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471. Robert Elmer7 VAN GUNDY (Daniel William6, John5, David Jr4, David Sr3, Peter Sr2, Male1) was born in Milam Twp, Macon Co, IL April 25, 1887. Robert died May 5, 1952 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, at home at 1100 Bway, at 65 years of age. His body was interred in Greenhill Cem, Sullivan, Moultrie Co, IL. He married Edna Lucretia POWELL in Sullivan, Moultrie Co, IL, by John W Walters, Christian C, January 5, 1910. Edna was born in Moultrie Co, IL, at the Seass farm near Cadwell January 30, 1892. Edna died October 10, 1977 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, at 85 years of age. Her body was interred in Greenhill Cem, Sullivan, Moultrie Co, IL. At 20 years of age Edna became the mother of Agnes Corinne VAN GUNDY in Morocco, Newton Co, IN, April 16, 1912. At 21 years of age Edna became the mother of Laura Catherine VAN GUNDY in Salem, Marion Co, IL, December 14, 1913. At 22 years of age Edna became the mother of Elmer Henry "Bud" (changed to Robert Elmer) VAN GUN in Sullivan, Moultrie Co, IL, December 17, 1914. At 24 years of age Edna became the mother of William Ansell VAN GUNDY in Moultrie Co, IL, October 4, 1916. At 26 years of age Edna became the mother of Robert Earl VAN GUNDY in Morocco, Newton Co, IN, June 29, 1918. At 27 years of age Edna became the mother of Joseph Dewey "JD" VAN GUNDY in Morocco, Newton Co, IN, December 9, 1919. At 29 years of age Edna became the mother of Ella Carrie VAN GUNDY in Morocco, Newton Co, IN, April 18, 1921. At 31 years of age Edna became the mother of Edna Pearl VAN GUNDY May 25, 1923. At 32 years of age Edna became the mother of Eva Maxine VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, at 1100 Bway, January 26, 1925. At 35 years of age Edna became the mother of Wilma June VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, June 6, 1927. At 37 years of age Edna became the mother of John Louis "Jack" or "Derby" VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, at 1412 Moultrie, February 24, 1929. At 38 years of age Edna became the mother of Pauline Elizabeth "Paud" VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, at 1612 Prairie, December 10, 1930. At 42 years of age Edna became the mother of Doris Gene VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, at 1612 Prairie, March 7, 1934. Among the traits distinguishing Edna was the red hair she inherited from the Purvis side of her family via the Powells, which she in turn passed on to several of her own children and grandchildren. In later years her hair turned snow white, making a stunning contrast to the red dress she wore for special occasions. Another memorable feature was her exceptional mind which she retained until the end. In spite of having such a large family, she could recite full names and birth dates of each child and grandchild. In 1943 she was working at the Brown Shoe factory with a yearly income by 1949 of $2392.99. Later until about 1972, she worked as a patient aide (private duty sitter), many of her patients being younger than she was. Following Robert's death she lived in a tiny 2 bedroom house, probably not more than 800 sq ft total, on Champaign Ave in Mattoon but could squeeze in 40-50 people every week-end when the children came back to visit. It seemed like there was a revolving door with the guest list changing hourly. She loved to travel and did so every chance she got, either to visit relatives or with them on their trips. On one occasion she spent 6 weeks in CA with her brother, Joe. From "Gifts of Our Heritage" by granddaughter, Pat Van Gundy Courtney, is the following tribute to Edna and the family: "Our parents gave us the gift of knowing 'Daddy's people' and many a thread in my life's tapestry is an Illinois one. There was hardly a summer we missed going to Illinois to see Grandma VanGundy and everyone. Our aunts, uncles, and cousins are much loved and thought about because of the Illinois visits. Grandma Van Gundy was the prettiest grandma; she always smelled wonderful; and called everyone 'honey.' It did not matter how many grandchildren she had, the newest one was always special. Even after we were grown, she sent us birthday cards and letters. Sadly, there are only whispers of memories of Grandpa VanGundy. He died on my sixth birthday. At Grandma's house, whoever was up first or through the back door first made the coffee. No one complained how it tasted, but Uncle JD was fond of saying that he could drink one cup of Daddy's coffee and just add water to it the rest of the day. Also, one did not throw away the coffee grounds--they were put (along with egg shells) in a metal pitcher kept by the kitchen sink. I especially remember Grandma's long table and all the activity centered there--a lot of it having to do with playing pinochle and telling tales on one another. As a child and even later, I would stand quietly and listen to the grownups talk. I most enjoyed hearing about 'olden days'--of times before radio and television when the only entertainment was self-made. They talked of singing at night. Daddy's favorite song was 'In the Garden' which I have since learned was the last song they would sing in the evening before going to bed. Of course, when telling about school days and walking to school, the walk became longer and the snow deeper. They talked of having boarders living with them and how the long table was set twice for every meal. Grandma told of the devastating flu epidemic when their hired hand died. She talked about when Aunt Dorie Jean was born and how she had a dream in which she was at total peace and walked through fields and fields of the most gorgeous flowers she had ever seen. Only later when she came around, as she put it, did the doctor say that they almost lost her. And Grandma told of seeing Mother for the first time. Mother, from the hills of North Carolina, had never been away from home before when she went to Illinois on the bus. She was dressed in a brown suit and Grandma said she looked like a pretty, little brown bird. Mother always said that Grandma taught her how to be a mother-in-law; and I only hope that I have learned from our Mother how to be one. We also loved Grandma VanGundy to visit us in North Carolina. Back before the interstates, she would ride the bus from Illinois to Charlotte. How she endured those bus trips is beyond me. Just the thought of being on the bus for the two-days journey makes me experience car-sickness all over again." At 24 years of age Robert became the father of Agnes Corinne VAN GUNDY in Morocco, Newton Co, IN, April 16, 1912. At 26 years of age Robert became the father of Laura Catherine VAN GUNDY in Salem, Marion Co, IL, December 14, 1913. At 27 years of age Robert became the father of Elmer Henry "Bud" (changed to Robert Elmer) VAN GUN in Sullivan, Moultrie Co, IL, December 17, 1914. At 29 years of age Robert became the father of William Ansell VAN GUNDY in Moultrie Co, IL, October 4, 1916. At 31 years of age Robert became the father of Robert Earl VAN GUNDY in Morocco, Newton Co, IN, June 29, 1918. At 32 years of age Robert became the father of Joseph Dewey "JD" VAN GUNDY in Morocco, Newton Co, IN, December 9, 1919. At 33 years of age Robert became the father of Ella Carrie VAN GUNDY in Morocco, Newton Co, IN, April 18, 1921. At 36 years of age Robert became the father of Edna Pearl VAN GUNDY May 25, 1923. At 37 years of age Robert became the father of Eva Maxine VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, at 1100 Bway, January 26, 1925. At 40 years of age Robert became the father of Wilma June VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, June 6, 1927. At 41 years of age Robert became the father of John Louis "Jack" or "Derby" VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, at 1412 Moultrie, February 24, 1929. At 43 years of age Robert became the father of Pauline Elizabeth "Paud" VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, at 1612 Prairie, December 10, 1930. At 46 years of age Robert became the father of Doris Gene VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, at 1612 Prairie, March 7, 1934. Some descendants said he also had suffered from TB during his teen years, which was cured by a stay in the dry climate of Texas, as well as having a slight hearing problem. In nearly every photo found of Robert, he looks like a southern gentleman, usually wearing a suit and tie, and always with a cigar. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Mattoon and the Moose Lodge. Residences & events in his life: 1910-11 It is unknown where Robert and Edna started housekeeping but was probably on one of the farms belonging to his father. At any rate, it was some distance away from home when Edna received a letter from her mother shortly after their marriage. 4/1912 Morocco, Newton Co, IN, was their address when their first child was born. 12/1913 Salem, Marion Co, IL. Robert's father had bought a farm there and sent Robert to take charge of it. Their second daughter was born while living there. 12/1914 Moultrie Co, IL. They were back home by the time their first son was born. 5/1915 Being a farm hand for Irving Shuman of Sullivan, Robert was sent to Zapata Co, TX, as Shuman's representative. He carried letters of introduction and 3 checks for $50 to be used only as necessary for expenses. His mission was to take possession of land Shuman had bought there and begin improvements. 6/1918 Morocco, IN. It is unclear what the attraction in IN was but it must have been a farm. At any rate, they had returned in time for son, Robert, to be born there. 12/1919 Morocco. Robert bought 1/2 interest in George Hammond's patent on a cultivator improvement for $1. Two more children were also born there. 1/1925 1100 Broadway, Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, was their address when daughter, Maxine, was born. 2/1929 1412 Moultrie, Mattoon. 12/1930 1612 Prairie, Mattoon. Apparently Robert first rented this house, buying it a short while later. Two children were born while living there. 12/1/1931 Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. Robert bought 1612 Prairie (lot 9, blk 110) for $2500 from the Horace Clark estate. Apparently daughter, Agnes and Emmett Young, lived with her parents for awhile, as their first 2 children were born in the house on Prairie. 9/13/1932 Moultrie Co, IL. He bought property at E1/2 of SE quarter, S21, T14N, R5, E of 3rd P.M. from his father for $1300 with $1000 as down payment, the balance at 7% for 1 year. 10/1932 Robert and Edna accepted another child into their family, taking in his first cousin, Robert Elmer Neaves, following the death of his parents. 5/1/1933 Robert bought more property in Moultrie Co by quit claim deed by paying $1 to his uncle, Elmer Van Gundy. 5/29/1933 Together with brother, Dewey, he bought more Moultrie Co land by quit claim deed, this time from their father for $1. 1937 The Mattoon property was in dispute due to abstract entanglements with the Clark estate settlement and Robert received a court summons along with several attorney letters. 7/15/1940 Along with his brothers and sister, Robert paid $1 for 1/256th royalty interest in an oil/gas lease in Marion Co, IL, which was probably located on his father's farm. He later allowed the land to be sold but retrained the interest for the next 10 yrs. No great fortune was ever collected from this venture. 1940-1942 Rockford, IL. Robert moved the family there after obtaining a job in a foundry. While at work he was involved in an accident in which he and a co-worker inhaled toxic fumes while working in a closed room. The other man died and Robert was in the hospital for a week, his health never fully rebounding. As a result of not being able to return to work, they moved back to Mattoon 10/4/1940 Son, Robert Elmer (Elmer Henry), who was serving in the Air Force at the time, picked up the payments on 1612 Prairie for his parents, including 3 back payments. 1941 It seems that as soon as one child left, another married and moved in. Son, Bill and his wife had their first son while living in the house on Prairie. 3/9/1942 Mattoon, IL. After 5 years of legal battles, they finally received a clear deed to 1612 Prairie. 9/5/1942 Cooks Mills, N Okaw Twp, Coles Co, IL. He traded their Mattoon property for William and Sarah Floyd's 14 acre farm in Sec 10. They were still living there at reunion time in 1943. 1943 Rt. 1, Humboldt, IL, was their address when they received war ration books. At that time Robert was still listed as a foundry worker. 1/30/1945 Mattoon, IL. He paid $4200 to Mrs. Helen Owens for 1100 Broadway (lot 12, blk 122), the same residence they had lived in some 20 years before, and refinanced the Moultrie Co property at the same time. 10/30/1946 He was billed for a 2 day stay at Memorial Methodist Hospital in Mattoon, complete with 2 sets of x-rays, 2 lab tests, medicine, and room and board at $5/day, for a total of $36.60. While the patient's name was not specified, Robert's name was the only one on the bill. He paid it in 2 installments within 4 months following discharge. 3/1948 Robert retired from Brown Shoe Co as a "moulder," the original date of employment is unknown but it must have been after 1943 when he was still a foundry worker. 5/9/1950 & 5/15/1952 He refinanced the Mattoon property. Daughter, Dorisgene, holds some precious memories: "When Joe and I were first dating, he knew Dad 'kinda liked a little nip' now and then, so one night when he came to pick me up, he asked Dad if he wanted a 'little drink,' returning with a fifth of Four Roses. Dad poured iced tea glasses about half full for himself and Joe, picked up his glass and said "Here's to ya!" He downed his drink and the sweat popped out, then he asked Joe, "Aren't you going to drink yours?" Joe took a sip, then handed his glass to Dad who finished it too! Joe responded with, 'I thought you had heart trouble!' I remember all the work parties we used to have at home...the kids doing the painting, fixing up, and cleaning while Mom did the cooking. I didn't realize until later that she had the hardest job. In her later years, Mom was quite a traveler. Once she took a bus trip seated next to a gentleman who said to her, "You're a real attractive woman till you get to your feet! Why do you wear those old ladies' shoes?" The shoes went to the Goodwill box as soon as she got home. Being part of a big family has been a blessing. We have had many happy and many sad times but being together got us through them all, the reunions, the holiday dinners, the pinochle parties, and even the funerals. One time when we were burying a 'loved one' and money was scarce, June went to the bargain basement at the funeral home and bought a red casket for $200. There were few complaints about it." Other children told about Robert's clothing problems as a result of being the father of several sons. As the boys grew into his size, he had trouble keeping clean clothes in his drawers, so every year when he received new socks for Christmas, he immediately put them into the safe so he could, at least, be the first to wear them. Despite all the moves and any hardships associated with such a large family, they were always a closely knit goup, always remaining loyal and supportive to parents and siblings, passing those traits to the next generations. Robert Elmer VAN GUNDY and Edna Lucretia POWELL had the following children:
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