USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 98
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119
James B. Handy (deceased), farmer, Hoopeston, was born on Union Prairie, in Illinois, west of Terre Haute, July 11, 1822, and died in March, 1863. His parents were natives of New York. When he
445
PRAIRIE GREEN TOWNSHIP.
was about twelve years old he went with his parents to Newtown, Fountain county, Indiana. They bought a farm there. Young Handy lived with his parents until 1842. He was married to Kezialı Poyner, September 23, 1842. He bought a farm and resided in Foun- tain county until April, 1858, when he came to the neighborhood where his family now live. He bought land here in 1859 and moved to the farm in the spring of 1861. In 1862 his oldest son, Thomas P., enlisted in the 76th Ill. Vol., and died the same year of measles, at Columbus, Kentucky. Mr. Handy brought the body home for burial. The other children are James A., who married Cornelia Koontz; Mary A., wife of J. M. Houston ; Loretta J., wife of Theodore Finch ; Emma T., wife of Charles Beebee; and John, unmarried, who lives at home with his mother. Mr. Handy enjoyed the confi- dence of his fellow citizens. He was the first town clerk of the town- ship, and also school treasurer. He was a member of the M. E. church, as also was Mrs. Handy. She now belongs to the United Brethren church.
N. H. Endsley, farmer, Ambia, Indiana, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, February 15, 1842. His parents were Hugh and Maria (Osborne) Endsley. His mother died when he was quite young, and after her death he lived with an aunt in Harrison county, Missouri, up to the age of sixteen. He started for Pike's Peak in the year 1858, but met so many returning that he came back, and in No- vember, 1858, came to Vermilion county, Illinois. He next came to Iroquois county and worked awhile for Endsley & Scott, at the "Red
Pump," in Lovejoy township. In August, 1861, he [enlisted from Fountain county, Indiana, in Harris' Light Cavalry, afterward known as the 2d N. Y. With this famous regiment he was in all the hard- fought battles in which the army of the Potomac took a part, and was with Gen. Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. He was wounded at Gettysburg, White's Ford, and at Hanover Court-house. Mr. Endsley served through the war, then returned to Vermilion county, and was shortly after married to Amanda Daniel, daughter of Eli Daniel, who settled on the round bottom above Danville, Illinois, when that village contained but three houses. Mr. and Mrs. Endsley are both members of the Maple Grove M. E. church. He is also a member of Prairie Green Grange No. 1166. He is the father of five children : May, David U., William A., Frank M. and John W.
Murray McGrew, farmer, Hoopeston, was born March 10, 1826, near Steubenville, Ohio. His parents, James and Mary (Pentecost) McGrew, both died when he was quite young. Being a poor orphan boy his education was neglected. His youth was spent in Harrison
446
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
county, Ohio. He was married to Ann Williams, a niece of Thomas Hoopes, of Hoopeston, March 27, 1851. He followed farming in Harrison county, Ohio, until 1864, thien removed to Morgan county, Ohio, where he bought a small farm. He soon sold this and came to Vermilion county, Illinois. In the fall of 1865 he bouglit 80 acres in this township, where he built a shanty and commenced farming in tlie spring of 1866. He now values his land at $35 per acre. He has four children living : William, Sarah W., John T. (in Nebraska) and Joseph. Elizabeth died, in 1865, of spotted fever. He is a republican. Mrs. McGrew belongs to the United Brethren churchi.
William Stanton owns 120 acres in section 7, where he lives. He lias it well improved. His father, Edwin, was a native of Ohio, and his mother, Martha Peebles, of Virginia. They both came to Indiana at an early day and were married there. They were Quakers. Mr. Stanton was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, October 3, 1837. When he was quite small his father died, and as he grew up he had his mother and two sisters to provide for. He remained with his mother, following farming, until he was about twenty-seven years old. He came to Prairie Green to live about the year 1865. He was married, February 28, 1869, to Margaret Owens, a native of Warren county, Indiana. Her parents, George and Sarah Owens, were natives of Virginia and Olio. Mr. and Mrs. Stanton met with a severe affliction in the death of their daugliter, Lottie, which occurred October 26, 1879. She was born December 23, 1869. Their only living child now is Addie, who was born December 27, 1873.
William M. Moore, farmer, Wellington, was born September 10, 1826, in Washington county, Indiana. His parents settled in Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, wlien William was quite young. He lived there up to 1848. He then bought land in Benton county, Indiana, and lived there until the spring of 1866. In 1866 he moved to his farm in this township, where he now owns half of section 20, one of the finest and best improved farms in the county. He was married, February 2, 1862, to Mahala Brown; they have four children, all living: Mary E., born November 26, 1862; Marthia V., born December 25, 1864, Ella M., born November 3, 1867; and Ida, born January 1, 1867. Mr. Moore is a good citizen and desires neither office nor notoriety.
John W. Hudson, farmer, Wellington, was born near the Yadkin river, in North Carolina, December 24, 1831. His parents were Peter and Elizabeth (Adinger) Hudson ; the former was a native of South Carolina, and the latter of North Carolina. Mr. Hudson and his family are of a very mixed descent. His paternal grandfather was an Englishman, born in London. He came to America and settled near
447
PRAIRIE GREEN TOWNSHIP.
Charleston, South Carolina. He was in the revolutionary war, and reached the age of one hundred and thirteen years. His paternal grandmother was Welsh, his maternal grandmother Scotclı, and his maternal grandfather, who came to America to fight the English, was a Frenchman, born in Paris. This Frenchman settled in Nortlı Caro- lina, and was one of " Marion's inen." Once during the revolution he was hung up by the tories, head downward, and was almost dead before he was discovered and released by his comrades. He took part in the war of 1812, and was killed in battle. When Mr. Hudson was . about six years old lie came with his parents to Montgomery county, Indiana, and from there to Tippecanoe county, where in a few years his parents died. He staid with a blacksmith for some time, learned the trade and the use of tools generally. In 1852 he went to Cali- fornia overland, and while there followed mining, teaming, farming and milling, mostly in Trinity county. He returned in 1856 by way of the Istlimus of Darien. He moved from Tippecanoe to Benton county, and then to Warren county, Indiana. In 1866, after a trip to Kansas, he came to the farm he now lives on, in this township. Mr. Hudson was in the 150th Ind. Vet., Hancock's corps, from February, 1865, until Angnst, 1865. He was married while living in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, to Priscilla P. Chizum, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 13, 1823. Her parents settled on the Shawnee prairie, in Fountain county, about 1826. They were of Irish and Dutch descent. Mr. Hudson has one son living named Junior F., and also one daugliter, whose full name is Rosa Aretta Civilla Florence. There is one dead, named Edward M. Mr. Hudson is a member of the Blue Lodge of Masons, and of the chapter at Hoopeston. He has given considerable time to the invention of corn-planting and corn-cultivat- ing machinery. He obtained the second patent for a double corn- planter, being next to Brown, and also claims the third application in the patent office for a straddle row, riding corn-cultivator. He and his son have both obtained patents on check-row corn-planters, which will doubtless one day become valuable. Mr. Hudson has also applied for a patent on a "lock nut," an invention of great interest to all who use machinery. Mr. Hudson's farm of 160 acres lies in sections 17 and 20. He values it at $35 per acre. Mr. Hudson is a justice of the peace. In politics he is a greenback republican.
Isaac N. Bishop, physician and farmer, Ambia, Indiana, was born in Richland county, Ohio, where he lived until twenty years of age. He then went to Chicago, where he entered the Chicago Medical School. Here, under the direction of Prof. Byford, he made rapid and perma- nent progress in his favorite study. While an undergraduate he was
28
448
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
appointed assistant surgeon of the 57th Ill. Vet. He was in the Atlanta campaign, and with Sherman's boys in the march to the sea. He was in the battles at Rome cross roads, Georgia, Black river, South Carolina, and Bentonville, North Carolina. He was mustered out at Chicago in July, 1865. He then finished his studies and grad- uated with honor, receiving his diploma in the spring of 1866. He began the practice of medicine at Salem, Ohio, where he remained about one year, then came to this township. He was married January 4, 1871, to Annie Mitchell, daughter of Abner Mitchell, one of the first settlers and best citizens of this township. They have two boys; Ernest, born February 27, 1874; and Donno, born August 27, 1877. Dr. Bishop's practice extended over a wide territory, embracing adjoin- ing townships. He is now engaged in improving his farm of 160 acres, in section 35. When he has gained a competency liere he expects to resume his practice. Dr. Bishop is a republican.
Samuel Hazel, farmer, Hoopeston, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, July 5, 1825. He is the son of Hngh and Rath (Kearns) Hazel, who were early settlers of Wayne county. They came from · Delaware. He lived with his parents up to the time of liis marriage, which occurred November 9, 1847, his bride being Elizabeth Bishop, sister of Dr. Bishop, of this township. He lived in Ohio on several different farms for twenty years. In 1867 he came to the place he now occupies, " squatted " on the raw sod, soon after bought 200 acres, and now owns 440 acres, all of which is well cultivated and improved. In the year 1870 Mr. Hazel raised 1,000 bushels of flax-seed, which he delivered in Danville at $2 per bushel. He has three children living. The first is John, who is married and living at Claypool, Indiana. He was a graduate of the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, and has an extensive and successful practice where he resides. The second son, Samuel E., is married and lives in Vermilion county, Illinois, and a daughter named Talitha, wife of Henry Seamann, lives on an adjoin- ing farm. The names of his children who have died are Alice, Edward and Cornelius. Mr. Hazel is a member of Plato Lodge, I.O.O.F., in Lorraine county, Ohio. In politics he is a democrat. His wife is a member of the United Brethren church.
Philip Swartz, farmer, Ambia, Benton county, Indiana, was born in Baden, Germany, May 1, 1825. His parents were Thomas and Salınalı (Koos) Swartz, who lived and died in Germany. He came to this country in 1853, and for three years worked at the cabinet-maker's trade in Williamsburgh, New York. He then went to Chicago, and also visited several other cities in the northwest, working occasionally at his trade, and finally settled in Bloomington, where lie lived several
449
PRAIRIE GREEN TOWNSHIP.
years. He lived on a farm near that city a few years, and came from there to his present home in this township in 1868. He now owns 240 acres well improved. He was married, in 1855, to Mary A. Koable, a native of Germany. They have six living children : Charley, George, Frank, Caroline, Albert and William. Four are dead : John, Anna, Henry and John. Mrs. Swartz's parents are still living in Germany. Her father was in the last wars against the great Napoleon. Mr. Swartz received a common-school education. He and all his family belong to the German Catholic church. His political views are demo- cratic.
A. W. Kirkwood, farmer, Wellington, was born in Grant county, Indiana, May 15, 1838. His parents were Thomas and Jane (McCor- mick) Kirkwood, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, who came to Indi- ana at a very early day. They were of Irish descent. Mr. Kirkwood's life was spent in his father's family up to the age of twenty-one. For two years after he worked on farms in the vicinity of his home. He enlisted in the 84th Ind. Vols. for three years, in August, 1862. He was in the Atlanta campaign, and then fought at the battles of Frank- lin and Nashville. He took part in many skirmishes in Tennessee and Alabama, and was mustered out at Nashville, in June, 1865. ,He came back to Delaware county, Indiana, and worked by the month, and also in the year 1867 farmed on his own account. In 1868 he came to Lovejoy township and began working for William Adsit, where he remained eighteen monthis. He was married, September 5, 1869, to Mary Slaughter, daughter of William and Isabel (McLain) Slaughter, both of whom are still living in Stockland township, in this county. In the spring of 1870 he settled on his present farin of 80 acres, in sec- tion 17, which he now values at $2,500. Mr. Kirkwood had only a common-school education. He has been twice elected commissioner of highways, and is now treasurer of the board. He has four children : Charles N., born July 20, 1872; Laura J., born February 27, 1875 ; William M., born August 28, 1876, and Robert L., born May 28, 1878, also an infant, dead. Mr. Kirkwood is a member of Star Lodge, Hoopeston, No. 709, and of the chapter.
George H. Hedger, farmer, Wellington, was born October 9, 1852, in Oswego county, New York. His parents were also natives of New York. They came to DuPage county, Illinois, in 1854, where Mr. Hedger received a common-school education. His parents then removed to Iroquois county, Middleport township, in 1869, where his father owns a small farm. His mother died there January 3, 1879. He has one brother living in Wisconsin, named Hiram, and another named Thomas, in this county. Mr. Hedger is an industrious young farmer,
450
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
residing at present in this township. He is unmarried, and is a stanch · republican.
Samuel Ebbert, farmer, Hoopeston, 'Vermilion county, son of Andrew E. and Mary Ebbert, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, October 26, 1839. He moved with his parents to Grant county, Indi- ana, wlien he was nine years of age. He was early thrown on his own resources. By habits of industry' and economy he soon obtained a start in the world. He bought his present farm of 80 acres in 1869, and began improving it. He has lived here ever since. He married Emily E. Bradford, of Grant county, Indiana, Jannary 30, 1862. Her father was one of the oldest settlers of that county, and is still living. They have one child living : Edwin L., born March 10, 1863, and one dead. Mr. Ebbert enlisted in the 54th Ind. Vols., in October, 1862, for one year. He was with Sherman in the first attack on Vicksburg, and at the battle of Arkansas Post; he also aided in the memorable siege of Vicksburg, and took part in the battle at Jackson, Mississippi. From there he went to New Orleans. He was out with Gen. Banks' com- mand to Opelousas, Louisiana, and returned to New Orleans, where he was discharged. He reached home December 25, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Ebbert both belong to the M. E. church, at Wellington. He is a republican.
W. H. Elstob, farmer, Wellington, was born on the island of St. Helena, October 20, 1849. He is the son of George and Eliza (Coster) Elstob, natives of England. His father was a soldier in the British army ; he held the office of sergeant. He was stationed at St. Helena for seven years, and died there. After the death of his father, which occurred about 1850, he went with his mother to London, England. He attended school there, but when about fifteen years of age he went to sea in a merchant vessel. He visited the West Indies, South America, and various ports on the Atlantic and Mediterranean. His mother still lives in London. In 1870 he went to Canada, then visited Chicago, and drifted into Prairie Green, where he has remained ever since. He owns 40 acres in section 21, where he has kept bachelor's hall for the last five years.
Orlando B. Rollins, farmer, Hoopeston, was born November 16, 1838, at Pembroke, New Hampshire. His parents were Ivory M. and Sarah M., natives of New Hampshire, of English descent. He was married, November 20, 1858, to Phebe C. Hansom, a New Hamp- shire girl. They came to Bureau county, Illinois, in 1862, remained , there on a farm for about seven years, then removed to Rantoul, in Champaign county, and came from there to their present home in this township. They have three children living: Hattie M., Lettie
451
· PRAIRIE GREEN TOWNSHIP.
H. and George W. There is one dead, named Phelena. Their daughter Lettie has made, by herself, a patchwork quilt, containing about 12,000 pieces. It is very neatly put together, and is a wonder- ful piece of work for a little girl of twelve years. Mr. Rollins enlisted September 10, 1864, in the 146th Ill. Vol. for one year. Being a Yankee, Mr. Rollins has devoted considerable thought to the contrivance of new machines. He has invented a self-adjustable, clieck-row corn-planter, which works without wire or rope. He is also at work on a corn-husking machine, which he thinks will be a success. His check-row corn-planter has been patented.
Joseph Cowan, Wellington, farmer, was born in Salford, Lancashire county, England, June 31, 1836. He is the son of John and Hannah Cowan, of Scotch and English descent. When thirteen years of age he went to Tinwald, in Scotland, and served an apprenticeship of five years with a shoemaker. He then returned to Salford, and worked in a large dyeing establishment one year. He then came to America and settled in Kendall county, Illinois. He was married, November 20, 1856, to Isabella Allen, of Livingston county, Illinois. He followed farming in Kendall county until the winter of 1859-60, when he re- moved to Livingston county, and continued to farm up to the fall of 1864. Although a native of England, Mr. Cowan was an ardent republican, and believed in the vigorous prosecution of the war to put down the rebellion. He had told his political opponents that in case he were drafted, he would willingly leave home and faithfully perform his duty as a soldier. Following the draft, it was discovered that a John Cowan had been drafted, and as there was no John Cowan to .. answer to the call, his political enemies believed that the man drafted was Joseplı Cowan, and supposed he would avail himself of the mis- take in entering his name, and evade the service. Mr. Cowan, himself believing that he liad been chosen, without a moment's hesitation reported for duty, and was placed in the 44tli Ill. reg. He was in the battles of Spring Hill, Columbia, Franklin and Nashville. It was afterward discovered that one John Cowan, who had left the country, had been really drafted instead of Joseph. He was discharged in June, 1865, and resumed farming in Livingston county, until 1871, when he came to liis present home in Prairie Green. He owns a . well improved farm liere of 80 acres, in section 2, valued at $2,400, all of which he has gained by his own exertions. Mr. Cowan is a Free- mason. He and his wife and two of their children are members of the Christian church. He is the father of eight children, named as follows : Jean B., John H., Andrew G., Mary E., Minnie G., Joseplı H., Isa- bella and Benjamin. The last two are dead. Mr. Cowan has a par-
452
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
donable pride for his old English ancestors, whom he can trace back to the time of William the Conqueror.
David Smalley, farmer, Wellington, was born June 13, 1839. His parents were William and Sarah (Sargent) Smalley, who were married August 29, 1833, in Fountain county, Indiana, where they were living when the subject of this sketch was born. His youth was spent in Fountain and Warren counties, Indiana. He was married, October 3, 1860, to Martha Hickman. Her parents were Peter and Mary Hick- man, from Delaware. They are still living in Warren county, Indi- ana. Mr. Smalley has seven children living: W. Clark, P. Clay, C. Burt; R. Ora and A. Dora, twins; M. Baxley and D. Arthur. Mr. Smalley came to the farm he now lives on, in section 1, in the spring of 1873. He has now 360 acres. When he came here there was noth- ing on the place, while now he has fine groves and a yonng orchard coming on. When he was a young man his father advised him to keep out of lawsuits and bad company. He has followed this advice, and to this may be attributed much of his success in life.
Robert M. Denholm was born in Portobello, near Edinburgh, Scot- land, in the year 1851. He was educated at Dr. Bell's seminary, in Edinburgh, leaving school at the age of twelve years. He then served an apprenticeship of five years to the bookselling and stationer's busi- ness, in Edinburgh, and was also employed in book-keeping. In 1874 he came to America and settled in Prairie Green township, where he has been principally engaged in farming. For the last four years he has kept " bach," and has taken the lead in all the amusements of the young people of Prairie Green, being the life and center of the social and literary enterprises that have made the " Round Top " neighbor- hood famous throughout the county.
RIDGELAND TOWNSHIP.
This township occupies the western part of what was originally known as Onarga. At the annual meeting of the county board of supervisors, held September, 1878, a petition was presented, asking that a certain portion of the township of Onarga-described therein -be organized into a new township under the name of "Ridge." The committee to whom the subject was referred, recommended that the petition be granted ; and at a subsequent meeting held in Janu- ary, 1879, the report was adopted and the division made, the vote being twenty-two yeas and one nay. The official act is as follows : " All that territory of the township of Onarga lying west of a line
453
RIDGELAND TOWNSHIP.
commencing at the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 11, town 26, range 10 east of the 3d principal meridian ; run- ning thence south to the southeast corner of section 26 of said town and range; thence west to the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 35 of said town and range; thence south to the southeast corner of lot one in the northwest quarter of section 2, town 25, range 10, shall be and constitute the town of "Ridge." At the annual meeting held in September, 1879, it was officially determined that "all territory east of the following line, commencing at the center of Sec. 35, T. 26, R. 10 E .; thence running due north on the half-section line to south line of Douglas township, which territory now forms a part of the town of Ridgeland, be and the same is hereby attached to the town of Onarga." The first township election was held in the Ridgeville school-house, on the first Tuesday of April, 1879. I. N. Wilson, A. H. Whiteside and J. C. Shear acted as judges of election. The following were elected the first officers of the township : Supervisor, A. R. Butler; town clerk, F. R. Jameson ; assessor, D. B. Moffat; collector, William H. H. Dinning; commissioner of highways, H. B. Booth ; constables, Robert Couch, J. B. Miller; justice of the peaces, B. H. Skeels, J. M. Mears. At this meeting the name of the township was changed from "Ridge " to "Ridgeland," as there is already a town of same name in Jackson county. This township was originally all prairie, there being but one tree standing in it. At present, however, the aspect of the country is greatly changed in consequence of the numerous orchards and groves of willow and other trees that have been planted on nearly every farm. The newcomer can hardly realize the great change that has taken place in the appearance of this vast prairie under the transforming hand of civilization. The surface of the township is generally level, in some portions it would seem too much so. This level, however, is considerably relieved by ridges, generally extending in an easterly and westerly direction, and while nowhere is the surface abruptly broken, yet there are suffi- cient inclinations to admit of easy and permanent drainage. Spring creek rising in Ford county on the west, enters this township near its southwest corner, and flowing irregularly in a northeasterly course nearly to the center, bends its course southeasterly, leaving the town near the corner of section 35. This is the only flowing stream in the township. But little do the people care for that. Nature has provided an inexhaustible supply of the most wholesome water. The artesian wells that are found wherever needed, bring unfailing streams of health and happiness to every household. That fearful
:
454
HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
scourge of the west, as well as of the east, -chills and fever,-is un- known in this town. The artesian water, charged with strong medicinal qualities of nature's own compounding, stands like a "flaming sword " to protect the citizen from his worst foe, sickness. No more healthful region can be found. One gentleman declared that he had been entirely cured of a troublesome rheumatic affection solely through its use. Numerous artesian springs are found in the western part of the town, and are truly remarkable,-a feature that in many localities would certainly be turned to profitable account. This extreme healthfulness of the country, together with the unsur- passed fertility of the soil, adapted as it is to the growth of every vegetable product, is the principal reason assigned why so many. intelligent people have been content to make this section of the county their home. For several years past, crops have failed in con- sequence of excessive moisture, the surface being too level to permit of a ready natural disposal of the surplus water. But the gradual extension of a general system of ditches, and increased attention to drainage by means of drain-tile, are perceptibly removing this great obstacle to successful farming.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.