** V ** CONRAD VAN BROCKLIN , Died, in Florence, Saturday Nov. 3d, 1877, Mr. Conrad Van Brocklin, aged 75 years, 8 months and 13 days. The subject of these lines was born in Montgomery county, State of New York, in the year 1802, Feb. 21st. When about twenty years of age, removed to Lewis county, same State, where some ten years later he was married to Harriet Searl, his now surviving widow. Some two years after this they, with their little all, emigrated to the then unbroken wilds of this State. He was one of the first settlers in Stephenson county, the very first in the town of Florence, where he resided at the time of his death. The land that he located remained his home to the last. In time the log cabin that he built gave way to a stately residence, fortune having smiled propitiously on the labor of his hands. The bounties which fortune bestowed on him were freely given to those in need, but always with an unostentatious hand, given in secret, that he might be rewarded openly. He was a man of very firm character, strict integrity, and great personal worth; had a more than common genial nature, and a very kind and affectionate disposition. His attachments to friends and relatives were very strong and abiding. He made no public demonstrations of religion, but his every-day life and all his dealings with his fellow men were in strict accordance with all the principles of piety; surely his heart had been sprinkled with the blood of the covenant, or his life could not have been so pure. He believed in more of a union of Christian people here; thought it unscriptural that they should be guilty of such sad estrangements, crossing and recrossing one another on life's highway, with alien and jealous looks and acts, when professing to be sprinkled with the same blood to bear the same name and be heirs of the same inheritance. His last illness was of some five weeks duration, but he was not at any time pronounced dangerous by his attending physician, or considered so by his friends. The last two days of his life he seemed to be getting better; but death came like a thief in the night, sudden and unexpected, and almost before his family, who were around him administering to his wants, were aware of it, the golden bowl was broken, the silver cord loosened, and his spirit gone to the God who gave it. His funeral was largely attended by the old settlers of the surrounding country who had loved and respected him for many years, most of which celebrated his last birthday with him at his home, also by many friends and relatives. His remains were interred in the Florence cemetery, near the church which bears his name. His death is a great loss to his family, his neighborhood, and the entire community. To his bereaved widow in her old age, we would extend our deepest sympathy. Contributed by Karen Hammer (Genealogy Trails host for Olmsted Co MN) From the Freeport Weekly Journal Nov. 28, 1877 HARRIET VAN BROCKLIN , expired at her hom in Florence township, at six o'clock this Saturday morning. Her age was 84 years. It is stated the deceased was the victim of a paralytic stroke on Friday afternoon, and sustained a fall. She lingered through the night, and passed away quiet and peacefully to her rest. Among her children are: Mrs. George W. Rundlett, of this city; H. O. Van Brocklin, Florence; Mrs. Charles Dickey, Iowa; J. M. Van Brocklin, Corning, Iowa; Mrs. Rundlett, Wisconsin. Contributed by Karen Hammer Freeport Weekly Democrat Dec. 30, 1887 OBITUARY: Mrs. Harriet Van Brocklin, nee Serl, was born in 1803 in South Hampton, Mass., on the 13th of December, and in 1832, April 1st, was married to Conrad Van Brocklin. During the year 1835 the deceased, with her husband, came to this state, settling in Florence township, where she lived out the remainder of her earthly days. At the time of her death she was 84 years of age. In early life she joined the Methodist church, and for upwards of 60 years was a steadfast member of that denomination. Her deep religious convictions surrounded her with a class of friends that are a comfort through life. She was the mother of eight children, six of whom are now living. The funeral services were held at the Van Brocklin M. E. church. The attendance was very large, the many friends showing their profound respect for the memory of the deceased. The pastor, Rev. W. B. Frazell, assisted by Rev. F. A. Reed, officiated. Contributed by Karen Hammer - (Genealogy Trails host for Freeport Weekly Democrat Jan. 13, 1888 SYLVIA J. (ENDRESS) VANHORN , 58, of Pearl City died Sunday morning August 25, 1996 in her home. She and her husband farmed and operated a trucking company at Pearl City . Daughter of LaVere and Myrna (Thomas) Endress, she was born September 18, 1937 at Pearl City, and graduated from Pearl City High School . She and Marvin Van Horn were married in Pearl City . Survivors include her husband; four sons, Brad (Patricia) and Douglas (Karla) Van Horn, both of Pearl City, Brian (Ann Osborn) Van Horn of Morrison, and David Van Horn of Freeport; 11 grandchildren; her parents of Pearl City, and a brother, Dewey (Mary) Endress of Pearl City. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Offenheiser-Schwarz Funeral Home in Pearl city with the Rev, Milton L. Whitney and the Rev, Lee Luebke officiating, Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens , Freeport . Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established by the family. Contributed by Alice Horner MORGAN VAN MATRE , one of the oldest settlers of Stephenson county, died of tumor of the brain, January 8th, 1883, aged 70 years and one day. He was born in Ohio, Jan 7th 1813, and came to JoDaviess county in 1833. He removed to Oneco township, Stephenson county, in the spring of 1835, where he remained until death. He was married to his second wife, Luanna Denio, in 1837. She departed this life Oct. 29th, 1882, aged nearly sixty-six years. He was the father of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, eight of whom are now living. Mr. Vanmater was actively identified with all movements to advance the interests of the community in which he lived, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was for many years a consistent member of the Christian church. For a few months before death he was deprived of the use of his limbs and also the use of his mental powers, during which time he received the constant care and attention of loving children and friends. His funeral was held at Mt. Pleasant, Jan. 10th, in the midst of a severe storm which prevailed, and yet there was scarcely room to accommodate the many friends and neighbors in attendance, Rev. F. Nazarene, of the Orangeville M.E. church, officiated, preaching from 1 Cor.xv.53 NANCY VAN MATRE , 81, passes away Sunday evening Mrs. Nancy Van Matre, wife of J. J. Van Matre, passed away at her home at Orangeville at 8 o'clock last evening, after an illness of three weeks. Mrs. Van Matre was one of the oldest residents of the county and had resided in the vicinity of Orangeville for many years. She was 81 years old and was well known throughout the county. Her maiden name was Nancy Humphreys. She is survived by her husband and the following children: Mrs. R. L. Hopke of Orangeville; Miss Christie Van Matre, at home; James Van Matre, of Winslow; H. J. Van Matre, of Delavan, WI; and William Van Matre, of Orangeville. The funeral will be held at 1 o'clock tomorrow afternoon from the late home. Burial will be made at Pleasant Hill. Mr. and Mrs. James Grant, of this city, will attend the funeral, Mrs. Grant being a niece of the deceased. JAMES VAN SICKLE , 79, of Lena died Sunday afternoon in the hospital here following a lingering illness. He was born March 19, 1871, in Stephenson county, the son of Charles and Anna (Murphy) Van Sickle. His marriage to Miss Angie Smith took place Jan 28, 1901. Surviving besides the widow are two daughters, Mrs Gus (Vera) Okerburg of Rockford and Mrs Edgar (Fern) Gassman of Lena, one brother Irvin of Rockford, two sisters, Mrs Alice Smith of Eleroy and Mrs John (Emma) Bobb of Lena, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, one daughter, three brothers and his parents died previously. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Leamon funeral chapel. Rev. J.E. Smeltzer, pastor of the Church of the Brethern, will officiate. Interment will be in Lena Burial park. Contributed by Judy Morgan - "Journal-Standard", Freeport, Illinois, Dec 18, 1950 MYRNA M. VEER , a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, 98 of Freeport died Friday April 25, 2008 at Stephenson Nursing Center in Freeport. She was born on June 15, 1909 in Galena, Il, the daughter of Walter S. and Rosabelle (Martindale) Dyson. Myrna married William M. Veer on July, 31, 1926 in Freeport, Il; He later died on January 12, 1970. Myrna came to Freeport from Galena, Il at the age of five years old. She was a Housewife and a Homemaker. She was a member of First Church of Nazarene and The Freeport Chapter Viet-Now. Myrna was a wife to one, a mother of 14, and a friend to all. Surviving her are nine sons William(Charity) Veer, Franklin (Sheri) Veer, Karl (Evelyn) Veer, Ernest (Shirley) Veer, Sam (Sandra) Veer, and Ron Veer all of Freeport; Ralph (Kathy) Veer of Tompson, GA, John (Eileen) of Strawberry, AR, and Charles (Monique) of Peru, IN; Five daughters, Neva (Eugene) Barthel, Rosemary (Benny) Quintero, and Charity (David) Sullivan all of Freeport; Grace (Rockie) Heck of Orangeville, IL, and Beatrice Dean of Martin, TN; a special niece Patricia (Leonard) Huenefeld; over 50 grandchildren, as well as numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, great-great-great grandchildren and great-great-great-great grandchildren. Freeport Mayor George Gaulrapp is one of her grandsons. Preceding Myrna in death were her parents, husband, three sisters, six brothers, and six grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 Wednesday April 30, 2008 at Church of Nazarene with Pastor John Hollis officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3-8 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport, and Wednesday starting at noon until the time of service at the church. Bural will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. In leau of flowers a memorial has been established in her memory Contributed by John Veer - ROY E. VINCENT , 96, of Freeport died Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at Hawthorne Inn of Freeport. He was born Aug. 1, 1912, in Freeport the son of Earl and Pearl (Evans) Vincent. Roy was a draftsman more than 40 years at Micro Switch. He loved working on computers. He is survived by many nieces and nephews including Arnie and Sue Tice of Freeport, Hal and Linda Snedeker of Waukee, Iowa, Judy Crowther of Mount Vernon, Ohio, Lynn and Bonnie Boylan of Alexandria, Ohio, and Royann Svet of Sarasota, Fla. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dwayne “Jim” Vincent; his sister, Irene Snedeker; sister-in-law, Leona Vincent; brother-in-law, Earl “Bud” Snedeker; aunt, Tina Evans; and his niece, Rita Lewis. Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be no services. A memorial fund has been established for Friends Forever Humane Society. Journal Standard July 31, 2009 Surnames A Surnames B Surnames C Surnames D Surnames E Surnames F Surnames G Surnames H Surnames I Surnames J Surnames K Surnames L Surnames M Surnames N Surnames O Surnames P Surnames Q Surnames R Surnames S Surnames T Surnames U Surnames V Surnames W Surnames X Surnames Y Surnames Z