the good work. I learned some things that I have never know. And I for one do not call it president's day it is still Washington's birthday. Lisa -----Original Message----- From: Bill [mailto:wnoliver@worldnet.att.net] Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2006 8:38 AM To: ILJOHNSO-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [ILJOHNSO] Little Egypt Heritage, President's Day, 19 February 2006, Vol 5 #06 Little Egypt Heritage Articles Stories of Southern Illinois C Bill Oliver 19 February 2006 Vol 5 Issue: #06 ISBN: pending Osiyo, Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen of Little Egypt, "The weather outside is frightful But the fire is so delightful And since we've no place to go Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ..." Parts of Tennessee are getting some snow. The Panhandle of Nebraska has plenty of it and my it's cold out there - well below zero. The Ohio River area of southern Illinois and northern Kentucky got some white stuff also. And, last week, New York got lots more than they wanted - more than a couple of feet. And, it is cold everywhere between. Cheer up - tomorrow is President's Day holiday. Originally the holiday was in commemoration of George Washington's birthday in 1796, the last full year of his presidency. Washington, according to the calendar that has been used since at least the mid-18th century, was born on February 22, 1732. According to the old style calendar in use at that time he was born on February 11. By 1796, most Americans who celebrated his birthday did so on the 22nd and some others marked the occasion on the 11th. Also, when I was but a "tad of a lad", schools at least celebrated Abraham Lincoln's birthday. And, at least we boys looked forward to the month of February. [smiling] Lincoln was born on the 12th of February. The first formal observance of his birthday took place in 1865, the year after his assassination, when both houses of Congress gathered for a memorial address. While Lincoln's Birthday did not become a federal holiday like George Washington's, it did become a legal holiday in several of the states. In 1968, by House Bill HR15951, legislation was enacted that affected several federal holidays. The observation of Washington's birthday was set on the third Monday in February each year whether or not it fell on the 22nd. This act took effect in 1971 and give kids and federal employees a three-day weekend in the process. Thus, what began as two holidays in February to honor two Presidents has become a generic holiday to honor all Presidents. George Washington, whose birthday is included in tomorrow's celebration was this Nation's first President. And, those of us who grew up with the story of him chopping down the cherry tree, now know that the story is pure fiction. He was though, honest and contemptuous of dishonesty in others. As an example he stood upon his rights and took action through the courts on any who attempted to defraud him. The President had a good "publicist" in the imagination of Parson Weems, who seemed to make a habit of making virtures of Washington's actions. Truth be known George Washington was human much like the rest of us - we have our faults as well as virtues. However, he was certainly a man's man, standing six feet and three and one half inches tall. Someone illustrated this by writing that he was " ... tall and as straight as an Indian". Mr President was an excellent horseman who "rode to the hounds" and illustrations of this made him appear as an English squire. He had his horse saddled and at his door at dawn ready for the daily inspection trips around his properties. He was amorous and was fascinated by young ladies though seemed to recover quickly when each did not become Mrs Washington. This included rejection by Miss Betsy Fauntleroy. It is reported that he fell in love at the first sight of a wealthy widow, Martha Curtis, and married her shortly thereafter. A female chronicler of the President said he had very lively blue eyes. However, his lower facial features were distorted by poorly fitted wooden teeth that gave him a square jaw appearance captured in portraits of him. In addition, artists gave his skin that "air-brush" look because his face was marked by smallpox. Also, he was sensitive to sunlight and burned quickly when exposed - his face would become florid. George Washington was, when I was young, portrayed as a model for captaincy of industry. He was efficient, industrious, punctual, hard-headed, close-fisted, practical and cautious. As a farmer he practiced crop rotation and crop diversification. In animal husbandry he experimented in the breeding of horses and cattle. As a Virginia Planter, George Washington was a frequent host. House parties were frequent at Mt Vernon. He was recorded as dancing at the age of sixty four. His accounts mention many expenditures for arrack wine and punch. He was fond of picnics, barbecues, and clambakes. Often tea was served out on the veranda, weather permitting. The view is very beautiful there overlooking the Patomic River. The business' of the "Father of his County" included real estate. In Alexandria, Virginia, where he did his business, he was known as a "hail fellow, well met". He participated in civil affairs by membership in Alexandria's first volunteer fire company - Friendship Hose. He apparently gambled. He went regularly to the Williamsburg races and frequently lost money at cards. Though "play houses" or theatres were few in those days he attended stage plays. Due to a very busy life, George Washington was not as literate as one might expect and his diaries exhibit difficulty in grammar and spelling. [Gee, just like me.] He was conscious of this defect in his education and thus, never wrote his memoirs. The Plantation owner's dislike of slavery was based on economic and social reasons rather than moral ones. He lived in the an era that accepted slavery; however, he did so with dignity, furnishing "fitting" clothing and subsistence. He also employed a doctor for his employees. President Washington was known to show his temper; laying verbally into General Charles Lee for cowardice at the Battle of Monmouth. Though it is not recorded what his reaction was to two young ladies taking his clothes, money and watch while he was bathing in the Rappahannock River. One's imagination can guess that he didn't think the "joke" very humorous. At court the girls were sentenced to six months in jail. He felt one should do his duty, so he reluctantly accepted military leadership in the Revolutionary War though he was skeptical of his abilities to do so. Yes, newspaper reading can furnish many gems. And, Mr President I shall, two days short of your natal day, enjoy remembering you as being as human as myself. Weren't you, also, Ulster-Irish?? e-la-Di-e-das-Di ha-wi nv-wa-do-hi-ya nv-wa-to-hi-ya-da. (May you walk in peace and harmony) and Wado, Bill -=- PostScript: Other sites worth visiting: http://www.deannedurrett.com/codetalkers.html PostScript: = = = = http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/SOIL http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/ILMASSAC http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/state/BillsArticles/LittleEgypt/intro.html ==== ILJOHNSO Mailing List ==== Do not send Virus warnings to this list. "Problems with Johnson Co IL Mail List email Tim Casey" timcasey1@verizon.net

Linda- I don't think they did regular b cert that far back, but may be a book with a couple of lines in it about the birth. I have him as Robert Dameron Maze b 2/26/1890 Goreville, Johnson Co, IL. I have his wife as Minnie Zelma McGowan, b 4/22/1888 Goreville also. I believe these are related to me. Do you need info on this line? I'd love to trade info. I'm descended from William Riley Maze Sr & Lydia Belle Lambert through Mary Margaret Caherine Maze. Joyce Escue Culver In a message dated 2/18/2006 5:51:38 PM Mountain Standard Time, Lelder213@aol.com writes: List: Would like to get a copy of my Grandfather's birth certificate. Robert D. Maze born 26 February 1890 in Goreville, Illinois. I checked with the archives at SIU and they didn't find anything. They suggested another county. Goreville was part of Johnson County in 1890, wasn't it? Linda

List: Would like to get a copy of my Grandfather's birth certificate. Robert D. Maze born 26 February 1890 in Goreville, Illinois. I checked with the archives at SIU and they didn't find anything. They suggested another county. Goreville was part of Johnson County in 1890, wasn't it? Linda

I found a book that belonged to my father in law on Johnson Co. service men in WW1 and 11. I'd be glad to look names up for anyone. Sharon

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/2g.2ADE/1030.1 Message Board Post: Not a reply, but an addition. I have learned that Thomas Yates is buried in Bridges Cemetery in Johnson Co, IL. I have personally seen his head stone. It is an older civil war Veterans Administration type, and is barely legible. It is inscribed "Thos. Yates, Co E, 31st Illinois Inf." Unfortunately, it has no dates. I have also determined that he was alive in 1896. No records available at Johnson court house, etc. I have also learned that he was awarded a 17th Army Corps "Gold Medal of Honor" (not the Congressional Medal of Honor) for his civil war service.

Hi Bert I would be glad to share my Simpson family file with you if you would like it. It is a rather large file and unless you have a paid hotmail account it will probably bounce back at me. By the way are you talking about Mary Ann (Jones) Huffman daughter of Thomas Jones and Amanda Simpson? If you are Amanda Simpson is the daughter of John "Jackson" Simpson and Elizabeth Shearer. John's father (Amanda's grandfather) was William Simpson who married Mary 'Polly' Ann Jones. We know little of Mary "Polly" Ann Jones other than she came from Albarmarle Co Virginia. I haven't been able to track down her line other than to find a great many other Jones' in Virginia about the time she was born. Her obit reads as follows: From May 19, 1851, Quincy Herald, as reported in the Yellowjacket, June 2000. Vol XXVI, Number 1., p.6 (journal of the Great River Genealogical Society) "Mary Simpson age 89 yr 11 mo 6 ds. d. Fri, 9th inst. at res. of her son L. J. Simpson. Adams Co., IL., b. Albermarle Co. VA emigrated to KY spring of 1779 and resided at Bryant's Station at time Simon Girty attacked, m. and lived in KY until 1804 when moved to IN, thence OH, then Saline IL. in fall 1806, and resided most of her time in Johnson, removing to Adams Co. 1836. Funeral preached by Rev. George Wolfe. She was a mother of 9., gr. mother of 65. gtgr mother of 109." =========================== I haven't been able to find anything on her at Bryant's Station or in the history of Simon Girty's attack. She isn't listed among the women on a plaque for Bryants station. She may have lived outside the station as Daniel Boone's son did. Simon Girty's Indians attacked a great many settlements that day. Email me. I would be glad to share all I have. ttyl Mara