Keenes News, June 7th 1949

Keenes News section of the Wayne City Herald published June 7, 1949.  For a small town with not much happening, Wayne City has had many newspapers over the years. And for an even smaller town Keenes was able to take up the majority of the back page of the paper. Below you can read about Mr. & Mrs. Keith Dove and Sharon spending Sunday at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Charley Harper. Keith was married to Bernice (?).  He was the son of Joe & Clara (Wood) Dove.  Joe was grandma Lou (Dove) Lathrop's half brother.  

In Memoriam January 13th

1863 Elizabeth (?) Galbreath age 67 in Clay Co., IL.  She was born 1796 in Kentucky and married ? Galbreath before 1820.  She had six children.  She and her son Thomas died within days of each other.  Her estate was appraised at $154.54

• Jesse Montgomery administrator
• sales $236.22
• Green & Murry funeral home
• bill for Thomas Galbreath's funeral clothes
• $10.58 gloves, socks, neck tie, vest, pants, coat, shoes, 1/2 yard bleach (domestic?)
• bill for Elizabeth's funeral
• 8 yds muslin, 1 pr stockings, 1 pr gloves $2.35
• medical bills BG Sullivan
• Jan. 1-3 visits, medicine for her and Thomas
• Jan. 4-6, 8, 10, 11 visits, medicine for her $17.50 total
• each heir got $27.88
• Elijah Dillman made coffin $12
• Daniel Fields made coffin for Thomas $6

Harold Erkman

This article by Penny Shreve appeared in the Wayne County Press a couple years ago in the Memorial Day section.

Harold Erkman was 27 when he died during World War II, leaving behind a little girl.

His daughter is Trixie Lathrop of Wayne City.  She never knew either of her parents.  Her dad was reported missing in February of 1944 when she was three; her mother, the former Iva Colclasure, died three months after Trixie was born, of complications related to childbirth.

Harold was in the service twice, the first time attaining the rank of Sergeant.  But as the story is told, he was reduced to a Private after he reportedly got in a fight with a superior officer.

"He was a rebel," Trixie says.  "That was the story I was told."

Harold got out of the service, worked at Caterpillar in Peoria, and married Iva in April of 1939.  Trixie came along in 1940, and Iva died shortly thereafter.  Then when Trixie was a toddler, World War II erupted.  Harold knew he would be called back into the service, so he got things in order and reported to duty.

Harold permitted his aunt to adopt Trixie; she was adopted and raised by Anna and Lonnie Wheeler. [Okay here's the real deal:  Trixie was adopted by Harold's father, her grandfather Henry.  Henry was between wives at the time and asked his sister Anna and her husband Lonnie to take Trixie.]

Although specifics about Harold's death are unclear, it is believed that he was assigned in Northern Africa, and his group worked its way through Italy.  It is believed that Harold died in the assault on Monte Casino Abbey, south of Rome.

"He was reported missing Feb. 11, 1944, but I don't know when they reported him killed in action," said Trixie.  "Luke Leach was over there and was his best friend.  He said (of Harold's death) 12 guys went out to take a machine gun nest and only one came back."

Harold was buried in a cemetery in Italy, but later the bodies of those soldiers were exhumed and brought home for burial.  Trixie was eight years old and remembers when her dad's body was returned for burial in Thomason Cemetery.  

It's hard for Trixie to imagine what her dad went through, having lost his wife, then having to give up his only child before going back into the service.

"It would just kill me to have to give up one of my kids," she said. "But I'm grateful that he had the foresight to take care of his child before he left."

In Memoriam January 12th

1894 Louisa Callie Osborn age 4 in Wayne Co., IL the daughter of Louis & Idella (Robertson) Osborn.  She is buried with her siblings in Salem / Mateer Cemetery in Wayne Co., IL.

1924 James Smith age 73, born 1851 the son of John & Susannah (Smart) Smith.  He married Elizabeth Boliger and they had four children.

1967 Everett Withrow age 76 in Los Angeles, CA.  He was the son of Franklin & Mary (Dove) Withrow and was born in Leonard, TX ca. 1890.  He married Ola Franks in 1911 and they had three children.  After Ola’s death he married Olive Duphel.  Everett is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, CA.

                                                                                              

1975 DeEtta Withrow age 86.  Born in 1888 in Lakeville, MO, she was the daughter of Franklin & Mary (Dove) Withrow and sister of Everett above.  She married 1) Bill Smallwood in Sequoyah, OK in 1910 and they had four children before divorcing ca. 1921.  She married 2) Bert Damon in 1923 and had a son.  After Bert’s death, DeEtta married 3) Bill Smallwood again in 1950.

Wagon Ride

J.R. Gurley giving his grandson Harold Erkman a ride ca. 1918.  James Robert Gurley was born in Wayne County, IL Jan. 23, 1866 the son of Leonard & Susanna (Morehead) Gurley.  He married Lou Emma Speer in Glenarm, IL in 1892.  They had five children the middle of which was Edna.  She married Henry Erkman January 9, 1916 and had Harold Erkman on June 23rd. J.R. & Lou owned a farm on the western edge of Wayne City, IL.  He also owned land north of town which had belonged to his parents so I'm not sure where this photo was taken.  J.R. died at home on July 4th, 1941.  Harold had enlisted in the Army Oct. 15, 1940 in East St. Louis and shipped out June 9th 1943 for north Africa.  He was killed in action February 11, 1944 in Italy while serving in Company A of the 157th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division.  They are both buried in Thomason Cemetery in Wayne City, Illinois.

In Memoriam January 11th

Gallop Island as seen from Fort Warren

1650 Captain John Gallop in Boston, MA age 60.  Born ca. 1590 in England he was the son of John & ? (Crabbe) Gallop.  He married Christabel ? and they had at least four children.  He was deeded Gallop’s Island ca. 1633 in Boston Harbor.  A sea captain and pilot John participated in the Pequot War and engaged in a fight off Block Island in 1636 called the first naval engagement in New England waters.

In Memoriam January 10th

1876 Harriet (Spiker) Colclasure about 49 the daughter of Jacob & Eva (Winebrenner) Spiker.  She was born ca. 1827 in Maryland and married William Colclasure ca. 1849.  They had four children.  She is buried in Oak Mound Cemetery in Clay Co., IL.

1979 Gladys (Fields) Courtright age 93 in Cisne, IL.  The daughter of Walter & Belle Dora (Spry) Fields, she was born in Louisville, IL in 1885.  She married Stokely Courtright in Geff, IL in 1906 and they had 10 children.  

Lyman & Elston Gurley

This is a photo of Lyman and Elston Gurley sons of J.R. & Lou Emma (Speer) Gurley on Lyman's wedding day July 22, 1928.  Lyman was 21 and Elston was 33.  Lyman married Cora Baldridge at Elston's home.  Apparently Elston felt no need to dress up for the occasion. This was probably at Elston's farm north of Wayne City.

They were married by Charles L. Wood with Lyman's niece Rosalie Gurley and nephew Harold Erkman as witnesses.  Rosalie & Harold were twelve years old.  

The following article ran in the July 1928 issue of the Wayne City Journal.

Sunday July 22nd, at high noon, the marriage of Mr. Lyman Gurley, 21 and Miss Cora Baldridge, 18 was solemnized at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Gurley of this city, Eld. Chas. L. Wood officiating.

The groom has a position with Risser and Rabinowitz Produce Co. and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. R. Gurley of Wayne City.  The bride is the charming daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Baldridge of Bluford and who formerly held a position with the International Shoe Company of Mt. Vernon.

Blue and white predominated in the beautiful decorations and bridal costumes.  Those present were the bride's parents and her brother Everet and two sisters, Misses Lela and Anna and the Groom's parents, and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis and Harold E. Erkman and Rosalie Gurley.

The Journal joins the many friends of this popular young couple in wishing them much happiness and prosperity.

The Gurley brothers had three sisters.  Edith, the oldest had died in 1920. Edna was probably living in Evansville, Indiana, she was the mother of Harold Erkman.  Ruby may have been living in Colorado in 1928.

Cora and Lyman lived with J.R. & Lou Gurley on their farm at the western edge of Wayne City. Their house is now within the city limits.  They never had any children.  Elston eventually built a house on the property as well.  

In Memoriam January 9th

1752 David Loomis age 83 the son of Nathaniel & Elizabeth (More) Loomis.  He married Lydia Marsh in 1692.

 1919 John Robertson in Wayne Co., IL age 76.  John born 1842 in Ohio was the son of David & Rebecca (Clark) Robertson.  John moved to Illinois with his parents at age 3.  He served in Co. F of the 7^th Illinois during the Civil War.  John married 1^st Parthena Gore in 1862 in Macoupin Co. IL.  They had four children.  He married 2^nd Theresa Herman in 1879.  They had six children.  John is buried in Pin Oak Cemetery in Wayne Co., IL.

1944 Jesse Fitzgerald age 1 in Auburn, IL son of John & Helen (Hutson) Fitzgerald born in Fairfield, IL in 1942.  He is buried in Koontz Cemetery in Wayne Co., IL.

1969 Flossie Mamie Lathrop, 69 well-known citizen of the Berryville community, passed away this morning January 9, 1969 at the Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.  She had been in ill health.  A native of Edwards County, Mrs. Lathrop was born near Bone Gap on August 17, 1899.  She was a member of the Berryville Willing Workers Club, the Auxiliary of the Richland Memorial Hospital, and a long time member of the Berryville Christian Church.  She was united in marriage to Bert A. Lathrop on August 18, 1917.  He survives her.  Also surviving are three children: Charles O. Lathrop of Calhoun, Levi B. Lathrop of Mt. Carmel and Mrs. June Lancaster of Sumner.  There are 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Edna Cheek of Parkersburg is her sister.  She has been preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Mrs. Gennieveva Crane who passed away a short time ago.  Funeral services for Mrs. Lathrop will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Memorial Chapel of the Sumners-Rainey Funeral Home with the Rev. H.E. Longbons officiating.  Interment will be in the Crest Haven Memorial Park.

Colclasure Police Force

Ad taken out in the Wayne County Press by Steve Colclasure at the end of his campaign for county sheriff.  

Many Colclasures have served as policemen in Illinois.  Steve is currently with the Illinois state police. 

Clarence Colclasure 1945-1952 Fairfield city policeman, Steve's great grandfather pictured above
Leon Colclasure 1969-1989; chief 1987-1989 Fairfield city police, Steve's father pictured above
Keith Colclasure 1999-present, Steve's brother pictured above

In Memoriam January 8th

1723 Bathsha (Lathrop) Marsh age 81 in Dorchester, MA.  The daughter of Rev. John & Anna (Hammond) Lathrop was born in Barnstable, MA in 1641.  She married Alexander Marsh and had four children.

1732 Hannah Lathrop age 3 the daughter of Esq. Samuel & Deborah (Crow) Lathrop

1946 George Butler in Jefferson Co., IL age 85.  Born 1861 in Illinois George was the son of Minor & Mary (Williamson) Butler.  He married Florence Gentle in 1882 and they had four children.  George is buried in Mt. Olive Cemetery in Jefferson Co., IL.

The Aunts

The daughters of Albert & Grace (Butler) Lathrop standing in reverse order which is unusual.  Dorothy, Barbara, Betty & Bonnie.

Solomon Edwards

Solomon Edwards was born ca. 1820 in Ohio the son of Jacob & Mary (Porter) Edwards.  He married Mary Ellen Parks December 4, 1845 in Muskingum Co., Ohio.  In 1847 he purchased 40 acres from Elijah & Mary Porter in Bartholomew County, Indiana for $150.  He purchased an additional 15 acres for $40 in January 1848.  He and Mary appeared on the 1850 census in Ohio Township in Bartholomew Co., IN.  They sold 40 acres to William Coy another immigrant from Ohio we're related to.  Solomon sold land in Nov. 1853 to his brother Joseph and moved his family to Illinois, probably Clay County.  By 1858 the family was living in Knox County, Missouri.  They returned to Clay County, Illinois before 1870 where they appear in the Oskaloosa Township census.  Solomon is listed as a farmer with personal property amounting to $1100.  Ten years later Solomon and Mary are living in Sheridan Township, Ottawa County, Kansas.  Solomon was still living in 1885.  He died sometime before 1900 in either Kansas or Nebraska.  Mary Ellen died in Delphos, Kansas in 1908 and is buried in the Delphos Cemetery.  No tombstone for Solomon Edwards has been found.

Children:

child born 1846 died before 1850

child born ca. 1847 died before 1850

child born after 1846 

Andrew J. Edwards born 1847 in Ohio, living in Clay Co., IL in 1870

Mary Ellen born 1849 in Indiana, living in Clay Co., IL in 1870

Umbrindia born 1850 in Indiana, living in Clay Co., IL in 1870

Laura Ann born Mar. 10, 1851 in Indiana.  She married John Colclasure in Clay County, IL in 1872 and they had six children.  

Mildred E. born 1854 in Illinois, living in Clay Co., IL in 1870, she married Edward Gorman.

Thomas born 1858 in Knox County, MO

James W. born 1864 in Missouri, living in Clay Co., IL in 1870 and Ottawa Co., KS in 1880

Virginia A. born May 1866 in Missouri called Jennie.  She married Jesse Meacham in either Kansas or Nebraska in 1895 and they had at least two children.  They were living in Nuckolls Co., NE in 1900.  Nuckolls County is just north of Ottawa County, Kansas.  

In Memoriam January 7th

1945 Gerald Lathrop killed in action in World War II.  Battle of Wingen-sur-Moder Jan. 3-7, 1945.  70th 'Trailblazers' Infantry Division;  179th Infantry; & 276th Infantry vs. 361st Volksgrenadier Division; 1st & 3rd Battalions of the 12th SS Gebirgsjager Regiment; and the 6th SS Mountain Division.  U.S. losses were 25 killed and 84 wounded, plus GIs suffering from exposure.  US troops fell back to Oberbronn to regroup and recover. [http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-wingen-sur-moder.htm]  Gerald was 21 years old the son of Dennis & Mabel (Petty) Lathrop. 

In Memoriam January 6th

1729 Ensign Nathaniel Loomis age 65, the son of Deacon John & Elizabeth (Scott) Loomis

1843 ? Draper, 1 day old in Johnson Co., IN the daughter of Benjamin & Elizabeth (Wheeling) Draper.

Albert Lathrop & Grandchildren

Front row left to right: David Porter, Mark Holler holding Mike Lathrop, Dennis  Holler, Bea Bolton, Doug Porter in front of Jackie Holler and Mickey Lathrop.

Back row left to right:  Albert Lathrop holding Suellyn Lathrop, Debbie Lathrop, Stephen Lathrop and Denise Porter.

Photo taken ca. 1964.  

James Henry Robertson Family

Left to right: Mary Anna, James Henry, Mary Anna (Maulding) Robertson, Jennie Edith and John Arthur Robertson, ca. 1900.  

James Henry Robertson was born in Lawrence County, OH April 28, 1839 the son of David & Rebecca (Clark) Robertson.  His family moved to Illinois ca. 1845 and settled in Jefferson County.  David and Rebecca moved their family north to Macoupin County, IL before 1860 probably to be near other family members there and possibly to get out of Southern Illinois before the Civil War broke out.  James enlisted in Co. D of the 2nd Illinois Cavalry and served through the war.  Afterwards he returned to Wayne Co., IL where he married Mary Anna Maulding March 1, 1868 in Middleton, IL in the home of her parents Andrew & Hester (Hopkins) Maulding.  Andrew officiated at their wedding.  Mary Anna Maulding had been born in Hamilton County, IL September 22, 1847.  James was 28 and Mary was 20 when they married.  They had seven children:

Leurania Idella born Dec. 20, 1868 in Wayne Co., IL.  She was called Della.  She married Louis Milton Osborn in 1888 and they had ten children.  Della died Oct. 20, 1942.  

Laura Addie born Jan. 23, 1871 in Wayne Co., IL.  She married William Shaw in 1891 and had nine children.  Laura died in 1967 in Mt. Vernon, IL.

James Amos born Oct. 31, 1874 in Wayne Co., IL.  He died at age 13 after being kicked in the head by a mule on the family farm.

Hannah Etta born April 22, 1878 in Wayne Co., IL.  She was generally called Etta or Ettie.  She married Charles Johnson in 1897 and had nine children.  She died in Carmi, IL in October 1965.

John Arthur born Feb. 2, 1881 in Wayne Co., IL.  He married Rose Moore in 1907 and they had thirteen children.  As the only surviving son he inherited the family farm and several items from James Henry that have been passed down from eldest son to eldest son.  Johnny and Rose had thirteen children three of whom died as infants.  He died in 1967 in Wayne Co., IL.

Mary Anna born Aug. 21, 1882 in Wayne Co., IL was called Anna. She married Morton Butler in 1907 and they had five children.  See yesterday's photo post.

Jennie Edith born Nov. 21, 1886 in Wayne Co., IL married Lee Johnson ca. 1907.  They had one son named for Jennie's brother.  She died in 1969.

After the war James Henry purchased his farm in Section 26 of Four Mile Township where he and Mary built the house above.  He was quite proud of his service in the Union Army as he often had his picture made holding his rifle.  He passed the rifle, his saddle and bridle to John.  Mary Anna died Nov. 28, 1910 and James Henry died March 31, 1929.  They are buried in Salem / Mateer Cemetery with many family members.  

In Memoriam January 5th

1932 James Colclasure of typhoid age 19 the son of Clarence & Marybell (Fitzgerald) Colclasure.  He is buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Fairfield, IL.

1997 Freda (Shields) Shaw in Mt. Vernon, IL age 67.  She was born 1929 in Jefferson Co., IL the daughter of Roy & Chloe (Lloyd) Shields. She was married to Lavern Shaw in 1948 and had three children.

In Memoriam January 4th

1782 Elisha Avery age 37 born 1744 the son of Rev. Ephraim & Deborah (Lathrop) Avery, buried South Cmeetery, Brooklyn, CT.

1910 Jacob Smith b. Ohio Jan. 14, 1837 came to Illinois at two years old to Effingham County, Illinois, in 1840 to Clay County, Illinois.  Only Mrs. Emily Fitzgerald who lives in Iola survives of four brothers and three sisters.  He was a member of the Sailor Springs Baptist Church.  Son of James & Elizabeth (Tewalt) Smith he is buried in Ingraham Cemetery.

Morton Butler Family

Standing left to right Everett, Morton, Edward & Anna (Robertson) Butler.

Seated left to right Ruth (Butler) Hendershott holding daughter Mildred, Mabel Butler and Grace (Butler) Lathrop.  This photo was taken ca. 1937.

Morton the son of George & Florence (Gentle) Butler was born Aug. 13, 1882 in Jefferson County, Illinois.  He married Mary Anna Robertson the daughter of James & Mary (Maulding) Robertson Jan. 1, 1906 in Middleton, Illinois.  Mary Anna was known as Anna.  She was born Aug. 21, 1882 in Wayne Co., IL.  They had five children:

Ruth Marie b. July 3, 1908, Wayne Co., IL married Cecil Hendershott July 4, 1926.  She died Sep. 23, 1977 in Rockford, IL.  Mildred pictured above was their second child.  She is married to Charles Nichols.

Grace Edith b. May 4, 1912 in Wayne City, IL married Albert Lathrop Sep. 5, 1936 in Mt. Vernon, IL.  She married George Lewis after Albert's death.  She died May 15, 1974.

John Edward b. Jan. 26, 1916 in Wayne Co., IL and was called Edward.  He married Ida Mae Downen.  They had seven children.  Edward died June 29, 1983 in Fairfield, IL.

Mabel Irene b. Dec. 14, 1918 in Wayne City, IL married her third cousin Paul Robertson June 21, 1942 and they lived in Sims, IL. Mabel died April 2, 1996.

James Everett b. Nov. 1, 1921 in Wayne City, IL.  He died July 9, 2000 in Murray, Kentucky.

Morton was a carpenter and ran a grocery store in Wayne City.  He built the original altar in the Wayne City First United Methodist Church.  Anna was a homemaker.  They lived along the the Southern railroad tracks east of main street.  The kids collected coal that had fallen off trains for fuel.  Morton died Feb. 10, 1953.  Anna lived until April 17, 1967.  In her later years she moved to Sims to live with Mabel.  They are buried in Thomason Cemetery in Wayne City, IL.