COL. BARNEY pg 206-209-210 In 1826 there came to Atlas, from Berkshire, Mass., that eminent man, Col. Benjamin Barney, who still survives, residing at Barry. He "was a man of great physical powers, of strong natural sense, benevolent, patriotic, not learned in book lore, but wise in that which made him a leader in trying times; was sober, industrious and always at his post. His tales of early adventure are marvelous, and yet undoubtedly true." - Grimshaw. He was born in September, 1795, emigrated first to Sandusky. O., and afterward was one of the first five settlers in Seneca county in that State. In Ohio he married Minerva Harris, who died in 1849. He was the first blacksmith in Pike county. And probably the first in the whole Military Tract. He made the first plow ever made in this county, and was for a long time known as "the county blacksmith." He was induced to stop at Atlas mainly on account of his being offered the position of Deputy Sheriff by Capt. Ross, the newly elected Sheriff. Col. Barney bore a prominent part in the Black Hawk war, and his life has all along been so identified with the history of Pike county that his name will occur frequently in this volume. COL. BARNEY's TRIP TO CARROLLTON During this age of quick transit we often speak of mail "facilities," but for pioneer times it would be more appropriate to say mail "difficulties." It must be borne in mind that it cost 25 cents for the early pilgrims who came to this country to get a letter from their friends in the East or South, and then the mails came only at long intervals. Col. Barney relates a bit of experience as a mail- carrier in early day, which is quite thrilling. There had been no mail received at Atlas for about six weeks. The Illinois river was high, and filled with running ice so that it was impossible to cross it with any degree of safety. Capt Ross was postmaster at Atlas, the only place in the county where there was a postoffice, and he as well as the other settlers were exceedingly anxious to get the mail from Carrollton, the point from which the Pike county mail was brought. Carrollton is on the east side of the river and 40 miles distant from Atlas. Postmaster Ross had made liberal offers to induce some one to go after the mail, but none had yet succeeded in getting it. The six dollars he had offered was a great motive, and at least three men at different times had attempted the trip, but could get no further than the Illinois river, and would return discouraged. At last, becoming exceedingly anxious to hear from the outside world, Mr. Ross made the very liberal offer of ten dollars to anyone who would carry the mail to Carrollton and return with the mail from that point. This offer was made Saturday night, and Col. Barney resolved to attempt to win the prize. It must be remembered that in those primitive times ten dollars was considered a large amount of money; and the Colonel said, when he returned and got his money, that he felt as though he was rich enough to start a bank. Mr. Barney was up before day Sunday morning getting ready for the trip. His wife prepared a lunch of corn-cake and venison for him to take with him and eat upon the way; but unfortunately he forgot it when he left home. He had traveled but a few miles ere it began to snow. The large flakes began to fall thicker and faster, and the wind began to blow and soon the storming elements were raging around him with great fury. He quickened the pace of his horse and finally arrived at the Illinois river at a point where there had been a ferry and where he intended to cross. The man who had conducted the ferry had recently died, leaving a family of wife and several small children. They lived in a rude cabin upon the western bank of the river; the widowed mother lay sick and near death's door; they were without medicine, food or care, and suffering untold misery. The Colonel put his horse in the smoke-house attached to the cabin, which was so small that the horse could not turn around in it. He then hired a lad who was there at this time to assist him over the river. After much difficulty he reached the eastern bank and started off on his trip to Carrollton on foot. The Atlas mail was small, yet he found great difficulty in making his way through the deep snow. He at last reached his destination, got the mail and started homeward. Before leaving Carrollton, however, he called upon the doctor and reported the condition of the woman at the ferry. The physician said he had been down to the river two or three times on his way to visit her but could not get over, and had concluded that she was dead. He gave the Colonel some medicine for her, and the kind lady at the postoffice gave him a large package of provisions also to take to the distressed woman. This package weighed about 16 pounds, and with the mail, which was quiet large and consisted mostly of military matter, he started on foot for the river. It was dusk when he arrived in the river bottom. To add to the already great peril in which he found himself, a large pack of wolves, about 50 in number, followed him, some of them yelping furiously. The bolder ones would approach closely and gnarl at the lone footman, whom they were eager to make a meal of. He would frighten them off by slapping his hands on the mail-bags, making a loud, sharp noise. This he did repeatedly, and perhaps it was the only way he could get through safely, as he had no fire-arms or weapons of any kind. He reached the river only to find difficulties more complicated; he could not get over. He hallooed, but in vain. He got into an old boat which lay fastened in the ice out from the shore, and lay down, thinking he would be compelled to remain there during the night. He soon found himself shivering with cold, and would certainly freeze to death if he remained there longer. He aroused himself, got a pole and finally worked his way over the river, from cake to cake of the floating ice, though a dangerous task it was. He remained over night at the cabin and gave the widow the medicine and provision sent her. These relieved her present wants, but she continued to decline, and shortly afterward died. The Colonel at last reached Atlas, with the long-looked-for mail. He made the settlers joyous with the letters brought from their friends and was himself made happy by the receipt of ten dollars, which he had certainly well earned. *************************** A FEW OCCURRENCES OF 1826 pg 211 - 212 The first coal burned in Pike county was from Pittsburg, PA., and used by Benj. Barney in his blacksmith shop in 1826. During the summer of 1827 there was a great deal of rain, and the streams rose higher than they ever did afterward until 1851. The Sny Carte was navigable for steam-boats at least as far up as Atlas, as Col. Ross proved to the astonishment of many. He had three steam-boats in his service, and one of them in particular, the "Mechanic," came up to a point directly opposite Atlas. Its arrival was announced by the firing of guns. The first wheat raised in Pike county was raised this year by Col. Ross and Mr. Seeley, and it was also the first wheat ground within the limits of the county. This year came Benjamin B. Barney, no relation of Col. Barney. Endeavoring to trace their relationship one day the Colonel said he was from Massachusetts, when Benjamin B. replied with an oath, "Oh, if you are a Yankee you are no connection of mine." This Benjamin B. Barney bought Col. Ross' horse-mill and kept it a long time, probably until it was worn out or finally abandoned. ********************************** PERSONAL SKETCHES pg 589 We will now make personal mention of the leading citizens and old settlers of this township. BENJAMIN BARNEY was born in Pike county, where Montezuma now stands, Feb. 1, 1825. His parents emigrated to this county from Ohio, in 1824. Being a pioneer, he knows all the hardships of pioneer life; as soon as he was large enough to ride on horseback he went to Frye's Mill on Big Blue, a distance of 12 miles, and nearly always had to remain all night to get his grinding done, and no place to sleep, except on the corn-sack; he has had many exciting scenes in the chase, having killed deer, wolves and wild-cats. Dec. 21, 1845, he married Miss Caroline Harvey, and they had 3 children, - William A., James B. and Alfred F. In 1852 Mr. Barney removed to Oregon with his family, where Mrs. Barney died the same year; in 1857 he returned to Pike county, where he married Cynthia H. Mays, and their 8 children are Andrew J., dec., John W., Henry L., Laura E., Marion, Robert A., Artilla D. and Minnie, Mr. B. is engaged in farming and stock-raising on sec. 26, this tp. ******************************* FRANCIS M. BARNEY pg 590 A native of Pike county, was born May 12, 1837, and is a son of Joseph W. Barney, dec., who came to this county in 1824. His grandfather, Benjamin B. Barney, was one of the first pioneers of this county, and erected the first horse-mill in the county for grinding corn. This aged gentleman crossed the plains to California in 1849, being then in his 91st year, and arrived there in apparently good health, but died on ship- board while returning, in 1854. Our subject was raised on a farm and received a common-school education; in 1866 he married Miss S. A. Furry, daughter of Christopher Furry, dec. They have 5 children, 3 of whom are living, viz: - Cora B., William R. and Edgar F. He has held the office of Town Clerk, and is at present the Police Magistrate for the village of Time. He served 3 years in Co. A, 20th Reg. I. V. I., as a private in the late war, and was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Siege of Vicksburg, Britton's Lane, Kenesaw Mountain, Champion Hills, Raymond and others; he also participated in the Meridian raid, in which he came well-nigh being captured. He is a harness-maker by trade, but failing health required him to seek another vocation, and he now keeps a grocery store in Time. ************************************ Glenda Rochester, N.Y. ********** .............\\\|/// \\ ~ ~ // ( @ @ ) ------- oOOo-(_)-oOOo---------------------------- Visit my web page & sign my Guestbook <A HREF="http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~glendasubyak">Glenda - Rootsweb pg</A> http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~glendasubyak

Glenda, Please can you look up in your Chapman book, when you have time, Benjamin B. Barney on pages 212 and 590. thank you, Donna

Hello, to who sent this message below. Can you tell me what township this census was in. I think it might be my connection, and name could have been Humphry instead of Umphry, census taker could have made a error. Thanks for your time and help Imo Greenwood: greenwic@intcomm.net -----Original Message----- From: fcruble <fcRuble@isbe.accessus.net> To: ILPIKE-L@rootsweb.com <ILPIKE-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Tuesday, January 25, 2000 9:56 PM Subject: [ILPIKE] Ulrey >I ran across this name in the 1850 census could it be your Ulrey's? >1533 1550 Kerenhappuck Umphry 50 F N.C. >Amanda 26 F 1000 Va. >Horacia 22 M Farmer Va. >Paulina 16 F Va. >Edward 13 M IL. >Margaret 9 F Il. >Jonas Webb 20 M Laborer Maine > > >==== ILPIKE Mailing List ==== >Illinois State Genealogical Society >http://www.tbox.com/isgs/ >List Manager: Barbara Freeman at Saxbury@aol.com

Does your pastor have a email add.? My Whited(Whitehead)Samuel Walter Whitehead was in TN when my grandmother , THEODOSIA MAGGIE WHITEHEAD, was born ,Dec 30,1878 ,in Maryville, Blount, TN. Want to know where her father(Sam) was born. Sam died 1922 and is buried at Meno, Major,OK. We think that Sams father may have been Mathias Whitehead but dont know for sure. If it is Mathias, his father was John Whitehead and mother Hannah Rainboldt. We found these people in LDS but cannot hook them up. Glenda from OK

Norm While you are sorting papers for Pike cty,IL, would you keep an eye out for my grandfather who was born 23 Nov,1869. Looking for any siblings. My great grandfather, Wm. Frank Lockett was married1866 in Pike Cty,IL, I think. We think that he was buried in IL but do not know for sure. We do not know who his father and mother are . Thanks Glenda :Lockett Ramsey of OK

My Beard line is Martha Washington Beard born 1842 in Cincinnati,Hamilton, Ohio. She married Wm. Frank Lockett in 1866 at Pike cty, IL. The only child I know of is my grandfather, Frank McGrady Lockett. Frank was Born in Brown Cty, IL and thats what I'm doing in IL geneology. Want to know if he had any siblings. Martha died 1905 and is buried at Miller Cemetery, Meno,Major, OK. Martha's father was know as Moses Beard ( I think it was John really)Moses was born 1797 to John Beard and Mary Blackstock Beard in South Carolina, m. Mary Ann Morton in 1831, died1898. Mary Ann Morton was born in 1810 in Giles Cty, TN. That is the end of the line for me. Would like to have more info. This is all I have about the Beards. Please help! Glenda of OK

My Pastor is named David Whited. He lives in Cumming, GA. GRamsey406@aol.com wrote: > > Keep looking. I don't know anyone in that family. I am looking for Lockett, > Beard , and Whithead (Whited). Know about any of these? > Good Luck > GLenda

John Mahon at jnmahon@slip.net has donated a photo to the web site giving us a total of 5 photos. This photo is: Young Adult Club K.Z.F.Y ca 1895-1899 which includes a number of young adults from Griggsville during the period mentioned. First Row on the floor (starting with and L to R): Anson Northrup (a former Mayor of Griggsville - kneeling), MM "Twin" Lasbury, Thomas S. Hitch. I [John] believe many of the individuals are the sons and daughters of many of the prominent families of Griggsville at the time. Can anyone identify some of the others and / or know what the K.Z.F.Y Club meant and what was their mission? Have a great evening, Barbara Freeman

Somewhere I have a big genealogy on the Beards. Bill Beard from Pittsfield did part of it. What do you need to know. Pat ----- Original Message ----- From: <GRamsey406@aol.com> To: <ILPIKE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 7:59 AM Subject: Re: [ILPIKE] Atlas, Pittsfield -- Yikes! > Keep looking. I don't know anyone in that family. I am looking for Lockett, > Beard , and Whithead (Whited). Know about any of these? > Good Luck > GLenda >

The apple fest is usually held the first weekend in October and they have lots of differant activities arts and crafts, car show etc.

Hey Norm, still here :) Just going over some loose Pike County papers trying to get somethings straightned out before my next trip to the library. We have lots of snow here!!!!! about 15 inches. Tammy

Tammy, Haven't heard from you for awhile, just wanted to say Hello. Agree to much over too little on the chain. Norm, distant Cousin

Hello list, since so have been searching NEFF surname, I found this from Julia Case's Rootsweb Review, Vol. 3, # 4 Always, Imo **PAID ADVERTISEMENT** The earliest experiments with a tintype style process occurred in France in 1853, but it took the ingenuity of an American to bring the process to market in the United States. In 1856, Peter Neff filed a patent for the new process of direct positive photography which utilized tin plates as the receiving base. That same year he opened the very first tintype production plant in the United States located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Anxious to capture the market for this exciting new technology, Neff rushed headlong into mass production. But the breakneck speed of expansion came to a startling stop when within a few short months of opening, disaster struck. With the mortar still damp from construction, this shining gem of Cincinnati's burgeoning "high technology" enterprises was devastated by a colossal fire. The fire-fighting brigades could do little more than keep a safe distance as the flames quickly consumed the entire facility. Distraught, Neff abandoned Cincinnati and soon opened a second factory, this time in Middleton, Connecticut, nearer the rapidly expanding Eastern markets. Tintypes were the most popular means of inexpensively capturing photographic records, and the market virtually exploded with the onslaught of the Civil War in 1861. Because of their economy and durability, they quickly became the most popular means for soldiers on both sides of the line to exchange images with loved ones through the mail. For the most part, tintype photographs are quite sharp due to the fact that the metal plate captured the image directly from the lens (no negative is created with the tintype). These inexpensive photographic plates were often used to record people and events in a more casual fashion and this gives many tintypes the special charm of often capturing events in a less staged or posed fashion. As they age, tintypes frequently suffer from severe darkening and oxidation, which sometimes presents substantial difficulties in the restoration process. Yet, in most cases, the image is in sharp focus allowing very successful results. You can learn more about the history of photography, as well as the care of heirloom photographs by visiting <http://www.photorevival.com/> **END PAID ADVERTISMENT** MAILING LISTS. For an index to most genealogy mailing lists hosted Imo Lee Card Greenwood Searching surnames: ACUFF, BARLOW, BAYNES, BIRD(BYRD), CARD, GREER, LAMB ODOM , RENFRO, SHOEMATE, THOMAS. My Husbands: GREENWOOD, KITZMILLER, CULP

In a message dated 1/27/2000 1:46:54 PM Eastern Standard Time, CARRIKER6@aol.com writes: << Thank you so much i still would love a copy of the book when its available but this is a big help Pat C >> Send e-mail to the Barb Gay that I gave you the address for, she is the only one that can help you Glenda Rochester, N.Y. ********** .............\\\|/// \\ ~ ~ // ( @ @ ) ------- oOOo-(_)-oOOo---------------------------- Visit my web page & sign my Guestbook <A HREF="http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~glendasubyak">Glenda - Rootsweb pg</A> http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~glendasubyak

This came in this morning on the Julia Case letter on a Rootsweb Review page, thought all you Neff's would find it interesting. Copied it off for you. Zabette The earliest experiments with a tintype style process occurred in France in 1853, but it took the ingenuity of an American to bring the process to market in the United States. In 1856, Peter Neff filed a patent for the new process of direct positive photography which utilized tin plates as the receiving base. That same year he opened the very first tintype production plant in the United States located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Anxious to capture the market for this exciting new technology, Neff rushed headlong into mass production. But the breakneck speed of expansion came to a startling stop when within a few short months of opening, disaster struck. With the mortar still damp from construction, this shining gem of Cincinnati's burgeoning "high technology" enterprises was devastated by a colossal fire. The fire-fighting brigades could do little more than keep a safe distance as the flames quickly consumed the entire facility. Distraught, Neff abandoned Cincinnati and soon opened a second factory, this time in Middleton, Connecticut, nearer the rapidly expanding Eastern markets. Tintypes were the most popular means of inexpensively capturing photographic records, and the market virtually exploded with the onslaught of the Civil War in 1861. Because of their economy and durability, they quickly became the most popular means for soldiers on both sides of the line to exchange images with loved ones through the mail. For the most part, tintype photographs are quite sharp due to the fact that the metal plate captured the image directly from the lens (no negative is created with the tintype). These inexpensive photographic plates were often used to record people and events in a more casual fashion and this gives many tintypes the special charm of often capturing events in a less staged or posed fashion. As they age, tintypes frequently suffer from severe darkening and oxidation, which sometimes presents substantial difficulties in the restoration process. Yet, in most cases, the image is in sharp focus allowing very successful results. You can learn more about the history of photography, as well as the care of heirloom photographs by visiting <http://www.photorevival.com/> > The Neff line is probably the most extensively researched > non-Mayflower/royalty genealogy there is. There's even a Neff Numbering > System. My wife is descended from NeffNumber "B31". Try this out: > > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~neff/ > > CARRIKER6@aol.com wrote: > > > > When I first started my research I had ask about the name Neff and got a lot > > of response, but at the time all I new was that My Grandmother was Sara Opal > > Neff Brunaugh, I now no that her father was James Benjamin Neff and He was > > Married to Ina Myrtle Brinker if any of these names are familiar please write > > I have come to another dead end but they are all from Pike Ill are Pike MO. > > Pat C > > > > ==== ILPIKE Mailing List ==== > > USGS Mapping Service > > http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisform.html > > List Manager: Barbara Freeman at Saxbury@aol.com > >

Thank you. They are great. I wonder if the Chamber knows about them. ----- Original Message ----- From: fcruble <fcRuble@isbe.accessus.net> To: <ILPIKE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 3:48 AM Subject: Re: [ILPIKE] Pike Co Chamber of Commerce Site > Yes on the first weekend in October of every year they have Apple Festival. > Each town in the county has a Festival starting in late Aug running through > until Barry has theres. Communities at this current time in Pike Co. are > Hull, Kinderhook, Barry, Pl.Hill, Atlas, Pikes Station, Rockport, New > Canton, Pittsfield, Summer Hill, New Hartford, Martinsburg, Nebo, Detroit, > Fishhook, Perry, Griggsville, Maysville, New Salem, Milton, Pearl, that may > be all. I am doing this from memory . some of the communities are just stops > in the road but still alive and yes, I did forget one another one is Time. > Bacl to Festivals. Pittsfield has the fall festival, Milton the corn > festival, Griggsville has something apple festival, Nebo has a Fan Fitz Day, > ect. Its a big deal here in this county. A chance for old friends to get > together like homecoming. Pat > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Melvin McAllister <melmac@cybersurfers.net> > To: <ILPIKE-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 8:12 PM > Subject: Re: [ILPIKE] Pike Co Chamber of Commerce Site > > > > Do not they have the apple festival in Barry any more or is Barry in a > > different county? > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: <SAXBURY@aol.com> > > To: <ILPIKE-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 5:18 PM > > Subject: [ILPIKE] Pike Co Chamber of Commerce Site > > > > > > > Here is another wonderful site! Pike County Illinois Chamber of > Commerce. > > > It has many wonderful pictures of the county and tidbits of old and new. > > > Stop by to take a look at: > > > > > > http://www.pikeil.org/ > > > > > > Have a wonderful evening, > > > Barbara Freeman > > > > > > > > > >

Thank you so much i still would love a copy of the book when its available but this is a big help Pat C

BARNETT J. WILLSEY pg 707-708 Farmer, sec. 29; P.O. Pittsfield; was born in the State of New York in 1835; and is the son of Barnett Willsey. In 1840 he was brought by his parents to this county, who settled on the present estate, now consisting of 240 acres, valued at $50 per acre. Here he has lived ever since, except that from 1854 to 1857 he was in California, in the mining business, in which he was successful. At his home his vocation has always been farming, and in this occupation has been prosperous, being now one of the most enterprising and substantial farmers in the community. He also deals in stock to some extent. The past year he erected a fine two-story frame house, with L; also a large frame barn, etc. The improvements on this place are excelled by few, and the farm itself is in most fertile district. In 1858 Mr. Willsey married Eliza Jane McClintock, a native of Indiana, and they have 3 children living,- Emily Alice, Charles L. And James O.; one child, Mary E., is deceased. We give Mr. Willsey's portrait in this volume.(on pg 714). ***************************** JAMES G. WILLSEY pg 708-709 The first of the Willsey family who came to this county was a parent of the subject of this sketch. They were natives of New York and emigrated to Ohio in 1837, where they remained until 1840, when they joined the tide of emigration westward and found a location on sec. 34, Pittsfield tp. Their names were Barnett and Cornelia (Kizer) Willsey. Upon this section they established themselves, where Mr. Willsey lived until his death, which occurred in 1858. He was buried on the old home farm. His widow still resides at the old homestead. James G. was born in the State of New York, Feb. 28, 1830, and was therefore about 10 years of age when his parents came to this county, with whom he remained until about 1851, when he married Miss Melinda Rogers; she was born in Greene Co., ILL., in 1830, and was the daughter of David and Fannie Rogers, early settlers in Martinsburg tp. The former died in 1871; his wife two years afterward. Immediately after James G. Willsey's marriage he settled on 40 acres of land which his father gave him, where he remained until 1854, when he selected and purchased the northwest quarter of sec. 34, Pittsfield tp., which is one of the most fertile sections in this county. At that time this land was in a perfectly wild state; not an improvement of any kind had been placed upon it by the hand of man. It was a fine, rolling prairie, interspersed here and there with patches of scrub oak and hazel-brush. The first land cultivated on this farm was in the summer of 1854, when Mr. W. employed a man to break 40 acres, which he did with oxen. This land, as fast as broken, was surrounded with an eight-rail fence, Mr. W. hauling the rails for the same from the south part of Martinsburg tp., a distance of eight miles. In 1857 he erected a log cabin, on the north part of his farm, 16 feet square. It contained two rooms, one above and one below. Into this cabin he moved his family, and although rather tight quarters during the busiest seasons, found room and accommodations for as many as nine hired hands besides his own family. During the years 1868-9 the balance of the 160 acres was fenced and put under cultivation, with the exception of 50 acres which he has never plowed, but which he set aside for pasture for stock, there being several never-failing springs of pure water on this. Mr. W. ascribes much of his success in the raising of stock, especially hogs, to this pasture, and the fact of their always being able to procure pure spring water. He states that during the worst seasons of cholera, when hogs all around him were dying, he lost very few. In 1860 Mr. W. built his present residence. It is a frame structure, two stories in height, the main part 18 by 32, L 14 by 28; it is one of the finest farm residences in the county. The out-buildings are all of the modern construction and first-class in every way. Mr. W. has devoted much attention to floriculture, and has a fine greenhouse in addition to his residence, in which he has hundreds of choice plants, including exotics, etc. Take it all in all, the surroundings and improvements of this home farm render it one of the finest and most pleasant in the county. Seventeen years ago he purchased the southwest quarter of sec. 27. It was partly improved and he has brought it into a high state of cultivation. The winter of 1879-'80 he erected on this place a very fine residence, which in point of construction and modern conveniences is equaled by few. From the observatory on this dwelling one of the finest views of the surrounding country can be obtained, extending to the west, to Louisiana and Hannibal, a distance of 20 miles, and southeast to a distance of about 24 miles. Mr. W.'s only child and son, William Riley Willsey, who was born in July, 1853, now resides at this place. As a relaxation from active business, to which he had applied himself with scarcely an intermission since he was a boy, in 1875 Mr. Willsey decided on making a visit to the Pacific slope to see the country and visit numerous relatives, also with some ideas of locating there, if the golden shore should prove preferable to his old home. With the above objects in view, in company with his wife and son, he started on this trip, via the Union Pacific R. R. to San Francisco, where several days were agreeably spent in viewing the metropolis of California, when he departed by the steamer "J. L. Stephens" for Portland, Oregon, and from there to Oregon City, where he remained some ten days, and also visited the State Fair at Salem; then took passage up the Columbia river to Wallula, Washington Territory. This river he describes as furnishing the most beautiful scenery he ever beheld. From Wallula they took the cars to Walla Walla, where his sister, Mrs. Richard Wells, resided. At this place the party remained some four weeks, visiting and viewing different parts of the country, where they started on their journey homeward, via the Columbia to Portland, where they took the cars to Harrisburg; they then traveled by rail to Roseburg, then to the northern terminus of the Oregon and California Railroad; from this place they were obliged to travel 270 miles to Reading. During this stage trip, which lasted six days and six nights, it rained continuously. On several occassions the coach was mired down, taking much time and all hands to release it. The fatigue of this journey was so severe that a passenger, an old man, became temporarily insane. Our party, however, arrived safely at Reading, where they took the railroad for San Francisco; then took the U. P. R. R. for home, where they arrived about four months after they had left. They were thoroughly satisfied with the trip, and also satisfied that they found no better place than at the old, homestead in Pike. They traveled between 5,000 and 6,000 miles, 1000 of which were on the Pacific Ocean. Mr. Willsey's portrait will be found in this volume. (Pg 714). ****************************** WILLIAM B. WILLSEY pg 710 Farmer, sec. 34; P.O., Pittsfield; is the owner of 50 acres of land worth $50. Per acres; is a native of this county and was born Aug. 24, 1851; was married in this county Aug. 9, 1870, to Miss Loese W. Hoyt, a native of Vermont, and who was born June 11, 1847. They are the parents of 3 children, namely, - Charles H., born May 26, 1871, Ora C., Jan. 2, 1873, and Eva M., Jan 1, 1876. ****************************** WILLIAM W. WILLSEY pg 710 Farmer, sec. 34; P.O., Pittsfield; is a son of Barnett and Caroline (Kizer) Willsey, natives of New York; is a native of this county, and was born in 1848. In 1868 he married Frances J. Robinson, also a native of Missouri, and was born in 1848. They have 3 children, - Perry A., Almira M. and Nancy C.; Both Mr. and Mrs. W. belong to the Christian Church. Mr. W. owns 80 acres of land worth $60 per acre, and is a Democrat. ******************************************** Glenda Rochester, N.Y. ********** .............\\\|/// \\ ~ ~ // ( @ @ ) ------- oOOo-(_)-oOOo---------------------------- Visit my web page & sign my Guestbook <A HREF="http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~glendasubyak">Glenda - Rootsweb pg</A> http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~glendasubyak

Yes on the first weekend in October of every year they have Apple Festival. Each town in the county has a Festival starting in late Aug running through until Barry has theres. Communities at this current time in Pike Co. are Hull, Kinderhook, Barry, Pl.Hill, Atlas, Pikes Station, Rockport, New Canton, Pittsfield, Summer Hill, New Hartford, Martinsburg, Nebo, Detroit, Fishhook, Perry, Griggsville, Maysville, New Salem, Milton, Pearl, that may be all. I am doing this from memory . some of the communities are just stops in the road but still alive and yes, I did forget one another one is Time. Bacl to Festivals. Pittsfield has the fall festival, Milton the corn festival, Griggsville has something apple festival, Nebo has a Fan Fitz Day, ect. Its a big deal here in this county. A chance for old friends to get together like homecoming. Pat ----- Original Message ----- From: Melvin McAllister <melmac@cybersurfers.net> To: <ILPIKE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 8:12 PM Subject: Re: [ILPIKE] Pike Co Chamber of Commerce Site > Do not they have the apple festival in Barry any more or is Barry in a > different county? > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <SAXBURY@aol.com> > To: <ILPIKE-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 5:18 PM > Subject: [ILPIKE] Pike Co Chamber of Commerce Site > > > > Here is another wonderful site! Pike County Illinois Chamber of Commerce. > > It has many wonderful pictures of the county and tidbits of old and new. > > Stop by to take a look at: > > > > http://www.pikeil.org/ > > > > Have a wonderful evening, > > Barbara Freeman > > > > >

Thank you so much I enjoy anything on the Neffs can any one tell me how to get a copy of the history of pike county Illinois I was going through the index and found a lot of family members(Wilsey) thank you Pat C.