Douglas County Museum: Reference Library/Genealogical Services

Church information if filed in a single drawer under the title on the folders found within (some by town name, some by church title). Churches on file include the following:

Baptist
- Antioch Baptist - Oakland
- Arthur Baptist
- Bourbon Baptist
- Primitive Baptist - Hindsboro
- Tuscola First Baptist
Catholic
- Forty Martyrs - Tuscola
- Sacred Heart - Villa Grove
- St. John's - Arcola
- St. Mary's - Pesotum (Champaign County)
Christian
- Bache Chapel - Ficklin
- Christian Church - Arcola
- Church of Christ - Kemp
- Church of God - Newman
- Church of God - Tuscola
- Community Church - Hugo
- Congregational Church - Atwood
- Congregational Christian Church - Tuscola
- First Christian (South Side Christian) - Tuscola
- Friendly Grove - north of Ficklin
- Hindsboro Christian
- Mennonite Church - Arthur
- Mount Zion - Tuscola Township
- Newman Christian Church
- Pentecostal Church - Arthur
- Pleasant Ridge - Newman
- Rural Retreat - Kemp
- Vine Street Christian - Arthur
- Walnut Grove
- West Ridge
Church of Christ
- Church of Christ - Newman
- Lake Fork Church of Christ - Atwood
- United Church of Christ - Atwood
- United Church of Christ - Tuscola
- Villa Grove Church of Christ
- Zion Evangelical Church of Christ
- Zion United Church of Christ - Arthur
Lutheran
- Immanuel Lutheran - Tuscola
- St. Paul Lutheran - Hindsboro
- St. Paul's Evangelical - Arcola
Methodist
- Arcola Methodist
- Atwood Methodist
- Camargo Methodist
- Cartwright Methodist
- Fairland
- Filson M.E.
- Garrett Methodist
- Hindsboro Methodist
- Mt. Gilead 1872-1873
- Murdock Methodist
- Nelson Chapel - Tuscola Twp. - cemetery 1864
- Newman Methodist
- Otterbein Church - Newman - 1872
- Tuscola Methodist
- United Methodist - Newman
- Villa Grove Methodist - 1889
- Wesley Chapel Community Church - Newman - 1891
L.D.S. Mormon - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Tuscola
Miscellaneous
- Filson Dedication Plans
- Filson Rebuilding Project
- Hindsboro - Filson - Mt. Gilead
- Journals of Religioius Education
- Notebook of Correspondence March 21-December 31, 1946
- Preachers
- Sunday School Association
Nazarene
- Arcola Nazarene
- Tuscola Nazarene
Presbyterian
- Arcola Presbyterian
- Fairfield - Newman
- Okaw Presbyterian - Fillmore
- Newman Presbyterian - Shaw Memorial
- Tuscola First Presbyterian
- Notebook (black) - circa 1979, Board of Deacons, First United Presbyterian Church, Tuscola
United Church
- Lake Fork United Church of Christ - Atwood
- United Church of Atwood
- United Bretheren of Chesterville

Lida Jane Hunt Papers

Miss Hunt was an avid genealogist, as well as a correspondent for the Champaign – Urbana News-Gazette. She was a prolific writer, and the resulting “Lida Jane Hunt Papers” is an extensive collection of local history. The collection has been sorted by subject and is held in five file drawers in the museum’s archives room:

Drawer 1: Address Book; Advertising; Agriculture-Corn; Agriculture-Soybeans; Alaska-Statehood; Allerton Park; Alpha; Arcola Grist Mill; Arcola High School; Art-USA; Arthur-Nursing Home; Attorneys; Bailey, Mary E.; Barnett, H.S.; Beall, Sarah; Bennett, Joseph; Bird, Cora D. (Phipps); Blair; Boone, Thomas; Boyce, Dr. A. E.; Genealogy-Botkin; Bozarth, W. A.; Bridges; Broadlands; Buchanan, Billy Buck; Burmeister, John; Butler, A. C. book-Persimmons (see drawer 4); Calvert, Henly, Anderson; Camargo Methodist Church; Camargo Women’s Club; Campfire Girls; Cannon, Uncle Joe; Cantrall, J. R.; Carroll Murder Case; Chadwick, Ellen Russell; Chaney; Christmas Seal Campaign Results 1963-1992; Chronologies; Civil War; Clocks; Coles County Asiatic Choleria 1951; Collins, Oscar A.; Colyer, W. L.; Cooch; Coppock; Correspondent (see Drawer 2); Cosby, W. Randolph; Cox, Curtis M; D. A. R.; Daughters of the American Colonist; Daughters of Union Veterans; Davis, Jefferson; Deaths and funeral notices; Decatur Herald; Decatur History; Denton; Depression C. W. A.; Depression, Presidential Election; Derrickson, Mrs.; Dickens Club; Dickson, Frank H.; Dodds, Margaret Carrier; Dotson, Melinda J.; Douglas County American Legion; Douglas County Circuit Court; Douglas County Fair; Douglas County Farm Bureau; Douglas County Farms; Douglas County History; Douglas County Maps; Douglas County Plat Book 1978; Douglas County School; Douglas County T. B. Association; Drake; DUV annual reports (see Drawer 4); Drury Law Suit; Eastern Star Education; Ellars; Fair, Chicago, 1993; Fair, St. Louis 1904; Farmers Mutual Benefit Assoc.; Fay, Harvey; Ficklin, O. B.; Firehouse 5; Floyd, Martha Blair; Frahm, Frazier; Freche, Rev. G. A.; Freeport High School; Galbreath, Charles; GAR; Garr, C. C.; Gates; Genealogy Sources; Golden, Mrs. Gilbert; Green, Tack; Grimes, George W.; Hackett; Hallowell, Sam; Hammack, John H.; Hawkings; Hayden, Bruce K.; Helm, George and Loretta; Helm, Grover R. Tipton; Henderson; Henson, Nancy Ann; Herons, R. D.; Herrick, Lott Note; Hood Family; Hop Long; Houk, Long; Lincoln, Abraham; Household furnishings; Huff, Jennie Mae; Hugo; Hunt, Absolom; Hunt, Bessie; Hunt, Carl; Hunt contract for cutting trees of right of way; Hunt, Edgar J.; Hunt Estate – Museum Gifts; Hunt family; Hunt far; Hunt, Forest Joseph; Hunt Genealogy; Hunt, Harriet E.; Hunt, James Denton; Hunt, John; Hunt, John C.; Hunt, Joseph; Hunt, Lewis Wilson; Hunt, Lyda Jane Ancestral Chart; Hunt, Lyda Jane personal writings; Hunt, Lida Jane wills; Hunt, Miles; Hunt, Miles Edgar; Hunt, Thomas; Hunt, William; Hunt, Wilson; Hunt, W. T. S.; Huntsville; Illinois Committee for American Relief; Illinois Governors; Illinois History; Illinois Military School Homecoming 1926; Illinois Historical Society Library reference books; Illinois Woman’s College itineraries; Jarman Hospital; Jolley, Ernest; Kenner (see Drawer 4); LaGrange; Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; Larimer, Mr. and Mrs. I. L.; Leap Year; Lebanon cemetery association; Light (Licht?); Hunt, Elvira Hunt (c ); Hunt, William; Lewis, Wilson; Lincoln, Abraham Genealogy; Link, Clayton; Loan 1924; Marler family, Marshall Fields; Martin, Wm. S. Dr. and grandson Edwin A. Link; Mattoon tornado; McDowell family (see Drawer 3); McGinnis, Ward A.; McGrew, Mary Low Bell; McKee; McMahon Bros. Printer; Merica House; Moore family; Moultrie County; Mt. Gilead Church; Murdock, Il.; Murphey, Eli; Obituaries; Okaw Valley; Oklahoma City; Old Abe – The Eagle; Old Glass; Old Lebanon cemetery; Old Settlers Reunion 1894; Onchen, Lyle (see Drawer 4); Overall family genealogy; Pace, W. W.; Parker, Bob; Parker, Oliver Lincoln; Peck; Penn, Wm.; Plant, H. B.; Politics-National Politics-State Politics, women in politics; Presidents, W.S. First Ladies; Price; Railroad, Chicago & Eastern; Railroad, Illinois Central; Railroad, Paris and Decatur; Reat, Samuel C.; Recitals, etc.; Reed, Jim; Reference books; Renton; Ryder; Richards; Richman, John; Ringer, Fred; Road; Roberts, Ralph H.; Robertson, Jessica; Rotary Club, Tuscola’ Sadorus High School; Sandusky family; Scattering Fork; Scott, John O.; Shaver, Eloise; Shakespeare studies; Simpson, Harold John; Sloan family; Smiley Burnette; Smith, Charles S.; Smith, E. L.; Smith, Lucy; Stamps; Stenger, Joe; Strehle, Edith Weller; Studentana – Ella & Lydia Hunt; Sullivant, Michael; Tabaka, Will; Taylor, Charles B.; Telegraph; Thode, Virginia Biddle; Thomas, James; Thompson, Dorothy Brown; Tipton, John; Tipton, Wm.; Tomlinson Family.
Drawer 2: Tuscola Bank robberies; Tuscola photo file (see Drawer 5); Tuscola businesses; Tuscola Business and Professional Women’s Club; Tuscola business receipts and invoices; Tuscola Cemetery; Tuscola churches; Tuscola doctors; Tuscola Epworth League; Tuscola fires; Tuscola Grade Schools; Tuscola High School; Tuscola History; Tuscola Home Bureau; Tuscola Homecoming; Tuscola homes; Tuscola Hotels; Tuscola Jarman Hospital; Tuscola Journal; Tuscola Library; Tuscola – Mather’s addition; Tuscola Memorial 1904; Tuscola politics; Tuscola preachers; Tuscola dairies; Tuscola school board; Tuscola railroad; Tuscola sidewalks ordinance 1902; Tuscola social events; Tuscola soldiers and sailors memorial arch; Tuscola taxes; Tuscola teachers; Tuscola tornadoes; trees; Woman’s club; Woman’s club year books (see Drawer 4); USI; U.S. Industrial Chemical Corp; U.S &ER, Edward-Leonard; Van Doren, Carl; Van Doren family; Van Doren, Irita; Villa Grove churches; Villa Grove Women’s Club; Vinson, Ella Kelly; Waddington, J. C.; Wamsley, D. H. Judge; Ward, David and wife; Warren, W. D. S.; Weaver family; Weddings; Williams, Bruce T.; Williams family; Williams, J. T.; Whitehill, Wm.; Williams, Kate G.; Williams Reunion; WWI (see also correspondence from Hunt, Glenn); WWII – see correspondence from Simpson, Hal – Kelly – Oliver H.; Wilt, Bob – WWII Navy; Worley, John H.; World’s Columbian Exposition – Miscellaneous; Yarnell (see Drawer 4) Correspondence A – Henson, Allbae; Allerton, Robert; Anderson, G. W.; Associated Press; Auten, Charles; Baer, Willis; Brandt, Margaret; Barwick, Cleo; Bays, Wm.; Belle, Bena; Berger, Della; Bevan, Lucie; Birth Announcement; Bobbs, Lucile; Bogart, Mrs. E.L.; Ballard, Kyda Jean; Botkin, Doci; Botkin, Elmer; Botkin Family; Botkin, Dr. J. W.; Botkin, Wm. E.; Briggs, Estelle; Brown, Grace; Brown, Imogene – Aunt Sallie; Buchanan, Alice; Calvert, Henley; Calvert, Venae; Cards, Miscellaneous; Cashford, Ned; Chipman; C. W. James; Coggins, Eulalia; Clhen, Julius; Coleman, M. G.; Conant, Grace; Cosler, Lucie; Cox, Jessie; Cullen, J.; Danville High School; Decatur Herald; Denton, Dwight; Denton Family; Diana Clockwors; Dickinson, Byron J. O.; Dickinson, Patty; Dickinson, R.; Dolch, Marguerite; Dukek, Nancy and Bill; Dukote, Corrine; Duplain, Cora; Duplain, Jos.; Ellen; Erickson, Mrs. Charles D.; Erickson, Erna; Farmer,John G.; Ferguson, T. H.; Fisk’s Teachers Agency; Fleming, J. T. Jr.; Fox, Susan; Frank, Frances; Frazier, Geo.; Gaines, John and Emma; Gaines, Wm. S.; Green, Philip; Gurney, Dr.; Haner, Nancy; Hansen, Willard S.; Hargis, Bessie; Harris, Chester R.; Harris, Ensmett; Hayden, B. K.; Hayward, Al; Hill, Gertrude Ervin; Henson, Charles W.; Henson, Clarabelle (2); Henson, David; Henson, May; Henson, Wm.
Drawer 3: Hilgenberg; Hill, Edgar E.; Hill, Jeanette; Hill, John; Hill, Mattie B.; Hasmer, Hall; Horoscope; Howard, Albert West; Hunt, Bess; Hunt, Burleigh; Hunt, D. L.; Hunt, E. Bert; Hunt, Emma M.; Hunt, Gayle; Hunt, Gladys; Hunt, Glenn; Hunt, “Hall” Henry B.; Hunt Harry B.; Hunt, John C.; Hunt, Lida; Hunt, Mamie; Hunt, Miles; Hunt, Marsha; Hunt, Momie; Hunt?, Nancy A.; Hunt, Oliver P.; Hunt, O. V.; Hunt, Teaching; Hunt, Wm. T. S.; Hunt, W. T. S.; Poetry; Jeffers, F. F.; Jewel, Cora; Johnson, Pearl Barnett VanPraag; Johnson, Violet; Jones, Mabel; Kagey, Martha F.; Kayser, Berl & Bill; Kayser, Frances; Kayser, Grace; Keefer, Malinda; Keefer, Kelly; Kelly; Kelly, Oliver H.; Klever, Annie; Leah; Lester; Lightfoot, Thomas M.; Lincoln Family; Link, Edwin; Lorraine; Lynn & Charles; Lyons, Mrs. Robert (Mabel); Martin, Laura; Martin, Wm. H.; Mason, John R.; Matthews, R. C.; McCarty, Samuel; McCormick, Mary; Medill, Mrs. Ruth; McCutheon, Dorothy; McDowell, Catherine; McDowell, Catherine; McDowell, Grace; McDowell, Jean; McDowell, Jennie; McDowell, John B.; McDowell, Lela; McKee, Bessie (see also Hargis, Bessie M. C. McKee); McKee, Carl; McKee, Laura J.; McKee, Sarah (Mrs. A.A.); McKinsty, Mrs. J. H.; McMahon, Jane; McMahon, Jennie; McMahon, Lucille; McMahon, Mae; McMillan, John A.; McWilliams, Owen J.; Merritt, C. H.; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Miller, Gerald; Mitchell, Lenola; Munson, J.; Murphy, Belva; Murphy, Franklin; Ione, Nellie; Oakerson, Alonso; Oreim, Thor; Owen, Overyl; Parker, Olina J.; Peck, Ben; Pfrangle, R. A.; Phillips, Anna; Phillips, Floyd, Picthice, Pauline; Poetry; Reed, Jean D.; Rice, W. E.; Richman, John A.; Romine, Margaret; Rucilla; Rund, Thelma Innis; Runyon, Mildred; Sadler, Bob; Sanders, John; Shephard, Mrs. C. E.; Sherman, Stuart P.; Simmons, J. W.; Simpson, C. Oliver; Simpson, Hal; Sipp, B. Estelle; Smith, Charles S.; Smith, Mary; Smith, Mollie; Smith, Wayne G.; Stalker, Charles; Stanton, Leta; Stevenson, Emma; Stevenson, G. F.; Stevenson, Rachel; Stewick, Marjem; Thomas Family Genealogy; Thomas, Glenn; Thomas, Harold H.; Town, Elizabeth; Tullis, George & Nona; Usher, George; Usner, Edward; Valery, Dollie; Wamsley, Jean E.; Waniger, Amanda; Wardall, Lillian; Wardall, Pearl; Weaver, C. R.; Wedding Invitations &announcements (see Drawer 4); Weller, Eliza; Wells, Bertha Hunt; Whallon, Mrs. Thomas; Will & Frances; Williams, Wm. Aratus C.; Williams, Effie; Williams, H. L.; Williams, Wayne; Wilt, Bob; WWI letters; Hunt; Wright, Fred; Yarnell, Daniel.
Drawer 4: McDowell-Yarnell Genealogy; Hunt family history; Hunt Miscellaneous; Keener family; Koehneman, Bob; McDowell Family; Yarnell Family; Yarnell Data; Yarnell Genealogy.
Drawer 5: Genealogy Book – Hunt, Henson, McDowell, Yarnell, Denton, Keener, Botkin. Also info on Lida Jane Hunt’s farm. Butler, A. C. book persimmons, Commencement announcements, Douglas County Soil Survey; DUV annual reports; envelope, empty; GAR encampment; Hunt, Lida Jane autographs; Lida J. Hunt Diary 1918-1934; November 1938-1940; 1945; Poetry Lida Jane Hunt; Hunt, Oliver P. suit in appellate court; autograph album of Jenny McDowell; Oneken, Lyle; Penrose, Joseph “see also Lightfoot”; photo file unidentified miscellaneous; State Hwy. Dept. Right of Way; Tuscola History; Tuscola Woman’s Club Year Books 1902-1970; weddings, invitations and announcements.

Obituary File

The Douglas County Museum's obituary file includes thousands of alphabetized obits dating through all decades of the county's history. The file was started by museum volunteer Louise York and is now added to regularly by volunteer Donna Thode. Each obituary is on a separate index card that includes last name, first name of the deceased, date of birth, date of death, the obituary article, and the name and date of the newspaper in which the article appeared (if known). In the case of larger or multiple obituaries, the same information is included in an envelope rather than on an index card. These obituaries are not comprehensive. They are newspaper clippings given to us from estates and interested individuals and gleaned from a myriad of other sources. Although not comprehensive, it is nevertheless a tremendous resource for genealogists and researchers because it is so massive.

An alphabetical list of the obituary holdings in the museum's Vertical Files is currently being computerized. The list will include the last name/first name of the deceased, as well as the year of death. Please return to our website at a later date to browse our obituary index. Also, if any of our readers have obituaries for persons not listed on the museum's obituary index, you are encouraged to make a copy of them and send them to: Obituaries, Douglas County Museum, 700 S. Main Street, Tuscola, IL 61953.