Biography of Christopher Ermentraudt - Montgomery County, Illinois The following is the biography of Christopher Ermentraudt, who came to America in 1739. The main source of information regarding the first two generations of this family are taken from "Armentrout's in America 1739-1987 by Russell Armentrout." The only person I know locally that owns a hardbound copy of the history is Imogene (Armentrout) Durbin of Witt. This writer also now owns a photocopied edition of the Christopher Ermentraudt lineage, pages 1-59. Christopher Ermentraudt's grandson Christopher Armentrout arrived in Montgomery County in the late 1830's and from that generation on, the family history and all it's proof of lineage may be found in both courthouses in Hillsboro, Il. Some of this history was derived from the Witt Centennial Book, documents gleaned from the Hillsboro Courthouses and personal accounts of family history. "Christopher Ermentraudt" Christopher Ermentraudt was born 1724-1725 Palatinate (present day W. Germany along the Rhine River.) He arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 27, 1739, departing from the English ship "Samuel", along with his mother and three older brothers, Johannes, Philipus and Johan. Ship Master was Commander Hugh Percy. Christopher wasn't required to take the Oath of Allegiance or Abjuration to the English King, as his three older brothers were required, as he was under 16 years of age. Christopher was first married to Elizabeth Schmehl in 1748 in Lancaster (now Berks) County, Pennsylvania. After the death of his first wife, he married Susannah (Gallet) Powers, the widow of Michael Power, who was killed by Indians in 1756-1757. Susannah was born 1734 and died 1814 in Hardy County, Va. (now W.Va.), the daughter of John and Catherine (Franciscus) Gallet. Children born to Christopher and Elizabeth (Schmehl) Ermentraudt were Christopher (1754-1825) and Barbara, date of birth and death unknown. Children born to Christopher and Susannah (Gallet) Ermentraudt were Elizabeth (1761-1800), Anna Maria (1762-1850), Henry (1763-1833), Johannes (1770-1810), Susannah (1772-1842) and Christopher (1775-1857). Christophers first land purchase was from the sons of William Penn, acquiring a 22 acre tract of land on October 11, 1753. Christopher went to Virginia after the birth of his son Christopher and joined Captain Daniel Harrison's Company of Augusta County, Va Militia on September 10, 1756. "Christopher took some part in the French and Indian Wars that harassed the frontier settlements of Virginia." "This is borne out by actions taken at the 1st session of the General Assembly at Williamsburg (Va.) on Tuesday, September 10, 1758- "An Act for the Defense of the Frontier of this Colony and for other purposes there in mentioned: Schedule: "To the Militia of the County of Augusta and for provisions furnished by sundry inhabitants of said Co.: "To Christopher Armentrout, Militia, 32 Shillings." Christopher was captured by Indians about 1762 during a raid on the settlements and spent six years in captivity before escaping and returning to his family. This is indicated also by the gap of about 7 years between the birth of his 3rd child and that of the 4th. Christopher was over age for combat service during the American Revolution, but he was paid for supplies furnished to the Continental Army. Christopher was honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution in October of 1929. Christopher died in Hardy County, Va (now W.Va.) in 1805. His will dated July 10, 1805, names his wife Susannah, sons Henry, John and Christopher and daughters Mary and Susannah. Christopher owned over 226 acres of land in Hardy County, Va (now W.Va.). Susannah died in 1814 in the same county. Their son Henry was named executrix of both estates. Henry Ermentraudt, son of Christopher and Susannah (Gallet) Ermentraudt was born 1763 in Hardy County, Va (now Grant County W.Va.). Henry married Elizabeth Carr in 1793-1794, in the same county as Henry's birth, daughter of Conrad and Magdaline (Shobe) Carr. Elizabeth was born September 24, 1772 in Hardy County, Va. (now Grant County, W. Va.). Elizabeth's sister, Maria Carr, married Henry's brother, John. Henry and Elizabeth were parents of Mary (1795-1829), Christopher H. (1797-1856), Daniel W. (1799-1862) and Susannah (1801-1842). Henry was a farmer all his life, an appraisal of his estate was valued at $2,181.03 on August 19, 1833, the year of his death. Elizabeth, his wife, died in 1828. Christopher H. Ermentraudt, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Carr) Ermentraudt was born September 5, 1797 in Hardy County, Va (now Grant County, W.Va.). Christopher was first married to Maria Weigle on January 27, 1825 in the same county of his birth. Maria was born February 14, 1801, in the same county as her marriage and she died June 23, 1837, also in the same county as her birth and marriage. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Borror, who was born October 20, 1813 in Hardy County, Va.(now Grant County, W.Va.). She died October 20, 1903 in Chetopa, Kansas. The children from Christopher's first marriage were Henry C. (1825-1848), William N. (1828-1848), Mary Ann (1829-1848), Elizabeth E. (1831-1870), Cyrus J. (1832-1848), Emily S. (1833-1845) and Adam C. (1835-1906). Approximately 1838, Christopher, his wife Elizabeth and his seven children, were loaded into a covered wagon and prepared for the journey to Montgomery County, Il. Christopher sold his farm in Hardy County, Va. (now Grant County, W.Va.). to his brother Daniel. The children born to Christopher and Elizabeth (Borror)Ermentraudt were Mahala J (1839-1868), infant son (1840-1840), Sarah C. (1842-1932), Daniel S. (1846-1856), infant son (1847-1848), John T. (1849-1887) and George W. (1855-1934). "Christopher bought a small farm along a creek in Section 17 (now Witt township), Montgomery County, Il, which had a small log cabin on it. In 1846, after digging a well out on the prarie and finding good water, he bought 80 acres of school land from the State located in Section 16. Here he built a 2 story frame house and moving the cabin from the first farm, attached it to the new house for a kitchen." "In the fall of 1848, four of Christopher's first family died from a mysterious cause, possibly typhoid fever, but more probably from milksickness. This was caused from the milk from cows, which had eaten White Snake Root, which caused the milk to be fatal to both cows and humans." Christopher worked the farm on which he lived until his death in 1856, being 59 years of age. He was buried in the Armentrout Cemetery located close to the location of his original cabin. After his death, Elizabeth remained on the farm, until her daughter Sarah married in 1873 and later moved with her daughter and her new husband to the State of Kansas. Elizabeth died in 1903 and was buried in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, about midway between Chetopa and Oswego, Kansas. Olin Clayton purchased 40 acres of Armentrout ground, from Alta Armentrout, the widow of Russell Armentrout, which faces the original Armentrout homestead. He is the only Armentrout descendant that owns Armentrout ground, adjacent to his maternal 3rd great grandfather's homestead. Christopher Armentrout's will, is on file at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Hillsboro, Il, along with a record of "Claims against the Estate". Sarah C. Armentrout, John T. Armentrout and George W. Armentrout are named in a document dated June 1859, with their Guardian John H. Beatty representing their interests in regard to their father, C.H. Armentrout's estate. John T. Armentrout, son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Borror) Armentrout was born May 9, 1849 in Witt, Il. He married Rebecca Vermillion on September 14, 1871, in Witt, Il. Rebecca was the daughter of James Struthers and Elizabeth (?) Vermillion. James was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Struthers) Vermillion, who traveled from Russell County, Virginia, to Edgar County, Il, soon after the Civil War. Thomas Vermillion was the son of Wilson Vermillion Jr, who was born July 29, 1794 in Caswell County, N.C. He died July 4, 1847 in Lee County, Virginia. Wilson was the son of William Wilson and Nancy (McNeil) Vermillion. William was born 1750 in Calvert County, Maryland and died 1824 in Lee County, Virginia. William served as a Teamster in the Regular troops, during the Revolutionary War under Colonel Washington. He was in the Battle of Guilford, North Carolina, under Generals Green and Butler. William Vermillion was the son of Jessee William and Ann (Wilson) Vermillion. Jessee was born June 27, 1723 in Prince George County, Maryland. Jessee Vermillion was the son of Giles and Jane (?) Vermillion. Giles was born 1685 in Wales and came to the US at 13 years of age in 1698. He was ordered by the Prince George County Court held at Charles Towne, Maryland in the Eleventh year of the Reigne of our Sovereign Lord, William the Third, by the Grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, recorded that Giles Vermillion must serve according to law as a servant to James Green. It is assumed this was in payment of his passage from England to the Colonies. The Vermillions were not native to England, there is no doubt the Vermillions were French Hugenots forced to flee France during the 1500's, maybe shortly after the St. Barthelomew's Day Massacre, on August 24, 1572. It is said many thousands of Hugenots were murdered by Catholic mobs all over France. Giles' wife Jane, was born in 1686 in Scotland, they married in 1708. Thomas and Elizabeth (Struthers) Vermillion are buried in Edgar County, Il and James Vermillion died in Morgan County, Il and is buried in St. Johns Cemetery in Witt, Il. The burial place of James' wife is unknown at this time in 1998. John Taylor Armentrout died October 27, 1887 of milksickness, leaving six children. He was buried in the Armentrout Family Cemetery. After John Armentrout's death, Rebecca married English born, Fred Mitchell, in 1898, son of William and Ann (Simmons) Mitchell and the grandson of William and Jane (Hockey) Mitchell. Fred Mitchell was born August 4, 1844 in Somersetshire, England. Mr. Mitchell was first married in England, to Elizabeth Durston, on January 1, 1869, the daughter of John and Jane Durston. They both came to the US and remained for a year in New York, coming to Macoupin County, Il in 1870 and then to Montgomery County in 1882. Mr. Mitchell rented a farm in Witt Township, Montgomery County, 1/3 mile north of the farm on which he later lived. He bought 80 acres of land, to which he added 40 acres and the town of Witt was laid out on this farm. Fred Mitchell never had children of his own, but adopted a boy and girl, children of Mrs. Mitchell's sister. The first Mrs. Mitchell, died October 18, 1896, age 48 years. Mr. Mitchell united with the Presbyterian Church in 1882 and had his membership transferred to the M.E. Church of Witt in 1911, of which he was a trustee. He was Director of the Oland National Bank of Witt, founder of the Oland Brick and Tile Company in 1906 and built the Witt Hotel. Fred Mitchell died August 29, 1920, age 76 years. He was buried in St. Johns Cemetery in Witt, Il and no stone marks his grave, as of 1998. Rebecca (Vermillion) Armentrout Mitchell was born September 14, 1852 in Kansas, Il and died February 26, 1930 in Santa Ana, California. Children born to John T and Rebecca (Vermillion) Armentrout were Clarence Lincoln (1872-1925, Elvira V (1874-1910), Augusta M (1876-1896), Ida G (1877-?), Howard E. (1878-1881), Lea (1881-?) and Stella Elizabeth (1885-1888). The marriage license of John T. Armentrout and Rebecca Vermillion is on file at the Historic Montgomery County Courthouse in Hillsboro, Il. John T. Armentrout's death certificate is on file in Montgomery County, Il, as is Fred Mitchell's. Rebecca Mitchell was buried in the Armentrout Family Cemetery. Her death certificate is on file in Santa Ana, California. Clarence Lincoln Armentrout, the son of John T and Rebecca (Vermillion) Armentrout was born July 10, 1872, in Witt, Il. Clarence married Ida Emma Towell, on August 16, 1893 in Montgomery County, Il, daughter of Civil War Veteran, Isaac Thomas Towell, who served in Company A, 3rd Ill Cavalry, as did his father William M. Towell, who was married to Martha Stark. Isaac's brothers John and William Towell Jr, also served in Company A, 3rd Illinois Cavalry. Isaac Thomas Towell was married to Elizabeth Jane Chapman. They all served in the Battle of Vicksburg Campaign and all their names can be found inside the Illinois Memorial in the Military Park there. Ida Towell was born March 4, 1872 in Witt, Il. Clarence Lincoln Armentrout died July 3, 1925 due to a ruptured appendix. He was a Director of the Witt First National Bank and served as Highway Commissioner of Witt Township for several years. He worked a farm in Section 17 of Witt Township, Montgomery County, Il. He moved to the family homestead in 1903, was a dairy farmer and raised fine stock. Ida Armentrout died May 20, 1954 in Hillsboro, Il. Both Clarence and Ida (Towell)Armentrout are buried in Witt Cemetery. The children born to Clarence and Ida (Towell) Armentrout were Inez (1894-?), Lester (1895-1895), Chester (1895-1895), Homer (1896-?), John T. (1898-1979), Lethia (1904-?), Dorothy G (1910-?), and Velma I (1912-?). John Thomas Armentrout, son of Clarence and Ida (Towell) Armentrout, was born November 11, 1898 in Witt, Il and died October 27, 1979 in Hillsboro, Il. John married Myrtle Alice Eddington December 24, 1922 in Witt, Il, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Sophia (Eddington) Eddington. Thomas was born in Macoupin County, Il, the son of Charles and Rebecca (Lockyer)Eddington, both born in Somersetshire, England. Sarah Eddington was the daughter of Samuel and Betsy (Browning) Eddington, both born in Somersetshire, England. John and Myrtle Armentrout lived most their lives on the Armentrout homestead, but in the 1970's resided in Irving, Il, where they lived until their death. John was a carpenter and farmed all his life. John helped remodel the old Ellis place in Irving, for his grandson Olin, despite grandma telling him he should slow down, but I think we all know, that the day he stopped working with his hands, he died. Grandma and grandpa were special people, I remember every meal, they prepared it together and washed and dried the dishes together. Grandma Armentrout was a tatter, she made the shuttle go so fast, you couldn't keep up with her movements. Many of the family received her beautiful dollies as gifts. Grandma was also famous for her homemade lemon meringue and mincemeat pies. She also prepared an English pudding that was handed down from her mother, that took hours to prepare. Olin's Aunt Imogene Durbin of Witt, tells the story about grandma being very sick when she was in her teens and required abdominal surgery that the Dr believed would surely kill her. But grandma was always a survivor, so her parents made her a promise that if she fought and got well, they would buy her a pony of her very own. Aunt Imogene Durbin owns a photo of Myrtle with her pony. John and Myrtle were active with the Farmers Institute for many years, showing everything from corn stalks to vegetables to flowers. I remember that grandma and grandpa kept a garden yearly and canned, always growing Cockscombs and Zinnas, alongside the garden. For many, many years, grandma and grandpa had a little white dog with black spots, that was their trusty companion. Grandpa Armentrout died October 27, 1979 and grandma grieved his death until her own, which occurred on November 30, 1981. Just a couple of days before grandma's death, their dog died. Grandma called Lester Clayton, Olin's younger brother, who lived in Irving, as did Olin and Kenneth Clayton. Lester went outside to bury the dog and when he turned around to ask grandma if the hole was deep enough, grandma Armentrout collapsed on the ground behind him. Lester called Barbara Clayton, Olin's wife and she quickly ran to the house, as she only lived a couple blocks away. Lester and Barbara placed grandma on a blanket and carried her inside the house. Lester told Barb that he tried to have grandma stay inside while he buried the dog, but she refused. Grandma had suffered a severe stroke and died just a couple of days later on November 30, 1981. We all missed her so, she was a grand lady. Grandpa Armentrout was a loving man, that showered his affection on his grandchildren and great grandchildren. John and Myrtle (Eddington) Armentrout were parents to three girls, Lavonne Clayton, born April 22, 1925 Imogene Durbin, born June 29, 1930 and Juanita Casebier, born January 1, 1933. The Armentrout homestead went out of the Armentrout family, when John and Myrtle Armentrout retired to the home in Irving, Il. Both John and Myrtle (Eddington) Armentrout are buried in the Witt Cemetery. Their birth, marriage, death and estate records are on file in Montgomery County Historic Courthouse. Lavonne Merle Armentrout, daughter of John and Myrtle (Eddington) Armentrout, was born April 22, 1925 in Witt, Il. On March 1, 1945, she married Dale Clayton, son of Charles Leo and Suavilla Isadora (Hulbert) Clayton. Dale was born August 1, 1924 in Nokomis, Il. After graduating from Hillsboro High School, Dale was attending U of I when he was drafted into the US Navy, serving as a Radarman Second Class, aboard the carrier the Nehenta Bay. In 1945 the Nehenta Bay was badly damaged by a typhoon while in the China Sea and was forced to dock in San Diego, California for repairs, while on leave, he went back to Witt and married his sweetheart Lavonne Armentrout. They were married on the old Armentrout Homestead in rural Witt. After they married Dale had to return to duty aboard the Nehenta Bay. Dale and Lavonne (Armentrout) Clayton built a farm in rural Witt together and raised nine children, Kenneth, Merle, Olin, Anita, Yvonne, James, Lester, Gail and Janice. In 1985, the Clayton's lost their farm due to bad market prices, failing crop markets and recession in general. The Clayton's raised cows, hogs, chickens, did grain farming and ran a dairy barn for many years. In 1985, Dale and Lavonne took woodworking classes together and it has now become a tradition where wood items are made by them and given as gifts every Christmas and on Birthday's and Anniversaries. The Christmas of 1997 Dale and Lavonne gave solid cedar chests as Christmas gifts to all nine children. Dale and Lavonne Clayton celebrated their 50th Anniversary in February of 1995, at the Irving Century House, with all the gifts they have ever given on display, which also includes hand crocheted items made by Lavonne Clayton. Dale and Lavonne have been hard working people all their lives, working fields day in and day out, with open cabs, no air conditioning, no stereo, as can now be found with most farm implements. Olin Clayton, the son of Dale and Lavonne (Armentrout) Clayton, was born March 20, 1951. Olin attended Witt Schools all his life, as did all nine of his brothers and sisters, graduating in 1969. Olin's first job after High School was at Hedlund Ski Factory in Nokomis, Il. In the fall of that year, Olin packed up a suit case and left for Chicago, Il, with no real plans, other than to find a job and go to school. Olin first stayed at the YMCA in downtown Chicago and quickly found a job with Continental Bank of Chicago, Il, as a bank clerk. Olin quickly was promoted to Bank Supervisor of Continental Bank of Chicago, heading the Remittance Banking Division in the Florescheim Building. Olin also attended DePaul University in Chicago, Il, with his field of study being "Business Management." Olin married a woman by the name of Hazel Hedburg in 1972, in Chicago, Il, but they divorced two years later. In 1976, Olin came home from Chicago on vacation and met a woman by the name of Barbara Hays. Barbara and Olin knew each other three days, meeting on August 6, 1976 and marrying August 6, 1976. Barbara was born June 23, 1958 in Springfield, Il, the daughter of Dewey and Florence (Altevogt) Hays. Dewey was the son of Otis Dewey and May Lena (Thomas) Hays. Otis served in WW II and died May 23, 1976 and was buried in Camp Butler National Cemetery in Riverton, Il. May Thomas was the daughter of Willis and Alice (Blewett)Thomas. Alice was the daughter of Howard Malcolm and Elizabeth (McElwain) Blewett. Howard Blewett served the Confederacy in Company B, 2nd Cavalry with the State of Kentucky during the Civil War. Howard rode with John Hunt Morgan, whose lightning quick strike force was known as "Morgan's Raiders". Barbara's paternal great, great grandfather was Henry Hays, who served the Union forces with Company E, 32nd Ill Infantry. Olin and Barbara traveled to Niagra Falls, NY for their honeymoon and then resided at their apartment on 5151 Winchester Ave in Chicago, Il. Olin and Barbara decided to relocate near their families to raise their own family and moved into the rural Compton farm in Witt, Il during the fall of 1976. In 1977, the Clayton's purchased the old Ellis place and resided there from 1977-1990. Olin became employed with Mohawk Furniture in Nokomis, Il in 1976 and also did some lumber jack work for Raymond Timpe of Irving. In July of 1977, Olin became employed with Hillsboro Glass of Hillsboro, Il. Barbara ran a Beauty Shop which was constructed in the front of their Irving home by Olin and his grandfather John Armentrout and she ran it until 1985, when Barbara took a job with Hucks Convenience Store in Hillsboro, while attending college part time, at Lincolnland Community College in Springfield, Il. Barbara was accepted at St. John's School of Nursing in Springfield in 1987 and graduated from St. John's and Springfield College in Illinois in 1990, graduating with a Diploma in Nursing and an Associates in Liberal Arts, graduating Phi Theta Kappa. Olin became involved in the Labor Movement in 1986 and was elected President of USWA Local 4369 in Hillsboro, Il. He also became an officer with COPE District 20, Macoupin/Montgomery County Trades and Labor Council and Springfield Central Body Trades and Labor Council and Zanesville Township Democratic Precinct Committeeman. Olin is the only member of his family in many generations to ever vote Democrat, he comes from a long line of Republican politics. Barbara was born a Democrat and will always be. Olin and Barbara Clayton were parents of Belinda Suzanne Clayton, born June 27, 1979 and Andrew Olin Dale Clayton born August 8, 1980. Belinda is presently employed with Mizera's Market in Raymond, Il. She graduated from Raymond Lincolnwood High School in Raymond, Il on May 30, 1997. Belinda has a strong love for music and has won many awards in the county for her talents. Belinda was presented with the "Arion Award" in 1997, an award given to one student yearly for outstanding achievement in band and chorus and leadership skills. Belinda has played flute and tenor sax, playing in the Pep Band for 4 years. Belinda was a member of Concert Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, 4-H, Chorus, Youth & Government, Spanish Club, SADD, Art Club, Volley Ball Team, Key Club, Journalism Club and Co-Editor of same in 1997. Andrew Clayton in 1998 is a Junior at Raymond Lincolnwood High School and loves to hunt and fish and is extremely active in 4-H. Andrew is also a member of Spanish Club, SADD and Youth and Government Club. Belinda and Andrew Clayton have raised over $3,000 for the Youth & Government Organization over the past 3 years, of which they both were/are members. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barb Clayton Montgomery County Genealogical Society