Townsend Family

--Paxton Record.  26 February 1948.

--Ridgeland Township Cemetery.  Thawville, Illinois.  Photos from Find A Grave. 

This home was located directly to the west of the Dale Trees home, across from the baseball diamond at the school.

An Echo of Steve by Larry Knilands.

Mom just mentioned yesterday that she ran across a file folder full of articles that Larry Knilands wrote for the Paxton Record. She doesn't know why she saved them for sure. I was so excited. What???? I love his stories,and I couldn't wait to get my hands on them. Many of them were written about his hometown, Roberts. I hope to post them here for all to enjoy or re enjoy if you have read them prior.
Here is the article (Mom didn't write the date for the clipping, but it says Record/Times) he wrote about the tragic fire in Roberts that occurred in 1948, and how it affected him for many years. Great writing, Mr. Knilands.

 

 

--Newspaper Clipping.  Paxton Record/Times.

Yackee Bros.

--Melvin Motor.  3 December 1920.

Wedding

--History of Ford County, Illinois.  1985.

Eliab & Martha Foster

LYMAN TOWNSHIP CEMETERY WALK
Eliab & Martha Foster
--Roberts Area Centennial. 100 Years of Plowing Planting Progressing. 1872-1972.

--Roberts Plat.  1916.

So from this map it looks like the Foster Sisters (Martha and Leda) lived in the Schuler home and the Bela Foster and wife, Christina (McKay), lived in the Clarence Garmon home.

Frank G. Lohman

 

LYMAN TOWNSHIP CEMETERY WALK
Frank G. Lohman
--Roberts Area Centennial. 100 Years of Plowing Planting Progressing. 1872-1972.

Updates

I added some info (maps and stuff) to the Early Days in Lyman #13.  

Gerhard Rath Accidental Death

When Mr. Gerhard Rath returned from a sale last Wednesday afternoon, he was about his chores and as he went to unharness his team he stepped up from behind them and as he touched the horse without letting the animal know that he was there the horse was frightened and kicked him. He only lived until Saturday afternoon. We print a short obituary that appeared on the funeral notice. Mr. Gerhard Frederick Rath was born Nov. 8th, 1859 at Berdum Ostfriesland, Germany. Died at his home near Roberts, Ill. Saturday, Jan. 3rd, 1914, at 4 o'clock, aged 54 years, 1 month and 25 days. Funeral at the home Wednesday, Jan. 7th, 1914 at 12 o'clock and at the Congregational church at Roberts at 2 o'clock. Those who came from abroad to attend the funeral were, Mr. Geo. Lee from Altena, S.D., Mr. Henry Rath, Arvena, Minn., a brother, Mr. Geo. Rath from Hermon, Minn., a son, Mr. Will Bork from Annuel, Missouri, Mr. Charles Hopt, Ellsworth, S.D., Mr. Geo, DeFries Parker, S.D., Mr. H.M. Toben, Borup, Minn., Mr. Clarence J. Pierce Van Worth, Ohio

--The Thawville Weekly Record.  9 January 1914.

OBITUARY

Gerhard Fredrick Rath was born on the 8th day of November, 1859, and came to this country in 1883. He settled near Sibley, Illinois, and in 1885 he was united in marriage to Johanna Toben. to this union six children were born: Sadie, wife of George Lee; Henry, George, Minnie, Altie and another daughter who died in infancy. He died January 3rd, 1914 at 4 o'clock p.m. aged 54 years, 1 month and 25 days, from uremia following an accident. He was kicked by a horse Wednesday evening, December 31, breaking his right leg above the ankle and badly mutilating the thigh and body. He lived four days after the accident. He leaves to mourn his death, his wife, five children, six grandchildren, two brothers, John and Henry of Avoca, Minnesota and many other relatives and friends.
The deceased was a man of generous disposition, always one of the first to assist in a needy cause, accommodating, and obliging. He was a kind father, a good neighbor and a true friend.
The funeral services were held at the home Wednesday, January 7, 1914 at 12 o'clock, and the Congregational church in Roberts at 2 p.m., Rev. J. T. Hossfeld and Rev. W.  B. Milne officiating, after which the remains were laid to rest in Lyman cemetery.
Those from a distance attending the funeral were, Mrs. Sadie A. Lee and son Delmer and daughter Viola of Alpene, S.D., George J. Rath and Miss Sena Bertram of Herman, Minnesota; John and Henry Rath of Avoca, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. George DeFries of Parker, S.D.; H.M. Toben of Borup, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard DeFries of ?ley; Miss Sophia Hopt and C.L. Bod of Ellsworth; Christian Lee of Streator; Mr. and Mrs. William Lee and Mrs. A.J. Roth of Strawn.  --Roberts Herald.

--The Thawville Weekly Record.  16 January 1914.

--Melvin Motor.  9 January 1914.

Justin Tarvin

--Melvin Motor.  11 January 1924.

Swanick Reunion from Jim Hornickel

Swanick reunion held at the James Swanick farm. 1939.

More photos from Jim Hornickel

Swanick reunion held at Joe Kurtenbach farm. Rose Swanick Schneider with Joe and Maryann Kurtenbach family. 1951.

Roy J. McNaught

Buried at Ridgeland Cemetery, Thawville, Illinois.

ROY J. MCNAUGHT
1918

ANOTHER LYMAN TOWNSHIP SOLDIER DIES
A message was received Saturday stating that Roy McNaught, an aviator in the U. S. army, had been killed by the collision of two planes on a Texas field where he was stationed. Mr. McNaught was a Lyman township boy, having lived nearly all his life on a farm in section one. His many friends here join the family in sorrow. He has been in aviation service for some time and was assisting in guarding the Mexican border.

 

--Roberts Herald. 9 October 1918.

 

 

 

--Photos from Find A Grave.

Bryron Hickerson

Buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia.

BYRON HICKERSON
1918

KILLED IN BATTLE

The first loss of life in battle among the Lyman township soldiers was reported in a message received here last Wednesday. The message stated no particulars except that Byron Hickerson had been killed in action.
Mr. Hickerson was one of the first of our boys to be called last fall and was also one of the first to go across. He was a young man who worked for Eugene Henning last year. While he was not very well known in parts of our township he had many friends in East Lyman who sympathize with the bereaved family at his untimely death and all our people join in sorrow that one of our men must be called up to give up his life that we should be safe in Democracy. It is difficult to realize and many of us have not yet realized that all that we are, all that we have and all the civil rights that we enjoy are being held for us by the sacrifice of the lives and maiming of the bodies of our young men. Many men from other localities have fallen and now one of us, one who a short time ago was living quietly and happily in our midst, but when the lot was cast and it became his duty to go to the front, went and performed that duty, has fallen. His life is consecrated to the welfare of his country.
Two Lyman township soliders have been wounded. Clyde Peterson received five wounds in the arms, shoulders, and chest from a burning shell. This was reported some time ago. Vernon Havener was gassed while in the trenches and was sent to the hospital for treatment. His injuries were not so severe but that he was returned to the front within a short time but on nearing the trenches he with others were obliged to abroad a moving train. In doing so he caught a swing bar and fell beneath the train. The result was one foot crushed and the flesh torn from the other leg.

 

--Roberts Herald. 2 October 1918.

 

 

 

Trimbles

Cecil Trimble, cousin Homer Holmberg and Claude Trimble in Roberts about 1932.

--Posted by Carol Jane Iskowich to the Roberts Illinois History Group Facebook page.  May 2017.

The Roberts Electric Plant

A bunch of articles from the Paxton Record about electricity coming to Roberts.

(The Roberts Light Plant was located next to the current fire station.  That is the Wright/Jim Schuler home to the right in the photo.  That home was demolished the summer of 2016.)

--Paxton Record.  27 June 1912.

--Paxton Record.  15 August 1912.

--Paxton Record.  29 August 1912.

--Paxton Record.  14 November 1912.

--Paxton Record. 12 December 1912. 

--Paxton Record.  30 January 1913.

--Paxton Record.  13 February 1913.

--Paxton Record.  20 March 1913.

5th and 6th grade – 1912 - Roberts, IL

Front Row, left to right: Mary Frances Hawhorne, Fern Murphy, Clara Sanders, ? , Viola Dueringer Allison, Grace Ashby, Viola Minch Wright, Muriel Martin, Geraldine Ortlepp, LaDella Brown

Second Row, left to right: ? , Orah Roberts, Ameilia Ebert, Jolly Hedger, Donald Tarvin, Mary Ebert, Lula Dietterle, Florella Zahn...

Third Row, left to right: Charlie Ensign, Ivan Havener, Glen Yackee, Oliver Dilks, Elias Gullett, Florence Jensen, Harry Hoagland

Fourth Row: Melvin Brayant, Ted Frence, Milton Chambers, Eugene Schrider, ? O’neil, Rusty Gullett, Rose Uebele

--Posted by Jean Fox to the Roberts Illinois History Group Facebook page May 2017.

Swanick Family Photos

These great family photos were sent to me by Jim Hornickel.  He has some photos he cannot identify individuals.  You can comment to this post or email me jandowell@hotmail.com.

Bud and Delores Swanick.  1930.

James and Regina (Rena) Kemmer Swanick wedding picture.  James Raymond Swanick, son from previous marriage.  1922.

James Swanick holding Rosie with Biddy standing.  1928.

 

James Swanick, Raymond (James' son), John Swanick, unknown person.  Before 1928.

Margaret Kurtenbach Swanick.  James' first wife.  About 1900.

J. B. Eno and the Connecticut Settlement

--Paxton Record.  20 June 1912.

I got this info from an article about Loda.  Just a little more information on the Connecticut Settlement.

Joseph Whorrall

 

LYMAN TOWNSHIP CEMETERY WALK
Joseph Whorrall
--Roberts Area Centennial. 100 Years of Plowing Planting Progressing. 1872-1972.

This references Foster Bros. Hardware and Wright Hardware.  Joseph's daughter, Sarah, married Sela Foster.  Sela Foster's daughter, Blanche, married Charles Wright.  "The Wright's carried on the hardware business of Sela Foster . . ."  So which building was the Wright Hardware business located?