Illinois Genealogy contains information and records for Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Specifically, it provides sources for birth records, death records, marriage records, census records, tax records, court records, and military records across the entire state of Illinois. It also provides some historical details about different times and people in Illinois history.
Andrew J. Myers, born on March 11, 1842, in Palmyra Township, belonged to a pioneering family of German descent. His father, William Myers, and mother, Phoebe Hull, established their farm in Lee County, overcoming early hardships. Andrew married Julia E. Kentner on December 24, 1864, and they had three daughters. He spent his entire life on the family farm, which he acquired in 1872. Known for his integrity, he earned the trust of the community and supported Democratic values, while also being an engaged and educated individual.
Joseph Shultz, a retired farmer, settled in North Dixon in 1880 after moving from South Dixon Township, where he had farmed successfully since 1864. Born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, on May 30, 1819, he was the son of Conrad Shultz, who had German ancestry. Joseph’s first wife, Catherine Hannah, died young, leaving him with thirteen children, of whom four survived. He later married Maria McCloskey, who bore him three children. Joseph was active in the Evangelical Association and served as Justice of the Peace, aligning with the Republican Party throughout his life.
Theodore Rust, born on Heligoland in the North Sea, engaged in the jewelry business in Dixon. His father, Charles Rust, a Bavarian, served in the British Army and later assisted in organizing cavalry troops during the Civil War before dying young. Theodore immigrated to the U.S. with his family and learned the jewelry trade in Hamburg, Germany. He established a successful business in Dixon in 1879 after working in several major cities. Married to Alice Williams, he was active in civic societies and achieved prosperity through hard work and sound management.
William H. Van Epps, born December 18, 1842, in East Bethany, New York, was a prominent merchant and farmer in Dixon, Illinois. Descended from early Dutch settlers, he witnessed the area’s growth from a village to a thriving community. After briefly serving in the military during the Civil War, he joined his father’s mercantile business and later operated his own. Van Epps contributed to local development, building several commercial properties. He married Leah Emery in 1877, and they had a daughter, Charlotte Isabel. He passed away after 37 years of active involvement in Dixon’s business landscape.
Willbourne E. Paddock, a resident of Ashton, was an esteemed and enterprising citizen known for his contributions to the community. He was born in Ogle County on November 8, 1842, and engaged in the mercantile business from 1865 to 1882, often in partnership with J. B. Williams. Paddock owned seven hundred acres of well-improved land in Iowa and was respected for his business acumen. He descended from Riley Paddock, an influential figure who advocated for education and church development. Willbourne’s legacy was built upon a strong family background and his commitment to public service.
Andrew Ventler, born on May 11, 1830, in Germany, emigrated to the United States in 1853, seeking better opportunities. After working in various jobs, including on a railroad, he became a successful farmer in Bradford Township. He married Elizabeth Ginterman in 1860, and through hard work, they amassed a substantial estate of 680 acres. They raised nine children, with seven surviving. Ventler was known for his industriousness and frugality, becoming a prominent figure in Lee County, while actively participating in the Democratic Party and the Lutheran Church.
George E. Smith, a retired railroad engineer, lived near Dixon, Illinois, on a five-acre property he developed after a successful career. He began working in railroad shops at age fifteen and progressed to roles with the Boston and Lowell Road, the Great Western Railroad, and the Wabash Railroad, where he served for thirty years without serious accidents. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1833, he married Eliza Underwood in 1854 and had two children. Smith was known for his industrious nature and political engagement, proudly contributing to his community throughout his life.
Nathan A. Petrie was a respected member of the banking firm Mills Petrie, known for his integrity in the business community. Born on November 14, 1843, in Parish, New York, he grew up in a family of seven children. After moving to Lee County, Illinois, at nineteen, he partnered with S. H. Mills in various businesses, eventually establishing the Ashton Bank in 1869. Petrie served as Supervisor of Ashton Township and as a Notary Public. He married Sarah E. Howard in 1880, and she was well-regarded in the community.
Arthur Phillips, a prominent stock-breeder and farmer in Nelson Township, was born on February 18, 1822, in Warren County, Ohio. He moved to Illinois in 1852, initially settling in China Township before purchasing a 280-acre farm in Nelson Township. Known for his strong physique and character, he specialized in stock-raising, particularly Short-Horn cattle. Married to Louisa Wingert, he had five children, with one daughter deceased. A respected citizen and Democrat, Phillips’ successful management made him a significant figure in his community before he reached the age of eighty-seven.
Capt. William S. Frost, born October 7, 1832, in Maine, was a prominent farmer, landowner, and Civil War veteran in Lee County, Illinois. He served as Captain in the Seventy-fifth Illinois Regiment, participating in significant battles and sustaining injuries at Atlanta. After the war, he returned to farming and became an influential community leader, marrying Sophia E. Shaw in 1865 and raising five children. Actively involved in local governance, he contributed to key projects, including drainage improvements. Capt. Frost’s legacy reflects his dedication to both military service and community development.
The following states neighbor Illinois and are not listed in the Great Lakes Genealogy list below. Visit AccessGenealogy to see free genealogy covering the entire United States.
