SANGAMON COUNTY, IL - BIOGRAPHIES - The William Denning Family __________________________________________________________________ View Photos for this site at http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/sangamon/bios/wdening2.html __________________________________________________________________ William Denning Family Photo Album SANGAMON COUNTY, IL - BIOGRAPHIES - The William Denning Family __________________________________________________________________ William Denning Family Photo Album In Memory of a Great Pioneer Family In Memory of those family members whohave gone before us. The Denning Family Proudly Celebrating Our 150 Years in America And as a Family Grace A. Denning Daughter of William Denning Sr. and Mary Jane (Molly), (Pike) Denning of Richmond, Missouri. Granddaughter of John and Rebecca Ann (Little) Denning of Streator, Illinois. The Denning family was established in United States in 1852 from Durham, Durham County, England. And recently celebrated their 150 years in America on August 2nd and 3rd of 2003 and will celebrate their "The Denning Encore Reunion, August 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th of 2005 in Springfield, Illinois. Grace Adeline Denning and her twin sister Rose Jane Denning grew up in Richmond, Ray County, Missouri and raised her family in Auburn, Illinois. Grace Adeline Denning Rogers Born August 31, 1902, Richmond, Missouri and died June 5, 1977 at her daughter's home in Pawnee, Illinois, Buried in Auburn Cemetery in Auburn, Illinois Grace A. (Denning) Rogers Grace Adeline Denning Rogers was born August 31, 1902 to William and Mary Jane (Molly) (Pike) Denning on 421 Jabez Street in Richmond, Missouri. She was a twin to Rose Jane Denning Johnson. Rose and Grace were daughter's out of ten children that William and Mary Jane Denning. William was the son of John and Rebecca Ann (Little) Denning from Streator, Illinois who later settled in Lincoln, Illinois. William Denning their father moved from Streator in early 1880's and moved back to Lexington, Missouri were he worked with his half-brother Peter Denning on Peter's Denning farm. Later William moved in with Athiel and Sarah (Anderson) Pike family in Richmond, Missouri were William went back to school and worked the coal mines he was 11 or 12 years old. Athiel and Sarah Pike had a daughter Mary Jane Pike. William fell in love with her and at age 21 he married Mary Jane Pike. Mary Jane was always known as Molly. She was always known at Molly Pike Denning. Grace A. Denning on the Right and Rose J. Denning on the Left, photo taken in 1902 in Richmond, Missouri. Rose J. and Grace A. Denning baby photo approx 6 months of age approx. 1903 in Richmond, Missouri Rose Jane and Grace Adeline Denning Approx. age 9 or 10 Twin daughters of William and Mary Jane (Pike) Denning Rose J. Denning and girlfriend standing outside Rose's home in Richmond, Missouri - approx age 16 or 17 Grace A. Denning standing on front porch of the Denning home on Jabez St. in Richmond, Missouri age maybe 18 Rose J. Denning standing and Grace A. Denning sitting on porch banister of the Denning home on Jabez St. in Richmond, Missouri age maybe 18 Grace A. Denning and brother George Denning and Rose J. Denning Approx age 20 or 21, Standing in front of the Denning home on Jabez Street in Richmond, Missouri A Little History & Background William Denning had lived in Richmond, Missouri since 1880 and there are still Denning's off springs there. So there has been Denning in Richmond, Ray County, Missouri for over 120 years. I'm proud to have Richmond, Missouri as part of this family history. Grace and her twin sister Rose would grow up in a normal loving and nurturing household where their mother taught them how to cook and put up the garden by canning and they would learn to sew. Both Grace and Rose went to grade school in Richmond, Missouri. I'm not sure of a High School or if they were taught at home. Both Grace and Rose grew up to be great cook and could sew anything just by looking at it. Rose and Grace where daughter's of William and Mary Jane (Pike) Denning. They grew up with the following brothers and sister. John Denning who was born May 25, 1892, Mary Denning Nov 11, 1893, William (Willie) Denning Jr. Oct 6, 1897, Charles H. Denning Jan 15, 1901, Irvin Levere Denning Nov 11, 1907, A Baby was born May 13, 1913 and only lived a few days and died on May 29, 1913, Mattie Elizabeth Denning May 15, 1916, George Edward Denning Sr. May 16, 1910. All of her brothers and sisters lived in Richmond, Missouri and a few moved to the Kansas and Missouri area. Most of after they were married built homes on Jabez Street in Richmond, Missouri. Jabez Street was had so many Denning's living on it at one time. William Denning Sr. was killed in a pony cart accident in 1924. Mary Jane (Pike) Denning was born in Richmond, Missouri on May 31, 1874 the daughter of Athiel Pike and Sarah (Anderson) Pike of Richmond, Missouri. Mary Jane was raised in Richmond, Missouri and she lived there until her death in August 14, 1945. Mary Jane died from a series of strokes. Denning Family Photo: Front Row - Rose Johnson, Mattie Manley, Mother Mary Jane Denning, Mary Kraft Back Row - Irvin Denning, William Denning Jr., John Denning, Charles Denning, George Denning. Everyone except for Grace. Standing out front of "Tip's Barber shop" and the home of Grace and Lance Rogers and family's homes on the east side of the square in Auburn, Illinois. Back William Kraft, John Denning, from left to right Kenneth Johnson, Grace Denning Rogers, Rose Denning Johnson, Mary Denning Kraft, Ella Denning and Donald E. Rogers kneeling holding a tomato's in his hands. Top left Mary Isabelle, Phyllis Louise, Donald Eugene, Lance "Tip", Grace A. Rogers. Taken in Auburn, Illinois. Lance “Tip” Rogers Grace married Lance “Tip” Rogers the son of Isabelle and Robert Rogers from Richmond, Missouri. They were married on October 17, 1925 in Carrollton, Missouri. Lance was born January 8, 1886 in Scranton, Kansas. A Little History & Background Lance had been living in Auburn, Illinois since 1918 where he had been working as a coal miner with the Panther-Creek Coal Mine. But coal production was down and some of the coal mines in Auburn stated closing up. But in 1920 some of the coalmines had begun reopening. Lance went back to Richmond, Missouri in 1925 and married Grace A. Denning. While back in Richmond, Missouri Lance wanted a new career he and Grace's brother Charles "Charlie" Denning and Brack Johnson, Grace's sister's Rose Jane's husband all three would attend Tri-City Barber College together in Kansas City. It took Lance Rogers and Charles "Charlie" Denning and Brack Johnson six months to complete the course. Shortly after Grace and Lance were married they packed up and moved back to Auburn, Illinois were Lance was already working in Panther- Creek Coal Mine. The following coal mines were in operation at the time in Auburn, Illinois Panther-Creek, Peabody #1, South Mound Coal Mine and a coal on the east side, and a coal mine in the north side the other two I have no idea of their name. One of five coal mines in operation at that time in Auburn, Illinois. When Lance and Grace arrived in Auburn they found them self's living out of a tent in the east park in Auburn because of a housing shortage. Grace and Lance lived out of the tent in the east park during the winter months also. Family of miners at that time would be living out of basements, Attacks, coal sheds, people would rent anything as long as they had a roof over their head and a place to call home. While in Auburn, Illinois Grace gave birth to her first daughter Mary Isabelle Rogers who was born on May 25, 1926. I don't know if Mary Isabelle was born in Auburn, I don't know if she was born in the tent of if they had rented a home before her birth. In 1929 or 1930Grace and Lance and their new daughter would move back to Richmond, Missouri, Grace and Lance's daughter Mary Isabelle would spend her first year of grade school in Richmond, Missouri before they would move back to Auburn, Illinois. After Isabelle was out of school Lance and Grace (Denning) Rogers would pack up and head back to Auburn, Illinois were this time Lance and Grace would rent a home from Dr. Hart. When Grace came back to Auburn she was expecting her 2nd child. The Dr. Hart home is where Lance Jr. was born. Lance Jr. was born dead (Still born) Lance Jr. died at birth. While Grace recovered in bed after Lance Jr. birth Lance Sr. would lay his son to rest in the Auburn Cemetery. Lance Roger Jr. Grave Site, Died Oct 15, 1931 Buried in Auburn Cemetery, Auburn, Illinois In 1932 Lance would rent space in the basement of the Auburn Hotel and open his "Tip's Barber Shop" he would do his barber during the day and work in the Panther-Creek Coal Mine in the evenings. In 1932 or 1933 Lance and Grace would buy a building at 115 North 4th street on the east side of the square in Auburn, Illinois. They bought the Vancil Funeral Home building from the owner Mr. Harry Vancil. Lance would run his barbershop from the front and the family would live in the back. Grace gave birth to two more children Phyllis Louise, February 14, 1936 and Donald Eugene, November 24, 1937 both would be born in the living quarter behind the barbershop in the back of this building, Lance would take trips to St. Louis, Missouri from time to time to take classes and update is barber license. Lance was a barber for over 25 years until his death. Lance and Grace (Denning) Rogers were well known and well liked respected citizens of Auburn. Grace A. (Denning) Rogers and Mary Isabelle Rogers only a few days old standing in front of the Auburn Hotel 1926 Grace (Denning) Rogers, Picture 2 in front of the Auburn Hotel 1926 Grace and Lance "Tip" Rogers and the family lived in the back of this small building and would run his Barber Shop in the front. Grace and Lance bought this building in 1937 and barbered there until Lance's death in the 1950's. Grace sold the building in 1963. The old building still stands today on the east side of Auburn square in Auburn, Illinois. Lance her husband past away on March 17, 1950 from black lung from when he was a coal miner. But Grace would live the rest of her life raising her family in Auburn, Illinois. Grace work and retired from St. John's School of Nursing where she worked as a housekeeper. Grace past away one morning at her daughter's home in Pawnee, Illinois of a heart attack. Building History: Harry Vancil built the building for a funeral home "Vancil Funeral Home" after the funeral home closed up built the building. The building was bought by Lance "Tip" and Grace A. (Denning) Rogers were they would live in the back and run Tip's Barbers Shop from the front. Grace A. (Denning) Rogers owned the building until 1963 when she sold it to a Taylorville man who opened a shoe repair shop in the front and his wife would run a beauty shop in the old living quarter in the back. It later closed up and sat empty for quite a few years. Grace's favorite color was "Red" so Grace would leave her handy work in the living quarters of this building. She liked red so much she painted the ceiling in the living quarters of the building red. The Red ceiling was still their when the current owners bought the building. It had to be a shock to the new owners but if Grace A. (Denning) Rogers wanted it Red and if no one would paint it for her. She painted it her self. Today the building has new life a new owner. It is a fabric store today. Lance "Tip" and Grace A. Denning Rogers gravesite in the Auburn Cemetery in Auburn, Illinois Lance & Grace Rogers Paying our Respect to Former Auburn Residents Lance “Tip” Rogers Obits from the Auburn Citizen News Paper LAST RITES HELD MONDAY FOR “TIP” ROGERS, LOCAL BARBER All business houses closed Monday afternoon, during the funeral of Lance "Tip" Rogers, local barber, who died Friday morning, March 17, at his home. Mr. Rogers had been in ill health for several years, but was able to do part time barbering until several weeks ago when he was confined to his bed. He was born in Scranton, Kansas, January 8, 1886, the son of Robert and Isabelle Rogers. In 1918 he came to Illinois and worked as a miner and a barber. Twenty-five years ago he was married to Grace Denning in Carrollton, Mo. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Mrs. Isabelle Pacotti, Pawnee; Phyllis and Donald at home; a brother, Alex, Richmond, Mo., a sister, Mrs. Phyllis Willows, Scranton, Kans., one granddaughter, Mary Lou Pacotti, Pawnee. A sons Lance, jr., died in 1931. The body was removed to the Masterson Funeral home in Taylorville and taken to the residence Saturday afternoon. Services were held at 2 o'clock Monday at the Auburn Baptist Church, with Rev. Norval Richardson officiating. Burial was made in the Auburn Cemetery. Attending the funeral were these out-of-town relatives: Alex Rogers and children, Lila and Richard, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Denning, Irvin Denning, George Denning, Brack Denning (This was listed in obit as Brack Denning it should of Been Brack Johnson), Mrs. Mary Kraft and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Coffer and son, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Pierce and daughters, Mrs. Alice Denning, Junior Denning, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Fagg, (Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Fagg was listed in obit of being from Richmond, Mo. But they were from Springfield, Illinois) all of Richmond, Mo., and Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Manley of Kansas City, Mo. Grace A. Rogers Obit from the State Journal Register News Paper Mrs. Grace A. Rogers, 74, of 512 No.6th, Auburn, died at 7 a.m. Sunday, June 5 at the residence of her daughter in Pawnee. She was born in Richmond, Mo. the daughter of William and Mary Pike Denning. She was married Oct 17, 1925 in Carrollton Mo. to Lance (Tip) Rogers. He preceded her in death on March 17, 1950. She was also preceded in death by one son. Lance; one sister Mary Kraft and three brothers, John, William and Irvin.Mrs. Rogers was a member of Auburn Nazarene Church and a 52-year resident of Auburn. She retired as housekeeper from St. John's School of Nursing in 1964 after 10 years of service. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. John (Isabelle) Pocotti of Pawnee and Mrs. Ralph (Phyllis) White of Auburn; two sisters Mrs. Brack (Rose) Johnson of Richmond, Mo. and Mrs. Floyd (Mattie) Manley of Kansas City, Mo. eight brothers George Denning of Belleville Kan, and Charles Denning of Richmond, MO.; eight grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. Services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 7 at Auburn Nazarene Church. Rev. Larry Gallaher officiated. Burial was in Auburn Cemetery. Berry Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangement. Family History and Story Written by: Charles W. Brown Jr. Grandson of Lance "Tip" and Grace A. (Denning) Rogers _________________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:Charles W Brown, Jr.---chabro27@comcast.net _________________________________________________________________________ >> Table of Contents is maintained by the ILGenWeb Archives Coordinator >> Sangamon County USGenWeb >> Illinois USGenWeb Archives >> USGenWeb Archives >>Illinois USGenWeb State Page >>You are the visitor since the counter was installed on April 25, 1997 >>This page last updated