Scope and Contents:
This collection contains Edgar and Vermilion Counties, Ill., materials acquired by Nancy Hogan Reed, of Sidell, Ill., while compiling her Lives & Times (1988).
Included are two Civil War letters from Joseph W. Spry of Catlin, Ill., who served in Co. K, 125th Ill. Vol. Inf. Spry's letters of Aug. 6, 1863, and Feb. 29, 1863 [1864], describe the unit's march from Tennessee to Georgia, the skirmish at Ringgold Gap following the battle of Missionary Ridge, and a reconnaissance against Dalton, Ga. After the war, Spry settled in Turner, Ind., where he worked as a carpenter.
In addition, the collection includes common school reports from Ross (Hildreth, Ill.) School in 1892 and 1904-1907, which list student names and days in attendance.
Nancy Reed donated these materials as well as a published wall map, Edgar County, Ill. (Hardacre Map Co., 1917), to the Library in 1987-1988.