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WHITMORE Carroll Co IL
The Christopher Rohrer Whitmore family originated in President Twp. Venango County PA and moved to Cherry Grove Illinois in 1866. Like many people who made the western migration Christopher Whitmore was looking for more land to farm and support his ever growing family (by the 1870 census he had 11 children). Christopher remarried after the untimely death of his first wife Mary Kieler. Christopher Whitmore was born in Venango County PA about 09 March 1817, making him at the time of his arrival in Cherry Grove about 48 years old. By the 1870 Census, Christopher Whitmore had a prosperous farm in Cherry Grove Township worth $16,000.00 and a large family consisting of his new spouse Caroline (Keener) Whitmore born in 1830 and their eleven living children.
Christopher married 1st Mary Keiler about 1838. Mary was born about 1820, died about 1857 Children with Mary Keiler were: Simon Whitmore 16 Apr 1839 d. 03 May 1841
His 2nd marriage to Charlotte Keener was 18 January 1858. She was born 2 March 1830 - died 25 March 1907.
Children with Charlotte Keener were:
The Whitmore's arrival in Cherry Grove was soon followed by a wedding and a funeral. The Whitmore’s and their near neighbors the Yordy’s rapidly became close friends. Both families were farmers and both came from Pennsylvania. Soon they were related through marriage as well. The Illinois State Archives lists returning Civil War veteran Christian Yordy Jr.,as married to Francis Whitmore on October 16, 1866. Francis and Christian Yordy had two children by their marriage: Minnie L.Yordy born 1867
Their wedding was followed closely by the tragic death of Francis older brother Thomas Jefferson Whitmore. Thomas Jefferson, though only 24 years old at the time of his death, had led a life filled with excitement and danger. “TJ” as he was known, had survived the Civil War and over three years of hard fighting. One of the first to answer Lincoln’s call for volunteers; he joined the 83rd PA Infantry in August 1861. As private with the 83rd PA Infantry and later served with the 6th Veterans Reserve Corps marched and fought over most of the eastern theater of war. Thomas Jefferson’s regiment the 83rd Regiment was one of the most famous regiments in the war. The 83rd’s claim to fame can be stated very simply. In the bloodiest conflict in American history it lost more people killed in action and from disease then any other regiment but one. The 5th New Hampshire lost 295 while the 83rd lost 282 in combat. As a member of the 83rd he saw savage fighting at Malvern Hill and Gains Mill, TJ was badly wounded at the Battle of 2nd Manassas where he received a gun shot wound in the left leg; a wound which appears never to have healed correctly. He later rejoined his old regiment and marched to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where he participated in the critical defense of Little Round Top. After the Gettysburg battle he was assigned on account of his inability to walk to the 6th VRC. The VRC (Veterans Reserve Corps) were normally composed of men who could not participate on active service because of wounds but were still capable of doing light duty. In 1864 the sudden attack of Confederate General Jubal Early on Washington, D.C. required the Union government to order the 6th VRC to defend the capital. TJ saw battle as the 6th and other rapidly thrown together groups won the day at Monocracy, Maryland. In all, TJ was in 15 major battles and many skirmishes. By the time of his discharge on September 10, 1864 Thomas Jefferson Whitmore was ill and still recovering from a festering wound. He returned to the family home in PA just in time to join them on their journey to Illinois. Arriving there some time in 1866, he was taken ill and died July 14, 1867. He was buried by his grieving family at Shannon’s Shelley Cemetery.
George and Barbara Whitmore had four living children: Anna Ruth Feb 24, 1871 d. Mar 14, 1901
John Franklin Whitmore ( 7/12/1872-1/14/1910)
1860 Census for Illinois and Pennsylvania
Military Service Records from the National Archives and Records Administration: Christian Yordy, 93rd Illinois Infantry Company D John Yordy 26th Illinois Infantry Company B&D and Thomas Jefferson Whitmore 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry Company G and 6th Reserve Corps Company E file under Thomas J. “Whitmer”. Pension Folders: Christian Yordy VA File # XC 2-655-186 and John Yordy VA Cert # 750141 and Elizabeth Yordy VA Cert # 588983NARA Yordy and Whitmore Family Bibles in possession of Ms. Gene Sharp Photographs of Yordy and Whitmore Family: from the collection of Ms. Gene Sharp
NOTES AND SOURCES:
First our brief Whitmore/Yordy family chronicle is dedicated with love to the memory of Lucile Marie Whitmore (1909 -2000), granddaughter of George W. Whitmore and Barbara Ann Yordy. For many years Lucile carefully preserved the Whitmore and Yordy family bibles and passed on to us three dozen carte de visite’s and three tintypes. Her love of history and her strong desire to preserve the family legacy for future generations was our inspiration.
C. Elizabeth Davidson, San Diego CA for photos and information on Christopher and Charlotte Whitmore and their daughters Anzonetta and Carrie Whitmore.
Nancy Hartman, Bellwood, NE., for her information and photos of Benjamin Yordy & Susan Conrad and their family.
Dr. Trish Herr, Lancaster County PA., for information on coverlet makers in general and details of Christian and Benjamin Yordy's career.
Roy W. Johnston, Central City NE, for his photos and information on the headstones of Christopher R. Whitmore and Charlotte Whitmore at Central City Cemetery, Central City Nebraska.
Kim Kerr for valuable information and advice on the Whitmore and Yordy family.
Diane Long, Santa Barbara CA and Steven Brenner, St Louis MO. for their photos and information regarding Adam Brenner and Susannah Yordy Brenner and their family.
Sharon Olsen, Huffman Tx., for information on the Whitmores and Yordy's in Shannon Illinois and her photos of Thomas Jefferson Whitmore George W. Whitmore and Barbara Ann Yordy grave stones.
Karen Stafford, Grand Island NE., for her information, thoughts and analysis of the lives and travels of the Whitmore and Yordy families and photos of Warren Chesterfield Whitmore.
Joann Teagarden, Anamosa IA., for her photos and information regarding Benjamin Franklin Whitmore and his family
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Ray Whitmore Shannon High School Baseball
Ray Whitmore Shannon High School Basketball
