Clay County IL Genealogy – Access Genealogy

Biography of Col. A. P. Dunbar

Col. A. P. Dunbar, retired, Charleston; with one exception, the oldest living inhabitant of the city; was born in Fleming Co., Ky., July 4,1810; his father, Alexander Dunbar, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and participated in the battles of the River Raisin and the Thames, and was present at the famous Perry’s victory on Lake Erie. The subject of this sketch, after receiving an English education and reading law to some extent, came to Clay Co., Ill., in 1828, at the age of 18 years, and engaged in teaching; after two years, he returned to Kentucky, where … Read more

Biography of Henry H. Edwards

Prosperous and progressive are the agriculturists and stock men of Wallowa County, and one among them who was wrought with the energy and intelligence that are characteristic of him in all his ways, is the subject of this sketch, a man of marked capabilities and excellent qualities of moral worth, manifesting always those virtues that mark the steady, substantial, and progressive man, coupled with which area good executive ability and penetration into the manipulation of business affairs that renders him great assistance in the care and conduct of his interests. Mr. Edwards was born in Clay county, Illinois, on January … Read more

Biography of Joel H. Rickel

Joel H. Rickel. Among the citizens of Chanute, one who had had a most interesting career is Joel H. Rickel, a resident of this city since 1896, and now the owner of a carriage and repair shop and the owner of a valuable farm. Mr. Rickel is a veteran of the Civil war, and had been a prominent figure in Grand Army circles, being a past commander of several posts in Kansas and a past department commander of the State of Kansas. He was born in Ashland County, Ohio, December 8, 1844, and is a son of John S. and … Read more

Illinois, Diocese of Belleville, Catholic Parish Records, 1695-1956

A help guide for accessing the images of parish registers recording the events of baptism, first communion, confirmation (to 1907), marriage (to 1930) or death (to 1956) in the Diocese of Belleville (Illinois), Roman Catholic Church. The index to some volumes may reference pages within a given volume beyond current publication dates. As such, these images are not currently available. In addition to traditional parish registers, this collection includes a small number of census, church history, family and financial records. To assist the researcher I have broken down the available registers by county and name of parish, including the years covered by those parish records.

Biography of Thomas Higginbotham

THOMAS HIGGINBOTHAM – The representative and well known gentleman whose name appears at the head of this article has been a resident of Union County for more than a score of years, and he is to-day numbered with the most substantial and influential citizens here, and his home place, a farm two miles northwest from Elgin, displays industry and thrift, coupled with which are his stanch qualities of worth and moral excellence. On March 17, 1856, in Wayne county, Kentucky, our Subject was born to James and Priscilla (Cullum) Higginbotham, natives also of the Blue Grass State. In 1863 the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Father Crowe

Rev. Father Crowe, Pastor of the Catholic Church, Mattoon; was born in Oswego, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1851; his early life was passed in the public schools of his native city; here he completed a full course of instruction, passing regularly through the high school and normal department; at about the age of 18 years, he engaged in the profession of teaching, and was a member of the Faculty in the College at Tutopolis, and, at a later date, in that at Ruma, Ill.; having for some time directed his thoughts in the channel of the legal profession, and, at … Read more

Biography of Marion M. Ricketts, M. D.

Marion M. Ricketts, M. D. The leading physician and surgeon of Ivesdale and well known for his ability and service all over southwestern Champaign County is Dr. Marion M. Ricketts, who has enjoyed a successful practice there for the past six. years. Doctor Ricketts was born in Clay County, Illinois, October 20, 1877, a son of Jasper and Hannah (Stanford) Ricketts. His father was born in Ohio and his mother in Illinois. Jasper Ricketts has had an industrious career as an agriculturist and is still living at Pesottim. He moved to Champaign County with his family in 1881. The mother … Read more

Biography of Mansfield C. McGrew

One of the prominent merchants of Kendrick, and the senior member of the large general mercantile firm of McGrew & Carmean, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, an enterprising, energetic man whose keen discrimination in business efforts and indefatigable industry have brought him a success which he well merits. A native of Illinois, he was born in Clay County, July 11, 1862, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage. His great-grandfather, James McGrew, having emigrated from the Emerald Isle to the New World, settled in Pennsylvania and became the progenitor of the family in the United States. He later became … Read more

Biography of Capt. Thomas Jefferson Smith

Capt. Thomas Jefferson Smith, of Champaign, is one of the few men still living in Illinois who made their first briefs and arguments in a court room prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. In many ways his has been a remarkable life. He began practice before the war, enlisted soon afterward and gave the best in him to the perpetuation of the Union, came out of the war with the rank of captain, and at once began practice at Champaign, where he has now lived for over half a century. Captain and Mrs. Smith never had any children. … Read more

Cockerell, Alexander – Obituary

Union, Union County, Oregon Alexander Cockerell was born in Clay County, Ill., Dec. 13, 1844, and died at Union Ore., July 30, 1915. Age 73 years, seven months and 17 days. While a boy he moved with his parents to Newton County, Mo., where he lived until the Civil War broke out, when he joined the Union army, Company E, Sixth Missouri Volunteers where he served until peace was declared. He was married to Elmira Owens in Newton County, Mo., Oct 7, 1866. In 1866 they moved to Union, Oregon, where he was a member of the G.A.R. and a … Read more

Holman, Lorenzil Claude – Obituary

Richland, Oregon L. C. Holman dies today at Richland Lorenzil Claude Holman, 71, prominent Eagle valley farmer, Richland postmaster and former Baker county commissioner, died this morning at his home at Richland after a short illness. The funeral will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Richland Methodist church with the Rev. Berl Thomas officiating and the Beatty chapel in charge of arrangements. Interment will be in Eagle valley cemetery. Mr. Holman was born August 3, 1880 in Xenia, Illinois. He moved to Pine valley at the age of six and to Cove when he was eight years old. … Read more