Jennie Elkins was born in White County on September 24, 1849. She had one daughter Martha “Mattie”. Jennie died on August 10, 1919 in Danville and is buried in the Greenwood cemetery. Jennie had spent the greater part of her life in Sumner before moving to her daughters in Danville in 1899.
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(C. French)
Biographical Note:
Charles Augustus French was born October 15, 1869 in Sumner to Bascom H. and Margaret (nee Vandamark) French. On October 15, 1890 Charles was united in marriage to Anna Laurie Hilis. Annie was born about 1872. To this union the following children were born: .,Guy C. (b. Jun. 1891); Hershel Glenn (b. Mar. 1893); Imogene (b. abt. 1899); Charlene (b. abt. 1906); Bernadine (b. Oct. 1909).
(C. French)
Biographical Note:
(continued)
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(Emily B. French)
Biographical Note:
Editor’s Note:
Emily French wrote a letter in 1917
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(Warren K. Gibney)
Biographical Note:
Warren K. Gibney was the son of Henry H. and Melencia (Files) Gibney of Petty Township, Lawrence Co. Warren’s grandmother of English descent and was a cousin of Sir Mathew Hale, Chief Justice of Kings Bench. Warren was about 52 years old when he wrote this letter. His wife was the daughter of Caleb Hoopes, the postmaster in Sumner in 1880. Warren and Martha were married in Lawrence County August 22, 1886 so even though he said in this letter that he left Petty township in 1885 he returned to Lawrence county to take a wife. His wife’s sisters, Margaret and Sarah also wrote letters to the Press in 1915.
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Our family consists of two boys and three girls, ranging from 23 to 5 years old. Guy C., our oldest son is in medical school; Herschel our next son, is engaged in business with me. The girls younger at home.
A word to our old schoolmates, friends and relatives. We quite often think of you, and assure you it would be a pleasure to take you by the good right hand for a shake, however we hope to meet you at some future time as we hold old Lawrence County very dear, and expect to call on our friends and relatives from time to time and should any of you ever pass this way don't fail to call on us.
Now Mr. Editor, a word about the Press. The Sumner Press is the first paper that I have recollections of reading when but a boy. My father was one of the old subscribers of the Press, and we have had this paper in our home ever since, and must say it has always been a welcome visitor.
We wish the new owners success and hope to see the Press retained its standard as a newspaper and in fact be the leading paper of southern Illinois.
Yours very truly,
C. French
Better known to some of
our school mates as Dick.
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Kansas City, Kansas
January 24, 1915
Editor Press:
I was born in Lawrence County, one mile west of Sumner. My father was Philo Bell, who lived there nearly all his life. My maiden name was Emily Bell and I married Almond W. French, who died four years ago in Oklahoma. Since that time I have lived in Kansas City, Kansas. I will enjoy reading this special edition of the Press.
Emily B. French
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Hutchinson, Kansa
January 18, 1915
Editor Press:
I am located in the great salt city of Kansas.
I left Petty Township in 1885, going to Des Moines, Iowa, where I've lived for 16 years. Went from there to West Plains, Missouri, then to Kansas, where I have been for the last nine years.
I am employed by Rock Island Railroad as locomotive engineer. My wife was formerly Mattie Hoopes, of Sumner and known by all the old residents’ there.
Warren K. Gibney
346 East B
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East St. Louis, Illinois
January 18, 1915
Gentlemen:
For your special non-resident issue to be published February 11, I would like to have the following few lines published, that my friends, though still residing in Lawrence County and elsewhere may still know that I am numbered among the living.
I, Mary Ann Diver, daughter of John and Nellie Diver, (Mrs. Nellie O’Donnell), was born in Lawrence County on a farm three miles southeast of Sumner, attended Clark school with brother John Diver, now residing in Bridgeport Married Jas. Goff, employed by the .O. & M. Railroad, now B. & O. Southwest Railroad in 1880. One year later Mr. Goff was transferred to East St. Louis and I have resided here ever since. Am the mother of seven children, five living, W. J. Goff, with Morris and Company married Miss M. Kallihan, Nellie M. married Mr. J. H. Nueble, manager market Morris and Company, Kathryn M. married Mr. M. C. Reis, general manager East St. Louis Lumber Company, Alice M. married W. J. Kenney, manager M.W. Warren and Company of St. Louis, Thomas D. Goff, single all residing any St. Louis. Also grandmother of 18 grandchildren, including two pairs of twins all living.
Yours truly,
Mrs. James Goff
522 North 7th Street
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(Mrs. James Goff)
Biographic Note:
Mary Ann Diver married James Goff June 25, 1878 in Lawrence county.
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(Daniel Thomas Gordon)
Biographical Note:
Daniel Thomas Gordon married Mary E. Moore in Lawrence county July 8, 1866. Their daughter that died was Ada N. who was born 1868. D. T. fails to mention that the last four daughters are two sets of twins born 4 years apart. (The 1920 census appears to agree with his get rich quick idea, because he is not working and owns his farm outright, but whether it was the ginseng garden which provided his wealth we do not know. Beginning in 1912 ginseng was in high demand in China, and the Jesuits of Canada began buying it from producers, and exporting it. )
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Janesville, Illinois
January 22, 1915
Dear Friends:
I'm a reader of the Sumner Press and will say we are well pleased with it. I made the acquaintance of the editor many years ago when he ran the Toledo Democrat and know him to be a Christian gentleman.
In the year 1872, month of November, I moved with my wife and three children-two boys and one girl to a farm in the north-central part of Cumberland County, near the old ancient village of Johnstown, in said County. To us were born five more children, all-girls, eight children all told. Our first one, a girl, died in her 17th year, rest all married except one, and all live in the greatest state in the union-Illinois.
I have farmed, sold goods, bought hogs and grain, stock, sold real estate, ran a livery barn, have been in the insurance business and now raising pure bred ringlet barred Plymouth Rock birds and for a sideline, I have a ginseng garden with 30,000 plants and expect to get rich.
If I see this in the Pink Issue of the Press I may come again.
