Have census, will time travel
My ancestors first came to Sheldon, Iroquois, Illinois in 1857 with the arrival of Thomas Reynolds from England. In 1860, the Goosey family arrived, also from England. Then, in 1876, the Schlotman family came to the Sheldon area. Much later, some of my dad’s family lived there, with his 2nd great-grandfather Anthony Wayne Earl living there from at least 1900 until his death in 1913.
Posts mentioning Sheldon, Illinois…
The letter updates Rhoda, who has recently married, moved to Illinois, and had her first child, on what’s happening on the family farm in in the neighborhood back in Ohio.
We congratulate the Dan Schlotmans as does all of Sheldon!
They recently moved into the above house on east Concord street and thereby became the first in Sheldon in seventeen years to occupy a new house. The last new house built in Sheldon prior to this year, according to our best information, is the one now occupied by Dr. Hungness.
The house of the Schlotmans is pictured above. It faces south on Concord street and is located between the C. K. Bussert and W. L. McCloud residences in the first block east of the Sheldon grade school.
The house is of a modified Cape Cod style and contains five rooms, bath, a full basement, with provision for two rooms upstairs. The overall size of the building is 26×34 feet with an additional 4 foot projection in front for the vestibule. It is fully lined and covered outside with Johns Manville cement asbestos shingles. The roof is of asphalt composition.
The windows in the house are of the airtight type, fitted with unique balances. Green shutters are very attractive accessories to the outside of the building. An ornamental light is over the front entrance while a small canopy covers the rear door.
Hardwood floors are found throughout the house and the walls are of white coated plaster.
Touring the building we enter the front door to find an entry way four feet wide with a coat closet off to one side. This entire section is eight feet wide. This entry way leads into the living room which is in the southeast corner of the building and is 12 and 1-2 feet by 19 feet. In the northwest corner of the room is a large archway which leads into the dining room, which is in the center of the north side of the house. It is 8 1/2 by 12 1/2 feet and in it we find a built in china closet. In the southeast corner of the room the stairs lead up to the second floor.
From the dining room in the southwest corner you go into a hall which leads to two bedrooms and the bathroom. The bathroom is located on the west side in the center with a bedroom on either side. The bedroom on the north side of the bath is 9 1/2 by 12 feet while the one on the south is 9 1/2 by 14 feet. Both rooms have clothes closets.
Also off from the hall is a broom closet and a linen closet. The bathroom is 5 1/2 by 8 feet. It has a built-in-square tub, large size lavatory, built in medicine cabinet and a towel cabinet at the end of the bath tub.
Going back to the dining room we go east from it into the kitchen which is in the northeast corner of the building. It is 10 by 9 feet. On the south side is the refrigerator and electric range. Along the north wall is built in cabinets and sink, In the southeast corner of the kitchen is the exit to the landing and rear entrance and entrance to the basement.
Along the north side of the basement is the coal bin, a warm air furnace and laundry equipment. A workshop is in the southeast corner. Under the vestibule is a fruit room.
The drive is on the east side of the house and comes along side the rear entrance and leads on to the garage just north and east of the house. It is 12 by 20 feet.
The people of Sheldon should be mighty proud that the Schlotman have made this beautiful addition to our town. And furthermore, they should point with pride to this first house to be occupied in 17 years and built new from the ground up. It may the forerunner (and we hope it is) of a building boom in Sheldon. It is badly needed. Another new house has just been occupied in Sheldon and we shall soon review it for you. We shall also in the near future review two new houses in Iroquois and one east of Sheldon. Watch for them.
Unknown newspaper, but probably the Sheldon Journal, Sep 1939
Sunday, July 11, 1976, 2:00
(Spirit Photos by Brent N. Bahler)
Senior King & Queen: Mr. and Mrs. Dan Schlotman
Sheldon Fun Day King and Queen, Dan and Clara Schlotman present trophies to Betty Davenport of Sheldon and Terry Goodman of Early Park for winning floats.
Watseka Spirit, unknown date, but after 11 Jul 1976
(Sheldon) – Mr. and Mrs. Dan Schlotman presented a color slide travelogue of the 2200 mile conducted bus tour of England and Scotland they had taken in August when the Sheldon Senior Citizens met on October 16. There were forty-three persons in attendance at the pot-luck dinner hostessed by Rose LeSage and Doris Long. Mrs. Long gave the invocation before the meal.
Nurses from the Iroquois County Public Health Service gave free flue shots to eighteen members. Some members also had a blood pressure check. President Clara Ingalls conducted the business session. Secretary Laverna Marshall read the account of the September meeting and Harry Brubaker gave the financial report. Lillie Arseneau, Florence Bonnett and Martha Sabo observed October birthdays. Sixteen Sheldon Seniors had attended the September meeting of the Martinton Good Neighbors Club.
John Kuntz, Iroquois County Clerk and Recorder, will be present at the November meeting to give instructions on the use of the voting machines which will be used in coming elections.
Recipe blanks were distributed for members to submit favorite recipes to be used in compiling a cookbook to be sold to the benefit of the Volunteer Services projects.
A donation of $20 was voted from the treasury to the Iroquois County Transportation Service which provides multiple trips and telecare transportation. The Sheldon Senior Citizens will ride on the mini-van to Bloomington on Wednesday, October 31 to visit the Beich Candy Factory. Gk
Watseka Spirit, 24 Oct 1979
To be voted at the Annual Election for Township Officers in the Town of Sheldon, April 3d, 1900.
| REPUBLICAN For Supervisor, 176 – R. B. MYERS For Town Clerk, 246 – A. F. MOORE For Assessor 259 – JOHN E. MORRIS For Collector 277 – WM. WEDGBURY For Commissioner of Highways 228 – JOHN EWEN For School Trustee 244 – J. R. RUSSELL | DEMOCRAT For Supervisor, 288 – A. GILMORE For Town Clerk, 216 – J. R. STRICKLER For Assessor, 201 – H. V. CROSSLAND For Collector, 184 – DAN’L FINLAYSON For Commissioner of Highways, 232 – DAN’L SCHLOTMAN For School Trustee, 216 – CHAS. FLEMING |
The numbers written on the ballot are total votes and difference in votes.
Here’s a little more information on the candidates, including their 1900 occupations
Last Thursday evening was perfect for the annual Garden Party held at the Dan Schlotman home and sponsored by the ladies of the Sheldon Methodist Church. One hundred and seventy-five guests gathered for an enjoyable program of music which had been arranged for their pleasure and entertainment.
The air was warm, the moon high, together with soft lights, throughout the garden, made a very inviting place to spend an evening. Small tables each decorated with miniature bouquets were scattered around the lawn, at which the guests were seated as they arrived. Large baskets of flowers were placed around the garden. The following musical program was given:
Vocal solo: Clara Ingalls.
Piano solo, Patricia McCarty.
Vocal solo, Mrs. Naomi Darrough
Piano solo, Phyllis Schlotman.
Vocal solo, Helen Bussert.
Piano selection, Mrs. Ima Silvers.
Several numbers by the Tonett Players, Marcia Jones, Marcia Schlotman, Joanne Courtright, Jo Ellen Kusch, Mary Jo and Sharon Trummel.
Tuba solo, Irvin Hollingsworth.
Trio, Mrs. Mabel Nichols, Miss Helen Bussert, Irvin Hollingsworth.
At the close of the program refreshments of sandwiches, cookies, and coffee were served.
Unknown newspaper, but probably Sheldon Journal, Aug 1943
SHELDON — Official announcement was made Wednesday of appointment of Dan Schlotman as mail carrier on rural route 2 out of Sheldon. His duties will start July 6.
The appointment was made to fill vacancy caused by death of Mark M. Chapman in February, 1936. Harry McKimson, substitute carrier, has been on the route since November, 1935, when Mr. Chapman took a three month leave of absence.
Mr. Schlotman has been employed at Texaco filling station for four years and since Oct. 15, 1934 has been manager. He will leave that work Saturday and will spend part of next week with his family at home of an uncle, Robert Schlotman, of Madisonville, Ky.
Walter Maddin will have charge of filling station and will have as helpers George Quinn and Wendell Berry. The latter has for a number of years been employed by L. B. Warrick at Sheldon Hatchery.
Unknown Newspaper, late June 1937
Dan Schlotman Named for Route Two; Will Begin Duties July 6, 1937
Announcement is made this week of the appointment of Dan Schlotman as rural mail carrier on route two out of Sheldon postoffice. The announcement comes about eight months after thirty-nine had written the examination for the job at Watseka.
Dan is quite well known to Sheldon people, having been employed for the past four years in the Texaco service station across from the postoffice and three years of that time he spent as manager. He made a wide acquaintance of the general public in his four years there.
Mr. Schlotman will take over the duties of the route on July 6. Harry McKimson has been the temporary carrier on the route for many months since the death of Mark Chapman, who was the rural carrier.
Wendell Berry, formerly with the Sheldon Hatchery, will take over his new duties Monday morning at the Texaco station, where he will take the place of George Quinn who will be advanced to the position vacated by Mr. Schlotman.
Unknown newspaper, probably Sheldon Journal, unknown date, but probably late June 1937
Honored at a meeting of the Sheldon, Ill., camp, were Neighbors Genevieve Keller and Clara Schlotman, pictured at right, left and right, respectively, when they were presented their coveted gold 50-year membership jewels. A detailed account of the meeting may be found in the Illinois camp news section of this issue of the Royal Neighbor.
Unknown publication, unknown date, the even took place on 21 Apr 1972.
SHELDON — Benevolence Camp 521 of Sheldon met in the library hall on Friday, April 21 with vice oracle, Mrs. Charles Burton, presiding.
Eight members of the Stockland Camp were visitors and were welcomed by receiving the grand honors. They were Mrs. Curtis Sever, Mrs. Evelyn Beall, Mrs. Mildred Coryell, Mrs. Ruth Bury, Mrs. Bertha Handy, Mrs. Alice Whitesel, Mrs. Edith Sullivan, and Mrs. Vic Gillan.
The password was collected by Mrs. Larry Hartlep, marshal and Mrs. Burl Houston, assistant marshal. The opening and closing prayers were given by chancellor, Mrs. Albert Whaley. The odes were sung with Mrs. Joe Keller at the piano. Mrs. Emmett Bigger, the recorder, read information received from the head camp at Rock Island.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of 50 year pins to Mrs. Joe Keller and Mrs. Dan Schlotman of Sheldon by Mrs. Joe Turpin. She read two poems entitled “Friendship” and “Old Friends.” A humorous article, “Remember When” was read by Mrs. Albert Whaley.
Grand Honors were given to the two new 50 year members and also to the other 50 year members, Mrs. Edythe Newman, Mrs. Charles Burton, Mrs. Louie Poster of Sheldon and Mrs. Bertha Handy and Mrs. Edith Sullivan of Stockland. They all were presented with a corsage form the Sheldon camp.
Meeting close in usual form. Games were played with all winning prizes and a potluck lunch was enjoyed by those present.
Unknown newspaper, 2 May 1972
My great-grandmother, Clara Schlotman, recorded some stories on a cassette tape for me in the Summer of 1999. One of the stories she told me started with her family’s move from their rented farm in Concord Township, Iroquois County, to the village of Sheldon, Illinois.
At that time, in about 1912, Clara’s father, Nathaniel Light (1857-1916) was in failing health. He had been diagnosed with Bright’s Disease and found himself unable to do farm work.
Nathaniel moved his family into town where they ran a restaurant. I believe they lived above the restaurant, which was located in downtown Sheldon. It was there that my grandmother met Mirla Dibble.
"There was a little girl that lived in the apartment not too far down the street from where we were. So, I walked to school with her. I learned the city by walking to school with her. She was real nice. Her name was Mirla Dibble. She wasn't well. She was a very frail little girl, and she didn't live maybe ten years later." Clara Light Schlotman (1905-2001), Summer 1999, remembering her childhood in Sheldon, Illinois in 1912
Mirla E. Dibble was born in 1906 in Wells, Fairbault County, Minnesota. Her parents were Louis Orrin Dibble (1875-1930), a native of Minnesota, and her mother was Emma Eugenia Tiedt Dibble (1870-1967), from Wisconsin. Both Louis and Emma came from German immigrant parents. The couple married in 1898 in Minnesota and had seven (known) children there:
At some point before the 1910 census, Louis Dibble moved his family to Sheldon, Iroquois County, Illinois. They were enumerated in Sheldon village where Louis worked as a dredgeman in the ditching industry.
By 1918, the Dibbles had moved to Crown Point, Lake County, Indiana where they lived at 308 Grant Street. Louis registered for the draft that September and reported that he was working as an engineer for the Inter State Public Service Company.
At the time of the 1920 census, the family was still in on Grant Street in Crown Point. Louis was a laborer and Emma worked as a waitress. Eldest daughter Laverna was by then Mrs. Roy Marshall and living on East Grove Street back in Sheldon, Illinois. At home in Crown Point, Lura Dell was sixteen and had a job as a stenographer in a law office. Mirla and Cherril attended school.
At some point after 1920, it seems that Louis and Emma divorced. Louis later remarried and died in 1930 from a heart attack.
On 29 July 2022, Stella Cyr, the granddaughter of Laverna Dibble Marshall responded to a post in “History of Sheldon, Illinois (Iroquois County),” a Facebook group I am admin for, by Georgia Potts about the Dunn Hotel in Sheldon, Illinois:
“Believe this is the Hotel my Grandma Laverna (Dibble) Marshall worked at as a teenager. Met my Grandpa Roy Marshall and they married in 1918. At one time, I knew the ladies name who ran it. Dad (Francis Marshall) talked about it.” Stella Cyr, 29 July 2022, speaking about the Dunn Hotel in Sheldon, Illinois
The uncommon Dibble name caught my eye and I asked if she was any relation to Mirla. She told me:
"Myrla Dibble was my Grandma Laverna’s younger sister. As a young woman, Myrla went to Chicago to stay with Luradell (another sister). Myrla was found deceased in a alley-side street wearing Luradell’s fur coat. Believe she is buried in Crown Point, Ind. and haven’t researched the actual site to know her age when she died but believe she may have been in her 20’s. I’ve never seen any pictures or obituary for her. As with many families, the history is lost when you don’t asked questions of your elders." Stella Cyr, 29 July 2022, speaking about her grandaunt, Mirla Dibble
A search of Newspapers.com in the Chicago Tribune for 1929 quickly yielded small bits of information about Mirla’s sad end. The following appeared on 17 March 1929 on page two:
Young Woman Falls Dead at Montrose and Sheridan
An unidentified young blonde woman in a fur trimmed caracul coat and black satin dress collapsed on the curb last night at Sheridan road and Montrose avenue and died. Her body was lifted into a cab by Sergt. Paul Winton of the Lincoln park police and taken to Lake View hospital.
It took only one day for the following to appear in the Chicago Tribune:
Identify Body of Girl Who Died on Street The body of the blonde young woman who collapsed and died Saturday night at Sheridan road and Montrose avenue was identified last night as that of Miss Mirla Dibble, 22 years old, of Crown Point, Ind. Her sister, Mrs. Laura Rick [sic., should be Rich], 825 Buena avenue, identified the body.
Mirla’s grandniece, Stella Cyr, told us that Mirla was staying with her sister. Here is a map showing how close the location of Mirla’s collapse at Sheridan and Montrose was to Lura’s 825 Buena Avenue home:
I found these IDOT Chicago Traffic Photographs on the website of the University of Illinois Chicago. They show the intersection where Mirla collapsed as it looked in 1936, just seven years after the event.
Mirla’s death certificate and local research would likely yield more information. For now, here’s what we know:
At the time of her death, Mirla was twenty-two years old and had blonde hair. She was staying with her sister, Lura, and was working as a “beauty operator.”
Mirla collapsed on a Saturday evening and was wearing a black satin dress and her sister’s fur coat. She was unidentified, which means she was probably alone.
We don’t know why Mirla was at the location where she collapsed. It could be that she was on her way somewhere — to a party or a dance or a friend’s house? Or, she could have been headed home. She might have been walking or had caught a bus or cab.
Mirla’s cause of death is unknown at this time. Her childhood friend, Clara Light (by then Schlotman), remembered her as a frail and sickly girl. Mirla’s father died of a heart attack at a fairly young age. Perhaps a congenital heart ailment was to blame for Mirla’s sudden death.
Mirla’s body was identified by her sister Lura on Sunday night, about one day after her death. At that time, her name was Lura Rich, but I have failed to find information about her husband.
I have not been able to find an obituary for Mirla in the Chicago Tribune or in other online newspapers.
Three days after her death, Mirla was buried at Maplewood Memorial Cemetery in Crown Point, Lake County, Indiana. Either O. H. Jordan Company or W. A. Feguersa was in charge of the arrangements. Mirla rests beside her mother, Emma, who died in 1967 at the age of ninety-seven.
After sharing my article on Facebook, I was given some new information.
“I have a picture and the children of Louis & Emma were written on the back, including the twins. I had asked my Dad and Uncle but apparently that information was not shared with them by my Grandma, they knew nothing about the twins or the eldest son. Louis Dibble did ditch digging, in fact most of the ditches in Sheldon were dug by him and there were pictures of his machinery. Louis & Emma did divorce and Emma moved to Crown Point. Grandma Laverna stayed in Crown Point during at least 2 of her pregnancies as my Uncle Everett and my Dad were born there. Grandpa Roy was in WW1 at the time.” “Louis Dibble remarried to Josephine Wojack (Iroquois, Il), and had something to do with the Nest (bar/night club) located on the South side of the Iroquois River in Iroquois, Il. I was always told that Louis Dibble was running from the copers (police) and died as a result of an automobile accident. He was 54 years old. Louis and his 2nd wife, Josephine are buried at Prairie Dell, West of Iroquois, graves located just West of the old Church. Also told he and another person were bootleggers thus the police chase.” Stella Cyr, 1 Jul 2022, speaking about this article in the Facebook group “History of Sheldon, Illinois (Iroquois County)”
I attempted to research Louis’ death and troubles with the law but found nothing online. Local research would surely yield some information about it. Given this new information, Louis’ cause of death cited in the article, which I found in a family tree on Ancestry.com and was unsourced, should be considered possibly incorrect. And, my conclusion that a heart condition may have been the cause of Mirla’s death is now in question. UPDATE: Georgia Robertson has told me that her mother said that Mirla had heart problems. So, her death was likely due to a heart attack.
Another development is that we now have some photos of Mirla thanks to Georgia Robertson, who is another grandniece of Mirla’s. She also shared a memorial booklet which provides Mirla’s birth date – 19 September 1906.
The photos here were taken with a cell phone. I used an AI program to sharpen the portrait of Mirla, but the others are untouched.
In loving remembrance of
Mirla E. Dibble
Born Sept. 19, 1906.
Died March 16, 1929.
‘Tis hard to break the tender cord
When love has bound the heart,
‘Tis hard, so hard, to speak the words
“We must forever part.”
Dearest loved one we must lay thee
In the peaceful grave’s embrace.
But they memory will be cherished
‘Til we see thy heavenly face.
Two more photos of Mirla shared by her grandniece, Georgia Robertson
This snapshot was in a brown paper bag full of photos that I scanned in June 2000. At the time, the photo belonged to my great-grandmother, Clara Schlotman. Grandma passed the following January. I don’t know the current location of this photo.
This photo shows my great-grandfather, Dan Schlotman, as a young man, possibly a teenager. It is labeled, “Dan Schlotman, taken by himself.” He was given a camera as a high school graduation present in 1921. This was probably taken with it.
I am not very knowledgeable about cameras, but I think it is unlikely that his camera would have had a timer or any kind of remote capability. I wonder if Grandpa set up the shot and had someone else press the button for him after he got in place.
I don’t know where this was taken, but it might have been either his father, Oscar Schlotman’s home or his grandmother, Rhoda Schlotman’s home. They both lived in the Sheldon, Illinois area.