James Walter Yordy

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Yordy’s Grease Service
• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, 23 February 2016
James Walter Yordy 83, of Tucson, AZ, passed away February 19, 2016, in Tucson, with family by his side.

Born in Peoria, IL on September 5, 1932, he married June L. Davis on June 9, 1956 in Chicago.

He was preceded in death by infant son, Jack Davis Yordy and son, Jeffrey James Yordy; grandson, Timothy Christian Sutter and granddaughter, Josey Yordy Baer.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, June (Davis) Yordy, and children, Janice (Dave) Yordy Sutter; daughter-in-law, Patty Yordy, Jonathan (Jean) Yordy, Jill (Michael) Stasch and Jeanne (Matt Baer) Yordy and eight living grandchildren.

Jim and June raised their family in Lyons, IL and moved to Tucson in 2004. He owned Yordy's Grease Service, was an active member of the Mennonite Church. He was an accomplished oil painter, leaving his works to be enjoyed by all. Since doing peace service in Germany as a young adult, he enjoyed travel throughout the world.

Services will be at Shalom Mennonite Church, 6044 E. 30th Street, Tucson, at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 23, 2016 and Goshen, IN, Saturday, March 5, 2016. Donations: Community Food Bank.

Buried:
Ashes given to family or friend

James married June Louise Davis [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Janice Lynn Yordy
2. Jeffrey James Yordy was born on 2 Dec 1958 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL; died on 29 Mar 2014 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL.
3. Jonathan Gray Yordy
4. Jill Lourene Yordy
5. Jeanne Irene Yordy

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Laundry Route
• Religion: Mennonite
• Baptism: 26 Dec 1909, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

Baptism:
East Bend Mennonite Church by Peter Zehr

Buried:
Glen Oak Cemetery - Mennonite Section, Lot 103

Walter married Alma Irene Eigsti on 28 Dec 1921. Alma (daughter of Joseph Christian Eigsti and Anna Matilda Zierlein) was born on 18 Apr 1897 in IA; died on 21 Jun 1972 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL; was buried in Hillside, Cook Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Yordy.- Alma Irene, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Zierlein) Eigsti, was born at Manson, Iowa, Apr. 18, 1897; died at Chicago, Ill., June 21, 1972; aged 75 y. 2 m. 3 d. On Dec. 28, 1921, she was married to Walter E. Yordy, who survives. Also surviving are 3 children (Richard, Edith, and James), 8 grandchildren, and 3 sisters (Edna-Mrs. Nick Stoltzfus, Rose-Mrs. J. R. Graber, and Eileen-Mrs. H. R. Heintz). She was preceded in death by one daughter (Evelyn) and 3 brothers (Walter, Arthur, and Otto). She was a member of the Englewood Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held June 24, in charge of Clarence Yutzy, Leamon Sowell, and Ambers Wright; interment in Oakridge Cemetery.

Birth:
10 Sep 2007 email re birth date: The April 18, 1896 is the correct date. I know that for sure because our youngest daughter was born on her 75th birthday. June and Jim Yordy

Buried:
Oakridge-Glen Oak Cemetery - Mennonite Section, Lot 103

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1867, Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1900, Brown Twp., Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1903-1904, CA
• Residence: 1898-1911, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL
• Residence: 1911, Secor, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1922/3, Eureka, Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1925/6, Eureka, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: The Metamora Herald, Feb. 1925
Yordy. - Joseph, son of Peter and Mary Yordy, was born near Pekin, Ill., Nov. 7, 1857; died at his home in Eureka, Ill., Feb. 19, 1925; aged 67 y. 3 m. 12 d. In boyhood he moved with his parents to Roanoke, Ill. On Jan 1, 1882, he was married to Elizabeth Roeschley. To this union were born three daughters (Ella, Anna, and Mrs. Josephine Schrock), and six sons (Aaron, Ezra, Walter, Jonas, Alvin, and Lewis). After his marriage he lived one year near Roanoke, fifteen years near Flanagan, twelve years near Fisher, and the remaining years in Woodford county. In his early manhood he united with the Mennonite Church and had a ringing Christian testimony to the end. He served the Church as a faithful deacon since 1920. Singing always found a great place in his life, and he always took an active part in worshiping God in song. Although never very strong physically, yet he had a strong faith in the living God and lived a stable consistent Christian life. Since Christmas he suffered much. Often during the last few months he longed for eternal rest. He was conscious to the last, although unable to speak, and showed great calmness the last hours of his life on earth. His desire is fulfilled now, for he has gone where "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, not crying, neither shall there be any more pain." He leaves his wife, nine children, nine grandchildren, one brother (Jacob, of Flanagan), two sisters (Barbara, of Eureka, and Mrs. Chris. Bachman of Cazenovia), many relatives and friends. Funeral services at the Roanoke Mennonite Church Feb 22, 1925, conducted by Brothers A.A. Schrock and H.R. Schertz. Text John 11:25. Interment in cemetery nearby.

———————————————————————
Joseph and Elizabeth, according to best estimates, lived on a farm for one year in the vicinity of Roanoke. In 1883 they moved to a farm northeast of Flanagan and lived there until 1899. The thirteen years at Flanagan in Livingston Co. preceded a move to Fisher in Champaign Co. There they settled on a farm which was located approximately two miles west on what is now Rt.136. (While in the Fisher area, daughter Ella was sent several times to the Kankakee mental hospital--see notes for Ella. (db) In 1911 [after selling their Fisher farm to Jacob Zehr] the family moved back to Woodford Co. to a farm called Plainview, located southwest of Secor, on Meridian Road. The years from 1922 until 1926 were spent in Eureka and from there Elizabeth Yordy moved to the farm south of Eureka after the death of her husband in 1925.

Joseph served as deacon at Roanoke Mennonite Church from about 1920-24. He was known as a “man of good judgement.” Town people considered him to have money and often asked to borrow from him. At one time he lived outside the Mennonite community in Secor, IL, near Panther Creek.

Joseph had a bit of a wanderlust in his blood: in 1903-4 he took the family to California; in 1912 to Texas. He also took a trip to Washington, D.C. to satisfy his curiosity about the seat of government.

Eunice Schrock Kandel writes, “Grandfather Joseph Yordy died in 1925 during my second year in school. We visited with him at Christmas time, 1924. There is a picture in my mind of him in a long flannel robe, standing over a hot air register at their home in Eureka. The holiday atmosphere was subdued because of his illness. In February of the next year, while I was fighting a persistent cough and fever, we received the news of Grandpa’s imminent death. Mother wrapped me in comforters and made a bed in the back seat of our Model T, and our family of four made the trip to Eureka. As we drove up to the house, Uncle Alvin stood on the porch with tears in his eyes. Mother said, ‘We’re too late.’ Just minutes before our arrival Grandpa had passed away.”

Residence:
Peter Yordy Farm: Joseph Yordy moved to this farm with his parents.

Census:
Listed as a farmer born 1857 (parents born in Germany), with wife Elizabeth born 1861 (parents born in France); children Ellen (Ella), Anna, Josephine, Aaron, Ezra, Walter, Jonas; and servant/farm laborer Carl Studer born in Switzerland.

Residence:
Lived there with his family for about two years.

Residence:
Purchased a farm two miles west of Fisher.

Residence:
Plainview Farm

Residence:
502 West Cruger Avenue. Lived here after leaving Plainview Farm.

Residence:
Two and one-half miles south of Eureka. Elizabeth Yordy moved to this farm after Joseph died.

Died:
At his home

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery.

Joseph married Elizabeth A. Roeschley on 1 Jan 1882 in Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of Johannes (Jean) Roeschley and Elizabeth Saltzman) was born on 20 Jul 1862 in Spring Bay, Woodford Co., IL; died on 3 Feb 1953 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Housewife, Mother
• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Gospel Herald Obit:
Yordy, -- Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Saltzman) Roeschley, was born near Spring Bay, Ill., July 20, 1862; passed away Feb.3, 1953; aged 90 y. 6 m. 14 d. On Jan. 1, 1882, at the Roanoke Mennonite Church, she was united in marriage to Joseph Yordy, who preceded her in death in 1925. Surviving are 3 daughters (Ella, Anna, and Mrs. Josephine Schrock, Eureka, Ill.), 5 sons (Aaron, Peoria, Ill.; Ezra, Eureka, Ill.; Walter, Chicago, Ill.; Jonas, Eureka, Ill.; and Alvin, Denver, Colo.), 15 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. One son (Lewis) also preceded her in death. In her youth she united with the Mennonite Church and for many years taught a German Sunday-school class. Funeral services were in charge of John L. Harnish and J. D. Hartzler, with burial in the church cemetery.
—————————
“Elizabeth taught her husband, Joseph, to read. She was quiet, determined, with a good sense of humor. She was frugal, a good gardener, and managed her household well, often smoothing over differences in the family--a leveler. Elizabeth was affected for many years with arthritis, and was an invalid during her later years in life, finally confined to her home because of her helpless condition.

“Grandma Yordy outlived her husband by many years...Grandma must have had severe arthritis. She walked so slowly that she had to be called to dinner at least ten minutes before serving time. Aunt Ella and Uncle Aaron were always there at the farm taking care of ‘Ma.’ Later, when they moved back to Eureka, Uncle Jonas and Aunt Anna appeared on the scene to take care of their aging and bedfast mother....”

A Eureka newspaper article reported Elizabeth being honored at a surprise birthday party dinner at her home three miles south of Eureka, arranged by Mrs. William Kane of Metamora. The article went on to mention her parents, “Mr. and Mrs. Roeschley who lived two miles north of Eureka. She [Elizabeth] remembers how she would walk to Eureka with eggs in a market basket and take groceries home for the week. She attended church services at what was called Black Partrige, across from the Partrige cemetery, west of Washington, and also remembers well the old “grist mill” along the Illinois river [where her father was miller].”

Birth:
Born in her parents’ home two miles north of Eureka

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
At the Amisch Mennonite Church, Roanoke, Woodford Co., by Jacob Zehr, Minister of the Gospel. Witnesses: John J. Roeschley and Joseph Wagner. Joseph was living in rural Roanoke Twp. at the time of marriage and Elizabeth was living in Roanoke. Witnesses to the marriage were John Roeschley and Joseph Wagner (Wagler).

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y

Joseph + Anna Matilda Zierlein. Anna (daughter of Fredrick Zierlein and Mary Stauffer) was born on 4 Feb 1874; died on 5 Sep 1934; was buried in Manson, Calhoun Co., IA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Rose Hill Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1817, Munich, Bavaria, GR
• Residence: Abt 1820, Köfering, Bavaria, GR
• Residence: 1836, Hanfeld, Bavaria, GR
• Immigration: 17 Sep 1838, New York
• Residence: 1839, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1850, Tazewell Co., IL
• PURC: 30 Jan 1852, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1860, Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Undefined: 1863
• PURC: 10 Feb 1865, Nebraska Twp., Livingston Co., IL
• PURC: 1866, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1867, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1870, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1880, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

The Jordi family ancestral village is Steinen, Switzerland. Jordi/Jordy= Jordan/Jordanus, a first name from the times of the Crusades.
————————————

Obit:
“Peter Yordy was born June 12, 1815 in Alsace, France according to his headstone. However, according to official documents, he was born July 26, 1815.
Civil Register, Windstein, Alsace, France (FHL Microfilm #1069482)states "7/26/1815 Pierre Jordi (masculine)born 2 a.m., son of Jacques Jordi (37, Laboureur) and Catharine Schantz of Jaegerthal near Windstein. Witnesses Jean Wolber and Pierre Mathis."

In about 1819, Peter's family moved to Munich, Bavaria, Germany [ Woodford County Tax Records, 1868 located at the Illinois Mennonite Historical Society, Metamora, IL]. He grew up about 20 miles south of Munich. Peter had one known sister, Jacobina aka Philabena. It is possible that Peter had a second sister named Elizabeth, who emigrated to the US in 1849 and married Peter Gerber in 1850. Peter also had at least one brother, Christian Yotty, who emigrated with his future wife Katherina Stalter.

Peter Emigrated in 1838. Peter "Jordte" or "Jodte" from France arrived in New York on the packet ship "Charles Carroll" from Le Havre on September 17, 1838. On the passenger list immediately before Peter's name is the name of Joseph "Heser" (Heiser, 20) and Andrew Burkey (29). Heiser and Burckey were from Hanfield, about 20 miles south of Munich. 

While there is little record of Peter's life immediately after his arrival in Illinois in 1839, it is likely that he worked within the Amish community for an established Amish farmer as a laborer. 

On February 9, 1847, Peter married Miss Mary Birkey, a Mennonite woman with a 9 year-old son, John Horn, at the Dillon Creek Congregation in Tazewell County. Peter and Mary had 8 additional children.

Peter and family lived in Tazewell County until 1867 when they moved to Woodford County, residing 2 miles east of Roanoke on Panther Creek. 

Peter was a member of the Roanoke Mennonite Church and the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren. He was very interested in education and sponsored an English class for Amish children in his home.

Peter died on July 2, 1897 and was buried in the Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery.”
—————————————————
In 1866 Peter purchased 200 acres of land from Andrew Johnson and his wife in Woodford Co. for $8000.

Peter Yordy hosted a private German school, conducted by the one-armed teacher Christian Erismann (1835-1904), in his home from 1870 to 1871.,

Peter’s probate record lists as heirs the following: Lizzie Bachman, Mary Orendorff, Chris Yordy, Jacob K. Yordy, Joseph Yordy, Barbara Yordy, Peter Yordy, Lizzie Erb, Bella Schrock, David Yordy, Mary Zimmerman, Simon Yordy, John E. Yordy, Emma Swartzendruber and Fannie Yeakley--seven of his own children and eight children of John Yordy, Mary’s son from her first husband.

—————————————————
“He (Peter) arrived from the Dillon Creek congregation and he joined the Roanoke Mennonite Church, but was [also] active in the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren....Several of Peter’s descendants are buried in the Panther Creek Cemetery. Peter’s great great grandson, Peter Yordy, was the pastor of the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren in 2004.”
————————————————-

“Peter Yordy (b. 1815) died in 1897 when Amos Yordy, son of Christian, was 13 years old.  The Amos Yordy from northern Illinois was, of course much older (46).  However, I find it highly unlikely that Amos Yordy of northern Illinois had any financial dealings with Peter Yordy (b. 1815).  I have tried to find any kind of evidence of interaction between the Yordy's of northern Illinois and Peter Yordy (1815-1897) and have come up empty.  So it would surprise me if Amos Yordy of northern Illinois had any involvement with Peter Yordy's death in 1897.
 
On the other hand, Peter Yordy Jr. was killed when struck by lightening while picking grapes at the farm of his nephew, Amos Yordy, son of Christian Yordy and Salome Slagel.  Such a death may well have prompted an inquest and Amos may well have incurred some expense since it happened on his farm.  Peter Jr. was moderately mentally retarded.  His sister Barbara was mildly retarded, or at least, mentally unstable. Both were cared for by their parents well into their adult lives.  Peter and Mary deeded their home place to Peter Jr. and Barbara to assure that the children had sufficient assets of their own, and a place to live after Peter and Mary's deaths.
 
In 1901, after Peter Sr.'s death, and with Mary being quite old and apparently senile, and on the brink of death, the Yordy children went to court and had Peter Jr. declared legally incompetent.  The court order described Peter Jr. as "distracted".  The court named his uncle, Christian Bachman (husband of Elizabeth Yordy) as his guardian or conservator [Case file reviewed at Woodford County Courthouse].  Christian Bachman remained Peter's conservator until Peter died in 1909.  Peter was obviously not competent to have a will.  His estate was eventually divided amongst his surviving siblings and the children of his deceased half-brother, John Birky Yordy, who had died in Nebraska on December 31, 1906.
 
In 1915, Peter's sister, Barbara, was also declared mentally incompetent ("distracted").  Her brother, Christian Yordy, was named her conservator until his death in 1922.  At that time, Christian's son, Amos, took over as guardian for a short time. Later, Joseph Yordy's son (and Barbara's nephew) Ezra Yordy acted as her guardian until her death in 1943 [Barbara Yordy Guardianship Procedures, Woodford County Courthouse].
 
Based on the above facts, I believe it more likely that the Peter Yordy estate in question is the estate of Peter Yordy Jr.  And the "Amos Yordy" in question is the son of Christian Yordy and Salome Slagel and the grandson of Peter Yordy. 
 
I have not been able to find a thing on Peter Yordy (Sr.'s) death in 1897.  I have been to the Woodford County Courthouse searching for a death certificate, estate file, obituary, or ANYTHING that would give me some information, but have found nothing on the deaths of Peter Yordy in 1897 or Mary Yordy in 1902.  My belief is that they had transferred all of their assets to their children before they died in return for care during their senior years.  This was apparently a common practice among Amish/Mennonites at the time and was very common among members of the Church of the Brethren (which Peter and Mary attended in their later years).  Such an arrangement avoided probate, etc. I also suspect their funerals were conducted at the Church of the Brethren. It was located less than a mile from their home east of Roanoke. That might explain the total absence of historical documents on their deaths in the Roanoke Mennonite Church records, and the absence of any obituary (which was frowned upon by the Brethren Church.”
————————————————
According to Gary Yordy, a family story says that John's father was a German army officer. "It is possible that John B. Yordy's relationship to Peter Yordy as a foster son would have remained a family secret, were it not for the fact that John's daughter, Fannie Yordy, decided to marry Peter Yordy's nephew, Joseph Yeackley."

"In about 1883, Peter and Mary temporarily moved to the home of their daughter Mary and her husband Daniel Orendorff in Flanagan. Their Roanoke farm home was occupied by their son Christian and his family at the time while a second smaller home was built on the farm for Peter and Mary. In 1884, Peter and Mary moved in to the new home at Roanoke and were shortly joined by his niece, Barbara Jordy and her son, Chris H.--recently arrived from Bavaria." (Gary Yordy)
 
The family is found on the 1850 census of Tazewell County as farmer Peter Yatty, 45, Germany; Mary, 34, Germany; John, 12, Germany; Christian, 2, Illinois; and Mary, 1, Illinois. The proximity of neighbor Uriah Crosby suggests their first homestead was in the northern half of Morton.

“Peter paid $1,400 for 154 acres of land Jan. 30, 1852. The land came in three parcels: two totaling 85 acres in south-central Groveland, and another 70 acres in north-central Elm Grove.

The household of Peter and Mary can be found on the 1860 census of Elm Grove as farmer Peter 'Yarty,' 54 [he was actually 45], born in France; Mary, 49 [she was actually 44], born in Bavaria; John, 21, born in Bavaria; Christian, 11, Illinois; Mary, 10, Illinois; Jacob, 7, Illinois; Elizabeth, 4, Illinois; Philip [Peter Jr.], 3, Illinois; and Joseph, 2, Illinois. Their neighbors (Joseph Heiser, Joseph Ropp, Samuel King, Peter and Christian Gerber) indicate that they probably lived on the north side of Allentown Road, across from Joseph Heiser. The property must have been sold before 1864; the plat map published in that year does not show a Yordy property.

On Feb. 10, 1865, Peter purchased 80 acres of land at Nebraska Township (later Flanagan), Livingston County. The farm was cultivated by John Birkey Yordy 1865-71, then occupied by daughter Mary and her husband Daniel Orendorff, while John moved to Lombardville, Stark County.

In 1867 the family moved onto a 200-acre farm on Panther Creek at Roanoke, Woodford County. It was located about 3.5 miles north of Christian's farm. The household is found on the 1870 census of Roanoke as farmer Peter 'Yottey,' 54, Bavaria; Mary, 53, Bavaria; Christian, 22, Bavaria [Illinois]; Mary, 20, Bavaria [Illinois]; Jacob, 17, Ohio; Elizabeth, 16, Ohio; Peter, 14, Ohio; Joseph, 12, Illinois; and Barbara, 7, Illinois. Peter joined the Roanoke Mennonite Church, but also attended services at the nearby Panther Creek Church of the Brethren.
The 1880 census of Roanoke shows them as 'Peter Yordie,' a 65-year-old farmer born in France, of parents born in France; and Mary, 64, born in Bavaria, of parents born in France. Children living with them include Elisabeth, 25; Peter, 24; Joseph, 23; and Barbara, 19. Mary can be found as an 84-year-old widow on the 1900 census of Roanoke, living with children Peter, 44, and Barbara, 39. On that form Mary (or someone in her stead) stated that she was born in Germany of French parents, and that she came to America in 1847. In about 1884, Peter and Mary moved into the household of their daughter Mary and her husband Daniel Orendorff at Flanagan. The Roanoke farm was occupied by son Christian and his family. “
——————————————————
In December 2007, genealogist Joseph Staker discovered the historic record of Peter’s immigration to America.

Twenty-three-year-old “Peter Jordte” or “Jodte” from France emigrated to New York. He arrived on the packet ship, Charles Carroll, which arrived from Le Havre on September 17, 1838. This individual’s name falls directly in a crease in the paper, making it difficult to read clearly. On the passenger list immediately before Peter’s name is the name of Joseph “Heser” (20) and Andrew Burkey (29) and his wife, Barbara (29) and son Joseph (2). These people are thought to be Joseph Heiser; Andrew Burcky (son of Andrew Birki and first cousin of Peter Yordy’s future wife, Mary Birkey Yordy) and his wife, Barbara Eyer/Oyer and their son, Joseph. Joseph Heiser had lived at Hanfeld, and Andrew Burcky had lived at Söcking. The two villages are adjacent and the town squares only two miles apart, very near Starnberg, and approximately 20 miles south of Munich. The fact that Peter, Joseph, and Andrew emigrated together suggests that they knew each other prior to the trip. Further credence is leant to this theory by their actions after arriving in Illinois. In the 1855 Tazewell County Census and the1860 US Census, Peter, Joseph, and Andrew were all next-door neighbors in Elm Grove Township, Tazewell County.

Birth:
At 3 a.m. Near Windstein - The birth was witnessed by Jean Walter and Pierre Mathis. Birth date from family records is 12 Jun 1815 , and is inscribed on his gravestone.

Residence:
With his parents, “about 20 miles south of Munich”

Residence:
Peter Jordy and wife, with 2 Children homeless-I think he stay short in Hahnfeld and moved from here to USA in 1838 (H. Holly)

Residence:
Near Starnberg

Immigration:
from Hanfeld, Bavaria, GR, to France, where he boarded the packet ship “Charles Carroll” from Le Have on September 17 1838. Peter was accompanied by Andrew Burcky and Joseph Heiser from Söcking and Hanfeld. On the passenger list, the name immediately after that of 'Joseph Heser' falls on a crease. The National Archives and FHL reproduction microfilms appear to say 'Peter Jodte,' age 23.

Residence:
A family story says that Peter worked on the Mississippi River before coming to Illinois. According to Harry Weber in Centennial History of the Mennonites in Illinois, he arrived on Partridge Creek in 1839. 

Census:
Peter age 35, Mary age 34, and children John 12, Christian 2, and Mary 1, were farming.

PURC:
Peter paid $1,400 for 154 acres of land Jan. 30, 1852. The land came in three parcels: two totaling 85 acres in south-central Groveland, and another 70 acres in north-central Elm Grove.


Their neighbors (Joseph Heiser, Joseph Ropp, Samuel King, Peter and Christian Gerber) indicate that they probably lived on the north side of Allentown Road, across from Joseph Heiser. The property must have been sold before 1864; the plat map published in that year does not show a Yordy property.

Census:
Peter Yorty age 54 [he was 45], farmer b. France; Mary age 49 [she was 44], b. Bavaria; John age 21, farmer, b. Bavaria; Christian age 11, b. IL; Mary age 10, b. IL; Jacob age 7, b. IL; Elizabeth age 4, b. IL; Philip age 3 [Peter Jr.], b. IL; Joseph age 2, b. IL. Lived next to Joseph Hieser and Joseph Ropp.

Undefined:
Peter paid $100 to purchase release of his step son John from military service in the Civil War.

PURC:
On Feb. 10, 1865, Peter purchased 80 acres of land at Nebraska Township (later Flanagan), Livingston County. The farm was cultivated by John Birkey Yordy 1865-71, then occupied by daughter Mary and her husband Daniel Orendorff, while John moved to Lombardville, Stark County.

PURC:
200 acres from Andrew Johnson and his wife for which he paid $8000.

Residence:
From Ten Mile Creek in Tazewell Co.

Census:
Peter Yottey age -54, wife Mary age - 53; children:

Census:
Peter, Mary, and children, Elisabeth, Peter, Joseph and Barbara.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Peter married Maria (Mary) Birky on 9 Feb 1847 in Tazewell Co., IL. Maria (daughter of Christian Birki and Maria Anna Gascho) was born on 18 Apr 1816 in Bavaria, GR; died on 13 May 1903 in Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: 17 Jun 1844, Le Havre to New York

Notes:

The book 'The Past and Present of Woodford County' spells Mary's name Burkey. Mary is the Maria Birkey Yordy, of whom Myrna Slagell Park says , "During pioneer days in Tazewell County, Illinois, Maria Birkey Yordy (1816-1903) cooked a mixture she called 'pap,’ given to sickly infants with feeding problems. This remedy supposedly saved some babies not expected to survive. The recipe was handed down within the family."

Mary Birky had a son before she married Peter Yordy--named John. (John b. Oct 23, 1838. He married Magdalena King (b. 1842) in 1862. They had 13 children.) She arrived in New York on the ship Baltimore on June 14,1844 with her son from a previous relationship, Johann Horn (who would later be known as John Birkey Yordy)." 

Peter and Mary can be found on the 1880 census of Roanoke as 'Peter Yordie,' a 65- year-old farmer born in France, of parents born in France; and Mary, 64, born in Bavaria, of parents born in France; and four children. Mary can be found as an 84-year-old widow on the 1900 census of Roanoke, living with children Peter, 44, and Barbara, 39. Mary stated that she was born in Germany of French parents, and that she came to America in 1847 [actually it was 1844].

“On February 9, 1847, two and one-half years after arriving in America, Mary married Peter Yordy. That marriage occurred within the Dillon Creek Amish Congregation in Tazewell County, Illinois. A recently identified 1845 Tazewell County Census sheds light on her life between her arrival in Illinois and her marriage to Peter.

In 1845, thirty-year-old Mary “Burgie” resided with a male under 10 years of age (John Horn Birkey) as the head of the household in Tazewell County. Also in the household are a female aged 10-20 and a female under 10 years of age.24 The identity of these two females is unknown. It is probable that the two women were boarders. The listing of Mary as the “Head of Household” suggests that Mary emigrated with significant funds consistent with the relative wealth of her father, Christian Birki. Triangulation of neighbors suggests that after their marriage, Peter and Mary lived in the home where Mary was living in 1845.

Peter Yordy’s wife, Maria Birki (Mary Birkey), and her six-year-old son, John Horn, emigrated in 1844. They traveled with Mary’s brother, Joseph, their cousin, Catherine Kettner, and Peter Zehr on the ship, Baltimore, which arrived in New York from Le Havre on June 14, 1844.23

Immigration:
Mary “Burge” with son Johann Horn on the ship Baltimore (New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, 1844, June 17, Baltimore, p.4)
Also on the ship were Peter Zerr 25; Jospeh Burger 26; Catharina Kunder 27.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
In the Amish Dillon Creek congregation.

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.

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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:

• Census: 1880, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Obit:
EIGSTI - On the 16th of Dec. 1899, near Washburn, Woodford Co., Ill., Jos. Eigsti, aged 69 years, 7 months and 27 days. He died very suddenly. He had not been well however for several weeks and had expressed his willingness to depart whenever the messenger of death would come, having the living hope of a bright hereafter. It is hard to realize that we shall see father's face no more on earth, that no more we shall hear his loving voice. But oh! the blessed thought, we shall meet him "some sweet day, by and by." On the day of his departure he had partaken of dinner as usual, after which he went to his room and sat down in his rocking chair. An hour afterwards his daughter, going to his room, found he was dead. He had evidently passed quietly away a few minutes before. He was the father of four sons and seven daughters. His wife and two daughters preceded him to the spirit world. The remains were laid to rest in the Roanoke Mennonite cemetery.

"We'll know where to find thee,
Dear father - in heaven,
Though every fond tie
We have cherished be riven:
We'll follow thee home,
To the land of the blest,
Where sighs are not heard
And the weary are at rest." S.S.E.

Birth:
Recorded in Pellheim church book

Census:
Joseph Eigstein, 40, a farmer born at Berne; Susan, 35, keeping house and born in IL; and nine children.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Susanna Nafziger on 16 Dec 1899 in Tazewell Co., IL. Susanna (daughter of Daniel Nafziger and Elisabeth Sommer) was born on 19 Oct 1837 in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 27 Jul 1877 in IL; was buried in Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Landes Cemetery

Fredrick + Mary Stauffer. Mary was born on 12 Sep 1847; died on 31 May 1892. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]