USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Witt > Witt centennial : Witt, Montgomery County, Illinois, 1868-1968 > Part 3
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ROSEMARY (STAUDER) EHRLICH
Rosemary (Stauder) Ehrlich graduated from Witt High School, class president in 1943. Was employed by Indiana Bell Tele- phone Co for four years before marrying Ray L. Ehrlich, co-owner of Superior Electric Co. Now makes her home at 2318 Lanewood Dr., Muncie, Ind., with husband and children, Barbara Ann, Joseph Raymond, Susan Mary, Mark Steven and Karen Denise. Is member St. Lawrence Altar and Rosary Society, Daughters of Isabella, Knights Wives and Delta Zeta Colonnade Club at Ball State Uni- versity.
In Memory Of MICHAEL & ANNIE CHARNISKY (1875-1917) (1875-1957)
By Family Joseph, Steve, Helen, Cecelia, Andy and Michael of Chicago Mary of Michigan City, Indiana Annie of Springfield, Illinois
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C. L. ARMENTROUT FAMILY
The Armentrout family came to America in 1739 on the English sailing ship, Samuel. The family that arrived and landed at Phila- delphia in August that year nearly two and a quarter centuries ago consisted of a widow, Anna Elizabeth Ermentraudt and seven chil- dren. One of her sons was Christopher Er- mentraudt (married to Susanna Power). One of their sons was Henry Ermentraudt, who was the father of Christopher H. Armentrout. He was born in Hardy County, Virginia, in 1797, and came to Illinois in a covered wagon, with his wife and children in 1839. He bought a small farm and built a log cabin in Section 17 of what is now Witt township. In 1846 he dug a well on an adjoining section and built a two-story home there.
John Taylor Armentrout, one of his sons, was a prominent man in civic affairs in his community. He was born on this same farm and was married to Rebecca Ann Vermilion. After their marriage they settled on this farm and continued there until his death in 1887. His wife lived there until her second marriage to Fred Mitchell. Their son, Clar- ence L. Armentrout was born in 1872, and was married to Ida Towell in 1893. They lo- cated on a farm in section 7, Witt township, where they lived until 1903, and in that year came to the Armentrout homestead, which was their home until his death in 1925.
The homestead is now owned by John Thomas Armentrout, having been in the fam- ily four generations.
The children of C. L. and Ida (Towell) Armentrout are Inez (Mrs. Chester Cunning- ham ) of Plainfield, Indiana, who has six chil- dren, namely, Clarice (Lombardi) of Califor- nia, Ray of Indiana, Wesley, who died in 1967, Melvin of Indiana, Dale of Tennessee, and Elsie (Hand) of Indiana. There are 17 grand- children. Leslie of Witt (married Mary Thumb) has one child, Rosemary (Ivie) of St. Louis, Mo. There is one grandchild. John of Witt (married Myrtle Eddington) has three children, Lavonne (Clayton) of Witt, Imogene (Durbin) of Witt, and Juanita (Casebier) of Missouri. There are 13 grand- children. Lethia (Mrs. Francis Nagle) of Kan- kakee, who has three children, June (Saat- kamp) of Alma, Ill., Betty (Webb) of Kanka-
kee and Don Eddington of Decatur. There are seven grandchildren. Dorothy ( Mrs. Rob- ert Rengel) of Bloomington, Ill., has three children, Gary, of Peoria, Judith ( Barling ) of Bloomington, Ill., and Jean (Stephens ) of Hudson, Ill. There are seven grandchildren. Velma (Mrs. Carl Moffat ) of Dallas, Texas, has two sons, Robert of Florida and David cf Dallas, Texas. There is one grandchild.
MILLER-SCHNEIDER FAMILY
William Miller came to Witt Twp. in 1889, married Katharine Schwartz, daughter of John and Kate Schwartz. They were par- ents of 3 sons, Blazius, John and Emil. Be- cause of the death of their mother in 1899, they were raised by their grandmother. John, a farmer, married Fannie Mindurp in 1920. They were the parents of 4 children, Harold, the oldest, married Ruby Schneider, the daughter of Alva J. Schneider, who with his wife and 2 daughters came to Illinois from Southern Indiana in 1931, living near Irving until 1939 when they moved to a farm near Witt. Mrs. Schneider passed away in 1943. Mr. Schneider lives with the Harold Millers who are the parents of Larry, Patsy, Roger and James. His other daughter, Evelyn, wife of Clement Stauder of Nokomis, has 2 chil- dren, Louis and Barbara. Other children of John and Fannie Miller are, Ruby, wife of Wendell Egelhoff of Raymond, daughters, Judy and Connie. Wilma Jean, wife of Ed Pilgrim of East Alton, children, Deborah, Linda and Eddie. and Marilyn, wife of Henry Snoddy of Hillsboro, sons, Johnny and Ron- nie.
CONGRATULATIONS
ON YOUR
CENTENNIAL
PAULINE (BRONZA) BUNTEN
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JOHN MARTIN FAMILY
John Martin (1965-1941), one of a fam- ily of nine children of William and Susan (Crosser) Martin, was born in Portsmouth, Ohio. The family came to Illinois by covered wagon and settled in Effingham county.
On February 11, 1889, he was married to Lillie May Bowlby ( 1866-1946), daughter of George and Xenia (Buckingham) Bowlby, residents of Olney, Illinois.
They purchased the George Paisley farm 1,4, mile southwest of Paisley (now Witt) in 1903 and moved in the spring of 1904. They were parents of five children: Zora R. (1889- 1957), Florence E. (1891), Charles A. (1895), Ethel L. (1897-1968), and George W. (1906- 1908).
In 1908, Zora married Edwin F. Bates (1882-1962) of Witt Illinois. They had five children: Doris G. (1910), Robert L. (1912), Roberta L. (1912-1916), and twins (1915) who died in infancy. Robert married Mercedes Butler, deceased. In 1951, Robert married Veronica M. Potsic (1918) of Witt, Illinois. They have one son, Thomas Leroy (1953).
In 1912, Florence married Phil F. Speis- er (1886) of Witt, Illinois. They were the par- ents of three children: Paul E. (1919), Wilma L. (1922-1927), and John W. (1923). In 1947. Paul married Wanda G. Hinton (1923) of No- komis Illinois. They were the parents of four children: Rae Lynn (1948), Paul Kent (1950), Bette Ann (1952), who died in infan- cy, and Connie Mae (1955). In 1946, John married J. Ruth Hines (1925) of Nokomis, III- inois. They have two children: Ruth Ann (1947) and John Philip (1948). In 1967, John
P. married Connee Sue Cain (1947) of Noko- mis, Illinois. They have a daughter, Stephanie Ann ( 1967).
In 1916, Charles married Goldie Wade (1894-1953) of Pawnee, Illinois. They had four children: Glenn W. (1917), Kenneth R. (1920), LeRoy M. (1924), and Martha Marie (1927). In 1955, Charles married Bessie I. King (1903) of Springfield, Illinois. Glenn married Roberta Zepp (deceased). In 1949, he married Mary Jane Bates ( 1926) of Owaneco, Illinois. They have three children: George Ed- ward (1953), Frank Glenn (1958), and Nancy Jane (1964). In 1944, Kenneth married Doris M. Grimes (1923) of Nokomis, Illinois. They have four children: Jerry Ray (1946), Randy Wade (1949), Karla Mae (1951), and Lorna Lee (1955). In 1946, LeRoy married Audrey A. Ryan (1926) of Owaneco, Illinois. They have six children: Edward LaMar (1948), Su- zanne Marie (1950), Deborah Kay (1951), James Ryan (1953), Jeffrey Charles (1955), and Jay L. (1958). In 1967, Edward married Carole Lapsansky (1947) of Witt, Illinois. They have one daughter, Schelli Anne ( 1967). In 1954 Martha married Clarence W. Barn- stable (1928) of Nokomis, Illinois. They are the parents of three children: Barbara Bea (1955), Kay Marie (1957), and Robert Wil- son (1962), who died in infancy.
In 1919 Ethel married Charles Jones (1896) of Witt, Illinois. They had two chil- dren: Lily Mae (1920) and Charles W. (1924-1948). In 1939, Lily Mae married George D. Sample (1917) of Witt, Illinois. They have two children: Charles Edward (1953) and Lenore Ruth (1957). In 1944, Charles W. married Catherine M. Gensini (1924) of Nokomis, Illinois. They had one son. Michael J. (1946), who married Jane E. Smith (1946) of Witt, Illinois in 1966.
CONGRATULATIONS
TOM AND GILDA ROSKO
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JOHN WILLIAMSON FAMILY
At the turn of this century a young Scotsman, John (Joke) Williamson, came to the small community of Witt, Illinois. He worked in the coal mines and became active in the United Mine Workers' Union. He then became a policeman for Witt. In 1908, he de- cided to get married and chose Witt as his permanent residence. The original poem written by the reporter of The Witt Press, the late Kate Whitnack( pictures this event better than any other statements to that ef- fect.
TO OUR COPPER
In the little town of Bonnybridge Across the ocean wide, A little romance started Which won our "Cop" a bride.
John had been quite restless In about two weeks before. The ship that was to bring his prize Had landed on the shore.
Last Tuesday when the 2:16 Had just got to the station, He waved his "Billy" back and forth As if he owned a nation.
Of course we couldn't understand "Till the lass got off the train.
We welcome Mrs. Williamson From across the ocean wide. And compliment our "Coppie" In winning such a bonny bride.
Mr. Williamson was for many years on the Police Force in Witt, where he lived un- til his death in 1959. He is well remembered by all. The 9:00 P. M. curfew sent many of
the youth at that time on their way home each evening with a warning to others. Tru- ants from school will always remember the "Rock Pile" near the Old Mine. They soon learned that it really was easier to go to school and much more pleasant.
He served on the local school board as a member and also as president for many years. He always showed an interest in the young people of the community and kept in touch with many after they left Witt to take up residence in other cities.
Mrs. Williamson is still living in Witt, Illinois, at the family residence on Middleton Street. With the exception of a few months after their marriage, the Williamsons lived in this same residence. This place is still home to the children who try to visit their mother as often as possible.
The four children of the Williamson fam- ily are as follows: Dr. Beulah Chervinko, Chicago, who is a teacher in the Chicago Public High Schools. She married George Chervinko of the famous Speed-Boys Basket- ball team of 1928. George spent much time during his illness at the family residence. He passed away in November 1966.
David Williamson, St. Louis, is manager of Monsanto Employees' Cafeteria. He has one daughter, Marie Eleana, who graduated from the University of Missouri in June 1967, and was married the following week. She is now teaching Physical Education at Affton High School, Affton, Mo.
James Williamson, St. Louis. is supervis- or of Food Service Corporation, and present- ly employed at Missouri Baptist Hospital. He has four children. Margaret and Lynn are married, Richard works at Famous-Barr Food Service, and Robert was recently discharged from the U. S. Marines.
Jack Williamson, Long Beach, California, is retired from the Coast Guard and is pur- suing higher education. His one son, Bruce, is married, working, and continuing his col- lege education. He has one son. Scot Dell Williamson. This is the first and only great- grandchild in the family and according to Jack "el mejor del mundo".
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ROBERT BAIRD FAMILY
Robert Baird came to Witt in 1910 from Hamelton, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His wife, Mary (Gilmour ) Baird, came the following year with Euphemia (1909), and Jeanie (1911). They first lived at the corner of Allen and Main St., where Peter was born (1912). Robert Baird built a home in Jones' addition (now Allen St.) where Margaret (1913) and Mary (1915) were born. Mrs. Mary Baird died in 1957 and Mr. Baird in 1962.
Euphemia (Mrs. Arthur Ruckle ) of St. Louis died in 1962. She had three children: Robert Baird (married Pat Masgon) father of Pam and Jon, of Witt; Margaret ( Mrs. Art. Sandy) mother of seven children of Flint, Mich .; Janet (Mrs. Robt. Brewer) mother of eight children of Granite City. The son Peter died in 1966. Jeanie Baird is single, lives in Chicago. Margaret (Mrs. Urban Calame) of near Witt has two daughters: Carol (Mrs. Wm. Lee) mother of Richard, of Nokomis; and Marilyn (Mrs. Larry Reynolds) mother of Ray and Joan, of Irving. Mary ( Mrs. Ev- erett Shelton ) of Witt has two children, Jan- et (Mrs. Alan Janssen ) mother of Marilyn, Paula and Gail of Morrisonville, and George (married Joyce Thomas) father of Steven of Witt.
RALPH THUMB FAMILY
Ralph Thumb ( 1871-1958 ) son cf Marvin and Sarah (Cross) Thumb, born in Witt township. He was educated at the Pleasant Hill School. His father donated the land on
which the school was built. He was a dairy farmer, owning two farms in the Witt com- munity. In Jan. 1898 he was married to Em- ma Lipe (1877-1930) daughter of John S. and Catherine (Weller) Lipe. To this union two daughters were born. Mabel (1899-1965) wife of Harvey Eddington and Mary, wife of Les- lie Armentrout. The Eddingtons were parents of two daughters: Margery, wife of Robert Manuell of Indianapolis, Ind., and they have three children, Donald, David and DeeAnn; and June wife of Thomas Zak of Sacramento, Calif., and they have one son, Dennis. The Armentrouts have one daughters, Rosemary, wife of Eddie Ivie of St. Louis, Mo., and they have one daughter, Lynda Sue. The Armen- trouts are presently residing on the home place.
* LOWE FAMILY
Arthur Lewis Lowe, 1882-1936 and
Stella (Baxter) Lowe, 1884-1957 Children
1. Zelma Baxter Lowe, 1906-
(Mrs. Willis Adams) 1938 Children Phillip, 1943; Kenneth, 1945
2. Arthur David Lowe, 1913- Children David, Donald, Sharon
3. Mildred Louise Lowe, 1920- (Mrs. Grant Gower) 1938
Children
Paul, Rebecca, Timothy, Steve, David Great Grandchildren
1. Kathy; 2. Betty; 3. Debra Lowe
4. Todd McGowan;
5. Susanne Michelle Adams
JOHN AND JOSEPHINE KARICH
John, born Yugoslavia Dec. 1880, died Sept. 8, 1953, at Witt, Ill. Came to U. S. 1904, to III. 1909. Josephine, born in Yugoslavia Oct. 1889. Came to U. C. in 1913. Gave birth to three children. Josephine, born 1914, lived 3 weeks. Justine, lives in Mattoon, Ill. Hed- wie lives in Arvada, Colo. Mrs. Karich has 5 grandchildren. John and Josephine were married 40 years and 1 day at the time of his death.
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THE BATTLES FAMILY
Thomas Stevenson Battles was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1803. He married Susan Snowden of Philadelphia; her mother's name was West, a relative of the famous Quaker painter.
They were the parents of three children, William, Thomas and Johnston. They moved to Ohio in 1833. The mother died soon after.
Thomas and second wife came to Illi- nois in 1861 and bought a farm 6 miles south of Nokomis. It is now owned by the Uzzel family and occupied by Roy Ernest .. He paid for it with gold which he carried in his belt around his waist. He was preacher of a Meth- odist Church known as Prairie Chapel, locat- ed near the property now owned by Mrs. Hand in Witt Township. He died in 1900 at the age of 97.
A son Johnson and his family of 9 chil- dren came to Illinois from Ohio, bought a farm in 1873, 41 .. miles south of Nokomis in Witt township. It has since been owned by Ben Battles and Earl Battles, is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Zupanci.
A son. Ben Battles, was born in 1866, married Rhoda Ransdell in 1890. They lived on a farm 41 . miles east of Witt, across the road from Prairie College School, since own- ed bv Ed Battles and Harold Battles. She died in 1932 and he died in 1937. They were the parents of three sons. Earl of Calif., Lester of Centralia, Ill., Ed died in 1963.
Willard Battles another son of Johnston. was born in 1862. He married Eliza Olive Ransdal in 1887. They lived on a farm 4 miles east of Witt joining the Ben Battles farm. He died in 1891 and she died in 1951.
They were the parents of 3 children, Mabel, who died in 1908, Ross of Calif., and Lucv, wife of Lester Wittnam, now living on the farm. They are the parents of 2 children, Mrs. Merle Berns of Nokomis and Mrs. Ger- aldine Holloway of Witt.
THE HINES FAMILY
Thomas E. Hines and Miss Jessie Randle were married April 26, 1911. They lived in the Witt-Nokomis area all their lives. Mr. Hines passed away Oct. 8, 1966. They have the following children:
Randle Hines of Alton; Doris (Mrs. Jack
Toberman) died in 1965; Raymond, died in 1915; C. L. "Shorty" Hines of East St. Louis; Marcella (Mrs. Roy Sullivan) of Morrison- ville; Paul Hines of Witt; Alice ( Mrs. Marion O'Malley) of Fillmore; Ruth (Mrs. John Speiser; and Marilyn (Mrs. Melvin Cham- bers), both of Witt. There are 12 grandchil- dren and 2 great-grandchildren.
CORA Z. LIPE
Among the early settlers of Montgomery County were John and Rachel Lipe, who ar- rived here from Cabarries County, North Carolina, in November 1831. They settled in the area of St. John Church, five miles west of Witt. They were the parents of thirteen children, most of whom settled in the same area. John gave land for the Church and Cemetery. One of their sons was Wiley Lipe, the father of Carrie Lipe Gardnes and Cora Z. Lipe, the latter of whom has lived her en- tire life in and around Witt. She received her early education in Irving, Hillsboro, Carthage College and later received her master's de- gree from the University of Illinois.
Cora Lipe taught two years in the rural schools between high school and college edu- cation and then after receiving her college education spent forty-five years teaching all in Montgomery County. The last forty were in the Witt Schools. She is a member of the Methodist Church, Delta Kappa Gamma, and has been active in those organizations and other community work, especially the Witt Memorial Librarv. She retired in 1957 and continues her life in her home in Witt.
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GEORGE POWIS FAMILY
George Powis, his wife, Patience M. Powis, and two children, Walter and Frank, came to this country in 1886. They settled at LaSalle, Ill. Frank died in 1888. They came to Witt in 1889. They were the parents of 10 children. They lived in the Whitmore log house, now Vine St. They built their house in 1901 (now the corner of North St. and Ray- mon Ave.). Mr. Powis worked in the mine, was active in lodge and civic projects.
Mr. Powis, born May 27, 1861, at Wolver- hampton, England, died Jan. 3. 1946. Mrs. Powis, born May 5, 1865, at Faisley. England, died April 25, 1958. A daughter, Grace, died April 27, 1918, after teaching one year at Paisley School.
A son, Ross, died Dec. 19, 1948, at Lan- sing, Mich. leaving 2 children: Richard (fath- er of Vic, Van and Angela) and Mrs. Betty Nolan (mother of Bruce and Dawn) all of Lansing.
A son, Carl Powis, died Aug. 11, 1958, leaving one child, Mrs. Margorie Hargrave (mother of Edward and Robbie, grandmother of Delores), all of Witt.
A son, Walter Powis, lives in Peoria, Ill. His daughter, Virginia, Mrs. Floyd Braye, (mother of Sheryl of Raymond and Brian. Sgt. Brian Brave served in England and Spain).
A son, Ernest Powis, has 3 children: Rus- sell died May 13, 1918; Mrs. Josephine Baugh- man (mother of Berthram) died Jan. 1948; Mrs. Laura Smith (mother of Donald, Mich- ael. Robert, Brian); Vernon Powis, whose children are Vernon Jr., of Mt. Pleasant, Mich. and Mrs. Susan Ward (mother of Jef- fery) of Saganaw, Mich.
A son, Albert Powis, was in WW I April 1917 to Aug. 1919, arrived in France in June,
1917, served in 5 major and 3 defensive bat- tles, hiked up the Rhu River Valley to Ger- many. He received the Nurdun Medal, the Furrigare, the Crot, the Guerre, with 5 cita- tions, serving with the 66 Co. 1 Batt. 5th Marines Belgium, Luxenburg, Germany. His son is Major Albert (Teddy) Powis, Jr. of Lansing, Mich. (father of Connie. Winnie, Tom, Jeff and Marilyn).
A daughter, Mrs. Mary L. Costa of Dart- mouth, Mass., has a daughter, Mrs. Chaunda Baier, and grandaughter, Kathy, of Liver- ton, Mass.
A son, Leslie Powis, of Central Valley, Calif., has four children: Arlene, born 1937, died 1941 in Michigan; Mrs. Doris Schoen- berg (mother of Daniel, Michael, Timothy ) of Past Falls, Idaho; a son, Raymond Powis, of China Lake, Calif .; a son, Ray Edward, and daughter, Kare Lynn, of Spokane, Wash.
A son, Bert Powis, served in WW I 5th Div. 11th Inf. Co. Hq. Band. in France and Luxenburg.
A daughter, Mrs. Ruth Shelton Black, has 4 children: Sgt. Cyril Shelton, 25 years service in the U. S. Air Force in England, France, Saude Arabia, Germany. His chil- dren are Jerilyn, Susanne, Marylee. He is now retired, living in Mascoutah, Ill .; A son, Everett Shelton, of Witt, has 2 children, George (served with the National Guard, father of Stephen) of Witt, and Mrs. Janet Janssen, mother of Marylin, Paula and Gail, of Morrisonville, Ill. A son, Major Roy Shel- ton, has 28 years service in Italy, Japan, Ko- rea. Thailand. He is now working with the Army Forces Examining and Entrance Sta- tion of Oakland, Calif. His children are: Sp. 4 Tom Shelton, in service in Vietnam with 406th Transportation Corps Detachment; Mrs. Melody Webb (mother of Bobbie Russel, Jo Ann) of Keiserskaughtern, Germany; a daughter, Thelma Shelton Goldsmith, has 6 children: Sp. 4 Harry Goldsmith, Hq. Co. USAG. Fort Carson, Colo., (father of Jesse and Leslie), now living in Donnelson, Ill .; Larry Goldsmith, his child, Tracey, of Noko- mis, Ill .; Mrs. Joyce Sidener, her son. Tim- othy. Oconee, Ill .; Jim, Linda and Wilma Goldsmith at home, Oconee, Ill.
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SAMUEL PATTINSON FAMILY
Samuel Pattinson was born in Derby, England on Dec. 2, 1881. He left England as a very young man, worked his way to Canada as a meat cutter on a ship. Leaving Canada, he moved to Morrisonville, Ill. In 1905 he came to Witt and worked as a meat cutter for the coal company store. It was there he met Alma Jane Chapman, who worked there as a bookkeeper.
Alma Jane was the daughter of James Henry and Sarah Chapman. She was born on a farm northwest of Witt on June 10, 1886. Alma's Grandfather Chapman helped organ- ize the first Methodist Church in Witt.
One of her uncles was a minister. Johnny AppleSeed was also a relative of Alma's. He planted apple seeds through the middle west. and some of the old trees are still standing.
Alma and Sam were married in 1907 in Witt and to them eleven children were born. Two died in infancy (Mary Lue and James Dakin). The remaining nine and their chil- dren are: (Reginald) California, James, Mary Ann; (Catherine Barnick) Texas, Edward; (Dorothy Rogers) Witt; John, Karen, Ruth Ann; (Jane Dilley) Missouri, Donald; (Reba Tidwell) California, Caral, Suzanne, Sharon; (Edith Chervinko) Danville, Ill., Cynthia, Stephen: (Samuel Jr.) Texas. Madonna, Scott; (Martha Blair) Kentucky, Janet, Lin- da, Pamela; (Gloria Zwinak) California, An tone (deceased) Antonell, Tamara.
Sam worked as a meat cutter for Fesser Brothers and W. E. Betty for many years. In 1915 he moved his family to a small farm
northwest of Witt where he ran a miik route. In 1944 they retired and moved closer in town. After retiring they took trips over the coun- try visiting their children and grandchildren.
Samuel passed away in 1963 and Alma in 1966. They are buried at Irving, Illinois.
This quote best described Mr. and Mrs. Pattinson. "You give but little when you give of your possessions. It's when you give of yourself that you truly give."
JOSEPH DeLUKA FAMILY
Joseph DeLuka ( 1872-1939) was born in Aronzo, Italy. He came to the United States in 1892 and resided in Pennsylvania until 1896 when he went to Braidwood, Illinois, and there he became a naturalized citizen cn April 15, 1897. In 1899, he came to Witt, Illi- nois, and worked as a coal miner. The next year he sent to Italv for Miss Giovanni Zan- degiacomo-Cella (1875-1919) whom he mar- ried soon after her arrival. They became the parents of eight children: Louis, Charles, Mario, Celio, Mary, Elvira, Enio and Lena.
Louis married Freda Hagemeier of No- komis; they have four children: Eldon of Pana, William of Nokomis, Janice Fisher cf Aurora, and Kathy at home.
Charles, who passed away on March 21, 1968, was married to Josephine Westbrook of Hillsboro; they have three children: Charles E. Jr. of Burlington, Wisconsin, Rose Marie Bogle of Witt, and Larry Lynn of Hillsboro.
Celio married Ruby Weller of Irving; they have two children: Lecna Huber of Hillsboro and Robert of Nokomis.
Mary was married to Christian Meisen- heimer who passed away March 24, 1968. She has three children: Joseph of Collinsville, Marlene Barach and Rose Marie Bickmore of Bethalto; and three step-sons: Richard, Ken- neth. and Robert, of Bethalto.
Elvira, wife of Lee Wagoner of Portland. Oregon, has one son, Bruce.
Fnio married Margaret Holmes of Witt, and they have three children: Don of Hills- boro. Bradley and Mary Jo at home.
Mario died in infancy and Lena died in 1951.
There are thirty-three great-grandchil- dren.
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THE BECKHAM FAMILY
Douglas H. Beckham was born Jan. 1, 1869, oldest son of William and Julia (Lesko) Beckham of Stony Point, North Carolina. A brother, Mac, is deceased, and a sister, Hattie Harris, is still liivng at the age of 86. He came to Illinois at the age of 22, working on farms for many of the Lipes in Rountree twp. After moving to Witt he worked as butcher for Henry Grantham a short time and then for Fesser Bros. He married Maud Grantham in 1902. She was born at Irving May 22, 1875, daughter of Daniel and Melin- da (Irvin). She was one of 9 children.
They had two daughters, Grace, second child, graduated from Witt school in 1924 and attended Eastern Illinois College at Char- leston. She taught the term of '24- and '25 at
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