Van Gundy Family Tree


Aaron A ARTHUR [Parents] was born in Sep 1871 in IL. He died on 14 May 1937 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. He was buried in Dodge Grove Cem, Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. He married Cora May DAVIS on 8 Jan 1891 in Douglas Co, IL.

Residences & events:

1900 Lafayette Twp, Coles Co, IL, where he was listed in the census.

1918 Mattoon, Lafayette Co, Coles Co, IL. According to the county farmer census he was a tenant farmer of 316 acres in S7 owned by L Geinger. He had been a county resident since 1873 and he and Cora had 5 children at that time. He and brother George were the only Arthurs listed.

1920 Lafayette Twp, Coles Co, IL. He was still at the same place as a general farmer, 5 doors down were son, George's, in-laws, John & Hattie Daily.

No 33rd St Rd, Mattoon, IL

If Aaron's birth date is correct, he was born several months before his parents married.

Aaron died of nephritis.

Cora May DAVIS [Parents] was born in Aug 1874 in IL. She died on 27 Oct 1939 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. She was buried in Dodge Grove Cem, Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. She married Aaron A ARTHUR on 8 Jan 1891 in Douglas Co, IL.

In 1896 Cora was a witness for her mother-in-law, Mary Arthur, when
she completed a Widow's Application for Accrued Pension.

Cora was a witness for her mother-in-law, Mary Arthur, when she
completed a Widow's Application for Accrued Pension. She lived at
Mattoon, IL, at the time.

She died of liver cancer.

They had the following children:

  M i Clarence ARTHUR was born in 1892. He died in 1893 in Douglas Co, IL, near Chesterville. He was buried in Chesterville, Douglas Co, IL.
  F ii Helen L ARTHUR was born on 25 Jul 1895. She died in Dec 1980.
  M iii Fred Joshua ARTHUR was born on 20 Jan 1898. He died in Jul 1974.
  M iv George Nelson ARTHUR was born on 21 Mar 1900. He died on 28 Mar 1955.
  F v Lillie ARTHUR was born on 7 May 1902. She died before 1974.
  F vi Emma Bell ARTHUR was born on 3 Oct 1904 in Coles Co, IL. She died on 8 Jun 1907 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. She was buried in Dodge Grove Cem, Mattoon, Coles Co, IL.
  M vii Raymond Lester ARTHUR was born on 9 Mar 1907. He died on 11 May 1930.

Dewey Noble "DN" ROBERTS was born on 26 Jul 1898. He died on 23 Aug 1968 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. He was buried in Arcola, Douglas Co, IL. He married Gretta Mae DAILY on 18 Nov 1964 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL.

Gretta Mae DAILY [Parents] was born on 8 Dec 1903. She died on 6 Feb 1992 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. She was buried in Dodge Grove Cem, Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. She married Dewey Noble "DN" ROBERTS on 18 Nov 1964 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL.

Other marriages:
ARTHUR, George Nelson

Gretta retired from the Brown Shoe Co, Mattoon, IL, as a union steward. She was also a member and officer of the First Baptist Church.

Her funeral was held at 2 PM on Sunday at the First Baptist Church, of which she was a member. Dr. Elbert Elliott officiated. Visitation was at Schilling's Funeral Home the night before.


John Wesley DAILY [Parents] was born on 10 Jul 1870 in Coles Co, IL. He died on 1 Mar 1969 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. He was buried in Dodge Grove Cem, Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. He married Hattie Mae GUY on 4 Feb 1897 in Coles Co, IL.

Other marriages:
CAMPBELL, Rosan

According to his grandchildren, John had a wild streak in his younger days and often got drunk. His second wife managed to get him to quit.

Residences:

1900 Coles Co, IL. At census time he and Hattie had only 2 children.

1918 Mattoon, Lafayette Twp, Coles Co, IL. He was tenant farmer of 96 acres in S30 owned by John Voigt according to the county listing of local farmers. His wife and children were also listed.

1920 Lafayette Twp, Coles Co, IL. In the census he was 5 doors down from Aaron Arthur and son & daughter-in-law, Harold & Florence, lived with them. Harold was listed as John's partner in general farming operation.

In honor of John's 83rd birthday, the newspaper ran a picture of him. The caption read: "John Daily, observing his 83rd birthday Friday by hauling oats to the Farmer's Grain Company Elevator here, offered to run a foot race with anyone at the elevator office and said he'd give them a head start. The veteran farmer was born and reared in North
Okaw township. he makes his home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Honn of Rural Route 1, mattoon. Mr. Daily always helps at harvest time and drives a tractor with the best of them."

Later, in his nineties, he became deaf and blind.

Hattie Mae GUY [Parents] was born on 1 Sep 1878 in IL. She died on 5 Jun 1945 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. She was buried in Dodge Grove Cem, Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. She married John Wesley DAILY on 4 Feb 1897 in Coles Co, IL.

They had the following children:

  M i Harold DAILY was born on 6 Feb 1898. He died on 29 Feb 1980.
  F ii Gladys Marie DAILY was born on 25 Jun 1899. She died on 29 Jun 1987.
  F iii Cecil Fern DAILY was born on 29 Jan 1901. She died on 28 Aug 1995.
  M iv Clyde Edmund DAILY was born on 2 May 1902. He died on 8 Apr 1973.
  F v Gretta Mae DAILY was born on 8 Dec 1903. She died on 6 Feb 1992.
  M vi Cleo Raymond DAILY was born on 23 Oct 1905. He died on 31 May 1988.

Cleaves Bennett BRANSON was born on 19 Feb 1932. He married Rosalie ARTHUR on 21 Jan 1951 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL.

Cleaves owned a machine shop. He was a talented man with machines, always tinkering and repairing, inventing and manufacturing parts.

He was innovative in other ways too, when it came to maintenance. Once when the evergreens in front of his house died, he spray painted them green. Another time, he used fabric dye to spray paint a couch which had faded.

He was continually buying and selling, everything from lawn mowers, to boats, to houses.

Rosalie ARTHUR [Parents] was born on 20 Feb 1933 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. She married Cleaves Bennett BRANSON on 21 Jan 1951 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL.

They had the following children:

  F i Darlene Sue BRANSON was born on 3 May 1952.
  M ii Mark Dennis BRANSON was born on 26 Dec 1955.
  F iii Debra Ann BRANSON was born on 20 Dec 1958.
  M iv Gary Lee BRANSON.

Garald Dean THOMAS was born on 18 Aug 1933 in Coles Co, IL. He died on 24 Nov 1997 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. He was buried on 29 Nov 1997 in Dodge Grove Cem, Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. He married Madonna Lou ARTHUR on 6 Mar 1954 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL.

Dean graduated from DeVry Institute in Chicago and served in the US Army for 2 years during the Korean Conflict, serving in France one of those years.

His occupation for 35 years was with the United States Industrial (USI) Chemical Co in Tuscola and he also owned several rental houses in Mattoon. His avocation was traveling extensively throughout the US with the family and collecting money, both in the form of coins and general savings.

While the children were at home, he and Madonna raised a large truck garden which the children then sold throughout the neighborhood. Family and friends were also provided with many free vegetables with which to stock their freezers and pantries.

Dean was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mattoon as well as the Masons and was recognized by the American Red Cross for the 19 gallons of blood he donated over the years.

In his fifties he contracted Alzheimer's disease, then had a major stroke. He lived the last several years of his life in a nursing home.

The funeral was held on a Saturday at the First Baptist Church with Rev Dr EE Elliott officiating and military rites were conducted at the grave site by the VFW Post 4325. Among the pallbearers were step-grandson, Matt Stuttle, and nephew, Doug McClellan.

Madonna Lou ARTHUR [Parents] was born on 13 Feb 1936 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. She married Garald Dean THOMAS on 6 Mar 1954 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL.

They had the following children:

  M i Rodney Kent THOMAS was born on 29 Nov 1957 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. He died on 29 Nov 1957 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. He was buried in Dodge Grove Cem, Mattoon, Coles Co, IL.

He was stillborn.
  M ii Jeffrey Lee THOMAS was born on 13 Dec 1958.
  M iii Gregory Dean THOMAS was born on 4 Jul 1960.
  M iv Roderick Allen THOMAS was born on 10 Mar 1963.
  F v Dawn Denise THOMAS was born on 25 Mar 1966.

Robert Joe ARTHUR [Parents] was born on 23 Dec 1938 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. He married Patricia Louise BEHREND on 27 Nov 1960 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL.

Patricia Louise BEHREND was born on 27 Aug 1939. She married Robert Joe ARTHUR on 27 Nov 1960 in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL.

They had the following children:

  F i Carla Jo ARTHUR was born on 15 Sep 1961.
  F ii Lori Ann ARTHUR was born on 2 Nov 1968.

John R ARTHUR [Parents] was born on 1 Oct 1838 in St Mary's Village, Vigo Co, IN. He died on 13 Jan 1896 in Charleston, Coles Co, IL. He was buried in Union Cem, Morgan Twp, Coles Co, IL, near Rardin. He married Mary D COLLINS on 31 Dec 1871 in Rardin, Coles Co, IL, by Jacob G Rardin.

Other marriages:
SPIKER, Martha Ann

John was a farmer/laborer.

Residences & events in John's life:

1838 Vigo Co, St Mary's Twp, IN, where he was born.

1850 Wabash Twp, Clark Co, IL. He was listed as the baby of the family at 6 yrs old by the census taker rather than the 12 years he actually was.

1860 Vigo Co, Sugar Creek Twp, IN. At age 16, he was living with the family of brother, David, according to the census. David later testified that John had lived with him until John enlisted in the army.

7/16/1863 John enlisted as a Pvt in Co H 115th Rgt Ind Inf at Terre Haute and was discharged 2/25/1864. He reenlisted with Co H 133rd Ind Inf, also as a Pvt, and was dischged 9/5/1864 at Indianapolis.

John was plagued with illness during his military career, as were many of the soldiers of that day:

9/22/1863 He was ordered for a medical exam & furloughed 9/29/1863 for 20 days on sick leave. He was treated 10/28-11/12/1863 in Terre Haute for fever, then returned to duty. He was hospitalized 11/12-28/1863 and again 12/10/1863, no diagnosis either time.

He drew a pension on this service record, receiving his last check of $12 on 1/4/1896, just 9 days before he died. Also, both wives applied for and received widows pensions.

1/1868 Jewett, Cumberland Co, IL where he married Martha.

11/1868 Newton, Jasper Co, IL, where his 1st child was born.

11/1870 Effingham, Effingham Co, IL, where the 2nd child was born.

12/31/1871 Near Rardin, Coles Co, IL, where he and Mary were married.

1880 E Oakland Twp, Coles Co, IL, was probably the same address as the last entry. Their 4th child was born and birth record shows his age @ 34 (he was actually 43) and his occupation was farmer.

1883 Ashmore Twp, Coles Co, IL, where his 7th child was born, listing his occupation as laborer.

1886 E Lafayette Twp, Coles Co, IL. Their 8th child was born at this address.

7/1890 Arcola, Douglas Co, IL, when he applied for an Invalid Pension on his Civil War service. Ailments listed as reasons for disability were a rupture, chronic diarrhea, chest trouble & weakness of eyes.

1896 When Martha applied for a widow's pension, John's brother, David, testified in a general affidavit that he knew nothing about his divorce from a prior wife. It's interesting that John named both children by Martha after his brother and sister but following the divorce had nothing to do with either of them and the rest of the family knew nothing about this brief marriage.

Family tradition is that John was born in IN, however, both the 1850 and 1860 census lists his birthplace as Illinois. There was a group of Arthurs from IN, who moved to Moultrie Co, IL, but stayed only a couple of years before moving back. If his parents were part of that group, he may actually have been born in Illinois.

"St. Mary's is a village of 100 inhabitants adjacent to the community of the Sisters of Providence. Its site was never divided into town lots. It contains two stores, a cabinet, carpenter, blacksmith and cooper shop, and a fine brick church which was built in 1867 and cost $13,000. The only secular organization here is a St. Joseph's Total Abstinence Society, at one time numbering ninety members; it now numbers fifty."

Martha's Declaration for Widow's Pension, states John's death date is May, 1897, at Charleston, IL.

Mary D COLLINS [Parents] was born on 17 Feb 1849 in Morgan Twp, Coles Co, IL. She died on 23 Nov 1924 in Humboldt, Coles Co, IL. She was buried in Union Cem, Morgan Twp, Coles Co, IL, near Rardin. She married John R ARTHUR on 31 Dec 1871 in Rardin, Coles Co, IL, by Jacob G Rardin.

Mary could read but could not write according to the 1870 census.

1/17/1896 Charleston, IL. This was her address when she applied for a Widow's Pension 4 days after John's death. Later, she moved just north of Mattoon, IL, on 33rd St Rd, probably near her oldest son, Aaron.

1900 As a widow, she was listed in the census twice, as living with daughter, Lydia Dixon, and with daughter Vina Strong, both recording her birth date incorrectly.

In one census son, David, reported his mother was born in IN.

The I.M. Mulliken Funeral Home in Humboldt, IL, was in charge of the funeral.

They had the following children:

  M i Aaron A ARTHUR was born in Sep 1871. He died on 14 May 1937.
  F ii Lydia London ARTHUR was born on 22 Apr 1873. She died on 16 Mar 1955.
  M iii David Nelson ARTHUR was born on 2 Apr 1876. He died on 14 Jan 1972.
  M iv William ARTHUR was born in 1879 in IL. He died in 1879 in IL.
  M v Edward ARTHUR was born in 1879 in IL. He died in 1879 in IL.
  F vi Vina ARTHUR was born on 12 Apr 1881. She died before 1953.
  F vii Elsie Jane "Jennie" ARTHUR was born on 22 Nov 1883. She died before 1953.
  M viii George W ARTHUR was born on 29 Sep 1886. He died on 1 Sep 1953.

Joshua P Davis [Parents] was born in 1839 in IL. He married Jemima E "Jennie" CHILCOTE about 1873.

Other marriages:
Hawkins, Mary E

Several of Joshua's descendants said he was married twice and quote Sarah Barnhill as the other wife with Edgar Co, IL, as their residence but no records can be found to verify that. In fact, there are records indicating there were two Joshua Davis families, one of which did live in Edgar Co, the other is our line. Problems encountered with them being one and the same are:
1. Joshua would have married Sarah first and is listed in every following census with her as late as 1880, some 15 years after the marriage with Jennie.
2. There are age conflicts between the men and their families.
3. There are conflicts from census to census, both Joshuas and their families being listed in 1880 in their respective counties.
4. Joshua of Edgar Co is buried with Sarah and their daughter.

Residences & events in Joshua's life:

1860 Westfield Twp, Clark Co, IL. At age 21 he was still at home with his parents.

He served in the Civil War with Co H 21st IL Inf.

1870 Westfield Twp, Clark Co, IL. The census taker recorded his occupation as farmer with only personal property which totaled $500. His family consisted of 2 children and they were living next door to his parents.

1878 Chesterville, Douglas Co, IL, where son, Joseph drowned.

1880 Arcola Twp, Douglas Co, IL, was his address at census time and he was a carpenter. Neither of the children, Albert, 3, nor Ida, 1, was listed with the family. Next door was an Andrew Harris with wife, Lovina, born in OH, and Albert, 2. Could this be him?

1896 Chesterville, IL. Daughter, Ida, at 17, gave this address as her residence for her marriage records. J Davis gave consent for the marriage, could be either Joshua or Jenny.

Jemima E "Jennie" CHILCOTE [Parents] was born in 1847 in OH. She died on 2 Aug 1898 in Chesterville, Douglas Co, IL. She married Joshua P Davis about 1873.

Other marriages:
Done (Dunn?)\Doing, James K\R

As Jemima Done she was living with her parents in 1870 along with son, John, age 6. The 1880 census taker recorded her name as Jennima.

Daughter, Cora, told the 1900 census taker that her mother was born in IL. Her age depends on what census is being read. The 1860 census taker recorded her age at 14, making her birth year 1846.

They had the following children:

  F i Cora May DAVIS was born in Aug 1874. She died on 27 Oct 1939.
  M ii Albert E DAVIS was born in 1877. He died in 1949.
  M iii Francis W "Frank" DAVIS was born on 27 Jun 1878. He died on 1 Mar 1925.
  F iv Ida DAVIS was born on 17 Sep 1882. She died in Jan 1978.
  U v Unknown DAVIS died on 11 Jan 1892 in Moultrie Co, IL.

Corbin Funeral Home charged them $5 for a child 2'0".

John R ARTHUR [Parents] was born on 1 Oct 1838 in St Mary's Village, Vigo Co, IN. He died on 13 Jan 1896 in Charleston, Coles Co, IL. He was buried in Union Cem, Morgan Twp, Coles Co, IL, near Rardin. He married Martha Ann SPIKER in Jan 1868 in Jewett, Cumberland Co, IL, by Meridett Roos.

Other marriages:
COLLINS, Mary D

John was a farmer/laborer.

Residences & events in John's life:

1838 Vigo Co, St Mary's Twp, IN, where he was born.

1850 Wabash Twp, Clark Co, IL. He was listed as the baby of the family at 6 yrs old by the census taker rather than the 12 years he actually was.

1860 Vigo Co, Sugar Creek Twp, IN. At age 16, he was living with the family of brother, David, according to the census. David later testified that John had lived with him until John enlisted in the army.

7/16/1863 John enlisted as a Pvt in Co H 115th Rgt Ind Inf at Terre Haute and was discharged 2/25/1864. He reenlisted with Co H 133rd Ind Inf, also as a Pvt, and was dischged 9/5/1864 at Indianapolis.

John was plagued with illness during his military career, as were many of the soldiers of that day:

9/22/1863 He was ordered for a medical exam & furloughed 9/29/1863 for 20 days on sick leave. He was treated 10/28-11/12/1863 in Terre Haute for fever, then returned to duty. He was hospitalized 11/12-28/1863 and again 12/10/1863, no diagnosis either time.

He drew a pension on this service record, receiving his last check of $12 on 1/4/1896, just 9 days before he died. Also, both wives applied for and received widows pensions.

1/1868 Jewett, Cumberland Co, IL where he married Martha.

11/1868 Newton, Jasper Co, IL, where his 1st child was born.

11/1870 Effingham, Effingham Co, IL, where the 2nd child was born.

12/31/1871 Near Rardin, Coles Co, IL, where he and Mary were married.

1880 E Oakland Twp, Coles Co, IL, was probably the same address as the last entry. Their 4th child was born and birth record shows his age @ 34 (he was actually 43) and his occupation was farmer.

1883 Ashmore Twp, Coles Co, IL, where his 7th child was born, listing his occupation as laborer.

1886 E Lafayette Twp, Coles Co, IL. Their 8th child was born at this address.

7/1890 Arcola, Douglas Co, IL, when he applied for an Invalid Pension on his Civil War service. Ailments listed as reasons for disability were a rupture, chronic diarrhea, chest trouble & weakness of eyes.

1896 When Martha applied for a widow's pension, John's brother, David, testified in a general affidavit that he knew nothing about his divorce from a prior wife. It's interesting that John named both children by Martha after his brother and sister but following the divorce had nothing to do with either of them and the rest of the family knew nothing about this brief marriage.

Family tradition is that John was born in IN, however, both the 1850 and 1860 census lists his birthplace as Illinois. There was a group of Arthurs from IN, who moved to Moultrie Co, IL, but stayed only a couple of years before moving back. If his parents were part of that group, he may actually have been born in Illinois.

"St. Mary's is a village of 100 inhabitants adjacent to the community of the Sisters of Providence. Its site was never divided into town lots. It contains two stores, a cabinet, carpenter, blacksmith and cooper shop, and a fine brick church which was built in 1867 and cost $13,000. The only secular organization here is a St. Joseph's Total Abstinence Society, at one time numbering ninety members; it now numbers fifty."

Martha's Declaration for Widow's Pension, states John's death date is May, 1897, at Charleston, IL.

Martha Ann SPIKER was born on 12 Nov 1852 in Wyandot Co, OH, near Marsailles. She died on 9 Oct 1934 in Creek Twp, DeWitt Co, IL. She married John R ARTHUR in Jan 1868 in Jewett, Cumberland Co, IL, by Meridett Roos.


Residences & events in Martha's life:

Till 1868 Greenup, IL. Her parents & family were in the 1870 census there.

9/1927 820 N 19th St, Mattoon, IL. Living at the same address was a Mrs RJ Bowser. Could this be daughter, Lucinda?

Martha applied for and received a Widow's Pension from John's Civil War Service even though they had been divorced since 1870. Apparently she had never remarried as her name was still Arthur. Witnesses to the application were: Mrs R J Bowser & C H Douglas,
Notary Public, of 700 Lafayette Ave, Mattoon.

In the Illinois Death index are the following:

Martha S Arthur died 10/9/1934 Clear Creek Twp, Dewitt Co, IL
Martha Arthur died 6/26/1936 Danville, Vermilion Co, IL

They had the following children:

  F i Lucinda Catherine ARTHUR was born on 8 Nov 1868 in Newton, Jasper Co, IL.
  M ii David ARTHUR was born in 1870 in Effingham, Effingham Co, IL. He died in Jan 1972 in Arcola, Douglas Co, IL.

He was born in the winter according to the census taker. Social Security records have his birth date as 4/2/1875.

It is unknown where he died but his last Social Security check went to Arcola.

William ARTHUR [Parents] was born in 1797 in VA. He died after 1850 in Clark Co, IL. He was buried in New Hope Cem, Vigo Co, IN. He married Lydia Ann Houser on 2 Nov 1829 in Knox Co, TN.

Other marriages:
(Arthur), Female

Residences & events:

Bef 1831 McMinn Co, TN was where the census taker found his family. Children, David and Hannah, were born there.

1836 IN The family moved before daughter, Lucinda, was born.

1838, Vigo Co, IN, where son John was born.

1840 Dearborn Co, IN. The census taker listed the only William Arthur there. Whether it is this man or another is uncertain considering son John was born in Vigo Co.

1840 Clark Co, IL. Son Joseph was born there that year.

1850 Clear Creek Pct, Clark Co, IL. At census time all the children were listed correctly except 12 year old John was then only 6 (?). William was a farmer but no property was recorded.

William was listed in the 1850 census.

Lydia Ann Houser [Parents] was born in 1807 in Washington Co, VA. She died after 1885 in Clark Co, IL. She was buried in New Hope Cem, Vigo Co, IN. She married William ARTHUR on 2 Nov 1829 in Knox Co, TN.

Other marriages:
Evans, Joseph

She was probably a sister to Hannah Houser who married James Arthur...i.e. brothers married sisters, especially since she named a daughter Hannah.

They had the following children:

  M i David Marion ARTHUR was born on 3 Apr 1831. He died on 28 Mar 1914.
  M ii Emerson ARTHUR was born about 1833 in Knox Co, TN.
  F iii Hannah ARTHUR was born in 1835.
  F iv Lucinda ARTHUR was born in 1837.
  M v John R ARTHUR was born on 1 Oct 1838. He died on 13 Jan 1896.
  M vi Joseph ARTHUR was born in 1840 in Wabash Twp, Clark Co, IL.
  F vii Mary ARTHUR was born in 1842 in Wabash Twp, Clark Co, IL.

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