Florence Roeschley

Florence married Lowell Richard Birkey [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Scott Lamar Birkey
2. Todd Alan Birkey
3. Lisa Dawn Birkey

Notes:

Obit: Pantagraph, The (Bloomington, IL) - April 19, 2004

FLANAGAN -- Roy R. Roeschley, 96, 110 N. Harrison St., Flanagan, died at 8:15 p.m. Saturday (April 17, 2004) at the Good Samaritan Home, Flanagan. 

Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Prairieview Mennonite Church, rural Flanagan, the Rev. Doug King officiating.  Burial: Waldo Township Cemetery. 

Visitation: 10 a.m. until the time of the service Wednesday at the church. Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Flanagan, is in charge of arrangements. 

Survivors: two daughters, Florence (Lowell) Birkey, Flanagan; and Evelyn (Don) Erschen, Pontiac; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. 

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Roy married Lola Zehr on 16 Feb 1936. Lola (daughter of Joseph A. Zehr and Bertha Steinman (Stahley)) was born on 14 Mar 1908 in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL; died on 11 Oct 1993 in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL; was buried in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Roeschley, Lola Zehr, 85, Flanagan, Ill. Born: March 14, 1908, Flanagan, Ill., to Joseph A. and Bertha Stahley Zehr. Died: Oct. 11, 1993, Flanagan, Ill. Survivors - husband: Roy R. Roeschley; daughters: Florence Birkey, Evelyn Erschen; sister: Ella Yordy; 6 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren. Funeral: Oct. 14, Waldo Mennonite Church, by Lester Zook. Burial: Waldo Cemetery.

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite- Waldo Mennonite Church
• Census: 1910, Nebraska Twp., Livingston Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Roeschley.--John, son of John and Elizabeth Roeschley, was born in Woodford Co., Ill., Aug. 25, 1859; died at his home, Flanagan, Ill., Nov. 24, 1947; aged 88 y. 2 m. 29 d. His early boyhood was spent in the vicinity of Eureka, Ill. After his marriage to Elizabeth Orendorff on Jan. 18, 1891, they moved to Flanagan. Surviving are his widow, 9 children (Eli and Leo, Graymont, Ill.; Noah, Morton, Ill.; Lovina Slagell, Gridley, Ill.; Melvin, Roy, and Orie, of Flanagan; Freda and Harold, at home), one sister (Mrs. Elizabeth Yordy, of Eureka), and 18 grandchildren. Four children (Alfred, Amelia, Esther, and Ivan) preceded him in death. In his early youth he accepted Christ and united with the Mennonite Church. He lived a quiet but faithful life. Funeral services were conducted at the Waldo Church, in charge of J. D. Hartzler, assisted by A. C. Good. Interment was made in the Waldo Cemetery.

Census:
Listed with wife and eleven children. Lived near Salem Orphanage.

Died:
December? (Gary Yordy)

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

John married Elizabeth Orendorff on 18 Jan 1891 in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of Daniel Orendorff and Mary Yordy) was born on 24 Dec 1872 in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL; died on 26 Feb 1960 in Bloomington, McLean Co., IL; was buried on 29 Feb 1960 in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald March 1, 1960 - Vol. LIII, No.9 - page 198,199,200
Roeschley, Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Yordy) Orendorff, was born Dec. 24, 1872; died Feb. 26, 1960, after being hospitalized for 4 days at the Mennonite Hospital, Bloomington, Ill.; aged 87 y. 2 m. 2 d. On Jan. 18, 1891, she was married to John Roeschley, who died Nov. 24, 1947. Surviving are 7 sons and 2 daughters (Eli and Leo, Graymont; Noah, Peoria; Melvin, Roy, and Ori, Flanagan; Harold, El Paso; Mrs. Lavina Slagell, and Freda, Flanagan), 22 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 2 sisters (Mrs. Emma Conrad and Mrs. Ada Good, Sterling). Two sons, 2 daughters, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters preceded her in death. She was a member of the Waldo Church, where funeral services were held Feb. 29, in charge of Edwin J. Stalter and J. D. Hartzler.

Died:
Mennonite Hospital

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery - Waldo Church. Services in charge of Edwin J. Stalter and J. D. Hartzler.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Spanish Influenza

Notes:

Obit:
Zehr.--Joseph A. Zehr was born in Tazewell Co., Ill., Dec. 10, 1867; died at his home near Flanagan, Ill., Oct. 12, 1918; aged 50 y. 7 m. 2 d. He united with the A. M. Church in his youth and remained a faithful member. He was married to Bertha Zehr Dec. 30, 1888. To this union were born 5 sons and 2 daughters (Paul, who preceded him 8 yrs., Milo, Roy, Walter, Lloyd, Ella and Lola). He had been suffering much from asthma bearing it patiently but often expressing the wish of being called home if it were not for his family. On Sunday he was at S. S. and church teaching his class of boys as usual. On Monday evening he was taken down with Spanish influenza, suffering greatly at times growing weaker until Saturday morning when he died. Besides his wife and children he leaves one grand-daughter, two brothers and five sisters. Funeral services at the house conducted by Bro. Samuel Gerber, Pekin, Ill., assisted by the house ministers. Text, I Cor. 5:1-10. Interment in the Waldo Cemetery.
"Yet again we hope to meet thee,
When the day of life is past;
And in heaven we hope to greet thee
Where no farewell tears are shed."

Children: Paul (1891-1910)
Milo (1893-1966)
Roy (1896-1970)
Walter Andrew (1900-1953)
Ella Mae (1903-1994)
Lloyd (1908-1971)
Lola (1908-1993)

Died:
at his home as a result of Spanish influenza.


Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Joseph married Bertha Steinman (Stahley) on 30 Dec 1888. Bertha (daughter of Daniel Steinman and Katharina (Catharine) Birky) was born on 28 Aug 1872 in Tazewell Co., IL; died on 29 Jun 1953; was buried in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer And Miller
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: Spring Bay, Woodford Co., IL
• Immigration: 20 May 1854, Le Havre to New York
• Residence: 1863, Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL
• PURC: 27 Oct 1863, Woodford Co., IL
• PURC: 1866, Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL
• Naturalization: 12 Apr 1872, Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1880, Washington, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

“John died May 19, 1881. His headstone in Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery says, "John Roeschley, starb. May 19, 1881, 69 Jahre, 5 Monat, und 11 Tag alt." This would yield a birth date Dec. 8, 1811. The longevity stated on the headstone must have been an incorrect guess made from the best available information. Someone who did not know his true date of birth simply took the date of his arrival in America (May 20, 1854) and deducted 43 years (the passenger list age) to guess his birth date, then calculated the longevity. Elizabeth's headstone in Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery says, "Elizabeth Roeschley, gest. d. 7 Jan. 1891, 60 Jahre alt."

There is a Warranty Deed dated 31 Aug 1866 recorded for land transferred from Josephus Burton to John Roeschley. And the Atlas of Woodford County (1873) shows John Roeschley as a farmer on 160 acres in Section 31 of Roanoke, Worth Township, Woodford County.

The 1880 census of Roanoke shows the family as retired farmer John Roschelz, 68, France; Elisabeth, 53, France; Jacob, 23; Lena, 22; John, 20; Elisabeth, 18; and Mary, 10; all children born in Illinois.

In the French records this child born in 1812 is listed as Joseph, but erroneous registrations were not rare at this time--but it is also possible that Jean was born around 1810 in a temporary residence to these parents during their stay at Mussig and Moussey. Records received from Maurice J. Yordy put John's birth date at Dec. 8, 1811, but records from Germany give his date as July 6, 1812. The difference could be attributed to the change in the calendar.

Johannes operated Hoser Mill at Spring Bay, IL, [1854 to 1863?] then farmed near Roanoke after 1863. The historical mill wheel now rests in front of the old courthouse in Metamora, IL, according to Maurice Yordy. https://www.historicmetamora.com/Mills.htm

The story is told of Johannes being excommunicated from the church for working on Sunday. A customer arrived from a number of miles away on a Saturday when it was too late to grind the grain before dark, so Johannes told him to come back early Sunday morning and he would grind the grain so the customer wouldn’t need to make a second trip. Word of this got to the elders of the church, who were very displeased. Johannes would not back down since he felt he had done nothing wrong--only helped someone in need. Eventually the elders softened and reinstated him.

[

Birth:
The name of the newborn was given as 'Joseph Richely' in the entry and the index. His parents were described as cultivator Jean Rechely, 45, and Elizabeth Vocker. (Moussey is 10 km west of Strasbourg)

Immigration:
Sailed on the Mercury, shown as Joh. Roschli, 43, along with sister Barbe, age 44.

Residence:
Moved with their two sons from Spring Bay to Roanoke Township.

PURC:
80 acres from John Stitt

PURC:
From Josephus Burton for $2,320.

Naturalization:
Vol. -A Pg. -317 (R - 240)

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Johannes married Elizabeth Saltzman on 28 Jan 1856 in Tazewell Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of Jacques (Jacob) Salzmann and Catherine Sommer) was born on 11 Sep 1826 in Neufmaisons, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR; died on 7 Jan 1891 in IL; was buried in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: 9 Jul 1855, Le Havre to New York

Notes:

Birth:
The birth entry name was Elisabeth Salsmann. Her parents were described as anabaptists farmer Jacob Salesman, 25, and Catherine Sommer. It was witnessed by farmer Uherlihe (Ulli) Sommer, 56.

Immigration:
On the passenger list of the Havre, the entire traveling party is Joseph Saltzmann, 56, France; Madel Sommer, 50; Andre, 12; Chretien, 7; and Elisabeth Saltzmann, 28.

Died:
Gravestone date. "Elizabeth Roeschley, gest. d. 7 Jan. 1891, 60 Jahre alt."

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
A /287 2689

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Occupation: Farmer, minister
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Ordained: 1890, Gridley Twp., McLean Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
ORENDORFF. - Daniel Orendorff was born near Spring Bay, Ill., Nov. 8, 1848; died at his late home near Flanagan, Ill., Jan. 14, 1918, where he has resided since 1873; aged 69y. 2m. 6d. He united with the A.M. Church in his youth. He served as Sunday school superintendent for a number of years, and in June, 1890, was ordained to the ministry. He performed his duties faithfully. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Mary Yordy near Roanoke, Ill., Feb. 15, 1872. They lived together happily for nearly 46 years. To this union were born 5 daughters and 2 sons. One daughter, 2 sons and 1 grandson preceded him to the spirit world. He leaves his faithful companion, 4 daughters (Lizzie Roeschley, Katie Conrad, Emma Conrad and Ada), 2 brothers (Jacob and Christian), 27 grandchildren, and many relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed by the family, neighbors, and by the whole congregation, where his seat was seldom vacant. He was on time and with a kind word and smile for everyone. Funeral services at the house by A.H. Leaman and at the church by D.W. Stagell, A.H. Leaman, and Geo. Summer. He chose his own funeral text, II Tim. 4:7,8. Buried in the Waldo Cemetery. "Blessed are the dead which died in the Lord, from henceforth. Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."

An excerpt from the Flanagan Home Times: "The following are those from out of town who were at the obsequies: Mr. and Mrs. Chris Orendorff, Mrs. P. H. Conrad, Mrs. Lydia Roth and Mr. Daniel Orendorff, Wayland, Iowa; Mr. Ray Zehr and Misses Olive and Ella Zehr, Manson, Iowa; Mrs. Fannie Yeackley, Milford, Nebraska; Mr. and Mrs. Jake Eigsti, Mr. John Eigsti, Mr. Joe Eigsti, Mrs. Jonas Litwiller, Mr. Alvin Bachman, Morton, Ill.; Mr. Henry V. Albrecht, Mr. Chris Albrecht, Mr. J. J. Albrecht, Mrs. Nafzinger and Mss Hoffart, Tiskilwa, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Burcky and Mr. John Schrock, Fisher, Ill.; Miss Anna Yordy, Chicago, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Yordy and Mr. Aaron Yordy, Secor, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Jake Yordy, Eureka, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Yordy, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Yordy, Roanoke, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Chris Bachman, Cazenovia, Ill."

Ordained:
Waldo Amish Mennonite Church

Died:
Gravestone gives year as 1918

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Daniel married Mary Yordy on 15 Feb 1872 in Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL. Mary (daughter of Peter Yordy and Maria (Mary) Birky) was born on 19 Oct 1849 in Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; died on 8 Feb 1923 in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL; was buried in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish/Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - March 1923
Orendorff. -- Mary Yordy was born near Pekin, Ill., Oct. 19, 1848; died at her home near Flanagan, Ill., Feb. 8, 1923; aged 73 y. 3 m. 20 d. She was united in matrimony with Daniel Orendorff, Feb. 15, 1872. He preceded her to the life beyond, Jan. 14, 1918. To this union were born 7 children, 5 daughters and 2 sons. Two sons and 3 grandchildren preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn her loss 4 daughters (Mrs. C. M. Conrad and Mrs. J. D. Conrad of Sterling, Ill.; Mrs. J. D. Roeschley and Miss Ada Orendorff of Flanagan, Ill.), 25 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and many [transcriber's note: begin page 943] relatives and friends. Bro. and Sister Orendorff moved to their late home in 1872, at which place they resided until the Lord was pleased to call them to their long home. She united with the Mennonite Church in her youth and remained a faithful and consistent member until death. Sister Orendorff was a kind and loving wife, mother, and neighbor and was loved and respected by all who knew her. Short services were held at the home Feb. 11, by Bro. D. W. Slagel (Text, Psa. 16), and at the church by Bros. J. D. Hartzler and Samuel Gerber. Texts, I Cor. 15:35-38; Phil 1:21. Interment in the Waldo cemetery.


“While Mary may not have faced as many hardships as others experienced, she was left alone with her children more than many other wives of ministers. Daniel has been included as one of the ‘ten most influential leaders of the Western District Amish Mennonite Conference.’ He attended at least twenty conference, mostly in other states. He kept a notebook listing where he gave sermons, the date, and the text used. His itinerary was staggering, as he would be gone two or three weeks for each out of state visit. In addition to the conferences, he held many ‘protracted’ meetings in those distant locations and in almost all Illinois churches several times a year. During these absences, Mary was left to cope with the long term illness and eventual death of their only son, besides just ‘keeping the home fires burning.’

“Mary, after becoming a minister’s wife, wore (a black net head covering with ribbons tied under the chin) such a head covering all day long for the rest of her life.”

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• Immigration: 1858

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald , Vol VIII, No 14, 1 July 1915

Zehr - Andrew Zehr was born in France June 9, 1839; died June 10, 1915; aged 76 y. 1 d. He came to America with his parents in December, 1855, and settled in Woodford Co., Ill. He united with the Mennonite Church in his youth of which Church he was a faithful member at the time of his death. He was united in marriage to Magdalena Zehr July 28, 1863. This union was blessed with 11 children. His wife and 2 children preceded him to the spirit world. Nine children, 36 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 4 brothers, 1 sister, and a large circle of friends remain to mourn his death. 

Bro. Zehr's desire was to be at home in glory. The funeral was held at the Mennonite Church in Manson, Iowa, June 13. Bro. A. H. Leaman of Chicago, assisted by Bro. Risser of Eureka, Ill., conducted the services. Text, II Tim. 4:8. Interment in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Immigration:
Dec 1855?

Buried:
Rose Hill Cemetery

Andrew married Magdalena (Lena) Zehr on 28 Jul 1863 in Woodford Co., IL. Magdalena (daughter of Christian Zehr and Elizabeth Landes) was born on 21 Mar 1843 in Woodford Co., IL; died on 17 Feb 1914 in Manson, Calhoun Co., IA; was buried in Manson, Calhoun Co., IA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald, February 1914:

Magdalena Zehr was born in Woodford Co., Ill., March 21, 1843; died Feb. 17, 1914, in Calhoun Co., Ia; aged 70y, 10m, 27d. She was united in marriage to Andrew Zehr, July 28, 1863. To this union were born 11 children. Two children and one grandchild preceded her to the spirit world.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, 9 children, 36 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

She united with the A.M. Church in her youth, and remained faithful until her death. She endured many trials and much suffering through her life. The last eight months of her life she was confined to her bed the greater part of the time. Her last illness was dropsy. She had a great longing to go home and be at rest.

Funeral services at the home Feb. 19, and at the Cedar Creek Church at Manson. Opening by Bro. Jos. Egli. Text, by Bro. A.H. Leaman of Chicago, Gen. 5:24. Interment in the Rose Hill
Cemetery.



“ Magdalena/Madeleine and Andrew were given a farm by Christian. They are found on the 1870 census of Waldo, Livingston County as farmer Andrew Zehr, 32, France; Magdalene, 29, Illinois; and four children born in Illinois. The 1880 census of Waldo also lists her birthplace as Illinois. The 1900 census of Lincoln, Iowa lists her place and date of birth as Illinois in March 1843, while Andrew was born in France in June 1839. They had 10 children. They are buried in Rose Hill Cemetery at Manson. “

Buried:
Rose Hill Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1840, Butler Co., OH
• Residence: 1841, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
Steinman. - Daniel Steinman was born in Germany in February, 1830; died Mar. 17, 1916; aged 86 y. 1 m. At the age of 10 he came to Ohio then on to Tazewell Co., Ill., with relatives; united with the Amish Mennonite Church in his youth and remained a faithful member to the end. Nov. 12, 1854, he was married to Catharine Birky. They made their home in Tazewell Co. for 11 years, then came to Livingston Co. near where the town of Flanagan now is. To this union were born 7 daughters and 1 son. His wife died Feb. 8, 1874. Aug. 17, 1876; he was married to Catharine Stahley (widow) who died Feb. 9, 1905. In the spring of 1870 he was ordained to the ministry and in 1885 he was ordained bishop. These places he filled to the best of his ability. As long as his health permitted he was at his post. For many years he suffered with severe headaches and of late with heart trouble. The last years of his life he has been making his home with his daughter, Barbara (Mrs. Dan Eigsti). On the evening of March 16 he ate a hearty supper and before retiring said he feels real well. The next morning he was found dead in his room. He leaves to mourn his sudden departure 6 daughters, 1 son, 1 stepdaughter, 45 grandchildren, and 45 great-grandchildren. One daughter and 6 grandchildren preceded him. Short services were held at the house by Bro. John Birky, Hopedale, Ill. The services at the church were held by Bros. Dan Orendorff, Andrew Schrock and D. W. Slagel. Texts, II Cor. 4:17, 18; Matt. 25:21 (1st clause), Job 19:25 (1st clause). Buried in the Waldo graveyard.


Steve Estes writes that in 1840 Daniel came to Butler Co., OH with his cousins the “Big” Birkeys and continued with them to Tazewell Co., IL in 1841.

Ministered in the Gridley Prairie (later Waldo Mennonite) congregation in Livingston Co., IL. When he came to America at the age of ten with some of his cousins, he brought a copy of the Martyrs Mirror with him. He served as bishop of the church when it became an Egly congregation.

However, Daniel evidently came with a different Birky family than Estes thought, as a 1900 census says he came in 1844--probably with cousins Joseph (b. 1818) and his sister Maria.

See page 89 in Source for further information about Daniel and his rather complicated life.

Birth:
Obit gives different date

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Daniel married Katharina (Catharine) Birky on 12 Nov 1854 in Tazewell Co., IL. Katharina (daughter of Christian Birki and Maria Anna Gascho) was born in Nov 1834 in Bavaria, GR; died on 8 Feb 1874 in Livingston Co., IL; was buried in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• USR1: Nerve fever

Notes:

Obit:
Feb. 8th 1874, in Livingston co., Ill., of Nerve fever, CATHARINE STEINMAN, wife of Pre. Daniel Steinman, in the 40th year of her age. She admonished her children to be obedient to their father. She leaves a bereaved husband and eight children to mourn their loss. Appropriate remarks were made by Christian Schlegel, from Rev. 21:1-7; and Joseph Gascho, from Heb. 12:1-8.

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
A /261 2454