John Wilham: One is not necessarily of German background if you come from the Beason area. Lots of Scotch Irish -- Johnston, Irwin, Robinson, Keys, Wilson, Evans to name a few. Of course, my mother's side fits the bill -- Stoll, Rentschler, Dittus, Schaffenacker, Hagenbuch, Volle, but they were from Chestnut and Mt. Pulaski. Happy Holidays. George Irwin