Anna Villarreal Garbis
I'm adding new information all of the time, so be sure to check back every once and a while!
GAS PRICES OUTRAGEOUS WHERE YOU LIVE? CHECK TO SEE WHERE IT IS THE LEAST EXPENSIVE AT:
HERE I AM RESEARCHING MY FAMILY IN THE BASEMENT OF THE OLD AMBOY COURTHOUSE...
OR, AS THE EMPLOYEES THERE REFER TO IT, "THE DUNGEON"!
VIEW MY MURALS AT WWW.FRINKISM.COM
CLICK ON ARTWORK IN THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER~
ENJOY!
VIEW MY PHOTOGRAPHY AT: SmugMug
I WAS HONORED TO BY ASKED BY THE SAATCHI GALLERY TO DISPLAY SOME OF MY ARTWORK!
My parents are:
Everardo Villarreal Jr.
&
Jean DeSales Stalker
~ MY MOTHER'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY ~
ABOVE: Mom as a little girl ... Her grandson at around the same age
***************MY MOTHER'S PARENTS:
***************
Otto Laut (b.1895 d.1973) & Patricia Leddy Murray (b.1908 d.1967) Of Amboy, Lee co. Illinois & Elmhurst, DuPage co. Illinois
________________________________________________________________
GRANDMA PATRICIA LEDDY LAUT (on left) & FRIEND
PICTURES OF GRANDMA PATRICIA FROM HER HIGH SCHOOL YEAR BOOK
_______________________________________________________________
Otto C.R. Laut, 78, a former long-time Elmhurst resident, died May 26 at the DuPage Convalescent Home, Wheaton. Graveside services and burial were held May 30 at Pinelawn National Cemetery, Long Island. He is survived by one son, Melburn, of New York, N.Y. and a daughter Jean.--The Elmhurst Press May 31, 1973 p. 12
MELBORN C. LAUT, 74 of Hendersonville, N.C., and formerly of Elmhurst and Villa Park,
died Monday, Jan 17, at The Brian Center, Hendersonville. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II who served in the South Pacific. Funeral Services and internment were private. He is survived by his wife, 2 sons, and grandchildren. Memorials to charity are appreciated.--The Elmhurst Press Jan. 1997
Otto Laut's first wife was ALMA M. WEIHUS (b 1898 d 1945). She died giving birth to ALAN DAVID LAUT (b 1945 d 1945) who died at birth or shortly thereafter.
***************OTTO LAUT'S PARENTS:
***************
Ferdinand Freidrick Ludwig Laut (b. 1857 d.1899) & Maria Kunde (b. 1857 d.1941)
* Married September 14, 1883 in Cook County, Illinois *
Of New Stetten, Germany & Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois
CLICK HERE to see his SHIP'S PASSENGER LIST... he is passenger #151
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***************OTTO'S SIBLINGS:
***************
Obituary of ALBERT F. LAUT
Furneral services held for Albert F. Laut 50 Year Resident
Last rites were held Monday afternoon for Albert F. Laut, 147 Schiller St. Mr. Laut pased away at the age of 67 after an illness of several years. He was a resident of Elmhurst for the past 50 years. His survivors include his widow, Louise C., three sons, Edwin A. and Edward J. and Albert R. and one daughter Mrs. Louise Hintz of Park Falls Wisconsin. Services were held from the Immanuel Lutheran church with the Rev. E.T. Lange officiating. Interment took place at the Elm Lawn cemetery.--The Elmhurst Press Dec. 10, 1952 p.3
Obituary of HERMAN F. LAUT
Funeral services were to be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, in the Pederson-Ryberg Mortuary, 435 N. York St.,Elmhurst, for Herman F. Laut, N. Villa Ave., and Elmhurst resident for 25 years. Burial was to be in Elm Lawn Cemetery. Laut, who was 77 years old, died Feb. 21 in the Elmhurst Nursing Home. He is survived by two brothers, William and Otto, both of Elmhurst.--The Elmhurst Press Feb. 23, 1965
BELOW:UNKNOWN LEDDY from Tintype picture
Andrew Leddy was born in 1828 in Ireland according to census reports. His wife Margaret was
born in Ireland in 1823. Andrew had moved his family from Reading, Pennsylvania to Amboy in 1864
when his children were still young. Andrew and Margaret’s children were: James McBrearty (b.1844
d.1915), Patrick H. Leddy (b?d?), Mary Leddy Keho (b? d?), Margaret C. Leddy Mead (b.1859 d.1941),
Thomas Leddy (b.1861d.1940), and Bernard A. Leddy (b.1864 d.1923).
The McBrearty Mystery
Obviously James McBrearty was a half-brother to Thomas Leddy. We are still trying to determine if their
mother, Margaret Leddy first married a McBrearty, was widowed and then met and married Andrew Leddy.
The 1900 Census shows that Andrew and Margaret had been married for 45 years by that time, making the
year they were married 1855. James was 11 years old by then. So what was Margaret’s maiden name?
Who was James McBrearty's father? The search continues...
Margaret Leddy’s first son was James McBrearty. James’ birth date shown in census reports and 2
different obituaries are all different. The 1900 census lists his birth year as 1844. One obituary states his
birth year was 1850 the other says 1819 which is obviously wrong, as that would mean Margaret gave birth
at age 4.
He enlisted in the Union army in 1864 at the age of 14 years, serving during the Civil
War. At the close of the war he was merged into the 5th Pennsylvania cavalry, and was discharged with
honor August 7, 1865. He re-enlisted in the 24th Regular infantry, served 3 years and was discharged
August 29, 1868. He again re-enlisted in the 7th Cavalry and served five years, being discharged December
23, 1873, at Fort Abraham Lincoln. He saw service and participated in the following activities against
hostile Indians while serving with Company A. 7th Cavalry under General Reno: Wichita, I.T., Nov. 27,
1868: Tongue River, Mon., Aug. 4, 1873: Big Horn. Mon., Aug. 11, 1873. He again enlisted in Company C
20th infantry, served five years and was discharged at the end of service. He re-enlisted in the 18th regiment
of cavalry October 16, 1883, in all serving his country 19 years.
He was employed by the C. B. & Q
Railroad company for 28 years. For 16 years he was located at Dayton, Ill. He was also an agent at
LaGrange for eight years and at Western Springs, Ill for four years. The July 18th, 1885 Amboy news
announced that “James McBrearty and Rebecca E. Wight both of Amboy, were married on Saturday.”
The 1900 census shows that James and Rebecca were living with their daughter Mary Emmons
and her family in Dayton, Illinois. Mary’s husband Edward’s occupation was listed as housepainter. It also
shows that Edward had been unemployed for 3 months, which could account for the in-laws stay. James
was still working as a ticket agent for the railroad.
James died April 16th 1915. His obituary stated: “He was buried Sunday, April 18th from St.
Columbia’s church in Ottawa, Illinois. The beautiful and impressive services were conducted by the Rev.
Dean Quinn whose high tribute to his character and services was heard by a large gathering of friends and
neighbors, among whom was the G. A. R. post of Ottawa and Dayton, who had charge of the services at the
grave in the cemetery at Dayton. He leaves to mourn, his wife and two stepchildren. Roy and Mrs. Mary
Emmons of Tulsa, Oklahoma, three brothers P.H., T.F., and Ben Leddy, and two sisters, Mrs. W.J. Keho,
and Mrs. John Mead of Amboy, who were at his bedside when he passed away. He was a man of fine
qualities of mind and heart, and leaves many friends to regret his death in Dayton. Four years ago the
deceased paid a visit to the old battle ground in Montana and lived over again the days of long ago.”
Patrick H. Leddy
All that we know about Patrick Leddy is gleaned from family obituaries and a few articles from the
Amboy News. A small article from the July 18, 1885 Amboy News: “Mr. P.H. Leddy started Tuesday for
New Mexico where his mine is located. The report is that he and his brother are well fixed financially for
the future. The News hopes it may prove so." An article found online that speaks of a New Mexico Opera House says that among the gentlemen appearing on stage was a Patrick Leddy. Could this be our P.H. Leddy?
Other articles from Amboy newspapers say that P.H. Leddy moves to Grant, Colorado in 1880. We know
there was a Leddy Barite Mine in Colorado. In 1877 Patrick Leddy gets a job with the circus playing
drums. His brother Ben's 1923 obituary states that P.H. then lived in Fresno, California. That is all we
know of P.H. Leddy.
MY GREAT GRANDFATHER
Thomas Leddy
Thomas F. Leddy was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on November 15, 1861. He was the son of
Andrew and Margaret Leddy and came with them to Amboy at the age of three years. He received his
education in the Amboy schools and was a member of the graduating class of 1877 of Amboy High School,
the second class to be graduated by that school. After graduation, Thomas headed west. He and his
brothers owned mines in both New Mexico and Colorado. Stories passed down about Thomas say that
he taught cowboys out on the open range to play the fiddle.
In time, Thomas returned to Amboy. He
married Kathryn Rice daughter of Michael Joseph and Mary Daley Rice. They had three children: Patricia
Delores (b.1908 d.1967), Andrew F. Leddy (b.1909 d.1948) and Geraldine Leddy (b.1911 d.1978).
Thomas was employed by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. The young family moved
around Illinois as Thomas’s job took him to Blue Island and elsewhere. Eventually the family settled in
Elmhurst, Illinois where Thomas worked as Stationmaster. All of Thomas and Kathryn’s children attended
York High School in Elmhurst.
When he was 78 years old, Thomas fell and injured his hip. He was hospitalized
for 6 weeks. He died of pneumonia at Elmhurst Community Hospital. His obituary states the following:
“THOMAS F. LEDDY IS BURIED ON SATURDAY. Burial services were held at St. Patrick's cemetery
here Saturday morning for the late THOMAS F. LEDDY who died in Elmhurst, Ill., Thursday, June 6,
1940. Rev. Robert C. Troy and Rev. W.J. Bradley of St. Patrick parish, Amboy, had charge of the burial
services.
Following is an obituary prepared for The Amboy News: Thomas F. Leddy was born in Reading,
Pennsylvania on November 15, 1861. He was the son of Andrew and Margaret Leddy and came with them
to Amboy at the age of three years. He received his education in the Amboy schools and was a member of
the graduating class of 1877 of Amboy high school, the second class to be graduated by that school. He
was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Rice of Amboy who survives. He also leaves to mourn his death
two daughters, Mrs. Patricia Murray and Miss Geraldine; one son, Andrew, all of Elmhurst; one sister, Mrs.
Margaret Mead of Amboy, and many other relatives and friends. He was of a fine, upright and honorable
character, much loved and respected. About six weeks ago Mr. Leddy sustained a broken hip, the injury
resulting in his death. He had been employed for a number of years by the Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad Company, retiring about nine years ago. A requiem Mass was said at the Immaculate Conception
Church in Elmhurst Saturday morning where final rites were held.”--Amboy News.
Margaret Leddy Mead
Margaret Leddy was born in Reading, Pa., Aug 16, 1859, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew
Leddy and was married to John Mead. The story of the life of Margaret Leddy Mead (b.1859 d.1941) was
contributed to the first edition of Biographies of the Citizens of Lee County Illinois, by her great
granddaughter Kathy Mead Ketchum. Many thanks to Kathy Ketchum for sending me obituaries and
pictures. I could never have written this article without her generosity.
Bernard A. Leddy
Bernard A. Leddy was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on December 18, 1864. He was raised and
educated in Amboy as were his siblings. Ben was a musician just like his brothers. A short article from the
Amboy News: “The F.M.T.A.& B. society's band reorganized this week with Prof. Smith as teacher. The
following are members: Chas. Carroll, leader; Wm Keho, Eb. cornet; John McGraw, Bb. cornet; Jas.
Gregory and Wm. Wells, altos; BEN LEDDY, solo alto; Jas. Corcoran, 1st tenor; Chas. Maloney, 2nd
tenor; James Carroll, baritone; John Hollercamp, tuba; Geo. Morris, snare drum; and Dan'l Sullivan, bass
drum. The band has several new instruments."
Upon graduation from Amboy High School, Ben followed in his brothers footsteps and headed out
West. He was the publisher of the Washington State Journal and the Ritzville (WA) Times. In 1922, he
went to Great Falls, Montana where he was employed by the Great Falls Tribune. He was a member of the
Elks Lodge.
He died March 14, 1923 at the Sister’s Hospital in Great Falls after a short illness. He was 58
years old. As far as we know, he never married.
Stay tuned, the more I uncover, the more there will be to tell...
***************PATRICIA LEDDY LAUT'S PARENTS:
****************
Thomas Leddy (b.1861 d.1940) & Kathryn Rice (b.1875 d.1955)
~Obituaries of THOMAS LEDDY~
THOMAS F. LEDDY IS BURIED ON SATURDAY
Burial services were held at St. Patrick's cemetery here Saturday
morning for the late THOMAS F. LEDDY who died in Elmhurst, Ill.,
Thursday, June 6, 1940. Rev. Robert C. Troy and Rev. W.J. Bradley
of St. Patrick parish, Amboy, had charge of the burial services.
Following is an obituary prepared for The Amboy News:
Thomas F. Leddy was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on November
15, 1861. He was the son of Andrew and Margaret Leddy and came with
them to Amboy at the age of three years. He received his education in
the Amboy schools and was a member of the graduating class of 1877 of
Amboy high school, the second class to be graduated by that school. He
was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Rice of Amboy who survives. He
also leaves to mourn his death two daughters, Mrs. Patricia Murray and
Miss Geraldine; one son, Andrew, all of Elmhurst; one sister, Mrs. Margaret
Mead of Amboy, and many other relatives and friends.
He was of a fine, upright and honorable character, much loved and respected.
About six weeks ago Mr. Leddy sustained a broken hip, the injury resulting
in his death. He had been employed for a number of years by the Chicago
& Northwestern Railroad Company, retiring about nine years ago.
A requiem Mass was said at the Immaculate Conception Church in Elmhurst
Saturday morning where final rites were held.--Amboy News
Funeral services for Thomas F. Leddy, 78 of 314 North York St., Elmhurst were held Sat. morning from the Immaculate Conception church, and internment took place in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Amboy, Ill. The Rev. William J. Plunkett officiated. Mr. Leddy, who had lived in Elmhurst for the past 20 years, passed away at the Elmhurst Community Hospital Thurs. He had fallen six weeks before, sustaining a fractured hip, and had been hospitalized ever since that time. Born in Reading, Pa. Mr. Leddy came to Amboy as a young boy. He and his family moved to Elmhurst 20 years ago. He leaves behind his wife, Katherine, two daughters, Mrs. Patricia Murray, 243 E. Third St. Elmhurst, Geraldine, at home, and one son, Andrew, at home.--The Elmhurst Leader June 11, 1940
***************PATRICIA'S SIBLINGS:
***************
__________________________________________________________________
Below: Patricia, Geraldine and Andrew Leddy
Below: PATRICIA AND ANDREW LEDDY
__________________________________________________________________
ABOVE: Andrew Leddy pictures from York High School
Obituary of ANDREW F. LEDDY
Andrew Leddy funeral Friday
Funeral service for Andrew F. Leddy, 39, a resident of Elmhurst for 27 years and a veteran of World War II who died suddenly Wednesday in his home at 314 N. York st., will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the Robillard chapel, 134 S. York st. The Rev. John Podesta, assistant pastor of Immaculate Conception church, will preside at the service. Burial will be in St. Patrick's cemetery in Amboy. An honor guard from Walter S. Glos Post 2048, Veterans of Foreign Wars, of which Mr. Leddy was a member, will participate in the service. Born Aug. 14, 1909, in Blue Island, Mr. Leddy attended Elmhurst schools and was graduated from York Community high school. He served in the Army 4 years, part of which time was spent in the Pacific area. Mr. Leddy was a member of Immaculate Conception church. He has been employed by the Lewis Spring Manufacturing co., Chicago. Surviving are the mother, Mrs. Kathryn Leddy, at the above address; 2 sisters: Mrs. Otto Laut, Elmhurst, and Geraldine, at home, and an aunt, Mary Rice.--The Elmhurst Press Oct. 6, 1948 p.4
Obituary of GERALDINE LEDDY
Geraldine F. Leddy, 66, of Elmhurst, died Jan. 15 at Elmhurst Extended Care Center. Mass will be Jan 18 at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Queen of Heaven Church. Burial will be at St. Patrick's cemetery, Amboy. Arrangements were made by Pedersen-Ryberg mortuary, Elmhurst. Miss Leddy is survived by her nieces, Faith Ewald, Ellen Suddarth and Jean Villarreal. She is great aunt of 18, and cousin of Merritt Rice. --The Elmhurst Press.
***************THOMAS LEDDY'S PARENTS:
**************
Andrew Leddy (b.1828 d?) & Margaret McBrearty (b.1823 d.1910)
Of Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania & Amboy, Lee County, Illinois
***************THOMAS' SIBLINGS:
***************
FROM THE JULY 18, 1885 AMBOY NEWS:
~ Jas. McBrearty and Mrs. R.E. Wight, both of this place, were married last Saturday. ~
Obituaries of JAMES G. McBREARTY
(note the inconsistancies in the 2) James Garfield McBrearty was born January 31, 1850, in Milford, Mass.,
and died Apr. 16th 1915 at Dayton, Illinois.
He was a soldier of the Civil war being a member of the 4th Pennsylvania
Regiment in the Army of the Potomac, also served his country in the Indian
Campaign in the famous 7th Cavalry with General Custer.
He was buried Sunday, April 18th from St. Columba's church in Ottawa,
Illinois. The beautiful and impressive services were conducted by the Rev.
Dean Quinn whose high tribute to his character and services was heard by a
large gathering of friends and neighbors, among whom was the G. A. R. post
of Ottawa and Dayton, who had charge of the services at the grave in the
cemetery at Dayton.
He leaves to mourn, his wife and two step-children. Roy and Mrs. Mary
Emmons of Tulsa, Oklahoma, three brothers P.H., T.F., and Ben Leddy, and
two sisters, Mrs. W.J. Keho, and Mrs. John Mead of Amboy, who were at his
bedside when he passed away.
He was a man of fine qualities of mind and heart, and leaves many friends
to regret his death in Dayton, where he was an agent for the C.B. & Q. Railroad
for the past 16 years.
Obituary OF JAMES McBREARTY A small article from the July 18, 1885 Amboy Journal:
An article from 1886 about a
New Mexico Opera House says that among the gentlemen appearing on stage was a Patrick Leddy. Could this be our P.H. Leddy? Family legend has it that Thomas Leddy taught cowboys out west to play the fiddle. Other articles from Amboy newspapers say P.H. Leddy moves to Grant, Colorado in 1880. We know there was a in Colorado.
Then in 1877 Patrick Leddy gets a job with the circus playing drums. His brother Ben's 1923 obituary states that P.H. then lived in Fresno, California. That is all we know of P.H. Leddy right now.
BELOW: MARY LEDDY
Obituary of MARGARET C. LEDDY MEAD
Amboy, March 12--Mrs. Margaret C. Mead, a resident of Amboy since she was three years of age, passed away at her home, 48 North Mason St. at 9:30 Wednesday night after a short illness. Funeral services will be held at the home at 8:30 Saturday morning and at St. Patrick's Catholic church at 9:00, the Rev. Fr. Robert C. Troy officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick's cemetery. Margaret Leddy was born in Reading, Pa., Aug 16, 1859, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Leddy and was married to John Mead, who preceded her in death 19 years ago. She is survived by the following children: Tom, John, Frank, James, and Joseph of Amboy; Mrs. Margaret Powers of Ohio; Miss Molly at home; and seven grandchildren.
Another musical Leddy:
Obituary of BEN LEDDY Bernard A. Leddy died at the Sisters Hospital in Great Falls, Montana,
March 14, 1923 after a short illness, and was buried at that place March
18, 1923.
He was born in Reading, Pa., Dec. 18, 1864, and at the time of his death
was aged 58 years. He will be remembered by the older residents of Amboy
where he was raised and educated.
At the time of his death he was employed on the Great Falls Tribune, with
which he has been connected for the past several years.
His funeral was conducted by the Rev. Father O'Brien of St. Annis church,
and was attended by the members of the Elks Lodge of which he was a member.
He leaves to mourn his death two sisters, Mrs. W.J. Keho and Mrs. John
Mead of Amboy, and two brothers, T.F.Leddy of Elmhurst and P.H. Leddy of
Fresno, Cal., besides many nephews and nieces and old friends in Amboy
and elsewhere.
From Adams county Ritzville, WA:
The Journal-Times Thursday, March 22, 1923, issue B. A. Leddy
Friday morning's Spokesman-Review contained a dispatch from Great Falls, Montana, telling
of the death in a hospital there of B. A. Leddy, who had been ill four days from heart failure.
Mr. Leddy was formerly publisher of the Washington State Journal and Ritzville Times, leasing the
property from the Ritzville Publishing Company. He went from here to Montana where he has engaged
in the newspaper business the past ten years.
***************KATHRYN RICE LEDDY'S PARENTS*************** Michael Joseph Rice (b.1846 d.1905) & Mary Daley (b.1848 d.1886)
Of Lisdoo, Dundalk County Louth, Ireland & Amboy, Lee County, Illinois
Michael Rice attended the reception in Chicago for Civil War General Grant. Also there were Generals Sherman, Sheridan, Schofield, Pope, Logan, Gresham and Oglesby. The following is an article from the November 19, 1879 issue of The Amboy News:
"Our fellow townsman, J. Little, J. Tait, C. Wooster, M. RICE, J. Edwards, W. Badger, and C. Young, attended the Grant reception in Chicago last Wednesday and Thursday. Chicago's great reception for General Grant was a little the biggest affair that ever transpired in that city. It had the largest crowd that had ever been there, and had the greatest number of notable military men that have met together since the war. It is not often that there is a meeting of such generals as Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Schofield, Pope, Logan, Gresham, and Oglesby, to say nothing of the lesser lights, and the vast array of privates and citizens who assembled in Chicago on Wednesday. Chicago had the most decorations, the greatest number of brass bands, the most soldiers, the largest procession, and the most newspaper brag of any city on the continent. The streets of Chicago were ankle-deep with mud, but that did not dampen the ardor of the "boomers," but rather added zest to it---
it reminded them of life in the army. Grant will remain in Chicago a few days and then return to Galena to transact some business and will then start eastward."---November 19, 1879 Amboy News.
~ Obituary for MRS. MICHAEL RICE (Mary DALEY Rice) ~
Mrs. Michael Rice died Wednesday night about 9 P.M. The funeral took place
Friday at 1:30 P.M. at the Catholic church, Father Caughlin officiating. Mrs. Rice
has been ill several years but is now at rest. The interment was in the beautiful
cemetery west of the city. She leaves a husband and two children to mourn her
departure-- a bright little boy and girl.--2/27/1886 Amboy News
********************KATHRYN RICE LEDDY'S SIBLINGS******************** BELOW: MARY RICE IN DARK COAT, WITH MISS MOSS AND MISS SCHAAR circa 1948-1950
***************MICHAEL RICE'S SIBLINGS*************** ***************MICHAEL RICE'S PARENTS***************
Of Lisdoo, Dundalk County Louth Ireland
THE CIVIC COATS OF ARMS OF DUNDALK & LOUTH
The obituary for CATHERINE RICE Died-- June 5th, 1885, at her residence, Lisdoo, Dundalk, Catherine, relict of the late Mr. Peter Rice, aged 66 years. Deeply and deservedly regretted. The remains will be removed at two o'clock tomorrow (Sunday) for interment in Castletown cemetery.--Dundalk Democrat, Ireland.
The aboved named lady is the mother of Messrs. Michael and James Rice, of this city, worthy young men, who have the sympathy of our people in their sad bereavement. --June 27, 1885 The Amboy Journal.
My great great grandfather MICHAEL JOSEPH RICE
of Lisdoo, Dundalk Ireland & Amboy, Lee county Illinois
A BIOGRAPHY OF MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER MICHAEL JOSEPH RICE AND HIS FAMILY:
Michael Joseph Rice & Mary Daley Rice
Michael came to America in 1865 settling in Amboy, Lee County Illinois. Anthony J. Becker lists him as
an early settler in The Biography of a Country Town USA. Michael opened “Mike Rice’s Liquor Emporium” a
tavern on East Avenue, Amboy.
Michael became a prominent businessman in Lee County, Illinois. He is mentioned in numerous newspaper
articles in both the Amboy News and the Amboy Journal. Michael met and fell in love with Mary Daley. She was
born in Pennsylvania in 1848. She had just graduated from a finishing school in Missouri when they eloped. Family
legend has it that Mary was disowned when she married Michael Rice. It is quite possible that Mary never saw her
family again.
The couple set up house in Amboy. Michael and Mary started a family and had 5 children: Kathryn “Kitty”
Rice born 1875 died 1955, Francis “Frank” Michael Rice born 1877 died 1907, Mary “Mamie” E. Rice born 1880
died 1973, Peter P. Rice born 1874 died 1879, Peter P. Rice II born 1879 died 1879. Only 3 of their 5 children
would live to see adulthood. Their son Peter P. Rice fell ill and died of scarlet fever at 5 years old. Tragically, only
days later, their 12-day-old son whom they also named Peter P. died of "infantile convulsions".
The obituary for the Rice boys both named PETER P.
Michael and Mary
Rice donated generously to science with the hope that other parents would not have to experience the heartache and
grief associated with losing a child in death. Interestingly, in November of 1879 Michael bought the house at 215
N. Jones Street in Amboy. This could have been for the family to leave behind the sad memories of the loss of
both little boys earlier in the year.
Michael, known as “Papa” to his children, gave his family the best his money could offer. A beautiful home
with servants, custom-made furniture, leather bound books, and the finest education. For as long as Michael lived,
he saw to it that his family was very well cared for.
AMBOY MANDOLIN SOCIETY
Front center: With head turned Kathryn Rice to her left holding sheet music her sister Mary Rice
Michael would go on hunting expeditions in the North Woods of Canada. It has been speculated these trips
held another purpose. It is thought that Michael and members of his hunting expedition could possibly have been
supporting rebel factions, perhaps the Fenians, in Ireland. With the money at their disposal, they could have easily
helped with funds and guns.
In June of 1885 Michael received news from back home in Ireland. His mother Catherine Rice
had passed away. Her obituary was posted in the June 27th issue of the Amboy Journal. An addition to the
obituary stated the following: “The above named lady is the mother of Messrs. Michael and James Rice, of
this city, worthy young men, who have the sympathy of our people in their sad bereavement.” This
comment, a census report, and sponsors listed in church records of the baptisms of Michael and Mary’s
children, are about the only information we now have of Michael’s brother James. Michael and Mary Rice
were listed as baptismal sponsors of Katherine, daughter of James and Ellen Rice in October 1881.
Also listed in church records as sponsors of the baptism of Michael and Mary’s son Francis are
Daniel and Margo Belton. It is a possibility that Margo Belton was Michael and James Rice’s sister. Mrs.
Belton is also listed as a baptismal sponsor of Margaret, daughter of James Rice and Ellen Blaine in
November 1887.
Below: Contributed to the March 13, 1886 issue of the Amboy News
Mary Daley Rice died February 24, 1886. Her obituary states that she had been ill for several
years. The January 2nd 1886 issue of the Amboy News reported that Michael Rice had just returned from
Chicago where he had gone to escort his wife home. Mary died just over a month later. Had Mary been in
Chicago seeking medical help? Michael would’ve wanted only the best doctors for his dear young wife.
Kathryn was 11 years old at her mother's death, Frank was 9 and little Mary was 6 years old.
Michael had hired Mary Burke as a housekeeper and Kitty Fogarty as a nanny, probably while his wife was
still alive but ill. The pair kept in touch with the Rice children their whole lives, even meeting Kathryn
Rice Leddy's grandchildren.
Michael’s daughter Kathryn was a bit of a wild child and so Michael thought it best to send her to
St. Patrick’s School in Chicago. For her Junior High School years she lived in a convent and was taught by
the Sister’s of Mercy. After Junior High, Kathryn wanted to go to school to become a nurse. However, the
Nursing school she attended was run by Polish speaking nurses. Kathryn did not speak their language and
the teachers spoke very little English. She toughed it out for a while but eventually Kathryn decided to take
the exam to get her teaching certificate. She took a teaching assignment in Grand Junction, Iowa. The
assignment may have been chosen because she had relatives or friends of her family living in or around
Grand Junction. An article in the October 14, 1882 Amboy News reported Michael Rice and his aunt, Mrs.
P. Fogarty, went to Dunlap, Iowa to attend the funeral of a Mr. McDonald, formerly of Amboy. Michael
was a very protective father and may very well have forbidden Kathryn to leave the state unless she was
with someone he knew and trusted.
Michael’s youngest daughter Mary informed her father that she would attend Vassar. Overly
protective “Papa” forbid his baby girl to leave the state. He informed Mary that she would attend college in
Illinois. To spite her father Mary then told him she was going to secretarial school, and she did.
An article in the July 31, 1889 issue of the Amboy News mentioned Michael Rice as being the
treasurer at the Annual meeting of Liquor Dealers. Shortly thereafter, Michael became ill. His daughter
Kathryn left her teaching assignment in Grand Junction, Iowa to care for her ailing “Papa”. Michael Rice
died on March 5, 1905. He was buried in St. Patrick’s cemetery in Amboy with his late wife and sons. The
lawyers told Michael’s children that his money was “tied up”. A letter from Michael Rice’s attorneys to
Kathryn Rice was written in response to Kathryn’s request for a small advance from her late father’s estate.
The letter told her that her father’s money was gone. The lawyer wrote that from the goodness of his heart
and from his own pocket he was sending her one dollar and twenty-five cents. Family legend has it that the
lawyers took possession of Michael’s estate. His land and property were sold to pay business and other
debts that Michael owed. A few of his possessions were passed down to his children, but his home and land
were gone. The prominent and generous businessman who had provided so richly for his loved ones and
others through charitable donations, was able to leave only little behind to care for his children.
Kathryn Rice and Thomas Leddy
Kathryn Rice went on to marry Thomas F. Leddy, also of Amboy. Thomas was the son of Andrew
and Margaret Leddy. Thomas attended Amboy schools and upon graduation traveled west. He and his
brother Patrick owned mines in both Colorado and New Mexico. During his travels, Thomas taught
cowboys on the open range to play the fiddle. Kathryn and Thomas married and had 3 children: Patricia
Delores (b.1908 d.1967), Andrew F. Leddy (b.1909 d.1948) and Geraldine Leddy (b.1911 d.1978).
Thomas worked for the railroad as Station Master. He and his young family moved around Illinois for his
various assignments. They eventually settled in Elmhurst, Illinois. Kathryn’s sister lived with the family
from the time Thomas and Kathryn married. The sister’s were always together. Mary was a concert pianist
and Thomas played many stringed instruments. The two would play chamber music together for the rest of
the family.
Thomas lived until 1940. Kathryn died in 1955. Mary Rice died in 1973. Thomas and Kathryn’s
daughter Geraldine never married, their son Andrew died suddenly not long after he returned from the war.
Their daughter Patricia married twice and had 3 daughters. She died of cancer in 1967. She has 21
grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren. Mary Rice, Kathryn and Thomas Leddy, and all of their
children are buried at St. Patrick’s cemetery in Amboy.
Francis Michael Rice and May Bell Brewer
The 1900 census shows that Michael and Mary Rice’s son Francis was born in February 1877. He
married May Bell Brewer also of Amboy. May Bell was born May 1, 1881. The couple had three boys,
Francis Augustus nicknamed Frank Pete born 1901, Merritt born 1903 and Willis J. born 1906. Francis
Michael contracted tuberculosis while his boys were still very young. Doctors advised the family that a
move south to a warmer, drier climate was in Francis’ best interest. The family moved from Amboy to what
is now Albuquerque, New Mexico. In time Francis’ health seemed to improve and the family moved back
to Illinois. Francis and May Bell’s youngest son Willis died on February 17, 1907, shortly after the family
moved back to Illinois. He was just over a year old. Less than one month later, on March 9, 1907 Francis
Michael passed away. He was only 30 years old. Francis and his family had been staying with his sister
Kathryn and his brother-in- law Thomas Leddy in Blue Island, IL. He died in their home.
Just a few years after the sad passing of her husband and son, May Bell started having severe
abdominal pains. Instead of seeing a doctor, she simply cinched her corset tighter and didn’t complain.
May Bell died of an appendicitis attack on August 22, 1911.
Above: May Bell Brewer
Below: We don't know who the Porter family is who shares the Rice/ Brewer headstone
Like her husband, May Bell died at only 30
years old. Frank Pete was only 10 years old and Merritt was only 8. Within 4 short years, they had lost
both parents and their baby brother. They were taken in and raised by their grandmother Martha Brewer in Amboy.
Frank and Merritt in a school picture, the boys are 3rd from the left and either Frank or Merritt is standing behind a classmate
Merritt, Frank Pete, and their grandmother Martha Brewer
After Frank Pete and Merritt had graduated from Amboy High School, they settled in Chicago,
Illinois.
The Disappearance of Patrick Rice
It can be said that Frank Pete and Merritt Rice had endured more than their share of heartbreak and
tragedy, with the early deaths of both of their parents and their younger brother. Cruelly, life was yet again
to take another dearly loved one from them.
Frank Pete Rice married Irene Sanders. The couple settled in Chicago right around the corner
from Frank's brother Merritt.
Below: Merritt and Adeline
Merritt married Adeline Rybowiak. Frank and Irene had one son, Patrick.
Merritt and Adeline had two children, Frank and Kathy. Since they lived so close to one another, cousins
Patrick and Frankie were more like brothers than cousins. Frank Rice recalls a time when he and Patrick
decided to "skip" school... in kindergarten.
It was customary for the two families to get together on the weekends. Frank Pete was on
disability from the railroad and didn't drive, so Merritt and Adeline, with their children, would pick up
Frank Pete, Irene and Patrick to all go visiting friends and family. One weekend, when Patrick was around
5 years old, Irene told the others that Patrick wasn't feeling well. She told her husband to go visiting, she
would stay home to care for Patrick. Frank Pete left with his brother Merritt and Merritt's family, just like
any other weekend. That night, when Merritt dropped his brother off, Frank Pete unlocked his front door
and walked into an empty apartment. The only things left were his clothes. For reasons still unclear to us,
Irene had taken their son Patrick and disappeared. Frank Pete would never see his wife or son again.
Frank Pete, Merritt, Adeline, Merritt's in-laws all searched for Irene and Patrick. Merritt had
friends in the Chicago Police Department. They turned up nothing. Irene's own family could not find her.
A broken man, Frank Pete moved in with Merritt and his family. He was never the same again. Frank Pete
Rice died in 1955. Even after his death, family members continued to search for Patrick and Irene.
It was not until 1999, when 2 queries were posted on the Lee County Genealogical Society's
website within 7 months of each other, that the mystery surrounding Patrick Rice would finally be solved.
Angela Rice posted a query on June 19th, 1999 searching for information about her father's family.
She knew her grandfather's name was Frank Rice and that he was from Lee County. She also had his old
address in Chicago, Illinois.
I posted my query December 6, 1999 searching for any information on my great, great grandfather
Michael Joseph Rice and his family. I noticed Angie’s posting and emailed her. She got back to me with a
few more names. Initially I was not convinced of a family connection. I had never heard of an Irene or a
Patrick Rice. A quick call to my mother in Wisconsin seemed to confirm my doubts. The names were not
familiar to her, either. She suggested I call her older sister and check with her. I called my Aunt Faith. As
soon as I mentioned the names Irene and Patrick, she got very excited, "This is a really big find!" she
exclaimed happily. She went on to tell me of the disappearance, almost 50 years ago, of her little cousin
Patrick. With a flurry of emails and phone calls, Patrick Rice was finally reunited with his long lost family.
He lives only an hour away from my mother. Many heartfelt thanks to the Lee County Genealogical Society
for their help in solving a 50-year mystery and for giving back to Patrick Rice his family.
BELOW: PATRICK RICE AND HIS FAMILY
~ Francis Rice II & Merritt Rice ~
~ From the 1918 Amboy High Yearbook ~
Frank and Merritt Rice are in this group picture but we need to identify
the others, they could be the Brewer family. The other picture looks like Martha Brewer
More Mystery Pictures:
We suspect these are also Brewers
~ Kathy Rice's first birthday party ~
NOW STARTING WORK ON:
~ MY FATHER'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY ~
THE CIVIC COATS OF ARMS OF SPAIN & MEXICO
click here to see the Villarreal Coat of Arms
DAD'S GRADE SCHOOL CLASS PICTURE, HE IS FRONT CENTER
BEHIND MY DAD IS HIS COUSIN ANTONIO LOPEZ
MY DAD IN MEXICO
***************MY FATHER'S PARENTS***************
Of Chihuahua, Mexico & Carizzo Springs, Texas
Everardo Villarreal (b.1910 d.1997) & still living
********** of Villaldama, Mexico
Eugenio Villarreal & Ramona Villarreal
****** Eugenio Villarreal's Siblings: ******
(list not yet complete)
Family legend has it that Jesus Villarreal moved to Montana, married an American Indian woman and started a family. He was later deported
back to Mexico and never saw his family again.
NEW PICTURES OF VILLARREALS
Bonita Villarreal's mother
Bonita Villarreal
THE PROVERBIAL "BRICK WALLS"
As with everyone who is researching their ancestors, I too have crashed into quite a few "brick walls" while digging. If anyone out there has any info that would steer me in the right direction please email me. I would greatly appreciate any help!
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This page belongs to A. Garbis.
SURNAMES INCLUDE:
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EMMONS
KEHO
LAUT
LEDDY
McBREARTY
MEAD RICE
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VILLARREAL
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THE McBREARTY MYSTERY
OTTO LAUT'S FIRST WIFE
Ferdinand Laut came to America on the SS Rhein in 1881
SEARCH THE WWII VETERAN'S DATABASE FOR FRIENDS AND/ OR LOVED ONES OR REGISTER SOMEONE'S NAME TO THE SITE: WWII VETERAN'S DATABASE
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GROUP PICTURE OF RICES
MY GREAT GRANDPARENTS **********
****** JESUS VILLARREAL ******
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