Dear Whitesiders, May years ago I was given a personal history that was found in the estate of my maternal grandfather. The 'autobiography' was written by Paul. K. Dam(e), whom I recently found out was a cousin of my grandfather. The sixth of eight articles tells of the time his family spent in Fulton, Illinois, and may be of interest to some on this list. Prior to that (in Art. 4) he wrote a brief paragraph that fixes this story to a date. I'll be 'publishing' the whole story in 8 installments on the Dutch-Midwest list starting next week. Reading this Dutch translated to English articles is sometimes confusing at first read because of the irregular punctuation. I've reproduced it exactly as it was recorded. --------------- Excerpt from Article 4: We had an auction on April 12, 1894; left Broek April 15, came to Antwerp April 17 and left the same date. Came to Canada May 1. We were in a hospital 18 days, left May 19 and came to Fulton May 21. I was appointed "voorzinger" Aug. 26. Dec. 5, 1894 elder, ordained Jan. 20, 1895. Left Christian Reformed Church Dec. 1, 1898. Article 6 UIT DE OUDE DOOS I said in my last article that we arrived in Fulton, Ill. The train stopped as we had to get out. We were told that we were in Fulton. There we stood with 6 children. We were asked who we were and as soon as we had given our name, friends came and welcomed us. We said, old friends, for a reason since Fulton was full of Groningers, and there were many friend whom we had known in the Fatherland. We were brought under roof and we were glad that we had reached the place of destination. The day following a house was sought so we could as a family be together again and that felt good. We had a stormy trip, 14 days on sea and 18 days in the hospital. We longed for the end of the journey which you can understand. And now we had to look for work, and that was difficult for there was not much to do. It was the year of the World's Fair in 1893. Many were out of work, and here I was, with no knowledge, when English was spoken, we did not understand. If we were told to go forward we would go backward, and if we were told to go backward, we went forward. Therefore, no one could do anything with us. The employers in Fulton were Americans, and although Fulton was full of Hollanders, most of them were workingmen. I have been asked whether we ever were sorry that we came to America and my answer always was "No." We saw soon that the people who had been here a few years were better off than those in the Fatherland and we said that if we take hold and the Lord blesses us this condition is meant for us and in this we were not out to shame. I worked now for this one and now for another. We did everything, now for farmers in the field. Then here a week and then elsewhere, until finally I got a job in the sawmill. The boss, an American, had to use mouth and hands and feet to make clear how I had to do things for I did not know anything, but he saw that I was willing to work and he had patience and I was glad that I could earn money for the family. I forgot to say that after we had been in Fulton for a few days the boxes with our clothes came so that we could provide for our needs. It is such a great blessing to see the hand of God in all things. God rules and our life from the cradle to the grave is fixed if we only have an eye to see this. What a blessing it is for us and for our children that we went to America. Some say it was lucky for us, but I do not believe in luck. God directs all things, and going from one country to another is under his direction this we usually see later. Fulton was a poor town then. There was not much to do and most people belonged to the working class. We saw no cement roads, no cement sidewalks. They were all of wood and we all had to be careful lest we fall, especially at night. I said that I worked a the sawmill and that wood was cheap. The houses were all of lumber. Seldom did one see a brick house. Rent was cheap. I recall that we rented a whole house for $3 per month, later a half dollar was added and that made it $3.50. Not a flat, but a whole house and a woodshed with it. That was necessary for wood was used in the stove. The sawmill was a big help for workingmen, and if there was no work in Fulton, then men would cross the river to Clinton where many sawmills were. It was a great help but it was unfortunate that sawmills operated about 5 months in the year, sometimes 6. That was much. The lumber came from the north and floated down the Mississippi River, but at the fall the river froze in the north and the logs did get loose and float and the mill closed. During the long winters the men earned nothing. The owner of the mill had a grocery store and people bought on credit and those who had the biggest bill got the job first for the owner had to get his money. That stands to reason, it was fine of the owner that he helped people in the winter. Now you can see that the workers never got on top, the winters were too long, the bills at the store too big, and so they worked all summer to get paid up and then when fall came, they were just where they had been before and the would again buy on credit. Now my fine wife did not believe in credit. If she could not pay for it, she did not buy and we would go without, and that went well too. That being the situation, some went to a farm as soon as they could, renting land for $3 or $4 per acre. Some charged more, but then they cried murder and fire saying that the man could never make it. It made a big difference who handled the situation. This is true in every sphere. Well, I never farmed for I was not fit for it. I could see what a cow or horse was. Yes, I could distinguish between a sheep and a hog but that was all. This shows how fit I was for farming. ------------------ Randy Bosma [email protected] -------- RootsWeb listowner: Dutch-MidWest Researching STAAL OLTHOFF BOSMA BLIJSTRA/BLYSTRA

Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Whiteside/730 Surname: GERTEN, HANTON, HANTEN, WILWERDING, ARNOLDI, BACHENDORF, BORKENDORFER ------------------------- The GERTEN & HALFEN families immigrated to Whiteside County (Fulton) in the 1860's. Need any information on these families. Believe there is story about the GERTEN brothers coming to start a clay pipe factory there, and there might be some census, county history book info, or other things about the family. Anna Maria BACHENDORF GERTEN died there Mar 15, 1870 as well as son Peter March 31, 1890 and sons Henry on Dec. 24, 1891 and Johannes onSept 2, 1879. Dau Katharine Gerten on May 9, 1931 Are there any GERTEN OR HANTEN(ON) families there. Also, one dau, married Conrad STICHTER.

Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/Il/Whiteside/729 Surname: NOMNISEN AND WESTPHAL ------------------------- I am looking for information on the surname NOMNISEN in Whiteside County (1840-1880) or surrounding areas. I recently obtained a marriage certificate (dated 9/25/1867) for my 2nd great grandparents, Emil Westphal and Pauline Nomnisen from Morrison. I also have census info on their family in Morrison, IL. I would like to know if there were any other Nomnisen family members in the area. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Rob Westphal [email protected]

Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Whiteside/728 Surname: Graham, Harvey ------------------------- Jemima GRAHAM HARVEY wife of Oscar HARVEY died at a young age leaving small children. Does any one know who these children were or are decendants of this children. Jemima died in Sterling, Whiteside County in 1866. Oscar HARVEY then married Ellen DOYLE in November 1866. Could one of these children be a Clara B HARVEY?

Sorry to be so late with this reminder. Don't forget genealogy chat tonight at 8pm CST (9pm EST) at www.freeportillinois.com/index3.htm Most of us are researching ancestors who settled in Northwestern IL of whom the majority seem to have come from Pennsylvania. Lou Cook _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com.

Hi Sue, I just received the address for the Whiteside County Courthouse where marriage certificates can be obtained...I would assume birth and death records can be obtained there also, but couldn't verify yet. Will be calling tomorrow to find out about birth and death records as well as costs. Address is 200 E. Knox Street, Morrison, IL 61270-2698 and phone is (815) 772-5189 I'm sorry if this is old news to most of you, we who don't live in the vicinty are actually excited with this info:-) Thanks for letting us share! Sue Cancio [email protected] wrote: > > According to family history, my Grandfather, John Heffron Dearham, was born in Rock Falls, Whiteside County, on March 20, 1886, parents James Clark Dearham and Margaret Heffron. How would I go about verifying this information and obtaining a copy of his birth certificate? > > Also, are there city directories for that period of time? My great-grandfather was a butcher in Joliet, Will County, before marrying Margaret in Chicago in April 1885. Apparently, they then moved to Rock Falls where my grandfather was born. They had a daughter, Margaret Ann, born in 1887 but I don't know if she was born in Rock Falls. > > Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. > > Sue > Murray, KY > [email protected]

According to family history, my Grandfather, John Heffron Dearham, was born in Rock Falls, Whiteside County, on March 20, 1886, parents James Clark Dearham and Margaret Heffron. How would I go about verifying this information and obtaining a copy of his birth certificate? Also, are there city directories for that period of time? My great-grandfather was a butcher in Joliet, Will County, before marrying Margaret in Chicago in April 1885. Apparently, they then moved to Rock Falls where my grandfather was born. They had a daughter, Margaret Ann, born in 1887 but I don't know if she was born in Rock Falls. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. Sue Murray, KY [email protected]

To all: If anyone received this twice - my apologies. Effective 1 October my new address will be <[email protected]> Arlene In Illinois

Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Whiteside/727 Surname: Lechner, Baker, Whitman ------------------------- I have dates tec. for the naturalization of my grgrandfathers uncle. I submitted a request to the Whiteside co. Clerk and they very kindly forwarded it to the "Circuit Court" This was close to four months ago. Does anyone know about how long recieving rcords from the Circuit court takes, am I being to impatcient? Any one have an address or phone number for this court? Thankyou, Cheryl

Brad~ >From the 1870 census, Jordan (P. O. Sterling): 113/13 $13,000(real estate)/$4996 (personal property) Hughs, William 45 M Pennsylvania Farmer Elizabeth 38 F Eng John 13 M PA farm labor Sophia E. 11 F PA Thomas, Mary A. 21 F Eng Merritt, James W. 55 M PA farm labor Eves, John M. 25 M PA farm labor 1880 census, Jordan: 108/115 Hughes, John B. M 23 Married Farmer PA PA En Mary F 25 M wife Wisconsin En PA Winnifred (Dec) F 5months Single daughter IL PA WI Elizabeth G. F 48 Widow mother En En En Sophia E. F 21 Single sister Pa PA PA Banford, Sophia F 67 W grandmother En En En >From "Marriages in Whiteside Co. 1856-1882" by Jayne Kennedy Sweger: Hughes-Bennison (2 January 1879-Whiteside Sentinel newspaper) mar 18 Dec 1878 by Rev. E. C. Dawson; J. B. Hughes, Sterling, and Mary Bennison of Kewanee, IL, at resi of bride's mother, Mrs. Wm Bennison, Kewanee. >From "Deaths in Whiteside Co. 1856-1882" by Sweger: Hughes, William 52 yr, 11 months, 28 days- d 15 Oct 1877, Jordan. Hope this helps... Dawn Everling [email protected] http://www.isd.net/dcurtis1 Still Searching--Whiteside County Resources, too. -----Original Message----- From: Brad Morris <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Monday, September 25, 2000 6:29 PM Subject: William Hughes >Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries >Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Whiteside/725 > >Surname: Hughes, Bamford >------------------------- > >William Hughes died 17 Oct., 1877 at his farm home about 6 miles NNE of >Sterling in Whiteside County IL. In 1856, in Penn. he married Elizabeth >Bamford (b. 06 Feb. 1832, Liverpool England). They moved to their farm >NE of Sterling om 1862. Looking for any information about William and Elizabeth. >Also would like to know where he is buried.

Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/Il/Whiteside/726 Surname: Clark, Hopkins, Hendricks, McMahon, Babbitt, Stamp, Lane ------------------------- Alexander&Henrietta (Lavina Hopkins) lived in Albany Township , Whiteside County , Illinois ) on the 1870 census . They had no children at that time/ . Alexander Clark age is 29 born Ohio , Henrietta age 23 born New York , Mathew Hopkins age 78 born Connecticut (Henriettas Father or Grandfather/ . I have more on this Clark family , census 1880 , 1900 , 1910 , 1920 and some marriages . This is a list of Alexander & Henrietta Clarks childern and some of their spouses . Alexander L. Clark b.1871 Albany Il. & Alice I. (Stamp) Clark . Lydia Elizabeth (Clark) Hendricks b.1875 Wisconsin & Charles P. Hendricks . Mary Henrietta (Clark) MCMahon b. 1877 Iowa & Charles McMahon . Francis Murlin Clark b.1879 Il. & Myrtle Morise (Babbitt) Clark b. 1880 . Abbie Clark b.1881 Il. , spouse unknown . Alanson Clark b. 1884 Il. , spouse unknown . Charles Clark b.1888 Iowa . , spouse unknown . Pearl (Clark) Lane b. 1890 Iowa & Charles Lane . I am from the line of Francis & Myrtle (Babbitt) Clark . If you are from any line , I would be happy to share any information or learn anything new .

Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Whiteside/725 Surname: Hughes, Bamford ------------------------- William Hughes died 17 Oct., 1877 at his farm home about 6 miles NNE of Sterling in Whiteside County IL. In 1856, in Penn. he married Elizabeth Bamford (b. 06 Feb. 1832, Liverpool England). They moved to their farm NE of Sterling om 1862. Looking for any information about William and Elizabeth. Also would like to know where he is buried.

genealogy chat for northwestern Illinois and those Pennsylvania counties whose citizens helped settle this area. Monday evening at 8pm CST (9pm EST) at www.freeportillinois.com/index3.htm See you then, Lou Cook (ps I may be a bit late, I have a meeting, but you all settle in and chat without me.) _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com.

Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Whiteside/724 Surname: ELLER ------------------------- In 1874, a Reverand Martin Eller officiated a marriage in Jordan Township, listing himself as a Minister of the Gospel. Can anyone provide me with the name of the church for which he practiced. The marriage took place at the bride's parents home. Respond to Herb Steltzer at [email protected]

Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Whiteside/723 Surname: Doolittle, Harvey ------------------------- Is anyone familiar with Augustus DOOLITTLE family that lived in Sterling, Whiteside Co in the 1860`s,1870`s and 1880`s. There was some connection with the Oscar HARVEY family that also lived in Sterling.

Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Whiteside/722 Surname: Graham, Harvey ------------------------- When Jemima GRAHAM HARVEY wife of Oscar N. HARVEY died suddenly in Sterling, Whiteside County in January 1865, she left children. One of those children was my great grandmother Frances Mae HARVEY. Who were and where are the decendants of the other child or children of Jemima and Oscar HARVEY? Oscar HARVEY then married Ellen DOYLE in November 1866. Does anyone have information on this?

Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Whiteside/721 Surname: sebring, seccomb ------------------------- I am wondering if anyone has information on a Sebring who was married to a Seccomb. They married in Owasco, NY and moved to ILL. There is also a Gravitt that married Stella Seccomb. Any clues? Thanks Kathleen

Would anyone on the list have access to the 1840 ILLINOIS census that would list my great-great grandfather, IRA BUCK, Page 271, (No Township Listed, ) ID# 43022735?? I need to know how many people were listed as living with him at the time. Thanks in advance for any help. Janet Crossman [email protected]

Genealogy chat for Northern Illinois and those counties in PA whose citizens helped settle Northern Illinois on Monday evening at 8pm CST (9pm EST)at www.freeportillinois.com/index3.htm Please join us. Lou Cook _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com.

Posted on: Whiteside Co. Illinois Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/Whiteside/719 Surname: Turney ------------------------- I am from a possible connecting Turney line. For Ohio Turneys you might contact Marianne Turney at [email protected] Now if you have any questions about Turneys in Illinois in early years - say 1820-1850 or so - I might be able to help you. Mary Turney Miller [email protected]