Astoria, Illinois

Stories set here

The Lehman Family's Dunker RootsEdward Williams was born Emanuel (Manny) Lehman near Astoria in 1882, to Pennsylvania Dutch parents Michael and Lizzie Lehman. They owned a large farm in the Dunkers' community and reportedly had migrated from Hershey, Pennsylvania. The passage traces the Church of the Brethren from eight members in Germany in 1708 through persecution, refuge in Holland, and settlement in Pennsylvania, describing its baptismal practice, pacifism, simple living, and opposition to slavery. Emanuel's siblings were Mary, Henry, and Harvey.
From the Sunshine Store to a New NameManny and Harvey owned a successful hardware and grocery business in Astoria. According to an account Ethel reported long after his death, Manny discovered his young bride with another man, beat the man, allegedly burned the house, and fled after withdrawing half the store cash and bank savings. In Newburg he worked on a wheat farm, then managed a lumberyard with an attached restaurant and dance hall, subsequently becoming its accountant and prospering. Between 1905 and 1910 he adopted the name Edward Williams. The passage offers speculative explanations involving prosecution or bigamy when he married Agnes Tomitum, while stating that secret correspondence with Harvey revealed that the assaulted man had survived.
A Frightened Train Ride to Grandma's QuiltsWhile Agnes was in a sanitarium, Ethel and Lloyd traveled fearfully by train to spend four or five months with Michael and Millisa Lehman in Astoria. Lizzie was remembered for her quilts and Michael for strict discipline. Ethel did not question the difference between her father's surname and theirs; Mary later told her the unspecified “bigamy” story after Iris' birth in 1930.
Manny's Family and Their Dunker RootsEdward Williams was born Emanuel (Manny) Lehman near Astoria in 1882 to Michael and Lizzie Lehman. The passage describes the Church of the Brethren's origins, persecution, migration, baptismal practices, and simple pacifist beliefs. A living Lehman relative said Manny's parents migrated from Hershey, Pennsylvania to Astoria, where they owned a large farm. Manny had a sister Mary and brothers Henry and Harvey.
From the Sunshine Store to a New NameManny and Harvey owned the successful Sunshine Store in Astoria. According to a later report by his daughter Ethel, Manny discovered his first bride with another man about six months after they were betrothed, beat the man, and allegedly burned the house after ordering his wife outside. He took half the store cash and bank savings and fled by train to Newburg. There he worked as a wheat farmhand, then managed a lumberyard with an attached restaurant and dance hall, and subsequently became its accountant. He changed his name to Edward Williams between 1905 and 1910. The family speculates about avoiding prosecution or a bigamy charge when marrying Agnes Tomitum, while stating that secret correspondence with Harvey revealed the other man had survived and the first wife had disappeared.
Red Hair, Snowshoes, and a Mother’s Handmade KnickersEthel’s early life in Newburg combined material comfort and her Norwegian mother’s skilled sewing with severe winters. Ralph’s death and Agnes’ tuberculosis disrupted the family, sending Ethel and Lloyd on a frightening train journey to their grandparents in Astoria. After Agnes died, Ed’s grief and drinking left young Ethel caring for her family. Friends and dancing brought happiness, but her father refused her wish to attend college and sent her to work.

Events here

At age 17
Manny's first marriage
Married an unnamed woman about whom the family knew little.
about six months after they were betrothed
Reported assault and alleged house fire
Ethel reportedly said that Manny found his bride with another man and beat him, leaving him for dead. He allegedly ordered his wife outside and burned the house. Later correspondence with Harvey established that the man survived.
about 1921
Ethel and Lloyd stay with their grandparents
A four- or five-month stay while Agnes suffered tuberculosis in a sanitarium. Ethel was ten and Lloyd nine; they were terrified during the train journey.
job
Brothers own The Sunshine Store
Successful combination hardware and grocery store.
about 1919
A frightened train journey to the grandparents
Ethel, eight, and Lloyd, ten, stayed four or five months while Agnes was in a sanitarium with tuberculosis.

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