The Andrews Family 

Robert Emerson Andrews was born in State Line, Indiana, on May 23, 1904, the third of five children. His father, Charles Clinton Andrews, served as cashier of the Oakwood State Bank for many years. His mother, Clemmer Taylor, was the eldest daughter of Thomas A. Taylor of Catlin. Charles and Clemmer were married in Catlin on February 20, 1896.

Robert moved to Oakwood in 1907 when his father became affiliated with the bank. He was educated in the Oakwood school system and graduated from Oakwood High School in 1922.

Following graduation, Robert took a position as a teller with Palmer Bank, where he met Sara Braden of Rossville. They married on January 25, 1933, in Danville at the home of Sara’s aunt, Bertie Braden. Robert later worked for Illinois Power before assuming his father’s insurance business upon his father’s illness. The family moved to Oakwood in 1938, initially living with the elder Andrews at their home on the southwest corner of Scott and Sailor Streets. In 1939, Robert and Sara purchased a home on Seymour Street where they lived until 1967.

Robert and Sara Andrews had three children: Robert Braden Andrews, born 1940; Charles Clinton Andrews, born 1943; and Mary Elizabeth Andrews, born 1944.

Robert “Bob” Andrews served Oakwood in numerous capacities including the Village Board, volunteer fire department, and Oakwood Grade School Board of Education. He was also Oakwood Township Supervisor and Chairman of the Vermilion County Board for several years until 1960. Notably, he advocated for the designation of part of the United Electric Mine area as a state park, now known as Kickapoo State Park. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and, along with Sara, an active member of the Oakwood Methodist Church. Bob Andrews passed away on July 12, 1972.

Sara Elizabeth Braden was born in Rossville, Illinois, on July 19, 1911, the only daughter of Robert and Gertrude Evans Braden. She embraced Oakwood as her home and was a cherished member of the community through church and civic involvement. After Bob suffered a massive stroke in 1964, Sara took over the insurance business until its sale to Robert Rigdon, continuing as secretary through its subsequent ownership by Gary Ludwig. Concurrently, she worked part-time at the Oakwood Post Office until retiring in 1976. Sara also shared her passion for piano by teaching many local youth over the years.

Robert Braden Andrews married Bonnie Fuller on June 18, 1961. They have two children: Robert Fuller Andrews, born August 10, 1963, who resides in Winter Springs, Florida; and Debra Susan Andrews, born February 24, 1968, residing in Chicago. Robert Fuller has recently returned to Vermilion County and currently serves as County Engineer.

Charles Clinton Andrews married Marva Fuller on February 1, 1969. They have three children: Nicolas David Andrews, born December 17, 1969, of Mesa, Arizona; Alexis Andrews, born February 12, 1973, a student at the University of Illinois; and Melissa Andrews, born November 21, 1976. Charles and Marva reside in Downers Grove, Illinois.

Mary Elizabeth Andrews married Edward DeRay on September 1, 1962. They are parents to John Edward DeRay, born December 24, 1963, of Ogden, and Amy Elizabeth DeRay, born September 8. Amy married Tim Steinbaugh on April 7, 1990, and they reside in Danville with their son Max Robert, born June 7, 1992.

Edward DeRay has served as Village of Oakwood Superintendent of Public Works since 1967. His accomplishments include overseeing the completion of the sewage treatment plant in 1973 and the new water plant in 1980. He has been active in the community as past president of the Men’s Club and currently serves as president of the Oakwood Library District.

Mary Elizabeth Andrews DeRay has owned and operated her own beauty salon for over seventeen years and has followed her mother’s example in church and community activities.

Baker Family

Peggy Jean Wolfe was born April 11, 1947, to Ferris J. and Betty (Wilson) Wolfe Jr. She attended Oakwood schools and graduated from Catlin High School in 1966.

On July 8, 1972, Peggy married Alexander Baker, born October 11, 1946, son of Joe E. and Bernice (Hughes) Baker. Alexander graduated from Danville High School in 1965 and worked as a Centrex Operator at Danville Schools for 27 years.

Peggy worked as a nurse and therapist aide at Champaign and Danville Americana Healthcare Nursing Home for twenty years.

Robert F. Baker was born March 5, 1923. He attended Oakwood Schools, Centralia Junior College, and the American Television Institute.

On April 6, 1947, Robert married Audrey R. Gilliland, born August 23, 1924. Together they had three children:

• Kenneth Allen (born June 5, 1948)

• Robin Dale (born February 20, 1953)

• Sheri Dawn (born July 31, 1962)

Robert worked in a variety of roles including farming, Chuckles Candy Co., Zenith Television Factory, Metropolitan Life Insurance, Sears Roebuck, and the U.S. Postal Service. He was active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League Baseball, NAPUS, American Legion, and was a devoted member of the First Evangelical Methodist Church.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, completing boot camp in Farragut, Idaho, and served in the Pacific Theatre aboard the USS Chief AM 315 Mine Sweeper, before his discharge in 1946.

Kenneth Allen Baker married Sharon Jones on June 16, 1972. Sharon was born November 5, 1948, and passed away February 2 (year unspecified). They had one daughter, Kendra. Kenneth later married Rebecca Parkhurst on December 14, 1991.

Robin Dale Baker married Victoria Babroski on January 31, 1976. They have one daughter, Elizabeth.

Sheri Dawn Baker married Roy Sprouls on September 7, 1980. They have two children, Daniel and Julie.

The Baker family resides at 10300 U.S. Route 150, two miles east of Oakwood.

Barnes Family

Fred and Lillian Barnes moved to Vermilion County in March 1946 when Fred began working for Harlan Johnson’s Funeral Home. They initially lived at the funeral home located at 522 East Main Street, Danville, before relocating to the Oakwood funeral home in August 1946.

In November 1949, Fred joined Harrison Rogers at his grocery store. By 1953, Fred became a partner with Harrison in the business. Following a fire, they purchased adjoining lots from Art Casteel and expanded the store. Later, a new store was built just east of the original location, which was subsequently demolished. The store underwent another enlargement in 1979.

In 1951, Fred and Lillian purchased a lot on South Oakwood Street in Oakwood from Charles and Nell Oakwood. They added several additions to this property and continue to reside there.

Fred and Lillian had four sons:

• Steven Walter Barnes, born November 27, 1946

• Phil Alan Barnes, born September 20, 1949 (lived only a few hours)

• Jack Dennis Barnes, born June 19, 1951

• Joe Alan Barnes, born April 12, 1954

The Barnes family joined the Oakwood Methodist Church shortly after moving to Oakwood, where all their sons were later confirmed. Lillian has been an active member of the Women’s Auxiliary for many years. Fred was involved with the Lions Club while it was active and remains a member of the Vincent Hays Legion Post #610. Lillian is a member of the Legion Auxiliary.

All the boys played baseball growing up in Oakwood. Fred helped coach, and Lillian served as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts.

Steven Walter Barnes graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Education. He taught and coached at Westville Junior High for nine and a half years. Steven was married to Carol and had a daughter named Michelle. After Harrison Rogers retired, Steven became a partner with his father in the grocery store. In 1984, Steven and his family moved to Oregon after selling the store. He passed away in February 1985.

Jack Dennis Barnes attended Eastern Illinois University for two years before transferring to the University of Illinois, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. He was a member of ROTC and was subsequently inducted into the Army. Jack retired in 1994 after twenty years of service and is currently the Director of Public Services in Garden City, Michigan. He has two children, Julie and Michael.

Joe Alan Barnes graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Accounting. He initially worked at Lakeview Hospital in Danville, Illinois. In 1979, Joe became comptroller of Preston County Hospital in Kingwood, West Virginia. In 1982, he joined the accounting firm Doak, Cuppett, and Poling in Clarksburg, West Virginia, eventually becoming a partner. Joe and his wife have two children, Amy and Jason.

Blackwell Family

Mr. and Mrs. Wesley L. Blackwell (Sally Ann) lived in Oakwood during 1919 and 1920. At that time, Reverend Blackwell served as minister of the United Brethren Church in Oakwood. He also ministered at the Lake Shore Church, located west of Oakwood on the Old State Road, and at the Mr. Vernon Church, situated four miles south of Oakwood on the Catlin Road.

The Blackwell family returned to Oakwood in 1933, where Reverend Blackwell resumed his role as minister of the United Brethren Church. He also served the United Brethren Church in Hillery. After dedicated service to these congregations, Reverend Blackwell retired from the ministry.

The Blackwells had nine children: Stewart, Ellen, John, Herbert, Paul, Evelyn, Merle (Bill), Joe, and Bob.

In 1948, the family relocated from Oakwood to Lee Center, Illinois, where they lived next door to their daughter Evelyn.

Mrs. Sally Ann Blackwell passed away on March 18, 1953, and Reverend Blackwell passed away on June 18 [year not specified].

Their names are memorialized on the back pew of the Oakwood First Evangelical Methodist Church.

“We had great parents, and we have surely missed them.”
—Reverend Blackwell, Oakwood

  Bott

Bottger Family

Rev. Herb Bottger was born on August 5, 1928, in Hollis, Kansas, to Paul Jensen and Hazel Lucille Bottger. He was the eldest of four boys: Herb, Norman Ray, Robert Eugene, and Richard Dean Bottger.

His maternal grandparents, Louis and Emma Bottger, lived in Clyde, Kansas, as did his paternal grandparents, Herbert Graham and Carrie M. Moore. The family lived on farms in Concordia, Hollis, and Belleville, Kansas, where Herb completed his grade and high school education.

Herb served three years in the U.S. Air Force before attending Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ministry in 1953. His first pastorate was in Turon, Kansas (1953–1955), during which time they built a new church building.

He then moved to Bethany, Illinois, near Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend seminary, graduating in June 1960. While studying, he served as minister at Bethany Christian Church and Cooksville Union Church in Cooksville, Illinois. During his ministry at Cooksville, the congregation built a new church building.

After graduating from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, he became Associate Minister of Memorial Christian Church in Rock Island, Illinois—then the largest Christian Church in the state.

Following personal difficulties that led to his first wife leaving him and the children, Herb resigned from the ministry. For the next seventeen years, he worked in mutual funds and insurance, eventually becoming a sales manager at a brokerage in Bettendorf, Iowa.

In Bettendorf, he met Bonnie K. Swanson, whom he married in June 1985. They moved to Farmington, Illinois, to start a company manufacturing imitation fire logs, which did not materialize. While in Farmington, Herb felt called back to ministry and applied through the Illinois-Wisconsin Regional Office for a position in Illinois.

In June 1988, Herb and Bonnie were called to serve as minister and wife of Oakwood Christian Church. They have since spent some of the happiest years of their lives serving the congregation.

Bonnie K. Swanson Bottger

Bonnie was born December 4, 1949, at Mercy Hospital in Burlington, Iowa, to Dale Jay Swanson and Dorothy Marie Keller Swanson. She graduated from Fort Madison High School, Iowa.

Her first job was working the lunch counter at S.S. Kresges (K-mart) during high school. Her first full-time job was at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, producing bombs for the Vietnam War.

In 1969, her family moved to Pennsylvania due to her father’s transfer with GTE Sylvania, where Bonnie also worked. In 1973, she moved to Columbia, South Carolina, working as a waitress, then returned to Pennsylvania in 1974 to work again at GTE Sylvania.

Her parents returned to Iowa in 1976 because of her father’s ill health. Bonnie stayed in Pennsylvania until laid off in 1983, then returned to Iowa to care for her ailing mother. She worked for State Farm Agent David M. Vavroch, where she met Herb Bottger.

After marrying Herb in June 1985, Bonnie continued working for Vavroch until 1987, then for Ray Warner at State Farm Insurance until their move to Oakwood in 1988. In Oakwood, Herb became pastor of Oakwood Christian Church, and Bonnie started working as a claims examiner with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.

The Bottgers purchased their home at 307 South Scott Street in October 1992. They plan to retire from ministry while remaining active citizens in Oakwood, cherishing their community and many friends across local churches and organizations.

They look forward to many more happy years of service to their church and community.

Submitted by Joe & Wilma Brandon

Baker Family

Peggy Jean Wolfe was born April 11, 1947, to Ferris J. and Betty (Wilson) Wolfe Jr. She attended Oakwood schools and graduated from Catlin High School in 1966.

On July 8, 1972, Peggy married Alexander Baker, born October 11, 1946, son of Joe E. and Bernice (Hughes) Baker. Alexander graduated from Danville High School in 1965 and worked as a Centrex Operator at Danville Schools for 27 years.

Peggy worked as a nurse and therapist aide at Champaign and Danville Americana Healthcare Nursing Home for twenty years.

Robert F. Baker was born March 5, 1923. He attended Oakwood Schools, Centralia Junior College, and the American Television Institute.

On April 6, 1947, Robert married Audrey R. Gilliland, born August 23, 1924. Together they had three children:

• Kenneth Allen (born June 5, 1948)

• Robin Dale (born February 20, 1953)

• Sheri Dawn (born July 31, 1962)

Robert worked in a variety of roles including farming, Chuckles Candy Co., Zenith Television Factory, Metropolitan Life Insurance, Sears Roebuck, and the U.S. Postal Service. He was active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League Baseball, NAPUS, American Legion, and was a devoted member of the First Evangelical Methodist Church.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, completing boot camp in Farragut, Idaho, and served in the Pacific Theatre aboard the USS Chief AM 315 Mine Sweeper, before his discharge in 1946.

Kenneth Allen Baker married Sharon Jones on June 16, 1972. Sharon was born November 5, 1948, and passed away February 2 (year unspecified). They had one daughter, Kendra. Kenneth later married Rebecca Parkhurst on December 14, 1991.

Robin Dale Baker married Victoria Babroski on January 31, 1976. They have one daughter, Elizabeth.

Sheri Dawn Baker married Roy Sprouls on September 7, 1980. They have two children, Daniel and Julie.

The Baker family resides at 10300 U.S. Route 150, two miles east of Oakwood.

Bridgman Family

Henry W. Bridgman was born on December 25, 1869, and received his education in the Whigville, Ohio area. In his early twenties, Henry moved to Oakwood. While living in a boarding house and working in a local coal mine, he met Lizzie Pate, daughter of William G. Pate and Annie Pritchard Pate, who owned a general grocery store and the boarding house on Main Street in Oakwood.

Lizzie was born March 4, 1879, and married Henry on February 12, 1895. She passed away May 18, 1977, and Henry died February 1, 1961.

Around 1907 or 1908, Henry and Lizzie were encouraged by friends from Arkansas to relocate there, believing it to be an ideal place to live. They stayed until 1915, when a devastating flood destroyed their possessions. The family then returned to Oakwood with their eight children.

Their children and families include:

• Glen Bridgman married Ruth Redmond and lived near Clinton, Indiana, working in coal mines. They had one son.

• Gordon Bridgman married Chrystal Van Allen and resided in Oakwood, where they operated the Standard Oil Station at the corner of Route 150 and Oakwood Street. They had two daughters: Mae Bridgman and Jean (who married Lester Wolfe).

• Ula V. Bridgman married Mattie Rossnett and lived near Fairmount, Illinois. Their children were LaVerne (married Tom Squires), Josephine (married George King), Winona (married Robert Smith), and John (married Ruth Dolbee).

• Anna Bridgman married Zanol Ellis and lived near Danville, Illinois. Their children included Fred Balbach and Elmer “Tex” Balbach (who married Patricia; they lived near East Detroit, Michigan), and Dottie (married to William Pate).

• Josephine Bridgman married Wesley Saul. Josephine worked for the Federal Government, and Wesley was employed by the Rock Island Railroad. They retired to Minnesota for fourteen years before moving to Oakwood in 1974. Wesley passed away in 1984.

• Henry Bridgman married Dorthea Van Allen and farmed in the Potomac area. They had two children: Larry (married Sarah) and Janet (married Bruce Andrews).

• Hardy Bridgman married Mary Burley and lived near Hammond, Indiana, where he worked for Standard Oil Company. They later retired to Danville, Illinois, and had two sons, Phil and Val.

• Paul Bridgman married Anna Carnaghi and lived in Detroit, Michigan. Before retirement, Paul worked for the Federal Government’s Post Office Department, specializing in locating cities and towns for new post office sites—Oakwood being one of them. They had three daughters: Sandy (married Ray Angers), Sharon (married Dave Mazureck), Linda (married Jerry Welcaner), and a son, Michael.

• Ballard Bridgman married Marie Clapper. He worked for General Motors and retired to Naperville, Illinois. They had four children: Robert (married Linda), James (married Cindy), Jack (married Pauline), and Carole Bridgman.

Brothers Family

Clyde Brothers was born June 19, 1893, son of Joseph Brothers (February 13, 1861 – September 7, 1922) and Nora (Vinson) Brothers (March 17, 1871 – December 22, 1938).

Stella Melvina Baird was born January 30, 1891, daughter of Frank Baird (October 22, 1854 – July 22, 1929) and Louisa (Mendenhall) Baird (June 15, 1854 – December 30, 1936).

Clyde and Stella of Ridgefarm were married on September 20, 1914. They lived at the Brothers homestead, three miles northwest of Oakwood. Both came from pioneer Vermilion County families. They had two children:

• Joseph (born December 11, 1916)

• Esther (born October 6, 1918)

Clyde died young on February 21, 1919, at age 25. Following his death, Stella managed the farm, taught school, and raised her two children. Later in life, she married Sam Baldwin.

Joseph married Margaret Richter; they had two daughters, Joellen and Judy.
Esther married Maurice Elmore; their three children are Joseph Vinson, Steve, and Jane Ann.

Edwin and Martha Olehy Brothers retired from farming in 1919 and moved from their family farm east of Brother’s Station (R.R. #1, Oakwood) to 302 Finley Street in Oakwood. They had three children: Gertie, Mabel, and Dick.

• Mary Gertrude (Gertie) married Owen Hoult and lived in Chrisman, Illinois.

• Dean (Dick) Brothers married Minta Stuebe and resided in the Oakwood area. Dean was stricken with infantile paralysis at an early age, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Despite this, he served as Oakwood Township Clerk from spring 1917 until his death on February 20, 1939. His wife Minta then served as clerk until April 1945. Minta later married Verne Swisher on October 26, 1942. Verne was the town barber for many years. Verne died July 26, 1983, and Minta passed away March 16, 1987.

• Mabel Brothers married Laurence Clapp. In 1920, they moved to a farm near New Richmond, Indiana, but returned in 1935 to the Brother’s family farm by Brother’s Station. They had one daughter, Mary Ruth. After Laurence’s death on June 13, 1960, Mabel moved to Oakwood, where she died February 14, 1971.

Mary Ruth Clapp married William Grimes, son of Elmer and Flossie Grimes of the Newtown area. They lived west of Newtown until Bill retired from farming in 1977. They then moved to 306 South Seymour Street in Oakwood, where Mary still resides. Bill passed away June 30, 1987. They had four children:

• Walter Dean Grimes: Farmer in Oakwood, trustee of Oakwood Township since 1970. Married Nancy Haskell; they have two sons, Dean and Daniel.

  • Dean Grimes was formerly with the State Bank of Oakwood; married Dianne Lucht and has a daughter, Megan Sue. They live in Rossville, Illinois, where Dean is executive vice-president at the National Bank of Rossville.

  • Daniel Grimes is an industrial engineer at General Motors in Danville. He lives at 203 West Finley, Oakwood, with his wife Nancy Kovanic Grimes and their son, Thomas Walter (Tommy).

• Mary Darlene Grimes taught English at Danville High School for 30 years. She lives in Danville with her husband Ted Miller and their son Brett, a junior at Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois.

• Ruth Ann Grimes lives in Danville with her husband Tom Goodwin, Jr. She works at the Educational Personnel Credit Union. Their son, Jason Traylor, graduated from Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri.

• Robert William Grimes retired from General Motors. He lives on R.R. #1, Oakwood, with his wife Nancy Leemon Grimes and their son Adam, an eighth grader at Newtown Middle School. They also have four daughters.

Additional family:

• Amy and Mandi Grimes reside in Danville. Amy works at Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Mandi works at the Sycamore Shop in the Village Mall.

• Amie Howard Thompson lives in Oakwood with her husband John and works in the insurance department at United Samaritans Medical Center, Logan Campus.

• Lisa Howard Krage lives in rural Oakwood with her daughter Chelsey and works at the Vermilion County Animal Shelter in Tilton, Illinois.

Brown Family

Jesse R. Brown
Born: 1841
Died: 1893

Jesse married Rachel M. Wilson on March 29, 1873, in Vermilion County, Illinois. Rachel was born March 18, 1853, in Illinois and died November 3 (year unspecified). They lived near Kickapoo Park, possibly near Glenburn, as several of their children were born there. Rachel’s parents were James A. Wilson and Jemima Moore. Jesse and Rachel are buried in Allhands Cemetery in Kickapoo Park.

They had nine children:

• Rosa Belle Brown (June 4, 1873 – June 18, 1928)
  Married John David Hughes (grandfather of Janice Youhas). They lived in Glenburn and had six of their eight children there.

• Elizabeth (Lizie) Brown (born 1875)
  Married Richard Newlin; they had a daughter, Peninah. The family moved to Boise, Idaho, when Peninah was young and were not heard from afterward.

• John L. Brown (born 1877)
  Married Becky Wren. They had a son, Lowell.

• James Brown (October 5, 1878 – December 14, 1947)
  Married Katherine Williams. They had six children.

• William Brown
  Had asthma and never married.

• Lula Hazel Brown
  Married Earnest T. Rhodes. They had two children. Lula died in 1918 during the flu epidemic—the same year her son Herman was born. The other child died young.

• Myrtle Brown (October 1, 1888 – February 15, 1950)
  Married Robert Euel White on April 13, 1915. They had nine children.

• Everett Virgil Brown (November 24, 1891 – April 10, 1964)
  Married Lillie Mae Smith. They had no children together, but Everett had two children from a previous marriage.

• Richard Jesse Brown
  Died young and never married.

Burke Family History

Aaron Burke

Aaron Burke was born on November 26, 1964, to Richard and Emily Burke of Oakwood. He attended Oakwood Schools and graduated from Oakwood High School.

On September 20, 1986, Aaron married Melinda. They have a son, Nathan, born on February 17, 1991.

Melinda is a 1982 graduate of Covington High School, Indiana, and earned a degree from Danville Area Community College (DACC) in 1984.

Aaron works at Tommy House Tire Company in Champaign, while Melinda works for Oakwood Unit District #76 Schools.

The family attends Faith Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Illinois. They previously lived at 304 Timber Ridge Drive in Oakwood and now reside at 17580 N 450 East Road in Fithian. Currently, they are in the process of building a home in Muncie, Illinois.

Richard Edgar Burke

Richard Edgar Burke was born on a farm outside Oakwood on February 20, 1926. His parents were Robert and Minnie Burke, and he had five brothers and two sisters. He attended a small country school, which was recently destroyed by fire.

Richard served in the U.S. Army, stationed in the Philippines. He later worked for Floyd Lee, Inc., operating heavy machinery and working in the coal mines.

Emily Chounard Burke

Emily Chounard Burke was born in Drayton, North Dakota, on August 27, 1934. She was raised in the countryside and attended a one-room country school. Her family moved frequently due to her father’s work.

Her parents were William and Mary Bessette Chounard, and she had four sisters and four brothers. Emily moved to Illinois in 1952, just before Thanksgiving, where she met Richard. They married on July 24, 1954.

Richard & Emily’s Residences

• Initially lived in a small house trailer on Richard’s father’s property.
• Moved to Muncie and later to Newtown.
• Eventually settled in Oakwood, though their first home there required major renovations.
• Their home underwent extensive reconstruction in 1993-1994, transforming it from the crawl space to the attic.

Memories of Oakwood

Emily fondly remembers an outdoor movie night once a week on Main Street in 1952. She also recalls watching the telephone operator manually plug and unplug colored wires—a scene reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie.

Other local establishments she remembers include:

• Mom and Pop Grover’s Gas Station, where they frequently stopped for food.
• The Blue Room Café, which they visited after Grover’s closed.
• Vern Swisher’s Barber Shop, where all their sons had their haircuts.

The Burke Children

Richard and Emily Burke had six children:

1. Roy Burke (Born December 1954)

   • Attended Oakwood Grade School and High School.
   • Married Tamie Carwell in 1974 (later divorced) and had two daughters, Heather and Sarah.
   • Married Barbara Golden in 1984, gaining two stepdaughters, Kristy and Shay Winn.
   • Resides in Branson, Missouri.
   • Works as a truck driver, while Barb works for Boxcar Willie.

2. Mary Burke (Born July 1956)

   • Attended kindergarten at Methodist Church in Oakwood, Oakwood Grade School, and High School.
   • Graduated from DACC in 1986 and is currently studying at Eastern Illinois University.
   • Works full-time at Danville Polyclinic.
   • Married Robert (Bob) Vandenberg in 1975, who works at Kickapoo State Park.
   • Resides in Muncie, Illinois, with their children Kris, Cory, and Elizabeth (twins).

3. Jim Burke (Born October 1958)

   • Attended kindergarten at Methodist Church in Oakwood, Oakwood Grade School, and High School.
   • Married Sandi Venis in 1977.
   • Has three children: Angela (Angie), Beth, and Matt.
   • Works at Lauhoff Grain Company, while Sandi works for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Danville.
   • Resides in Catlin, Illinois.

4. Virgil Burke (Born July 1961)

   • Attended HeadStart in Danville, kindergarten at Methodist Church in Oakwood, Oakwood Grade School, and High School.
   • Married Debra Bott in 1982.
   • Has two children: Andy and Amie.
   • Works at Tommy House Tire in Champaign, while Debbie is a homemaker.
   • Resides in Oakwood, Illinois.

5. Sally Burke (Born February 19XX)

   • Attended kindergarten at Oakwood Grade School, Oakwood Grade School, and High School.
   • Married Michael Shoppa in 19XX.
   • Has a stepson, Kristian, stationed in Japan with the Marines, and a stepdaughter and step-granddaughter in Washington.
   • Works at a magazine factory, while Mike drives a semi.
   • Resides in Walcott, Iowa.

6. Aaron Burke (Born November 1964)

   • Attended kindergarten at Oakwood Grade School, Oakwood Grade School, and High School.
   • Married Melinda Boiler in 1986.
   • Had a daughter, Rachal, who was stillborn, and later had a son, Nathan.
   • Works at Tommy House Tire in Champaign, while Melinda drives a school bus for District #76 (Oakwood).
   • Currently building a new home west of Muncie.

The Cadle Family of Oakwood and Rossville, Illinois

Phillip Cadle, son of George and Elizabeth (Saunders) Cadle, originally lived on a farm west of Danville. In 1875, he married America Seymour, daughter of Abraham Hutton Seymour and Evelyn (Allen) Seymour. Following their marriage, Phillip and America relocated to the Cadle farm east of Rossville.The couple was blessed with four children:Lillian Cadle (b. 1876), who married Hays RossMaude Cadle (b. December 11, 1878), who married S. J. MillerGeorge Cadle (b. March 23, 1881), who married Elma Briggs on December 27, 1905Dora Cadle (b. February 28, 1883 – d. November 1952), who remained unmarriedGeorge and Elma Cadle had one son:John Phillip Cadle (b. October 7, 1906)In January 1936, John Phillip Cadle married Mildred Hall. The couple made their home on the Cadle farm, residing in the house on the north side of Attica Street, east of Rossville. America Cadle passed away in 1933, and Phillip Cadle followed in 1934. The legacy of the Cadle family continues to thrive in the Oakwood and Rossville area, where their contributions to the community are fondly remembered. The family has a rich history of involvement in local events and gatherings, fostering connections that have lasted generations. Today, descendants of Phillip and America Cadle carry on their traditions, celebrating family reunions and sharing stories that keep their heritage alive. The Cadle family remains a testament to the enduring bonds of kinship and the importance of remembering where we come from.

The Cannon Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Dorothy Eloise Seymour was born on January 17, 1918, to Ernest and Grace (Meade) Seymour. She had two brothers, Kenneth Frank (Bud), born December 29, 1919, and Hubert Keith, born May 15, 1922, and a sister, Idabelle, born January 19, 1929. Dorothy’s father, Ernest Seymour, was born April 12, 1896, to Richard and Hulda Belle (Longstreth) Seymour. Ernest had one brother, Russell, born October 23, 1897. Richard Seymour’s parents were Abraham Hutton Seymour and Eveline (Allen) Seymour. Dorothy’s mother, Grace Meade, was born August 9, 1895, to Delbert and Ida Ellen (Smith) Meade. Grace had two sisters, Ruth and Mary, and four brothers: Leo, John, Bill, and Robert.

Dorothy attended Oakwood Grade and High School and worked as a secretary at Oakwood High School for twenty years. She also worked at the Texaco Oil Station and the Crystal Springs Gas Station in Oakwood. On July 4, 1935, she married Leland G. Cannon, son of Jay Leroy Cannon and Minnie (Craig) Cannon. Leland attended Fithian Grade School and Oakwood High School. During World War II, Leland and Dorothy worked at the Willow Run Power Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Leland and Dorothy had three sons: Larry Joe, born April 13, 1937; Stephen Alan, born October 28, 1940; and Mikel Jay, born February 1, 1943. Leland passed away on October 18, 1946. Dorothy later married Frank Dalbey on December 29, 1951. Frank was the son of Ora and Minnie Sperry Dalbey. He attended grade school in Muncie and high school in Oakwood. Frank served in the U.S. Army and worked at the Veteran’s Hospital in Danville, the Muncie Post Office, and for over thirty years at Lauhoff Grain Company in Danville. He died June 19, 1989.

Larry Cannon married Linda Lee Fogleman in October 1957. They had two daughters, Jodie Lee, born May 1958, and Jill Lynn, born January 1965. Larry worked as a barber in Danville and served as Vermilion County Recorder of Deeds. Jodie married Jeffrey Slavik in 1980; they have two children, Brock Aaron, born 1981, and Brooke, born 1986. Both Jodie and Jill are hair stylists. Stephen Cannon married Sherry Downing in 1962. They had two children, Pamela Lynn, born 1962, and Stephen A. Jr., born 1967. Stephen served over twenty-six years with the Danville Fire Department. Pamela is a music teacher in Springfield, Illinois, and Stephen Jr. works as a salesman for Access Graphics in Boulder, Colorado, and is also a tennis instructor. Mikel Cannon married Mary Kay Dodson in 1963. They have two daughters, Christine Michelle, born 1969, and Catherine Suzanne, born 1971. Mikel works as a barber and hair stylist. Catherine married David Fritz in 1994. Dorothy remains active with church, school, and family activities including golfing at Vermilion Hills Country Club and traveling.

Larry Cannon is a lifelong resident of Oakwood except for four years between the ages of five and nine when the family lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Following the death of his father in an automobile accident in 1946, Dorothy and her sons returned to Oakwood. Larry graduated from Oakwood High School in 1955 and Central Illinois Barber College in 1956. He married Linda Fogleman in 1957. Larry purchased the Personality Shop barber business in Danville in 1959 and operated it until 1975. He was elected Vermilion County Recorder of Deeds in 1964 and served three terms. In 1972, he ran unsuccessfully for state senator. Larry also enjoyed a successful sprint car racing career, qualifying multiple times for the Indianapolis 500.

In 1971, Larry and his brother Mikel opened Cannon Brothers Barber Stylists in Oakwood, expanding in 1978 with Cannon Brothers Hair Stylists. Larry later built a substantial real estate portfolio using creative financing.

Mikel Cannon graduated from Decatur Barber School in 1961, served in the National Guard, and married Mary Kay Dodson in 1963. Their daughters Christine and Catherine graduated from Oakwood High School and Southern Illinois University, pursuing careers in graphic design and healthcare marketing respectively. The Cannon family home at 401 South Oakwood Street was built in 1916 by Richard and Hulda Belle Seymour. After their deaths in 1929, their son Ernest and his wife Grace lived there until 1966. Mikel and Mary Cannon purchased the home in 1969, making Mikel the third generation of the family to reside there.

The Carson Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Wallace Eugene Carson was born on August 15, 1922, to John Wallace Carson and Mary Elizabeth (Creta) Baughman Carson. In 1947, he married Betty Jeane Gilkison, born October 13, 1925, daughter of Charles Mortimer Gilkison (b. 1900) and Clara Goldie Eaton Gilkison (b. 1901).

Gene and Jeane Carson had seven children: Christopher David, born September 4, 1949; Bruce Wayne, born September 23, 1951; Carol Lynn, born June 7, 1954; John Charles, born July 3, 1956; William George, born September 20, 1959; Judith Ann, born August 1, 1962; and Joseph Richard, born May 11, 1965.

Gene Carson was active in the Oakwood community, serving as scoutmaster for the Oakwood Scouts during the early and mid-1950s. He was nominated into “The Order of the Arrow” and later became involved with the Oakwood Fire Department for many years. He served as Assistant Chief of Vermilion County Civil Defense and, together with John Grant, helped design the pumper truck still in use by the Oakwood Fire Department today. Gene was employed for many years at the University of Illinois.

Jeane Carson was a homemaker and cared for children at home. She was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Oakwood Fire Department and later served as a school bus driver for Oakwood Unit #76 Schools.

Christopher David Carson married Margo Bivens, and they have two children: Keeley Lane Carson, born August 2, 1973, and Bryce Bivens Carson, born August 25, 1976. Keeley married and had one child, Hayden Eddie Lee Williams, born August 27, 1992. Christopher later married Beverly Reak, with whom he has two children, Michaela Christina Carson, born March 13, 1987, and Christopher David Carson II, born June 8, 1991. Christopher runs his own window washing business and sells fundraising candy bars.

Bruce Wayne Carson married Tina Ramirez. They have two children, Ladia Lenore Carson, born September 1, 1981, and LaNera Lorena Carson, born December 2, 1985. Bruce operates his own window washing business.

Carol Lynn Carson married Stephen Wayne Taylor. They had five children: Stephanie Ann, born May 26, 1973; Shannan Marie, born July 27, 1976; Christie Angel, born December 25, 1978; Stephen Wayne II, born June 26, 1980; and Misty Dawn, born January 30, 1982. Carol was employed at Cradco before her passing on August 26, 1990.

John Charles Carson married Wanda Sue Neal. John works at Peterson Filling Station.

William George Carson married Debbie Smith. They have one child, Amber Marie Carson, born April 23, 1981. William is a driver for Wonderbread Bakery.

Judith Ann Carson married James Walter Fiye. They have three children: Joshua Ryan, born March 30, 1980; Jon Tyler, born May 22, 1982; and Jessica Nicole, born September 15, 1985. The Fiye family owns a window washing business.

Joseph Richard Carson married Jewella Russell. They have two children: Celeste Aurora, born July 16, 1992, and Seth Stephen, born November 13, 1993. Joseph formerly operated his own window washing and car cleaning business and currently works at Kraft Foods in Champaign.

The Carsons have maintained close family ties, and their children continue to play a central role in their lives.

The Chatt-Shroyer-Trimmell Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Parris Trimmell was born in 1842 and passed away on July 23, 1878. He married Sarah Mary Cork (1843–1868) on April 23, 1863. Both were laid to rest at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, north of Oakwood. Their son, Kelly Cork Trimmell, was born September 3, 1867, and died December 28, 1942. He married Grace “Blanche” Young (1879–1949), daughter of William and Anna Liggett Young, on January 1, 1900. Kelly and Grace Trimmell were the parents of Dorothy Grace Trimmell, who married Harold Shroyer.

John Shroyer, born to unknown parents, died March 30, 1937. He married Effie Fenton (August 15, 1862 – December 15, 1942) on November 27, 1876. They were the parents of Thomas Allen Shroyer, born December 29, 1880, and deceased December 18, 1966. Thomas married Lillie May Shue (March 24, 1884 – November 22, 1950) on January 7, 1905. Their son, Harold Shroyer, was born August 24, 1907, and died January 2, 1972. Harold married Dorothy Grace Trimmell on March 28, 1927. Dorothy was born May 8, 1910, and passed away May 14, 1987. Harold and Dorothy made their home at Missionfield, southeast of Oakwood.

They had three children:

1. Dorothy Mae, born September 30, 1930, and deceased July 7, 1976. She married Robert Keene (born October 12, 1930) on June 12, 1945. Their children are Robert II, Nita Kay, Steven, Richard, and Kathy.

2. Anita J., who married James A. Chatt.

3. Jon Allen, born November 26, 1942, who married Barbara Mallinson (born December 26, 1942) on September 5, 1964.

James A. Chatt was born February 16, 1922, in Veedersburg, Indiana. He attended Veedersburg Elementary School, Hillsboro High School, and studied at Indiana University, Purdue University, University of Illinois, and Indiana State University. James served in the United States Army Mountain Artillery during World War II from June 6, 1940, to February 13, 1943. He married Anita Shroyer on August 31, 1952, at the Oakwood Christian Church, with services officiated by Reverend Cornett. Anita was born June 27, 1930, at Missionfield. She attended Missionfield Grade School, Oakwood Township High School, St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, and Eastern Illinois University.

James and Anita Chatt reside in Missionfield and are members of the Oakwood Christian Church and the Order of the Eastern Star. James is also affiliated with the Masons, Shriners, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.), and has served as a Boy Scout leader. Their children include:

1. James A. Chatt II, born August 4, 1956, who married Patricia Ann Bressler (born July 7, 1958) on January 3, 1980.

2. Melinda Chatt, born May 13, 1964, who married Mark Garfield (born November 12, 1956) on October 25, 1986.

James and Anita’s grandchildren include James Allen Chatt III, Helen Josephine Chatt, Timothy James Pruitt, Marissa Garfield, and Michael Garfield.

Ira Peters, son of William and Ezra Baker Peters, married Lula Smith, daughter of John and Nancy Wright Smith, on July 21 (year unspecified). They had two daughters, Garnett and Dorothy. Mr. Peters was a state-licensed barber and served as a constable for twenty-four years. He also worked at the Union Coal Mine, which later became Kickapoo State Park.

In 1919, the Peters family purchased the house now owned by the Thompson family, located across the street from the State Bank of Oakwood. The house was remodeled and remained the Peters family residence for many years. Garnett Peters married Martin Campbell and relocated to Chicago. After retirement, they moved to Sun City West, Arizona, where both passed away in 1992.

Dorothy Peters married Truman Chew of Sidell, Illinois, on April 21, 1933. They had one daughter, Carole, born in Oakwood in 1935. The family lived in Sidell for five years before moving to Oakwood in 1940, initially residing near the intersection of Route 10 and US 150 at the Texaco Gas Station, which featured a kitchen, dining area, and a large bedroom.

Following Mr. Peters’ death in 1941, the Chew family moved into Mrs. Peters’ house, which they later purchased and remodeled further. Mrs. Peters lived there until her death in 1959. Mr. Chew was employed by Oakwood Coal Company and later by Frontenac Coal Company. He was elected mayor of Oakwood circa 1945, serving with an annual salary of $13 and complimentary telephone service. At that time, there were no formal police or fire departments; Mr. Chew was instrumental in acquiring the town’s first fire truck through various fundraising efforts.

Mr. Chew served as mayor until a job transfer relocated him to Fairview, Illinois. The family eventually returned to Oakwood and later moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, where Mr. Chew passed away in 1976. Following his death, Mrs. Chew returned to Oakwood, residing south of town near former coal mining areas. After suffering a stroke in 1980, she moved to Prospect Heights, Illinois, to live with her daughter until her death in 1984.

Carole Chew married Jean LaVoie of Chicago in October 1953. They had five daughters and one son. The couple lived in Oakwood briefly before relocating to a Chicago suburb in 1955. In 1956, they returned to Oakwood when Jean was reassigned to oversee plumbing construction at Tee Pak. The family moved permanently to Prospect Heights, Illinois, in September 1957, where they resided until 1990. Since retiring in 1987, they have spent winters in Harlingen, Texas, and summers in Seneca, Illinois. Their daughters live in Minneapolis, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, and various Chicago suburbs; one daughter is deceased.

The Clapp Family History

The Clapp family lineage has been traced back as far as the year 1727. Originally spelled “Klapp,” the family name was changed following immigration to America. The ancestors of the Clapp family originated near Bingen on the Rhine in Germany, where the Klapp Castle still stands.

In 1727, brothers George Valentine Klapp and John Ludwig Klapp sailed from Rotterdam and arrived in Philadelphia on September 27 aboard the ship The James Goodwill. They were among 72 other settlers from the Palatinate region. Some of these families eventually settled in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

John Barnhardt (“Barney”) Clapp was one of twelve children. His son, John Clapp, married Catherine Starr around June 8, 1805 or 1807. Together, they had eight children, among them:

• Elizabeth Clapp, born January 24, 1811, married Augustine Clapp on December 22, 1835. She passed away on August 16, 1882.

• Maria Barbara Clapp, born December 29, 1818, married Abraham Long on December 10, 1837. She died April 10, 1886.

• Judith (“Judy”) Clapp, born April 8, 1812, married Jasphus Blair on June 10, 1841. She died October 14, 1902.

• Daniel Clapp, born 1815.

• Temperance Roney, born April 4, 1842, married Mamie D. Lucas Clapp and Sardis Clapp on June 6, 1898. [Note: Further details on Temperance’s marriage may require clarification.]

The Clendenon Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Bryan Clendenen relocated to Oakwood with his parents in 1976. He attended local schools in Oakwood and married Melissa Keller on May 7, 1988. Bryan was born on February 12, 1966, and Melissa was born on February 1, 1966. Melissa grew up near Kickapoo State Park and is the daughter of Pearley and Vera Keller.

Bryan and Melissa have two children: Rayse, born April 3, 1991, and Brady, born August 1, 1994. Bryan is the owner and operator of Main Street Machine & Engine Service, located at 100 East North Main Street in Oakwood. Their family home is situated behind the shop. Bryan’s personal interests include racing stock cars.

The Clow Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Debbie Clow was born on December 13, 1955, in Richland County, Illinois. Since August 1980, she has served as the Chemistry and Physics teacher at Oakwood Township High School.

Debbie resides at 113 Dolbee Street in Oakwood with her three children: Christina, born May 17, 1979; Curt, born May 26, 1981; and Charlie, born December 27, 1983. At the time, Christina was a sophomore at Oakwood High School, Curt an eighth grader at Newtown Middle School, and Charlie a fifth grader at Oakwood Grade School.

The family are active members of the Oakwood United Methodist Church and participate in Oakwood Youth Baseball and Oakwood Youth Wrestling.

The Cole Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Catherine Bessie Michael (1875–1956) married Thomas W. Cole (February 17, 1871 – December 2, 1949) on March 12, 1895. Catherine was the daughter of Andrew J. Michael, born in the county on December 30, 1834, whose father was Robert J. Michael. Her maternal grandmother, Catherine L. Rutledge, was the daughter of Abraham Rutledge, an early settler near Oakwood.

Catherine and Thomas Cole had six children: Dewitt D. Cole, who married Isa Woodin of St. Joseph, Illinois; Harriet, who married Nealy Hoyt; Ida, who married Henry Goldenstein; Bertha, who married Alvin Rausch; Johann, who married Harry Stricklin and later Paul Anderson; and Jeanne, who married Walter Rusk. Of these, three were living at the time of this record: Harriet, then aged 96; Johann Anderson of Danville; and Jeanne Rusk.

Thomas Cole was a farmer who lived for several years east of Newtown, below Johnson Hill. The older children attended Lone Oak School, while the younger attended Newtown Grade School, followed by Oakwood High School. The family farm had formerly belonged to Robert J. Michael, who is believed to have donated the land for Michael Cemetery.

DeWitt D. Cole, born April 20, 1896, was the son of Thomas W. Cole and Catherine Bessie Michael. He married Isa O. Woodin on January 1, 1918. Isa was born December 15, 1890, and died November 3, 1954. After their marriage, they purchased a farm one mile east of Newtown, where they lived several years before moving to the bottom of Johnson Hill, where the family had owned land for many years. DeWitt later acquired fifty acres above the hill. In 1940, he relocated to Lafayette, Indiana, where he died in 1978 and is buried at Dayton Cemetery.

DeWitt and Isa had seven children: David DeWitt, who married Estelle McReynolds; Warren, who married Bessie Tatman; Thelma, who married Elmer Biggs and later Donald Sheets; Iona, who married Walter Wulff and then Albert Loro; Thomas William, who married Beulah Sheets; Lucille, who married William Summers; and Barbara, who married Joseph Filczer.

David DeWitt Cole, born December 1, 1918, was the son of DeWitt D. and Isa Woodin Cole. He graduated from Oakwood High School in 1936 and married Estelle P. McReynolds in Marseille, France, in 1945 during World War II while serving as a First Lieutenant in the 3rd Armored Infantry. Estelle was a registered nurse. David and Estelle had seven children: Daniel T., Donald D., David E., Dennis E., Deanne, Deborah, and Dorthea.

David had two brothers, Warren of Lafayette, Indiana, and Thomas W. of Montmorenci, Indiana. His four sisters included Mrs. Elmer Biggs of West Lafayette, Mrs. Walter Wulff of Lafayette, Mrs. William Summers of Munster, Indiana, and Barbara Cole of Elgin, Illinois. David passed away May 15, 1971, having served as a science teacher at Jefferson High School in Lafayette.

Warren Cole was born March 24, 1921, and died August 1973. He married Bessie Tatman of Brookston, Indiana. They had four children: Catherine, John, Nathan, and Larry.

All the Cole children attended Newtown Grade School, with older children progressing to Oakwood High School. Newtown Grade was a one-room schoolhouse, with the largest enrollment being thirty-six students. Teachers included Zola Dye, Arizona Montgomery, Mrs. Felix Fourez, and Charles “Pete” Redman. The superintendent was L. A. Tuggle, and Layton Liggett served as bus driver for Oakwood High School. The family attended Hebron Church at Newtown and Bible School at the Methodist Church in Oakwood.

Local amenities during their youth included two grocery stores—Neff’s and Montgomery’s—and a barber shop believed to have been run by Ben Cox. Children walked two miles to school. Neighboring families included the Poynters, Dolbees, Shackmans, Allisons, Famums, Hillearys, Doneys, Irvins, Andersons, Liggetts, O’Banions, Creamers, Craigmiles, Burtons, Cades, and Michaels.

Recreational activities involved attending free shows in Oakwood and Crystal Springs Park, located west of Oakwood High School, as well as swimming in the Middlefork River during summer. Children often played games together, with parents sometimes joining in the fun.

During their time at Newtown Grade School, under teacher Pete Redman, children played ball games before school and at lunch. They held tournaments with other schools, where everyone, including girls, participated enthusiastically. Many fond memories were made in this close-knit community.

Submitted by Thelma Sheets and Iona Loro

The Collins Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Lucille V. Woodin was born on October 21, 1905, to Walter and Grace Gibson Woodin. She attended Oakwood High School and was an active member of the Oakwood Christian Church as well as the Oakwood Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

On November 10, 1951, Lucille married Carl Collins of Champaign. Following her education, she worked at Cramer & Norton Department Store and as a bookkeeper at the Dodge Garage. In March 1924, Lucille began employment as a bookkeeper at the State Bank of Oakwood, eventually advancing to the position of cashier.

Lucille also became involved with the Oakwood Building and Loan Association. Upon her retirement in 1961, after forty-three years of service with the bank, she continued to serve as a director for both the bank and the building and loan association.

Lucille Collins passed away on August 27, 1969.

Compton Family

James P. Compton was born January 3, 1938. He attended Allerton Grade School and ABL High School. James is employed at Bohn Refrigeration-Heatcraft, Inc.

He married Patricia M. Compton on August 9, 1985. Patricia was born December 19, 1936, and attended school in Tolono, Illinois. She works at the IGA in St. Joseph, Illinois.

James and Patricia reside at 2 Pattie Drive in Oakwood. They are active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Danville, participate in Credit Union #1271, and enjoy woodworking and crafts.

Together, they cherish their time with their children and grandchildren.

Cox Family

Jack Cox was born at home in Danville, Illinois, on February 11, 1934. He married Donna Hobick on March 7, 1953. The couple lived on Kickapoo Road for fifteen years before moving to Oakwood in April 1973.

Donna was born in Danville on April 29, 1934. She attended Central Grade School for six years, then Fithian Grade School, followed by Oakwood High School. Donna worked for Illinois Bell Telephone for forty years.

Jack attended Diamond Grade School and Oakwood High School. He worked at Koemer Electric Motor Shop for eighteen years before starting his own business. Jack served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1954.

Their children are:

• Kathy (Cox) Fourez

• Rodney Cox

• Joni (Cox) Tackett

Their grandchildren include:

• Ryan Cox

• Rachel Cox

• Lindsey Fourez

• Hailey Tackett

Gertrude Anderson was born May 14, 1889, in Jamesburg, Illinois. On the same day, Vane Berry was born in Worden, Illinois. They were married on June 16, 1913.

Their fourth child, Ruth Ellen Berry, was born December 16, 1921, in Worden. Ruth later married Leroy Cox on September 27, 1943, in Ziegler, Illinois. Ruth was a clerk at the Oakwood Post Office for 24 years.

Leroy was born February 28, 1922, in Clifford, Illinois. He served three years in the Army during World War II, including service in the European Theatre shortly after D-Day and participation in the Battle of the Bulge. He was en route to the Pacific Theatre when the war ended. Leroy worked for Frontenac Coal Company in Hillery until his death on November 7, 1967.

Leroy and Ruth had three children:

• Brenda Gayle, born September 18, 1946, in Herrin, Illinois

• Joyce Ellen, born April 18, 1951, in Christopher, Illinois

• David Lee, born January 12, 1963, in Danville, Illinois

Brenda married Eddie Joe Anderson (born December 18, 1943) on September 20. They have three sons:

• Richard Bradley, born September 8, 1964, a Regis College graduate and insurance salesman in Washington, North Carolina

• Brian Edward, born April 8, 1971, graduate of Eastern Illinois University and salesman for Hyster in Chicago

• Mitchell Lee, born August 9, 1973, a junior at East Carolina College in Greenville, North Carolina

Eddie was active in Little League Baseball, Youth Football, and High School Football in Oakwood for 20 years. The Anderson family lived in Glenburn before relocating to Greenville and later Washington, North Carolina, due to Eddie’s career.

Joyce attended Eastern Illinois University and graduated from Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois. She married Dan Farmer on December 30, 1970, in Oakwood. They have three sons:

• Joseph Daniel, born July 28, 1972, serving in the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division with deployments to Somalia and Haiti

• Timothy Ryan, born November 5, 1973, a junior at Western Illinois College, Macomb, Illinois

• Matthew Scott, born August 15, 1975, employed at Ateco Automotive in Waukegan, Illinois

Joyce later married Bill Lawson on March 20, 1993, and currently resides in Vernon Hills, Illinois.

David graduated from Eastern Illinois University and is employed as a graphic artist with the Water Survey Department at the University of Illinois. He lives on Harrison Street in Oakwood.

Ruth has lived in Oakwood for forty years, the last 38 on Penz Drive.

Crawford Family History

The Crawford name has been associated with the Oakwood community for over a century. George Crawford, a farmer from the Catlin-Fairmount area, operated a threshing service south of the Rocky Ford River. This “ring” of operation expanded from north of the river to south of Oakwood before the turn of the 20th century. Due to the excellent transportation opportunities offered by nearby railroads, the threshing service relocated to Oakwood.

The Oakwood area was served by three grain elevators located on three different rail lines: the New York Central, Chicago and Eastern Illinois, and the Illinois Terminal Railway. These elevators were situated in Oakwood, Bronson, and Brothers’ Station. The New York Central Railroad, once known as the Indianapolis, Bloomington and Western (I.B. & W.), later became part of the Peoria & Eastern, then the Big Four Division of New York Central. After the New York Central Railroad’s bankruptcy in 1968, it became Penn-Central, and eventually Conrail in 1976. Passenger service on these lines was curtailed in the mid-1950s.

The Illinois Terminal Company (ITC) once boasted twelve daily passenger trains passing east and west through Oakwood. Freight service was robust, and by the time Oakwood was incorporated, grain and coal operations were flourishing.

George Crawford and his wife Nancy moved their home and operations to Oakwood just before the 20th century. They built a home at the northeast corner of what is now Harrison and Collett Streets. This first home was later replaced by the current structure, which remained their residence until their deaths. Both are buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

The couple had five children, all of whom moved away except for Lewis M. Crawford. Lewis continued the threshing and grain services and was part-owner of the Oakwood and Bronson Elevators, serving local farmers while raising a family of six. With the advent of mechanized harvesting, the threshing ring eventually ceased operations.

Lewis sold his elevator interests and a steam engine. He kept a 1904 Nichols and Sheppard gas-powered tractor, which stood for years behind his home at the corner of Green and Harrison Streets. Both antique tractors were scrapped during World War II for the war effort. Lewis ended his working years as a coal miner. He and his wife, Lena Francis (Oakley) Crawford, are interred at Oakwood Cemetery.

Among their six children, George A. Crawford remained in Oakwood. Fascinated by railroads, George began as a locomotive fireman and was promoted to engineer in 1920 at just nineteen years old. After forty-eight years of service, he retired but continued residing in Oakwood, living on property now occupied by the State Bank of Oakwood until his death in 1974. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

George and his wife Dollie (Ellis) Crawford Bolser raised six children: Harold, Ross, Bobby, George, Raymond, and Lena Mae. Harold, Ross, and Lena Mae are deceased; the two brothers are buried in Danville Sunset Cemetery, and Lena Mae (Bales) Davis is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

Three of George’s sons — Ross, Bobby, and Raymond — followed him into railroading as locomotive engineers. In 1968, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers honored the Crawford family for having the most members of an immediate family operating locomotives across the United States and Canada.

All five Crawford brothers served their country during World War II and the Korean War: Harold and Bobby in the Army, Ross in the Navy, and Raymond and George in the Marines. The family attended Oakwood and Missionfield Grade Schools, Oakwood Township High School, and were active members of the Oakwood Methodist Church.

After four generations, most Crawfords had moved away by the time Oakwood was incorporated, with the exception of Dollie (Crawford) Bolser, who remained. Bobby resides in Indianapolis, George in Ogden, and Raymond in Fithian, though all still consider Oakwood their home.

Ancestors and Extended Family

Isaac G. Crawford, born January 4, 1851, son of Robert and Elizabeth Diadem Crawford, married Alice Bensinger on October 25, 1879. They lived in Danville and had t

The Cronkhite Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Wilma Cronkhite, daughter of William and Emma Cronkhite, was born in Oakwood in the house west of the old bank, which has since been demolished. At two years old, Wilma’s family moved to Scott Street, then relocated to Farmersburg, Indiana, where they lived for six years before returning to their Scott Street residence in Oakwood.

Wilma graduated from Oakwood High School in 1937 and completed her training at Summers Beauty School in Danville in 1939. On October 5, 1940, she married Robert Taylor, and later, on November 1, 1947, she married Jack Thomas. Wilma and Jack had two children: Richard Thomas and Vickie Thomas Hankla.

Wilma’s first beauty shop was located in the basement of 201 South Oakwood Street. In 1946, she moved to Danville but remained a member of the Oakwood Christian Church until 1950. Her sister, Waneta Steenbergen, continues to reside in Oakwood.

Wilma’s father, William Cronkhite, operated an ice house and delivered ice throughout the Oakwood area for many years.

The Curry Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Mary Rosellen Gerdes, daughter of William and Elizabeth Gerdes, was born in Cabool, Missouri, on October 26, 1904. She married Louis McBride in Cabool on November 21 (year unspecified). Together, they had five children: Louis Raymond McBride, born in 1921 but who passed away shortly after birth; Thelma Faye Francis Spencer, born in 1922 in Oakwood; Miles Martin McBride, born in 1924 in Tucson, Arizona; Leonard Lee McBride, born in 1927 in Tucson, Arizona; and Geraldine Elizabeth Hawkins, born in 1930 in Ottawa, Illinois.

Rose McBride married Dewey Cuny on July 6, 1937, and the couple moved to Oakwood, Illinois, in 1938. Following an accident involving their daughter Geraldine Hawkins, they dedicated themselves to raising her three children. Rose was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 43 years and served as Worthy Matron of the Oakwood Chapter in 1955. In 1975, she transferred her membership to Iris Chapter #307.

Rose had a passion for cooking and worked at Colonial Manor Nursing Home as well as Newtown School. Together with Dewey, she operated a lumber yard, restaurant, filling station, and grocery store. In 1968, they sold the business and moved to a small farm north of Oakwood. Rose and Dewey were married for 45 years until his passing on July 20, 1982. Rose relocated to Danville, Illinois, on October 1, 1982.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one sister, and one great-grandson. She was survived by two brothers, Leonard Gerdes of Hemet, California, and Paul Gerdes of Oakdale, California, as well as three sisters: Anna Hazelwood of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Agnes Lewis of Salinas, California; and Esther Braden of Denver, Colorado.

Rose was grandmother to seven grandchildren: Marian Francis Disney of Oakwood, Illinois; Jeff Francis of Oakwood; Larry McBride of St. Joseph; Terry McBride of Tucson; John R. Hawkins of Danville; Lori Hawkins of Muncie; and David Hawkins of Tucson.

She was great-grandmother to thirteen great-grandchildren: Cary Allen Disney and Staci Disney-Walker; Douglas, Duane, and Ryan McBride; Steve and John Dewey Hawkins; Justin and Corey Smith; Lesli and Brooke Francis; and April and Melody McBride.

Rose was also great-great-grandmother to five children.

Rose (McBride) Curry passed away on October 23, 1994.

The Curtis Family of Oakwood, Illinois

William “Bill” Curtis was born on August 30, 1923, in Charleston, Illinois. He lived many years in Catlin and retired as an ironworker. Bill is also a member of the gospel band, the Circuit Riders. He has a daughter, Becky McMillan, who resides in Wisconsin. On August 1, 1993, Bill married LaVerne in a surprise wedding held immediately following the morning service at the Oakwood Christian Church. The couple currently resides at 1 Penz Drive in Oakwood.

LaVerne Curtis was born on May 31, 1942, in California and moved to Oakwood in 1961. She earned her Associate of Science degree from Danville Area Community College in 1981 and obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in 1992. For the past two and a half years, she has been caring for Gladys Illk. LaVerne became a member of the Oakwood Christian Church on August 25, 1991.

LaVerne has two daughters: April Ann (Longstreth) Armstrong, born December 18, 1961, and Mary Ellen Longstreth (now Longstreth Burchyett), born May 18, 1964. Both April and Ellen were active in the Brownies and played on the Oakwood Girls’ Softball Team. LaVerne served as a Brownie Leader in Oakwood for two years and assisted with Vacation Bible School in 1969.

April Armstrong graduated from Oakwood High School in 1978. She married William Armstrong on December 28, 1985, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. William served four years and eight months in the U.S. Air Force, including a stationing in Berlin, Germany, where their daughter, Hannah Erin Armstrong, was born. April received her Master’s Degree in Comparative Literature from Louisiana State University in December 1993. She is proficient in five languages—English, Spanish, Russian, German, and French—and is pursuing her Ph.D.

Mary Ellen Burchyett graduated as Valedictorian of Oakwood Grade School in 1978 and as Co-Valedictorian of Oakwood High School in 1982. She married Mark Burchyett on September 3, 1992. Mary Ellen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in mathematics and economics from Illinois State University in 1986 and is currently working toward a Master’s Degree in economics. She resides in Springfield and is employed by Central Illinois Public Service (CIPS).

The Collins Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Lucille V. Woodin was born on October 21, 1905, to Walter and Grace Gibson Woodin. She attended Oakwood High School and was an active member of the Oakwood Christian Church as well as the Oakwood Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

On November 10, 1951, Lucille married Carl Collins of Champaign. Following her education, she worked at Cramer & Norton Department Store and as a bookkeeper at the Dodge Garage. In March 1924, Lucille began employment as a bookkeeper at the State Bank of Oakwood, eventually advancing to the position of cashier.

Lucille also became involved with the Oakwood Building and Loan Association. Upon her retirement in 1961, after forty-three years of service with the bank, she continued to serve as a director for both the bank and the building and loan association.

Lucille Collins passed away on August 27, 1969.

Crawford Family History

The Crawford name has been associated with the Oakwood community for over a century. George Crawford, a farmer from the Catlin-Fairmount area, operated a threshing service south of the Rocky Ford River. This “ring” of operation expanded from north of the river to south of Oakwood before the turn of the 20th century. Due to the excellent transportation opportunities offered by nearby railroads, the threshing service relocated to Oakwood.

The Oakwood area was served by three grain elevators located on three different rail lines: the New York Central, Chicago and Eastern Illinois, and the Illinois Terminal Railway. These elevators were situated in Oakwood, Bronson, and Brothers’ Station. The New York Central Railroad, once known as the Indianapolis, Bloomington and Western (I.B. & W.), later became part of the Peoria & Eastern, then the Big Four Division of New York Central. After the New York Central Railroad’s bankruptcy in 1968, it became Penn-Central, and eventually Conrail in 1976. Passenger service on these lines was curtailed in the mid-1950s.

The Illinois Terminal Company (ITC) once boasted twelve daily passenger trains passing east and west through Oakwood. Freight service was robust, and by the time Oakwood was incorporated, grain and coal operations were flourishing.

George Crawford and his wife Nancy moved their home and operations to Oakwood just before the 20th century. They built a home at the northeast corner of what is now Harrison and Collett Streets. This first home was later replaced by the current structure, which remained their residence until their deaths. Both are buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

The couple had five children, all of whom moved away except for Lewis M. Crawford. Lewis continued the threshing and grain services and was part-owner of the Oakwood and Bronson Elevators, serving local farmers while raising a family of six. With the advent of mechanized harvesting, the threshing ring eventually ceased operations.

Lewis sold his elevator interests and a steam engine. He kept a 1904 Nichols and Sheppard gas-powered tractor, which stood for years behind his home at the corner of Green and Harrison Streets. Both antique tractors were scrapped during World War II for the war effort. Lewis ended his working years as a coal miner. He and his wife, Lena Francis (Oakley) Crawford, are interred at Oakwood Cemetery.

Among their six children, George A. Crawford remained in Oakwood. Fascinated by railroads, George began as a locomotive fireman and was promoted to engineer in 1920 at just nineteen years old. After forty-eight years of service, he retired but continued residing in Oakwood, living on property now occupied by the State Bank of Oakwood until his death in 1974. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

George and his wife Dollie (Ellis) Crawford Bolser raised six children: Harold, Ross, Bobby, George, Raymond, and Lena Mae. Harold, Ross, and Lena Mae are deceased; the two brothers are buried in Danville Sunset Cemetery, and Lena Mae (Bales) Davis is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

Three of George’s sons — Ross, Bobby, and Raymond — followed him into railroading as locomotive engineers. In 1968, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers honored the Crawford family for having the most members of an immediate family operating locomotives across the United States and Canada.

All five Crawford brothers served their country during World War II and the Korean War: Harold and Bobby in the Army, Ross in the Navy, and Raymond and George in the Marines. The family attended Oakwood and Missionfield Grade Schools, Oakwood Township High School, and were active members of the Oakwood Methodist Church.

After four generations, most Crawfords had moved away by the time Oakwood was incorporated, with the exception of Dollie (Crawford) Bolser, who remained. Bobby resides in Indianapolis, George in Ogden, and Raymond in Fithian, though all still consider Oakwood their home.

Ancestors and Extended Family

Isaac G. Crawford, born January 4, 1851, son of Robert and Elizabeth Diadem Crawford, married Alice Bensinger on October 25, 1879. They lived in Danville and had three sons: Robert W. (b. 1878), James Howard (1881–1972), and Harry, who died young from typhoid fever along with his mother.

Robert W. Crawford married Ona Weaver and had six children. He worked as a coal miner and mine operator. His son Harold (b. 1903) married Frances Puzey and farmed near Catlin. They had two sons, Rodney and Kerry, who remain farmers in the Catlin area. Harold later remarried Edith.

Lowell Crawford (b. 1906) married Florence Esworthy, a nurse. Lowell worked at Palmer Bank in Danville and eventually became its president and CEO.

Kenneth Crawford (b. 1908) married Mary Meade. He operated a trucking business in Oakwood and had one son, Wayne, a professor at Western Illinois University. Other children of Robert and Ona include Arlyn (married Margaret Jordan), Deloris (married Earl Hart), and Meredith (married Harold Jenkins).

Historical Context and Genealogy

The Crawford family history extends to Scotland in the 13th century during the reign of William the Lion, with the first Earl of Crawford named in 1398. Crawfords emigrated to America in pre-revolutionary times, eventually settling in Ohio, Indiana, and Vermilion County, Illinois.

Colonel William Crawford (b. 1722), a Revolutionary War friend of George Washington, is believed to be the father of Robert Crawford, the direct ancestor of this branch. Robert married Elizabeth Diadem of Kentucky and lived in Ohio. Their son, Robert R. Crawford, married Mary Louise Hair and moved to Indiana before settling near Oakwood, Illinois.

The Cronkhite Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Wilma Cronkhite, daughter of William and Emma Cronkhite, was born in Oakwood in the house west of the old bank, which has since been demolished. At two years old, Wilma’s family moved to Scott Street, then relocated to Farmersburg, Indiana, where they lived for six years before returning to their Scott Street residence in Oakwood.

Wilma graduated from Oakwood High School in 1937 and completed her training at Summers Beauty School in Danville in 1939. On October 5, 1940, she married Robert Taylor, and later, on November 1, 1947, she married Jack Thomas. Wilma and Jack had two children: Richard Thomas and Vickie Thomas Hankla.

Wilma’s first beauty shop was located in the basement of 201 South Oakwood Street. In 1946, she moved to Danville but remained a member of the Oakwood Christian Church until 1950. Her sister, Waneta Steenbergen, continues to reside in Oakwood.

Wilma’s father, William Cronkhite, operated an ice house and delivered ice throughout the Oakwood area for many years.

The Curry Family of Oakwood, Illinois

Mary Rosellen Gerdes, daughter of William and Elizabeth Gerdes, was born in Cabool, Missouri, on October 26, 1904. She married Louis McBride in Cabool on November 21 (year unspecified). Together, they had five children: Louis Raymond McBride, born in 1921 but who passed away shortly after birth; Thelma Faye Francis Spencer, born in 1922 in Oakwood; Miles Martin McBride, born in 1924 in Tucson, Arizona; Leonard Lee McBride, born in 1927 in Tucson, Arizona; and Geraldine Elizabeth Hawkins, born in 1930 in Ottawa, Illinois.

Rose McBride married Dewey Cuny on July 6, 1937, and the couple moved to Oakwood, Illinois, in 1938. Following an accident involving their daughter Geraldine Hawkins, they dedicated themselves to raising her three children. Rose was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 43 years and served as Worthy Matron of the Oakwood Chapter in 1955. In 1975, she transferred her membership to Iris Chapter #307.

Rose had a passion for cooking and worked at Colonial Manor Nursing Home as well as Newtown School. Together with Dewey, she operated a lumber yard, restaurant, filling station, and grocery store. In 1968, they sold the business and moved to a small farm north of Oakwood. Rose and Dewey were married for 45 years until his passing on July 20, 1982. Rose relocated to Danville, Illinois, on October 1, 1982.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one sister, and one great-grandson. She was survived by two brothers, Leonard Gerdes of Hemet, California, and Paul Gerdes of Oakdale, California, as well as three sisters: Anna Hazelwood of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Agnes Lewis of Salinas, California; and Esther Braden of Denver, Colorado.

Rose was grandmother to seven grandchildren: Marian Francis Disney of Oakwood, Illinois; Jeff Francis of Oakwood; Larry McBride of St. Joseph; Terry McBride of Tucson; John R. Hawkins of Danville; Lori Hawkins of Muncie; and David Hawkins of Tucson.

She was great-grandmother to thirteen great-grandchildren: Cary Allen Disney and Staci Disney-Walker; Douglas, Duane, and Ryan McBride; Steve and John Dewey Hawkins; Justin and Corey Smith; Lesli and Brooke Francis; and April and Melody McBride.

Rose was also great-great-grandmother to five children.

Rose (McBride) Curry passed away on October 23, 1994.

The Curtis Family of Oakwood, Illinois

William “Bill” Curtis was born on August 30, 1923, in Charleston, Illinois. He lived many years in Catlin and retired as an ironworker. Bill is also a member of the gospel band, the Circuit Riders. He has a daughter, Becky McMillan, who resides in Wisconsin. On August 1, 1993, Bill married LaVerne in a surprise wedding held immediately following the morning service at the Oakwood Christian Church. The couple currently resides at 1 Penz Drive in Oakwood.

LaVerne Curtis was born on May 31, 1942, in California and moved to Oakwood in 1961. She earned her Associate of Science degree from Danville Area Community College in 1981 and obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in 1992. For the past two and a half years, she has been caring for Gladys Illk. LaVerne became a member of the Oakwood Christian Church on August 25, 1991.

LaVerne has two daughters: April Ann (Longstreth) Armstrong, born December 18, 1961, and Mary Ellen Longstreth (now Longstreth Burchyett), born May 18, 1964. Both April and Ellen were active in the Brownies and played on the Oakwood Girls’ Softball Team. LaVerne served as a Brownie Leader in Oakwood for two years and assisted with Vacation Bible School in 1969.

April Armstrong graduated from Oakwood High School in 1978. She married William Armstrong on December 28, 1985, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. William served four years and eight months in the U.S. Air Force, including a stationing in Berlin, Germany, where their daughter, Hannah Erin Armstrong, was born. April received her Master’s Degree in Comparative Literature from Louisiana State University in December 1993. She is proficient in five languages—English, Spanish, Russian, German, and French—and is pursuing her Ph.D.

Mary Ellen Burchyett graduated as Valedictorian of Oakwood Grade School in 1978 and as Co-Valedictorian of Oakwood High School in 1982. She married Mark Burchyett on September 3, 1992. Mary Ellen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in mathematics and economics from Illinois State University in 1986 and is currently working toward a Master’s Degree in economics. She resides in Springfield and is employed by Central Illinois Public Service (CIPS).