From Former Sons and Daughters of

Charles Walter Ivie was born in Lawrence County August 4, 1879 to William Curtis and Phebe Lucretia (nee Goslin) Ivie. On June 3, 1900 he was united in marriage to Addie Wright, daughter of Henry and Lucinda Caroline (nee Brown) Wright. Addie was born on August 2, 1874 in Lawrence County. Census records indicate the following children were born to this union: Otis Folis (b. Nov. 1901); Hubert Russell (b. Dec. 1905); Walter Wright. (b. Sep. 1909); Paul Cranston (b. Feb. 1911); Charles Henry (b. June 1920). Charles died April 21, 1958 and Addie died a few weeks later on June 8, 1958. They were laid to rest in the Sumner Cemetery.

CW. Also wrote a letter in 1915 wherein he stated they had moved to Kansas for his health, but he was feeling better at that time. Their new church had given them $1000 and furnished a modern parsonage.

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Phebe Lucretia Goslin was born in Lawrence County on August 21, 1850 to William and Elizabeth (nee Ruark) Goslin. On September 25, 1867 she was united in marriage to William Curtis Ivie, son of Curtis and Caroline (nee Blanton) Ivie. William was born on May 7, 1841 in Wabash County near Adams Corner. William was a Civil War Veteran joining Company G 48 Illinois. Census records indicate the following children were born to this union: Lorenzo A. (b. abt. 1868); Ida C. (b. abt. 1872); Cora I. (b. abt. 1874); Effie M. (b. abt. 1876); Charles W. (b. abt. 1879); John B. (b. Feb. 1884); Everet R. (b. Jun. 1880); Victor C. (b. Apr. 1889); Earl J. (b. Jan. 1892). William died September 4, 1908 and Phebe died August 10, 1923. They were laid to rest in the Bethel Cemetery. (Phebe is the previous letter writer’s mother.)

January 26, 1916

Dear Editor and Readers:

I was greatly pleased with the Pink Edition last year. I am now living in Marquette, Kansas, where I am a pastor of the M. E. Church. We have no reason to complain of the progress we have made in the ministry. We have a beautiful church and parsonage here, and a fine class of people to work with. On the 9th of December we closed a most successful revival, which was said to be the best here for several years.

We are always glad to get the Press as it is about like getting a letter from home.

This is a great country yet our mind often runs back to old Lawrence County, the scenes of our childhood. By reading the Press we notice a great number have passed over the great borderland since we left our old home, and a number have moved away also. Business has changed so in Sumner that it hardly seems like the same town.

I notice that you are having bad roads in Illinois. So far there has not been a day this winner that we could not run our auto.

Thanking you the editor for this opportunity of writing to friends through the Press, and sending greetings to all, I am,

Very truly yours,

C. W. Ivie

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Portland, Oregon

January 21, 1916

Dear Press People:

My sister Mrs. F. J. Fulton and I left Sumner October 5, 1915 and arrived at Morrill, Kansas at our brother’s Joe Lasher, October 6. From there we went to my sister's home near Sebaha, Kansas and I made a visit there. Then she went on to Los Angeles, California for the winter and I went on to Marquette, Kansas and spent a month with my son Charles and his family.

On December 15 I started for Portland, Oregon.

Arrived here on the 17th. I changed at Pueblo, Colorado, Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, also at Pocatello, Idaho, and arrived at Portland in the evening and went to my son's, W. R. Ivie, 7244 5th Avenue.

We had a family Christmas dinner at son, Everett R. Ivie’s, at 1185 50th Avenue, and the children were all present.

I would like to tell of my trip up the Royal Gorge and a lot of other things, but we are to leave the scenery out, so I will just say that I am well, and I don't think anyone ever traveled that enjoyed it hardly so much as I do. This is five times that I have come to Portland, and I am perfectly at home.

Portland is beautiful at the holiday time and already they are beginning to plan for the race carnival in June.

Best wishes for all of the home folks and a happy new year.

Phebe L. Ivie

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January 28, 1916

Hello, Home Folks:

Am afraid I won't get my letter in that "Pink Press". I have been so busy reading the special edition of the Olney Times. Well, it was not near so homey or interesting to me as the Pink Press was, and is going to be a (not readable)

Earl has that chicken farm here in the suburbs, get sixty cents a dozen for eggs. Ruby is one of the four who has made over 98 for an average in the New Jersey state examinations. She is now taking the four year course in high school in three years and is standing at the head of the class of 96 freshmen.

Mr. Jensen is still a government M. I. in Newark.

I expect to make a visit to my old hometown and Beulah neighbors this summer.

(Mrs. C. R.) Clem C. Jensen

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Champaign, Illinois

January 12, 1916

Sumner Press:

In response to our second non-resident issue, I will contribute a few lines to my old home paper, home friends and relatives.

My maiden name was Cleora Westall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Westall. I was born and spent my childhood days on a farm in Petty Township near Hazel Dell school house until six years ago this 12th day of January when I was married to Dan Jervis of Champaign County, Condit Township, where I have resided since on a farm of 280 acres which keeps us pretty busy but am always glad to get the Press which I have always taken. We have two children, one daughter, Helen, age 3 years and one son Merwin, age 21 months.

I always try to make a visit to my old home at least once a year. Hoping to hear from many more friends,

Yours respectfully,

Mrs. Cleora Westall Jervis

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Cleora Westall Helen (daughter)

in 1904 abt. 1931

Clementine C. Combs was born in Illinois in January of 1870. On March 18, 1896 in St. Clair County Illinois Clem was united in marriage to Carl R. Jensen. Carl was born in July of 1872 in Denmark. Carl was a Government Meat Inspector. Census records show the following children born to this union: Earl R. (b. Jul. 1897); Ruby I. (b. abt. 1902);

(Cleora Jervis)

Cleora Jane Westall was born in Lawrence County on October 26, 1887 to George Washington and Hannah (nee Petty) Westall. She married Daniel George Jervis. Daniel was the son of Joseph and Catherine (nee Steargret) Jervis, born on June 23, 1877. Census records indicate the following children born to this union: Helen M. (b. Sep. 1912); Merwin E. (b. Apr. 1914). Cleora’s husband, Daniel farmed until his death on November 18, 1947.

Cleora’s 1917 Pink Letter added the following information:

“Will write a few lines to the third nonresident issue. I am still located in Champaign County, Condit Township. We live four miles west of Thomasboro and eight miles north of Champagne. We do most of our trading in Champaign as we have a car and don't take long to go when the roads are good. We have two children, Helen age four and Merwin, age 3. Have made this my home for seven years and think Champaign County is the place to live. I spent all my childhood days in Lawrence County, Petty Township, near Hazel Dell school and always like to visit Sumner where I have some very dear folks. Hoping to hear from many more again.”

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Catherine Jane “Kate” Greer was born August 16, 1846 to Richard and Mary Catherine Jane (nee Nunns) Greer. On October 21, 1873 Kate was united in marriage to Francis Adam Keplinger. Francis was born on July 30, 1848, the son of Henry and Mary (nee Baker) Keplinger. Census records indicate the following children were born to this union: Edwin R. (b. Aug. 1874); Richard H. (b. Apr. 1876); James W. (b. Mar. 1878); Mollie E. (b. Oct. 1880); Elmer B. (b. Nov. 1884); Mable (b. Sep. 1887). Francis died on October 18, 1888 and Kate died October 2, 1935. They were laid to rest in the Chauncey Cemetery.

January 23, 1916

Editor Press:

As I used to live in Lawrence County I am sending my contribution to the Pink Press. My present home is in South West Township, Crawford County, Illinois so you see I am not wandered very far from my old home.

I came with my parents from Butler County, Ohio to Petty Township, Lawrence County, Illinois in the spring of 1850. My old home is about 10 miles north of Sumner and about a mile and a quarter east of Chauncey. My father's name was Richard Greer, my mother’s name was Kate Greer.

There was no Bridgeport, Sumner, or Claremont then, no B. & O. S. W. Railroad. My father came by steamboat from Cincinnati to Vincennes and finished the journey in a covered wagon. The country was new. There was not much to see except log cabins and wild grass almost as high as the cabins. I was four years old we came to Illinois but I remember how our cabin looked. It was roofed with clapboards. The ceiling was boards laid on top of the joists. The floor was fastened down with wooden pins instead of nails. The chimney was made of sticks and mud and the cracks between the logs were filled with mud. The stairs to go up to the loft were large wooden pegs driven into auger holes in the logs in the corner of the room at the right and left hand alternately. We did not live in that cabin very long, perhaps a year, and then father built a new hewed log house with a long wide porch on each side. It was nicely finished and a very comfortable home it was.

Our school house in those days was a log building which answered the purpose of church and school house in one. We sat on benches made of slabs. The legs were wooden pegs driven into auger holes in each end of the seat. There were two desks, one on the boy’s side of the house in one of the girl’s side. These were wide boards laid on large pegs that had been driven into auger holes in the wall. The door was a homemade one and so was the latch. The latch was a leather string tied to it that was put through a hole in the door and hung outside. All we had to do to open the door was to pull down the string latch and the door could be pushed open.

My aunt Fanny Greer taught the first school I ever went to. It was a subscription school. Every man paid according to the number of children he sent. After school closed, the teacher collected her wages as best she could.

The first letters that came to us were addressed to the Petty Post Office that was five miles from us.

In the spring of 1858 my father, Uncle William Nunns and my uncle W. H. Brown and a few others laid out the town of Chauncey.

Many changes have taken place since I was young. Perhaps the most important was the coming of the railroad. My father took us out to see the first train that passed over us. In early 60’s came coal oil lamps instead of tallow candles. Now we have telephones and rural routes.

For old-time social gatherings there was the peach cutting, the apple cutting, the singing school and the spelling school. We had some good spellers too. I believe I would be safe in saying that Charles Goodman and George Daniels could spell any word in the book. If Charles was chosen for one side George was sure to be chosen for the other, so they always had to spell against each other. I remember one night after all the rest were "spelled down” George and Charles spelled against each other until the teacher was tired of pronouncing. He gave us a short recess and set them to try it again, but neither could spell the other down so he declared a tie, and dismissed us.

Now Mr. Editor, I believe you said we should write something about ourselves.

In 1873 I was married to Francis Adam Keplinger, since then my home is in Crawford County, Illinois. We had seven children. My husband died in 1888, the second son died the same year and the second daughter about ten years after. The other five are still living and are all doing for themselves. How am I prospering? Well, suffice to say, I have a neat little home and the necessary things of life but with none of the luxuries. What have I been doing? I am a housekeeper and well it would take too long to tell what I have done. Now sisters you all know housekeeping brings plenty of work, but it doesn't pay, at least not in dollars and cents. Had my husband lived we might have been more prosperous. He left me with six children, the oldest 14 years of age and the youngest one year. I did the best I could to take care of (them together) until they could take care of themselves. My two daughters are married, one son in North Dakota, one at home and one at the University of Valparaiso. If I live till the 16th of August I will be threescore and ten.

Kate Keplinger

RR#1

Chauncey, Illinois

William H. Brown Catherine Greer Brown

Kate’s Aunt and Uncle William who helped lay out Chauncey

(continued)

Tallow Candle

Tallow is a rendered form of beef or mutton fat. Tallow used to be widely used to make molded candles before more convenient wax varieties became available.
Editor’s Note:

Charles Goodman, one of the spellers, went on to become an attorney and the other, George Daniels, was a grain dealer.

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Olive “Lou” Barnes daughter of Elijah and Hannah Barnes was born in Lawrence County, Illinois, August 30, 1842. She was married to Valentine Jefferson Mayo, January 15, 1863. Valentine was born June 1, 1830 to John and Elizabeth (nee Applegate) Mayo. Valentine passed away October 26, 1914. Olive “Lou” died at Jackson, Mississippi December 17, 1917. They are buried in the Whitehouse cemetery.

Rosaline Barnes, Olive’s sister, married William James Mayo, Valentine’s brother.

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Inez Gertrude Miles was born July 11, 1877 in Lawrence County to Joseph and Ada (nee Walters) Miles. On December 5, 1899 she was united in marriage to Charles Freemont McNece, son of George Washington and Sarah Ann (nee Paine) McNece. Charles was born November 15, 1876 in Lawrence County. Records show the following children were born to this union; John (b. abt. 1901); George (b. Sep. 1902); Charles (b. abt. 1907); Clyde (b. abt. 1909); Lizzie Irene (b. abt. 1913). Inez died December 16, 1935 and Charles died October 16, 1945 and they were laid to rest in the Mole Hill Cemetery, Broseley,

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January 26, 1916

Editor Press:

My maiden name was Barnes. I was raised on a farm about half a mile east of White House church, in Lawrence County, Bridgeport Township.

Came to Jackson Mississippi about seven years ago for my health, and I am still in the land of beautiful flowers. I am living with my niece and her two sons, Mrs. Susan Miller.

There are a number of people here from the north and the greater number like this country for mild winters. We have quite a lot of flowers in bloom in our yard at this time.

I would like to see all my relatives, old friends and neighbors, but it's a long way up to the old home, and as I have a pleasant home and quite a number of friends here, I am perfectly satisfied.

We all appreciate the Sumner Press, which through the kindness of my nephew and niece, J. L. and Dell Barnes, find its way to Jackson once each week.

Respectfully,

Lou Mayo

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Dulin, Missouri

January 24, 1916

Dear Sirs:

I will write a few lines to the non-resident issue.

Old Lawrence County used to be our home. I was the second daughter at Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Miles, living ten miles northwest of Lawrenceville.

I married Charles McNece, son of Mr. and Mrs. George McNece, of Petty. We moved from the J. R. King farm, three miles north and one mile west, to southeast Missouri, near Bernie, Stoddard County, ten years ago, afterwards moving to Butler County, fifteen miles south of Popular Bluff, on the Black River. There are six of us in the family. We have four children, all boys.

We are readers of the Press and greatly appreciate our old home paper.

Yours truly,

Mrs. Charles McNece

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Whitehouse Church Erected in 1871

January 30, 1916

Editor Press:

Enclosed find one dollar: please give credit on my subscription.

We have taken the Press ever since we moved north. It is like getting a letter from home.

We left Lawrence County in 1897 came to Douglas County and located in Tuscola. It is the county seat of one of the best counties in the state-the garden spot of Illinois-black, rich soil and level country. There isn't any waste land in the County. This is a good place for a man that has energy and push to get a start.

I would say to my friends, I am in the livery business, have a good trade and have no reason to regret leaving Lawrence County, tho I have many friends there and I enjoy very much a trip back once a year for a few day’s visit.

Boost the Press and give us all the news, and oblige.

R. E. Milligan

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January 26, 1916

Editor Sumner Press, Relatives and Friends:

Being requested by our editor to write a letter telling of my whereabouts and what I am doing and where I was born.

To begin with I was born, as was stated in my last letter to you, on the highest hill in Lawrence County, 2 1/2 miles northeast of Sumner, being the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Perkins, there being 11 children in the family, six boys and five girls, all living except two, the youngest and oldest.

My home is in Pemiscot County, Missouri, Hayti being the town where I call my home now, and as before stated, I and in the hardware and implement business and enjoying a good business in both lines. Having four children that are practically grown makes our expenses light. In fact the Perkins take care of all the trade. We also sell automobiles. We unloaded our first spring car load last week. We raise our own garden, milk our own cows, eat our own chickens and eggs, drive our own horse and buggy, ride in our own auto and sleep in our own bed. We think we are getting a long all right.

P. S. - We vote the Democrat ticket.

Yours very truly,

F. M. Perkins

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Robert Emerson Milligan was born in November 1858 to David and Elvira (nee Grout) Milligan. On November 27, 1878 he was united in marriage to Mary A. Butler, daughter of John S. and Emaline Butler. Mary was born in December of 1855. Records indicate the following children: Gertrude E. (b. Aug. 1880) Maurine Gifford (b. abt. 1897 adopted daughter).Mary was living with Gertrude in Morrisonville in 1930 and was a widow.

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(Frank Perkins)

Frank M. Perkins was born in Lawrence County on December 30, 1869 to Francis Marion and Lavina (nee Petty) Perkins. In 1890 he was united in marriage to Scytha J. Gaddy daughter of James Edward and Elizabeth (nee Bass) Gaddy. Scytha was born August 28, 1868 in Lawrence County. Census records indicate the following children were born to this union: E. M. (b. Jan. 1892); Mabel (b. Jun. 1894); Dale D. (b. Apr. 1897); Elsie D. (b. Mar. 1900); Howard Lee (b. abt. 1905). Scytha died February 26, 1937 and Frank died a few months later on June 1, 1937. They were laid to rest in Hayti, Missouri.

In 1915 Frank wrote a similar letter to the Press. Unfortunately this letter was too faded to transcribe and the editors were able to make out only parts.

On January 17, 1917 Frank also wrote to the Press:”Enclosed find check for $1.25 per subscription to the Sumner Press. . . I certainly enjoy reading the many letters from my old home folks. . . I go home to your town once or twice a year to visit my father and mother, northeast of Sumner. I love to come back where I was a boy. . .I have two children married. I am also grandpa. When I think of all this, it makes me feel a little old.

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Oris Edgar Perkins was born September 21, 1872 in Lawrence County to Moses and Malinda (nee Steffe) Perkins. On August 1894 he was united in marriage to Fannie E. Harding, daughter of William and Zerelda (nee Buchanan) Harding. Fannie was born August 5, 1874. Census records indicate the following children were born to this union: Bessie M. (b. May 1895); Maud M. (b. Mar. 1897); Edna (b. Mar. 1900); Donald (b. abt. 1908); Mildred L. (b. Mar. 1914). Fannie died October 16, 1949 and Oris died May 9, 1961. They were laid to rest in the Sunset Hills Cemetery, Flint, Genesee County, Michigan.

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(J. W. Peters)

January 10, 1916

Greetings to my friends in old Lawrence County and elsewhere.

In answer to your request, through your paper, I will write a few lines to the Pink Press.

We are now situated two and a half miles northwest of Bernie, a hustling little town surrounded by the finest farming country in the world.

I have 80 acres here and think it is the finest home in Missouri.

Bessie, my eldest daughter is teaching the fourth grade in Bernie. Marian is teaching our home school of which Donald is a promising scholar of the second grade. Edna is attending high school in Bernie and is in the sophomore year. Mildred, the baby, is a baby no longer in size, as she weighs 30 lbs. She is beginning to talk and will be a regular little Missourian, speaking the Southern brogue.

We are enjoying the best of health and think there is no place like Missouri.

We had abundant crops last year, having 30 tons of hay and 800 bushels of corn. Cow peas, clover, cotton and wheat also grow to perfection in this section of the country. This is also a fine country for all kinds of fruit.

Anyone wishing to visit this section of the country will always find the latch string hanging on the outside.

Very truly yours,

O. E. Perkins

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Carlock, Illinois

January 15, 1916

Editor Sumner Press:

I have been away from Lawrence County almost a year, and as I was born and lived there all my life expecting this one year, I felt it my duty to write a few lines. I thought perhaps my old friends would like to hear from me, and I surely will be glad to hear from them.

I, John W. Peters, son of Mr. Isaac Peters and Mrs. Fannie Peters, also brother of Mrs. Alvira J. Corrie who departed this life April 16, 1912, also father departing December 2, 1900. Mother resides in Lukin Township up to this present time, which used to be my happy home. I have three children, two being by the first union, Mary E. Moore who departed this life June, 1900, born and raised in Lawrence County, and one child by the second union, Olive A. McClintock, of Woodford County Illinois, the oldest child a girl, 14 years old, second a boy 7 years old and third a boy 2 years 10 months, and is three feet four inches in height. I now live within five miles of Woodford County, farming an 80 acre farm, but March the first I'll be 2 1/2 miles from Woodford County on 160 acres. Crops were fine here last year, with plenty of rain but cool. The winter weather gives us 14 and 16 below zero part of the time with rain, ice and snow. I reside just two miles from the Methodist Church, which I attend. I am assistant superintendent, also assistant teacher of young people's class. But there is no place like home sweet home.

Wishing friends and readers of this paper, a happy and prosperous year is my prayer,

Your friends,

J. W. Peters

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Marshfield, Wisconsin

January 26, 1916

Editor Press:

As I have never written to the Press I will try to write a few lines. We still live at Marshfield, 7 1/2 mile south. We came to this state 12 years ago next April. All have had very good health since we came here. My maiden name was Hester L. Kirkpatrick. My old home was in Lukin Township, on the Deacon Craig farm. I remember the melons and all the good things of Egypt.

Hester L. Phillips

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Spokane, Washington

January 17, 1916

2317 West Liberty

To the Editor and all Friends Everywhere:

Mrs. Piper joins in the New Year's greeting.

We especially thank the Press for the 52 splendid letters during the past year, not one of which failed to reach us on time.

We have enjoyed every day of 1915 many of which were red letter days because of new friends made and happy associations with the old ones.

On Christmas Day we celebrated homecoming, when son, daughter and daughter-in-law were with us for that and several following days. This, with living remembrances from friends in Illinois and elsewhere made a happy climax for the ending of 1915 and a most encouraging beginning for 1916.

We certainly have everything to be thankful for, with a united family, so many friends here and in Illinois, good health and plenty of employment.

Frazer and wife live at Greenacres, Washington, a suburb, employed in the city, and are happy and prosperous. Helen is devoted to her music in Montana Deaconess School, Helena, Montana, where she informs us it is now 40 below zero. She comes home twice each year. At these periods Frazier and Clara come also and do you know there is never a time nor scarcely a day that we do not discuss Illinois happenings as we call out from memories or from the papers.

I wished that I could tell you about New Year’s Eve in Spokane when the lights went out of 152 saloons, and the doors closed (we hope) forever and ten days later when officers, with search and seizure papers, took possession of home stored booze.