I have been researching my GG-Grandparents who lived in Peoria prior to their untimely deaths. Halsey Oswin (H.O.) MERRIMAN - an attorney in practice with his uncle, Amos Lee MERRIMAN. - b. 9 February 1815 in Onondaga County, NY - m. Sarah KINNEY - 4 December 1839 in Peoria - d. 23 March 1854 in Peoria at 39 years of age Sarah KINNEY Merriman - b. 20 August 1820 in Towanda, Bradford County, PA - daughter of Simon KINNEY and Phoebe CASH. Simon was first lawyer in Bureau County arriving at Tiskilwa about 1834. - d. 1 February 1855 in Peoria at age 35 leaving 3 small children including my G-Grandfather: Simon Willis MERRIMAN I am trying to find any information relating to Halsey and Sarah - especially cause of their deaths and where they are buried. I have copies of Halsey's Probate Record. While it does identify him as active in the 1st Presbyterian Church in Peoria (contributed to their building fund, sold them property, etc.), and lists the undertakers, gravediggers/sextons, renters of horses and carriages for funerals and monument carvers, there is no mention of where Halsey and Sarah were buried or what took them at such a young age. I would be grateful for any and all information listers can give me. It looks as though Halsey and Sarah lived on property in Hale's Addition in Peoria. However, there is also mention of Rigg's Addition in Peoria in the Probate Records. Thanks in advance! Diane

Hi Randy & Bob, I was raised in Farmington,(Fulton County) IL with relatives in the nearby Trivoli area of Peoria County as well. Farmington is 22 m. west of Peoria. I checked the Farmington Cemetery Transcriptions Book and found 4 Cowser's listed. If memory serves me right, I believe one was "Doc" Cowser, an animal Vet. Cowser, Albert Paul, b. 1917 d. 1960 Sec 5 Cowser, Elizabeth b. 1882 d. 1979 Sec Maus S Cowser, George D. NS(no stone) (bur 10-26-1933) Sec OG Cowser, James Chester b. 1884 d. 1946 Sec Maus S Karen

Randy, I have 25 Cowser names in my database, mostly from Peoria Co., IL. Would be happy to exchange info. Bob Fuller > [Original Message] > From: Randy Cowser <rcowser@globaleyes.net> > To: <ILPEORIA-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 10/29/2003 8:55:09 PM > Subject: [ILPEORIA-L] Cowser > > I am interested in any information about any with surname Cowser. This family originally came to Illinois from Pennsylvania and some of descendants stayed in Illinois and some moved on to Missouri. Thanks. > Randy in So. IL > > > ==== ILPEORIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe send an email with unsubscribe as the subject to > ILPEORIA-L-request@rootsweb.com > To unsubscribe from the digest send email to > ILPEORIA-D-request@rootsweb.com

I am interested in any information about any with surname Cowser. This family originally came to Illinois from Pennsylvania and some of descendants stayed in Illinois and some moved on to Missouri. Thanks. Randy in So. IL

Louise, I'd suggest you contact the Peoria County Genealogical Society. I think they've just completed a publication of Gravestone Inscriptions for Parkview Cemetery. Phil ----- Original Message ----- From: "Louise" <cabininthesmokies@yahoo.com> To: <ILPEORIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 12:06 PM Subject: [ILPEORIA-L] Parkview Cemetery Index > Hi, > > I am doing some research on a relative buried at Parkview Cemetery. Does anyone out there know of an index of names of all people buried at Parkview? Is there anyone who lives in the area who would be willing to take a digital photo of a tombstone? Has anyone had experience contacting the cemetery directly to get information? > > Thanks for any help. > > Louise > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears > > > ==== ILPEORIA Mailing List ==== > Search this list's archived messages! > http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl > >

Hi, I am doing some research on a relative buried at Parkview Cemetery. Does anyone out there know of an index of names of all people buried at Parkview? Is there anyone who lives in the area who would be willing to take a digital photo of a tombstone? Has anyone had experience contacting the cemetery directly to get information? Thanks for any help. Louise --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears

This comes up periodically so I thought I would pass it along. The following article is from Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and is copyright 2003 by Richard W. Eastman. It is re-published here with the permission of the author. Information about the newsletter is available at http://www.eogn.com. Let's face it. Genealogists spend a lot of time in cemeteries. Those who visit cemeteries in the Midwest and western states often find tombstones that look like logs or tree stumps. Some simpler designs look like regular tombstones but with a circular design on them with a log, a dove, an axe, maul, and wedge, and the inscription, "Dum Tacet Clamat" ("Though silent, he speaks"). Most of these tombstones were placed there in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. What are these unique legacies left behind? What is the significance of the logs or tree stumps? In 1883, a man by the name of Joseph Cullen Root organized a fraternal society in Omaha, Nebraska, called "Modern Woodmen of America". As in many fraternal organizations of time, one of the benefits of being a member was that upon death, the other members would pass around a hat and donate money to the widow. Membership was limited to white males older than 18 years of age. Later, when passing around the hat became more frequent and costly, Root decided to sell life insurance to members. Modern Woodmen of America became a fraternal benefit society. Later, a women's auxiliary started up, called "Royal Neighbors of America." Both the male and female organizations grew steadily, and in five years, Modern Woodmen had a total membership of twenty-four thousand. In 1899, several members had a "falling out" with the leaders of the society and separated to form a new society under the leadership of Fred A. Falkenburg, which they named "Woodmen of the World". Shortly after, tensions were high in the new organization, and Falkenburg moved to Denver to form, "Woodmen of the World, Pacific Jurisdiction". Today, the three societies remain as insurance companies. Woodmen of the World created women's auxiliaries called "Woodmen Circle" and "Supreme Forest Woodmen," while the Pacific Jurisdiction created an auxiliary called "Neighbors of Woodcraft", which still exists as an insurance company in Portland, Oregon. Up until 1935, when a member died, the society would donate $100.00 towards the burial expenses if the surviving family allowed the society's emblem and/or wording to appear on the stone. These are the aforementioned designs that appear on the deceased members' gravestones. You can find numerous pictures of these tombstones on the Web, including at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~srgp/flaghold/flag081.htm http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~rocky/Fran... http://www.courses.rochester.edu/hom... http://www.arches.uga.edu/~rac/beardin.html http://www.austinexplorer.com/Ceme... http://okielegacy.org/journal/Vol5/OHTHV5-19.htm http://photoweb.lodestone.org/folder/719/en (click on the images to see a larger version) The most ornate one I could find is at http://darktreasures.com/Graveyards/FavoriteTombStones.htm (look at the bottom picture, click on it to see a larger image)

The following article is from Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and is copyright 2003 by Richard W. Eastman. It is re-published here with the permission of the author. Information about the newsletter is available at http://www.eogn.com. What Is "Second Cousin Once Removed?" One of the terms frequently encountered when researching your family tree is "removed" cousins; for instance, "second cousin, once removed." Many people have an erroneous idea of what this means. So what is the correct definition? First of all, let's examine the definition of cousins. It is "two people who share a common ancestor:" In fact, in order to be cousins, you must share a grandparent or someone from an even earlier generation of the family: FIRST COUSINS share a grandparent in common. SECOND COUSINS share a great-grandparent in common. THIRD COUSINS share a great-great-grandparent in common. And so on. When the word "removed" is used to describe a cousin relationship, it indicates that the two people are from different generations. "Once removed" indicates a difference of one generation, "twice removed" indicates a difference of two generations, and so forth. Let's compare you with your first cousin. You both share a grandparent, often two grandparents. However, your cousin's child also shares the same ancestry but at a difference of one generation. That child is "removed" from your cousin relationship by one generation. Hence, that child is your first cousin, once removed. Likewise, the grandchild of your first cousin is your first cousin twice removed (two generations removed from being a first cousin). Many people confuse the term "first cousin once removed" with "second cousin." The two are not the same. Here is a chart that explains the relationships and can quickly explain your relationship to anyone else in your family, up to 10 generations away. Note that we are talking about "blood relatives," not those whose sole relationship is by marriage. To see the actual chart which accompanied this article go to http://www.eogn.com/newsletter/ and click on What Is "Second Cousin Once Removed?" While you are there you will find information on how to get your own copy of this informative free genealogy electronic newsletter.

Seeking information on the availability of City Directories for the time frame of 1900 to 1910. I am searching for siblings who were possibly living in Peoria during this time frame. All three may have been working as teachers. 1)LaDelle B. Anderson was a widow and her niece spent part of her high school years with her in the early 1900's. 2)Minnie Bishop would have been there after 1906, as she spent the time up until then caring for her aged parents. The parents both died in 1906. 3)Stephen Douglas A. Bishop was known to be in the area as he made a visit to his daughter (LaDelle's niece) during her sophomore year in high school. Any guidance in this area would be appreciated. Regards, Virginia Evansville IN

I've Been to LaSalle Cemetery,(its still there) near Rome and Chillicothe Illinois. I have photos of tombstones. Many Reeds' buried in LaSalle Cemetery, Peoria Co. Many other related families there also. Mary Benedict Reed Died October 24 1832. aged 61/9/- Not sure if husband Samuel Reed stone lost or if he was buried somewhere else. He is not listed in Medina township Cemetery book. Behind Mary's tombstone is that of my gr gr great grandfather Thomas B. Reed. There are other related Reeds close by. Also close by are my gr gr grandfather James S. Preston. A little farther away Mary's son Simon Reed and his family are buried. As far as I know thats the original burying ground. Land donated by Hicks family. Cemetery directly across road is Mooney cemetery, a catholic cemetery. I've transcribed most of the Reed/Hicks/Bristols from LaSalle Cemetery. I've made two trips out from Ohio. People are still being interred there! Last I heard was the that the cemetery was maintained by LaSalle Cemetery Association. That assosciation was funded strictly by donations of money and time. (UM that was 2 years ago) My letter is sketchy right now. Have lots of documented stuff of the Reeds of Medina twp, peoria co Ill. I just moved to apt from big house and a lot of my things still boxed up. Time is limited but would be interested in sharing info! sherrie r. neal sneal1@columbus.rr.com I am a descendent of Samuel Reed and Mary Benedict Reed. as follows: Thomas B. Reed and Francis Wilkinson Eliza Reed and James S. Preston Bertha Preston and Herbert E. Gill Serena Gill and Still LIving Clanin Faye Clanin and STill Living Neal Sherrie R. Neal (thats me) Children of Samuel and Mary B. Reed: Samuel Jr., Thomas B., Aaron, Mary, Lucy, Phoebe, Hannah, Barbary C., Simon. -----Original Message----- From: harold villier [mailto:peahill@adelphia.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 3:25 PM To: ILPEORIA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [ILPEORIA-L] cemetery Dear List, I am trying to locate a cemetery around Rome. I am searching for the grave of Mary Benedict Reed who died 21-24 Oct 1832 . I have information giving the name of the cemetery as La Salle. Can anyone tell me if there is an old cemetery that would have burials in the 1830's. Thanks for any help you can give me. Caroline

-----Original Message----- From: Pamela Villafuerte [mailto:pamelavillafuerte@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 12:13 AM To: ilpeoria-l@rootsweb.com Subject: {not a subscriber} OBITUARY: Harry A. DUBUIS OBITUARY: Harry A. DUBUIS, 71, Peoria Parks Designer's Son, Dies Harry A. DUBUIS, 71, operator of the El Paso Greenhouse and son of the designer of the Peoria park system, died Tuesday morning at his home in El Paso, Ill. One of six children of Oscar F. and Fannie GERARD DUBUIS, he grew up here in the years when his father, a native of Lausanne, Switzerland, laid out Glen Oak and Bradley and other early parks here. Grand View Drive was the last project his father completed before his death April 16, 1906. At his father's funeral service the eulogy was delivered by Eugene BALDWIN, founder and editor of the Peoria Star. Harry DUBUIS was born in Chicago August 21, 1882. After attending Longfellow School and Bradley Polytechnic Institute, he was trained in horticultural work here. Upon his marriage to Florence GREEN of Peoria he moved to Danville, operating the Danville Floral Co. there until after her death in 1910. For nearly 20 years her has had the greenhouse in El Paso where he married Clara COOPER. He was a member of St. Andrew! 's Episcopal Church here in Peoria. Surviving are his wife, a daughter Margie Mary DUBUIS, and a sister, Mrs. Frances D. MEYER of Havana. Three brothers and a sister, John, Ernest and George DUBUIS and Mrs. Pearl D. OLSON, preceeded him in death. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Vincent Funeral Home in El Paso. Burial is to be in Springdale Cemetery. (SOURCE>Peoria Star, Wednesday, 4 August 1954) Pamela Villafuerte

-----Original Message----- From: Pamela Villafuerte [mailto:pamelavillafuerte@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 12:19 PM To: ilpeoria-l@rootsweb.com Subject: {not a subscriber} DEATH NOTICE: James BAILEY DEATH NOTICE: BAILEY-James, of Creve Coeur, Illinois, R.R. No. 7, Peoria, at the Proctor hospital Tuesday, October 9th, 1934, at 3:30 o'clock p.m. Age 35 years, 5?(months is hard to read)months, 4 days. Services at the Wilton Mortuary chapel Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Friends invited. Interment Fon du Lac cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel after four o'clock Thursday. (SOURCE>Peoria Star, Wednesday, 10 October 1934, page 18) Pamela Villafuerte

-----Original Message----- From: Pamela Villafuerte [mailto:pamelavillafuerte@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 12:44 PM To: ILPEORIA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: {not a subscriber} DEATH NOTICE: Mrs. Mae B. STACK DEATH NOTICE: STACK-Mrs. Mae B., wife of Thomas J. STACK at the residence 317 Hills (? hard to read) St., October 8th, 1934, 12:50 p.m. Funeral from the Boland Mortuary Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to St. Cecilia church at 9:00. Interment in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at the mortuary after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday. (SOURCE>Peoria Star, 10 October 1934, page 18)Post Reply | Mark Unread | Report Abuse Pamela Villafuerte

-----Original Message----- From: Pamela Villafuerte [mailto:pamelavillafuerte@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 12:27 PM To: ilpeoria-l@rootsweb.com Subject: {not a subscriber} DEATH NOTICE: Chris A. HAGEMANN DEATH NOTICE: HAGEMANN-Chris A., of 719 Laramie street, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 1934, at 4:45 a.m., aged 70 years, 1 month, 10 days. Mr. HAGEMANN will be removed from the Kennedy Funeral Home Wednesday to the above address at 4:00 p.m. where friends may call. Funeral Friday, October 12, at 8:30 a.m. to St. Boniface church at 9:00 a.m. Interment in St. Joseph cemetery. member of St. Boniface Men's society. (SOURCE>Peoria Star, 10 October 1934, page 18) Pamela Villafuerte

-----Original Message----- From: Pamela Villafuerte [mailto:pamelavillafuerte@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 12:34 PM To: ilpeoria-l@rootsweb.com Subject: {not a subscriber} DEATH NOTICE: James R. PATTERSON DEATH NOTICE: PATTERSON-James R., at the Proctor Endowment home, Tuesday, October 9th, 1934, at four o'clock p.m. Age 83 years, 1 month. Services at the Wilton Mortuary Chapel Thursday morning at ten o'clock. Friends invited. Interment in Ilini cemetery, Warrenburg, Illinois. Friends may call at the Chapel Wednesday afternoon and evening. (SOURCE>Peoria Star, 10 October 1934, page 18) Pamela Villafuerte

-----Original Message----- From: Pamela Villafuerte [mailto:pamelavillafuerte@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 12:12 PM To: ilpeoria-l@rootsweb.com Subject: {not a subscriber} DEATH NOTICE: Fannie L. DU BUIS DEATH NOTICE: DU BUIS-Fannie L., widow of the late O.F.DUBUIS, of the Proctor Home, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fannie D. MEYERS, at Havana, Illinois, Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 a.m., aged 82 years. Short Memorial Services Thursday at Proctor Home Chapel at 2 o'clock, to St. Andrews Church at 2:30. Burial Springdale. (SOURCE>Peoria Star, Wednesday, 10 October 1934, page 18, Peoria, Peoria, Illinois) Pamela Villafuerte

-----Original Message----- From: Pamela Villafuerte [mailto:pamelavillafuerte@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 12:01 PM To: ILPeoria-l@rootsweb.com Subject: {not a subscriber} ARTICLE: Ernest DuBUIS A Suicide ARTICLE: ERNEST DU BUIS A SUICIDE. Well Known Peorian Found Dead by Own Hand. With a bullet wound in the head, and a revolver lying near, the body of Ernest G. DU BUIS, son of the late Oscar DU BUIS, was discovered at the lower end of Lake View park yesterday afternoon by two rivermen. Coroner ELLIOT who was summoned to the park by the men who made the discovery, stated that the unfortunate yound man had been dead several days. The two men, Frank BUSH and H. BARTLETT, with two others, were coming from the river about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when they came upon the corpse and at once notified the coroner, who, on reaching the scene of the tragedy, ordered the body to be taken to the Boland undertaking establishment. The bullet that snuffed out the young man's life had entered just forward of the left ear, torn through the head and remained just under the skin in front of the right ear, causing instant death. Du BUIS had been rooming at the home of J.S. HINER, 1927 North Adams street, for the past two weeks. He had not been seen at the H! INER home since Tuesday morning, at breakfast. At that time he complained of feeling badly. Friends say that he had been brooding over various troubles for some time and that his suicide was due to despondency. Ernest DU BUIS, who was about thirty years of age, was the son of Mrs. Fannie DU BUIS, 1503 North Perry avenue, and a brother of George DU BUIS, the young artist who had recently opened a studio here. His father, the late Oscar DU BUIS, laid out Glen Oak park. Two other brothers and two sisters are living. John DU BUIS of San Francisco, Harry DUBUIS of Danville, Ill., Miss Fannie DU BUIS, and Mrs. Frank OLSON. The inquest was held this morning. The first witness, Frank BUSH,stated that he, with three companions, was walking down through Lake View yesterday afternoon when they discovered the body, lying in the far end of the park. DU BUIS was lying on his back, fully dressed, his face covered with blood, and a revolver badly rusted, with one chamber discharged, lay at his le! ft side close to his hand. Hubert BARTLETT, Roy COLLINS and Chas. SH?? (maybe SHED?), who were with BUSH at the time, fully coroborated the latter's testimony. The examination of Jacob HINER, who owns the hotel on North Adams street where DU BUIS was living, brought out the fact that DU BUIS had twice unsuccessfully endeavored to borrow a revolver from Gus GREEN, proprietor of a saloon on North Adams street and from a man named STUMM, telling them that he wanted to shoot rabbits at Lake View. George S. DU BUIS, artist, brother of the deceased, stated that while his brother had been worried over financial troubles, he knew of nothing serious enough to drive him to so desperate an act. Harry DU BUIS, another brother, made a similar statement. He also said that Ernest DUBUIS was left-handed, which accounted for the revolver being found at the left of the body. The jury brought in a verdict of suicide. The funeral will be held tomorrow or Monday. (SOURCE>The Peoria Star, Satur! day, 6 February 1909, page 12) Pamela Villafuerte

Dear List, I am trying to locate a cemetery around Rome. I am searching for the grave of Mary Benedict Reed who died 21-24 Oct 1832 . I have information giving the name of the cemetery as La Salle. Can anyone tell me if there is an old cemetery that would have burials in the 1830's. Thanks for any help you can give me. Caroline

-----Original Message----- From: Pamela Villafuerte [mailto:pamelavillafuerte@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 1:08 AM To: ILPeoria-L@rootsweb.com Subject: {not a subscriber} DEATH NOTICE: Oscar F. DU BUIS DIED-DUBUIS-Oscar F., died Monday at 57 yers. Funeral Friday at 2 p.m. from above residence to Springdale cemetery. (SOURCE>Peoria Star, Wednesday, 18 April, 1906, p. 16) Pamela Villafuerte

-----Original Message----- From: Pamela Villafuerte [mailto:pamelavillafuerte@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 1:11 AM To: ILPeoria-L@rootsweb.com Subject: {not a subscriber} DEATH NOTICE: Lawrence SHEHAN DIED-SHEHAN-Lawrence, at his residence in Dunlap, at 2 a.m., April 17th. Funeral Thursday at 10 a.m., at St. Clemen's church. Dunlap, Ill. (SOURCE>Peoria Star, Wednesday, 18 April, 1906, p.16) Pamela Villafuerte