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FAMILY REUNIONS
Union County Illinois Genealogy Trails  ENGLISH HOMECOMING, 1920 JACOB P. POOLE, 1908 KARRAKER REUNION, 1929 LYERLY REUNION, 1918 MILLER FAMILY HOMECOMING, 1924 MORGAN FAMILY REUNION, 1929 PLOTT FAMILY GATHERING, 1927 WATSON FAMILY REUNION, 1906 WILSON HOMECOMING, 1920 Harker English and his daughter, Mrs. Lottie Selby, of Franklin, Kan., arrived here Monday for a few days visit with his brother, Joel R. English. The brothers had not met in sixty years. Harker English went to Kansas in young manhood and has been there ever since. He is 82 years old while Joe is 84. When Harker went to Joe’s house Monday he told him he was looking for a place to stay all night. Joe, not recognizing his brother after sixty years, responded dubiously that he would have to see the boss about it, indicating Mrs. English. Then explanations followed, and the travelers were received with rejoicing. C. C. English, 77 years of age, who makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. T. P. Sifford, east of Anna, is also a brother, and it was a happy reunion when the three brothers met Tuesday. They all hail originally from Jackson, Mo. (Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Friday, 29 Oct 1920)
Make Sunday a Memorable Day for Jacob P.
Poole Transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter
A sort of family reunion was held at the home of Jacob P. Poole, one mile and a half southeast of
Mill Creek, last Sunday. Kindred and
friends to the number of one hundred, besides the children, who could not be
still long enough to be counted, were present and made the day one of unalloyed
pleasure for themselves and Mr. Poole to whom the affair was in the
nature of a surprise. He was spirited
away for a few hours during the morning, and on his return found his house and
yard overflowing with people. The dinner
was a superb banquet befitting the occasion and was enjoyed by all. And the Pooles are good livers. All of the name in the county were present
besides other families related to them by blood and marriage, and neighbors and
friends also.
Jacob P. Poole is the oldest
son of the late Jacob H. Poole, a
man whose sturdy integrity of character will long be remembered in Union
County. Jacob P. has been an almost
totally helpless cripple, caused by an injury to his spine, for more than 20
years. He is unable to walk and has to
be carried in a chair anywhere he wished to go.
He has a good farm, but of course can not give it the active supervision
that other men do their farms. However,
it maintains him in comfort.
At the instance of Mrs. Susie E. Poole, of this city, widow of Jacob H.
Poole, who with her daughter Addie
was present, the kindred and friends went down into their pockets with hearty
liberality and made a purse to buy "Pem," as they call him one of the finest
wheel chairs made for cripples or invalids.
Mr. Poole had been surprised
before, and now he was overcome, but with a heart full of emotion he managed to
thank the friends for the regard manifested in such a thoughtful way. Wheelchairs are a great boon to cripples or
invalids. They can propel themselves to
different parts of the house, or about the yard and grounds, and do not feel so
utterly helpless and burdensome to family and friends. Mr. Poole was naturally delighted with his
gift and deeply touched by the spirit which prompted it.
Some of the delicious cake that was part of the feast reached the Gazette by the hands of Mrs. Susie E. Poole, and we join with all the other
friends of "Uncle Pem" in wishing him many years in which to enjoy his chair and
the society of his family, kindred and neighbors, who regard him so highly. He was 46 years old last Sunday. (Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Saturday, 23 Oct 1908)
The meeting was held on the Karraker school grounds on one corner of the farm. More than one hundred automobiles brought five hundred people to the reunion, the descendants of the pioneers with their families. The American citizenship of the Karraker family dates back to 1756, some twenty years before the Declaration of Independence, when they came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter they migrated to North Carolina where the founders of the Union County family were born in 1793 and 1794. The sumptuous dinner was placed on a long table and all ate together; and although the crowd was large and appetites huge, a good many basketsful remained uneaten. Some of those in attendance from out of the state and from some distance were: Edmond Karraker and Jackson Karraker, of Oklahoma, and Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Karraker, of Iowa, three brothers who made their first visit in 49 years; Charles Patterson of Sullivan, Ill., Thomas N. Karraker, Ray R. Karraker and Guy W. Karraker, of St. Louis, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Harris, of Cape Girardeau, O. M. Karraker, of Harrisburg, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Sullards of Mt. Carmel, Ill., Earl Karraker and family of Mound City, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Henry Karraker, of Mounds, and John E. Karraker and family of Ullin, Ill. William Wilford, 78, of Dongola was the oldest descendant present and Harland Hartline, 3 months, was the youngest. Daniel Penrod with 11 living children had the largest family of any descendant. Credit for initiating the movement for the reunion belongs to Henry Karraker, of Mounds, who was appointed marshal of the day. A devotional service was led by Rev. Henry W. Karraker and a song service by J. Frank Karraker. An address on the history of the family and delivered by Ira O. Karraker of Jonesboro. The following officers were elected: President, Oscar O. Karraker, of Jonesboro; vice president, Henry W. Karraker, of Dongola; secretary, Arthur O. Karraker, of Dongola; treasurer, Arley Karraker, of Dongola; historian, Ira O. Karraker, of Jonesboro. Program committee—Earl Karraker, Clyde Karraker, Ed L. Karraker. Arrangement committee—Harvey Karraker, Wallace Karraker, Orel Karraker. The attendance at this, the first reunion of the Karraker family, was certainly remarkable. We presume it is the intention to hold it annually. Representatives of this family have been prominent in almost every line of human endeavor. Bankers, lawyers, doctors, preachers, businessmen, and farmers, have all made the impress in the communities where they dwelt. It is a remarkable family record. (Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Friday, 20 Sep 1929; transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter)
Pioneer Family Holds Its First Assembly Transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter The first reunion of the Lyerly family was held Sunday, August
25, 1917, on the beautiful and spacious fair ground of the Southern Illinois
Fair Association at Anna. This firs
reunion was a complete success socially, numerically, and in every other
respect. By 10 o�clock a large crowd had assembled, coming from
various places in Southern Illinois, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Mrs. Alice Lyerly, of Hobard, Okla., and George W.
Lyerly, of Granite, Okla., had the
distinction of having traveled the farthest to the reunion. At the noon hour long tables were arranged on
which a bountiful repast was spread consisting of everything that woman�s
ingenuity could think of in the way of something to eat, and make the dyspeptic
think he was getting all he was entitled
in. After dinner, addresses were made by S. D. Hurst, Paul Miller, Elder R. H. Tharp, and O. J. Penninger. After the speaking, a business session was
held and officers elected for the next year as follows: Joseph L. Lyerle, of Anna, president; Rickliff A.
Lyerly, of Johnston City, vice
president; Dr. A. J. Lyerly, of
Jonesboro, secretary; and S. S. Lyerla, of Alto Pass, treasurer. The Lyerlys
came to America during Colonial days, first settling in Pennsylvania, later
moving to North Carolina. There are two
branches of the family in this county.
Christopher Lyerle settled
near St. John�s church and is buried there.
John Lyerly settled on
Hudgeon�s Creek in the northwest part of the county and is buried near Quincy,
Ill. Both these men served in the
Revolutionary War and came to Union County sometime prior to 1812. Their descendants are numbered by hundreds
and members of the family reside in every state west of the Mississippi
River. Most of the family are farmers,
but there are not a few numbered in the professions�lawyers, physicians,
ministers, and school teachers, and also merchants. Thus has come and gone the first reunion of the Lyerly family. The day was spent so pleasantly and passed so
rapidly that it was with deep regret we bade each other good bye and promised to
attend again next year. The association desires to extend thanks to the
management of the Southern Illinois Fair Association for the use of their
beautiful fair grounds. (Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois,
Friday, 31 Aug 1918) Transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter
Last Sunday, July 6, the children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Miller, assembled at their
home in Jonesboro for a family homecoming. Fifty-six persons were
present to enjoy their bountiful dinner prepared in part by Mrs. Miller
and augmented by the younger generations. Aside from the family,
only three persons were present. These were Monroe Rinehart, a
life-long friend of Mr. Miller, and his wife, of St. Louis, and Mrs.
Eveline Dillow, another old-time friend of south of Jonesboro. A
photographer was called to take a group picture of the family alone and
another including Mr. and Mrs. Miller and their friends, while Kodak
snap shots by some of the young folks were made by the dozen. The
day was one of the utmost enjoyment for all.
Mr. Miller will be 81 years of age in August, Mrs. Miller 80 in October. For that age the faculties of both of them are unimpaired to an extent that is remarkable. Memory and hearing seem to be perfect and eyesight also though they do use glasses. Mr. Miller’s ancestors came to this county from North Carolina well over a hundred years ago, his grandfather at one time owning the very land surrounding the premises on Bacon street which he now owns and occupies, subsequently selling it and buying other land a few miles south. He is a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting before attaining the age of 18 and serving the three closing years. Mrs. Miller was a Nordmeyer and her father was a Hunsaker, another family which came to this county among the very first. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have nine children living, three sons and six daughters. There are 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The youngest person present was a babe of two months. The only member of the family by blood or marriage who was not present was a grand-son-in-law. He was detained by a funeral. The nine children who came with their children and grandchildren to gladden the hearts of the good old grandfather and grandmother were Mrs. Irene Jeffries, her husband Fred Jeffries and their four children and three grandchildren, of East St. Louis. Mr. Jeffries has for many years been an engineer on the Mobile & Ohio railroad. Miss Mina Miller, of St. Louis, who is forewoman of a shoe factory in that city. Seth Miller, of East St. Louis, two children, and two grandchildren. He is employed in a lumber yard. Harley Miller of East St. Louis, a fireman on the M & O Railroad; Syrenius Miller, also employed on the railroad at Tamms, Ill., with his wife and two sons; Mrs. Belle Lingle and Mr. Lingle, of Tamms, Mrs. Ada Hale, Mr. Hale and their seven children of Alexander County; Mrs. Flora Miller, Mr. Miller and their five children; and Mrs. Izora Poole, Mr. Poole, their three children, and three great-grandchildren of this county. (Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Friday, July 11, 1924) MORGAN FAMILY REUNION A reunion of an
old time Union County family was held last Sunday at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Samuel Morgan, west of Jonesboro. It was also to
celebrate the birthdays of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, the former’s
being in September and the latter’s in this month, and they both
confess to 63 years.
The Morgan family is descended from Mr. and Mrs. James Morgan, who for 50 years, perhaps lived on a farm five miles west of town and where a large family of girls and boys grew to man and womanhood. A daughter, Mrs. Thomas Nimmo, now lives on the old farm. Most of the descendants live in the county, only one present at this reunion registering from abroad. The day was one of great social enjoyment, and of course a dinner hard to find outside of Union County was served at noon. Those present were: Marshall Rinehart and family, George W. Morgan, Mrs. Allie Gray, of Duquoin, Ill., Mrs. Fannie Wiggins, Thomas Nimmo and wife, Harry Morgan and family, Allen Brummit and family, Charles Morgan and family, Mrs. Monica Treece and daughter, Cluster Wiggins and wife, Clyde E. Grear and family, Miss Sarah J. Rinehart, John Morgan and family, Mrs. Serena Chester. (Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Friday, 11 Oct 1929; transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter)
PLOTT FAMILY GATHERING AT BALCOM
Mrs. Amanda
Plott, 75 years old past, had the pleasure last Sunday of the company
of several of her children and their children who live at a distance
besides those who live near by, at her home near Balcom. The day
was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
(Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Friday, 26 Aug 1927; transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter)About fifteen years ago Mr. and Mrs. H.M. Plott and their 12 children were all together for the first and only time in the history of the family. Some of the elder children were married or had gone out in the world before the very youngest were born. That as made a memorable occasion. Mother Plott lined her seven sons up against a wall (not at sunrise to be shot) but just to look at them all at once and they all looked good to mother. Of this family of 14 the mother and 11 of the 12 children are still living. Those with her last Sunday were O. S. Plott, of Shreveport, La., his wife, son O. S. Jr. and daughter Marcella; W. A. Plott, of Little Rock, Ark.; J. F. Plott and son Roy of West Frankfort, Ill.; Mrs. Mary Graham (formerly McLane) and her two sons, Otis McLane and Lester Graham, and daughter Iva McLane, of Coulterville, Ill.; Mrs. Aaron Craig, Mr. Craig and their daughter Audrey, of Centralia, Ill.; Mrs. Scott Davis, Mr. Davis and their daughters, Mildred and Matelle; C. F. Plott, wife and sons, Lee and Ray; and H. A. Plott, wife and daughter Elaine and son Duane, all of Balcom. The absent children were C. E. Plott, of Centralia, Ill.; R. E. Plott, of Balcom, and Mrs. W. S. Hinkle, of Citronelle, Ala. These were all prevented coming by illness in their families or from some other cause. Mother Plott lives on the home farm with her son, C. F. Mrs. Jane Brown, a sister of Mrs. Plott, and her son, Orley, were also present. They returned Sunday to their home in Mascoutah, Ill. Mrs. Brown will be remembered in Jonesboro where she formerly lived as Mrs. Arthur Brown. All of the above named children and grandchildren from abroad plan to remain until after the Anna fair, and they expect to be joined next week by some if not all of the absentees. And they will all go to the fair.
Transcribed
and submitted by Darrel Dexter
A reunion of the descendants of John and Susan (McGill) Watson
was held at the old homestead Sunday at Progress, 12 miles east of
Anna, at the home of J.W. Watson, a
grandson of Grandma Watson, aged
98, who is living near the old place.
A dinner table over 100 feet long was provided for
the 140 relatives and friends present.
Rev. G.W. Draper
of Carbondale delivered an address.
The next reunion will be held at the home of Walter Hunsaker on the second Sunday in
September 1907. Grandma
Watson is the oldest person in
Union County. She
and her husband came there from Tennessee over 60 years ago, making the
journey in wagons.
--Carbondale Free Press (Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois,
Saturday, 28 Sep 1906) Transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter Last Sunday was the occasion of a very happy meeting at the home of Mrs. J. D. Wilson. Six of the seven children with their families and other relatives were present. John, who did service in France during the war, and has filled the office of dispatcher for the M & O at Murphysboro for sixteen years, was unable to be present owing to scarcity of help. The home is two and a half miles west of Jonesboro on the identical spot of the play ground of the old Kimmel school house, where the largest spring in the county is located. At noon plates for twenty-two were laid and a bountiful dinner served. Later the spring was visited and delicious watermelon served from the house through which flows the rippling, bubbling, clear cold water. Pictures were taken, and all departed wishing many happy returns. Those present were Harry C. Wilson, wife and two sons, of Muphysboro; Will Wilson, wife and daughter, of Alto Pass; Ora Rendleman, wife and two children, of East St. Louis; Arthur Helton, wife and daughter, of Jonesboro; Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hess, of Anna; Oscar Hartline, wife and two children, of Cobden; and Everett and Helen Wilson. (Jonesboro Gazette, Jonesboro, Illinois, Friday, 3 Sep 1920) |