Rachel Annie Osborn was born December 15, 1849, in McDonough County, Illinois. Her parents were Andrew J. Osborn and Elizabeth Cockerham. Andrew and Elizabeth were both born in Indiana and had migrated to Illinois in the 1830s with their parents. They met and were married in McDonough County in March 1841. Two years later, Andrew … Continue reading Rachel Annie Osborn
Author: tkjensen
William H. Nichols
William H. Nichols was born in December 1846. I don’t know the names of William’s mother or father, although in the 1880 and 1900 censuses, he reported that both parents were born in Pennsylvania. Those censuses, along with William’s Civil War records, also show William’s nativity as Pennsylvania, but provide no city or county. I have not found any other source that … Continue reading William H. Nichols
Emily J. Holmes
Emily J. Holmes was born around 1843 near Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois. She sometimes used the nickname Emma. Whether Emily or Emma, she seemed to consistently use her middle initial “J” throughout her life, but I’ve not found a single document to tell us what the “J” stands for! Emily’s parents were Palmer Holmes, born in … Continue reading Emily J. Holmes
Caroline Milberg
Caroline Milberg was the first born of my eight second great-grandmothers. It becomes ever more difficult to research the ancestors as we go back in time, and this is particularly true of our female relatives. As I’ve worked on the family history, I’ve become acutely aware of how little I know about my distant grandmothers. … Continue reading Caroline Milberg
Andrew J. Myers
Andrew J. Myers was born in about 1830 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Both of Andrew’s parents were born in the United States. Although I do not have definitive proof (yet!), I believe Andrew’s father was Henry Myers. His mother is unknown. DNA connections and genealogical research suggest that Andrew’s ancestors originally came to America … Continue reading Andrew J. Myers
John Charles Henry Herbst
Johann Carl Heinrich Herbst (John Charles Henry Herbst as reported on his death certificate) was born April 13, 1822 in Luttrum, Germany. In public records throughout his long life he is referred to as Carl, Charles, and John. His surname, which means “autumn” or “fall” in German, is sometimes spelled with a “p” and in later years … Continue reading John Charles Henry Herbst
Heard Melodies Are Sweet
We’ve now met the great-grands. Let’s take one more step back in time and say hello to their parents, my 16 second great grandparents. (Click here for a peek at the family tree.) We will now be firmly rooted in the 19th century. The second greats were born between 1822 and 1863. Save one, all were … Continue reading Heard Melodies Are Sweet
Edythe Mae Siepel
My dad’s maternal grandmother, Edythe Mae Siepel, is the youngest of my eight great-grandparents. She was born October 11, 1885, in Hancock County, Illinois. Edythe was the oldest of four children, two boys and two girls, born to Nathaniel Asa Siepel and Fannie Knoedler. By the time Edythe was 16, both of her younger brothers … Continue reading Edythe Mae Siepel
Martha Maria Tornedde
My mom’s paternal grandmother, Martha Maria Tornedde, was born in Steubenville, in Jefferson County, Ohio on April 6, 1884. Her German born parents, Ernst H. Tornedde and Wilhelmina Bremer, immigrated to the United States just a few years before Martha was born. By 1886, the Torneddes had moved to Peoria, Illinois, which would be Martha’s … Continue reading Martha Maria Tornedde
Finis Ewing Nichols
My dad’s maternal grandfather, Finis Ewing Nichols, was born December 17, 1882, in McDonough County, Illinois. Finis was the fourth of five children (three girls and two boys) born to William H. Nichols and Rachel Annie Osborne. The seemingly unusual name of Finis is more common than I would have imagined. Finis Ewing (1773-1841) was … Continue reading Finis Ewing Nichols
The Singing Oak 