I am looking for infomation about George and Matilda Graham Finley, residents of Deer Creek,Woodford County Illinois from around 1860-1920. Georges brothers William, John, and Robert were also residents of Illinois during this period. George had a farm where the present Allison cemetery is either located on or adjacent to it. George and Matilda are both buried in Allison cemetery. If anyone comes across newspaper clippings, ect about George and his family I would greatly appreciate it if you would pass it my way. They were both members of the Methodist church in Deer Creek. I really enjoy this email loop and reading about other families in this area. Thank you! Cindi Finley Davis

I don't have as much time as Amy does to hunt dead relatives, nor do I have her resources. However, my cousin was able to get microfilms of the Metamora Herald. She sent me copies of the pages where our relatives are mentioned (Pedrick, Holstman, Schoon, Schlimmer, Demange, Renken). Since she copied the area around the articles, I've got other juice tidbits from the paper -- high school programs, home bureau articles, church news, etc. If anyone has any names they want me to look for, I'd be glad to do it. No one sneezed in town without it being written about in the paper. I've got pages from 1934 up to 1939, with a sprinkling of 1961. Is anyone besides Amy listening? Anyone got Lowpoint or Germantown roots like I do? Anyone have family that attended the St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Benson? Anyone GRADUATED from Metamora High School like I did? Is ANYONE out there? Let's get talkin'. Barbara Pedrick Bray Sandy, UT p.s. to Amy: Thanks for all the help you've given me. You're the best! Now if we can only figure out our connection to each other . . .

Correction to the post I just sent about Folkers and Janssens and Tjadens... "Harmke TJADEN FOLKERS was a brother to my gggrandfather, Tjade/Charles TJADEN" Ummmm, Harmke was NOT his brother. Otherwise SHE would not have been capable of cranking out seven children. Sorry about that. Harmke was a female and was my ancestor's sister. Amy atjaden@mindspring.com

*** Minonk News Supplement, Minonk, Woodford Co, IL Friday, February 15, 1895 Matrimony Mr Wert Folkers and Miss Lizzie Johnson were united in marriage at the Lutheran church, Thursday, February 14th, 1895, Rev. Ficken officiating. After the ceremony the guests were served with an elegant wedding dinner at the residence of the groom's parents, Mr and Mrs Charles Folkers. The bride is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Wilke Johnson, living 2 miles south of this place. These young people are well and favorably known in these parts, and ye scribe joins with their many friends in wishing them much happiness. The groom has rented a farm near Woodford, where they will be at home to their friends in the near future. A grand free ball was given in the hall in the evening. *** Weert Folkers was the son of Garrelt/Charles Weert and Harmke Harms TJADEN FOLKERS. This marriage notice says that Lizzie was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Wilke JOHNSON. In 1910 Weert and Lizzie were included in the census as living in Clayton Twp, Woodford Co. He is listed as Wert and she is listed as Elizabeth. I would imagine her surname at birth was likely JANSSEN. Does anyone know any more about Elizabeth and her parents and/or siblings? Harmke TJADEN FOLKERS was a brother to my gggrandfather, Tjade/Charles TJADEN, and I like to try to get the skinny on all the twigs in the branches. Thanks in advance for any tidbits, pointers on where to look for more tidbits, etc. Amy Robbins-Tjaden atjaden@mindspring.com

>From the Minonk News, Minonk, Woodford Co, Illinois Thursday, January 3, 1901 Obituary. Reinhard, son of Mr and Mrs John Janssen, was born May 8, 1900, and died Dec. 30, 1900 of lung fever. Funeral services were held from the home at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1st. Rev. Nauerth conducted the services. John Meninga. John Tammen Meninga was born Oct. 2, 1833 in Surus (sic) in Amt Emden, Germany. He was married to Gretje Gronfeld in 1849, and came to America in 1850, locating in Woodford county. He afterward moved to Chicago and lived there five years, then came to Minonk where he has since lived. He was taken ill some time ago with cancer of the stomach, and death came to his relief Sunday, Dec. 30, 1900. The funeral was held at the Lutheran Church Tuesday, Jan. 1st, 1901, at 2:30 p.m. He leaves a wife and three nephews to mourn his loss. For many years he was warden at the German church. He was an upright man and a worthy citizen. Had a Fainting Spell. Mrs James Ridge had a fainting spell Sunday, and was unconscious probably a half hour. She was getting dinner, and the last she remembers was going to the west window to see if Mr Ridge was coming from church. She fell in the kitchen and was found there by Mr Ridge and his son William about half past 12 o'clock. A physician was sent for and stimulants given, but it was some time before she revived. While feeling quite weak, she is somewhat improved at this writing. The Chicago Excursion. The Santa Fe run (sic) an excursion train to Chicago Saturday and the following persons went up to the Windy City: Frank and Lucy Rapkoich, Mr and Mrs James Munnis, and children, Mr and Mrs C. S. Fuller, Mr and Mrs Ed Goodwin, Josiah Kerrick, Ollie Tucker, James Kerrick, Andy Worst, J. H. Golden, Miss Nellie Golden, Miss Kathleen Golden, Ed., Willie and Joe Stimpert, Wm. Janssen, K. L. Ames, Charles Horneman, Charles Durre, I. S. Rose. and Mrs O. A. Newton.

Minonk News Supplement, Minonk, Woodford Co, IL Friday, February 15, 1895 Washburn Gus Extrum is visiting Charles Hollenback. Charles Hollenback, of Fairbury, is visiting his parents. Ambrose Buckingham called at the county seat Thursday. Some 26 of our citizens went to Chicago Saturday to attend the water carnival. Rutland Dell Golder was a Minonk visitor Monday. Mina Howe, of Dana, was in town last Sunday. Miss Mary Charleston is now residing in Toluca. Miss Mary Barr returned last week to her home in Mt Palestine. The "Reading Circle" met at A. N. Young's on last Tuesday evening. Valentines are not as popular as usual this year, in our midst at least. Miss Amy Cooper returned last Thursday from an enjoyable visit in Peoria. Several from here expect to attend "True Blue" at Minonk next Saturday evening. Miss Ollie Mathis of Peoria, formerly of this place, is visiting friends here this week. Roy Dales and Ella O'Neil attended the "Uncle Josh Spruceby" show in Wenona last week. Mrs Mortenson and son, of Lostant, are visiting at Mr and Mrs Wm. Roe's this week. The report has been that the play given at Minonk lately is to be here next Monday evening. Among the sick this week are Roy Sutton, Maria Harris, Mrs Morris, Mr Cushley and Mrs Cumrine. A committee has been sent out to solicit for the miners here as they have been in a very alarming condition. Mr James Shockley, who visited here about a year ago, has taken up his abode in our community. He came from Missouri. A miner named Lyons was found in his room one day last week frozen to death. Some think it was on account of sickness, others believe not. Frank Signor is now in Tonica. He was back on a visit soon after his departure, however. Guess there isn't much attraction though, to hear Sade talk. Mr and Mrs Walter Graves, who have been occupying one of the Ames residences, moved out to one of Stewart Webber's farms and will work there this year for Mr Webber. The social given at Mr and Mrs J. P. Marker's on last Friday evening was a success. The crowd did not disperse until a late hour, as they were late in arriving on account of church services. A week ago last Monday night several negroes walked to town from Toluca in search of employment. They suffered much from the cold and some of them froze their feet badly. They were taken care of for a few days when they started again. The strike of the Brooklyn street cars has been one of the most stubborn, expensive and disastrous on record. Bloodshed and death were features of it, as they have been of most other great strikes; utter failure was the result of it, as it has been the result of all its most notable predecessors. Be it distinctly understood that there was no slur whatever meant in our last week's items. Very sorry that such an insulting response should result from those two items, just because they happened to be so arranged by the editor. They were not sent in so, and besides it is not our practice to intentionally create hard feelings among friends.

Minonk News Supplement, Minonk, Woodford Co, IL Friday, February 15, 1895 Benson Herman Meier sold out his saloon to Geo. Fakir Tuesday. Sore eyes seem to be the prevailing affliction to these parts. F. W. Linnemann did business in Minonk the first part of the week. Four car loads of hogs were shipped to Chicago from this place Monday. Jho. B. Memmen and Sam Duncan made a business trip to Minonk Monday. "Link" Abrahams returned home from a few days visit in Peoria and Pekin. John Keiser, of Lee county, spent a few days with relatives here and in this vicinity. Grain is beginning to move a little, and of course money is not quite as hard to get hold of. Miss Dora, daughter of Jno. T. Miller, of Greene township, is reported very sick at this writing. Herman Timmerman, of Oceola, Ia, visited friends and relatives here and in this vicinity this week. Fred Seiple and Miss Sarah Deiple were married at the St Joseph Catholic church in Peoria Tuesday, the 12th, returning home Thursday. About twelve young couples from here enjoyed a surprise party at the residence of Mr and Mrs Cal. Hoff, 3 miles west of here Wednesday evening. It is curious that some people can tell a straight-faced lie and still claim they are christians. We have a few of them in this place and notice that they are first-class workers for Satan. [Amy's note: Yikes! Someone was not having a good day!]

>From The Minonk News Minonk, Woodford Co, IL 25 February 1887 Woodford John Baughman's little son Alfred while shelling corn with a hand sheller, on Saturday last, the handle caught his arm, breaking it. Dr. Blanchard dressed it. Lyman Reed of Cruger, Ill. visited his brothers Joseph and Jonathan this week. Mrs Williams and son of Cordovia, Kan, is visiting at Pat McGrail's. John Baughman and Ed Engel returned from the wild west after an absence of about one year. They have their claims proved up all solid. Their many friends and they have a goodly number of them welcome them back again. John expects to return again soon but Ed will remain at home the coming season. Miss B. E. Breen visited her parents Saturday and Sunday, returning to Normal, where she is attending school, Monday. What dark, damp, dreary, dismal weather! It makes a "feller" feel as though he was struck with small pox or his mother-in-law, just returned from an extended tour, had come to stay. Jonathan and Tammen are fast friends now Mr John Phillips of Chenoa visited his brother M. S. Phillips this week. Benson John Groves of Collum spent a few days with friends and relatives last week. He seemed glad to see the old home place. N. Eisenhauer, proprietor of the Woodford tile works, was on our streets Saturday. Louis was on the hog trade last Saturday. What is Lucius doing? Jim seems to delight in asking for his mail. Oh yes, I remember. We see Juergen Harms has his houshold goods and also his store building advertised for sale. Ho for the west. J. H. Woltzen intends going west, then he can sing, "The girl I left behind me." I wonder what the Roanoke correspondent takes a ground-hog for? Ferd is coming out all right again. He is death on cards. Our new street lamps loom up as bright as the evening star. The cry has been water, water. I [unreadable] their cries have been answered. Samuel Kindig and sister Barbara spent a few days with relatives this week. Our Benson well digger is a brave fellow. Call on John Fry if you want bargains in all kinds of things. Ed has taken boarding with another party. I guess he thinks there is no use keeping two fires when one will do. May success be yours. Mr A. W. Forney took a trip to Minonk Friday. There was a racket here Saturday night. Be careful, Frank Monk came home. Our representative, A. H. Brubker, arrived here Monday on train No. 1 from Minonk. Anna Memmen has quit school for a few days. The teacher of the primary department is on the sick list this week. East Woodford Here we are again. More rain. This will help our wells once more. H. W. Uden & Co were out north last Saturday, shelling corn. A. J. Fransen has begun cutting down the big hedge running north and south on the Fort farm. J. J. Folkers has bought of Tom Okinga his 80 acre farm for $50 per acre. Mr Okinga will remain this year on it and then go west. That is right. Tom: you and your boys want more room and land. H. W. Uden says he and Porter Bros. will be on the road in a week or two to buy cattle. The latter are extensive farmers and cattle feeders in McLean Co. The McGrail brothers are going to do more tiling this spring. That's right, boys; let your neighbors do likewise. J. C. Reed has quite a hard time of it this winter. His wife is all crippled up with rheumatism, while he hobbles along with a sore back. He thinks it is Bright's disease or some kidney disorder. F. P. Danforth must be saving his windmill, for we have not seen the wheel turn once during this long winter.

> > > > > > > Hi all > > > > > > Looking for further informaiton on the Charlotte and Lucretia Collins > > > families. THey both married Lanton/Lantern's, brothers, Thomas marr > > 1840ish > > > and Henry marr 1851. Henry may have been previously married to Mary > > Devault. > > > Son Joseph b. 1842, dau Martha J..b 1848 > > > > > > this family was found in Rutherford co TN 1850 census with mother > Mourning > > > Lanton b 1773 NC. Collins line was probably there in rutherford before > > this, > > > as the lantern /lanton/lantron/lantrom lines was there by atleast 1830 > but > > > after 1800. > > > > > > Thomas Lanton and wife Charlotte went to Carmi, white co IL then to > > > Carbondale, saline co IL. after 1860. > > > > > > Still looking for Henry and Lucretia Collins Lantern/lantron/lanton. May > > > have gone to IN??? His Son did, probably passing through posey co, then > > into > > > IL later, in the Carbondale IL, williamson co area. then to woodford co > > > Minonk IL where son Joseph settled adn later died and is buried > > > > > > > > > Henry and Lucretia also could be linked to MS accord to oral family > > history > > > there was something to do with MS, maybe a sibling. > > > > > > The Henry and Thomas had brothers, Lewis, Joseph, Jesse, sisters > Elizabeth > > > married a POE and sister Lucy married a Blackwell. > > > > > > Woudl love to find the any links to these lines. > > > > > > Thanks > > > Kathy > > > > > >

Peoria is also a good resource for information regarding Woodford County. There is a historical society there, and a library also that has microfilm of old newspapers. Good luck-I like Eureka, too. Eleanor Gibson

Those of you who have been experiencing problems with the county website query submission form, the problem has been corrected and is working properly as of this morning. The url is: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilwoodfo/index.htm scroll down to the submit a query link which will direct you to the query submission form. When making a submission, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM COMPLETELY. Thank you. Tammy Woodford County Coordinator __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/

For those of you who have been experiencing broken links to the county website's homepage, the link has been fixed and is now working properly. The URL is http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilwoodfo/index.htm __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/

Hi List, Will try this again. So far have had no luck. Looking for: John Miller b abt. 1812 to US 1858 from Hesse Darmstadt, Ger. wife Elizabeth b abt 1814 Children: GEORGE MUELLER b 29 Sep 1844 hesse Darm. marr 3 Sep 1874 Washington, Tazewell, IL. Died 16 May 1928 Hudson,KS. Peter Miller b abt 1846 Hesse Darm. marr. Josephine? prob. lived in Paxton, Ford, IL. Mary Miller b abt 1848 Hesse Darm. Jacob Miller b abt 1850 marr. Minnie? prob lived in Washington, IL. Daniel Miller b abt 1852 . George went by Mueller the rest used Miller, I think. Would really like to find some more of my family. First found them 1860 woodford co, census. Debbie

Amy, I was there a few weeks ago-went to the historical society. It's right across the street from the library, on what becomes 117. (Don't know the name of street) They might be able to help. You need to be sure they are open. If they aren't, you can call ahead and someone will meet you there. They would probably know where you could buy books. They were also helpful at the library. They gave me a map of the city to copy. I had another experience when I was there a couple of years ago that blew my mind. I was tramping around the Olio Township Cemetery, which is in Eureka, looking at all the graves, left and drove back into town, and parked to go into a place for lunch. When I came out, there was a woman in a pick-up truck parked by my car. My first thought was "uh oh, what did I run over", but it turned out that she was the manager (or what every you call the person in charge of a cemetery). She had noticed me wandering around, and just wanted to know if she could help. Having lived in much bigger cities most of my adult life, I was amazed! So, if you have somebody you think might be in that cemetery, you are in luck. Ellen Rowan Taylor ROWAN,COLBURN,ROBINSON, AYERS, SCHEFFLER in Woodford County My experience at the court house was wonderful. They were very nice and helpful. > > Subject: [ILWOODFORD] visiting WC #2 > Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2001 22:08:49 -0400 > From: "Amy Robbins-Tjaden" <atjaden@mindspring.com> > To: ILWOODFO-L@rootsweb.com > > For any locals on the list, would you be able to tell me if there's anywhere in the county where I could buy books on Woodford Co? Preferably old ones but new ones would be okay, too. I didn't run across any bookstores the last time I was there but, then again, how much business would they get in the middle of any of the cemeteries I was in?? <grin> > > Is Bloomington my best bet? New or old section? Are there any lovely bookstores hidden away in other places that might fit the bill? > > Thanks again! > > Amy Robbins-Tjaden > atjaden@mindspring.com

For any locals on the list, would you be able to tell me if there's anywhere in the county where I could buy books on Woodford Co? Preferably old ones but new ones would be okay, too. I didn't run across any bookstores the last time I was there but, then again, how much business would they get in the middle of any of the cemeteries I was in?? <grin> Is Bloomington my best bet? New or old section? Are there any lovely bookstores hidden away in other places that might fit the bill? Thanks again! Amy Robbins-Tjaden atjaden@mindspring.com

(Includes descendants of Christian Gish (1792 Botetourt Co, VA - 1882 Woodford Co, IL) and dozens of his ancestors back to the early 1600s). A N N O U N C I N G STOVER BRETHREN The Family of Elder William Stover of Antietam Richard R. Weber, 2001 PREMIUM-quality hard cover 702 pages 7" x 10" ACID-FREE paper ILLUSTRATED Over 13,000 individuals in nine generations NOTES & REFERENCES, BIBIOGRAPHY, and complete personal name INDEX PRICE $ 46.50 + $ 3.25 shipping & handling TOTAL $ 49.75 Maryland residents please add sales tax of $2.33 Send check or money order to: Richard R. Weber 10715 Moosberger Ct. Columbia, MD 21044 Elder William Stover of Antietam, Franklin Co, PA is FOUND in Europe and at several locations in America. His children, George, William, Michael, Daniel, Jacob, Emanuel, Margaret Britz, Elizabeth Stoner, Susannah Gish, Catharine Gish, Hannah Landis, and Esther Feaster were born in the 1740s through 1760s; they scattered to five states. Includes the descendants of William Stover, his ancestors back to 1609, as well as his uncles, aunts, siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews both in Europe and in many counties of America. VERIFIED BY EXTENSIVE PRIMARY EVIDENCE Thousands of original European and American records, extending back into the 1600s, some reproduced in the book Genealogy without valid documentation is mythology. GROUNDBREAKING DISCOVERIES Disproving myths of the past True date and place of William Stover's birth Correct immigration date of William Stover The wives of William Stover William Stover's first cousin neighbor 22 forgotten ancestors of William Stover's descendants EXHAUSTIVE RESEARCH reveals links with many people, places, and events, including: Arrest order for William Stover's ancestor Christopher Saur, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Mack, Jr. Numerous ministers of the Brethren & other churches A. Stover, reputed originator of the Indiana term Hoosier Mayor Stover of Hagerstown; Mayor Stover of Chambersburg Stover died 1847 in Vera Cruz, Mexico Brothers serving the Confederacy & the Union Stover descendant served both Confederacy & Union Stover descendant died 1864 at Andersonville Prison A drowning in Honduras Among many virtuous descendants, a few black sheep: One hanged in Salem One a bigamist One court-martialled One stabbed in a card game WITH MANY ALLIED FAMILIES, including 24 or more people with each of these, and a few other, surnames: Adams, Anderson Barnhart, Beckner, Benedict, Bish, Bock, Bowman, Britz/Britts, Brown, Carvin, Coffman, Custer, Deardorff, Eby, Fahrney, Fisher, Flora, Frantz, Funk, Gish, Good, Grove, Harris, Hess, Hollinger, Johnson, Kinsey/Kintze/Kinzey/Kinzie, Landis/Landes, Long, Looney, Martin, Meyer/Moyer, Miller, Mitchell Montgomery, Moomaw, Myers, Naff/Neff, Noffsinger/Nofsinger, Oyler, Peffley/Pefley, Peters, Pobst, Price, Reed, Rhoads/Rhodes, Robinson, Royer, Sollenberger/Sellenberg, Shank, Sheller, Smith, Snider/Shyder, Snodgrass, Stoner, Thompson, Vineyard, Waggoner/Wagner, Wampler, Weaver,Weber, Welty, Wilson, Winger/Wingert, Wolf, Ziegler/Zigler A GIFT TO BE REMEMBERED

Hi-- A spur-of-the-moment decision to visit my grandmother on her 93rd birthday will find me in Woodford Co sometime next week. Being me, I'd also like to try to get some genealogy done while I'm there. The problem is, I'll be going with my sister and my daughter, neither whom could give a rat's fanny for researching the family tree. Keeping in mind that I'll maybe only be able to squeeze in a few hours for researching, what would any of you who are in the know about Woodford Co suggest I don't miss? I will go to the Eureka Courthouse, even if I have to hijack my own car. Thanks for any suggestions! Amy atjaden@mindspring.com amy@tjaden.com

My ggrandfather, Louis Oster, arrived in Woodford County sometime before 1857 from Landroff, Lorraine, France which is south east of Metz. He married Susan nee Harmon Mathis in Nov of 1857 in Spring Bay. They are listed on the Spring Bay 1860 census with his name misspelled as Oyster. I haven't yet found when he entered the country. In about 1869 they moved to Iroquois County.

Yes, My ggrandparents, Frederick and Barbara (Sommer) Metz arrived sometime in the early 1850's from the town of Sundheim across the Rhine River from Strasbourg. For a map see my web site at http://users.erols.com/gpuccini/metz2.htm . They apparently settled first in St. Louis, so I suspect they may have sailed from Germany to New Orleans and come up the Mississippi. They are found in Metamora Township in the 1860 census, but moved to Livingston County by 1870. According to a letter handed down by a previous family genealogist, they were persecuted because of their religious beliefs and I have reason to believe they were Dunkards. Their daughters married into the Weihemiller and Voelpel families, the sons into the Meenen (3 of them), King, Verkler families. I'm descended from their son Frederick and Lydia King. Stan Wrobel swrobel@ragingbull.com -----Original Message----- From: John E Fischer [mailto:fischerj@one.net] Sent: Monday, July 23, 2001 12:59 AM To: ILWOODFO-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [ILWOODFORD] 1850-1856 German Immigrants??? Does anyone on this list have German immigrants, particularly from Baden-Wurtemberg or near by that came to America between about 1850 and 1856 and settled in or near Woodford County? Who, When Where and How? My ggrandfather August Fischer and his wife Magdalena Stortz came at about that time and I'd like to know if they perhaps traveled with friends. John E Fischer Cincinnati OH

Does anyone on this list have German immigrants, particularly from Baden-Wurtemberg or near by that came to America between about 1850 and 1856 and settled in or near Woodford County? Who, When Where and How? My ggrandfather August Fischer and his wife Magdalena Stortz came at about that time and I'd like to know if they perhaps traveled with friends. John E Fischer Cincinnati OH