29 July 1875

ROBERTS ITEMS
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Roberts has a dramatic club. They gave a performance Monday evening of last week. The receipts go towards purchasing books with which to start a public library.
The kite flying mania has struck Roberts, and numbers of variegated colored kites can be seen soaring heavenward, but a far greater number refuse to leave earth.
Farmers in the vicinity of Roberts will experience considerable difficulty in harvesting their oat and flax crops, the late rains having beaten it almost flat to the ground.
Corn has grown so fast during the past ten days as to preclude farmers from giving it the required amount of tending.

--Paxton Record. 29 July 1875.

26 November 1874

LYMAN LOCALS
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Snow fell to the depth of about four inches on Thursday and Friday of last week.
Farmers generally are well prepared for the winter, very little corn remaining in the field to be gathered. The average yield per acre, as near as we can learn, has been from 12 to 15 bushels.
The summer's drought has been productive of at least one good result, viz: the obtaining of good wells. We do not see the necessity of having to haul water in barrels when a good well can be obtained, as is the case in this vicinity, at a depth of not more than 60 feet, or if figured in dollars and cents, at a cost of about $60.
The Lyman Literary Society has been reorganized, and the general interest manifested seem to promise much for its future success. John Thompson successfully fills the President's chair . . .

--Paxton Record.  26 November 1874.

T. A. Flora

--Paxton Record.  10 March 1932.
--Photo from album of Ralph W. Stine. Ford County Historical Society.

"Following his marriage, he came to Illinois with his family in 1870 locating at Roberts.  In 1884 the family returned to Kentucky . . ."

Leach Roaster and Baker Company

--The Pantagraph.  8 December 1888.

Roeder 1902

--From Daniel Flora 

 

Mr. J. D. Roeder

Dear Brother Dan
Well how are you getting along. How is your foot? Is it nearly well? Next time you listen to me and don't try that again. And you remember May (sister Mary) told you she dreamed you got your foot hurt just that way. But it's done now and I hope it will soon be well again. Too bad you could not have been with one of us we could have waited on you better perhaps and you would not have had to be around strangers. Dear me Dan you might have got killed. And then what. It worries us so when we heard about it. Take good care of yourself, good thing Lew (brother Louis) came up there in time. Ma came here Friday afternoon to spend a couple days but Saturday afternoon Henry got her home again. Pa was sick that was yesterday. I haven't heard how he is today. He has a bad cold and may be rheumatism with it. That's what ails him I guess. The boys hauled in oats yesterday. How do you like this cold weather? We were all to church this morning. We went to the Congregational church to hear Mabel Eberts funeral sermon it was so sad poor Francis is almost dead with grief it's too pitiful to see her. It was so sad. Rev Rumells preached her sermon. I haven't seen May today. Ma and I went to see her yesterday afternoon. But ma could not stay long so she had to go home. You should see Mabel. She has a little Doll buggy ma gave it to her and she had to take it along to bed with her last night . . .

Trusheims and Roeders

More from Daniel Flora on his family. 

Trusheim home. 
 
This home belonged to Justus Trusheim and Anna Götzel. They farmed approximately 240 acres.  If you kept going about 2-4 more miles east you'd hit the Roeder farm. This is likely how my G Grandparents met; though the story is they met while in Minnesota. 

--Lyman Township Plat.  1916.

--Artesia Township Plat.  1921.

Trusheims.

Justus born in Hessen. Wife Anna Götzel from Austria. Children are William in back, Sophia (my Great Grandmother), Katherine, Lydia, Jesse (on lap), and Charles.

William married Mamie Schaefer. Sophia married Daniel Roeder. Kate married Heinrich Weber. Lydia married Frederick Saxsma. Jesse married Carrie Weerts, Charles married Sedina Vossberg.

 

Jacob Roeder

Daniel Roeder

Sophia Trusheim


--Photos and information from Daniel Flora. 

Swanick Homestead

 

The attached photo has been identified by my Aunt Rosie Swanick Duperre as the original Swanick farmstead of John and Anna Dolan Swanick. Both John and Arthur Swanick bought farms north of Roberts, Illinois about 1880. Arthur and his wife, Rose' farm was about 1/2 to 3/4 mile north of John and Anna's.  Not sure of when the photo was taken. But the photo may have been taken in the 1890s judging by the ages of the kids. The original 80 farm was located in the W 1/2, SW 1/4, Section 6 in Lyman Township, Ford County, Illinois. 

In the picture, John is on the left with Arthur on the right. Anna Dolan Swanick is on the left with Rose Layden Swanick is on the right.The boy looks like Robert and the little girl in the middle looks like Elma. The girl on the far left is one of the older girls.

Both the 1st and 2nd farmsteads are gone today. I remember in the 1950s that there were a couple of trees along the road where the 1st farmstead was. It was located maybe less than an 1/8 of a mile south of the 2nd farmstead where my grandma Regina Swanick  (James was her husband) and Bud had lived.

 

--From Jim Hornickel.  Email.

 

 

--Lyman Plat.  1884.

Catholic Church Rebuilt

 

--Gibson City Courier.  13 February 1914.  Page 2.

12 November 1874

Bart Holmes of Melvin informs us that a boy was killed on the Sullivant farm Tuesday, by a team running away with him.
John Hummel and O. D. Sackett shipped a carload of hogs from this place last Monday which weighed 16,240(?). Among the number was one belonging to Mr. Hummel that weighed 710 pounds.
A week ago last Tuesday, a son of W. R. Kennedy, while assisting his father in hauling straw, was thrown from the load and impaled upon a pitch fork, one of the tines of which entered his abdomen on the right side, running completely through him.  It was at best, thought he was fatally injured, but his father informs us that he is so far recovered as to be able to assist in husking corn.

--Paxton Record.  12 November 1874.

10 September 1874

--Paxton Record.  10 September 1874.

Dudley & Porch Tinners, Petit & Ashman's Furniture Store, Dr. Cassingham sells his interest in the drug business to Will C. Thompson, erecting a town hall.

8 July 1874

 

--Paxton Record.  8 July 1874.

O. D. Sackett

 

 

Orville Dexter Sackett, farmer of Ford County, Illinois, son of Dexter B Sackett and Electa Bement, was born in Plymouth, Chenango County, New York State^G, on 11 February 1837^1,2 and died aged 50 in Paxton, Ford County, Illinois^G, on 30 December 1887.^1,3 He married in about 1860, Angeline Marie Steward.^1,4 She was born on 20 August 1840⁵ and died aged 86 in Paxton^G, on 13 September 1926.⁶
 In 1880 Orville was living at Lyman, Ford County, Illinois^G, and was recorded in the census as Orville D Sackett, a farmer, head of household, married, aged 43 and born in New York State. Living with him were his wife Angeline, 39, and their children, Jennie, 19, and Jay, 12. There were five "other" adults in the house, perhaps lodgers.⁷

Notes & Citations

1. Charles Weygant, The Sacketts of America, "2754. Orville D. Sackett, b. in 1837, d. in 1884; m. Angeline Stewart."
2. 11 Feb 1837 based on age at death.
3. Thurmon King's database, citing headstone in Paxton, Illinois, died on 30 Dec 1887
   age 50 years 10m 19 days.
4. Date of marriage based on birth of first child.
5. Based on age at death.
6. Thurmon King's database, citing Angeline M Sackett headstone in Paxton, Illinois, age 86 years 24 days.
7. 1880 US census, database, LDS, FamilySearch, NA T9-0206/345A,
   "Lyman, Ford, Illinois
   Orville D Sackett, head, married, 43, b. NY, farmer, father b. MA, mother b. NY
   Angeline Sackett, wife, 39, b. NY, keeping house, father b. CT, mother b. NY
   Jennie Sackett, dau, single, 19, b. NY, keeping school, father b. NY, mother b. NY
   Jay B Sackett, son, 12, b. IL, at school, father b. NY, mother b. NY
   Parley Foster, other, male, single, 21, b. WI, laborer, father b. NY, mother b. NY
   Teena Luteson, other, female, single, 18, b. IL, father b. Germany, mother b. Germany
   Catharine Young , other, widow, 70, b. Germany, father b. Germany, mother b. Germany
   Joseph Tichwock, other, single, 25, b. Germany, laborer, father b. Germany
   Eleanda Kearney, other, male, single, 23, b. IL, laborer, father b. ME, mother b. ME."

http://www.sackettfamily.info/g109/p109058.htm

25 March 1874

--Paxton Record.  25 March 1874.

Flora & Newman take O. D. Sackett as a partner in the Flora & Newman Store.  Flora, Newman & Co. is the new name of the business.

4 May 1874

It having been a long time since your readers have heard from your correspondent at Roberts, I send you a few items.
Our town seems to exhibit its usual progress, both as to business and growth.  No material change this spring among the business men, except O. D. Sackett's genial countenance is now seen behind the counter at the old stand of Flora & Newman, he being a member of the firm.  Wm. J. Newman, Esq, formerly of Buckley, is now "mine host: at the City Hotel.  Pettit & Ashman have opened a furniture store.  W. C. Thompson & Co. have just opened in their new store, to which the Post Office is removed.  Thompson and Lyman have sold their lumber yard to a man at Buckley; they still continue in the hardware, store and tinware trade.
Our school has opened for the summer term under the instruction of Miss Ella Bliss, of Thawville.
Our  grain merchants are contracting corn in round lots at ??, and if the present cold weather continues it may go still higher.  Farmers are getting rather impatient at the long delay of spring.  Several proposed improvements and buildings in town are also waiting for favorable weather.  Our Good Templars Lodge is still gaining in number and influence.  The following persons were elected as officers of the lodge for the ensuing year:  Worthy Chief, W. C. Thompson: Worthy Vice Templar, Mrs. H. M. Lyman; Worthy Rec Sec., W. B. Flora; Worthy Treas., Mr. M. E. Thompson; W. F. Sec., T. M. Hubbard; W. Marshal, G. B. Gordon; W. I. Guard, Mrs. M. Hubbard; W. Sentinel, M. Cassingham, Past Worthy Chief, G. P. Lyman.
Hoping to see your editorial phiz, here some day, I am most respectfully yours, etc.,
M.

--Paxton Record.  4 May 1874.

Lyman Park

--Gibson City Courier.  14 April 1899.

Lyman Township Cemetery

--I got this at the Fort in Lexington, Illinois.  It was in a binder of obit-clippings for the Lyman Township Cemetery. 

More Observations from 1873

Part 3 of 3

Last but not least we mention Will C. Thompson who presides over the sole government office of which the village boasts, and serves the public faithfully as a man of bitters?. Paints and putty, pills and purgatives are passed over his counter with a ?? becoming the proprietor of the only drug store.
Dr. Cassingham feels the pulse of the public and administers correctives when necessary.
Roberts is looking for a cross railroad, which, if realized will place her in an enviable position among the village of the county.  More soon.

--Paxton Record.  12 June 1873.

More Observations from 1873

Part 2 of 3

Her little business world is peopled by a genial crew.  J. B. Meserve, (whose absence prevented our scraping his acquaintance) presides over the finest steam elevator on the G., C. & S. Railroad, with J. V. Riggs as assistant, while Thompson and Lyman dispense Lumber and Hardware; Montelius & Co., Gose & Smith and Flora & Newman do the fair thing in the line of Dry Goods and General Merchandise. Tom McNish looks after the good of men's soles, and does the agreeable in a well appointed boot and shoe store.  E. A . Bushor, horse tailor, presides with urbanity over his department, while Samuel Tapp and A. Orr, play the anvil chores to the hum of industry.  Peter Pfaat kills the beef, while H. Tinklepaugh divides his time between selecting the choicest places for the guests of the City Hotel -- of which he is proprietor -- and making and mending the wagons and carriages of his neighbors. Miss E. McMasters supplies those airy nothings, which the ladies dote upon and de?? bonnets, while G. H. Waldo belongs to that much abused class -- station agents.

--Paxton Record.  12 June 1873.

Observations on a Brief Visit

Part 1 of 3

On Tuesday last we paid our compliments to the village of Roberts, whither we ?? our ?? for the purposes of renewing old and forming new acquaintances with her business men and citizens generally, and found it a very pleasant occupation with G. H. Thompson and P. S. Gose as guides and chaperons among the sights and scenes of the city.
The village has grown well and is a healthy and well-developed two-year old, considering that she possesses no extra or ?? advantages, and that no special efforts have been made to expedite her growth.  We have no data further than our own judgment from which to estimate her population, but would place it at from 150 to 200.  She possess a fine school building 24 by 32 feet, surmounted by a cupola in which swings a bell whose duty it is to quicken the tardy steps of dilatory youth on the road to the temple of learning, as well as to summon the worshipers on Sabbath mornings to listen to the preaching of the gospel, for it has thus far served the double purpose of school and church.  The deficiency in church accommodations, however, are about to be supplied, as we found the German Methodists with an edifice well under way, which will be pushed forward to immediate completion.  The building will be ?2 by 48 feet, with height proportionate, and a tall graceful spire.
The temperance settlement of the community is manifested in the existence of a flourishing lodge of Good Templars with a membership of 50, officered by G. H. Gerden, W. C.; Mrs. Mary Thompson, W. V. T.; W. C. Thompson, Marshal; J. V. Riggs, Chaplain; G. P. Lyman, sec'y; J. B. Meserve, P. W.

--Paxton Record.  12 June 1873.

15 May 1873

. . . Our town was somewhat excited a few days since by the mysterious and sudden disappearance of our townsman P. S. Gose.  It subsided somewhat when it was rumored that he had gone to Baltimore on business.  That business was explained a week later by his return accompanied by a lady whom he introduced as Mrs. Gose.  "Long may he wave," and may his example be followed by several others here who are still plodding through life alone . . .
Mr. Patrick Boyle, residing two miles west of this town, met with quite a serious loss on Monday, the 5 inst. while himself and a hired man were at work in a field some half mile from the house, his children playing with matches, set fire in some hay near to his stable, which afterwards communicated to the stable, consuming together with it, four horses, two sets of harness, a quantity of corn, farming tools, etc.
Out hotel charges hands the 15th.  Mr. Tinklepaugh is to assume the duties as "mine host."  Mrs. T. is well qualified for the position of landlady.  Mr. Pfatt retiring to his farm in consequence of the poor health of his wife.
Mr. Gruby, contractor on the German M. E. Church, will begin the building next week. . . .

--Paxton Record.  15 May 1873.

German Methodist Church

--Paxton Record.  17 April 1873.

LETTER FROM ROBERTS

 Roberts, Ill., Jan. 21st. 1873.

. . . Our town still shows signs of healthy and permanent progress, and although we cannot boast of mushroom growth yet, our place is advancing both in building and business. A large amount of corn, flax, and pork find a market here. The Star elevator handles the largest amount of grain, although other parties are buying and shipping daily. The second grain elevator here will be put up, as soon as the weather will permit it to be erected, by Montelius & Co., who have a branch store here. W. C. Thompson & Co., are soon to put up a new store, with a hall above to be occupied as a drug store, their present quarters being too limited. The Post Office will also be removed to said store, when it is completed. We have nearly every branch of trade represented by the six stores now doing business here, with competition enough to keep "middle men" within proper bounds.
Two blacksmith shops, both overrun with business, are in full blast. One wagon shop and one harness shop are doing a good business
Several dwelling houses are to be built the coming season.
The Congregationalists and German Methodist Societies both ??.
A lodge of Good Templars has recently been organized here, with twenty-eight charter members, showing that king alchohol has no inducements to erect any temples here.
Our hotel is now in running order, and I understand a livery is soon to be opened by the proprietor of the hotel.
Mr. Jos. Hurst, our collector, can be found at the store of Thompson & Lyman ready to receive the taxes for 1872.
The people murmur bitterly against the tax levied to pay interest on railroad bonds, for the reason that the generosity of the people, in voting bonds to aid in building railroads, is repaid in unreasonable discriminations and exorbitant freights and fares. The people in Lyman, as well as elsewhere, are becoming thoroughly awakened to their interests and to the impositions put upon them by railroad monopolies.
A Farmers' Grange has been organized in this town with very favorable prospects. It is composed of intelligent farmers who know their rights and are determined to maintain them. The resolutions adopted by the Farmer's Convention, at Bloomington, meet with a hearty approval.
M. C. Eisenman, a worthy German citizen of our town, died suddenly last week, leaving a family in very indigent circumstances. Supervisor Sackett is looking after the interests of the family.
Waldo, our new station agent, is gaining boats of friends by his gentlemanly treatment of all who have business with him.
In conclusion let me say in the spirit of your Rankin correspondent, we have a beautiful rolling country around us, an elevated site for our town and room for all good citizens seeking for homes in a healthy locality, while ? is our watchword and our motto, "We aspire to rise higher."

Yours, etc.,
Angus.

--Paxton Record. 21 January 1873.