Charles A. Bird Jr. was the son of Charles A. Bird and Cora W. Conover. Charles married Carrie E. Clausen on 23-Oct-1920.

     Carrie married Charles A. Bird Jr., son of Charles A. Bird and Cora W. Conover, on 23-Oct-1920.

      Brevoort W. Conover was born on 30-Apr-1878 at New Jersey. He was the son of David T. Conover and Ruth Ann Leigh. Brevoort married Sarah Holcombe Shepherd, daughter of Abraham Conover Shepherd and Elizabeth Probasco Holcombe, on 11-May-1897. Brevoort W. Conover died in 1940.
     He was also known as W. Brevoort Conover.

      Sarah Holcombe Shepherd was born circa Apr-1877 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Abraham Conover Shepherd and Elizabeth Probasco Holcombe. Sarah married Brevoort W. Conover, son of David T. Conover and Ruth Ann Leigh, on 11-May-1897.

      Nelson S. Conover was born on 5-Sep-1902 at New Jersey. He was the son of Brevoort W. Conover and Sarah Holcombe Shepherd. Nelson married Anna Natlie Miller on 10-Aug-1927. Nelson S. Conover died on 13-May-1982 at Pinellas County, Florida, at age 79.

      Anna Natlie Miller was born in 1906 at New Jersey. Anna married Nelson S. Conover, son of Brevoort W. Conover and Sarah Holcombe Shepherd, on 10-Aug-1927.

      Jane Conover was born on 26-Jan-1811 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Capt. William Covenhoven and Jane Petty. Jane married Thomas J. Stires, son of Tunis Stires and Margaret Carcoff. Jane Conover died on 28-Feb-1879 at age 68. Jane was buried at Byron Cemetery, Byron, Ogle County, Illinois.

      Thomas J. Stires was born on 28-Feb-1808 at New Jersey; calculated. He was the son of Tunis Stires and Margaret Carcoff. Thomas married Jane Conover, daughter of Capt. William Covenhoven and Jane Petty. Thomas J. Stires died on 27-Jul-1864 at Byron, Ogle County, Illinois, at age 56. Thomas was buried at Byron Cemetery, Byron, Ogle County, Illinois.
     He removed to at Illinois in 1855.

      John Chester Stires was born on 6-Feb-1852 at Pattenburg, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He was the son of Thomas J. Stires and Jane Conover. John married Harriet Nancy Wilbur, daughter of Charles Wilbur and Ann Shaw, on 29-Dec-1875 at Ogle County, Illinois. John Chester Stires died on 21-May-1929 at Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, at age 77.
     

History of Illinois and her People, 1927

JOHN C. STIRES has been a resident of Ogle County seventy years or more, has been known in his community as a man of soundest integ­rity and business capability, and a citizen ever ready to participate in movements for the gen­eral upbuilding and welfare.

Mr. Stires was brought to northern Illinois when a child from his birthplace, Pattenburg, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, where he was born February 6, 1852. The Stires family came from England before the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, Tunis Stires, lived at Pattenburg, New Jersey. Thomas J. Stires, father of John C., was born and reared in New Jersey, attended public schools there, and in 1855 brought his family to Illinois and the following year bought a quarter section of land near Byron. This old homestead is now owned by his son Ira Stires. Thomas J. Stires followed farming in Illinois until his death in 1864. His wife, Jane Conover, was born and reared in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and her family came to America about 1660. Thomas J. Stires and wife had a family of five sons and five daughters: Watson, who died when six years of age, Hiram, Ira, Gar­rett and John C; Malinda, deceased, who married N. J. Hewitt; Margaret Swackhamer, of White House, New Jersey; Carrie M; Han­nah, who married Frank Noyes of Byron; and Mrs. Alice Court of Creston, Iowa.

John C. Stires acquired a district school education in Illinois, and as a boy he learned the principles of farming and was engaged in farm work until 1890. Mr. Stires for over a quarter of a century was in the live stock business with headquarters at Byron, buying and shipping stock to the Chicago market. He retired from business in 1916 and has since looked after his private affairs. He is a demo­crat in politics and attends the Congrega­tional Church.

Mr. Stires married at Byron, December 28, 1875, Miss Hattie N. Wilbur, of Byron, daugh­ter of Charles and Ann (Shaw) Wilbur, both of whom were born and reared in Oneida County, New York, and came to Illinois in 1845, being early settlers in the vicinity of Byron, where they located on a farm. Her father served thirty-eight years as justice of the peace in his community. Mr. and Mrs. Stires became the parents of four children : Mabel, who died in 1890; Elva J., who died in 1910, wife of A. R. Mize, formerly of Byron, now cashier of the Bank of Leaf River; Anna E., married in 1902 to L. T. Barrick, who is a member of the mercantile firm of Barrick & Hunter at Byron, and they have a daughte, Evelyn Barrick, now attending the University of Chicago; and Margaret Grace Stires, who attended the grammar and high schools of Byron and the University of Chicago, and for several years taught school, until her marriage with Mack Defouw, who is connected with the Hoover Realty Company of Chicago.
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Biographical Record

J. CHESTER STIRES is a worthy representative of the business interests of Byron, where he is extensively engaged in buying and shipping stock. Of excellent business ability and broad resources, he has attained a prominent place among the sub­stantial citizens of this part of the county, and is a recognized leader in public affairs. He has won success by his well.directed, energetic efforts, and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well deserved.

Mr. Stires was born February 6, 1852, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and be­longs to one of the pioneer families of that state, of which his parents, Thomas and Jane (Conover) Stires, were also natives. The father, whose birth occurred in Hunterdon county, in 1808, engaged in farming there until 1854 or r855, when he removed to Ohio, but in 1856 he became a resident of Byron township, Ogle county, Illinois, where he purchased an improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres. To its cultivation be devoted his energies until called from this life July 1, 1864, and his wife, who survived him some years, passed away in February, 1878. In their family were five sons and five daughters, all of whom reached man and womanhood, with the exception of one son. H. C., the eldest, resides in Byron; Ira owns and occupies the old homestead farm; Mrs. N. J. Hewitt is a resident of Byron; Mrs. Maggie Swank- hamer lives in Hunterdon county, New Jer­sey; Carrie N. died unmarried; Mrs. Han­nah Noyes makes her home in Byron; Garret and J. Chester are both residents of that place; and Mrs. Alice Court lives in Creston, Iowa.

Reared on the home farm, J. Chester Stires early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agricult­urist, aiding in the work of the farm dur­ing the summer season and attending the district school during the winter months. He was married in Marion township, Ogle county, December 29, 1875. to Miss Hattie N. Wilbur, who was born in Byron town­ship and was reared and educated in this county. Her father, Charles Wilbur. lo­cated here in 1845 and took up a tract of government land in Byron township, which he transformed into a good farm. After his marriage Mr. Stires operated this place, consisting of one hundred and forty acres, until 1890, and also owned and operated another farm of two hundred and thirty acres, being actively and successfully en­gaged in agricultural pursuits for fifteen years. In 1890 he removed to the village of Byron, where he bought residence prop­erty, which he has greatly improved, and now has a very pleasant and commodious home. Here he engages in buying and shipping stock and is one of the most suc­cessful dealers in the county. In 18o2 he also bought an interest in the Byron bank, and is now one of the four stockholders of that reliable institution.
Mr. and Mrs. Stires are the parents of four children: Mabel, who died at the age of thirteen years; Elva Jane, a well edu­cated young lady who is now successfully engaged in teaching school in Ogle county; Anna E., who is also well educated and is now at home, and Margaret Grace, who completes the family.

Politically Mr. Stires has affiliated with the Democracy since casting his first presiden­tial ballot for Samuel j. Tilden in 1876, and he has taken an active and prominent part in local politics, serving as a delegate to numer­ous county, congressional and state conven­tions. In the spring of 1898 he was elected supervisor of Byron township, defeating the Republican candidate who had served for ten years in that office and had always been elected by a large majority. This fact plainly indicates the popularity of our sub­ject, as the township has always been strongly Republican, and his many friends in Byron rejoiced in his triumph, manifest­ing their enthusiasm by a big rally. He is now serving on the poor farm committee. In 1897 he was elected president of the town board. Mr. Stires is acknowledged to be one of the most enterprising and public spirited citizens of Byron, and for eight years advocated the building of a bridge across the river at that place and was in­strumental in at last securing it. He con­tributed two hundred dollars toward its construction, and was also identified with the building of both elevators at this place.

      Harriet Nancy Wilbur was born in Oct-1853 at Byron, Ogle County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Charles Wilbur and Ann Shaw. Harriet married John Chester Stires, son of Thomas J. Stires and Jane Conover, on 29-Dec-1875 at Ogle County, Illinois.

      Margaret Grace Stires was born in Nov-1895 at Illinois. She was the daughter of John Chester Stires and Harriet Nancy Wilbur. Margaret married Leonard DeFouw on 22-Sep-1925.
     Margaret Grace Stires resided at at Byron, Ogle County, Illinois, on 3-May-1957.

     Leonard married Margaret Grace Stires, daughter of John Chester Stires and Harriet Nancy Wilbur, on 22-Sep-1925.
     Leonard DeFouw was also known as Max DeForew.

      Theodore Updike was born in 1816 at West Windsor, Mercer County, New Jersey. He was the son of Levi Updike and Mary Conover. Theodore married Ellen Hill on 31-Jan-1838. Theodore Updike died after 1889.
     He resided at at Jerseyville, Jersey County, Illinois.

      Ellen Hill was born circa 1818 at New Jersey. Ellen married Theodore Updike, son of Levi Updike and Mary Conover, on 31-Jan-1838.

      Harriet Brown Updike was born circa 1856 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Theodore Updike and Ellen Hill. Harriet married William Dearborn Landon on 17-Feb-1881.
     In the census on 1-Jun-1880 Harriet Brown Updike was named Etta Updike.

     William married Harriet Brown Updike, daughter of Theodore Updike and Ellen Hill, on 17-Feb-1881.

     Leslie Austin Landon was the son of William Dearborn Landon and Harriet Brown Updike. Leslie married Kathleen Florence Barnes on 21-Jan-1926.

     Kathleen married Leslie Austin Landon, son of William Dearborn Landon and Harriet Brown Updike, on 21-Jan-1926.

      James Monroe Conover was born on 5-Nov-1852 at Hillsborough Twp., Somerset County, New Jersey. He was the son of John Henry Conover and Sarah Hulce. James married Emmeline Isabel Bell on 15-Mar-1876. James married Emma Cox. James Monroe Conover died on 2-Oct-1931 at age 78.
     He was also known as James Martin Conover.

     Emmeline married James Monroe Conover, son of John Henry Conover and Sarah Hulce, on 15-Mar-1876.

     John Hanlon Conover was the son of James Monroe Conover and Emmeline Isabel Bell. John married Etta Apgar before 1903.

     Etta married John Hanlon Conover, son of James Monroe Conover and Emmeline Isabel Bell, before 1903.

      Wade Hampton Scully was born circa 1878 at New Jersey. He was the son of Michael Welsh Scully and Mary Frances Robbins. Wade married Mary Baker. Wade Hampton Scully died on 28-Mar-1960 at Somerset Hospital, Somerville, Somerset County, New Jersey.

     Mary married Wade Hampton Scully, son of Michael Welsh Scully and Mary Frances Robbins. Mary Baker died in 1955.
     She was also known as Mary Drake.

      Katherine Jernee was born circa Nov-1850 at New Jersey. Katherine married Charles A. Conover, son of William T. Conover and Hannah English Gaston, before 1873. Katherine Jernee died in 1931. Katherine was buried at Westminister Cemetery, Cranbury, Middlesex County, New Jersey.

      Charles Augustus Conover was born circa 1876 at New Jersey. He was the son of Charles A. Conover and Katherine Jernee. Charles married Lydia A. Croshaw, daughter of William Croshaw and Elizabeth Rue, on 9-Jan-1901.

      Lydia A. Croshaw was born on 20-Dec-1881 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of William Croshaw and Elizabeth Rue. Lydia married Charles Augustus Conover, son of Charles A. Conover and Katherine Jernee, on 9-Jan-1901.

      Clarence Elwood Conover was born on 9-Aug-1902 at New Jersey. He was the son of Charles Augustus Conover and Lydia A. Croshaw. Clarence married Bertha A. Mason on 25-Aug-1928. Clarence Elwood Conover died on 30-Jan-2002 at Shawnee On Delaware, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, at age 99.

      Bertha A. Mason was born circa 1910 at New Jersey. Bertha married Clarence Elwood Conover, son of Charles Augustus Conover and Lydia A. Croshaw, on 25-Aug-1928.

     Margaret married Louis Jones Conover, son of Samuel Webster Conover and Emily S Vanderveer, on 14-Apr-1923. Margaret Mary Lawrence and Louis Jones Conover were divorced.

      Matthias Conover Roop was born on 12-Aug-1823 at New Monmouth, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of William Roop and Williampe Conover. Matthias married Joanna P. Pierce on 9-Nov-1848. Matthias Conover Roop died on 15-Aug-1895 at Leonardville, Monmouth County, New Jersey, at age 72. Matthias was buried at Bay View Cemetery, Atlantic Highlands, Monmouth County, New Jersey.
      Mathias was one of the original organizers of the Second Baptist Church of Middletown in Riceville (now called Navesink Baptist Church). July 30, 1853 Other organizers: William, Williampa, Elizabeth, and Joanna Roop. Birth state information for Mathias and Joanna found in 1850 census.

      Joanna P. Pierce was born on 9-Aug-1829 at New Jersey. Joanna married Matthias Conover Roop, son of William Roop and Williampe Conover, on 9-Nov-1848. Joanna P. Pierce died on 31-Jul-1917 at Leonardo, Monmouth County, New Jersey, at age 87. Joanna was buried at Bay View Cemetery, Atlantic Highlands, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

      Ruliff Conover Roop was born in 1856 at New Jersey. He was the son of Matthias Conover Roop and Joanna P. Pierce. Ruliff married Caroline Wagner on 30-Mar-1878. Ruliff Conover Roop died before 1935.

     Caroline married Ruliff Conover Roop, son of Matthias Conover Roop and Joanna P. Pierce, on 30-Mar-1878.

      Ashley Wagner Roop was born on 12-Oct-1889. He was the son of Ruliff Conover Roop and Caroline Wagner. Ashley married Hazel Adele Grant on 16-Oct-1912. Ashley Wagner Roop died on 4-Feb-1981 at Long Branch, Monmouth County, New Jersey, at age 91.
     He resided at at Leonardo, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

      Hazel Adele Grant was born in 1891. Hazel married Ashley Wagner Roop, son of Ruliff Conover Roop and Caroline Wagner, on 16-Oct-1912. Hazel Adele Grant died on 15-Dec-1943 at New Jersey.

      Jacob Conover was born on 13-Apr-1774 at Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of Jacob Covenhoven and Sarah Suydam. Jacob married Mary Dorset, daughter of Joseph Dorset and Hannah Burdge, on 20-Nov-1796. Jacob Conover died on 19-Oct-1818 at age 44. Jacob was buried at Eastmond Burying Ground, Port Monmouth, Monmoiuth County, New Jersey.
     He was also known as Jacob Covenhoven.

     Henry married Elizabeth Conover Tilton, daughter of Samuel Tilton and Hannah Dorset Conover, on 17-Oct-1852.

     John Patterson Cherry was the son of Henry Cherry and Elizabeth Conover Tilton. John married Jennie Elizabeth Van Brackle on 3-May-1876.

     Jennie married John Patterson Cherry, son of Henry Cherry and Elizabeth Conover Tilton, on 3-May-1876.

     Charles Henry Cherry was the son of John Patterson Cherry and Jennie Elizabeth Van Brackle. Charles married Beatrice Anna Hardwick on 17-Oct-1900.

     Beatrice married Charles Henry Cherry, son of John Patterson Cherry and Jennie Elizabeth Van Brackle, on 17-Oct-1900.

     Eveleen Giberson was the daughter of Alfred Conover Giberson and Eveleen Medora Thompson. Eveleen married George H. Sanderling on 12-Jun-1820.

     George married Eveleen Giberson, daughter of Alfred Conover Giberson and Eveleen Medora Thompson, on 12-Jun-1820.

      Josiah Conover was born on 1-Jan-1855 at Oceanville, Atlantic County, New Jersey. He was the son of Eliakim Conover and Sophia Smith. Josiah married Serena Orlean Cramer, daughter of Fountain R. Cramer and Harriet L. Gale, on 19-May-1890.

      Serena Orlean Cramer was born in 1865 at New Gretna, Burlington County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Fountain R. Cramer and Harriet L. Gale. Serena married Josiah Conover, son of Eliakim Conover and Sophia Smith, on 19-May-1890.
     Serena Orlean Cramer was also known as Serena T. Cramer.

      Raymond Smith Conover was born on 13-Sep-1896 at Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey. He was the son of Josiah Conover and Serena Orlean Cramer. Raymond married Olga Glanert on 7-Sep-1915. Raymond Smith Conover died in Jan-1983 at Monmouth County, New Jersey, at age 86.
      He resided at at Neptune Twp., Monmouth County, New Jersey, on 3-Jun-1957.

      Olga Glanert was born circa 1896 at Prussia, Germany. Olga married Raymond Smith Conover, son of Josiah Conover and Serena Orlean Cramer, on 7-Sep-1915.

      Ralph Eugene Conover was born on 15-Feb-1923 at New Jersey. He was the son of Raymond Smith Conover and Olga Glanert. Ralph married Helen Davis Sheppard on 11-Aug-1948. Ralph Eugene Conover died on 5-Feb-2003 his last known address was at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, Monmouth County, New Jersey, according to the Social Security Death Index.

     Helen married Ralph Eugene Conover, son of Raymond Smith Conover and Olga Glanert, on 11-Aug-1948. Helen Davis Sheppard died on 15-Dec-1999 at Jersey Shore Medical, Neptune, Monmouth County, New Jersey.

      Elizabeth Gifford Randolph was born circa 1819 at New Jersey. Elizabeth married Davis N. Conover, son of Jesse Conover and (Unknown) (Unknown), on 8-May-1836.

      Sophie Conover was born circa 1839 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Davis N. Conover and Elizabeth Gifford Randolph. Sophie married Solomon B. Mannery on 26-Apr-1868.

     Solomon married Sophie Conover, daughter of Davis N. Conover and Elizabeth Gifford Randolph, on 26-Apr-1868.

     Florence Mannery was the daughter of Solomon B. Mannery and Sophie Conover. Florence married Joseph N. Arthur on 7-Jun-1898.

     Joseph married Florence Mannery, daughter of Solomon B. Mannery and Sophie Conover, on 7-Jun-1898.

     Marie Arthur was the daughter of Joseph N. Arthur and Florence Mannery. Marie married Lewis F. Mason on 25-Sep-1922.

     Lewis married Marie Arthur, daughter of Joseph N. Arthur and Florence Mannery, on 25-Sep-1922.

      Harry D. Conover was born on 8-Feb-1891 at Holmdel, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of Hendrick Peter Conover and Mary Ella Schenck. Harry married Dorothy L. Brown on 1-Nov-1924. Harry D. Conover died in Aug-1965 at age 74.
     

      Dorothy L. Brown was born circa 1899 at New Jersey. Dorothy married Harry D. Conover, son of Hendrick Peter Conover and Mary Ella Schenck, on 1-Nov-1924.

      Kesiah Applegate was born circa 1799 at New Jersey. Kesiah married John W. Conover, son of John Conover and Martha Higgins.
     Kesiah Applegate was also known as Thesiah (Unknown).

      Gilbert Conover was born circa 1832 at New Jersey. He was born circa 1836 at New Jersey. He was the son of John W. Conover and Kesiah Applegate. Gilbert married Catherine Burns on 24-Dec-1862.

      Catherine Burns was born circa 1844 at Ireland. Catherine married Gilbert Conover, son of John W. Conover and Kesiah Applegate, on 24-Dec-1862.

      Catherine Ann Conover was born circa 1874 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Gilbert Conover and Catherine Burns. Catherine married Holmes Abbott on 17-Jun-1895.

      Holmes Abbott was born circa 1869 at New Jersey. Holmes married Catherine Ann Conover, daughter of Gilbert Conover and Catherine Burns, on 17-Jun-1895.

      Elsie Ellen Abbott was born on 6-Feb-1902 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Holmes Abbott and Catherine Ann Conover. Elsie married Frank Joseph Eggimann on 22-Oct-1927. Elsie Ellen Abbott died on 20-Jan-2002 at Neptune City Medical Center, Neptune, Monmouth County, New Jersey, at age 99. She died on 20-Jan-2002 her last known address was at Groton, Middlesex County, Connecticut, according to the Social Security Death Index.

      Frank Joseph Eggimann was born on 26-Jul-1897 at New Jersey. Frank married Elsie Ellen Abbott, daughter of Holmes Abbott and Catherine Ann Conover, on 22-Oct-1927. Frank Joseph Eggimann died in Aug-1987 his last known address was at Spring Lake, Monmouth County, New Jersey, according to the Social Security Death Index.
     In the census on 1-May-1930 Frank Joseph Eggimann was named Joseph Eggimann.

      Peter Holmes Eggimann was born on 22-Feb-1930 at Long Branch, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of Frank Joseph Eggimann and Elsie Ellen Abbott. Peter Holmes Eggimann died on 10-Dec-2000 at Lawrence North Memorial Hospital, Groton, New London County, Connecticut, at age 70.

      Myrtie Quackenbush was born circa Oct-1892 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Charles Amzi Quackenbush and Hannah Amanda Pease. Myrtie married Frank Chandler Gordon on 30-Jan-1918.
     In the census on 23-Apr-1910 Myrtie Quackenbush was named Myrtle Quackenbush.

      Frank Chandler Gordon was born on 23-Nov-1887 at Marlboro Twp., Monmouth County, New Jersey. Frank married Myrtie Quackenbush, daughter of Charles Amzi Quackenbush and Hannah Amanda Pease, on 30-Jan-1918. Frank Chandler Gordon died in May-1967 his last known address was at Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, according to the Social Security Death Index.
     

      Ralph P. Conover was born in 1806 at New Jersey. He was the son of Ruloff Covenhoven and Margaret Post. Ralph married Caroline Coriell on 15-Aug-1829. Ralph P. Conover died in 1877.
     He held the position of a store clerk on 4-Jun-1870.

      Caroline Coriell was born circa 1810 at New Jersey. Caroline married Ralph P. Conover, son of Ruloff Covenhoven and Margaret Post, on 15-Aug-1829.

      William A. Conover was born in 1832. He was the son of Ralph P. Conover and Caroline Coriell. William married Eliza Weldy before 1856. William A. Conover died in 1865.
     He resided at at Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey.