Dr. Lawrence Vanderveer was born in 1740 at Hillsborough, Somerset County, New Jersey. He was the son of Jacobus Vanderveer. Lawrence married Maria Schenck, daughter of Hendrick Schenck and Magdalene Van Lieu. Lawrence married Marie Onderdonk. Dr. Lawrence Vanderveer died on 8-Dec-1815 at Hillsborough, Somerset County, New Jersey. Lawrence was buried at Old Vanderveer Burying Ground, Somerset County, New Jersey.

      Marie Onderdonk was born in 1752. Marie married Dr. Lawrence Vanderveer, son of Jacobus Vanderveer. Marie Onderdonk died on 6-May-1812 at Somerset County, New Jersey. Marie was buried at Old Vanderveer Burying Ground, Somerset County, New Jersey.

      Maria Vanderveer Conover was born in 1808 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Elias Conover and Sarah Vanderveer. Maria married Samuel Brearley on 30-Jan-1833 at Somerset County, New Jersey. Maria Vanderveer Conover died on 6-May-1886; paralysis.
     She and Samuel Brearley resided at at Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, in 1862. Maria Vanderveer Conover and Samuel Brearley resided at at Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, in 1866.

     Samuel married Maria Vanderveer Conover, daughter of Elias Conover and Sarah Vanderveer, on 30-Jan-1833 at Somerset County, New Jersey. Samuel Brearley died on 1-Apr-1887; pneumonia.
     He was also known as Samuel Briarly. He was also known as Samuel Breasley. He and Maria Vanderveer Conover resided at at Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, in 1862. Samuel Brearley and Maria Vanderveer Conover resided at at Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, in 1866.

     Davd R. Brearley was the son of Samuel Brearley and Maria Vanderveer Conover.

      Emily Brearley was born in 1860. She was the daughter of Davd R. Brearley.

      Samuel Brearley was born in 1875. He was the son of Davd R. Brearley.

     (Unknown) Brearley was the child of Samuel Brearley and Maria Vanderveer Conover.

     Capt. Elias C. Brearley was the son of Samuel Brearley and Maria Vanderveer Conover. Elias married Margaret Black. Capt. Elias C. Brearley died on 12-May-1885 at Bellvue, Blaine County, Idaho; consumption. Elias was buried after 12-May-1885 at Greenwood Cemetery; this was supposedly temporary and he was later sent back to the family plot in New Jersey.
     He began military service at c 1863, Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois; he was described as being single, a lawyer, six feet one inch tall, black eyes, dark hair and a dark complexion. He served as a captain with Company B, 86th Illinois Infantry. He and Margaret Black resided at at Colorado. Capt. Elias C. Brearley resided at at Marshall County, Illinois, circa 1863. He resided at at Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, circa 1865. A Republican circa 1865.

     Margaret married Capt. Elias C. Brearley, son of Samuel Brearley and Maria Vanderveer Conover.
     Margaret Black and Capt. Elias C. Brearley resided at at Colorado.

      Anna E. Brearley was born in 1841. She was the daughter of Samuel Brearley and Maria Vanderveer Conover.

     Abramah V. Brearley was the son of Samuel Brearley and Maria Vanderveer Conover. Abramah V. Brearley died circa 1865 at *in battle.
     He served as a private in Company F, 30th New Jersey Infantry circa 1863.

     (Unknown) Brearley was the child of Samuel Brearley and Maria Vanderveer Conover.

      Samuel Brearley Jr. was born circa 1850 at New Jersey. He was the son of Samuel Brearley and Maria Vanderveer Conover. Samuel Brearley Jr. died in 1886 at New York.

      Elizabeth Schenck Conover was born in 1810. She was the daughter of Elias Conover and Sarah Vanderveer. Elizabeth Schenck Conover died in 1847.

      Eliza Baker was born on 26-Sep-1810 at New Jersey. She was born on 27-Sep-1810 at New Jersey. She was the daughter of Benjamin Baker and Elizabeth Covenhoven. Eliza married William Lawrence Conover, son of Elias Conover and Sarah Vanderveer, on 8-Feb-1837 at Roycefield, Somerset County, New Jersey. Eliza married William Lawrence Conover, son of Elias Conover and Sarah Vanderveer, on 8-Feb-1837 at Hunterdon County, New Jersey; By Rev. Joseph Mahon of Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Eliza Baker died on 14-Apr-1881 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois, at age 70. Eliza was buried at Oakland Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.
     She and William Lawrence Conover resided at at Tallula, Menard County, Illinois, circa 1839.

      Lawrence Vanderveer Conover was born on 12-Oct-1838 at near, Tallula, Menard County, Illinois. He was the son of William Lawrence Conover and Eliza Baker. Lawrence married Helen Mahala Thompson, daughter of James H. Thompson and SaraH Brown, on 2-Jan-1867 at Tallula, Menard County, Illinois; by Rev. Samuel D. Ayres of Tallula, Illinois. Lawrence Vanderveer Conover died on 15-May-1891 at at his home near, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois, at age 52. Lawrence was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.

      Helen Mahala Thompson was born on 4-Sep-1841 at near, Salisbury, Sangamon County, Illinois. She was the daughter of James H. Thompson and SaraH Brown. Helen married Lawrence Vanderveer Conover, son of William Lawrence Conover and Eliza Baker, on 2-Jan-1867 at Tallula, Menard County, Illinois; by Rev. Samuel D. Ayres of Tallula, Illinois. Helen Mahala Thompson died on 7-Sep-1919 at at the home of her daughter Mary Allie, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois, at age 78. Helen was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.
     

After their marriage they lived in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, and were engaged in the milling business for two or three years. They then moved to a farm in Rock Creek precinct, in Menard County, Illinois, where they lived until about 1881 or 1882. They then lived one year on Grandfather Thompsons" place, and then moved to the farm at Hazel Dell, in Little Grove precinct, where they lived until Fathers" death in 1891. Mother continued to run the farm and was Able to keep the family together an give them an education. After the children were grown up she moved into Petersburg, where she lived until her death.

      William Anson Conover was born on 29-Oct-1867 at Menard County, Illinois. He was the son of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson. William married Mary Sophia Jackson, daughter of Henry Jackson and Alice C. (Unknown), on 21-Oct-1896 at River Forest, Illinois. William Anson Conover died on 9-Sep-1951 at age 83. He died on 11-Sep-1951 at Los Angeles County, California, at age 83. William was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.

      Mary Sophia Jackson was born on 9-Jul-1871 at Argentina. She was the daughter of Henry Jackson and Alice C. (Unknown). Mary married William Anson Conover, son of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson, on 21-Oct-1896 at River Forest, Illinois.

      Sarah Effie Conover was born on 24-Jun-1869 at Menard County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson. Sarah married William H. Boeker on 18-Jun-1891 at Menard County, Illinois. Sarah Effie Conover died on 31-Jul-1937 at Houston, Harris County, Texas, at age 68. Sarah was buried after 31-Jul-1937 at Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas.

      William H. Boeker was born on 4-Jan-1869 at near, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois. William married Sarah Effie Conover, daughter of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson, on 18-Jun-1891 at Menard County, Illinois. William H. Boeker died on 3-Jun-1958 at Pearland, Harris County, Texas, at age 89.

      Mary Allie Conover was born on 28-Jun-1871 at Menard County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson. Mary married Dr. William James Lawson, son of James Lawson and Isabella Gilchrist, on 8-Nov-1893 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois. Mary Allie Conover died on 24-Jun-1952 at age 80. Mary was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.
     In the census on 1-Jun-1900 Mary Allie Conover was named Allie Conover.

      Dr. William James Lawson was born on 26-Jan-1869 at Cherrywood, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of James Lawson and Isabella Gilchrist. William married Mary Allie Conover, daughter of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson, on 8-Nov-1893 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois. Dr. William James Lawson died on 24-Jan-1947 at age 77. William was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.
     He was graduated in 1893 at Ontario Vererinary College, Guelph, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada. He immigrated circa 1893. He was naturalized in 1897.

DR. W. J. LAWSON DEAD OF HEART ATTACK: WAS 77
(Was Veterinarian for more than 50 years; Was born in Canada.)

Dr. W. J. Lawson, 77 years old, and a practicing Veterinary for more than 50 years in Menard County, died suddenly of a heart attack in the basement of the Frackelton Building, which he owned, about 2:30 Friday afternoon January 24. He had gone to the basement to attend the furnace, and when found, was at the door, apparently having been stricken as he started to leave the room. An inquest was conducted by Dr. Irving Newcomer, Menard County Coroner, and a verdict of death from a heart ailment was returned. Dr. Lawson had not been well, but had continued taking care of his practice and had made country calls during the morning of the day of his death.

He came to Petersburg more than 50 years ago from Canada, where he graduated form the University of Toronto at Guelph, Ontario and was one of the best known Veterinarians in this part of the state. Active in civic and political affairs, he served on the City Council and the Menard County Board. He was member, for many years, of the Central Presbyterian Church and Served the church as an elder. He was a charter member of the Petersburg Rotary Club and a past President of that organization. He was a member of Clinton Lodge A. F. & A. M., DeWitt Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and of St. Aldemar Commandery Knights Templar, and a Past Commander of the Latter-named organization. He served also on the County Board of the Red Cross and had served as a member of the Public Library Board.

He was born in Cherrywood, Ontario on Jan. 26, 1871,(NOTE: newspaper error) the son of James and Isabel Lawson, his parents being natives of Scotland. He was married here on November 28, 1892 to Miss Allied Conover of this city and to them were born two children, Dr. Lawrence Lawson of Kenilworth, and Helen, wife of Dr. T. F. Carter of this city. Surviving are his wife, two children, two grandsons, Lawrence Lawson, Jr. of Kenilworth and William Carter of this city, and tow grand daughters, Joan and Margaret Lawson of Kenilworth: and one brother, Alex Lawson of Cherrywood, Ontario.
                                   
Funeral services were held at the Central Presbyterian church at 10:30 Monday morning, Jan. 27, conducted by Rev. D. D. Boyd and burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gerald Brown, J. Colby Beakman, Paul R. Smoot, Edw. H. Goldon, Garret Tolan and Clarence Tozer. Music was by Mrs Harold Ackerman and Mrs. D. C. Boyd.



Story related by Helen Lawson Carter - Shortly after Dr. Lawsons arrival in Petersburg, he was at a local livery barn purchasing a horse. He overheard a conversation between a Greenview area farmer and the liveryman. The farmer was telling him that he was going to have to destroy his cattle herd due to a disease that they had contracted. Dr. Lawson asked the farmer to describe what was wrong with his herd. When Dr. Lawson heard the description he told the farmer that he knew what the problem was and that it would not be necessary to destroy the herd. The farmer had Dr. Lawson follow him to his farm, and Dr. Lawson was able to do as he stated and saved the heard. From that point on his reputation in the county was made and his prctice flurished.

      James Leon Conover was born on 8-Aug-1873 at Menard County, Illinois. He was the son of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson. James married Alice Turner on 17-Aug-1899 at Menard County, Illinois. James Leon Conover died on 21-Jul-1959 at Texas at age 85.
     

      Alice Turner was born in Sep-1875 at Illinois. Alice married James Leon Conover, son of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson, on 17-Aug-1899 at Menard County, Illinois.

      Virgie Lena Conover was born on 6-Aug-1875 at Menard County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson. Virgie married George Neikirk on 21-Apr-1917 at Menard County, Illinois. Virgie Lena Conover died on 22-Sep-1927 at age 52. Virgie was buried after 22-Sep-1927 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.

      George Neikirk was born on 18-Mar-1867. George married Virgie Lena Conover, daughter of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson, on 21-Apr-1917 at Menard County, Illinois. George Neikirk died on 20-Feb-1949 at age 81. George was buried after 20-Feb-1949 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.

      Nellie Viola Conover was born on 12-Aug-1878 at Menard County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson. Nellie married Walter E. McFadden on 31-Dec-1902 at Menard County, Illinois. Nellie Viola Conover died on 21-Jul-1927 at age 48. Nellie was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.

      Walter E. McFadden was born on 19-May-1879 at New York. Walter married Nellie Viola Conover, daughter of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson, on 31-Dec-1902 at Menard County, Illinois. Walter E. McFadden died on 6-May-1952 at age 72. He died on 8-May-1952 at age 72. Walter was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.

      Dr. Fred Otis Conover was born on 7-Aug-1880 at Menard County, Illinois. He was the son of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson. Fred married Olive May Johnson circa 1910. Dr. Fred Otis Conover died on 22-Mar-1971 at age 90. Fred was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.
     

      Olive May Johnson was born in 1884 at Athens, Menard County, Illinois. Olive married Dr. Fred Otis Conover, son of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson, circa 1910. Olive May Johnson died on 17-May-1974. Olive was buried after 17-May-1974 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.

      Edith Lola Conover was born on 23-Mar-1884 at Menard County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson. Edith married Robert M. Huffington on 19-Apr-1922. Edith Lola Conover died on 16-Nov-1947 at age 63. Edith was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.

      Robert M. Huffington was born on 31-May-1863 at Illinois. Robert married Sarah (Unknown). Robert married Edith Lola Conover, daughter of Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and Helen Mahala Thompson, on 19-Apr-1922. Robert M. Huffington died on 13-Dec-1941 at age 78. Robert was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.

      Benjamin Baker Conover was born on 30-Aug-1841 at Menard County, Illinois. He was the son of William Lawrence Conover and Eliza Baker. Benjamin Baker Conover died on 15-May-1863 at age 21.

      Sarah Elizabeth Conover was born on 30-Aug-1844 at Menard County, Illinois. She was the daughter of William Lawrence Conover and Eliza Baker. Sarah Elizabeth Conover died on 29-Jan-1865 at age 20.

      Phebe Maria Conover was born on 11-Dec-1846 at Menard County, Illinois. She was the daughter of William Lawrence Conover and Eliza Baker. Phebe Maria Conover died on 10-Oct-1864 at age 17.

      Laurenna Frances Conover was born on 17-Jul-1849 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois. She was the daughter of William Lawrence Conover and Eliza Baker. Laurenna married William Monroe Sutton on 28-Mar-1872 at Menard County, Illinois. Laurenna Frances Conover died on 20-Jan-1904 at age 54. Laurenna was buried after 20-Jan-1904 at Oakland Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.

      William Monroe Sutton was born in 1842. William married Laurenna Frances Conover, daughter of William Lawrence Conover and Eliza Baker, on 28-Mar-1872 at Menard County, Illinois. William Monroe Sutton died in 1890.

      Bessie Sutton was born in Sep-1874 at Waverly, Morgan County, Illinois. She was the daughter of William Monroe Sutton and Laurenna Frances Conover.

      Milton Bryant Harrison was born on 7-Jun-1824 at Menard County, Illinois. Milton married Martha Meldrun Hunter, daughter of Hampton Hunter and Henrietta Conover, on 31-Dec-1871 at Morgan County, Illinois. Milton Bryant Harrison died on 24-Nov-1904 at age 80.