Stephenson County, IL, Research Trip

Stephenson County, IL, Research Trip

 

 We haven’t taken a genealogy research trip for a while, so kind of fun for a change. We have a wedding, Nancy’s side of the family, this coming weekend, in Dubuque, Iowa. A few miles east of there is Stephenson County, Illinois, where a couple of Nancy’s 3-times great-grandparents migrated to from Union County, Pennsylvania, in the 1840s. She has been wanting to visit Stephenson County for a long time, to check out some details. So, we left a couple of days early and stayed in the historic Stephenson Inn, eight story building, right downtown. Built in 1915 as the Freeport Inn; for the past 8 years it has been a Hampton Inn. We got room 801, and this is the view from our room:

 

The courthouse is next to the spire in the middle… probate records, wills, etc. and the public library is just tot he right of the high building on the right.Here is a street level view, last night. The entrance is between the glass lights on the right. Both images look to the north, toward Cedarville, where we visited the cemetery earlier today.

At the Cemetery, we actually found both the 1868 tombstone of Jacob Hartman, her 3rd Great-Grandfather, as well as his son, also Jacob, and his wife, Priscilla - they shared a marker. It is here:

 Here is Nancy with the 1868 stone...

They are actually just across the driveway and up a little from each other. Nancy spotted each of them first, as I was walking around, looking for them. Good homework paid off!! We are now in our room resting. Successful trip. Successful day. Tomorrow, off the the wedding and family visits.

Families are Forever!! ;-)

My first years… from Eileen's Diary - Highlights of February (2nd part), 1941

My first years…  

from Eileen's Diary

Highlights of February (2nd part), 1941

These are highlights from the diary of my mother, twenty-one year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.

[Rather than posting each mundane entry, I've chosen items of interest to me, as I knew my family (or didn't). Also, significant events Mom noted, as seen by me, looking back. Comments at the end.]

NOTE: I’ve skipped the first six weeks of 1941. Cold, snowy, everyone had colds… pretty normal stuff. Two things going on in the background, not really any details, but I know what was happening:
1. Pop’s estate was being discussed among Dad’s siblings… what to do… again, no details, but a ‘lot of talking’ - you can feel the tension - that did come to a conclusion, but I don’t know when… perhaps will say, later. AND
2. Pete, Eileen and Billy moved on February 28, as rental farmers often did (March 1 changeover). Not mentioned until Feb 26!! But, they had been doing so much work on house, and barn, I thought maybe was later, but no… so, a lot on this in the next couple of postings.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strike_Up_the_Band_%28film%29]

Month of February (2nd part) highlights:

Sun. Feb. 16 - … Max, Orrin, Gary, Judy here for dinner. Max bro’t beefsteak. Put Billy to bed after dinner. Folks stayed with him. Went up home to talk things over. Had quite a time.
Mon. Feb 17 - … Toots came while we were eating. They talked quite awhile….
Tues. Feb. 18 - …Pete chores and went to Carroll (Cooney). [Think this was the attorney handling the estate.] …
Thurs. Feb. 20 - Greenwald died - pneumonia.  … Gathered eggs. Got 30. Made cherry pie, pancakes for supper. Sewed Billy’s sleeper up, put him to bed and did dishes.
Sat. Feb. 21 - … Billy & I went to Linette Cretsinger’s shower at Albert Carpenter’s. Large shower.
Sun. Feb. 23 - …Mom & Bussy came out in P.M. Dad went to Greenwald funeral. He was pall bearer. Buss & Pete went hunting, got 2 pheasants, we cleaned them & had them for supper. We kids went to “Strike Up The Band.” Folks stayed with Billy. …
Wed. Feb. 26 - Did up usual work. Just had spuds & eggs, pineapple for dinner. Pete put on a load of oats. He, Billy & I went over to Anderson’s. Saw the whole house. Some things about it are nice and other things aren’t. Home at 2:30. Put Billy to bed. Pete took over another load of oats. Sorted things out in living room. Made a spice cake. Billy has another tooth. 17.
Thurs. Feb. 27 - Awfully cold. Ate, cleaned up & went to Club at Freyda Thomas’. Left Billy at Mom’s. Mom & Buzz came home with me. Carrie called & said they were moving tomorrow. So we worked hard. till 10:00. Took folks home. To bed at 11:00.
Fri. Feb. 28 - Quite cold. Really busy. Took Billy in to folks. Took Norma to help. LVene, Lillian, Max helped me. Loaded before dinner. Ate, & unloaded. Surely were in a mess but we got here any way. Folks came out & brought Billy. We all slept fine.


My comments:
Will continue in new house next week, of course. They had moved. Oh, my!! Decision had obviously been made before the 26th, but not a mention… she hadn’t seen the house till them. On 27th, apparently prior renters had moved out… they moved right in… P.S. no electricity, we learn in a day or two.
She seemed amazed that they “all slept fine” that first night… exhausted, of course, likely accounts for that. Quite an experience. Much more to come. This place was over on the county line, three or four miles east, couple of miles north of the place they lived the first two years.
Billy had 17 teeth, now, if I read that right. Got 30 eggs. Another important stat!  What a life! ;-)


Families are Forever!  ;-)

My first years… from Eileen's Diary - Highlights of December (2nd part), 1940

My first years…  

from Eileen's Diary

Highlights of December (2nd part), 1940

These are highlights from the diary of my mother, twenty-one year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.

[Rather than posting each mundane entry, I've chosen items of interest to me, as I knew my family (or didn't). Also, significant events Mom noted, as seen by me, looking back. Comments at the end.]

[This is six months later, but I suspect this is the table and chairs I got for Christmas]

Month of December (2nd part) highlights:

Sat. Dec. 21 - Cleaned kitchen a little and went to Carroll at 11:30. Got a new song, saw Dr. Walter. Billy had empitigo. He surely fixed him up. Home at 4:30.
Sun. Dec. 22 - Went to Sunday School. To see David afterwards, over home and Irene told us Bob Garst had given us $35.00 for Christmas to get whatever we wanted. Home and had roast pork dinner. Stayed home all afternoon. Mom and Dad came out a minute. Scrubbed and lacquered dinning room floor at nite, went to bed.
Mon. Dec. 23 - … Chored early & Irene went with us to Carrroll. Got chair and ottoman and what not at Matt’s for $35.14. Got Billy table and chairs. Ate supper at Johnston’s. Bro’t Irene to town. Pete and I to Rees’ to sack candy but they were all through. Boys played cards awhile and they served ice cream. Got Billy and came home.
Tues. Dec. 24 - Washed and set my hair. Levee came to have her hair fixed. Matt’s brought the chair set, what not, and Billy’s little table and chairs. Did he like them. Pete and Toots went in town. Toots and LVene went home at 12:30. Ate, Margaret came and had her hair fixed. Did dishes, Billy took a nap and then he and I went in town. Took cream in and got clothes from cleaner. Had Billy’s hair cut. Home and cleaned up and went to church program. Got perfume, scrap book, salt & peppers. Rode in town to see lies.
Wed. Dec. 25 - Pete and Billy gave me an end table. Was I ever surprised & is it every nice. I gave Pete a zipper bill fold. Finished wrapping up presents and cleaned the house. We all took baths & went to Smith’s to dinner. Had turkey & ham etc. Betty gave me P.Js. Verle gave Pete a shirt & tie. Billy got a climbing monkey, ten pins, $2, a drum, a tractor, hankies. Home at 5:00. Chores, went in to folks. Leo’s & Delbert’s there. Had goose. Apron & pounder from Lillian. Pillow cases from Ida, hanky from Louises. Billy got a tea set, blocks, book of Jesus & rubber bear, wagon (red). Mom gave Pete and me socks. To Phitipino dance at Carroll. Not many from Coon. Home late.
Tues. Dec. 31 - … and went to Gertrude’s. Lee & Gleason & Billy Brideson, Ila Jean & we kids were there. Had noisemakers, hats, balloons, etc. Had potato salad, chicken sandwiches, date pudding, olives, pickles, coffee, celery etc. Sang, played cards. Billy went to bed & slept all the time. Drove over in the dark in the fog Lights burned out at Otis Teters. Home at 2:30. Gary in hospital with pneumonia.

My comments:

Lots of fun details, hated to leave any of it out. Really get a feel for the times… At least I do!
The food details, the gifts, all very familiar from years later… most interesting.
Typically, I slept through New Years Eve celebration… that seems about right!! Party animal, for sure! ;-)


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Sunday Obituary - Mark Charles Thomas

 Sunday Obituary

Mark Charles Thomas

From the Coon Rapids Enterprise - Thursday, September 10, 2015, Page 2:


Longtime civic leader and esteemed local attorney Mark Thomas died Sunday afternoon at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids (Iowa).
Funeral services will be held this Friday, September 11, at 10:30 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids with Reverend Joyce Webb officiating.
The visitation will be this evening from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Ohde Funeral Home in Coon Rapids. Interment will be at the Union Township Cemetery outside Coon Rapids.
Following that, a luncheon will be held at the Coon Rapids American Legion Building.
Casket bearers will be Larry Schwenk, Mark Coder Thomas, Charlie Nixon, Alan Bolger, Mark Textor and Ron Brower.

Mark Charles Thomas
 
Mark Charles, son of Wesley Lynk and Mary Elizabeth (Tumbleson) Thomas, was born August 23, 1951, in Carroll. He spent his entire childhood in Coon Rapids, graduating with the great Coon Rapids High School Class of 1969.
Following high school, Mark moved to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa, where he majored in medieval history. After earning his bachelor’s degree in 1973, Mark briefly pursued a graduate degree in medieval history and worked as a telephone installer in the Iowa City area. He later enrolled at the University of Iowa College of Law and earned his J.D. in 1982.
On February 16, 1980, Mark was united in marriage with Jacquelyn (Jacci) Fisher in Clinton, her hometown. After Mark finished law school, the couple purchased an acreage outside Coon Rapids, where Mark established a thriving law practice. He soon took to “farming” trees and vegetables on his spread, starting his plants from seed indoors during the spring.
During his time on the acreage, he cultivated an affinity for woodworking and target shooting, and became quite skilled at both later in life.
Mark was a pillar of the Coon Rapids community. He served as city attorney for 27 years; member of the Coon Rapids Development Group for more than a decade; member of the Coon Rapids–Bayard School Board for 14 years; and president of both the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs at various times.
Mark was active in the Coon Rapids United Methodist Church as well, singing in the church choir, playing in the bell choir, and serving on the finance committee. He was also a longtime member of the Iowa Bar Association, served on the Carroll County Board of Health and was a founding member of the recently formed Community Foundation of Carroll County.
After Jacci’s death in June 2014, Mark remained in the family’s home and continued to practice law until August 2015, a month after he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Though he put up a strong fight against the illness, his health declined precipitously through late August. Mark passed away at the Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home in Coon Rapids on Sunday, September 6, aged 64 years and 14 days.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents and wife. He is survived by his daughter Dr. Helen (Nelli) Thomas and her husband Brian Martucci of Minneapolis, MN; brother John Thomas and his wife Leneice Wu of Falls Church, VA; nephews Mark Thomas and family of Annandale, VA, and Charles Thomas of Los Angeles, CA; and many other relatives and friends.

My first years… from Eileen's Diary - Highlights of December (1st part), 1940

My first years…

from Eileen's Diary

Highlights of December (1st part), 1940 

These are highlights from the diary of my mother, twenty-one year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.

[Rather than posting each mundane entry, I've chosen items of interest to me, as I knew my family (or didn't). Also, significant events Mom noted, as seen by me, looking back. Comments at the end.]

[David, Billy, Buzzy, July 1942]

Month of December (1st part) highlights:

Wed. Dec. 4 - Birthday note: David T. - LVene & Verle’s baby born at St. Anthony’s at 10:10 a.m.
Sun. Dec. 15 - Snowy. Up late. Didn’t go to church. Billy didn’t feel good. I went with Edith & Erna to church in pm. to practice. Surely snowing. Home at 5:00. Were supposed to go to Max’s for Chili Birthday Supper, but Billy was feverish & I didn’t want to take him.
Mon. Dec. 16 - Really snowed all day. Monday sees to be a bad day. … Billy felt quite a bit better but he still has a cold.
Tues. Dec. 17 - Really a lot of snow and quite cold. Made aprons for Louise’s girls. Wrapped quite a few gifts.
Thurs. Dec. 18 - Scrubbing kitchen wood work & rendering lard. To church in morning to practice. Home and washed and set my hair. Cleaned up and went to Edith’s & Erna’s program at church. I played for them. Pete stayed home with Billy. The girls gave me a set of salt & pepper shakers. Foggy. Home at 11:30. Had cake and coffee.
Fri. Dec. 20 - Did up usual work. Pete went in to sale. He got me a few more Christmas presents & cards. Scrubbed kitchen wood work and rendered lard. Chores early, bathed, took Billy in to folks and went to Don & Norma’s to grab bag Sunday School Party. I got a box of chocolates & Pete got a whistle we put in. Got Billy and come home at 12:00.



My comments:
Getting the feeling of preparations for Christmas. Lots going on. Weather and illness. Pretty normal.
“Scrubbed kitchen wood work and rendering lard” seemed important activities.
Dad got what he put in at ‘grab bag’ - I suppose that happened from time to time… ;-)



Families are Forever!  ;-)

My first years… from Eileen's Diary - Highlights of November (2nd half), 1940

My first years…  

from Eileen's Diary

Highlights of November (2nd half), 1940 

 

 These are highlights from the diary of my mother, twenty-one year old Eileen KINNICK SMITH, 75 Years Ago. She kept a diary from 1932 as a freshman in high school until she left us, too early, in 1999.

[Rather than posting each mundane entry, I've chosen items of interest to me, as I knew my family (or didn't). Also, significant events Mom noted, as seen by me, looking back. Comments at the end.]

 

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_for_Conquest]

Month of November  (2nd half) highlights:

Sun. Nov. 17 - Fried 2 chickens and took them to Gertrude’s. Robert, Edna, Lucille’s, Ila Jean, Pauline, & baby Gretchen, Marian, Naomi, Genevieve, Geneva, Wilbur, Ping, Pauline Bower, Duane, Mildred, Lillian’s, Uncle Will, the folks, Leo, Ida, Karen & us. I washed all the dishes. Played the piano, Ila Jean fixed my hair. Home & chores & took Billy to the show, “City of Conquest.” Good show.
Mon. Nov. 18 - Aunt Grace came at 9:00 a.m. … Went to Adult School at night. Had a good time. Sat with Ruth Bolger.
Wed. Nov. 20 - Betty was having Workers Conference so I went up there. Nancy, Kay & Billy had quite a time.
Thurs. Nov. 21 - Went to Edith T. for Sunday School party at night. 20 there.
Wed. Nov. 27 - … Made a choc. cake to take tomorrow. Lil & Del came after it in case I decided not to go.
Thurs. Nov. 28 - Cleaned a chicken then decided to go to Leo’s. Toots & Pete picked corn down here. Snowed most of the way up. Billy & I rode with Lillian. Had best dinner. Turkey and everything else. Folks there too. Came home with them. Kids had quite a time. Billy really tired.
Sat. Nov. 30 - … Ran out of gas up at Charlie & Bertha’s. Charlie had Roy send up gas. Up and saw Timmie’s Baby Thomas Franklin. New baby. … Getting colder. Pete & Toots picking at Scranton.


My comments:

Big Kinnick gathering for Uncle Will on Sunday. On Monday, Aunt Grace arrived. She would have been 53, also from Buda, Illinois… but apparently not with brother-in-law, Uncle Will. Grace was youngest sister of Lon, so she was a Great-Aunt to Mom. Treated with respect, like family, of course.
Adult School a regular part of their lives.
“Nancy, Kay & Billy” - interesting playmates - eventually married Nancy. Kaye McLaughlin always a good friend. She was in the class ahead of us. I attended here wedding to Nick and took photos.
Thanksgiving at Leo’s became an annual tradition. Have some great photos a year or two later!
Note that Dad and Toot's trying to get the corn all picked before the snow, in spite of cold! ;-)
“Roy send up some gas.” Love the old small town friendliness!!!
Tom Galloway was the baby, of course.


Families are Forever!  ;-)