The ‘tombstone cleaning’ volunteers of the Historical Society have been working in the old section of Pleasant Hill, also known as White House Cemetery north of Bridgeport on the frontage road. (You are welcome to join us…just email a contact number.) In the process they are comparing the stones’ information with Irene Black’s Cemetery book. Some of the stones that were there fifty years ago and able to be read, are not there now. The older stones were probably difficult t

Don't forget: Genealogy Workshop: "Find Your Patriot" begins Saturday April 18, 9-11 at the Research Library Lawrenceville. It's not too late to know what part your ancestor played in America250. Call 908-208-2372 for information. The following newspaper article was published in the South Kansas Tribune (Independence, Kansas), Wednesday, April 10, 1889, pg. 2 From The Olney (Ills .) Republican. How the News of the Firing on Fort Sumpter was Received at Lawrenceville— It

Once upon a time in Lawrence County Illinois in the year 1835 Jacob Pargin was born. He was the son of Peter Pargin and Sarah Petty and in 1850, the 15- year- old teenager was living with his parents. Eventually Jacob decided that farm life wasn't exciting enough and enlisted in Captain Watts Company of the 7th Missouri infantry. Clearly, he thought marching and guard duty would be a nice change from milking cows. Jacob's brother Daniel came home disabled before Jacob was e

Plan to attend the program “The Little Town with a Big Heart” on February 21, 2026, at 1:30pm at at Sumner’s new City Hall, 224 S. Christy Ave. Free admittance and refreshment courtesy of the city of Sumner. Presentation by George Zwilling. The Lawrence County Illinois Historical Society proudly announces the TV premiere of its documentary, "An Eagle on his Button." This film highlights the remarkable stories of African Americans from Lawrence County who served in the Ci

John Bender Sumner Biography Pvt John Sumner served in the United States Civil War. Enlisted: 20 May 1861 Regiment(s): Co. "G", 7th...

In reviewing soldiers’ Civil War records, the researchers soon discovered that many from this county enlisted in other places. That came...

David Foote, our correspondent from Crawford County, responded to the earlier blog about Jesse Dubois. Following the Pres. Lincoln and...

A light frost was visible on Friday April 9, 1880, when the newspaper was published. Michael O’Roarke was said to have raised the best...

Thank you to the Lawrence County Library for allowing the Historical Society to place a new exhibit in their lobby. Scattered around the...

Joseph Henry Worstell was born on September 18, 1843, to David Johnson and Naomi (Martin) Worstell in Clermont County, Ohio. Joseph’s...