Chatsworth Illinois Memories
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6:32pm 12-19-2022

Joe Newman

Thank you for your work on this site. Your link for the virtual cemetery for the victims of the train wreck does not link. Here's one that looks complete: https://www.findagrave.com/virtual-cemetery/333059?page=1#sr-89792361.

9:06am 10-18-2022

Laurie Ann Kealing

Hi: I have two pieces of furniture from my grandmother - she lived near Chatsworth Il in the early 1900's. There is a piece of paper nailed to the back of the furniture pieces with the name C.J. Becker , Chatsworth Ill. Do you know anything about this person? Just curious - maybe he was the furniture salesman? The pieces are from the Connersville Cabinet Co. in Indiana

3:05pm 09-02-2022

Jenny Goembel Martin

Hi Mary, My sister found your website while looking for information about our father, Donald D. Goembel. She shared the article with me. “Chatsworth and Forrest Men Killed in Truck Accident” Oct 9, 1961. The date is wrong. The accident occurred October 12, 1961 and our dad was buried October 15, 1961. Not sure why the dates were not included in the article itself. Also, the ages of most of my siblings are incorrect. If possible, could you please change the date of the article? Thank you, Jenny Goembel Martin

7:42am 06-30-2022

Rhonda

My great grandparents were married in the First Baptist Church in Chatsworth in 1899. They were Alva and Cora Dann. Does the church still exist? I can’t find anything on it. Cora’s mother was Hannah Storey Pearson who attended the church.

10:53am 04-14-2022

Mary Umlauf

I have not been able to locate a death certificate for a family member who died in the train wreck. Chatsworth should have issued these official documents - correct?

Family member - Elizabeth McMorine Allen (identified as Mrs. Wm. Allen, Peoria)

10:49am 04-14-2022

Mary Umlauf

Please add obituary information in the list of deceased of the train wreck (my husbands great-grandmother).

Elizabeth McMorine Allen (identified as Mrs. Wm. Allen, Peoria)
Elizabeth was the daughter of Robert and Nancy Agnes Beattie McMorine. She was born in Brompton Gore, Estrie Region, Quebec, Canada. She married William M. Allen at Melbourne, Canada on November 18th, 1879. They had one son, Arthur William Allen. At the time of her death, Elizabeth, her husband and 6 year old son resided at 520 Fourth Avenue in Peoria, Illinois. Her husband was a contractor and builder in Peoria, Illinois. Elizabeth was laid to rest in Saint Andrews Cemetery in Melbourne, Quebec, Canada, near where her parents were later buried.

Thank you.

10:42am 06-21-2021

LISA FITZPATRICK

I am Ron & Ruth Shafer's oldest grandchild. My mom is Karen. LOVE the site!! I have lots of information on the Glabe & Shafer family's for genealogy researchers.

10:26am 02-17-2021

Ann F

Mary, thanks so very much for the website and all the many many hours of work you spent putting it together, I am a descendent of R H Clark, whose second wife and little son were on the train. The Aug 13 New York Times article was very specific about what happened. While its very sad to read about, this was an important piece of family history and I'm sharing it with others who want to know more Thanks! Ann F

10:12pm 09-22-2019

Beth

My Great-grandpa was supposedly in this train wreck. His name was Thomas Lawrence (20 years of age about). I did find a Thomas Lawrence that was taken to Piper City due to his injuries. The family story is that he laid in a corn field for three days with a broken leg before he was found. He always had a limp....does this sound correct? Is there any where else I could look to find out if this is him? He is buried in Union Ridge Cemetery in Norwood Park, IL. Thank you for your work on this! Interesting website!

1:46am 06-12-2019

Robert Gleeson

Hi Mary,

I appreciate your sharing the info on the train wreck. My 4th great aunt died on scene in the wreck and her full name was "Wilhelmina (Lodder) Garretson" I have recently found her grave marker and if you care to add it in lieu of the other tributaries you have, her find-a-grave ID is 121776216.

Thanks!
Robert Gleeson

Replied on: 7:07am 06-12-2019

Robert, thank you for the note. The train wreck is a very important part of our history. I will gladly add your information. Find a grave has been a great resource for headstones.Not sure which page I will add it, but I will definately gent it added.

2:03pm 05-31-2019

MAUREEN MULLIGAN

I LIVE IN RIVERSIDE, IL, A SUBURB OF CHICAGO. I RLIKE YOU WORK ON FAMILY HISTORY AND RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT MY FATHERS, FATHER WAS BORN IN CHATSWORTH. MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE PLANNING TO MAKE A TRIP TO CHATSWORTH IN JUNE AND WOULD LOVE TO MEET WITH YOU IF YOU WOULD BE WILLING. I WANT TO RESEARCH ANYTHING I CAN FIND ON WILLIAM E LAHEY AND HIS FATHER THOMAS LAHEY. MY FATHER WAS WILLIAM THOMAS LAHEY, AND I BELIEVE THOMAS LAHEY WAS HIS GRANDFATHER.
IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO MEET, ANY HELP YOU COULD GIVE ON RESEARCH WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
WE COULD COME TO CHATSWORTH ON JUNE 12, 18, OR 20.
THANK YOU FOR THIS WEB SITE.
MAUREEN LAHEY MULLIGAN

Replied on: 6:11am 06-01-2019

Maureen-too bad you can't make it on June 17 thru 29, that is our Heritage Days weekend celebration. I know the Laheys were very much present in out past history. I am battling cancer and am in bed most of the time. If I am able, you could perhaps stop by, but I never know what each day bring. I am emailing you direct also, hoping you will get it, so be sure to check your spam or junk mail. I believe there are still some descents from that family living here in town and I can maybe direct you to them. Let me check that out. Please email me direct at [email protected]. if you read this. Mary

10:19am 03-25-2019

Carole Crumley

Hello Mary,
Thank you so much--I have found my grandmother Frances Knittles Irwin (this should be Erwin) who died of the 'flu in 1918. I found this line:
"All the years of her maidenhood were spent here and she was highly respected by the people of this city and by all who were acquainted with her." This makes this find very special for me, as my mother was only 3 when Frances died and I have few clues to her character.
best, Carole

Replied on: 9:15am 03-26-2019

Carole, Thank you for the note. I have made the corrections on her memorial. So glad to know how much such little things are appreciated! That's why I do what I do! You made my day!

9:54pm 02-23-2019

Laurie Richmond

I came across a few pictures of a train wreck which I believe may be the accident of 1887. These photos were in family belongings. I don't know what our connection is, but I wondered if anyone would be interested.
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Not sure if I was able to post the pictures on this Guest Book.

Replied on: 6:42am 03-04-2019

Laurie, the photos did not show up. I am emailing you direct. Be sure to check your spam box too. It will com from [email protected] w/ Chatsworth Train Wreck as subject. Thank you for this note.
Laurie, upon sending the email, Microsoft says there is no such domain. Do you have another email address?

Making second attempt to reach you by your gmail account.

8:36pm 11-04-2018

Margie Whittenbarger

Thanks Mary for all your work. Love looking up old stuff.

Replied on: 9:45am 11-05-2018

Thanks for visiting Margie. And it's great that you help Bob and Facebook with the obits. Fellow Bluebird Mary

3:11pm 10-02-2018

Teresa Euken

Thanks for all of your hard work! This is so interesting. I am trying to find information on my husband's great grandmother. Her name was Maria Koepke and it appears that she was born in Chatsworth on December 30, 1886. Later she moved to Sidney, Nebraska. Thank you! Teresa

Replied on: 9:43am 11-05-2018

Thank you for visiting Teresa. You have me on that one. I have never heard that surname. Was it her maiden name or married name. I would love to look into it further.

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