JOHNSON

Lewis G. Johnson was born March 7, 1947, to Ralph Bantz Johnson (b. June 8, 1919, Muncie, Illinois – d. June 19, 1975) and Phyllis Doreen (Lewis) Johnson (b. February 24, 1919, Herefordshire, England). Ralph and Phyllis were married on July 4.

Lewis has a brother, Eric Ralph Johnson. He attended grade school in Catlin and Muncie, then graduated from Oakwood High School. Lewis coached youth baseball for five years, youth football for ten years, and girls’ softball for four years. He is a charter member of the 76ers Jaycees and has served as both president and external vice-president of the organization. He worked for Pepsi Cola and currently works for Kraft Foods.

On July 1, 1966, Lewis married Linda R. Clouse, daughter of Nathan William Clouse and Veatrice LaVeme (Clapp) Clouse. Linda was born February 21, 1948, and has a brother, Gary Alan Clouse. She attended Pleasant Grove School, Muncie Grade School, Oakwood High School, and DACC. Linda has been active as a leader in Brownies/Girl Scouts and 4-H, as well as a charter member, president, and vice-president of the 76ers Jaycees. She has worked at K-Mart, Target, G.E./Valmont, and Central States Distribution Service.

Lewis and Linda have two daughters: Heidi Jean (b. November 7, 1968) and Brandy Lynn (b. May 18, 1973). Both attended Oakwood Grade School and Oakwood High School. Heidi attended DACC and married Ross Michael Warren of Rankin on May 2, 1992. Brandy attended Parkland College in Champaign.

Linda’s parents, Nathan and Veatrice, were married February 21, 1932, in Ogden. Nathan was born September 11, 1911, in Hoopeston; Veatrice was born September 18, 1910, near Oakwood. Nathan died April 2, 1973. Veatrice had sisters Goldie Catherine Clapp Clatterbuck (b. June 23, 1919) and Patsy Joyce Clapp Pichon (b. January 11, 1935), and a brother Willard Jerold Clapp (who died January 9, 1913).

Nathan’s parents were William Allen Clouse (b. July 28, 1880 – d. November 4, 1952) and Cora Edna Simpson (b. September 27, 1887 – d. January 26, 1982), married December 10, 1910.

Linda’s grandparents were Sardis Alonzo Clapp (b. March 24, 1891 – d. January 29, 1991) and Mamie Dee Lucas (b. September 22, 1892 – d. October 14, 1970). Sardis had a brother Otis and a sister Golda; Mamie had siblings Frank, Maude, and Emma. Sardis and Mamie married January 11, 1910, and lived on a farm northwest of Oakwood until moving to Oakwood in 1947.

Alonzo’s parents were Daniel Clapp (b. April 15, 1856 – d. August 20, 1937) and Sara Ellen Kinsey (b. May 12, 1862 – d. May 4, 1945), married December 28, 1886. They farmed north of Oakwood until retirement in 1926.

Mamie’s parents were Joseph Lucas (b. 1883 – d. July 4, 1927) and Mary Dotson (b. 1857 – d. 1928).

Lewis and Linda Johnson reside at 311 South Olmstead Street in Oakwood.

JOHNSON II

Merv Johnson Jr. was born November 2, 1948, and attended South Mount Pleasant Grade School, Washington Grade School, Southview Middle School, and Danville High School, graduating in 1966.

Vicki Lynn Greer was born August 24, 1950, and attended Lynch Grade School, East Park Junior High, and Danville High School, graduating in 1968. Merv and Vicki were married February 21, 1970, and currently live at 212 East North Main Street, Oakwood.

Their two children, Cheri (b. December 24, 1971) and Chris (b. September 14, 1974), attended Oakwood Grade School, Newtown Middle School, and Oakwood High School. Cheri graduated in 1990, earned an Associate Degree from DACC in 1992, and graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1994 with a BS in Business-Marketing. Chris graduated in 1992 and is attending Roger Williams University.

Merv has worked at Hyster Company (NACCO) since 1966 and has operated the Mr. Trophy Shop in Oakwood since 1977. Vicki has been employed by Shur-Gain Feeds, Sohigro, Fairhall Elevator, was self-employed as a babysitter, and has worked with Mr. Trophy. Cheri has worked at Oakwood Star Market and the Village Mall Management Office in Danville. Chris carried the News-Gazette during school and has worked at Price-Less Foods in Danville.

Vicki and Cheri were members of Brownie and Girl Scout Troop #217. Vicki is a past president of the Oakwood Women’s Club. Merv served in the National Guard.

KELLEY

Ernest Kelley was born May 13, 1890, in Armstrong, Illinois, with six siblings. He attended Armstrong schools and married Flora Hardesty on February 2, 1913, in Armstrong.

They moved east of Oakwood and later to various locations within Oakwood, finally settling in the house now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hill.

Ernest and Flora had six children; three died in infancy. Their surviving children include Mary Jane (b. September 20, 1914 – d. February 23, 1991), Juanita (b. March 19, 1918), and E. Ansel (b. September 21, 1919 – d. April 17, 1994).

Ernest operated the Texaco Station at the southwest corner of 150 and Oakwood Road around 1938. He also ran a station downtown Oakwood briefly and worked at the Seed Corn Plant west of Oakwood. Later, he worked for Lee Construction until retiring at age 82.

Flora died January 12, 1947, and Ernest died January 4, 1976.

Mary Jane married Herman Jenkins on July 15, 1933. They had two children, Jo Ann (b. January 11, 1935) and Beverly (b. November 11, 1940), who moved to Racine, Wisconsin. Jo Ann married Fred Brinkman Jr. and had two children, Cheryl and Gayle, with one grandchild. Beverly married Arthur Dupuis and had three sons: Jeff, Kevin, and Chris, along with three grandchildren.

Juanita married Paul Stuebe; they had two children, Sharon and Robert.

Ansel married Delores Nichols on September 14, 1946. He worked at the Standard Station on 150 and Oakwood Road, served in the military, and retired from Amax Coal Company. They had two daughters: Linda (b. April 19, 1951), who married Paul Hays and has two children, David and Andy; and Jane (b. April 11, 1961), who works at Wal-Mart and lives in Port Richey, Florida.

KINNEY

Lorin L. Kinney Sr. was born December 16, 1938, to Leland W. Kinney and Dorothy I. (Woodard) Kinney. Lorin worked for Western Brick Co. and Quaker Oats and was a coal miner, following in his grandfathers’ footsteps. He has a sister, Karen Sue Walls, living in Effie, Minnesota.

Karen L. Johnston was born July 1, 1938, to Henry David Johnston and Kathryn M. Bushong Johnston Meade. Her family includes notable ancestors who served as a bank president and postmaster.

Lorin and Karen married June 8, 1958, and live on Olmstead Street in Oakwood. They have four sons: Lorin L. Jr. (b. 1960), Jonathan L. (b. 1961), Christopher L. (b. 1962), and David L. (b. 1970). All attended Oakwood schools.

Lorin works for Kraft in Champaign, serves as Mayor of Fithian, and water superintendent of Ogden and Fairmount. Jonathan is an artist residing in Ferndale, Michigan. Christopher works at Coeval Cob Factory in St. Joseph, and David works at Sirloin Stockade and Kraft near Oakwood.

Lorin Jr. married Cheryl Dickson in 1993. Christopher married Elaine Smith in 1987. David married Cherylyn Haussy in 1996.

Lorin Sr. and Karen have seven grandchildren and three grandchildren by marriage.

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LANDERS

Raymond and Ellen Landers moved to Oakwood in November 1953 from Effingham County, Illinois. They currently reside at 203 South Seymour Street.

Raymond attended schools in Conden and Beecher City before serving in World War II as a member of the 17th Airborne Division, 513th Parachute Regiment. He saw action in the Battle of the Bulge and parachuted behind enemy lines across the Rhine River.

Raymond and Ellen married on March 30, 1946, and have two children: Julaine and Patricia. Patricia married Don Herron on June 29, 1968; Julaine married Bill Ingersol on June 13, 1982. Raymond and Ellen now have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Raymond worked at the University of Illinois and R & S Printing Company. He is a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Sparkling Springs Resort, and the Fairmount Conservation Club.

LEE (Floyd Lee Family)

Floyd Lee, son of Dean and Elizabeth Lee, was born June 27, 1926, in Batestown, Illinois. He married Emily “Millie” Pouilliard on December 4, 1950. Millie was born May 26, 1929, to Paul and Jenny Pouilliard of Bucktown.

Floyd attended Diamond Grade School and Oakwood High School; Millie attended Missionfield Grade School and Oakwood High School. They had three children: Patty (b. October 9, 1951), Donna (b. December 27, 1952), and Barbara (b. August 1, 1955).

Floyd has been involved in various businesses including Lee Trucking and Excavating, an Allis Chalmers dealership, laundromat and car wash. In 1964, he built a trailer park south of Oakwood; in 1978 he purchased the Western Brick Yard site and started a coal mine there; in 1980, he started another coal mine about a mile south of Oakwood.

Floyd served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1945. He founded the Oakwood Men’s Club and has attained the 32nd degree in the Masonic Lodge. He purchased and remodeled the Oakwood Masonic Lodge building into his current home.

Floyd and Millie have been generous contributors to local churches, assisting with equipment and labor.

LEE (Ron and Janice Lee Family)

Ronald Eugene Lee was born September 9, 1942, in Hammond, Indiana, to Emerson E. Lee and Delores J. (Cook) Lee. Emerson was drafted during World War II and died in Italy on March 3, 1944. Ron was just 17 months old at the time.

Ron lived with his mother and stepfather Hank Mosher, adopting the nickname “Mose.” He attended Diamond Grade School and Oakwood High School, where he met Janice Wolfe.

Janice Wolfe was born June 27, 1944, to Ferris Jacob (Jake) Wolfe Jr. and Betty Lou (Wilson) Wolfe, both longtime Oakwood residents. She grew up on various farms and in Oakwood.

Ron and Janice married June 10, 1962, at Oakwood United Methodist Church and settled on the Wolfe farm near the Salt Fork River.

They had three children: Todd (b. 1963), Tim (b. 1965), and Tammy Jo (b. 1968, died at 2 days old).

The Lees moved into Oakwood in 1966, buying Ron’s Drive-In in 1964 from Tuck Hammon. They sold it in 1970 and relocated to Newtown area.

Ron worked at Tee-Pak and later at Cozad Financial Planners in Champaign. Janice worked as a secretary at Illinois Power’s Vermilion Plant.

Todd married Sonna Lane in 1986; they have two children, Katlyn and Broderick, and reside in Muncie.

Tim married Dawn Trowbridge in 1989; they have two children, Logan and Cameron, and live in Oakwood. Both Tim and Dawn teach at Oakwood High School.

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LEMASTERS

Rollin (Rolla) Lemasters was born July 1, 1810, in Indiana and lived in Oakwood until his death on February 16, 1882. His parents were Richard Lemasters and Gemima Piles. Rolla married Elizabeth Bromley (born June 2, 1815, Kentucky – died April 28, 1852).

They had several children:

  • Belvidira Lemasters (b. 1837, Kentucky), married William House on November 16, 1855.

  • Melissa Lemasters (b. 1840, Kentucky), married John E. Samuels.

  • Sarah F. Lemasters (b. 1844, Kentucky), married Winfield Shuck on February 19, 1889.

  • Mary Elizabeth Lemasters (b. 1847, Kentucky), married Oliver A. Hughes on June 4, 1865—the great-grandfather of Janice Youhas.

  • Samuel Lemasters, died May 6, 1852.

  • Bromley C. Lemasters, last child.

LIGGETT

Raymond C. Liggett married Ercel E. Bailey on October 20, 1916, and lived in rural Oakwood before moving to a home at North Main and Harrison Streets.

They had two children:

  • Keith R. Liggett (b. September 2, 1918), married Margie Krueger on September 1, 1945. They had two children: Keith Jr. and Barbara. Keith Sr. owned a livery service in River Forest until his death on September 23, 1993.

  • Dorothy M. Liggett (b. September 4, 1920), married John W. Harrison on August 15, 1942, in Oakwood. They built a home at 107 North Harrison Street, where Dorothy still resides. They had three children: John Jr., Sandra Sue, and Debra Kay.

John Jr. married Lora Grimm of Fithian; they have four sons and one daughter. Sandra married Paul E. Ronk and later Steven Meade; they live south of Oakwood. Debra married Thomas L. Hicks; they have two children and live in Oakwood.

John Sr. served in World War II and worked as a heavy equipment operating engineer for Illinois Power Plant until his death in 1970. Dorothy was a beautician and later worked as a cook at Oakwood Grade School for 21 years. She and her children are members of Oakwood Methodist Church and involved in community activities including 4-H and the American Legion.

LIGGETT (Sgt. Robert G. Liggett)

Sgt. Robert G. Liggett, husband of Maxine (Hart) Liggett and father of James Liggett, was the son of Robert and Grace Liggett of Newtown, Illinois.

He received basic training at Camp Hood, Texas, and Camp Atterbury, Indiana, and served overseas from October to December 1944 with the 24th Infantry Regiment, 106th Division, First Army.

He was reported missing in action on February 19, 1945, near the Rhone River and later declared killed in action. His body was never recovered.

Maxine operated a beauty shop from her home until retiring. Her parents were Everette and Elsie Smith Hart. Maxine currently resides at 105 East Collett Street.

LINNE

Frank M. Linne and Harriet S. Hamburg married October 24, 1954, and live in the Haven Oakwood Place on Route #150 west of Oakwood Street.

Frank was born January 19, 1930, attended Elmwood and Cannon Grade Schools and Danville High School, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1949 to 1952 in Japan and Korea. He is president of Linne Machine Co., Inc., and owns Mr. Tire Store west of Danville.

Harriet was born August 25, 1932, and attended Roselawn and Washington Grade Schools and Danville High School.

They have three children: Rick A. (b. May 14, 1955), Kim W. (b. August 7, 1956), and Kerri M. (b. September 15, 1965).

Rick married Bobbie Jo King in 1977; their children are Rikki Jo, Ryan Colt, and Randi Jo. Rick manages Mr. Tire.

Kim married Joy E. Smith in 1983 and later Pamela S. Bildilli in 1994; he manages Linne Machine Co.

Kerri lives in Oakwood with her son Taylor E.

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LITHERLAND

James L. and Delphia (Hart) Litherland were married on March 18, 1908, in Oakwood, Illinois. Both had lost their spouses in 1906 prior to their marriage. James had one son, Oran Litherland (deceased), and Delphia had three children: Jennie (Hart) Burke, Jessie Hart, and James “Jimmie” Hart (all deceased).

James was a farmer and carpenter in the Lake Shore–Oakwood area for 61 years and also performed custom butchering in Oakwood for several years. Both James and Delphia were active members of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Oakwood.

Delphia passed away in 1953 and James in 1956.

LOMAX

Charles Alpheus Lomax and Laura Mae Myers were married on August 2, 1950, in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Charles attended Webster School, Oakwood High School, and Coyne Electrical School. His parents were Alpheus “Peck” Lomax and Gwendolyn (Brazelton) Lomax. “Peck” worked in the Oakwood mines and later as an electrician at General Motors and Hysters. He owned and operated “Peck’s Live Bait” near Kickapoo State Park.

Laura attended Danville Junior College and the University of Illinois, earning a degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught in local parochial and VOTEC schools for sixteen years.

Charles served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1952, worked at General Motors and Olin-Mathesen, then at Illinois Power Station in Newtown, retiring from there.

Charles and Laura built their home on land purchased from George Lomax near Belgium Row Road.

They have six children: Sue, Janet, Charles David, Linda, Todd, and Laurie—all attended Newtown Grade School and graduated from Oakwood High School.

  • Sue Ann Lomax attended University of Illinois and works in recreation in California.

  • Janet Elaine Lomax works as a dental assistant and married William P. Devine.

  • Charles David Lomax served in the U.S. Navy and works as a machinist.

  • Linda Joan Lomax is a teacher and married Joe Herman.

  • Todd Alan Lomax works at Action Technology in Clinton, Illinois, and married Debbie Sue Taylor.

  • Laurie Ellen Lomax graduated from Eastern Illinois University and married 1st Lt. James P. Crail.

LOMAX (George and Mildred)

George Lomax was born May 10, 1912, near Oakwood to George and Cora (Jones) Lomax.
Mildred Mabry was born August 20, 1921, in Rankin, Illinois. Her father died at age 52 in 1952, and her mother passed in 1984.

George and Mildred married on August 20, 1968. George attended Webster School, and Mildred attended Pellville Grade School, Penfield High School, and Armstrong High School.

Their children are James Rayman Prior, Peggy Lou (Jinkins), Roger Edgar Prior, Judith Ray (Rennaker), and Shirley Ann (Kester).

George worked as a coal miner and for Continental Filling; Mildred worked at the State Bank of Oakwood for 20 years. Roger served in the U.S. Army in Korea and retired after 20 years.

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LONGSTRETH

Benjamin Longstreth was born September 20, 1822, in Ohio to George F. and Sarah Wilkinson Longstreth. On December 4, 1852, Benjamin and George F. Longstreth purchased adjoining properties in Vermilion County, Illinois, now part of Kickapoo State Park.

Benjamin married Rebecca Jane Lee on January 19, 1854. Rebecca was born March 18, 1836, and died January 29, 1856. They had two children: William (born late 1854 or early 1855) and another child who died before 1860.

Benjamin remarried on November 31, 1856, to Elizabeth Foland, a widow born September 15, 1830, in Fountain County, Indiana. Elizabeth’s first husband was John Foland. She had two children from her first marriage, Mary E. and Lorena P. Foland.

Benjamin and Elizabeth had the following children:

  • George F.

  • Nancy Ann

  • Mary Etta

  • Sarah

  • Hulda Belle

  • Elijah Newton (born February 5, 1866)

Benjamin was a farmer who moved to town in 1876 after purchasing multiple lots in Oakwood, including the site of the first Oakwood grocery store. He laid out the Longstreth Addition to the village in 1891. He died April 5, 1899.

Elijah Newton “Newt” Longstreth (1866–1933)

Known as “Newt,” he came to Oakwood in 1876. At 12, he learned shoe mending from his father. He briefly attempted barbering but found success in shoe repair and running a grocery store with his brother-in-law Otis Haworth.

In 1903, Newt became Oakwood’s first village treasurer and later served multiple terms as mayor until retiring in 1920. Married to Maggie E. Samson (1868–1918), they had three children: Ethel (d. 1899), Oral, and Leah W.

Newt died of a heart attack in 1933.

Oral Longstreth (1895–1982)

Son of Newt and Maggie, Oral was the first Oakwood resident to enlist in World War I. After the war, he partnered with his father to turn their harness shop into a café and drugstore known as the “Blueroom.”

Oral married Vera Poll in 1930. He served as township supervisor during the Great Depression and was a lifelong member of the American Legion and Oakwood Methodist Church.

They had three children: Patricia, Jean, and Donald. Oral passed away in September 1982; Vera died in 1992.

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LOUDIN

Jack Baker Loudin married Judith Kay Oakwood on August 2, 1976. They have lived in Saratoga, Wyoming for the past twelve years.

Judith attended Lake Shore and Pleasant Grove Grade Schools and graduated from Oakwood High School in 1958. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Illinois in 1962 and a Master’s in English and Gifted & Talented Education in 1971.

Judith taught at Danville High School, Jamaica High School, Oakwood High School, and Danville Junior College. She currently teaches part-time for Western Wyoming Community College’s Outreach Program. She also owned a craft shop, “Judy’s Crafts n’ Gifts,” for eight years and now designs handmade quilting items.

Both Judith and Jack are members of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Saratoga. They enjoy hunting, fishing, music, drama, and have recently taken up cross-country skiing.

LUCAS

Robert Lucas married Sandy Stasen on October 20, 1975.

Bob graduated from Radford High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1970, earned an Associate of Science from Danville Junior College in 1975, and a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1980. He has worked as Field Claims Manager for Cincinnati Insurance Company since 1977.

Sandy attended McKinley Grade School, South View Junior High, Danville High School, Danville Area Community College, and Illinois State University. She has taught third grade at Cannon School in Danville since 1976 and is a member of DEA/IEA/NEA and Calvary Baptist Church.

Bob and Sandy have two children: Joshua (b. May 21, 1982) and Laura (b. December 11, 1985). They reside at 381 Horizon Drive in Oakwood.

Sandy’s parents are Barbara (Balbach) Stasen and Ben Stasen, longtime residents of Oakwood and Newtown. The Balbach family has deep roots in the area, with several children and grandchildren still residing locally.

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