Looking for Birthplace, LaSalle Co. Troy Grove (Mendota, Caseyville: move, farmer)

[John S. Dreas]

My birth records show I was born in Troy Grove Township, LaSalle county in 1939. I am trying to retrace my birthplace. My Father was a Farm Hand for Mr. Charles Barr, a cattle farmer just outside Troy Grove. he had a son that lived with him. A windmill stood on the farmstead near the barn. We moved to southern Illinois in Dec 1940 and I would like to find the place where I was born. I was baptized at Holy Cross in Mendota, Father Leo Wissing officiating.
And birth records indicate Dr. W. Avery was present when I was born. I would like any information you have concerning finding about my birthplace. I can be reached at JdreasKcvil@aol.com. And with this information I plan to go there and see what is there. Thanks John
(I reside near Caseyville, Illinois, near St Louis, Missouri)

[Schmoo]

Troy Grove was also the birthplace of Wild Bill Hickock, if you didn't know. None of the names you mentioned sound familiar, but Holy Cross is still here in Mendota.

As far as visiting, there isn't even a gas station in Troy Grove, so don't get your hopes up. There IS a bar claiming to serve the "world's largest ham sandwich" though, lol. Population was around 350 last time I checked.

[John S. Dreas]

Maybe I waited too long for this type of endeavor. So often it has been said, talk to some of the 'Old Timers" for this type of information. But when I take into consideration that I am 67 and my Father would have been 100 this month, there are probably not any 'Old Timers' that would remember this. Maybe I could find someone in Mendota that has information. Thanks anyway, John

[Scribbler]

John - sending you a private message.

[thepizzaguy]

ancestory.com it's free....