McLean County IL

Illinois Burial Customs

The term “Illinois Indians” encompassed various Algonquian tribes, including the Illinois Confederacy. Early accounts describe their burial customs, highlighting a respect for the dead through careful burial practices. Joutel detailed how they utilized lofty coffins, sometimes hanging bodies in trees. Celebratory dances accompanied burials, marking a contrast with other tribes’ mourning rituals. Presents were offered, and food for the deceased’s journey was included in graves. These customs reveal the diverse ways Illinois Indians honored and remembered their dead across generations.

Genealogy of Daniel Baker

Daniel Baker, born in England, married Sarah Chase in 1740. His lineage includes notable figures such as Col. Jacob, who served on General Washington’s staff, and two physicians, Samuel and Isaac, the latter contributing to the establishment of Bloomington, Illinois. The family continued to thrive, with descendants like Sidney Dodge, a 19th-century resident of Kansas, and various professionals across the country, including optometrists and realtors. Baker’s progeny demonstrate a legacy of community service and accomplishment.

Biography of Emmor W. Jeffers

Emmor W. Jeffers, born on November 19, 1861, in Pike County, Illinois, has served as the circuit clerk of Douglas County since February 3, 1899. A member of a pioneering family, he was raised in Camargo Township after his parents relocated there around 1864. Jeffers, a Republican, previously worked as a deputy circuit clerk and is involved in various fraternal organizations. He married Carrie F. Hill in 1889 and has two daughters. His professional journey also included roles in retail and real estate prior to entering public office.

Biography of William F. M. Arny

William F. M. Arny, born March 6, 1813, in Washington, D.C., emerged as a beloved figure in Kansas despite not being a native. After a notable role as a secretary for prominent preacher Alexander Campbell, he became an influential force in the Republican Party and settled in Kansas in 1857. Arny contributed significantly to the Leavenworth constitutional convention and managed relief efforts during the grasshopper plague. Appointed by Lincoln as secretary of New Mexico Territory, he died on September 18, 1881, leaving behind a legacy of selflessness and service.

Biography of Rev. Patrick Joseph Kane

Rev. Patrick Joseph Kane, originally from Ireland, served as pastor of the Church of Our Holy Redeemer in Webster Groves for over thirty years. After his ordination in 1882, he notably revitalized the parish in St. Marys, Missouri. Assigned to Webster Groves in 1887, he overcame challenges to restore harmony within the church and diligently worked to eliminate its debts. Under his leadership, a new church building was completed in 1897, alongside a school in 1910, reflecting his commitment to both community and faith.

Biography of Cassius H. Brown

Cassius H. Brown, born on December 27, 1852, in a log cabin in Illinois, emerged as a significant figure in his community and local politics. A pioneer and dedicated citizen, he has played a key role in education and agriculture, notably promoting alfalfa and fruit cultivation in the Malheur valley. Brown served as County Judge from 1892 to 1896 and was active in the Republican Party and Masonic organizations. His contributions extend to the Vale Milling Company and the Ontario Cemetery Association, reflecting his commitment to community welfare.

Biography of Gilbert L. King

Gilbert L. King, born on February 9, 1848, in New York, emerged as a prominent figure in Malheur County, Oregon. After serving in the Civil War, he pursued education and held various teaching and railroad positions before settling in Ontario in 1885. There, he became the first railroad agent and later thrived in farming and real estate. A man of considerable wealth and respect, King is noted for his public speaking and community involvement, as well as for his dedicated family life with six children.

Biography of George R. Wendling, Jr.

George R. Wendling, Jr., born on March 9, 1894, in Bloomington, Illinois, is a prominent figure in St. Louis’s insurance industry. Educated at various prestigious institutions, including Princeton University, he became a special agent for the Fidelity Deposit Company in 1907 and later served as its vice president. Wendling has significantly influenced financial circles through his global business travels and establishment of branch offices. A member of several clubs and a church, he is married to Jean Bruce Haldeman and has two daughters.

Biography of Thomas M. Lillard

Thomas M. Lillard, born July 29, 1881, in Bloomington, Illinois, practiced law in Topeka for nine years. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University and studying law in Denver, he began his legal career in Burlingame in 1905. He later joined the firm of Blair, Magaw & Lillard, serving as assistant general attorney for Union Pacific Railway in Missouri and Kansas. A Democrat, Lillard was active in the Sigma Chi fraternity and local clubs. He married Elsie Hooper in 1908; they had three daughters.