The descendants of Edwin Lee and Eliza Jane Williams Henderson

Hello all; west central Illinois is enjoying cooler weather and much needed rain, which began on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 21 (I started this post on the 24th of September). The harvest in this area began earlier in the month and the rain provides a period for the farmers to rest and regroup.

Since the last post James McKenzie offered helpful information leading to our finding the grave site of his great-grandparents, John Andrew & Mary Henderson Stickel (Mary was the sixth child born to Edwin and Eliza Henderson). Their memorial along with another sister, Sarah, is located nearby to Lydia Henderson Thorpe.

This memorial is located next to the roadway. It stands nearby the memorial to Lydia Thorpe , Mary’s oldest sister and and Sarah Henderson, 4th borne, a twin – hence the three Sisters memorial site. This photo shows their relative position – and my masterful photographic ability (“Lydia” is northeast of “J. Andrew”).

Note: The infant Frank, twin to Ray Stickel, was interred at the desecrated burial site of Williams & Henderson- “Frank’s” Base stone and Marker stone was recovered and are now located at Sire “B” with his grandparents. The partial stone at the lower left is shown below and memorializes Sarah Helen Henderson (unmarried), 4th child of Edwin & Mary Henderson, sister of Lydia Thorpe & Mary Stickel.

With the assistance of sexton Dan Bishop, we located the burial site of Ray & Lena Stickel. He advised that Jim and their daughter, Helen Stickel McKenzie are interred to the north of this location.

The gps roadway position relative to this site is seen below – the memorials can be seen in the second row, West of this position.

Lena closeup

Ray closeup

A memorial located just south of this plot depicts a Stickel child. The relationship is unknown to me.

This is the home of Ray and Lena Stickel in Greenfield, IL. Among those living here I can recall are, Lena Stickel, my grandparents – J B and Eliza (Dot) Thornton, my great aunt Effie Thorpe, Vince & Elsie Marquess (and first borne, Charles Vince, maybe Missy?), Jim and Helen McKenzie – their children Jim, Becky, & Jan. (Seems there should be others?)

Jesse & Eliza (Dot) Thornton moved into this home Cir. 1951. They resided in the west (left) section and south side of the first floor. Aunt Effie Thorpe had a bedroom upstairs as I recall. ….. Prior to his passing, J B and Dot, spent a period of time in the local nursing home, but grandma chose to bring grandpa back to this “rust red bare brick home” where she attended to his needs until God called him to meet his Lord and Savior face to face.

At that time (1957) a youngster in Greenfield (named Joe, as I recall, maybe 11 years of age?) put in writing, his introspection of their last months together in the McKenzie home. It would fit nicely with this history, as would the quilted picture, by Jan (McKenzie) showing this edifice. For several years grandma’s “money pudding’ was enjoyed in this home by many. both family and friends. Some of you may have that “recipe”?

Found a photo of Jan’s quilt;

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Update to Site A – I located some photos of the home of Martin Thorpe. The first is an artist depiction of the homestead prepared for the Greene County platbook of the late 1800’s. Advise if you are interested in the article published with this artistry.

This is a photo of the home, captured in 2008.

The current owners – Jim and Wilma Davis, recently deceased, took great care of the home as recognized in this more recent photo.

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Update to Site B; This home was built by Edwin & Eliza (Williams) Henderson. The three ladies standing are, I believe, Grandma Eliza, Aunt Effe and Miss. _______?. The following obits give some insight into her relationship with (grandma) Eliza Henderson. …… “Let me get my “thinking cap” on and see if that will help me?”

Much better, for sure! ………. Her name is Orsa O’Flyng (or O’Flinn).

This home was lived in until it’s foundation stones and lower brick were crumbling due to it’s mass. The following photo was captured two years prior to it’s demolition.

“My photographic skill needs help, big time. The home stood upright, not as depicted here! It was settling, not leaning!”

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The following is believed to be the home built by Wm W Williams and is published, with the accompanying article, in the book published 2015, titled; “Pioneers and Settlers of Greene County, IL”. …… The state of Illinois was opened for occupation in the year 1819 (methink) and those who pioneered and settled in the first 20 years are subjects of the book.

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… and his obituary. (Note; I am not the person referred to as “provided to me”, below.)

The obituary of Eliza Jane Williams Henderson, daughter of William W Williams. (The original and a “typed” version follows.)

A note on the published obituary was shared that gives credence to the relationship of Orsa O’Flyng and Grandma Eliza Jane (Williams) Henderson. The “mother of Helen Henderson” is in reference to Sarah Helen Henderson, unmarried daughter, whose memorial stone is seen above, with Lydia Henderson Thorpe, Site C.

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Wm W Williams life is considered by Betty Silvey in a longer record leading to her family on another branch of the tree. She gives the ancestry of Wm. W. Williams and a full breakdown of those, relative to the “Desecrated Burial Site”, we are now remembering.

If you are unable to open these PDF files (or files elsewhere) , go to; https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html and/or let me know what you use and I will attempt to convert the files to your liking.

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Not sure what comes next —- Oh, Thanks to my “thinking cap” I now remember to add these obituaries, to Site C, Lydia Thorpe, of her unmarried children, daughter Effe, and son Franklin Robert.

Our dear Aunt Effe was near her wit’s end when her younger brother, “Bobby”, was killed. Just a few weeks earlier her mother, Lydia Thorpe, had passed away from an harsh illness and her dear sister, (grandma) “Dot” Thornton, was in Japan. A letter she sent to her sister, Eliza, explained the loneliness she felt as she sorted out their mothers belongings and dealt them away to family and friends. She rented out the house, which Lydia Thorpe had purchased at a time when a “man”, not “woman” were owners of real estate. One, Mr. Barton, went on her behalf to insure she was worthy of owning property and perhaps was a guarantor? ……….. If I can locate that letter, will add it for your info/knowledge ……. Map update pointing to the burial site our great aunt Effe and her brother “Bobby” burial – at site “C”.

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What is next? I think it is now past my thinking for the day, but my trusty “think cap” drives me to publish this and get back to physical activity. …………… Kate sent this to me (us) after one of her spring trips to the lower 48. I lost any verbiage that might have accompanied these, but some of (us) might be able to explain who she is. I think this Sarah A. (Mrs. SW) Thornton is grandpa Jesse B Thornton’s mother? The cemetery is in Colorado.

Her headstone –

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The Generations of the Henderson Family – begin with James Henderson, pioneer. The following Word document lists, to the best of my ability, the generations of our Henderson ancestors. Do send any additions you may have available, and corrections you are likely to find. … Find yourself in the listing, find others in your generation.

Send updates and corrections that apply to your family by posting, or send to me.

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It is interesting to think on those who went before. We are truly happy that we found both headstones of the two people that all of us can refer to as grandpa Edwin and grandma Eliza Henderson. When I probed for the stones I had no idea which stones were to be found. What are the odds – we have the memorial stone of these two, as well as the memorial for two (William Williams & Lydia Whitehurst) of the four folks who brought them into this world? The other two(James and Mary White Henderson) are buried in their family cemetery in the Whitehall, IL area.) These primary stones are barely scratched while the majority were demolished completely. God is good!

For corrections and oversight, text me using 217 368 2355 or e-mail to 6samjr@gmail.com …… Please consider adding obituaries of others in the family that might help us better understand our relationship. One subscriber made the comment., “I don’t understand how we are related”? Hopefully this effort will give understanding to, both us, and the upcoming generations of our relationship and ancestry!

the very Last – I welcome any of you to be a publisher of this blog. It is prepaid for one year. That should be adequate for everyone to capture what they want. And we can add the 6th and 7th, and more generations – that is up to you?

With our love, we trust you have an enjoyable Christmas 2024!

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“Susie, where is the bucket list”?