For those of you researching Fairbury, if you come across Hanley or McGuire, would love to hear from you. Rose Adams radams505@aol.com

Susan, Thank you for this information. In studying the minutes of Lake Fork Church of Logan County (Mt. Pulaskia area), I found that they authorized their ordained members to help constitute a church "on the head timber of the Mackinaw" in June 1832. This would be Bethel Baptist Church which later met in Indian Grove township, Livingston Co. But do you, or does anyone, know where the "head timber of the Mackinaw" would be? At that time perhaps some of the present towns did not yet exist, so how else could they describe where this event was to occur? Robert On Wed, 27 Dec 2000 17:24:15 EST Missfiz@aol.com writes: > To Robert and list: > I hope this will not bore too many that are on this list, but I > thought this > proves that our 1830's Livingston Co. pioneers did travel and get > around more > than I certainly thought. I presume this was a religious meeting; I > wish it > stated names for we researchers!! > July 25, 1833 - "On the 25th day of July, the ox team and the big > road > wagon was called into service. Father, mother and all the children > in > company with a neighbor having about the same outfit, started over > to > Mackinaw (now Lexington, IL) a distance of twenty miles, to a camp > meeting. > The day was extremely hot and dry, consequently the oxen gave out. > We found > a pond of water into which we drove the oxen and allowed them to > stay until > sundown. We were only three miles from where we started. Our > neighbor > became discouraged and turned back. We were out on the prairie, > with no road > - not even a tangle in the grass - and seventeen miles before us > without a > horse. We took our course by the stars, travelled all night and > arrived at > the camp ground by eight o'clock next morning. It was a glorious > camp > meeting to us all, so our journey home was in broad day light; but > our drive > over there by night was not unpleasant, and was so much better for > the team." > Written by Woodford G. McDowell (1818-1904), Avoca Twp., Livingston > Co., IL > (just north of Fairbury) > ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

To Robert and list: I hope this will not bore too many that are on this list, but I thought this proves that our 1830's Livingston Co. pioneers did travel and get around more than I certainly thought. I presume this was a religious meeting; I wish it stated names for we researchers!! July 25, 1833 - "On the 25th day of July, the ox team and the big road wagon was called into service. Father, mother and all the children in company with a neighbor having about the same outfit, started over to Mackinaw (now Lexington, IL) a distance of twenty miles, to a camp meeting. The day was extremely hot and dry, consequently the oxen gave out. We found a pond of water into which we drove the oxen and allowed them to stay until sundown. We were only three miles from where we started. Our neighbor became discouraged and turned back. We were out on the prairie, with no road - not even a tangle in the grass - and seventeen miles before us without a horse. We took our course by the stars, travelled all night and arrived at the camp ground by eight o'clock next morning. It was a glorious camp meeting to us all, so our journey home was in broad day light; but our drive over there by night was not unpleasant, and was so much better for the team." Written by Woodford G. McDowell (1818-1904), Avoca Twp., Livingston Co., IL (just north of Fairbury)

This is the time of year when a lot of folks get a new computer and start learning about the internet. As they find our established genealogy lists, lets remember to be kind to their innocent questions. We need to be particularly gentle with the folks who find a complete "family tree" on the net, take it at face value, and begin quoting it to us. Once upon a time, we were also new to research and were unaware of documenting sources and citations and the difference between primary and secondary evidence. And, we can all hope that one of our new internet cousins turns out to be the one who has all the old original family heirlooms and documents! Gretchen Kohl [Alameda,CA] - GretchenKohl@aol.com

I found an account written in 1842 about some meetings at Indian Grove church, today. It mentions Robert S. Cunningham, his wife, and daughter, as members, and the wife of James Cunningham (whose maiden name was evidently Sellers). From this account it appears that Bethel Church may have been meeting part of the time in McLean county, is that where Mackinaw Creek is located? Is anyone researching the Cunninghams? At the time this article was written, John Darnall and another man with surname Standish were preaching at Bethel Church, but were not yet ordained. Robert ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

I am looking for information on John Klehm b. 19 Jan 1848 Germany d. 9 Sep 1911 and his wife Christine Wege b. 2 Jan 1847 Germany d. 2 Dec 1935. Both are burried in Chatsworth, IL. They had seven children: Jacob, Henry b. 9 Dec 1873 Garfield, IL d. 8 Sep 1952, George, John, Solomon, Marie and Frederick. Henry Klehm was married to Elizabeth (Lizzie) Shafer. They had eight children: Clarence, Adam, Mable Mae b.12 Dec 1901 Piper City, IL d. 12 May 1993, Walter, Wesley, Emma, Velma and Albert. Any additional information that anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Jaynelle Bargmann Miller jaynellerb@netzero.net ____________NetZero Free Internet Access and Email_________ Download Now http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html Request a CDROM 1-800-333-3633 ___________________________________________________________

Hi, Robert I have my McLean Co. Atlas out and Mackinaw River flows just south of Lexington traveling southeast through Lexington Township. It heads southeast to Colfax and travels south of Anchor, IL , then east to Sibley, IL. I realize you were asking about Mackinaw Creek which may have existed in 1840's, maybe a branch heading northeast towards Belle Prairie or Indian Grove Twp., Livingston Co., IL. There used to be a thriving village southeast of Lexington named Pleasant Hill, now just a couple of houses, if that! Susan

Oh, meant to tell you, when the weather warms up a little, I am going back to Mount Hope to the cemetery. Do you have photos of the graves there? I would not mind taking a couple for you while I am there. Marilyn Krug

Part of this McDowell family moved into Harper Co. Ks, which is where I grew up. My great great grandfather, Isam Moore (son of Jonathan Moore) raised his brother John's children, one of which married an Anderson in Indian Grove. They too, moved to Mount Hope, Ks. I have the privilege of visiting with one of their descendants last year and gathering more information on this family and obtaining some pictures of various members of the older family. To my great sorrow, this person is now deceased. There were also Travis's that migrated into Ks. that are mixed in with this family. I have nothing further back on the Moores that when they first came into Ill from Tn. and the Carolinas. Would like to get a direct lead to go further back. Marilyn Krug

Hi, Marilyn: Indirectly, my ancestors settled on the north side of Fairbury, IL on the border of Indian Grove and Avoca Townships. Their surname was McDowell with the patriarch, Wm. McDowell, an OH War of 1812 soldier, who brought his family from OH, via a few years (1828-1832) in Tippecanoe/Montgomery Counties, IN. However, John McDowell married Elizabeth Julian Moore (1820 Nashville, TN-1895 Mt. Hope, KS Cemetery). This is why I am somewhat familiar with the surnames Darnall/Spence/Moore of the south side of Fairbury, IL. Also, all my roots are from the Fairbury area on my mother/father's side. I grew up with the typical summertime setting, swinging on the front porches of the old Victorian homes of Fairbury and listening to the cousins (1st, 2ond and even 3rd) relate stories of their childhood.

Susan, are you of the Moore lineage? Marilyn Krug

Robert and Susan...I do not know if you are familiar with a book that was complied by Emra Stuckey ( deceased) that is Darnall Spence Steers Spangler Stuckey Sill and brief accounts of families into which member married. There was a copy in the the Dominy Memorial Library at Fairbury, Ill. When I first started researching my family, I was informed that this book existed and bought a copy from the Mrs. Stuckey's daughter. It was so helpful I immediately ordered the 2nd copy so each of my children would have it. Though it and a researcher I located a 3rd cousin of mine in Fairbury that was just a joy and full of info. We visited this cousin last year and spent a week in Livingston Co, including the Spence cemetery and the Cooper cemetery. It was a wonderful week. Supposedly Mrs. Stuckey had given all her notes on from the writing of this book to the lady at the THE FORT but I have not been able to really get any help from them. I do not have the time right now before the holidays to look in the book to see if any of the people you have mentioned are in this book but will be glad to do so when the time prevails. This is a very large family and some of the info goes quite away back. Also there is a huge quantity of descendants still living in the Livingston area. Believe the Darnalls had a great family reunion there this summer. If either of you would like to contact me, email is Rkrug621@aol.com Marilyn Krug..(Wichita, Ks.)

Thank you so much. I will print this out to read, study and enjoy. I didn't realize Elder Darnall had gone to Oregon; I've done research on that area's churches too, maybe I'd better do some more checking there. I don't think I've ever seen his dates of birth and death. The Elder Thompson from Ottawa, I have some record of but didn't know he preached at this church, so I appreciate learning that bit of information. I live in Carthage, Hancock Co., Illinois, (our church library/cpa office is just two blocks from the Old Jail where Mormon leaders Joseph and Hiram Smith were shot and killed). To see our webpages you may find us by typing Primitive Baptist Library into one of the search engines search queries. Thanks again and have a very Happy Holiday season! Robert On Sat, 23 Dec 2000 20:30:49 EST Missfiz@aol.com writes: > Hi, Robert: > > You probably have already thought of this, but what about the 1840 > Livingston > Co. IL census, or 1850 for Indian Grove Twp. In the 1850 census > you have > names of head of household, first names of wive and children. > > This may not help you, but here is an overview of Indian Grove > Twp.: > The fall of 1831 was when the first white men settled in what is > now Ind. > Grove Twp.; the first was Joseph Moore who came from Overton Co., TN > and died > in 1851. A.B. Phillips settled the next spring and old TN neighbor > of Moore. > Rev. John Darnall, a brother of Martin Darnall, the first settler > of Bell > Prairie (immediate township to Indian Grove), came to Indian Grove > soon after > A. B Phillips. Malachi Spence and son, James Spence and Richard > Moore > settled here a yr. or two after those mentioned above. The latter > was from > Overton Co., TN and the Spences and Darnalls from KY. This > comprises the > first batch of settlers. Rev. John Darnall sold out some years ago > and > removed to Oregon. > In 1834 another delegation from Tennessee came out and settled, > Frances J. > Moore, Jonathan, a brother; Lewis Moore, a cousin and David Travis - > these > came together and were from Overeton Co., TN. (David Travis > returned to TN > after a few years, as well as Lewis Moore; Jonathan Moore died 1841. > > Probably around 1835-36 a man named Donohoo and two sons, Wilson > and > Jefferson settled. Rev. Robert Smith a Cumberland Presbyterian > preacher > settled, originally from KY. These were the first settlers. > The sound of the Gospel was heard by Rev.John Darnall (Bapist > preacher) and > Rev. Robert Smith (Cumberland Presbyterian). The only churches in > the > township, outside of Fairbury, are the Union Church, in the southern > part, > and the Ormish Church in the southeastern corner. The Union Church > was built > in 1857 and is occupied principally by the Baptists and Christians. > Rev. > John Darnall, as long as he lived, was the leader of the Baptists, > while the > Rev. David Sharpless was long a leader among the Christians. Rev. > John > Miller organized the first society of Christians in the year 1858, > soon after > the completion of the church. Rev. Dr. Green preaches for the > Christians at > present and Rev. Mr. Thompson of Ottawa for the Baptists. > The above from The History of Livingston Co., IL, Wm. Le Baron, > Jr. and > Co., 1878. > > I should have thought of this sooner to read the Indian Grove twp. > description in the above county history book. The mention of the > 'Ormish' > church I am not familiar with this term. The word is not in my > dictionary; I > wonder if it is suppose to be 'Amish'? > > Happy holidays wherever you are, > Susan Ulfers Campbell in GA > > > ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

Looking for the following families that lived in Livingston County approx. 1850-1920. Maplethorpe, Whorrall, Kissell.

Hi, Robert: You probably have already thought of this, but what about the 1840 Livingston Co. IL census, or 1850 for Indian Grove Twp. In the 1850 census you have names of head of household, first names of wive and children. This may not help you, but here is an overview of Indian Grove Twp.: The fall of 1831 was when the first white men settled in what is now Ind. Grove Twp.; the first was Joseph Moore who came from Overton Co., TN and died in 1851. A.B. Phillips settled the next spring and old TN neighbor of Moore. Rev. John Darnall, a brother of Martin Darnall, the first settler of Bell Prairie (immediate township to Indian Grove), came to Indian Grove soon after A. B Phillips. Malachi Spence and son, James Spence and Richard Moore settled here a yr. or two after those mentioned above. The latter was from Overton Co., TN and the Spences and Darnalls from KY. This comprises the first batch of settlers. Rev. John Darnall sold out some years ago and removed to Oregon. In 1834 another delegation from Tennessee came out and settled, Frances J. Moore, Jonathan, a brother; Lewis Moore, a cousin and David Travis - these came together and were from Overeton Co., TN. (David Travis returned to TN after a few years, as well as Lewis Moore; Jonathan Moore died 1841. Probably around 1835-36 a man named Donohoo and two sons, Wilson and Jefferson settled. Rev. Robert Smith a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher settled, originally from KY. These were the first settlers. The sound of the Gospel was heard by Rev.John Darnall (Bapist preacher) and Rev. Robert Smith (Cumberland Presbyterian). The only churches in the township, outside of Fairbury, are the Union Church, in the southern part, and the Ormish Church in the southeastern corner. The Union Church was built in 1857 and is occupied principally by the Baptists and Christians. Rev. John Darnall, as long as he lived, was the leader of the Baptists, while the Rev. David Sharpless was long a leader among the Christians. Rev. John Miller organized the first society of Christians in the year 1858, soon after the completion of the church. Rev. Dr. Green preaches for the Christians at present and Rev. Mr. Thompson of Ottawa for the Baptists. The above from The History of Livingston Co., IL, Wm. Le Baron, Jr. and Co., 1878. I should have thought of this sooner to read the Indian Grove twp. description in the above county history book. The mention of the 'Ormish' church I am not familiar with this term. The word is not in my dictionary; I wonder if it is suppose to be 'Amish'? Happy holidays wherever you are, Susan Ulfers Campbell in GA

Our database of members of the Bethel Indian Grove Baptist church south of Fairbury in Livingston County, includes only a handful, maybe 25, of the probably 150-200 names of people who were members during the church's history, due to not being able to find the actual church records. But of those names I do have, there is a Hugh Steers, a John G. Steers (1834-1893), a Martin J. Steers, and a Mary A. Steers (whom I think was the wife of John G. Steers). John G. Steers and Mary A. Steers both joined this church in 1862. My notes also seem to indicate that a John B. Thompson (1793-1878) was a member of this church, and married a Mary Steers. I can double-check that if necessary. I submit this to you in case it is of any help, or if anyone can, and wishes to help me, by providing the year of birth and death of Hugh Steers or Martin J. Steers. Thank you, and Merry Christmas! Robert ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

Hi! this is my first post to this list. I am a church historian/minister and am writing a book on churches in Illinois of our denomination, regular or predestinarian baptist. There was a church, which existed from 1832 until 1897, called Bethel, at Indian Grove (in early minutes referred to as Bethel on Mackinaw Creek). I have compiled a partial list of members names but it is very limited without the actual church records. The church was located about 14 miles east of Lexington, or about 6 miles south of Fairbury. I have not yet obtained a deed for the property to identify its exact location, but would like to do so. I know nothing yet about the church building, but assume there was probably a rather small frame building here (maybe a log building before that). I realize it is not likely anyone will be able to help me, but decided to ask anyway. The family names I know about who were members included Darnell, Hess, Richardson, Steers, Spence, Scates, Cunningham, Gibson, Phillips, Phalmer and Lucas, among others. Robert ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

Hi, Robert: I can give you the name and address of a Spence descendant that still lives in the Fairbury, IL area. She is also a cousin of mine, but not on the Spence side. I know there was a wooden church, but I am racking my memory if there is a building still there. There is a Fairview Church building still in existance in the same area, but I am sure it was Methodist. Please e-mail me at Missfiz@aol.com

Does anyone have information on "The Dwight Camp of Modern Woodsmen" which was active at least from 1900-1920, and/or know if any records exist? vicky@worldnet.att.net

I have copies of naturalization records for Henry Kelch & William G. Kelch, filed 10-15-1884, Livingston Cty. Circuit Court. They immigrated with their parents in 1866 and filed Final Oaths/Petitions after they had both reached the age of 21. Their petitions were witnessed by Henry Roeder - (a name which has come up often in our family history), & S.M. Witt. I'm interested in finding out more information on the Roeder & Witt connection to the Kelch family. Anyone with info please contact me. vicky@worldnet.att.net