The ABC Family Chronicles

The ABC Family Chronicles

A number of years ago this author was researching information for a local history book. During that time she encountered numerous names that were members of her family heritage. That heritage went back in time in that same local area over a hundred years ago. Four of her family lines which came to Shelby County, Illinois are discussed in this volume. The Stoneburner line begins with the author’s mother and she is in the eighth generation from 1752. The Spracklin line begins with the author’s grandmother (mother’s mother) and she is in the sixth generation from 1823. The Austin line … Read more

Genealogy of Willis Austin

The sixth child of Henry and Nancy Ann Austin was living in Madison County, Virginia by 1824. There he met Jane Malone and married her. Willis’ occupation to support her and the family was that of a carpenter and farmer. By 1850 the family had grown to nine members. They lived in Worf Town in 1850. They either remained in Virginia or moved to Missouri. 506 Willis Austin born circa 1796 Albemarle Co., Va. married 23 Aug 1823 Jane Malone born circa 1805 Virginia died 30 Sept. 1877 Mo. Children of Willis Austin and Jane Malone: 601 John H. Austin born circa … Read more

Genealogy of Samuel Austin

Samuel, only surviving son of Henry and Elizabeth Lyles Austin, continued living in Calvert County, Maryland. By 1730, Samuel was married to Elizabeth Marshall, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Marshall. They had eleven surviving children when Samuel’s will was written in 1763. Some of their children moved to Virginia, specifically Albemarle County. Samuel Austin’s will of 1763 read: “In the name of God amen. I Samuel Austin of Calvert County in the province of Maryland, planter being in good health of body and of sound anal perfect mind and memory, I do make and ordain this my last will and … Read more

Genealogy of Robert Stoneburner

Robert, fourth son of John and Catherine Stoneburner, lived in Morgan County, Ohio. There in Morgan County sometime around 1842, he married Margaret Landerman probable daughter of William Lenderman. In 1870 they were residents of Harrison Township in that County. Jerusalem Lutheran York Township Cemetery Inscriptions, Morgan County Ohio Robert Stoneburner b. 1810 d. 4 Aug 1898 at 78 years 10 months and 4 days Margaret Stoneburner b. 1816 d. 14 Aug 1906 at 93 years. 404 Robert Stoneburner born 3 Sept. 1819 Morgan County, Ohio married circa 1842 Margaret Landerman born circa 1815 Ohio died 4 Aug. 1898 Morgan … Read more

Genealogy of Peter Spracklin

Apparently the name Spracklin had other forms: Spartling, Sprackling. In English or Welsh it meant “the one with the crooked legs.” As far as known to the writer, some early Spracklins on English records were of the Canterbury Catholic Church, Canterbury, County Kent, England. The church records there show a Robert, baptized 1645, son of Spratling; Adam, baptized 1653, son of Robert Spratling. Heraldic arms were granted in 1619 to Leonardus Sprackling, Rob’tus Sprackling, and Adam Sprackling, of Thanet, Co. Kent. Possibly this Robert Spracklin was an early ancestor of Peter Spracklin who came to America in 1823. Peter’s youngest … Read more

Genealogy of Marion Marvin Spracklin

Marvin M. Spracklin, son of George Spracklin and Arloa Turner Minor, remained a resident of Shelby County, Illinois for the rest of his life. On October 13, 1870 he married Mary Elizabeth Deal, daughter of Elias and Francis Elizabeth Broyles Deal. In 1877 Marvin became “our new groceryman, (had) adopted for his motto ‘quick sales and small profits,’ in consequence of which together with his affable nature and genial smiles, he (had) already secured for himself his full share of ‘public patronage’.” In 1906 Marvin had another occasion to smile since he had entered the Shelbyville Democrat office “Tuesday noon wearing … Read more

Genealogy of Linzie Otis Stoneburner

Linzie O., son of John M. and Margaret Stoneburner, continued living on a farm near Herrick. On the 25 April 1901 he married Ella Alice Miller, daughter of Benedict and Lucie Spockwell Miller. Linzie and Ella had a family of four children. In January of 1931, “about 40 neighbors and friends gathered at the home of L. O. Stoneburner and family to spend the evening. Following are the names of those present: Charles McKittrick and wife; Hubert Smart and family; Ellis Corley and wife; Arthur Salmons and family; Mrs. Lamora Manuel and children; Lawrence Stoneburner and family; Dorothy Campbell; John … Read more

Genealogy of Lawrence Albert Stoneburner

Lawrence, son of Linzie Otis and Ella Stoneburner, continued the occupation of farming. On 26 February 1924 he married Goldie Ardath Spracklin in Christian Co., Ill. She was the daughter of Grace Belle Austin and George E. Spracklin, also residents of Shelby Co., Ill. On Sunday, July 5, 1925, “Lawrence Stoneburner was given a birthday surprise by his wife. At the noon hour about 40 of his relatives and friends gathered with well-filled baskets and a big dinner was spread under the trees on the lawn. Among the good things to eat were five big cakes. Mr. Stoneburner received a … Read more

Genealogy of John Peter Stoneburner

John Peter Stoneburner, fifth child of Johann Peter and Susanna Stoneburner, was born in Virginia before his parents moved to Morgan Co., Ohio. It was probably in Ohio that he married Catherine sometime around 1810. On the 12th of October 1879-john Stoneburner wrote his will. It read: “In the name of the Benevolent Father of all, I, John Stoneburner of the State of Ohio and of the County of Morgan, do make and publish this my Last will and testament Item 1st–I wish my Beloved Wife to remain on the Farm and in the House where we now reside and … Read more

Genealogy of John Marion Stoneburner

John M., son of Robert and Margaret Landerman Stoneburner, lived in Muskingum County, Ohio after his marriage to Margaret Hannah Mohler on 11 March 1869. She was the daughter of Adam and Caroline Dozer Mohler. Sometime in 1884 the family moved to Shelby County, Illinois. On Monday September 3, 1928, “about 40 members of the Stoneburner families gathered at the home of John M. Stoneburner and wife to enjoy the day. There were five generations present. At the noon hour a bountiful dinner was served on the lawn. All enjoyed a fine time. “Those present were: Elmer Potts and wife; … Read more

Genealogy of John H. Austin

The first born son of Willis and Jane Austin lived for a time in Madison Co., Virginia. He worked as a wheelwright. Around 1854/55 he married Louisa J. Broyles, daughter of Garriott and Eunice Broyles. Later the Austin family moved to Missouri along with the Broyles family to Henry County, Missouri. There in 1857 John H. Austin bought one half acre for $38.00. His cabin was used for a post office until 1860. John H. Austin died 1862/3 but his widow Louisa continued the post office until 1864. After 1883-4 Louisa Austin and some of her children moved to Shelby … Read more

Genealogy of Johann Peter Stoneburner

Johann Peter, second son of Jacob and Anna Stoneburner, married Susanna Compher? sometime around 1782/85 in Loudoun County, Virginia. They were still living in Virginia in 1810 but near 1813 they had moved to Ohio. In 1820 Peter became one of the first officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Later Peter and Susanna became members of the New Jerusalem Church of Deavertown, Ohio which was in the northwest part of Morgan County. His will was made in Morgan County, Ohio on the 29th day of September 1821. It read: “In the Name of God, Amen: I, Peter Stoneburner of York … Read more

Genealogy of Jacob Stoneburner

On 23 September 1752 Jacob and Martin Stoneburner, possibly brothers, came to America on board the ship St. Andrew from Rotterdam to Philadelphia. Both of them were over the age of 16. Jacob early moved to Berks County, Pennsylvania where in 1767 he owned thirty acres, had one horse, one cow, two sheep. It was probably there that he married Anna Eva sometime before August 1758. Johann Adam Eva had come from Rotterdam to Philadelphia, 20 October 1754 on the ship Halifax. This Eva was possibly related to the Anna who married Jacob Stoneburner. There in Berks County, Jacob and … Read more

Genealogy of Henry Austin, Sr.

Henry Austin, Sr., son of Samuel Austin and Elizabeth Marshall. More records are existant on this Austin. In 1758 in Albemarle Co., Virginia, he married Sarah Harrison, probable relation to Richard Harrison. A few years after marriage, Henry received two hundred acres of land in Virginia for his services in Lord John Murray Dunmore’s War. He served as a sergeant in that war; for his services in the French and Indian War, he received another land parcel. In 1790 his neighbors were John Rodes and William Austin, his brother. During that year there were nine in Henry’s family; there were his dwelling … Read more

Genealogy of Henry Austin, Jr.

Like father, like son, Henry Jr., son of Henry Austin, Sr. and Sarah Harrison, became a military man. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in the First Virginia Regiment as a drummer and fifer. He continued serving through November 1779 in the Tenth Virginia Regiment also as a drummer and fifer. After the war, he met Nancy Ann Watts, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Durrett Watts. Her father Jacob likewise served in the War of the Rebellion. Henry and Nancy were married 2 January 1788 in Albemarle County, Virginia. They had twelve children before Henry died in October or November … Read more

Genealogy of Henry Austin

Austin as a surname is a variation of Augustine or Augustus. The Austin line enters the Spracklin line with the marriage of George E. Spracklin to Grace Belle Austin on 29 March 1903. There have been several Austin coats of arms granted as early as 1660 but many of the lines have died out. This particular Austin line came early to Calvert Co., Maryland. They were planters, that is, owners of plantations and more than likely raised tobacco on the land there. To help them with their plantations, they owned slaves as evidenced by wills. And it is quite possible, … Read more

Genealogy of George Spracklin

George Spracklin, son of Peter Spracklin and Elizabeth Andrews, continued living in Dudley Township, Hardin Co., Ohio. There he met Arloa Turner Minor and was married 9 April 1840, Knox Co., Ohio. In December of 1864 George bought land here in Shelby Co., Illinois in Drypoint Township. He paid $3680 for 200 acres south of Lakewood, Ill; in 1865, he and his family lived in Edwards County, Ill. before moving to Shelby County. By 1868 George owned 300 acres in Shelby County. Arloa, George’s wife, died in July, 1892 and is buried in Red Bank Cemetery, land formerly owned by George … Read more

Genealogy of George Elias Spracklin

George Elias Spracklin likewise remained in Shelby Co., Ill. When he was twenty-two years of age, he married Grace Belle Austin , daughter of Belfield Kirtley and Gertrude Wilma Rhodus Austin, on 26 March 1902. George worked as a farmer to support his seven children. In 1918 he and his wife owned 80 acres in Section 29 Lakewood Township and tenant on 200 more acres. George died in Christian Co., Ill. in 1964. His widow Grace lived for seven more years. 444 George Elias Spracklin born 14 July 1881 Shelby Co., Ill. married 26 March 1903 Grace Belle Austin born … Read more

Genealogy of Garriot K. Broyles

Broyles, Bruhls, Broils,Broiles originated from northwestern Germany. There are two towns one of which is Bruhl along the west side of the Rhine River. The largest community has an 18th century castle called Augustburg. The archbishop of Cologne had created the town in 1285. The family Brohl had lived in the area as early as the 14th century as in 1332 one Brohl had received a coat of arms. Some of the Broyles family came to America in 1717 to Culpepper, Virginia. The first was John Broyles who had several sons who were the ancestors for many of the Broyles … Read more

Genealogy of Belfield Kirtley Austin

Belfield Austin, son of John H. Austin and Louisa J. Broyles, continued living in Henry County, Missouri where on 28 October 1883 he married Gertrude Wilma Rhodus. While in Missouri they had five children: two of which died by 1890 of cholera. During the summer of 1898 the family moved to Shelby County, Illinois where Henry, Belfield’s brother, was already living with his wife near Lakewood, Illinois. In November of that same year, Belfield and Gertrude had another son Herbert. Unfortunately on 29 Feb. 1899, “Mrs. Belfield Austin died at her home northeast of town (Lakewood)… and the remains were interred … Read more