Jesse Lemuel "Lem" McKee 1890-1971 Missouri Michigan

I'm still buried in newspaper research. Thus you have the lack of posting to this blog. I'm finding all sorts of interesting articles...not the least is this series of articles about Lem.

Greenville Sun, Greenville, Missouri, 24 May 1906, Page 6
Joe Huff Killed.
Williamsville citizens were startled last Monday morning at the news of Joe Huff having been shot down and almost instantly killed by a son of Jesse McKee. Huff and Jesse McKee engaged in a quarrel about some trivial matter and McKee's son took sides with his father and shot Huff down. McKee claims that Huff drew a club on him and was about to strike him and that his murderous act was in self-defense.
Coroner Sheets held the inquest Monday afternoon. The verdict of the jury was that the deceased came to his death by a gun shot wound produced by young McKee. The young man is only about 17 years old. He has been given a preliminary before H. Manns and held to await the action of the circuit court. Constable Edgar delivered him to the sheriff here Tuesday.

Pemiscot Press, Caruthersville, Missouri, 5 Jun 1906, Page 1
Kennett Democrat: Joe Huff was shot and instantly killed while engaged in an altercation with Jesse McKee, at Williamsville, Tuesday, the fatal shot being fired by a 16-year old son of McKee. The two men were quarreling over a woodpile which McKee claimed obstructed a pathway used by him.

Greenville Sun, Greenville, Missouri, 7 Jun 1906, Page 2
Bound Over.
Lem McKee, who is charged with the murder of Joe Huff, was given a preliminary trial before 'Squire Manns at Williamsville last Thursday. He was held to await the action of the circuit court. His bond was fixed at $10,000 and he was committed to jail for failure to give bond. His mothers, Mrs. Jesse McKee was held as an accessory. Her bond was fixed at $1000 which was promptly tilled. Attorney O. L. Munger has been retained by the defendants and Almon Ing represents the state.

Greenville Sun, Greenville, Missouri, 2 Aug 1906, Page 7
WAYNE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT DOCKET
List Of Cases To Be Tried At The August Term Of Circuit Court.
...
State of Mo vs. Lem McKee; murder.
...

Greenville Sun, Greenville, Missouri, 30 Aug 1906, Page 2
Circuit Court Proceedings, (Third Week)
...
State vs Lem McKee, murder, trial by jury and acquitted.
...

You just never can guess what information you'll run across when you start poking around. Lem went on to live an honorable life. He worked mostly as a carpenter, moving between the Williamsville, Missouri area and Pontiac, Michigan (as early as 1929). His obit--see below--says he lived in Detroit; however, I found him in Pontiac.

Piedmont Wayne County Journal-Banner. 11 Feb 1971, Page 2 Columns 4 and 5
J. L. McKee Rites Held in Williamsville
Jesse Lemuel McKee, the son of Jesse and Rosa Noble McKee, was born in Wayne County, Missouri, on January 6, 1890.
Mr. McKee was converted early in life and attended the Assembly of God Church for many years.
On November 1, 1913, he was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Grable. Mr. and Mrs. McKee made their home in Detroit, Michigan, where he worked as a tool and die maker for General Motors Corporation until his retirement. Mrs. McKee passed away on May 29, 1959. On December 21, 1960, he was married to Mrs. Nellie Mae Frazier who survives.
Other survivors include a step-daughter, Mrs. Gloria Salamore of Harvey, Illinois; two sisters; Mrs. Julia Hillis of Dexter, Missouri and Mrs. Alice Howard of Jackson, Missouri; three-step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Mr. McKee passed away at the Doctors Hospital, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on February 4, 1971 at the age of 81 years and 21 days.
Funeral services for Mr. McKee were held in the Assembly of God Church, Williamsville, Missouri on February 7, 1971 with Rev. Lester Freeman officiating. Music was furnished by the church choir, with Mrs. Floyd Gurley at the piano. Serving as casket bearers were O. L. Holmes, William Cradic, Charles Tinker, Sam Willard, Gene Manns, and Donald Murray.
Interment was made in the Holladay Cemetery at Williamsville. Coder Funeral Home of Williamsville, in charge of arrangements.

Joseph G. McKee, 1804-1884, Northern Ireland; Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois, United States

Joe seems to be the first person in the McKee family who comes to the U.S. The question is: What is his first wife's name?

Based on research for Joe's brother, William, I know that William is in the Port/Mount Norris, County Armagh area as late as 11 May 1837 because of the birth of his daughter there on that date.

In 1834 I can find the following information:
http://www.igp-web.com/armagh/townlands/Kilcon.htm
Joseph McKee appears on a Kilcon Tithe Applotment (1834)...a hop away from Port Norris in Loughgilly and geographic coverage is Mountnorris, Armagh, Ireland
This Joseph is gone from Griffith's Valuation, which occurs later. In addition, this Joseph may or may not be my Joseph. Of note, I have a photocopied story that has Joseph stating that one of the reasons for leaving Ireland was rising rents.

By 1838, Joe is in Randolph County, Illinois. Here's the quotation that confirms his presence.
The Trails, Randolph County Genealogy Society, Vol 15, No 17, Page 33

At Joe McKee's house, Mrs. Eliza Stewart and Mrs. Martha McKee received on certification.

So I have a working theory that Joe and his wife (and possibly children) emigrated between 1834 and 1838.

The closest I can come to this date is this record on Ancestry.com are as follows:

Name:	Joseph McKee
Arrival date:	13 Jul 1830
Age:	22
Gender:	Male
Port of Arrival:	Philadelphia
Port of Departure:	Londonderry
Place of Origin:	Great Britain
Destination:	USA
Ship Name:	Ship Asia
National Archives' Series Number:	425
Microfilm Number:	45
List Number:	113

Name:	Martha Mackey
Arrival date:	13 Jul 1830
Age:	20
Gender:	Female
Port of Arrival:	Philadelphia
Port of Departure:	Londonderry
Place of Origin:	Great Britain
Destination:	USA
Ship Name:	Ship Asia
National Archives' Series Number:	425
Microfilm Number:	45
List Number:	113

If you look for Joe on Ancestry.com and check the families, they suggest that his wife's name is Elizabeth. They offer no source for the information that I've noticed. I have seen a Philadelphia arrival record that has a Joseph McKee entering with an Elizabeth McKee. But for the life of me, I can't locate that record. But again, even if I could find this record, I have nothing to say that this couple are the couple I'm looking for. 

If you have anything to add to this thorny knot, I'd be happy to hear from you. Please leave me a message. In the interim, I'm going with Martha until I have info to the contrary.

Update: I've been pondering the question of Joe's wife's name for days and two things occur to me.

1. No reason exist to assume that Joe is married when he emigrates from N. Ireland. He's in his 20s and members of the McKee family (like many Scots-Irish families) tend to marry later. 
2. I've never check the early marriage records for Randolph or surrounding counties to see if there is any record of Joe marrying post emigrating to the U.S., which based on the evidence I have is entirely possible. 

So I've perhaps reasoned my way to a new line of research; that is, Joe marries the first time in the U.S. I'll update the blog if and when I make any startling discoveries.

Katheryn Mae (Hughes) McKee, 1904-1989, St. Louis, Missouri (and surrounding area)

I let my doctor talk me into having a colonoscopy. The prep is brutal. So, I decided to treat myself to a short-term subscription to Newspapers.com. Yikes! Have they added lots of newspapers! A month may not be enough to do a complete examination of what's available. I'm going to try to start reporting some of what I'm finding starting with Katheryn, whose maiden name has eluded me for a long time.

Katheryn Mae Hughes
b. 30 Jun 1904 Illinois
d. 20 Dec 1989 St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri
m. Oct 1929
Lemuel Leslie McKee, Sr.
b. 9 Sep 1891 Willis Station, Perry, Illinois
d. Mar 1968 St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, 18 Aug 1929, Page 50
Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Hughes of Kirkwood have announced the engagement of their daughter, Kathryn Mae Hughes, to Lemuel McKee of Maplewood. The wedding will take place in October.

More to come...

Update to McKee Family Tree book...Download updated copy

I've updated the McKee Family Tree book. Click the link below to download a PDF from my OneDrive account.

Updated McKee Family Tree book

Updates were made to the following people:

• Driver, Vallie Lucille (Booth) Obit
• Hansen, Priscilla (Baillargeon) Anderson Obit 
• Linenfeiser, Cynthia Sue (Lenau) Obit FAG 148448448
• McKinley, Dorothy Pearl (Mulholland) Obit 
• Wilkes, Sarah E. (Massey) McKee Obit FAG 139454771
• Nieto, Ramon John Obit FAG 148677504
• Steele, Clara Ruth (Cross) Obit FAG 144187180

In addition, note the following, which is not in the tree book.

• Raymond Eugene Hager (s/o Lewis Ebbert Hager + Hellen Berdelle McGuire)
  b. 3 Feb 1837 Colorado Springs, El Paso, Colorado
  d. 15 Jun 2015 Fort Collilns, Larimer, Colorado
  Click here to see his obit. FAG 149454190
• Patricia Ann Anderson (d/o Edward Michael G. Anderson + Elsie M. Beane)
  m. abt 1961
  Joseph Omer Norman Fontaine
  b. 3 Nov 1936 Chicopee, Hampden, Massachusetts
  d. 13 Jul 2002 Palmer, Hampden, Massachusetts
  Click here to see his obit. FAG 149461397
• Laura Lynette (Burns) Ratzlaff (d/o Woodrow Leonard Burns + Doris Nell Terral)
  b. 21 Sep 1962 Wasco, Kern, California
  d. 18 Feb 2014 Bakersfield, Kern, California
  Click here to see her obit. FAG 126528954
• Wilma Darlene Uptergrove (d/o Mount Vernon Uptergrove + Edna Idell Cook)
  m. 28 Mar 1972
  Jerry Ronald Dickerman
  b. 10 Sep 1934 Sherman, Grayson, Texas
  d. 25 Jun 2014 Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona
  Click here to see his obit. FAG 132124210
• Sherry Lynn (Bacak) Duffey
  m. 18 Jan 1957 Dallas, Texas to Max Wayne Duffey
  (s/o William Edward Duffey + Luna Beatrice Covington)
  b. 10 Oct 1941 Dallas, Dallas, Texas
  d. 18 May 2014 Granbury, Hood, Texas
  Click here to see her obit. FAG 130079814

McKee Family Tree...a Printable PDF

I've had some concentrated time recently and I've completed something I've been working on on and off for a few years. I've constructed a 250ist page PDF of the McKee family tree. The tree is in book form with each person's name and vitals only.

Please understand that there are no citations in the work. In constructing this book, I followed a model that is similar to the method used by Mrs. Frank S. Torrens and her daughter, Louise M. Torrens, in their genealogy series Family Genealogies of Sparta, Illinois. I located copies of the various volumes of these books at the Salt Lake City Family History Center and found that the information in these books jump started my research on many lines. I hope you have the same experience while using my McKee book. If you have questions or corrections/additional information, please post a comment. Since this is a family blog, I'm sure that more than one person will be interested in updating their information too.

I'm planning on publishing this book so that if someone wants a printed copy they can get one without involving me...printing, binding, and mailing copies.

As more information becomes available, I'll be updating this book. In the meantime, I hope you find this book helpful.

I have another book in the works, a manuscript that is a family saga covering Alexander McKee and his children. I'm not sure when that book will be completed. As time allows I'll be working on it.

Click the following link to download a copy of the PDF from my Microsoft OneDrive account:

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=E8AA5BE5FEB18E27!508&authkey=!AL3cZrGHnARNua8&ithint=file%2cpdf

Lemuel M. McKee Family Tree

Lemuel M. McKee Family

Click the graphic to see a larger version.

Press the Esc key to close the graphic.

William C. McKee family Randolph County, Illinois

William C. McKee family Randolph County, Illinois

Click the graphic to see a larger version.

Press the Esc key to close the graphic. 

Booth Family Tree

Booth Family Tree

Click graphic to make it larger.

Press the ESC key to close it.

To post to Printerest, you need a graphic. One of the easiest graphics to create is a family tree, using Word SmartArt. You can use Paint to create the actual graphic. 

I created the Booth graphic because I've been contacted by a distant Booth cousin, a descendant of Lucinda Ann Booth. She found this blog and is currently digging through her files. Blogs are a great way for researchers to get in touch with each other. 

Perhaps this newly found cousin will be able to explain what's up with the birth of the first three children. Something is amiss but I can't get a handle on what it might be.

Alexander McKee 1827-1886 Northern Ireland-Illinois

Well, my luck didn't hold. The researcher looked for every McKee in the Mount/Port Norris area that was born in the 1820s. He found a few but none are my Alexander or any other of the McKee family members I'm looking for. Here are results from the researcher.

I've sent a follow up question to the researcher. Based on church history for the Mount/Port Norris area, Presbyterians were going to church at Markethill. Since a record of Alexander's older brother Robert shows a place of birth as County Armagh, I've asked the researcher if looking at Markethill is a reasonable next step. I've also asked the researcher to suggest an alternative search if he has a suggestion.

I'll keep posting as long as I have questions, options, the attention of the researcher, and disposable cash.

Mary Jane (McKee) Thompson, Ireland, Illinois, 1837-1886

I've continued to work on the Murphy wing of the family. I'm gathering obits right now and having lots of luck with The State Historical Society of Missouri.

I got bored and went on to Genlighten and decided to take a stab at finding a McKee document in Ireland. I had tried this once before with no luck. Well the stars must have been with me, because the researcher found a document exactly where I told him to look. Here's what I had him look for...

Mary Jane McKee's death certificate states that she was born 11 May 1837 Port Norris, Ireland. Port Norris is also called Mount Norris and you'll find that it's also written as one word. This place name is very fluid. It's located in County Armagh, Ireland. I asked the researcher to see if he could find a christening record in one of two Presbyterian churches: Tullyallen or Mountnorris. Here's the document I received.

The researcher put red dots beside the entry for Mary Jane McKee. Here's the info for Mary Jane.

Mary Jane McKee d/o William C. McKee + Susanna Gilmore
b. 11 May 1837 Port Norris, County Armagh, Ireland
d. 1 Jan 1886 Six-mile Prairie, Randolph County, Illinois, United States
m. 10 May 1859 Randolph County, Illinois
Joseph Thompson
b. ? Dec 1830 County Down, Ireland
d. 6 Dec 1898 Randolph County, Illinois

Mary Jane and Joseph had eight children: William James (1860-1944), Sarah Jane (1861-1909), George Henry (1864-1896), Salena (1867-1896), Mary Margaret (1869-1897), Agnes Minerva (1872-1896), Ada (1878-????), and Joseph Edward (1881-1905).

With this document I think I've placed at least the family of William C. McKee in County Armagh in 1837 just before the McKee family left Ireland for the United States.

Next Step
The death certificate of William's brother, Robert McKee, states that Robert was born in County Armagh. He was born about 1816 but that doesn't provide much in the way of a real date that a researcher can act on. However, I do have a complete date for William and Robert's youngest brother Alexander McKee (b. 28 Feb 1827) but I don't have a place of birth.

I've asked the researcher to look for a christening for Alexander based on his date of birth and in the church records for Tullyallen and Mountnorris.

In addition to confirming that the family is located in County Armagh in 1827, I'm hoping to finally find out their mother's first name. I'm guessing it's Margaret because a number of the oldest granddaughters are named Margaret. Other contenders are Mary Jane or Mary Agnes.

With their mother's first name, I can pursue a death record at the church. She had to be alive in 1827 to give birth to son Alexander but dead by 1837 when the McKee family comes to the United States. According to notes from a distant relative, she died in 1835. I'm hoping to find out that she's buried in one of the church burial grounds.

Identifying the Church
One problem with the certificate I received for Mary Jane is that I have no way to identify which of the churches is the correct church. Here's what I can read of the signature on the certificate:

Rev. Rob't ___________________

Click here to read a history of the two churches. Based on this history, my best guess as to the Reverend on the certificate is Robert Lyons Porter at Tullyallen Presbyterian Church. He's the Robert who is there at the right time. However, if you look at the certificate, the name doesn't look like his. I'm hoping that if the researcher can find a certificate for Alexander McKee that the signature on that certificate will be clearer.

Further, if I can place the family in Armagh between 1827 and 1837, I should be able to begin to pursue marriage records for the older McKee children (Agnes, Joseph, William, and Robert). Only Jane and Alexander McKee enter the United States in 1837 as unmarried children.

Waiting...waiting...waiting...
The clock started yesterday because it takes the researcher 7-10 days to respond after I paid the fee. So stay tuned. I might have some interesting McKee news soon.

Joseph went by J. C...an update

Click here to see my original post.

I got a nice surprise in the mail today--an obituary from the Belleville Public Library in Belleville, Illinois. They have a very efficient service. You send the librarians an email with the info you're looking for, and when one of them has a few minutes, they look up your document. They copy it and place it with a cover letter, which also serves as a bill, into an envelope and mail it off to you. It's $2.50 for an obituary. Then a recipient (like me!) gets a nice surprise in the mail one day.

I had been emailing with another researcher and she gave me the hints I needed to track down the obituary. So here's the info on J.C.

Joseph Curtis McKee
b. 30 Jul 1934 Percy, Randolph County, Illinois
d. 2 Oct 1994 Mascoutah, St. Clair County, Illinois
m. 3 Jul 1958  Mascoutah, St. Clair County, Illinois
Carol Jean Payer

Joseph and Carol had three children: Tod, Gina, and Joey.

Joseph is buried in Mascoutah City Cemetery. You can find in on Find A Grave (93545525) complete with comments from his obituary.

Virgie Evelyn (Hillis) Norman 1916-1944, Missouri, Arkansas

While I've been working on the Murphy line, I've still been sending off for obits at the The State Historical Society of Missouri. I recently received the following obituary, which lead me to the information on Virgie's siblings.

Dexter Messenger, Dexter, Missouri, 6 Jan 1944, Page 1, Column 3

Mrs. Curtis Norman

Evelyn Hillis, was born March 14, 1916 at Williamsville, Mo. and passed away at a Poplar Bluff hospital Thursday at 12:10 A.M. following an operation the preceding day.

On Oct. 18, 1938 she was united in marriage to Curtis Norman in Pocahontas Arkansas. To this union were born two daughters, Judith Ann, 4 and Rebecca Janet aged 2 years, who with her campanion survived her. She also leaves her parents Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Hillis, of Dexter, two sisters Mrs. Agnes Thompson and Mrs. Edna Hobgood both of Morehouse, Mo. and one brother Asa Hillis who is a Lieut. in the U. S. Services somewhere in England.

Mrs. Norman was a member of the Pentecost church, a true companion and loving mother.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. Claude E. Maples officiating. Interment in Dexter cemetery.

Here are the details I have for Virgie's family:

William Roy Hillis

b. 3 Nov 1892 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri

d. 1964 (FAG 21661032)

m. 30 Jun 1912 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri

Julie Ann McKee

b. Jan 1895 Missouri

d. 1972 (FAG 21661015)

Child 1: Agnes M. Hillis (died as Mrs. Conliff Blankenship)

b. 29 May 1913 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri

d. 2 May 2002, Cahokia, Saint Clair County, Illinois (FAG 32563482)

m. When? Where?

Joseph E. Thompson

b. 21 Nov 1911 Missouri

d. 13 Jan 1978 Benton, Scott County, Missouri (FAG 44648172)

Child 2: Virgie Evelyn Hillis

b. 14 Mar 1916 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri 

d. 6 Jan 1944 Poplar Bluff, Butler County, Missouri (FAG 17689115)

m. 18 Oct 1938 Pocahontas, Randolph County, Arkansas

Curtis Clyde Norman

b. 9 Oct 1899 Liberty, Stoddard County, Missouri

d. 20 Oct 1979 Dexter, Stoddard County, Missouri (FAG 17689139)

Child 3: Willie Edna Hillis (died as Mrs. George H. Troxell)

b. 11 Feb 1919 Missouri

d. 25 Nov 2008 Dunnellon, Marion County, Florida

m. 15 May 1939 Dexter, Stoddard County, Missouri

Charles T. Hobgood

b. 20 Sep 1917 Missouri

d. Aug 1967 Dexter Stoddard County, Missouri

Child 4: Asa Norman Hillis 

b. 8 Nov 1921 Missouri

d. 1 May 1995 Pasadena, Harris County, Texas

m. When? Where?

Mary Ethel Everett

b. 9 Nov 1923 Where?

d. 21 May 1991 Florida

As always, if you're working on this family, I'm happy to hear from you and to trade info. Just post to this blog.

The Murphy Connection

While I was at RootsTech, I bought a copy of Roots Magic. I had to have a learning plan. I decided against importing a gedcom of the McKee family tree because it is a huge file...and mostly complete. It's clean as a whistle but I didn't want to have to try to learn new software on such a large database (almost 2,000 people). Also, I needed to be able to build a file; that is, make entries to the database so that I learned how Roots Magic handles data.

What I decided to do was to begin with the Murphy family. Here's the connection.

• Margaret Susannah McKee married George Ardell Leemon and they had Mary Agnes Leemon.
• Prudence Murphy married Robert Luke and they had James Alexander Luke.
• Mary Agnes Leemon married James Alexander Luke and they had Marguerite Murphy Luke.
• Marguerite Murphy Luke married Peter Dumas Treme and they had James Brice Treme (my father).

The Murphy family moved to Illinois around the time that Illinois became a state in 1818. Later census entries note that many family members were born in Tennessee. I've yet to find a location in Tennessee; however, I haven't tried that hard either.

I decided that the Murphy family was small enough that I could start with them and learn Roots Magic along the way.

So you're going to see me take a break from posting about McKee descendants, while I explore the Murphy line.


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George Henry Thompson, 1864-1896, Illinois

I'm finally getting back to posting to this blog. I've been on an adventure...attended RootsTech in Salt Lake City. I've been trying to integrate an Asus Tranformer tablet into my everyday life...if I'm going to spend this much money on a toy, I need to use the toy. I've been working on the Florida State Genealogy Society newsletter...it's coming together but slowly. Today has been the first day I've had to get back to posting to this blog. So for today's post, I picked George...a random pick.

George Henry Thompson was the son of Joseph Thompson and Mary Jane McKee. He was born in Randolph County, Illinois and lived there for all of his short life. On 26 Oct 1887, George married Janette Gibson Aitken at the Prosperity UP Church, Sadowa, Randolph County, Illinois.

Janette (aka Janet) was the daughter of James B. Aitken and Mary Boyd. Janette's sister, Lydia Ann Aitken had already married into this family. Lydia married John William McKinley on 16 Jul 1885. One can guess that the family relationships played a part in the marriage of George and Janette.

George and Janette had three children: Mary Velma, Wilfred Gilmore, and Nellie Opal.

George died at a young age, 32. His obituary provides the details of his life.

Sparta Plaindealer, Sparta, Illinois, Friday, 15 May 1896, Volume 31, Number 38

Died. -- At his home in this city of consumption, Mr. G. H. Thompson on Wednesday, May 6th 1896.

Henry was one whose personal influence was felt in every phase of life in which he was placed, not words but works weighed his worth in the home, the church and social circles. As was beautifully attributed by his Pastor, the master has taken an Elder, a sweet singer from our choir, and earnest worker of which our mission church of Aurora, Illinois, will feel his loss.

We miss his kindly smile, his earnest voice, but are not robbed of sweetest memories and abiding affection.

Funeral services were held Friday morning, and were attended by a large circle of sympathizing friends. Rev. John A. Henderson and R. E. Wilkin, officiating. Interment in Caledonia cemetery.

With George's death, Janette became responsible for raising her three children on her own. She moves to Kansas and can be found with an uncle James A. Aitken. Presumably this never-married uncle needed someone to take care of his home or perhaps he simply wanted to help his widowed niece and her children. Whatever the case may be, Janette and her children lived with James in Kansas. A relative sent Janette's obituary.

Janetta Gibson Aitken was born in Randolph County, ILL., August 24th 1869, and died at her brothers, near Roxbury, August 26th, 1919, aged 50 years and 2 days, after an illness of four months during which she was a patient sufferer.

She married October 26th, 1887 to George H. Thompson of Sparta, Ill., who preceded her in death 23 years ago. To them was born three children, Velma, Wilfred and Nellie.

At an early age she united with the United Presbyterian church Prosperity, near Tilden, Ill. After her marriage she united with the U.P. chuch, Sparta, Ill, later to the U.P. church in Aurora, Ill., and then to the 1st U.P. church at St. Louis, Mo. On coming to Kansas two years ago last April she brought her letter and placed it in the Roxbury Presbyterian church, of which she was a member at the time of her death, always trusting in Jesus Christ as her savior.

She leaves to mourn her loss, three children, two grandchildren, two brothers, two sisters, one of which lives in Randolph, Ill., and a host of relatives and friends.

Death bears our loved one to the tomb,Our hears are rent with grief,
But Jeasus Christ Our Blessed Lord,
Alone can give relief.
Amens oft are hard to bare,
Life's burdens_______us hear,
They sorely pray ______ friend,
But God will be our truest,
And dry away our tears.
We'll miss our mother and loved one dear
Who from us past away,
But if we're faithful to our God,
We'll meet in endless day.
So let us live while here we stary,
Amidst life's toil and pain,
That shen by death we're called away,
'Twill be eternal gain.

George and Janette's children go on to live their lives in Kansas. Here are the details.

Child 1: Mary Velma Thompson
b. 31 May 1889 Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
d. Apr 1949
m. 14 Oct 1914
John Karber
b. 1 Oct 1893 Gypsum, Saline County, Kansas
d. Mar 1973 Gypsum, Saline County, Kansas
One child: Paul Thompson Karber

Child 2: Wilfred Gilmore Thompson
b. 19 Apr 1891 Sparta, Randolph County, Illinois
d. 29 May 1923 McPherson, McPherson County, Kansas
m. 28 Feb 1917 McPherson, McPherson County, Kansas
Grace Belle Walker
b. 15 Mar 1897 Durham, marion County, Kansas
d. 15 May 1960 Newton, Harvey County, Kansas
Two children: George Henry Thompson and Janette May Thompson Patton.

Child 3: Nellie Opal Thompson
b. 20 Nov 1893 Aurora, Kane County, Illinois
d. 24 Jul 1979 Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
m. 1916
William Locke (Divorced)
m. 23 Jun 1917 Salina, Saline County, Kansas
Wiliam Irving Boyd
b. 10 Mar 1889 Great Bend, Barton County, Kansas
d. 30 Sep 1949 Salina, Saline County, Kansas

You can find Find A Grave entries for all members of this family with many of them including obituary-based details.

As always, if you're reading this post and you have info you want to trade, I'm happy to trade info with other researchers.


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Burns/Booth...the beginning

The Burns name is introduced into the McKee family when William B. Burns marries Sarah C. Booth. William and Sarah went by the nicknames of Bill and Sally.

Sarah C, "Sally" Booth d/o Ananias Jackson Booth, Sr. and Mary Jane McKee
b. 8 Feb 1860 Randolph County, Illinois
d. 1898 Texas...Does anyone have any more concrete info?

The Booth family moves to Texas between 1872 and 1874 when Sally is between 12 and 14. Sally marries Bill Burns between 1874 and 1879 in Texas.

William B. "Bill" Burns s/o Isaac Burns and Mary Ann Ripley
b. 11 May 1856 Randolph County, Illinois (1880 census says North Carolina)
d. Rumor at this point: 15 Jan 1916 Simms, Bowie County, Texas (FAG memorial 7029432)

Henderson Family Lore
Ananias Jackson Booth was wealthy, and after his wife Mary Jane died, he remarried and his second wife was caught putting poison in the well water to kill him. Leaving her he told a daughter Sally and her husband, Bill Burns, that if they would give him a home the rest of his life, he would deed all his property to them. But the deed was not recorded at once, then while he was helping Sally and Bill Burns move into the home, he accidentally dropped a gun and it killed him. Bill Burns knowing that the deed had not been recorded, mounted a horse and rode to the county seat and had it recorded before Booth was buried. No other Booth realized anything out of his fortune.

Family Lore Not Withstanding...
If the Burns family had any substantial money, it isn't evident in the lives of the Burns children. Many of them are prosperous farmers and ranchers; however, none of them seem to evidence any great wealth.

Based on census entries, the oldest child, Henry Eugene Burns, seems to take much of the responsibility for his younger siblings after the 1898 death of his mother. In the 1900 census, siblings Charles Nathaniel, Cora Maude, Andrew Jackson, and Sara Carrie are living with him and his new wife Mae Henry (Anderson) Burns. Henry is 20 years old and responsible to the care of lots of people. Younger siblings Pearl Elizabeth, John Dow, and Lillie May can be found on the 1900 census with Fred and Amanda Tally in Franklin County. All three of the younger children are listed as boarders. Bill Burns is alive but seems not to have a hand in raising his children.

Nancy Susana (McKee) Goodbar 1889-1927 Illinois, Missouri, Texas

I've had a pretty good handle on the children of Lemuel M. McKee and his wife Mary Elizabeth Blair. Only one child, a daughter, Nancy McKee (child 3) has remained a mystery. I knew from obituaries that she had married a Mr. Goodbar. From the 1900 census, I knew she had been born in Jul 1889. However, this too little information hasn't allowed me to get very far. 

As is so often the case, an event precipitated the posting of information on Ancestry.com. Nancy's granddaughter, Sharon Blair (Goodbar) Hetchler, died on 3 Feb 2011. A researcher posted information that has provided significant leads. Here's what I've been able to confirm so far.

Nancy Susana McKee (FAG memorial 82413173)
b. 17 Jul 1889 Illinois
d. 1 Apr 1927 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
m. abt 1918 (where? date?)
James Horace Goodbar
b. 23 Jan 1889 Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee
d. 23 Mar 1973 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas

Child 1: Horace Blair Goodbar (FAG memorial 34633269)
b. 20 Jan 1919 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
d. 9 Sep 1966 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas

Child 2: James Horace Goodbar
b. 21 Jan 1919 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
A certificate for this child exists. I'm assuming they are twin boys born late at night. However, the certificate may also be a mistake. The researcher on Ancestry.com doesn't not mention this child.

Horace Blair Goodbar went by Blair. Blair married twice and had four children. Here is their information.

Wife 1: Edna Vermelle Holmes
b. 6 Feb 1919 Greenville, Hunt County, Texas
d. 19 Mar 1986 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas (died as Mrs. Phelps)

Child 1: Sharon Blair Goodbar (FAG memorial 79294482)
b. 30 Oct 1942 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
d. 3 Feb 2011 Garland, Dallas County, Texas
m. Living Hetchler

Wife 2: Living Reid
b. 25 Aug 1920 Wichita County, Texas

Wife 2 and Blair had two daughters and a son, all of whom are living.

I'm still tracking information for members of this family. I've used Facebook to send a message to one of Blair's daughters to see if anyone in the family is interested in the project/information. I'm hoping that they are willing to fill in the blanks I still have.

I'm going to keep looking for info for this family. As always, if you're reading this blog and you're interested in this family please email me.

The State Historical Society of Missouri...Part 3

OK...now SHSM is getting positively speedy. I sent for Jesse Lemuel McKee's obituary about 48 hours ago and here it is.

Piedmont Wayne County Journal-Banner. 11 Feb 1971, Page 2 Columns 4 and 5

J. L. McKee Rites Held in Williamsville

Jesse Lemuel McKee, the son of Jesse and Rosa Noble McKee, was born in Wayne County, Missouri, on January 6, 1890.

Mr. McKee was converted early in life and attended the Assembly of God Church for many years.

On November 1, 1913, he was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Grable. Mr. and Mrs. McKee made their home in Detroit, Michigan, where he worked as a tool and die maker for General Motors Corporation until his retirement. Mrs. McKee passed away on May 29, 1959. On December 21, 1960, he was married to Mrs. Nellie Mae Frazier who survives.

Other survivors include a step-daughter, Mrs. Gloria Salamore of Harvey, Illinois; two sisters; Mrs. Julia Hillis of Dexter, Missouri and Mrs. Alice Howard of Jackson, Missouri; three-step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Mr. McKee passed away at the Doctors Hospital, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on February 4, 1971 at the age of 81 years and 21 days.

Funeral services for Mr. McKee were held in the Assembly of God Church, Williamsville, Missouri on February 7, 1971 with Rev. Lester Freeman officiating. Music was furnished by the church choir, with Mrs. Floyd Gurley at the piano. Serving as casketbearers were O. L. Holmes, William Cradic, Charles Tinker, Sam Willard, Gene Manns, and Donald Murray.

Interment was made in the Holladay Cemetery at Williamsville. Coder Funeral Home of Williamsville, in charge of arrangements.

As you can see from the obit, I now know his mother's name, including her maiden name. So I should be able to click right along finding information for her. We'll see.

I'm getting to be positively enthusiastic about The State Historical Society of Missouri. So much so, I'm going to have to revisit their website to order my next obit and see what other info they might be able to provide me with. If I unearth anything of interest, I'll be sure to post it. But for now, I'm off in pursuit of all things Rosa Noble.

The State Historical Society of Missouri...Part 2

I've persevered with sending obituary requests to The State Historical Society of Missouri. The most recently received obituary has turned out to be a blockbuster...for a brick wall I didn't know I had! Here's the layout of the family unit that I had before I had the obituary.

Jesse Alexander McKee
b. 25 Jul 1956 Coulterville, Randolph County, Illinois
d. 1 Sep 1911 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri
m. 4 Dec 1890 Butler County, Missouri
Celia Adeline Skief
b. 13 Dec 1872 Clay County, Arkansas
d. 4 Feb 1954 Dexter, Scott County, Missouri

Child 1: Mary J. McKee
b. Aug 1888 Missouri

Child 2: Jesse Lemuel McKee
b. 6 Jan 1890 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri
d. 4 Feb 1971 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri

Child 3: John Alexander McKee
b. 26 Nov 1891 Moark, Clay County, Arkansas
d. 28 Aug 1914 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri

Child 4: Jesse Franklin McKee
b. 19 Feb 1894 Moark, Clay County, Missouri
d. 30 May 1956 Saint Louis, Saint Louis City, Missouri

Child 5: Julia Ann McKee
b. Jan 1895 Missouri
d. 1972

Child 6: Alice Mae McKee
b. 11 Oct 1896 Williamsville, Wayne County, Missouri
d. 16 Feb 1976 Jackson, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

Since Child 1 and Child 2 were born before the McKee/Skief marriage, I knew I was missing info...or an interesting story. The obituary I received cleared up the status of Child 1 and Child 2; however, it also introduced another wife for Jesse. Here's the obituary.

Dexter Messenger, 11 Feb 1954, Page 5, Column 4

CELIA ADELINE HILLIS BURIED SUNDAY

Celia Adeline Hillis, daughter of John and Winnie Edwards Skief was born on December 13, 1872 and departed this life on February 4, 1954, at the age of 81 years, 1 month and 22 days.

In 1886 she was married to John Stuart, who preceded her in death. To this union a daughter was born, who also preceded Mrs. Hillis in death. On December 4, 1890 she was united in marriage to Jesse A. McKee, and to this union five children were born. Mr. McKee and two children preceded her in death. Surviving this marriage are Mrs. Julia Hillis of Dexter, Jesse F. McKee of St. Louis, and Mrs. Alice Howard of Neeley's Landing, Mo.

On May 18, 1913, she was married to Samuel Hillis, who preceded her in death. Surviving are one step-daughter, Pearl Skief, Kennett, and one step-son, Jesse L. McKee, Pontiac, Mich. Also surviving are 25 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren, a number of nephews and nieces, and many other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Hillis was born in Ill., and later moved to Williamsville, where she spent the greater portion of her life. She lived her last nine years in Dexter.

She was converted in the General Baptist church at an early age, then affiliated with the Assembly of God church in 1925 and lived a consistent Christian life, having won the respect of all who knew her.

Funeral services were conducted at the Assembly of God church, Dexter, Sunday afternoon, February 7, Rev. W. P. Campbell officiating. The remains were then taken to Williamsville where short graveside services were conducted by Rev. Morgan. Interment in Williamsville cemetery.

Stricland-Rainey service.

As you can see from the obituary, Celia also had a previous marriage (John Stuart) and a daughter (Child 1 Mary J. Stuart...shown as McKee on census records...thus the confusion).

In addition, the obituary lists Child 2 Jesse Lemuel McKee as a step-son. This fact introduces a new (unknown) first wife for Jesse Alexander McKee.

When the McKee/Skief marriage occurs, they are a blended family. The remainder of the children shown for Jesse and Celia are correct. The obituary also notes one missing child who preceded Celia in death...more details to chase down.

Going forward, I've sent for Jesse Lemuel McKee's obituary to see if it by chance lists his mother's name. Finding it in an obituary could short cut a long expensive search to breakdown this brick wall. If the obituary provides enlightening details, I'll be sure to post it.

So all in all, I'm glad I didn't give up on The State Historical Society of Missouri. The society's services have turned out to be faster and better than my first brush with them. So first impressions aren't always right...sometimes it's worth just going with the flow to see what happens.

William Stewart, 1854 to before 1910, Ireland, Illinois

I've spent another fruitless night searching for information on William Stewart and his family members. Here's what I know.

William Stewart (s/o unknown Stewart and Ann unknown)
b. Aug 1854 Ireland...came to U.S.A. at age 6
d. Before 1910 possibly in Illinois but who knows?
m. Where? When?
Ella Jane McKinley (d/o Robert W. McKinley and Sarah McKee)
b. 12 Apr 1863 Randolph County, IL
d. 10 Jan 1910 Iola, Allen County, KS

William and Ella had the following children:

Child 1:
Ruana Stewart
b. 8 Apr 1882 IL
d. 6 Mar 1915 Vega, Oladham County, TX
m. 5 Sep 1900 Prosperity UP Church, Sadowa, Randolph County, IL
Herbert Glenn Green (s/o Benjamin Parker Green and Sarah Gette or Getting)
b. 27 Feb 1876 Saint Clair County, IL
d. 23 Feb 1949 Vega, Oldham County, TX

Child 2:
William Melvin Stewart
b. 30 May 1884 Pickneyville, Perry County, IL
d. 17 Apr 1979 Hereford, Deaf Smith County, TX
m 22 Aug 1912 where?
Margaret Carrie Taylor
b. 1 Jan 1891 Gainesville, Cooke County, TX
d. 25 Sep 1977 Deaf Smith County, TX

Child 3:
Robert Blanchard Stewart
b. 14 Jul 1886 Swanwick, Perry County, IL
d. 18 Oct 1967 Freeburg, Saint Clair County, IL
m. 5 Jun 1912 Belleville, Saint Clair County, IL
Ella Winterbauer (d/o Charles A. Winterbauer and Rosa C. unknown)
b. Mar 1894 Illinois
d. 14 May 1979 Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois

Child 4:
Wesley James Stewart
b. 18 Aug 1887 Swanwick, Perry County, Illinois
d. before Oct 1967 perhaps in Texas...Can you help?
m. Where? When?
Lela G. Eshelman (d/o William Eshelman and Olive E. Blanche French)
b. Feb 1891 Indiana
d. Where? When?

Child 5:
Ella Ethel Stewart
b. Jul 1893 Illinois
d. Where? When?
m. 5 Jan 1915 Wichita Falls, Wichita County, TX
George Hal Shirey (s/o George H. Shirey and Mary Gates)
b. 28 Oct 1888 Loogootee, Martin County, IN
d. Where? When?

The first time I can pick up William Stewart is on the 1880 census. He's living with his brother Samuel and his mother Ann in Grand Cote, Perry County, IL.

William marries in 1881 and the children are all born between 1882 and 1893...during the dead zone created by the burned 1890 census.

The next time I'm able to find something on William is the 1900 census. The family is living in Marissa, Saint Clair County, IL.

I'm speculating that William dies between 1900 and 1910 because Ella dies on 10 Jan 1910 in Iola, Allen County, KS. She appears to be living with her son Wesley and his wife Lela. Wesley and Lela appear on the 1910 census in Iola and no other family member lives in the area. According to an index Ella is buried in Tilden, IL.

To date, I haven't found an obituary for William or Ella Stewart...and it's not for lack of trying. Notice that many of the children are in Texas. William and Ella's son, William Melvin Stewart leads the move south to Texas, moving to Deaf Smith County, TX in 1908. His sister Ruana and her family are in Deaf Smith County by the 1910 census. Youngest sister Ella Ethel Stewart is also in Texas by 1910. Wesley is in Iola, KS; however, the 1920 census placed Wesley in Cement City, Dallas County, TX. Only Robert Blanchard Stewart stays in the Illinois area. Robert works in his Uncle Lemuel's business, L. R. McKinley and Sons Chevrolet Company.

The scattering of the children at such an early age speaks to William Stewart's early death. I can't tell if he dies in Illinois, Texas, or Kansas...my best guess is Saint Clair County, Illinois. I've looked in all three places with no luck. Unless someone reading this posting has more information, I'm assuming finding a death date and location for William will have to hold until I am able to get to the Randolph County Genealogical Society library in Steeleville, Illinois. Even then I'm not assured of success. When William's wife Ella Jane dies in 1910, it's her father Robert McKinley who pays her passage home and pays for her burial...somewhere in Tilden, IL. Alas, under the circumstance, William might be anywhere. If you have more information, I'd love to hear from 'ya.