Julie, WGGS(Will-Grundy Geneaolgy Society)has done transcriptions of SOME cemeteries in will county. They have also transcribed SOME happenings of the Will County Pioneers Assoc. from newspapers into the booklets I mentioned. Cyrus Bronson was in the civil war as Cyrus M.Bronson recruit Co.H 8 IL US Cav residence was listed as greenwood Cyrus Maxwell Bronson married will county Plethynia L. Gay 21 oct 1850. quite early,could be his father didn't come here. there's an Eliel S. Bronson marr. will county to Elizabeth B. Alden 28 dec 1859 also. These two probably related. Did you get Cyrus'death date from the probate record and then go get his obit? Might have some family history in obit. Sarah bought land-did you check for a probate record for her? Women had probate records too. Look for something called "proof of heirship" or letters of administration. That's where you might find helpful bits. "insane" in 1860 census. Well,if it was in will county that would mean that he was sent to kankakee county. That's were the mental institution was. "insane" in 1860 census-did you check to see if there were guardianship papers set up for his children. Did a court declare h9im insane? check for that record. Also for Minors records(children protected by the court). Kathy z.

Hi Julie I guess that I did this first note wrong. Hope you get this note this time. Bev Teague

Hi Julie How much do you know about this Lydia Pierce? Why I ask is that my George Hamilton married a Mary V. Pierce. She was supposed to have been born in Canada/Fr by the census. They had a daughter named Lydia who married my great grandfather Frank Jasper Clinton. The Pierce family and the Hamilton had to lived around Will CO. as that is were Frank Jasper Clinton and Lydia were married in 1892. Lydia was supposed to have been born in Clifton, Canada.in 1892. Which have not been able to find. Just thought that I would ask because of the names. Bev Teague

Hi Prscilla, could the name be spelled DILLMAN? Have you tried to see if there is a probate record for Michael in whatever county he died in?That would list survivors and his date of death plus many other things 1878 history of will county DILLMAN & Co.,a manfufacturing company started in Plainfield township in 1849 as a foundry & machine shop. Moved to Joliet in 1863 and until 1867 owned by the original proprietors. In 1867 became Joliet Manufacturing company by a merger with a stock company.A.H.SHREFFLER president,L.E.DILLMAM treasurer,E.C.DILLMAN secretary. Speciality making of corn shellers. Have made in the past-reapers,mowers and plows. employ 25 to 80 men,capital stock $69,000,factory in joliet near the Michigan Central RR Depot. There are a few DILLMAN's listed in will county death index died joliet buried oakwood cem.,joliet-contact that cem.None of these have a given name that matches yours. One listed as having died in plainfeild buried plainfeild in 1878 cornelius a. age 12 years old died 7 ajn. a mary H. age 72 yr died 20 feb 1899 in joliet buried oakwood a maria age 67yr8m1d died 13 jan 1901 joliet buried oakwood. kathy z.

Hi Dave, Simeon B. TYLER father of Albert Henry was also born in Bethel,Sullivan Co.,NY 23 feb 1811,he was a Baptist and Republican.Followed the Carpenters trade. His two sons Alfred H. and Albert H. served in the civil war 100th Illinois Vol. Infantry which means you can get Albert's civil war record and pension from the national archives. Might have some info for you. Also if you don't have albert henry's death- will graundy genealogy society has will county death index 1877-1915 AND illinois state death index(1915-1945) have you tried getting obit on anna for Plainfield or Joliet Public Lib.? Have you tried getting probate records for albert henry or his wife Anna from will county? Have you contact the cem. assoc. in plainfield? I have a small original lithograph from the 1873 atlas of will county of S.B. TYLER's farm in wheatland twp sc. 36. If you are interested in this print,please contact me directly. Kathy Z

Hi Julie, Will Grundy Genealogy society collection is at the fossil ridge library in braidwood,illinois that's why you couldn't find it. mailing address is P.O.box 24,wilmington,ill 60481 check will county site for info and addresses for will county historical society and joliet has one too I think. joliet public library has the transcriptions in booklets for the Will County Pioneers might have them check those. If you have a death location for your ancestor, have you tried to locate his probate record in that county? Kathy

Kathy...thanks for your response....no wonder we couldn't find a genealogy society while in Joliet....it isn't there. Thanks for that info. Maybe I can get back there again...about a 6 hour drive and search myself...or at least send a querry in a letter. I will see if the library can do a search for a couple names for me and see what comes up with the Pioneers. I take it that by Transcriptions in Bookletts, you mean cemetery transcriptions???? As to probate records....agh...while at the courthouse in Will Co, we did look for probates. I found one for Cyrus BRONSON...it was pretty confusing, and gave no clue to his life before Will Co, Illinois. I have found him on the IGI I believe...and his father was a Simeon..though there is no more info on him other than that. There was nothing for this Titus BRONSON of Will Co either. As my my own ancestor, Pierce B. BISSELL, he supposedly died in Rock Island Co, about 1870. However..there is no probate there for him either. After their move BACK to Rock island from Will Co.....he appears in the census as head of house, but he never again owned land in his own name....only his wife bought and sold the land. I have half suspected that he might have not been living with him...as his occupation was that of a peddlar,but, while in Joliet, he was a Cooper. A Peddlar would be a good cover for him having taken off from the family and gone west. The 1860 census indicates one very strange entry....that he was "insane due to religious excitement". The family has often thought he might have been in a mental institution, but I don't. I highly suspect he converted to Mormanism...and may have indeed gone west...maybe even intending to either send for the family, or come back after them. Interestingly, they had kids right up until their move back to Rock Island....but....not one more kid after that. He and his wife, Sarah, were both in their younger middle years...so that bolsters my speculation that he wasn't actually around or there would have been more kids. However, I stand alone in the family with this theory....but it sure looks obvious to me. Anyway...no probate...nothing....our only hope of finding his parentage, is to try to link him with people of the areas where he was living. The Titus BRONSON fellow is a very strong possibility and....another in Joliet in 1850 is Levi COLE, in his 80s, from Cheshire Co, Westmoreland, NH....he was the father of Arathusia (Mrs. Elijah) DOOLITTLE. Levi Cole and daughter appear on the page or so preceeding Pierce Bissell. Levi Cole is ALSO a Cooper. And....we know that he was known to have been in Watertown, Jefferson Co, NY before his move to Joliet...as were the Doolittles. And...Bissells occurr there in Watertown , just a page or two away also. There is more info on this Levi Cole fellow to further suggest a linkage with Pierce Bissell. Levi Cole's first wife was a Lydia PIERCE and Levi's mother was named Lois. Pierce Bissell named one of his daughters Lois also. I have suspected that Lydia Cole may have married a Bissell and had Pierce B. Bissell...so far unproven. So...a new question would be if anyone had more info on the Levi Cole family. The ancestral file gives quite a bit...but of course...there is nothing further on the one child, Lydia, from his first marriage. I hold out hope that somebody will eventually recognize this and have a tidbit to throw to us. Thank heavens for computers and the internet....this has been a 25 plus year search involving a lot of people....but the above progress only happened after genealogy on line has proliferated. Gosh...sorry to have gone on so....I always have a hard time saying something ~short~. Julie Bissell Tupker > > Hi Julie, > Will Grundy Genealogy society collection is at the fossil ridge library in > braidwood,illinois that's why you couldn't find it. > mailing address is P.O.box 24,wilmington,ill 60481 > check will county site for info and addresses for will county historical > society and joliet has one too I think. > joliet public library has the transcriptions in booklets for the Will County > Pioneers might have them check those. > If you have a death location for your ancestor, have you tried to locate his > probate record in that county? > Kathy >

Priscilla I have an Elizabeth Dillman that married Andrew Shreffler in June 1849. They lived in Joliet. Norm Shreffler

Hi folks... I am searching for information on the ancestors of Ann Louisa DUNLAP, born 28 Oct 1842 in Bethel, Sullivan County, NY. I believe her father was Wilson DUNLAP. The DUNLAP family must have moved to Will County sometime before 1866, because Ann Louisa married Albert Henry TYLER in Wheatland on 19 September 1866. Ann Louisa died 20 July 1922, and is buried in the Plainfield Cemetery. If anyone has info on Ann's parents and ancestry, I would greatly appreciate your help. Thanks. Dave Tyler Fort Worth, TX

Hi - My name is Marge Kennedy, are you related to any of the McGrath's from Wilton Center or Manhattan? My grandfather was Edward McGrath from Wilton Center, buried in Wilmington. His father was Bryon McGrath buried in Manhattan. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2000 4:30 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ILWILL-L] Will Co. History Hi Ida, I am researching SINGLETON and RATHKE, in Will & Grundy Counties. Is there any mention of either of these names in your Will County History? What time period does it contain? Also, how could I go about purchasing a copy of the Will Co. History? Thanks in advance, Daryl McGrath

Hi - I'm researching the McGrath's and who is Daryl McGrath. The McGrath's are from Wilton Center, Manhattan and Wilmingtonl Marge Kennedy -----Original Message----- From: Ida B. Wiese [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2000 5:00 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ILWILL-L] Will Co. History Sorry Daryl, but no Singletons or Rathkes in the Will Co Hist. It covers from the earliest settlers to 1878. It was reprinted as a bicentennial project by the Will Co Genealogical Society, and I got my copy from them about 20 years ago. I don't know if they still sell it or not. Wish I could have helped. Ida > I am researching SINGLETON and RATHKE, in Will & Grundy Counties. > Daryl McGrath > >

In the 1840 census of Will Co, Lockport, page 352 there was listed a Titus Bronson. Also on the same page was a William Bronson who was probably related. I have seen also a Cyrus Bronson written up in a book in the Joliet Library while visiting. However, there was no mention of this Titus Bronson or William, in the family lineage. I also checked Will Co wills and probates...but thisTitus doesn't appear there either...though he was not in the 1850 census of Will Co...nor anywhere else I can find. I do have a Titus Bronson across the state in 1840...actually in Davenport, Iowa, Scott Co..which is just across the river from Rock Island, Illinois. This Titus Bronson was the founder of Kalamazoo, Michigan and hailed from Waterbury , CT, Talmadge, Ohio , Stephenson Co, Illinois and of course, Scott Co, Iowa (and Rock Island for a short time)..and was quite a bit older than the one in Will Co. He appears in the 1850 census of Rock Island with his daughters and family. Still....there must be a relationship between the two Tituses, as it is a name used in the Bronson family of CT. Titus of Kalamazoo had a bunch of brothers..and I was hoping the Will Co Titus was a son of one of his brothers...maybe a Leonard Bronson. Does anyone have any info in a local history book that mentions Titus..or shows a grave listing for him ...where I might get some clues. My hope is to establish a relationship of Titus...either or both...to my gg grandfather, Pierce B. Bissell , who lived in Rock Island in 1839 till early 1850 and then moved to Joliet to appear in the 1850 census...and then back to Rock Island again by 1853. I am hoping someone might have something I missed in the library. I only had about an hour to scan through material. Or, maybe someone has some info or knows of a book owned by the local genealogy society (which I never found when visiting..the library people didn't seem to have any answers for me on that either). Julie Bissell Tupker

Sansu, the following is from the will county death index on WELTER surname and of course variations in spelling WELTER margaret jungels age 30y1m5d died 10 may 1895 in frankfort twp buried homer twp WELTERS susan age 3y died 21 jan 1879 in will co. buried will co. 1878 history of will county lists under homer twp page 778 Nicholas WELTER farmer sec. 13 p.o.goodings grove was born in Moltzh,Rhenish Prussia,Germany 16 nov 1841,he lived there until he was 15 yrs. old when he came to America(1857) and first went to chicago, staying there 3 or 4 years:in 1864, he came to Will County and settled upon his farm: in 1872, kept store at Goodings Grove P.O.(this post office no longer exists) and came to where he now lives the year after. Married Maggie Meyer of Prussia in Chicago in Jan. 1862: she was born 13 apr 1843: they had 9 children-Katie born 27 oct 1863;Lina 13 oct 1864 died 11 aug 1865;Nicholas born 15 nov 1866;Lizzie 6 aug 1868:Mathew 15 sep 1869 died in oct 1874;Cecilia born 25 jan 1872;Christian 4may 1873;Susie 15 sep 1875 and Maggie 3 jul 1877. (NOTE LIZZIE born 6 aug 1868 -could that be your elizabeth?) check the surnames on the will county site under tombstone recordings. Ted just put up a surname listing that I did for Monee(will co.) St. Paul's UCC cem,manhattan twp cem.,and wilton twp cem. I know there are muellers listed. You could also use the surname helper search engine available on will county site to locate these surnames anywhere in will co. site and or illinois and or USA and or the world.

[email protected] wrote: > I am hunting for the ancestors of Elizabeth WELTER and Christian > MILLER(MUELLER). I know they were married in Will County and have date,and > that they were there during Civil War times. They then moved westward...is > anyone connected to these families...I have some Mueller info, but nothing on > ancestors in the Welter clan. Thanks in advance.. > I came across this info re: Christian Mueller. From: A Look Into the Past: Chicago Heights and Her Neighbors Statements regarding families who emigrated from Alsace: In 1842, Christian Mueller (Miller) settled in Strasburg. He had come from Ballinging, Wittenberg, Germany, and was the first blacksmith in the area. If this is the same person, you might try Cook County records also as Chicago Heights is considered Cook County. I have the same issue. My family (Reichert, Weishaar) settled in areas that were once Will County. I started searching in Will County and found nothing, but what data I have found was in Cook County records. Hope this help a bit. Good Luck Barb Bennett

Hi Everyone, I'm trying to find information on John Kidd, he was a 'Minister of the Gospel' in Joliet around 1865. He married my Great Grandparents on 4 July 1865. Does anyone know what church he was at, around that time? Caren

I just bought a copy of the History of Will County 1878 from the Higginson Book Company. (www.higginsonbooks.com) It cost 97.50 though. And this copy does not contain the Index that was put together by the Bicentennial Committee when they reprinted the book in 1973. Good Luck, Michele Houchens, Three Rivers Public Library, Minooka, IL On Sat, 22 Jan 2000 [email protected] wrote: > Hi Ida, > I am researching SINGLETON and RATHKE, in Will & Grundy Counties. Is there > any mention of either of these names in your Will County History? What time > period does it contain? Also, how could I go about purchasing a copy of the > Will Co. History? > > Thanks in advance, > Daryl McGrath > > ****************************************************************************** Michele Roberts Houchens {\"/} [email protected] {/V\} {\"/} Three Rivers Public Library {/V\} Minooka, Il. 60447 ******************************************************************************

Hello Will County Researchers! Is anyone out there researching the Dilman surname? I am interested in the family of Michael Dilman who settled in Plainfield after leaving Summit County, Ohio around 1848. I located the biography of John Conrad Dilman, son of Micheal, in the 1878 History of Will County. I am especially interested in the name of Michael Dilman's wife. I think she may have later married John Mottinger. Does anyone have any information about this family? Priscilla Caris

I am hunting for the ancestors of Elizabeth WELTER and Christian MILLER(MUELLER). I know they were married in Will County and have date,and that they were there during Civil War times. They then moved westward...is anyone connected to these families...I have some Mueller info, but nothing on ancestors in the Welter clan. Thanks in advance.. Sansu

Charles Gatliff and Christina Gatliff bought land near Lockport in 1835. Thomas Cornelius Gatliff was living "near Lockport" in 1834. Since the 1840 census is not available, can someone tell me how I can find more information on this family? I need to establish the relationship between Christina and the other Gatliffs.---Ron

I don't have that name in my database, but there were lots of Royces in Will Co. Some went on to Minnehaha Co.,SD, some to Pottawattomie Co.,IA. The ones I know around 1871 are mainly from my husband's line so there must be many others I don't know about. Barbara