Warren Lee Birkey

Warren married Mary Ellen Wyles [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer For 40 Years And An Agent For The Pekin Insurance Co. For 40 Years
• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume 78, Number 46 - November 12, 1985, page 798.

Birkey.- Clarence L., son of John and Mary (Zimmerman) Birkey, was born at Foosland, Ill., May 1, 1910; died of a heart attack at Gibson Community Hospital on Oct. 20, 1985; aged 75 y. On Sept. 25, 1940, he was married to Frances Hieser, who survives. Also surviving are one son (Warren), one daughter (Susie Oyer), one granddaughter, and one sister (Gladice Birkey). He was a member of East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Oct. 22, in charge of Paul 0. King; interment in East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Church

Clarence married Frances Mabel Hieser on 25 Sep 1940 in Champaign Co., IL. Frances (daughter of John Emil Hieser and Mary Cender) was born on 22 Apr 1915 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; died on 15 Jul 2008 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried on 18 Jul 2008 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Homemaker
• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Alzheimers

Notes:

Obit: Published in the Bloomington, Illinois Pantagraph 

Frances M. Birkey, 93, a four-year resident of Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Gibson City, died at 4:20 p.m. Tuesday (July 15, 2008) at the nursing home.

Frances was born April 22, 1915, in rural Foosland, the daughter of John and Mary Hieser. Her marriage to Clarence L. Birkey on Sept. 25, 1940, also took place in rural Foosland.

Surviving are two children, Warren (Glenda) Birkey, rural Paxton; and Susie (Jerry) Oyer, rural Gibson City; one granddaughter Sue (Kyle) Berry, rural Paxton; one great-granddaughter, Maryn Berry, joined the surviving family during the past year.

She is also survived by three step-granddaughters, Jennifer (Brennan) Radmer, St. Louis, Mo.; Bethany (Andrew) Kolhoff, Heyworth; and Melissa (Harold) Zahnd, Sadorus; and one step-great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Kolhoff. Also surviving is her 97 year-old brother, Vernon Hieser, Heritage Manor.

Her husband, parents, three sisters, one brother and a daughter-in-law preceded her in death.

Frances was a lifetime member of East Bend Mennonite Church, rural Fisher, where she enjoyed being involved with the ladies sewing circle, teaching Sunday school, Bible school and anything else she could do to serve her God.

She enjoyed being a housewife and working outside around the farm.

Her favorite thing to do was to help others - she was happier working than resting.

Died:
Heritage Manor Nursing Home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Obit:
Birkey. - John A., son of Valentine B. and Elizabeth Birkey, was born at Hopedale, Ill., Nov. 16, 1880; died at his home in Foosland, Ill., Dec. 23, 1942, after a prolonged illness of heart trouble; aged 62 y. 1m. 7d. He was united in marriage with Mary Zimmerman Sept. 1, 1909. To this union 2 children were born (Clarence and Gladys). He leaves his wife (Mary Birkey), 2 children (Clarence Birkey of Foosland, and Glayds at home), 1 brother ( Valie Birkey of Foosland), 3 sisters (Elsie Birkey of Peoria, Mrs. Mary Ioder of Tiskilwana, Mrs. Lizzie Slagell of Morton.), and a host of relatives and friends. One brother and 3 sisters preceded him in death. In his youth he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and at the time of his homegoing he was a faithful member of the Anchor Mennonite Church. Serviceswere held at the East Bend Mennonite Church with Bro. Roy Unzicker in charge, assisted by Bros. J.A. Heiser and Harold Zehr. Burial in Mennonite cemetery near the church.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

John married Mary Zimmerman on 1 Sep 1909. Mary (daughter of John Baecher Zimmerman and Martha Fahsbender) was born on 10 Feb 1888 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; died on 2 Jul 1971 in Gifford, Champaign Co., IL; was buried on 4 Jul 1971 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Birkey, Mary, daughter of John and Martha (Fahsbender) Zimmerman, was born at Foosland, Ill., Feb. 10, 1888; died at Gifford, Ill., July 2, 1971; aged 83 y. 4 m. 22 d. On Sept. 10, 1909, she was married to John A. Birkey, who preceded her in death on Sept. 24, 1942. Surviving are one son (Clarence), one daughter (Gladys - Mrs. Roy Birkey), 3 grandchildren, and 3 brothers (William, Ernest, and Charles). She was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held July 4, in charge of Irvin Nussbaum and Roy Unzicker; interment at East Bend Cemetery.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Influenza During A Rather Wide Outbreak In East Bend Township.

Notes:

Obit:

Heiser. - John E. Heiser was born near Morton, Ill., Dec. 4. 1882; died at his home near Foosland, Ill., Feb. 6, 1919; aged 36 y. 2 m. 2 d. He was united in marriage with Mary Cender Jan. 23, 1906. This union was blessed with 2 sons and 4 daughters. He leaves a sorrowing wife, 6 children, mother, 4 brothers, and many other relatives and friends. His father died about 30 years ago. He united with the Mennonite Church at the age of 18 and remained a faithful member and an active worker in the church to the end, holding such offices as superintendent, chorister, etc., and will be greatly missed in the church. Death was due to pneumonia following an attack of influenza. Funeral services at his home Feb. 8, conducted by Andrew Schrock. Text, Jno. 11 :28. Buried in the East Bend Cemetery.

Died:
At home. Funeral at home by Andrew Schrock.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

John married Mary Cender on 23 Jan 1906 in Champaign Co., IL. Mary (daughter of Joseph Cender and Mary Rouvenacht) was born on 11 Jun 1880 in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL; died on 22 Feb 1963 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried on 24 Feb 1963 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 16 Aug 1896, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume LVI, Number 11 - March 19, 1963 ­ pages 246, 247, 248.

Hieser, Mary, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Rouvenac) Cender, was born at Roanoke, Ill., June 11, 1880; died at Gibson City, Ill., Feb. 22, 1963; aged 82 y. 8 m. 11 d. On Jan. 23, 1906, she was married to John E. Hieser, who died Feb. 6, 1919. Surviving are 6 children (Laura-Mrs. Roy Bachman, Emery, Vernon, Florence-Mrs. Alvin Knox, Frances-Mrs. Clarence L. Birkey, and Ruth-Mrs. Leslie Oyer). She was a member of the East Bend Church, where funeral services were held Feb. 24, in charge of J. Alton Horst and J. A. Heiser.

Baptism:
East Bend Church by Peter Zehr

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
By Peter Zehr

Notes:

Obit: Mar 13, 1924 Gospel Herald
Birky. - Valentine B. Birky was born at Pekin. Ill., April 14, 1854; died at his home near Foosland, Ill., Feb. 16, 1924; aged 69 y. 10 m. 2 d. On Mar. 4, 1877, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Springer. To this union 9 children were born. He confessed Christ in youth, but for the past 20 years did not identify himself with any church. He leaves a sorrowing wife, 2 sons, 4 daughters, 9 grandchildren, 1 brother, 1 sister, and a host of friends. One son and two daughters preceded him in death. Funeral services were held Feb. 19 by Bro. J. A. Heiser. Text, Job 14:10.

Valentine’s nickname was “Hickory.”

Died:
At his home

Valentine married Elizabeth Springer on 4 Mar 1877. Elizabeth (daughter of Johann Springer and Elizabeth Nafziger) was born on 29 Feb 1860 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 20 Mar 1934 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Birky.-Elizabeth (Springer) Birky was born near Hopedale, Ill., Feb. 29, 1860; died at her home near Fossland, Ill., March 27, 1934; aged 74 y. 26 d. She was united in marriage with Valentine B. Birky on March 4, 1877. He preceded her in death on Feb. 16, 1924. To this union were born 9 children. She leaves the following children: John A. Birky of Fossland, Ill.; Mrs. Lizzie E. Slagell of Delavan, Ill.; Mrs. Lydia A. Heiser of Morton, Ill.; Mrs. Mary E. Ioder of Tiskilwa, Ill.; and Valie and Elsie at home; also 10 grandchildren, 4 sisters, and 1 brother. Her husband and the following children preceded her in death: Mrs. Ida A. Heiser, Amos and Martha. She united with the Mennonite Church in her early youth and remained faithful to the end. She was a kind and loving wife and mother, and was dearly loved by her family and all who knew her. Funeral services were held at the home and at the East Bend Mennonite Church, conducted by Bros. J. A. Heiser and Harold Zehr. Text, Job 14:15. Interment in East Bend Cemetery.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
From Obituary

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
John B. Zimmerman was born July 23, 1846 in Baden, Germany; died at his home near Foosland, Ill., Sept. 24, 1939; aged 93 y. 2 m. 1 d. On June 21, 1887, he was united in marriage to Martha Fahsbender, who preceded him in death several years ago. To this union 7 children were born, all of whom survive, as follows: Mrs. Mary Birkey, Mrs. Bertha Oyer, and Mrs. Elizabeth Heiser of Foosland; Mrs. Allie Gregerson of Paxton; William and Ernest of Gibson City, and Charles at home; also 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. His 4 brothers preceded him in death. He united with the Defenseless Mennonite Church at Groveland, Ill., when a young man and found a great consolation reading his Bible daily. He was a devoted husband and a loving father and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Funeral services were held Sept. 26 at the home and at the East Bend Mennonite Church conducted by Bro. Roy Unzicker. Text, Heb. 9:27. Burial in East Bend Cemetery.

John and Martha lived near Pontiac, IL, and later north of Fisher, IL. John worked on the farm until age 89 years. He first became a father at age 41, and was 57 when his youngest child was born. Martha was 14 years younger than John.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

John married Martha Fahsbender on 21 Jun 1877. Martha (daughter of Charles Fahsbender) was born on 26 Aug 1860 in GR; died on 26 May 1935 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Martha Fahsbender Zimmerman was born in Germany Aug. 26, 1860; died at her home near Foosland, Ill., May 26, 1935; aged 74 y. 9 m. She came to America when 12 years of age. She was united in marriage with John B. Zimmerman June -, 1887. To this union eight children were born. One daughter preceded her in death. She leaves the aged husband and the following children: Mrs. John Birky, Mrs. Joseph Oyer, and Mrs. Silas Heiser of Foosland, Ill.; Mrs. Louis Gregerson of Ludlow, Ill.; William and Ernest of Gibson City, Ill., and Charles at home; also 20 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Four grandchildren preceded her in death. She also leaves a brother (Ernest Fahsbender of Chicago) and a half-brother (Charles Fahsbender of Pontiac). She will be sadly missed, as she was always a loving mother and a kind neighbor, and was loved by all who knew her. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Mennonite Church with Bros. J. A. Heiser of Fisher, Ill., and ____ Zimmerman of Nebraska in charge. Interment in East Bend Cemetery.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Church

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Pulmonary Hemorrage
• Residence: 11 Dec 1881, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL
• Baptism: 11 Jun 1905, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Ordained: 5 Aug 1917, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Ordained: 1 May 1921, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

A week after Joseph and Barbara arrived in Champaign County, near Fisher, to live in a new home in a heavily wooded area along the Sangamon River, a four-month-old nephew--son of Peter and Barbara (Heiser) Zehr--died of measles. Three days after this burial some of the men were helping Joseph unload hay in the barn for his livestock when he was suddenly stricken with a fatal pulmonary hemorrhage.

Baptism:
By Peter Zehr

Ordained:
East Bend church by Bishop Samuel Gerber and Andrew Schrock

Ordained:
East Bend church by same Bishop

Died:
29 years, 4 months and 3 days

Buried:
Waggoner Cemetery (Blackford) - four miles north and 1/2 mile east of East Bend Mennonite church.

Joseph married Barbara Bachman on 11 Dec 1881 in Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. Barbara (daughter of John Bachman and Barbara Sutter) was born on 15 Jun 1862 in Tazewell Co., IL; died on 24 Mar 1926 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 11 Dec 1881, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1900, Fisher, East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Mennonite Women: A Story of God's Faithfulness

"This mother endured many hardships and remained faithful. After eight years of happy marriage she suddenly became a widow with three sons to raise in a new community. On the advice of men in her congregation, she married a man who proved to be an alcoholic and emotionally disturbed. She cared for a mentally retarded son and a senile mother. She lost a son in the great World War I flu epidemic....When the strong, handsome Joseph Heiser who lived nearby asked her to marry him, twenty-year-old Barbara gladly accepted.....A year after her own marriage Barbara's twin sister married Joseph Heiser's brother Jacob. Sisters married to brothers!" ....
"Following her husband's untimely death, Barbara was left a widow, in a new community, with three sons to bring up alone, and she had a farm to manage. She took little Aaron into her arms and, from that day on, called him Joseph, after his father."

Barbara and her sister, Elizabeth, were twins.
Later Barbara married Andrew Eyer, and they had two sons, William (b.8 Feb 1895) and Daniel (b. 1899).

“On December 11, 1881, Joseph Hieser, the fifth son of Jacob and Catherine Wagler Hieser, married Barbara Bachman, one of the John Bachman’s twins. They made their first home in Tazewell County in the Deer Creek area. To this union were born three sons: John Emil, Amos Albert, and Joseph Aaron.

“In the spring of 1889 Joseph and Barbara Hieser decided to join others and moved their family to Champaign County, Illinois. At this time the children were yet small, John being 6 years old, Amos 4, and Joseph 7 months. Joseph’s brother, Jacob Hieser and brother-in-law Peter Zehr, were already living in the East Bend community. Peter Zehr was the first minister and bishop of the new East Bend church. Joseph and Barbara Hieser made this move on March 4, 1889. He bought the land that lay to the north side of his brother Jacob’s property.

“As there was no dwelling on the property Joseph and his family purchased, they lived temporarily in a small house on his brother Jacob’s farm, until such a time as he could get their own home built. He possibly had already been making plans to build, when his brother-in-law Peter Zehr, who had purchased hay, needed help to get it into the mow. Joseph, a strong robust man, helped pitch the hay into the barn. While working he suddenly became ill, making it necessary to acquire a doctor. The doctor left some medicine without having come to an exact diagnosis. Joseph passed away on March 27, 1889, at the age of 29 years and 4 months, three weeks after moving to Champaign County. It was later determined that death was due to an apomanary(?) hemorrhage (ruptured lung artery). This caused internal bleeding, a result of over exertion.

“This surely must have been disheartening to Barbara Heiser, who was left with her three small sons; John, Amos and Joseph. This left her with a great responsibility and she was now faced with many hardships, the children’s diseases, but at all times she trusted in the Lord to see her through. As there was a new home to build and hired help for farming the purchased ground, she met with many hard financial situation.

“For about five years Andrew Eyer, a native of Germany, farmed for Barbara. On June 17, 1894, Barbara married Andrew. To them were born two sons, William and Daniel. About nine years after their marriage, Andrew found himself battling with a mental disability. He was taken to Kankakee State Hospital, Kankakee, IL, where he spent the next seven years. About three weeks before his death, October 8, 1910, he was brought home. Once again Barbara was left without a husband. She now had five sons.

———————————————

Champaign Co., IL, Probate Court guardianship record #1234 (0401000201234) dated 1895, in the matter of the Guardianship of John E. Heiser, et.al., Barbara Eyer, Guardian:

Petition of Barbara Eyer in the matter of the Estate of Joseph Heiser deceased, for Letter of Guardianship respectfully represents that John E. Heiser, minor aged 12 years on the 4th day of December 1894; Amos Heiser, minor aged 10 years on the 18th of February 1895; and Joseph Heiser, minor aged 7 years on the 22nd day of August 1895...
said minors are residents of this County; that they have no father living, or other legal guardian residing in this state; that said minors are heirs of one Jacob Heiser, deceased, father of their father Joseph Heiser, deceased, late of Champaign County, Ills. and as such heirs they will shortly be entitled to receive a sum of money realized from the sale of the estate of said Jacob Heiser, deceased, and that said sum of money being about seven hundred dollars, will be payable to them about November 1st 1895. And that your petitioner is the Mother of and desires herself to be appointed guardian of said minors. Dated Urbana, Ill., Sept 26, 1895. Barbara Eyer being duly affirmed deposes and says that the facts averred in the above petition are true according to the best of her knowledge, information and belief. Sworn to and subscribed before me, Harry L. Kelly, N.P. Filed on the 27th of Sept 1895. Bond $1400. H. L. Kelly, Atty, Fisher, Ill.

Receipt of Ward
On August 30, 1909, Joseph Heiser, now being of legal age of 21, acknowledged receipt of the sum of $304.33 from Barbara Heiser Eyer as his Guardian, in full settlement of amount due to him. This was the Final Report of the Guardian, found to be correct, and it was approved and Guardian discharged. Signed by Joseph A. Heiser.

Residence:
Barbara listed as wife of Andreas Eyer, head of household, and children: John Heiser, Amos Heiser, Joseph Heiser, Willie Eyer and Daniel Eyer; and her mother, Barbara Bachman.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Joseph and Barbara were married in the Mennonite Church at Elm Grove, by Christian Nafziger. Joseph Litwiller and A. Ropp were witnesses.

Married:
MR #84

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1854
• PURC: 28 Feb 1870, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1880, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1892, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• PURC: 4 Feb 1892, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Census: 1900, East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth Feb 3, 1910
Cender.-- Jos. Cender was born in France, June 13, 1827; died near Fisher, Ill., Jan. 17, 1910; aged 82 y. 7 m. 4 d. He united with the A. M. church in his youth and remained a faithful member to the end. He united in marriage with Mary Rouvenac, Mar. 13, 1870. This union was blessed with seven children. He leaves 3 sons, 2 daughters, 8 grandchildren, one sister and many friends to mourn his departure. Two children and his companion preceded him to the spirit world. Funeral services were conducted at the home by Bro. Peter Zehr from Psa. 90:2, and at the church by Bro. Samuel Garber in English from Gal. 2:20, and by Bro. Andrew Schrock in German from II Tim. 4:7.
C. W. S.

Joseph and Mary settled in Roanoke in 1870. With them were Mary’s parents.

Immigration:
He is on the passenger list of the “John Hancock” along with his sister Madeleine.

PURC:
Sec. 26 Twn. 27N - 80 acres at $12/acre

Census:
Shows John, Mary and three children

Residence:
Moved from Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL

PURC:
Purchased land from William H. and Mary F. Swayze. Legal Description: W 1/2 of E 1/2 of W 1/ of NW 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section 17, Township 22N, Range 8E of 3rdPM.}



Census:
shows them as Joseph Centner, 72, born in June 1827; Mary, 58, born in March 1842; and three children born in Illinois: Mary, John, and Peter. It states that they both immigrated in 1854. They were living next door to Peter and Barbara Heiser Zehr.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Mary Rouvenacht on 13 Mar 1870 in Tazewell Co., IL. Mary (daughter of Christian Rouvenac and Maria Switzer (Suisse)) was born on 29 Mar 1842 in Guermange, Saarebourg, Moselle, FR; died on 4 Mar 1909 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1854

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth 3/27/09
Cender - Mary Cender (maiden name Rouvenac) was born in France, March 28, 1842; died of paralysis near Fisher, Ill., March 4, 1909; aged 66 y. 11 m. 6 d. She united with the A. M. Church in her younger years and remained a faithful member to the end. She was married to Joseph Cender and lived in this relation for nearly 39 years. To this union were born seven children. She leaves to mourn her departure an aged, mourning husband, three sons and two daughters. Funeral services were held at the house by Andrew Schrock of Metamora, Ill., in German and Samuel Gerber of Tremont, Ill., in English. Text Psa. 103; Gal. 2:20, and I Cor. 15:22.


Read at East Bend Mennonite Church Centennial:

“I was born in 1842 near Saarbourg, Lorraine, France. My parents were Christian and Maria Switzer Rouvenacht. They named me Maria too. My parents were Amish Mennonites and they, along with others of the same faith, experienced many hard times. Lorraine was a beautiful land, but since many families in our area, including the Oyers and the Mosimans, had already gone to America, my parents decided that it would be good for us as well. It was a long, hard trip. We were on the ocean many days. And then it was many more days until we would reach Woodford County where we made our first home. The first years in America were much different, and in some ways more difficult, than life had been in Lorraine, but we were happy with our new freedoms.

“One day when I was almost 28 years old, a visitor came to our door. Since he was also from France we made him very welcome. It was good to visit with someone from our homeland. Joseph Zentner (Cender) had been in America a few years and was now ready to find himself a wife. Even though he was 16 years older than me, I consented to marry Joseph on March 13, 1870. We began our life together on a farm just south of Roanoke, Illinois. We attended the Roanoke Amish Mennonite Church where Joe served as a trustee for a while. It was here that our seven children were born. That was Katie, Chris, Joe, Lena, John, Mary and Peter. Katie died when she was eight years old and we buried her in the Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery.

“It didn’t seem long until Joe had some good help as our young sons were growing up quickly. They were full of life, as Joe and I found out when we returned home to a surprise one day during hay season. It seemed the boys had been busy pulling the hay up into the haymow with a horse-drawn hayfork. All went well until they decided to send Katie up with a load of hay and left her stranded half way up the side of the barn. That is where we found her when we arrived home sooner than the boys expected us. A switchin’ was in order on that occasion. Joe decided he’d better be looking for more land to farm to keep the boys busy. And then too, they’d need their own places when they decided to get married. Land was getting scarce and prices were high in Woodford county, so Joe began looking around. He was hearing good things about Kansas, so he decided to make a trip there.

“When he arrived in Kansas he stepped off the train and started looking the area over. He noticed piles of buffalo chips scattered about and asked someone if the land required fertilizer already. Joe was told the buffalo chips were burned for fuel, as there were no coal mines in Kansas and coal was very expensive there. Joe had already made his decision about moving to Kansas. He quickly boarded the train and sat quietly in his seat while the lady land agent walked through the train calling, “Where’s Zentner, where’s Zentner?” He didn’t answer her because he didn’t even want to discuss a Kansas land purchase! When Joe got back to Woodford County, he told the family, “Kansas is not for us.”

“Joe said he’d heard about an Amish Mennonite settlement that had just been started near Fisher in Champaign County, Illinois. So he decided to check this out next. He took our oldest son, Chris, with him since he was almost 19 years old. When they got there Peter Zehr took them to look at some farms that were for sale. Joe decided he liked the William Swayze farm, so on February 4, 1892, he signed the papers and bought our new farm. Just in case we didn’t like this new place, Joe kept the one at Roanoke for a little while longer. Well, we made arrangements to move to our new home yet that spring. Our six children were a big help; Peter, the youngest, was ten years old. When the train reached Gibson City, we found Peter Zehr, Jacob Heiser and Charles Stormer there to meet us. They loaded our things on the wagons and tied the horses behind. The boys drove the cattle along behind the horses. The weather was cold and wet, and we were glad when that eight mile trip was over.

“We really weren’t very happy when we reached our new home. That spring of 192 was cold and rainy, which didn’t help our attitude either! But things began to happen and there were a lot of changes in the East Bend area. That year eleven new families moved nearby, and among them were four Birkey families. After Joe built our new house, we were much more comfortable and we began to appreciate our surroundings. It was such a nice neighborhood where we lived! Our house was almost across the road from Peter Zehr, then west of us was Charles Stormer, north were Joe Beacher and John Zehr, and south was August Ingold. A little east of us were Jake Heisers and Barbara Heiser and her family.

“As the years went by, we felt we’d made a good choice. When our children married we were happy to have them living nearby. We all attended the East Bend Mennonite Church, and as we worshipped with our family and friends, we thanked God many times through the years for His goodness and blessings. Because He was faithful in caring for us, we wanted to be faithful and live for Him.”

Birth:
headstone date is 28 March

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery