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Welcome to Our Brick Wall If interested, please send your posting to
Janine, the host of this website, Rose's Brick Wall Rufus Milo Messenger who lived in the area of Peoria, IL in 1836. He help his brother in law Clark Whitman Stanton build the first county courthouse. He was married to Elizabeth Ann Barnes that married Jacob Ross Jr. after his death in 1836. Rufus was found dead in a Boarding House in Peoria. He and Eliza had two sons Chauncey Monroe Messenger and Edwin Milo Messenger. (posted June 2, 2008) Rose's email Phoebe's Brick Wall My husband’s family lived in Brimfield and Jubilee in the 1860’s and 1870’s. The information I have is from the Adams Family Bible. I can locate them in the US Census. John Quincy Adams owned 80 acres in both townships. He died in 1873, his wife, Rebecca Adams, died in 1879. His mother, Hannah Adams lived with them in 1860 and probably also died there after 1860. An infant son John Wesley Adams died in 1869. They must all be together some place near. Where are they? Rebecca Hartz Adams, wife of John Q Adams, had family in the area also and I do have information on them. (posted April 22, 2008) Phoebe's email
Julie's Brick Wall Seeking info on Thomas Blanchfield, who came to Peoria from Ireland about 1852. He married Anne Whalen, also from Ireland, in 1856 in Peoria County. 1860 census show them in Radner(?). 2 of their children were born in Peoria. Anastatia S. Blanchfield and Edward Blanchfield. Any info on the Blanchfield's or Whalen's would be most appreciated. Thank you! (posted Feb. 17, 2008) Julie's email
Julie's Brick Wall Seeking info on Thomas Blanchfield, who came to Peoria from Ireland about 1852. He married Anne Whalen, also from Ireland, in 1856 in Peoria County. 1860 census show them in Radner(?). 2 of their children were born in Peoria. Anastatia S. Blanchfield and Edward Blanchfield. Any info on the Blanchfield's or Whalen's would be most appreciated. Thank you! (posted Feb. 17, 2008) Julie's email
Jan's Brick Wall Oliver Perry Harper was born in 1841 in Knox Co., IL. (per his Civil War records). In 1860 he is shown as living in Millbrook Twp., Peoria Co., IL with the family of Vetchee M. Cutter as a farmhand. (The census shows as Oliver H. Harper but I believe it's Oliver P. Harper). I have no census records for Oliver for 1850 and have no idea who his parents are. There are two other Harper children (girls) living with other families in Millbrook Twp. in 1860 and am wondering if they might all be of one family who was displaced when the parents passed away? Oliver P. Harper enlisted in the Civil War from Peoria Co. and was in Company C. My brick wall is, who are the parents of Oliver Perry Harper?(posted December 25, 2007) Jan's email
Lydia Eubanks (aka Anna Elizabeth Paris Eubanks) born May 4, 1847, Nicholas County, KY wife of Francis M. Eubanks of Adams County, OH, daughter of Stephen D. Paris. The 1920 census of Peoria County, IL shows Lydia living with her son, Walter U. Eubanks. Walter is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Section D, with his wife Martha. I would like to know where Lydia Eubanks (Anna Elizabeth Eubanks) is buried and when she died. Thank you so much! (posted Nov. 23, 2007) Bob's email I am looking for information on David Shuttlesworth (born about 1830, Ohio) who came to Illinois from Ohio between 1851-1855. He and his wife Diantha Henderson (born about 183, Ohio) had the following children: James Shuttlesworth b. about 1851, Ohio Anna Shuttlesworth b. about 1856, Illinois Edward Shuttlesworth born about 1859, Illinois Austin Shuttlesworth born 1 Jan 1861, Illinois Mina Shuttlesworth born 2 Jan 1867 Pekin, Illinois Marietta Shuttlesworth born 2 Feb 1870 Adda Lou (Addie) Shuttlesworth born 1872, Illinois They lived in or near Pekin, Illinois. David died sometime before 1878. Later, Diantha married John Otto and some of the family moved to Nebraska. I am willing to share all information I have. Lynn Ishii (posted August 21, 2007) Lynn's email I have been trying to find the burial place of Jane Rolfe Murray. According to land records in Peoria Co, she sold her holdings about 1866. She is living with her son Samuel Murray in 1860 but alone in the 1870 Census in Peoria City. There is no probate for her and her husband Daniel Chester Murray died in 1851 and is buried in Peoria Co...I think he is in Brimfield Cemetery along with his daughter in law Ann, wife of Clark Murray. Can anyone help me find out when Jane died and where she is buried. (posted June 4, 2007) Nancy's email
I have been
trying to research my great-great grandfather, David McKinney, who was born
October 1, 1823 in Ohio. As a young child, he and his family moved to Timber
Township and later Glasford, and the Peoria, Illinois area. David married
Bethsheba Fuller August 13, 1846. David worked as a cooper in the Peoria and
Henry areas before enlisting in the 47th Illinois Infantry-Co. A in 1861. He was
discharged, but unable to find work, so reenlisted and was discharged October
11, 1864. He and Bethsheba had seven children. While at home it is alleged that
he received several letters from a young woman he met in Columbus, Ohio while
guarding the property of the young woman’s mother who was a wealthy widow..
According to one of David’s brothers, David and the woman became intimately
acquainted and the mother suggested that they marry. He explained he was already
married and the mother said no one would have to know. In 1866, David went to
Henry, Illinois to work as a cooper and in 1867 to Fort Wayne looking for work.
During this time he continued to write letters to his family—the last letter
stated he would be returning home July 4, 1867. Shortly thereafter, two men
appeared at the home of Bethsheba telling her that David had gone to the Dakotas
on a cattle drive and had been killed by Indians near Yankton, South Dakota. In
some of David’s letters he talked about going on a cattle drive and also going
to the silver mines in Colorado. The two men returned a notebook that David kept
and also a picture of his daughter Rhuhamy. They said other things would be sent
later but they were never received. The above information is from the National
Archives records of David.
Susan's
email I'm looking for the burial place of my great grandmother Louisa FAHEY and her infant daughter. Louisa, her parents, Joseph and Adelheit OSWALD and her siblings Hugo, Adelheit (a/k/a Ida), Maria, Anna, Joseph and Frieda arrived in the US in 1870 and settled in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. Louisa and my great grandfather Thomas Patrick FAHEY were married at St. Boniface Catholic Church Peoria, Illinois on June 27, 1888. They lived on Lower Jefferson Street when Louisa gave birth to my grandfather, Harry Patrick FAYE (nee FAHEY) on May 18, 1889. The family was living on Faraday Street when, on January 18, 1891, Louisa gave birth to their daughter. I don't know the name of the daughter. It's believed that the baby daughter died soon after birth and that Louisa died later that same year. Thomas married Annie DAY on April 4, 1894 and together they had 6 children of which I'm aware. Thomas and Annie are buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Peoria, Illinois, as is Louisa's sister, Ida DILLON. Her parents are buried in Springdale Cemetery and Mausoleum, Peoria, Illinois. Louisa and her baby seem to have disappeared! I would greatly appreciate any information that may be out there...somewhere. Thank you. (posted May 12, 2006) Peggy's email
Frederick James Bush birth ? m. 1st Henrietta MacNeamer date unknown. Henrietta and Frederick were the parents of one child Lucinda Wilmuth Bush b. 10 Jan 1844 in Kingston, Peoria Co., After Lucinda was born Henrietta died the same year and Frederick m. Druzilla Clifton Egman. They were married only 4 months when Frederick died 1844/45, do not know how he died, if it were an accident or illness. Druzilla was the mother of 3 children when she married Frederick and she raised Frederick's child Lucinda. Drusilla went on to marry a 3rd time Thomas Robinson in Nov 1849
Looking for the birth date and correct death
date and parents of Frederick James Bush.
Looking for the birth date and death date of
Henrietta MacNeamer Bush. Also a marriage date.
Would like to know where this couple is buried?
If they are buried separate or together.
Anyone researching this family?
Melinda's email
(posted April 23, 2006) My great grandfather, George Otto, by folklore, was killed in a sand pit cave in, in Peoria, about 1865. I have been unable to find anything documented re his death. He was a brother to John Otto who had a family cemetery on his property and the cemetery is now unattended. I don't think George was buried there. Earl's email
(posted April 23, 2006) My problem is finding the names of the children of Joseph and Sarah Essex Goodwin. Joseph died Oct. 28,1843 in Peoria, Illinois. I know one daughter Mary Goodwin Maple is the 3rd wife of Abraham Maple. I have her death certificate giving her parents' name, information given by a son, Albert Douglas Maple, This son married a Mary Wheeler. Believe one daughter was Sarah Margaret who married Benjamin Franklin Colvin and died in Okla. No record of names of his family when they sold his property at auction. Joseph was born in Ohio and came to Peoria, according to a document with a wife and 7 children. Do not know when Sarah Essex Goodwin died or where either are buried. Is there a Goodwin Cemetery? [Information about who is buried at the Goodwin cemetery has been sent to Donna.] I believe his son to be my gr-grandfather. He is John C. Goodwin and he married Mary Browning Walker, a widow of Thomas Walker. John & Mary married in Peoria in 1862. Mary had 4 children by Thomas Walker. So far I have found son, Lorenzo Walker in Canton Illinois, Mary died in 1907 in Canton, Illinois. Buried Maple Ridge. Mary was born in Wales as was Lorenzo and her daughter Elizabeth. A son and daughter, Thomas and Emma(?) born in Illinois. Need to find them also. Thank you! Donna's email (posted March 13, 2006) I am trying to ascertain the date and location of the marriage of John Francis Murphy and Rose Hanlon. They belonged to St. Patrick's parish. Their first child of which I am aware was Thomas Henry, born Nov. 9, 1868, and baptized at St. Patrick's. Rose and two of her very young daughters, Rose Jane and Mary Agnes, were killed in the Chatsworth train wreck, August 10, 1887. John testified as to his trip to the scene of the wreck and identifying his family. I will appreciate any information about this family. Thanks, Jim Murphy (posted February 28, 2006)
Jim's
email I am looking for my baby uncle, stillborn in 1908-1910 and buried in Peoria, Ill. His father was James Vane Livesay and his mother was Gertrude Peterson/Livesay.- The baby's grandfather was Isaac Frank Peterson who died in 2-11-1920 Peoria, Ill. Buried in Limestone township. I thought the baby might be buried in a plot next to him. There was also a plot owned by Isaac Frank Peterson at Center Grove Cemetery in Tompkins Township in Warren County lot 4 block 160, in checking with them, they do not have older records so I do not know if a baby was buried there. Asking for ideas - I have been searching for this baby for years but no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! (posted on February 19, 2006) Carol's email Researching SCHIFELING (current spelling) and have hit a brick wall. Ancestors Peter and Christiana came to Peoria in 1860's. Peter died in 1870's and Christiana died in 1904. His will states Peter came from Henningen, Rhine Province, Kingdom of Prussia. I can't find any records in Germany. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! (posted on February 6, 2006) Julie's email
Hello. Researching MEYER and have truly hit a brick
wall!!! Herman MEYER m. Clara C. (her last name is listed, but illegible on their
marriage certificate. It looks like COMMITTEE?) They are both from Germany. Herman MEYER b. approx 1848 in Germany d. ? married Mary (Marie) KUHN on 18 Apr 1878 in Peoria, IL b. approx 1858 in Germany d. ? daughter of John KUHN and Magdalena RAUH or RAUGH. They both lived in Peoria, IL Their children: Benjamin b. ? d. ? William H. b. ? d. ? Edward H. b. ? d ? Clara b. 17 Feb 1878 in Peoria, IL d. 16 Oct 1972 in Peoria, IL never married Lena (possibly Magdalena) b. approx 1882 in Peoria, IL d. 1950. Buried in Lutheran Cemetery, Peoria, IL married: George HENNE b. 1882 d. 1951, buried in Lutheran Cemetery, Peoria, IL Herman H. Meyer b. 1879 in Peoria, IL d. 1940 in Peoria, buried in Lutheran Cemetery, Peoria, IL married: Kathryn ? from Indiana b. 1884 d. 1970, buried in Lutheran Cemetery, Peoria, IL Herman and Kathryn’s children: George b. ? d. ? Josephine b. approx 1907 d. ? Frederick b. approx 1914 d ? Marie b. approx 1906 d. ? married: Harvey J. Lusch b. ? d. 1955 in Chicago, IL Female MEYER – Lucille? b. ? d. ? married Joe FOSCO Female MEYER – Lucille? b. ? d. ? married A. SCHNEIDER Herman W. MEYER b. 5 May 1904 in Peoria, IL d. 1956 in Pewaukee, WI, buried in Hartland, WI married Regina Wilhelmina GOEDEN b. Sep 1903 in WI d. 1977 in WI, buried in Hartland, WI A delightful woman named Lyde helped me find some of this information, however, as you can see, I need much more. If anyone has any additional information, I would be most grateful. (posted July 31, 2006) Andreas Schmidt b Oct 12, 1836 (Prussia, Hesse-Darmstadt) Germany married Dina (Dena) George b 5 March 1849 (Prussia, Hesse-Darmstadt)
Germany He was a stone mason and was believed to have worked on the gates of St. Mary's Cemetery as well as the Cornerstone building in Peoria. Lived at 1518 Second Avenue, Peoria, Illinois. Both are buried in Springdale Cemetery. I have been looking since 1980 trying to find out what ship he came over on and most importantly WHO ARE HIS AND HER PARENTS?? I have checked Germans to America and cannot seem to find any credible possibilities. I believe they came together. My uncle knows he had a brother (JOHN SCHMIDT) who came from Buffalo NY to visit Peoria in about 1931. He was an older man (I have a photo). They had 5 children (I believe 6) that I know for sure: 1) Katherine (KATE) born 21 Sept 1874 (census shows she was born in Kansas which lends credibility to my uncle's thought that he was told they came up through New Orleans, staying in Kansas (believed to be Ft. Scott). Kate married an EVANS & buried at Springdale. 2) Carolina (CARRIE) born about 1876 according to the 1880 census also in Kansas (I have written Kansas, no record or either this or the above birth) . Married Welch or Welsh. 3) Frank Wilhelm (Will) born 21 Sept 1878 died 23 Dec 1894 (buried Christmas Day) stepped on a rusty nail & got lockjaw. Buried in Springdale Cemetery. 4) John (my grandfather) born 1 Sept 1881 Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois died 24 March 1969 Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois buried St. Mary's Cemetery. Married to Catherine (Kate) Barden 15 June 1904. (posted December 4, 2005) 5) Mary Schmidt (called Maime) was born 12 Dec 1886 (believe in Peoria, Illinois). She married Loren Smith in Illinois. Died September 1967 in Peoria, Illinois. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Debbie's email My gg grandparents John and Caroline WINKLER were married in Peoria 28 Mar 1856. John Winkler immigated from Germany in 1853 and settled in Fulton Co., IL. Caroline also was a German immigrant, but I have no idea when she came to this country or anything else about her including her surname. The marriage index lists her as Caroline MANDANS. Various other papers I have seen list her last name as MADOUSE or MATAUS. According to her obit she was born 18 Dec 1829 in Mackenburg, Germany. She died in Cuba, IL 29 Sep 1896.
She was the mother of 5 children, Albert
WINKLER, b. ca. 1858 in IL [no info after 1870]; John WINKLER, b. 24 Apr 1860
in Cuba, IL / md. Mary Jane HICKS 3 Oct 1883, McDonough Co., IL / 25 Jan 1930;
Herman WINKLER, b. 22 Apr 1862 in Cuba, IL / md. Mary Margaret "Maggie"
HENDERSON 12 Sep 1888 in Fulton Co., IL / d. 24 Jan 1936 in Cuba, IL / Anton
WINKLER [my great grandfather] b. 17 Feb 1866 in Cuba, IL / md. Cordelia Belva
"Cordie" BISHOP 31 Dec 1891 in Cuba, IL / d. 30 Jul 1896 in Huntsville, AL; and
Mary WINKLER, b. ca. 1868 in IL...no further info after 1870.
[posted on October 29, 2005]
Her life is a puzzle to me. I would appreciate any information regarding this family. Carol's email I am looking for any information that anyone would have on some of my family that was in Peoria from the early 1900-1940's. My great great grandfather, Caleb Lowers, moved his family to Peoria about 1904 from Livingston Co., IL. They lived in a rented house on Abington and NE Jefferson. My great aunt, Bessie Lowers, married a Frank Westberger and had 2 daughters. They lived on Pennsylvania at one time. They divorced and she married a Greek man, his last name was something like Silvis, but have no more info. My great grandmother, Marie Lowers, got pregnant about this time, 1905/06. I do not know who my grandmother's father was. When Marie's older brother, Ralph Lowers, was killed at the Nabisco Plant in 1919, his obituary stated she was married to a Mr. Daveon. The only Mr. Daveon I have ever been able to find in a City Directory is a Joseph Daveon from St Louis. No other info has been found. I have been seeking this info for many years now with no results. I now live in Tennessee and have no access to any public records from that area. According to what my grandmother remembers, Marie claimed to have been married to an abusive American Indian who beat her. They had 4 children together, however, when Marie decided to leave this man, she could only take my grandmother, Elveta, and would have to come for the others later, which never happened. My grandmother said she remembers a picture of she and 3 other children. I never asked the sex of the other 3 children. Supposedly after leaving her husband, Marie changed their names and my grandmother remembers traveling in trains and she remembers living in St. Louis. My great grandmother married in 1919 to Speros Christos and lived in Dixon, IL where she died in 1947. My grandmother Elveta married Les Stern and had 3 children and then married my grandfather, William Elgin, and had 6 children. They lived in Sterling, IL where she died in 1970. [posted on October 2, 2005] Any help on either my great grandmother or her sisters family would be greatly appreciated! Rick's email I have been looking for death information on my great-great grandmother Lucy Toman Johnson and her brother Patrick Toman, both of Peoria (Limestone Twp.). Both died in the period between 1885-1900.
Lucy and her husband Peter McShane Johnson came over in the summer of 1858,
landing at New York harbor on the ship Manhattan in July of that year.
Where it had been my understanding their surname was Johnson, I found them under
the name McShane instead. Peter was a coal miner and by 1860, he, Lucy,
and their children were living in Belleville, IL, (now using the Johnson
surname) but shortly thereafter moved to Limestone Twp., Peoria. They
became the parents of 8 children, born between 1852 - 1866. In January
1867, Peter was killed when a coal bank fell on him, leaving Lucy to raise their
8 children on her own. Word reached her brother in Ireland, and within the
year, Patrick Toman, his wife Margaret and their daughter Sarah joined Lucy in
Limestone Township where they are found in the 1870 census. I know Lucy
and Patrick were both alive in 1885, but both are dead by 1900. Lucy's
children were baptized at St. Mary's Catholic Church, but I have checked the St.
Mary's Catholic cemetery for them, but neither Lucy nor Patrick are buried
there. Burial records for Peter are also missing as the church did not
keep very complete records that far back. [They are not buried in St. Joseph's
Cemetery either.]
Lucy had sold her property in Limestone Twp. in the 1880s when she briefly
moved to Iowa with her daughter, but it is believed she came back to Peoria by
1900 when this daughter is once again living in the county. Patrick died
owning land and his daughter Sarah (married to Edward Brost) inherited it.
Peoria's land records are not filmed by the LDS Church so I do not know when he
died, but it was before 1900.
If anyone is related to this family or has information to help me with their
death dates and burial places, I would love to hear from you!
[posted on September 30, 2005]
Phyllis's email Judson Edwin and Marilyn Roberts would like to find more about Edwin Judson Robinson...who his parents were and where he was born. For additional information about this "Brickwall", please visit this webpage. Thank you very much! [posted on August 15, 2005] To get in touch with Marilyn please write to Kathryn
I'm looking for information about the family of my great-grandfather Christopher Hartman. I have gobs of information on him, but have been unable to find out who his parents are, or even how he arrived in the Peoria area. Christopher says in a letter that he arrived with his family in New York City from Berlin, Germany at the age of 3 (which is about 1845-1846), but nowhere else gives any information about his family or what happened to them. Christopher first appears in Trivoli Township, Peoria County, Illinois in the 1860 census living (as a farm hand) with the family of Benjamin Crane, a wealthy farmer. In 1862 he is shown enlisting to serve in the Civil War, along with a mysterious and probably related Henry Hartman, in Company D of the 86th Illinois Infantry Regiment (Col. Fahnestock of Glasford). He and Henry are mustered out in Washington, D.C. in 1865, at which point the mysterious Henry Hartman again disappears. Christopher Hartman married Abigail Hunt in 1866 and had 5 children - Charles Henry, William Lewis (my grandfather), Oluff Birtsell, Mary E. and Andrew E. S.. Christopher lived most of the rest of his life in Peoria County, Illinois until he moves into the Soldiers & Sailors Home in Quincy, Illinois. However, in late 1906, Christopher is living temporarily in Rochester, New York and writes a letter to the S. & S. Home saying in part that he is in Rochester "settling up his father's affairs" and has been told by the law firm he engaged that he should expect to be there for some time. That is the only other mention he ever makes of his family other than the reference to his coming with his family to New York City from Berlin at age 3. He remains in Rochester at least part time through 1912, then returns to the S. & S. Home. His obituary in 1928 has no information about his parents (respondent is his 3rd wife who probably knows nothing of his family). I have spent a great deal of time trying to follow the clue about his father with research in the Rochester area, including trying to find a male Hartman(n) who might have died prior to Christopher's arrival there in 1906. I've also tried to connect Christopher with other people of that name living in Peoria County and surrounding areas in the 1860 time frame and beyond with no success. I found a Christopher and Henry Hartman living in Ottawa, Illinois in that time frame but was able to eliminate them from the running. I also found the family of Heinrich Hartmann, with son Christoph, age 5, arriving in NYC from Kirchheim, Germany in 1847 but have been unable to trace them thereafter or connect them with Christopher. At this point I'm completely stumped as to what happened to Christopher's family and who exactly they were. If anyone who has any information that might help would contact me I would really appreciate it. Mel Slane's email
My great-grandmother was born about 1870, and I can find no info about her
other than a listing in the 1900 census. Marceline's email Looking for information on Halsey O. (H. O.) MERRIMAN and Sarah KINNEY
Merriman, my gg-grandparents who lived, worked and had their children in Peoria,
Peoria, IL. Halsey Oswin MERRIMAN was one of the early attorneys in Bureau
County, IL. He then went to Peru after which he settled in Peoria about 1839.
From 1840 to 1844, he was the law partner of Norman H. Purple at their firm of
Purple and Merriman. After their partnership was dissolved, H. O. entered into a
law partnership with his brother, Amos Lee (A. L.) MERRIMAN, where he remained
until his early death. Their law offices were next to the post office in Peoria.
H. O. MERRIMAN was chosen as the first City Attorney from Peoria on 5 May 1845.
He argued cases against Abraham Lincoln and had correspondence with him after
Lincoln became president. He was a judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit. He also
was a delegate to the Whig State Convention in Springfield, IL, in 1840 as a
member of the Committee for Resolutions. He died quite young on 23 March 1854 at
the age of 39 years. At the time of his death, the court made a resolution
regarding the death of their colleague. Although I have a copy of H. O.'s
probate papers, I have not been able to find out where he and his wife, Sarah,
are buried. Diane's email
Hello! My name is Hazel Irene Bennett Matich. My Grandmother was Madaline DeYoung. Her maiden name was Fritz and she married Neil DeYoung. He divorce her some time in the 1920 and she remarried a Frank Gutton or Gutten??? She past away some time in 1921 or 1922 and is buried in a cemetery in Peoria, ILL. Now she could be in a Catholic Cemetery since my grandmother was Catholic. I did find Madaline in the 1900 Census at age 5 years so her birth date was 1895. She was also found in the 1910 Census in Mason Co., ILL., -- Havana. I can not find her in the death index and so now I have hit a brick wall. I need some help, please! I lived in Shipman, ILL., about 3 1/2 hours away. (Posted on March 3, 2005).
Update: Madeline and Frank have been found at St. Mary's
Cemetery...Janine. Thank you!
Hazel's
email
Hi! My "brickwall" concerns the
Crandell family. George Joshua Crandell came to Peoria County around 1835
from back East, having spent some time in Zanesville, Ohio, before arriving in
this area. I have never found actual proof of where George was born. Some
say it's New York...others say the New England area. Any help in my quest would
be deeply appreciated!
Thank you!
Janine's
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