Eugene Pettis Stinde

Eugene Pettis Stinde Eugene was born 25 July 1868 in St. Louis , Missouri. He was the youngest of six children, two of which died in infancy. His middle name came from his grandmother on his mother's side of the family, Mary B. Pettis Stivers. In 1874, when Eugene was six years old, his family purchased the Alma Flour Mill, and moved to Steeleville, Illinois in Randolph County. His father was owner-operator for the next 15 years or more and Eugene grew up helping around the mill. When he was12 years old , he was listed as an Apprentice Miller. Upon reaching adulthood, Eugene moved to Chester, Illinois and worked as a Merchant. Eugene married Mary Elizabeth Thompson 28 September, 1898 in Richview Illinois. Witnesses were Nellie M. Benjamin and Charles E. Thompson. Mary was the youngest of 4 siblings and only daughter of Thomas Benton and Adaline Jane Mills Thompson. The old Stinde homestead was near Richview and the Thompson homestead was adjoining, so that must have been how the couple came to know each other. After their marriage, they moved in with Mary's mother and helped farm the Thompson land. Eugene soon took control of the farming and Mary's mother, Adaline Jane, continued to live with them. Seven children was born to the couple while they lived on the farm near Richview. They were: (1) Emma Jane - 19 July 1899 (2) Maude Fern - 18 November 1900 (3) Orville Eugene - 7 July 1903 (4) Mary Elva - 13 November 1905 (5) Bertha Mae - 30 August 1908 (6) Eula Pearl - 24 March 1911 (7) Paul Stanley - 15 August 1914 In the early spring of 1917, the family moved to McLean County in Central Illinois. Machinery, Livestock, and belongings were loaded on to a box car and all moved by rail. The family followed later traveling by automobile. Another child was born to the couple while living in Central Illinois. She was: (8) Wilma Bernadine - 18 July 1920 Eugene lived and farmed in Central Illinois the rest of his life. He died 24 July 1937 and was buried in Wiley Cemetery near Colfax. He was survived by his wife, 8 children and 17 grandchildren. Mary Elizabeth died 24 July 1962, exactly 25 years later, and was laid to rest beside her husband. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 1999 information from Orville Stinde and recorded by Wayne Stinde See : Obituary