Message Board - Tampico Area Historical Society, Tampico, Illinois

Message Board > Foytown Cemetery?

Foytown Cemetery?
The Tampico Area Historical Society encompasses parts of Whiteside County and Bureau County in Illinois. Focus is on Tampico, Hume Twp., Hahnaman/Deer Grove, & Prophetstown in Whiteside County & Yorktown & Thomas in Bureau County.

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Administrator Denise 342 posts Apr 03, 2006 1:27 PM	Submitted by Jack Pritchard: Denise, you're correct, Wayne Bastian, did write of Foytown. It's on page 352. This then brings up another Foytown cemetery question. I don't have my maps ready in hand, so I'm shooting from the hip here. On an old (say 1860) Plot map, there is a Cemetery that is some 1 and 1/2 miles NNE of the present day Leon Cemetery, on the map. It is drawn South of where the late Roland Yager lived, or on a one-time road SE. of the Yager farm. I have no idea if it was ever used, but if it was South of the Yager farm and used, it has long ago been destroyed. As I drove down this road, I noticed a timber to the East and wondered if this cemetery was SE of the yager farm, and still there. Last Edited by Administrator on Apr 03, 2006 1:28 PM
Administrator Denise 344 posts Apr 05, 2006 6:57 AM	Received this email from Jack Pritchard: Dear Denise, Tuesday April 4, 2006, I stopped at our local Library and made a copy of page 10, State of Illinois and General Atlas 1872. It shows the cemetery that I mentioned. The cemetery is drawn in an North-South acreage of 80 in Section 26. In today's world, if you travel North from the present intersection of Hurd and Yager roads, the cemetery was 1/4 mile North and was on the West side of the road. I assume it was the land owners name on the 1872 drawing, and he is not an unknown person to Tampico history. GEORGE FORWARD. His brother William and family were located SE of this cemetery about 1 mile as the crow flies, on a 80 acres in Section 35. This 80 also belonged to George at one time according to old family material, but I'm not sure just what 80 George (Jr.) got his start on. Our history on the family does say the Georges' father, George (Sr.and wife Sarah) did follow son George to Whiteside for a while, (arrived abt. 1860) so it could be that George (Sr.) who died 1881 Clinton MI., was the George Forward on the land with the cemetery 1875. Appears that a family member should spend an hour or two at the Court House land records and I believe I know him. Thanks! Jack ----------
Janet39 16 posts Apr 15, 2006 6:58 PM	Hi Jack, This is your neighbor to the south on Washington Road. I find your information extremely interesting. The history of the Leon Church has the area where the Leon Cemetery and the surrounding area as Foytown, before the name Leon or Leon Corners was chosen for the area where Lomax and Lyndon Roads cross now. There was a blacksmith shop on the south east corner of that intersection, and the Leon postoffice was there at one time. There was a Foy Family that lived in that area, but I don't know EXACTLY where. We always thought that the old part of the Leon Cemetery was the Foytown Cemetery, but that may not be correct. You may very well be right that the Foytown Cemetery was farther north and a little east. Will be interested to know if you can find further documentation of this cemetery. Janet
briansanders 1 post Apr 24, 2006 12:31 PM	Hello, I am going to be in the Chicago area end of this week (4/27-28/2006) and was planning a quick trip to Leon and Tampico Memorial cemetaries to visit some Foy family members. Would anyone mind helping me find the location? Is Leon now Leon Corners? I am descended from the Foy family and doing some leg work for my family tree. My grandmother was Margie Foy, daughter of Edgar Arnold Foy, son of Charles Edwin Foy (34th Illinois, Civil War Vet), son of George Foy, and son of William Foy (my 4G grandfather). George Foy has a biography listed within this website along with his brother Daniel Foy. Finding this message peeked my interest since "Foytown" is something I have heard about all my life from my family, but not sure where or if it really did exist. My grandmother, Margie (Foy) Wood, put toghether a book on the Foy, McKenzie families, that started in Tampico, and moved west to Nebraska and Colorado. I caught the Genealogy bug in 1978... There use to be a yearly family reunion at the McKenzie ranch, in Colorado. If anyone knows more about Foytown or can provide directions to Leon, I would appreciate it. Thank you. Brian
Janet39 17 posts Apr 24, 2006 7:58 PM	Hi Brian, After I answered your email, I checked to see if you had been on here. We have a couple of Whiteside County History books at the Prophetstown Museum that gives some information about Foy's. I don't know exactly when you will be coming this way, but I could meet you there if you are interested in that information (you may already have it) I can show you the way to the Leon Cemetery, if you are here when I am available. Jack Pritchard from Prophetstown is also very interested in an old cemetery that was on an old map of the Leon area, but farther north and east of the current Leon Cemetery. I have an 1893 map that shows that cemetery also. We can't prove whether or not it may have been called the Foytown Cemetery. Leon or Leon Corners as it was called at one time, is at the intersection of Lomax and Lyndon Roads. There was a blacksmith shop on the southeast corner of the crossroad and it was owned and operated by a Foy. The Leon post office was in the blacksmith shop at one time. George Foy lived east of the Leon Church and Cemetery. If I can be of assistance to you, please let me know. Janet
briansanders 7 posts Apr 30, 2006 10:10 AM	Janet, Hi. I am very interested in helping find/locate the Foytown or unknown cemetary that Jack Pritchard was also talking about. Could you email the 1893 map, to brian@sandersfamilia.com? thank you very much. I was at the Leon Cemetary 4/27/06. took pictures and found some missing information that I will be posting soon. thanks! brian
Janet39 18 posts Apr 30, 2006 8:12 PM	Hi Brian, I have sent some information via email. If there is anything else that you are looking for that I may be able to find for you, please ask, and I will see what I can do to help. Janet
D&D 3 posts May 17, 2006 4:24 AM	We are interested in anything you find out also. We are the current owners of the property. We have read through the deed but find nothing about it. I have asked at the Whiteside Historical Society - they know nothing. I have asked descendents of the Reynolds family and they know nothing. On the old plat map it shows the cemetery as you said. It is about a 1/2 mile from the junction of Yager and Hurd Road. However, there is a house site across from where this supposedly was and the lady who lives there says she remembers stones being out in that field. Maybe talking to her further would help. A pipeline went through several years ago and either went directly through the site or just barely missed it. Nothing was turned up. We have never had reason to suspect there was a cemetery there either as we have never found any stones, etc.
JackP 1 post May 19, 2006 7:03 PM	Thank You D&D for the response. Even tho I'm retired, I manage to keep busy and just haven't had the time to follow up on research for this cemetery at the Sterling Library or the Court House. However..... Wednesday the 17th. I was at a grain bin site just a little North and across the road from where this old cemetery WAS at, and had a nice conversation with a local farmer. He told me that some 15 or more years ago that he noticed a strange car and person along the road and a woman was hanging decorations on the fence. Curiosity got the best of him and he stopped and asked why. The response was that she had family buried in a cemetery somewhere close to this location, but didn't know the exact location. The fence is now gone, but she had it figured out for what I know of it. This coupled with what D&D left about it, I think it is a pretty safe bet that this cemetery (what ever the name was) was used. It may not have ben very many, but I feel some were there. As I look at the old map, and view the present pipeline, I would say that the pipeline went through what was the north end of the old cemetery location. I often wonder what might have happened to the stones? (Assuming there were some) I have a hunch, that this cemetery was put into farming production before 1920. (Need more Plat maps) When driving by, I often wonder if stones were carted off to what appears to be a small sand hill several hundred yards to the WSW of where the cemetery was at. (Grassy knoll at present) I thought about asking for a look some day, but had fear that someone would take me to the funny farm. The reason I have interest in this is on-going. I have GG Grandparents and oneGGG Grandmother in the Leon Cemetery. The GGG grandmother was Betsy Averill, who married Guy Carlton Burnham. Guy was buried in N.Y. and Betsy (his second wife) is in Leon Cemetery. Betsy is one of my brick walls. Born 1805, N.Y., but cannot find parents. Her husband Guy C., wrote his family genealogy, and was published. THE BURNHAM FAMILY by Roderick H. Burnham 1869. Roderick did his side of the family and Guy C. did his, and they joined information for the family. In further research, I can take his blood line back to Charlemagne I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. He died 0814, and he can also be traced further, to what some claim 200 BC. So then, just who was Betsy Averill, b. 1805. Seems like yesterday right? How can WE loose track of a cemetery? We appear to have information that it was used to some extent, and haven't even got a name for it. We are letting a big chunk of history slide buy here, and I would dearly love to find a little more information on this early pioneer resting place. It's not that I have any family in it, but I'm betting on a hunch that some of our early settlers were in it, and still are. I have walked the Leon Cemetery several times, and the earliest stone date found, was in the 1850's. One in the 1860's. If we had settlers in the Foytown (Leon) area starting in the later 1830's, I wonder just how many were buried in this old cemetery up until the 1850's. (If that is when Leon cemetery was first used) I have also wondered if the setters chose the location for this cemetery, or if the survey people who laid this township out gave us one ahead of the settlers. George Forward owned this 80 acres at one time, along with other land next to it. The land records in Morrison in this neighborhood, start about 1853, and land records for George, have him selling ground that has no record of him buying. It could be that this 80 acres became part of the Matthews family ground after George Forward. Who had it before George is an unknown at present, but I'm in hopes to find more on older Plat maps at Sterling or the Court House. I have asked, but present Matthews family do not recall anything about it. If anyone out there has family that passed away in this area before say the 1880's and they are not in the Leon Cemetery records, I have a hunch of where they may be resting. All help appreciated! Jack
briansanders 8 posts May 22, 2006 1:00 AM	I agree. This "Foytown?" cemetery could be an important link to the past. One question I have is how the name came to be? Foytown actually implies a settlement that may have been more than just the cemetery. We have records of when it was called Leon, but why did they select that name? and who chose it? I was exploring around West New York, where my GGGG grandfather (William Foy) lived and curiously, there is a location very close called Leon. Mere coincidence, perhaps. Note: William Foy was the patriarch who is responsible for moving his family West to Illinois and is actually buried in the cemetery. He may not be the very first Foy, since land records show Foy's arriving before 1850, much further south of Leon. These may have been uncles or siblings, not sure yet, but it was Williams family that eventually moved to Prophetstown Township and settled around Leon, right around 1850's. Why would this be important? It is my theory that actually Leon is Foytown. No proof, just a theory. By knowing the origins of the name, it may actually help identify more about the "town" location and its trading center, thus helping draw a better picture of the region and where the cemetery may be located. brian
JackP 2 posts May 22, 2006 10:03 AM	Brian, In reading your post, I believe you have as much interest in this unknown Section 26 Cemetery as anybody. I have been informed from Janet that there is a history of who named Leon, aka. Leon Corners, and assuming she will read this, I'm going to let her use her own words of it. (in hopes she will.) I have the impression from your post that we need the location of this Foytown? cemetery. That we have, from the old Plat Maps and several of the land owners. I still have Dial-up internet service and a slow computer, so I cannot enjoy the use of Google earth. However I do use Terraserver dot com., and the 1998 arial photos. It was done by the U.S. Geological Survey. The decimal equivalent of the degrees are, -89.89801 deg. Long., and 41.60516 deg. Lat. for the location. If I had some idea that the URL would work on a post, I would type it out and all you would have to do is one click and it would pull the picture of the area up for you. There is a set of farm buildings across the road (East) and several hundred feet north of the old cemetery location. This would be the old Renolds place. Jack
briansanders 9 posts May 23, 2006 12:32 PM	Jack/Denise, Thanks for the exact location information. I had received this information from Janet showimg me where it was on the plat. What I have been compiling is a GoogleEarth map containing the old plats. When I merge them, I get some discrepancies of location, especially with the rivers and some roads. Of course, much has changed over the last 200 years, BUT at the same time, the plat drawings or survey's may not be as accurately represented. In either case, the reason I am doing this is to help determine what happened to our Foytown? cemetary and perhaps find more of my family. With the satelite images, it is sometimes possible to see something that isn't easily seen on the ground. Last year, a person was using GoogleEarth over some regions in Egypt and actually came upon an undiscovered pyramid, covered in the sand, due to a faint outline. Not sure this will work, but what can be done is start to build a virtual image of the region as it was during the early 1800's through 1870's using plat maps and other documents we have on record. This may help explain what happened to it... Unfortunately, my disk drive crashed a few weeks ago, so I sent in the drive to see if they can get any of it back. If they can't, I will need to start over... so, when I get the final news in the next few weeks, I will proceed further. A few questions I am looking for answers on... 1) was there a local newspaper that list obits and/or mentions the Foytown Cemetary? 2) what year did the cemetary "disappear" on the plats/maps? 3) any possibility that this cemetery was set up, but never used? or moved? Brian
JackP 3 posts May 24, 2006 11:40 AM	Brian, (all) Wed. morning I took a little trip to the Morrison Court House, and didn't find much of anything on this W 1/2 of the SW Q. of Section 26 cemetery. However..... This 80 acres was with the U.S. Gov., unil Feb. of 1855. Isaac M. Stearns (wife, ?spl. Soveno/Soreno/Sovana) acquired it then with what appears to a grant, and I assume it was through Isaac's service (?) with possible war of 1812. His widow, Aug.13, 1866 has it going to Edward Forward, of Henry County. (This in my mind, would be Edward J. Forward, a brother of George Jr., and William.) Edward is the one who married Eunice E. Foy, Jan. 31, 1869. (Eunice has a stone in the Leon Cemetery) Edward sold this 80, to his brother, George, 1867. It went from George to son Albert Forward, 1882. From Albert, 1890 it went into the Matthews owners over the years, starting with John and Alfred. There is no mention of a cemetery on any of the old land records. Stearns: Here on this web site, a search on Stearns says; STEARNS, ISAAC M. Sgt. D 75 IL. U.S. Inf. Sterling, Whiteside Co., Il. ( I assume buried there) Plat maps at the Court House: 1870, yes it shows. 1898, yes it shows. 1912, NO, it's gone from the map. (This isn't to say that it was gone from the location, but only from the map.) Newspapers - Obits etc. P-towns early (say bef. 1915) papers were water damaged in a mainstreet basement flood. The Library has them in bundels, but it will take years of careful work to explore them. (If it ever happens) We yet to have any proof that this cemetery on section 26 was ever used. Only the mention of a woman some years ago, hanging a decoration on a fence in the general location, and claiming a burial in it. Yes, if used it could have been moved. Or, at least I hope so. Jack
JackP 4 posts May 24, 2006 1:03 PM	Isaac M. Stearns: Just after closing the post above, I did an 1860 census, W-side, P-town. I found Isaac listed as J.M. Stearns, and two doors down from ?spl. Abel Goodell. I know the Goodell's were out there, so I think I have the right location. Isaac M. Stearns, age 41, b. N.Y. occ., MINISTER Wife, LORANA, age 40, b. Ohio. (Court House writing appeared to be letter S, for the start of her name.) Children; all b. IL. Wm H. age 15 John W. 12 Lydia L. 10 Pleasent S. 4 Marcy E. 2 Without looking at my words in my last post, I have to say that I'm confused. WIDOW? In the quick notes that I took at the court house a few hours ago, a Widow was involved in the 1901 transaction of this 80. The widow was Carrie Matthews, wife of Alfred. A few moments ago, I thought that Isaac Stearns had died and his wife Lorana sold to Edward Forward, 1866, as a widow. Not so..... I don't know when Isaac died, and it could be long after the 1866 sell. So we now have it that Isaac and Lorana sold to Edward Forward. What we need now is some research on Isaac M. Stearns. (b. abt. 1819) Possible burial in Sterling. I can create this hunch that he was a local minister for the area before the start of the Leon Church. And if he owned ground, I can see this thought that he started a cemetery for his gathering. If b. 1819, he would not have been in the War of 1812, but his father could have been. Jack
JackP 5 posts May 25, 2006 9:30 AM	Dear All, For those of you who have an intrest in Leon/Foytown I did a little looking into Isaac M. Stearns (Minister per 1860 census) last night on Ancestry World Tree - Census records - and Rootswebs genforum. I'm sorry that I didn't have all of this inmormation for one post and have added material as it unfolded, so I sort of feel like Fox News, "We report and you decided". I could not find Isaac and his family in the 1870 census records. I find Isaac in the 1880 census, LaSalle Co., and in the small community of Wedron. It's some five miles NNE of Ottawa, on the Fox River. It appears that Isaac and Lorana suffered a seperation. He is living there with (?) youngest daughter of the 1860 census, MARY E. (World Tree has her b. P-town 25 Oct. 1858, and I thought she was Marcy from the writing on the 1860.) Mary E. is now age 21 per this census, and Isaac is 61, b. N.Y. Mary has her mother as b. Ohio, which would be true. Lorana Knox, and more later on her.) From roots web, Isaac M. Stearns is on a pension roll 1883, gets $8.00 for "chr. Rheum.", Wedron. His entry 1880 census occ. is a Peddler. 1880 census in Genesee Twp. Isaac's wife, Lorana (now age 60)is living with a daughter. Lydia, who was on the 1860 census. She is now wife of Henry Hoffman. We are going to need a lot of luck to find information on Isaac, but it appears that if found, it will be in LaSalle Co.,Illinois. I don't know anyone in that area that has access to cemetery or newspaper obits. A death date would be helpful for a start. I have a hunch, that a obit for Lorana might be in the Sterling or Morrison paper. She (and family)are on the World Tree as Lorania A. Knox, but I use the spelling from her signature at the court house as Lorana. Following this World Tree info back in time, Isaac M. Stearns and I have a connection in the later 1500's, as I have descent from an Isaac Stearns, b. England and died 1671 in MA. At this point in time, I really believe he is the one who started the cemetery, but still searching for the proof of it ever being used. My guess is that it was. Jack
D&D 4 posts May 25, 2006 12:26 PM	For someone to do an obit or death search in LaSalle county try www.raogk.org. Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness. I am the Whiteside Co volunteer and have used them in other states, etc. The farm across from our field is owned by the Bollivars. She is the one who also told me there were stones there. We have never found any stones. We have dug on that sand knoll referenced to in a previous post and did not come across any. I don't know if a talk with the Matthews family would glean any info or not. We have the abstract at our home of course if you want or need further info clarified.
JackP 6 posts May 25, 2006 3:12 PM	Thank you D&D for sandhill search, and information. I think I have said enough, and I'm going to plan on just letting things on this subject coast for a while. Really no need of seeing your personal abstract etc. There should be enough information already presented to help people who have those lost relatives in the area and are not found in the Leon Cemetery records. At least they can assume a possible burial in this forgotten location. It's really sad that we do not have a level of protection for the pioneer cemeteries, as this is not the only one to disappear. My wife had Knowles ancestors in an rural Iowa cemetery, and it was destroyed two years ago. A family member drove out to take pictures and readings and it was gone. If anyone has different opinions than what has been typed, I learned a long time ago to take genealogy and historical data with a grain of salt, and always openly stand corrected. I did talk with a Matthews family member, and they did not remember anything about the cemetery. Brian, if you want to follow up on Isaac M. Stearns, please do so. The more people that get into this, will be all the better. Jack
Janet39 20 posts Sep 13, 2006 9:30 PM	Jack, Brian, Denise, D&D, Haven't read the message board for a long time, due to lack of time to spend on researching. The history of our Leon Church has in it's records the following comment written in 1939 by Mrs. Frank (Della) Howland. There being so few records in existance of the earlier days of Leon, it is difficult to get everything straightened out correctly. It is evident that preaching services were held in the Bluff and Foytown school houses, and there was the post office at Leon Corners. There was a petition circulated by the people and the name Leon which was suggested by Mrs. Orson Richards, was sent in and the government accepted the name. The post office was kept in the blacksmith shop owned by Almon Foy. It was later moved to the George Foy home, now known as the Toppert farm. When the Foy Family moved away, the office was moved to the L.H. Richards home. As time went on there was Leon Cemetery, Leon School, and the Leon Meeting House. She goes on to tell about the meeting house, the formation of the Methodist Society and building of the Leon Church. The meeting house was built by selling lots in the small cemetery. Mr. S.J.Ackley who lived where Clark Lane does at present suggested that he would give a small piece of land as an addition to the small cemetery (she doesn't name this small cemetery), the lots to be sold, and the money would go toward the erection of a 24'X40' building that would be owned and controlled by the Leon Cemetery Association. This history was re-written by Mrs. Kenneth Stewart years later and in it she says the following. Prior to 1880, a petition was circulated among the residents of Foytown and Woodwards Bluff School areas that the community be called Leon. Mrs. Orson Richards suggested the name of Leon. The petition was sent to the U.S. government office and was accepted. Since that time the community has been known as Leon or Leon Corners. She lists the post offices the same as above. In 1880 residents of the Leon Communityh felt the need of a place to worship. This same year S.J.Ackley gave a piece of land joining the small Foytown Cemetery with the provision that with the money from the sale of lots, and donations a building for community use would be erected. Thus the "Meeting House" was erected. Elvira is 100 years old, and has a very sharp mind. But, I recently asked her if the Leon Cemetery used to be called the Foytown Cemetery and she wasn't sure. She said that it could have been. Good luck in all your research! Janet
Administrator Denise 416 posts Sep 13, 2006 10:02 PM	Oh Janet - thank you so very much for all of this wonderful history! Rita Toppert had asked me to research her property and here you have done my work for me! As always, thank you so much for your participation on the website. ---------- Denise Family History Coordinator Tampico Area Historical Society
Janet39 21 posts Sep 24, 2006 11:22 AM	Denise, You would probably love to visit with Elvira Stewart and see what she really does remember about the Leon Community. She is 100 years old, but does have a very sharp mind. Another person who used to live in the Leon Community as a young girl is Agnes Weber. She is also 100 years old and has a very good mind. If you want to visit either one of these ladies, I could probably arrange to go with you. I just don't take time to do these things, unless someone prods me. Too busy a world these days!! Janet
briansanders 11 posts Oct 10, 2006 10:56 PM	Jack, Janet, Denise and D&D... Wonderful discussion/thread on an important topic. I have been remiss in responding as other things have kept me away (family priorities, my day job/work, and a crashed computer). Regading the Foytown cemetery situation, there seems to be enough pieces to the puzzle (thanks to all of you) to begin to formulate a clearer picture of IF, WHEN and WHERE a Foytown was located, if not a Foytown cemetery. Interestingly, another branch of my family tree has a similar story. They have resided in the counties of Sullivan, Grundy, and Mercer in Northern MO, sine the 1850's. Many are buried in a cemetery called Johnsontown cemetery, however, there doesn't seem to be a town per se (as far as I know). Today, the cemetery is refered to as Mt. Zion, but I have documents showing that my relatives just 30+ years ago were being laid to rest at Johnson Town Cemetery. Perhaps it was always called Mt. Zion officially and nicknamed Johnson Town cemetery since the majority of family names were initially of the Johnson family? Not sure, but based on this "observation", I wonder if this would hold true for the Foytown cemetery. In short, I am assuming that there was also a town proper, called Foytown and that somewhere nearby there was a cemetery called Foytown cemetery (like Leon corner and Leon Cemetery, etc). Perhaps my assumption of a Foy Town is incorrect and instead it is a vernacular or traditional way of refering to a cemetery which was populated with a majority surname?? In either case, I agree with what Jack is suggesting that the STEARNS person may be a key to help in unlocking further answers to some of WHERE questions, and will follow up on that lead. Not sure if I left information on this bulletin board previously, but I have some webpage/links that some may be interested in checking on that is turning into my digital library, full of family information, records, etc. My hope is that when I get some free time, I can devote some of it to the question of where my Foy relatives were laid to rest (in Illinois) in addition to rebuilding the google earth overlay maps, and more (which was lost with my crashed drive). Denise has already provided severl links to my website, but figure I may as well leave it here to make it easier for those interested in going to the website. It is a work in progress, but more information is pending upload, as I find the time. The website is at http://www.SandersFamilia.com There is also a message board at http://www.sandersfamilia.com/phpBB2/ and a Blog at http://sandersfamilia.blogspot.com/ and a digital library at http://picasaweb.google.com/brians777 Looking forward to the discoveries ahead. Kind thanks to the information shared and best regards, Last Edited by briansanders on Oct 10, 2006 11:08 PM
D&D 10 posts Jun 02, 2007 2:06 PM	I haven't been on here for some time and really enjoyed the additional information posted. My hubby just told me they are thinking of running another pipeline through the area that this cemetery would be located at. The first pipeline did not turn up any evidence of a cemetery there. I also remember Mrs. Bollivar telling us that a lady came every year to put a wreath on the fence post. Which of course we saw was there. If you will remember in an earlier post, Mrs. Bollivar as a little girl remembers headstones being out in the field. As mentioned we took out that fence when they came through with the first pipeline. I wonder about putting an ad in the echo asking for her name if anyone knows who it was. Anyway, I have looked back at some early obits of this era and have yet to see Foy Cemetery listed in any of them. Dave and Deb Thormahlen
JackP 43 posts Jun 03, 2007 12:13 PM	Thanks for the reply and the mention of the plan of the new pipe line, which may or may not happen. I'm not sure what the correct name of the Cemetery was, but only wrote about it as being in the old Foy Town general locality. It could have gone by the preachers name who lived there on the farm 1860's also. Should stones be found if and when another pipe goes through, it will sure answer a few questions, or at least help from some opinions. Thanks Jack
Taylor 12 posts Jun 28, 2007 6:58 PM	Can anyone tell me where Woodard's Bluff was near Prophetstown? Thank you. Pat
JackP 47 posts Jun 29, 2007 10:03 AM	Dear Pat, Go South of P-town on 78 to Lomax Road, then West a quarter mile. You'll be at a "T" intersection with a road coming from the North. The old Woodard school sets at this intersection. The 1872 plat map has "D. Woodard" on 120 acres which the school sets on. To get to his residence, one would go North from the school and take the first road (could be nothing but a path today) to the left. (West) First place on the left and at the bottom of the bluff. Last time I was on that road was many years ago on a hay-rack ride. Jack
JackP 82 posts Nov 30, 2008 7:04 PM	Dear All, I know, I had to go back ten pages to find this subject, but here we go again. I have never given up on this cemetery in section 26. The story published in the 10 Nov. Gazette about the Como Cemetery and the improvements there started it all again. As I came down from the frustrations that the cemetery records from Como are still unknown, Denise posted that she had the upload done on the 1872 Atlas for Whiteside. So leaving Como thoughts behind, I went exploring and I found myself looking at the lower SE portion of Prophetstown Township. If you haven't done so, and you still have an interest, the present day Leon Cemetery, and the Cemetery on section 26 can be viewed on one image. Of course it's shown 1872 style. And above in all these posts we know that the Section 26 Cemetery disappeared, and the Leon Cemetery is much larger than the 1872 image. One thing lead to another, and as I still give credit to Rev. Isaac M. Stearns for starting that section 26 cemetery, I happened to to go one of the leading genealogy sites on the internet and I found a family file written by a direct descendant of Rev. Isaac M. Stearns. Remember I had left off above after loosing track of Isaac down in Wedron 1880 census. Well, I know a lot more today. Isaac's death is now known as 10 Oct. 1907 at Sheridan, IL. Again, one thing led to another. With this death date for Isaac, I went and did a lot of census work, etc. The owner of this family file is dhsmrs49, and I'm setting here with a lot of information on the Stearns family that this Stearns Family File did not have. I couldn't resist. With the powers of the internet I found a phone number and I made the call. Bingo, I found the owner. I had a very pleasant conversation this afternoon. Little did he know about the section 26 cemetery, or that Isaac's parents are buried in the Leon Cemetery. William and Sarah. I'm sending material via email to dhs, and I have invited dhs to join this web site. After the digestion of material that I have sent, I'm in hopes dhs will add to this Isaac M. Stearns history, as it's a portion of Leon (aka Foytown) history that needs to be brought to attention. Relatives of Isaac M. Stearns also led to Tampico. dhs knows about a sister of Isaac's LYDIA M. STEARNS. She married SAMUEL G. STEADMAN. (aka STEDMAN) Samuel G. had a brother, known around Tampico for many years as T.O. STEADMAN. Do a Tampico web site search on T.O. STEADMAN and you'll know what I'm saying. It would also be interesting if the SAMUEL G. STEADMAN G.A.R. Lodge, was named after Lydia's husband. LYDIA and SAMUEL's marriage is from Whiteside, and it's given as "STEDMAN, SAMMUEL G". -- STEARNS, LYDIA MARIA" Whiteside #615 July 3, 1861. Per census entries, I believe Lydia died in Geneseo, Henry County, and her Leon Cemetery stone is dated 1922. She has an obit in the Sterling Gazette Index, dated 31 Jan 1922. I'm in the process of letting dhs know how to contact the Sterling Library for a copy. It could be that the Tornado had one on her, as her brother-in-law was there. Now, if this new message sounds interesting, let me say that I have spent several hours in the Leon cemetery lately. I have found writing about the section 26 cemetery that has not been discussed, and made some discoveries about the layout of the Leon Cemetery. These two cemeteries are directly related. Janet39, I would like to have your encouragement on this before I write, as I know how involved you are in the matters around Leon. D&D, the same thing as I believe I have a path that will open the door to a piece of history that has slipped through the cracks, and I haven't filled dhs in on as yet, but believe his great-grandfather started all of it. All for now...... Jack
D&D 21 posts Dec 03, 2008 6:32 AM	Very interesting and exciting. I can't wait to hear more. We bought this property in 1976 and have always wondered about it. Dave & Deb Thormahlen (D&D)
JackP 83 posts Dec 06, 2008 8:57 AM	Dear All, I have a couple of things to unravel before I turn loose with the key board and present my opinion of a couple of cemeteries. I need to get to the Morrison court house next week and track 80 acres in section 33. This 80 is the sum of two 40 acres purchased from the government 7/27/1852 with/by a Warrant by Daniel Foy. (Illinois Public Domain Land Sales Database) The Bio. of Daniel (GenTrails) says he purchased land near Tampico section 29, and moved there, 1855. What I need to find out is how long he owned the ground in 34 where a portion of it became known to us as Leon Corners. A lot of land transactions happened between 1852 and 1872 on this 80. The 1860 census is unclear to me going from the large land owner of George Foy who was the land owner in the same section. (34) (Samuel) S.D. Geer is close to George and has land value that COULD be the 80 acres that Daniel Foy bought. S.D. Geer by 1870 is found in the census of Loraine Twp., Henry County. Once I gather a little more data, I'll be back. Jack
briansanders 21 posts Dec 07, 2008 9:09 AM	All, I just happened to check the message board today (12/7) and was very pleased to see some recent activity on this subject that I too have been working on (slowly but surely). Unfortunately, I am unable to aid much in the Stearns connection, but can assist in some details about the Foy side (Daniel Foy was a Great uncle... his brother George Foy was my 3G grandfather). JackP, I think the answer to the Daniel Foy question is a good one. Based on when he purchased, he could have homesteaded starting as early as 1848, but was moved out by around 1853. Here is a link to more details on Daniel Foy from my personal website: Daniel Foy Based on these dates, he may have moved up to this area with his brother George Foy around 1847-48, but didn’t purchase anything until 1852, whereas his brother George bought land in the area in 1849 (in Henry county in 1848). Looking on the Illinois website (http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/PublicLandSalesNameServlet) as you said, Daniel Foy purchased 80 acres in 1852 which would have included Leon corners and the Leon cemetery. This was also adjacent and west of his brother George Foy. I have created a Google maps linkto show this high level Here are the details. FOY DANIEL NWSW 34 19N 05E 4 07/27/1852 WHITESIDE FOY DANIEL SWNW 34 19N 05E 4 07/27/1852 WHITESIDE FOY GEORGE NESE 34 19N 05E 4 11/17/1849 WHITESIDE FOY GEORGE NESW 34 19N 05E 4 11/17/1849 WHITESIDE FOY GEORGE NWSE 34 19N 05E 4 11/17/1849 WHITESIDE FOY GEORGE SENW 34 19N 05E 4 11/17/1849 WHITESIDE I have also compiled a very detailed map showing all the schools, cemeteries, and Foy land ownerships with overlays of 1872/75 plats from the 4 townships of Prophetstown, Fairfield, Yorktown, and Tampico. Coupled with the present day maps, it helps put things into better perspective. However, this detailed image requires the software program Google Earth be downloaded onto your computer to view the file. Post a reply here if you would like to receive this information and I can either send it to you or set it up to be downloaded. To download a free copy of Google Earth, go to this link Google Earth Here are some pictures of the area along with a screen shot of the Google Earth compilation. Link to pictures of Section 26 For the Leon Corners Cemetery, I would note that the earliest death (that I am aware of) is 1861 (Dilone M. Morrill). I am not 100% certain this is the earliest, but it is based on the images I took of 90% of the headstones there. I would look to Janet or others to hopefully confirm one way or another. So, based on this, the area owned by Daniel Foy is then transferred to someone between 1853-1861. I am very curious about the link between section 26 and Leon corners and eager to hear more about your findings. Hopefully, some of this information can help. Until next time. Brian Last Edited by on Dec 07, 2008 9:53 AM
JackP 84 posts Dec 07, 2008 11:10 AM	Brian;etal. Stay tuned, as I have several chunks of data to gather before I write my own version of some history. I get so up set over what information we have about the Como cemetery, that it drives me nuts at times. So many have searched for the records of Como, but they just cannot be found. I see the same thing happening right now with the history of Leon/Foytown, and from what I have to present, is that the section 26 cemetery and the present day Leon cemetery are in a close relationship. Looking again at your information on Daniel Foy, I would say that we do not have proof that Daniel ever lived on this 80 acres in section 34. It could be that it was an investment for him. 80 acres purchased 7/27/1852 and he was in Yorktown area 1855, it really makes me wonder. Next week, I'm off to the court house and spend a while in the Grantee/Grantor books. Then to the Sterling Library for a couple of obits. I have found that Samuel J. Ackley is now indexed, and obit was published in the Standard. Per my findings, Samuel J. married, Lucy A. Morrill, July 3, 1863, and Samuel J. shows on the 1872 with the Leon cemetery. Lucy was the daughter of Mastin Morrill, and I believe Mastin was an Uncle of Daniel Foy. So then it appears Lucy and Daniel were cousins. I need to find out when Daniel transfered/sold land of his 80 and to whom. It could be he held on to it even after settling in Tampico Township, and it was an all in the family deal, between him and James Ackley. There will be more later, but on the 1872 plat, across the road form the Leon Cemetery is J. Richards. Now known as John March Richards, who married Salina Burroughs, a sister of D.L. Burroughs. See D.L. on 1872 Plat. D. Burroughs's 38.5 acres is attached to 19.5 acres that at one time was Daniel Foy's. It's the 19.5 acres that has William Foy's name on it per 1872 Plat. William aka Blacksmith. But, as the person drawing it did not have room for the name, it appears William may really have been in the little triangle spot. That were Mary (Lane) Naftzger spent her later years, and the 19.5 acres was that of D. or D.L. Burroughs. D.L. Burroughs has his residence showing as what became the farm of the late Lester Lindahl. See the 1872 map..... I grew up on section 9 north of Leon on what is shown as Ramsay. I used the aerial picture 1998 on Terraserver, and then used a ruler to quarter section off the area. It told me things that I had going the wrong way off the drawing on the 1872 plat. The old fence rows told me were the bottom end of the cemetery is at. Thanks Brin for taking an interest in this, and you should see a lot more to come. Jack
JackP 85 posts Dec 07, 2008 4:36 PM	Brian, I've been going over your map that shows the schools etc. The one you have as a Prophetstown school on the west end of your map would be also known as the Woodard Bluff School. But you could be well aware of that. History books in places talk of the Woodard Bluff and Foytown schools. Inplying Foytown had two of them. I believe you have one on your map in section 25. P-town - Tampico Twp. Line. The SE q. of the SE Q. (J.M. Lane land) I see another one..... Section 35 on W. Sabin 50 acres, SW q. of the SW Q. Also close is the unfound or Mr. mystery, William Eldred. I have it that William second Married Mrs. Samuel Steadman. I would like to find them, other than census records. Jack
briansanders 27 posts Feb 13, 2009 7:57 AM	Jack, any further progress/information on this topic? two posts earlier you prepped us for some information from the court house, etc. and our offline correspondence may have changed that direction, but please do post if there is something else... I am interested to hear what you have to say on this. thanks b
JackP 86 posts Feb 13, 2009 2:12 PM	Hi Brian, Your very correct about some up coming information. But, as I'm totally grade school elementary English language educated, I really do not know how to write about all this information and still make it polite to the families that might take offence. It needs to be structured in a manner, that if one wants to, they can read my information and have a good idea of when their family and relatives were first layed to rest. There is a lot of burials in Leon that were moved in from other cemetries etc., that will fool a lot of families. I have several old families members from Maine to Illinois who had their graves moved for whatever the reason, and I'm one person who understands the moving of them, but also has a better understanding of the family if I know where they were first layed to rest. Leon had graves moved in, Como had graves moved out, Lyndon had graves moved in, Sterling Riverside had graves moved in, Tampico had graves moved in, the Old section 26, is completly moved out, the so called Fisk cemetery is empty, and yet WE do not have any records of these old cemeteries. All we have is the old worn out soft sand stones that have for the most part became unreadable. Many were broken or lost, or pieces of them were discarded, and we have lost account of a lot of our old settlers, do to the waring of the stones and the moving of some cemetries before old records were located or the reading of the stones done before the move of them. I became obsessed with Leon, and I started with all the government purchases of land a mile West and a mile East of the corners. I spent a lot of time researching these families and how the area near the corners came about. I have a new female Foy found, that I'm sure you will be interested in. Also, I found the death date of Samuel J. Ackley, and that it was Samuel who owned the blacksmith shop, as he was a wagon maker in his shop. Yes, it later became a Foy owned business. From all the dates of orignal purchases, that I have gathered near the corners by 1850, I would be surprised if one out house was within a mile either direction of the corners. I have quite a stack of information about Leon that really needs about a weeks worth of typing. (I type slow) At the court house, the size of the first Leon cemetery is recorded by links and chains off the LaSalle - Rock Island Road, (now Lomax). It's given the same day that the new Leon Cemetery Association recorded the first addition to the original, and the measurements of that are also given. The Grantor, was Martin Morrill, The Grantee, Leon Cemetery Association. It's a Witness Deed for $150.00 dated May 1880, and filed 12 June 1882. Hence, I can show people a lot of old stones that per date the first addition, but will refrain of any names. One of them is a popular name in Tampico. The Family of the woman who named Leon has put her picture on Ancestry dot com. One thing led to another, and I have spent a lot of time in Morrison researching the cemetery at Prophetstown, and some interesting material about the history of rural Prophetstown, and the village of it has came my way. I could, and should type for weeks. I have studied old maps and read the old history books at the same time. It really brings the old settlers and their families back to life. The old cemetery at Prophetstown, was started years before the city purchased it from Alpheus B. Nichols, 17 Dec., 1853. The survey (layout) came 2 March 1855, and was 13 Rods square. (3.25 Chains, or 214.5 Ft.) The north border was the EW line of the Prophetstown Lyndon Twp. line, and the NS (the East line)line was the half section line of section 4. The first graves had to be on the same slant as the half section line, and when the survey came in 55, the cemetery was then based off the township line on the north. A few degrees different. I also have most of the old court house material about the cemetery coming up to 1881, along with another stack of information that should be presented, that gives a little different view from history books about who built the first house in P-town, and also who was the first person to have a claim. One needs to study the 1829 R.W. Chandler map of the roads going to the Galena lead mine for openers. With respect to Tampico, and the best web site on the internet, I have been at odds with myself to bring up the subject of Prophetstown's history, in the same writing as Leon's. I'm struggling with myself to say the least, on how and what to write. Jack
briansanders 28 posts Feb 14, 2009 1:38 PM	Jack, I understand. The details of this story sound very interesting, to say the least. If I can be of help, please let me know. I do websites as a hobby and also have my own message board (and blog) for my genealogy research, in case that provides a means for documenting your rediscovered history. Brian
LesN 454 posts Feb 15, 2009 5:27 AM	Hi Brian, I took a "peek" at your rather nice SANDERS genealogy website just now. In surfing thru it a bit this morning and found your "Shear/dow" lines has some errors: William SHERE m Zilla Adelle DOW (note spellings). Laurer J. (DOW) was Zilla's brother not her son Glee (DOW) was Zilla's brother who died in infancy, not her son William and Zilla SHERE had 2 children: Harry B. SHERE and Temple M. SHERE Lauer's parents were Benjamin F. & Sarah E. DOW, who had 4 children: Lauer J., Zilla A., Pleasant L., Glee You made the mistake others have by "assuming" the names and relationships in the "Biography" books of the time were factually accurate, in this case, "The Past and Present of Bureau Co., IL - 1906" is in error. On an FYI - I descend from the Lauer J. & Daisy D. nee HOGEBOOM DOW line; and, Debra P. (you may have come across her many postings on this site) descends from the William & Zilla nee DOW SHERE line. Unfortunately, I am running right now but I will try to get back to your genealogy website soon. Keep up the good work. Thanks, Les Last Edited by on Feb 15, 2009 5:34 AM
briansanders 29 posts Feb 15, 2009 8:47 AM	Les, thanks. I know what you mean... biographies are sometimes full of misinformation, which is why I record my sources and if/when a 2nd source is available, I can corroborate the original details (hopefully) and find any differences or gaps. I must say that this biography, unfortunately, seems to have quite a few items incorrect. Glad you could id them and let me know. I have already made the corrections on my desktop database and will wait to see if you find any other items, before uploading/publishing online. By the way, Laurer J. Dow is my 3rd cousin, twice removed, so since you descend from him, that means you and I are cousins... Your cousin! thanks b Here is what I have so far, though... 1 Benjamin F. Dow (1831 - ) BD. 26 May 1831, Freedom, Cattaraugus County, New York[1] & Sarah E. Jones[2],[1],[3] (1838 - ) BD. 2 Jul 1838, McDonough County, Illinois[1],[3] M. 25 Nov 1856, Whiteside County, Illinois[1],[4] 1 Pleasant L. Dow[1] (1859 - ) BD. Jan 1859[1] & Louie Scott[1] 1 Dow[1] ( - >1906) DD. aft 1906 2 Dow[1] ( - >1906) DD. aft 1906 3 Dow[1] ( - >1906) DD. aft 1906 4 Dow[1] ( - >1906) DD. aft 1906 5 Dow[1] ( - >1906) DD. aft 1906 6 Dow[1] ( - >1906) DD. aft 1906 2 Zilla Adelle Dow[1],[5] (1860 - ) BD. 5 Oct 1860[1] & William Shere[1],[5] BD. Henry County, Illinois[1] 1 Harry B. Shere[6] 2 Temple M. Shere[6] 3 Laurer J. Dow[1],[7] (1866 - ) BD. 1866[1] & Daisy Hogeboom[1] 1 Lauer J. Dow[1],[6] 2 Zilla A. Dow[1],[6] 3 Pleasant L. Dow[1],[6] 4 Glee Dow[6] 4 Glee Dow[1],[6] (1879 - ~1880) BD. 1879 DD. abt 1880[1] 1. "Biography - Benjamin F. Dow," Past and Present of Bureau County, Illinois, 1906, Chicago, Illiniois, Benjamin F. Dow, Pages 525-526, Denise McLoughlin - Tampico Historical Society, www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com, www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com/articles/article/1176986/16861.htm. 2. Email: Charles Foy, Debra Peterson, 4/25/06, Message Board - http://www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com/board/board_topic/23882/158818.htm. 3. "1850 US Federal Census," Ancestry.com, JPEG image, www.SandersFamilia.com. 4. Illinois - Statewide Marriage Index, 1763–1900, 4/24/06, http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/GenealogyMWeb/marrsrch.html. 5. Message Board: Foytown Cemetery?, LesN, All, 2/15/2009, http://www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com/board/board_topic/23882/154735.htm, Name correction. 6. Ibid. 7. Ibid. Name and relationshp correction. Last Edited by on Feb 15, 2009 8:49 AM

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