Kinmundy Homes (Book #1)

Kinmundy, Marion Co., Illinois

(Note: Since there are so many images, these have been divided up into three books for the website.

Remember that you can also use CTRL-F to find a particular surname within these pictures when you are on the page.)

Click on these links to view the other "Kinmundy Homes" photos

Book #2 Book #3 Book #4

Click to return to

We are looking for photos of people and/or places from around Kinmundy & Alma. Can you help?

Or maybe you have stories or memories from the "Good Old Days"? What do YOU remember?

The Kinmundy Historical Society would be honored to preserve your memories and stories. We also have the

equipment to scan (or copy) your photos so that they may be enjoyed now as well as for generations yet to come!

We would love to hear from you! For more information, please contact:

Dolores (Ford) Mobley – Dolores@ford-mobley.com

208 Joan Dr.; Divernon, IL 62530; (217) 625-7527

Gladys (Corrie) See – gsee49@yahoo.com

408 S. Washington St.; Kinmundy, IL 62854; (618) 547-7731

"First House? Some folks in Kinmundy say that this is the picture of the first house in Kinmundy. At the time the picture was taken, the house belonged to James M. "Polk" Williams, who is standing with his gun between the two doors. For years this old photograph has hung in the barbershop of William "Bill" Doolen in Kinmundy. Old history books indicate that the first house was built on Dec. 21, 1828 by Abner Stewart on a lot which later became part of the original townsite. The first house built after Kinmundy was laid out was the William Eagan place constructed in 1857, if old records are correct."

(Newspaper article.)

(R-162) This was the first house in Kinmundy, though it stood north of the town plat, about a block south of the old Catholic Church. W.E. Eagan built the first house in 1857, in which he kept a general store, and was also postmaster.

(Information from the Kinmundy Centennial book.)

(R-1c) Residence of Ike Pruden & Sophia (Bradley) Pruden, which was located at 601 or 603 E. 4th St.

This home was also owned by Dewey Lacey (across from Mel Boyd) on the east part of town. (Both have been torn down.)

Residence of Ike Pruden & Sophia (Bradley) Pruden, which was located at 601 or 603 E. 4th St.

This home was also owned by Dewey Lacey (across from Mel Boyd) on the east part of town. (Both have been torn down.)

(R-2b) Residence of J.R. & Florence Mahan located at 200 N. Madison St.

This was taken at the northeast side corner of Madison and Sycamore streets, looking east from Madison.

Former home of James Raymond Mahan and Florence (Motch) Mahan - August 2015.

This house stands on Madison St. across the street and to the east of the old Robnett garage and ice plant.

(R-3b) Residence of Mrs. M.J. White at 103 S. West St. (This is probably Mary Jane (Frost) White, who's husband William H. White died in 1907.)

This house was later owned by Richard Motch.

(R-17b) - Elizabeth Gray residence located at 209 S. Washington St.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Clark) Boothe Gray married first to James W. Boothe. In August 1861, Mr. Boothe organized a regiment from the surrounding area, and

was elected Lieutenant Colonel. He fell sick and was sent home, where he died in 1863. Elizabeth was next married to James Harvey Gray. She became the

widow of James Harvey Gray's third marriage and built this home in 1905. The carpenters were Charles B. French, and Samuel and John Allen. Elizabeth

was born in Indiana on May 13, 1827, and died Feb. 9, 1915, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Her second husband, James H. Gray (1825-1901)

was a prominent businessman in Kinmundy.

In 2011, this house is owned by Rex and Karil Garrett.

209 S. Washington - Rex & Karil Garrett home - 2012

(R-4) This photo is of the William H. Gray family at 206 S. Washington St. (It's the next house north of the Calendar Rohrobough home.)

The Gray family at this time would have consisted of his wife, Winifred, daughters, Elizabeth, Anna, and James H.

This home was owned and occupied for many years by Louis Minor Rotan & Jennie (Fyke) Rotan family.

The Rotans owned this home for many years before this photo would have been taken and also for years not long after the photo was taken.

The Rotans had a real estate business in Salem for several years, and they may have been living in Salem around this time.

Judge Holt lived here at one time too. Harold Mulvaney removed the second floor in the 1980's.

Morris and Gray in Kinmundy

(R-33b) Morris & Gray - Ready for School

Mrs. Dora Brenner's "Terrace Cottage" located at 101 N. Madison. (Later owned by Ira C. Morris.)

Ira C. Morris in Kinmundy

(R-171) This terrace cottage of Dora Brenner was built in the early 1900's. Her husband, John M. Brenner, was born Oct. 6, 1846 in Bavaria,

and died Nov. 14, 1895. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. They married in Marion Co., IL on Sept. 11, 1877. Mr. Brenner came to Kinmundy

with his father, George L. Brenner and his mother, Mary, in the early 1860's. John's lumber yard business was listed in the 1868 city directory as

mentioned in "The Kinmundy Express". This home was later owned by Lewella (Morris) Neathery, then Ira C. Morris. In 2007, it was owned by

Joe and Mary Kendrick.

(R-320) Brenner home. (This was in the Mildred Kleiss photo collection.)

Former home of Lewella (Lamborn) Morris Neathery on North Madison St. - Aug. 2015

F.J. Nirider home in Kinmundy

(R-5) This is the residence of Frank J. Nirider, who was born in Fort Wayne, Ind. in Oct. 1862. Mr. Nirider was once an agent for the I.C. Railroad

and later a postmaster under Cleveland's administration. He became owner of Nirider's Drug Store and was a registered pharmacist. Sitting on the front porch

is his daughter, Georgia. This house was located at 410 W 4th St., but was destroyed by fire on Jan. 24, 1918.

(His daughter, Georgia Nirider, married Victor Bancroft)

F.J. Nirider home in Kinmundy

(R-97) F.J. Nirider residence (410 W 4th St.)

C.W. Witwer home in Kinmundy

(R-7) Residence of C.W. Witwer located at 617 E. 1st St.

(R-200) Residence of C.W. Witwer located at 617 E. 1st St.

Kinmundy Illinois Schermerhorn

(R-8) A.V. Schermerhorn Residence located at 100 E. 5th St.

Allgenon V. Schermerhorn built this house in the early 1900's. He owned fruit groves in Alma. When he moved to Kinmundy, he bought a lumber business.

In 1905 he expanded to manufacturing cement building blocks. A.V. sold his business in August 1907 and bought a lumber business in Ridgefarm,

Vermillion Co., Illinois. This was the first family to live in the house (taken between 1902-1905) when family moved from farm to Kinmundy.

Left side in picture is A.V Schermerhorn, daughter May, son Ernest, wife Belle, and daughter Ruby, sitting are daughters Nellie and Grace.

(Oldest son Frank was not in photo.) Leon and Amy Thurman own this two story dwelling in 2007.

Ellen (Doty) Schermerhorn and her daughter, Ellen

(R-149) Ellen (Doty) Schermerhorn and her daughter, Ellen, in front of the house, probably about 1900.

This was originally the house of Algernon Sidney Schermerhorn and Ellen Schermerhorn.

Then A.S. sold it to Isaiah and Sarah Dillon. After Isaiah's death, Sarah and her daughter, Annie Dillon, lived in it.

(It may have sat at 408 S. Washington St., where Wayne and Gladys See built a new house.)

Kinmundy Illinois W.B. Ross Eno Zimmer

Mrs. S.A. Haselden residence in Kinmundy.

(R-9a) Residence of Willis B. Ross & Rhoda (Ingram) Ross at 209 W. 4th St..

Later this became the home of Ener O. Zimmer & Margaret (French) Zimmer. (His daughter, Arlene (Zimmer) Roberts, built a new brick home on this lot.)

Eno Zimmer home in Kinmundy

(R-10) Eno Zimmer Residence located at 209 W. 4th St. (Arlene Zimmer Roberts built a new brick home on this lot.)

(This was previously owned by W.B. Ross prior to the Zimmer family.)

Mrs. Gee home in Kinmundy

(R-11) Residence of Mrs. Gee (photo taken in 1907)

E.C. Bargh home in Kinmundy

(R-12) Residence of E.C. Bargh located on the southeast corner of 3rd and S. Washington St.).

This house was torn down and Bill Deadmond built a new home.

Perry Watson wrote the following story about the interior of the house built by E.C. Bargh.

		"As I was cleaning house today, I thought 
		about my Grandmother Genevieve’s house in Kinmundy, IL. The house was 
		built in 1910 by Colonel Bargh for his family. It was built in the Queen 
		Anne style, but most people would call it “Victorian.” The house has 
		long since been torn down, but I remember it’s classic elegance. The 
		front porch was a wrap-around porch with Doric columns. 

		The main front door opened into a stair 
		hall. Below the stairs was an alcove where visitors (those not well 
		known by the family) were expected to wait to be received by the 
		appropriate family member. There were two small, stained glass windows 
		in that alcove, and there was a huge stained glass window lighting the 
		stairs. To the left of the stair hall was the music room/parlor. The 
		first-floor ceilings were ten feet tall, and the ceilings of the bedroom 
		floor were nine feet. 

		There was a stained glass panel above the 
		front window in the music room. Pocket doors led into the living room 
		where there was a less ornate front door for family and friends. There 
		was an oak-framed fireplace with columns in the living room, and the 
		fireplace opening was closed off with a cast bronze door, turning the 
		fireplace into a built-in stove. Another pair of pocketi doors led nto 
		the dining room. There was a tall door that led back to the stair 
		hallway. The dining room had a huge bay window, and there was a huge 
		built-in, floor-to-ceiling china cabinet next to the swinging door into 
		the kitchen. The kitchen was typically huge for that day. Off the dining 
		room was a small doorway that led to another room that must have been a 
		library or Colonel Barge’s office. Off the kitchen near the swinging 
		door was a short hallway that led to the basement. Behind this hallway 
		was the back stairs. I once heard it called the “servant” stairs, and I 
		got a kick out of that!! 

		Across from the base of the back stairs was 
		a pantry. There was a very ornate, hand-carved oak door from the back 
		porch into the kitchen. At the top of the back stairs were a wide 
		hallway and two bathrooms. The main bathroom was bigger than my book 
		room!! Down a narrower hallway were four bedrooms. A favorite bedroom 
		was the small, sun-filled bedroom to the left. It, too, had a bay 
		window. It was the only bedroom with a closet because any closet deeper 
		than a foot was considered a room for tax purposes. My very favorite 
		bedroom was the tower or turret bedroom next to the main stairs. A big, 
		round tower was a corner section of this room. I loved to sit on the 
		window seat and gaze out at my “kingdom.” On the other side of the upper 
		stair hall were the master bedroom and a long, narrow bedroom. I was 
		only in the basement one time, but I remember the behemoth of a boiler 
		down there. It had a feature that must have been the envy of women all 
		over town! It had a clothes dryer!! On the back of the boiler was a 
		long, narrow metal door with a handle. When one pulled on the handle, 
		the door opened to expose wooden dowels for hanging or draping clothes 
		to dry in the winter!! 

		I always loved this old house, and I was 
		visiting my great-aunt next door when the house was being torn down in 
		the 70s. I saw the stairs leading to empty sky. There was a fallen 
		column lying in the yard."

Kinmundy winter street scene

(RS-3) Winter scene on a Kinmundy street.

M.A. Songer home in Kinmundy

(R-14c) M.A. Songer residence at 305 E. 3rd Street. (Possibly - Lon French home later.)

(R-14b) M.A. Songer residence at 305 E. 3rd St.

(R-53) M.A. Songer residence (1914); Later the home of Jack Nelson (jeweler); Mrs. Smith (Ruth Alexander’s mother)

(R-17h) Capt. Calendar Rohrbough residence built this house in about 1875. He was a veteran of the Civil War. This house is located at 216 S. Washington St.

He settled in Kinmundy after his service where he successfully ran a mercantile business for 25 years. Capt. Rohrbough was born Sept. 1, 1834 near the town

of Buchanon, Lewis Co., Virginia (now Upshur Co., West Va.), and died Sept. 11, 1909. In this picture are Calendar Rohrbough and his wife,

Anna (Moore) Rohrbough. The house was later owned by Fred O. Grissom. In 2012, it is owned by Elwin & Louise Cheatum. It is in the National Registry.

` Capt. Rohrbough home in Kinmundy

(R-17c) Residence of Capt. Calandar Rohrbough with arch on fence.

From the Kinmundy Centennial book: "The F.O. Grissom home was originally the home of Capt. Calendar Rohrbough, and has been lived in by those

two families only. Capt. Rohrbough came to Kinmundy with his family after he returned from the Civil War. He built this house about 1877. The lime for the mortar was burned near Omega and presumably the bricks were made here, as there was a brickyard in Kinmundy in the early days.

Capt. Rohrbough died in 1909, and was buried from the Methodist Church across the street, whose new building he had lived to see completed.

After Mrs. Rohrbough's death, Mr. Grissom acquired it from the estate about 1923, and has lived there ever since. It has been modernized

and remodeled but looks much the same. Mr. Grissom formerly edited "The Kinmundy Express" and is now Mayor of the town. Mrs. Grissom teaches voice and is directing the chorus for the Centennial."

Residence of Capt. Calandar Rohrbough with arch on fence.

Gate outside of Rohrbough house along Washington St. looking north. Helen _______ in photo.

1957 Newspaper article and photo during Kinmundy Centennial:

"Grissom Home - Among the half-dozen show places in Kinmundy at which open house will be held this weekend during the city's centennial is this 1877 residence, now owned by the F.O. Grissoms. Originally the home of Capt. Calendar Rohrbough, who built the home. It was acquired from the estate by Mr. Grissom following the widow's death in 1909. Lime for the mortar was burned near Omega and presumably the brick was obtained from an early Kinmundy brick yard. The stately residence has been modernized and remodeled but retains its original exterior appearance. The present owner is the mayor of Kinmundy and Mrs. Grissom, a voice teacher, is director of the centennial chorus."

1957 Centennial book - "Kinmundy: Railway to Thruway (1857-1957):

"Grissom Home: This house was originally the home of Capt. Calendar and has been lived in by those two families only. Capt. Rohrbough came to Kinmundy with his family after he returned from the civil war. He built this house about 1877. The lime for the mortar was burned near Omega and presumably the brick were made here as there as a brickyard in Kinmundy in the early days. Capt. Rohrbough died in 1909, and was buried from the Methodist Church across the street, whose new building he had lived to see completed. After Rohrbough’s death, Mr. Grissom acquired it from the estate about 1923, and has lived there ever since. It has been modernized and remodeled but looks much the same. Mr. Grissom formerly edited the Kinmundy Express and is now the Mayor of the town. Mrs. Grissom teaches voice and is directing the chorus for the centennial."

Capt. Rohrbough home in Kinmundy

(R-17g) Capt. Calandar Rohrbough, which is the current home of Elwyn and Louise Cheatum.

This home was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The home was built by Civil War Captain Calendar Rohrbough in 1875.

In 1925, the home was bought by Mr. Fred Grissom. In 1975, the home was purchased by Elwyn and Louise Cheaum.

Capt. Calandar Rohrbough, which is the current home of Elwyn and Louise Cheatum.

This home was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The home was built by Civil War Captain Calendar Rohrbough in 1875.

In 1925, the home was bought by Mr. Fred Grissom. In 1975, the home was purchased by Elwyn and Louise Cheaum.

"The Kinmundy Express" - Sept. 5, 1996 - "Calendar Rohrbough Home is owned by Elwyn and Louise Cheatum. Built in 1875 by a Civil War Captain after serving with the Union Army. Th ehome is a typical Southern Italiamate Villa Style and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Sites with the United States Government. This 10 room brick home features 16 inch brick walls, a gravity fed water system, heavy ornate woodwork throughout and an attached summer kitchen with hand made louverers."

(R-36b) Residence of C.B. "Charlie" Rohrbough (corner of E. 3rd and Porter streets.) He was a brother to Calendar Rohrbough.

(This house burned. It was located east of the Elwyn Cheatum house.)

R.P. McBryde home in Kinmundy

(R-19b) This three story house was built by Richard P. McBryde in 1896 at an original cost of $1800. Mr. McBryde was the owner of a small private bank,

but went with the First National Bank when it was organized Feb. 19, 1902. He served on the Board of Directors from 1902-1921. R.P. died Jan. 20, 1940,

and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. He was married to Mary (West) McBryde.

This house is located at 111 N. Madison., and was later owned by Walter Pruett & Bertha (Steuber) Pruett; and next Floyd Garrett & Helen (Robb) Garrett.

It is currently owned by Benny Webster & Marolyn (Hanks) Webster.

(R-202) Richard P. McBryde home picture of interior.

This was a postcard, and written on the back was "Compliments of Mr. and Mrs. R.P. McBryde. Thimble Club - Halloween 1911".

The house is located at 111 N. Madison., and was later owned by Walter Pruett, and then, Floyd and Helen Garrett.

It is currently owned by Benny and Marolyn Webster.

"The Kinmundy Express" - Aug. 29, 1996

"The residence at 111 North Madison, Kinmundy, IL, is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard SchMeider. The Queen Anne Victorian structure was built in 1896 by Mr. McBryde, the first banker of Kinmundy. Over the course of the next 100 years it was occupied by the Pruett family, a doctor from the Chicago area, and the Floyd Garrett family. Mr. and Mrs. Schmeider purchased the home from the Garrett's in July, 1992. The house contains several stained glass windows, original woodwork and original floors. It has been renovated and decorated in Country Victorian style."

111 N. Madison St. in Kinmundy in 2019, owned by Benny & Marilyn Webster.

Pictures of 111 N. Madison St. in Kinmundy in 2019, owned by Benny & Marilyn Webster.

Charles F. Pruett home in Kinmundy

(R-105b) (1st of 2 photos.) Photo taken on May 23, 1908. Residence of Charles F. Pruett.

This was located in the 200 block of West 3rd St. on the north side. He was once the Mayor of Kinmundy.

West of the A.H. Miller home, it was also owned by Hattie Cockrell.

This residence was torn down, and is now the Zink Apartments.

(R-21b) (2nd of 2 photos.) Charles F. Pruett & Estella (Doolen) Pruett home. This was located in the 200 block of West 3rd St. on the north side.

He was once the Mayor of Kinmundy. West of the A.H. Miller home, it was also owned by Hattie Cockrell.

This residence was torn down, and is now the Zink Apartments.

Pruett homestead in Kinmundy - Jan. 14, 1902

(R-22) (1st of 3 photos.) W.W. Lowe residence located on the corner of Adam & E. Sycamore St. It was across from the old Miller place.

(It burned down)

W.W. Lowe home in Kinmundy

(R-98b) (2nd of 3 photos.) W.W. Lowe residence located on the corner of Adam & E. Sycamore St. It was across from the old Miller place.

(It burned down)

(3rd of 3 photos.) W.W. Lowe residence located on the corner of Adam & E. Sycamore St. It was across from the old Miller place.

(R-198) The Central Hotel [insert] was bought by Leander Carl Matthews which he then remodeled in 1899 to make it a home for his family.

Mr. Matthews was involved in the mining industry and had a seed and implement business. He also served as mayor. Seated from L to R

on the Matthews porch: Leander, wife Sarah Elizabeth, son Carl Matthews, and daughter Huldah (Matthews) Dunlap. In 2007, this grand home is owned by Nancy Reckling.

(R-23) Leander C. Matthews & Sarah Elizabeth (Lydick) Matthews residence located at 201 S. Monroe St.

Other owners included their daughter, Huldah (Matthews) Dunlap, her husband Albert C. Dunlap and son, Carl Dunlap.

The Elston family lived here for many years followed by a purchase by Nancy Reckling.

Leander C. Matthews & Sarah Elizabeth (Lydick) Matthews residence located at 201 S. Monroe St.

Other owners included their daughter, Huldah (Matthews) Dunlap, her husband Albert C. Dunlap and son, Carl Dunlap.

The Elston family lived here for many years followed by a purchase by Nancy Reckling.

August 2015

(R-25b) Residence of E.W. Wormley located at 100 E. 5th St. This is on the northeast corner of S. Madison and 5th street.

(It is across from the middle school.)

(R-70b) Residence of George Washington Newell & Ella (Schooley) Newell.

G.W. Newell home in Kinmundy

(R-70a) Residence of George W. Newell & Ella (Schooley) Newell – baby is Kathryn Wormley. Later this was the home of Frank Jones, and the Cliff & Nora Olden home in Sept. 1982.

(R-26b) James Franklin Howell residence at 311 N. Lincoln St.

He married (1) in 1858 to Isabel Jane Robb (she died 1907); married (2) Martha Eastland in 1908.

These were the grandparents of E.E. Brown. It was once home to the Whittenbergs.

(This house is now gone, and Carl Crain built a house on this location.)

(R-27c) James Franklin Howell barn. This was located behind the house, and is now gone.

W.S. Conant home in Kinmundy

(R-29) Residence of W.S. Conant at 700 E. 1st St.

(This home has been torn down. Burdette Maxey built a house there, which John Heicker later purchased.)

Kinmundy Illinois W.S. Conant home

(R-102) Residence of W.S. Conant at 700 E. 1st St.

(This home has been torn down. Burdette Maxey built a house there, which John Heicker later purchased.)

"Green Gables" home owned by Henry Warren.

This was located at the northwest corner of Shepherd's Lane and the St. Peter Road north of Kinmundy.

March 21, 1889 - "The Kinmundy Express" - "Henry WARREN has determined to soon build an elegant two story residence on his farm where he now lives, two miles north of town. ALLEN Brothers are to be the architects."

"Green Gables" home owned by Henry Warren.

This was located at the northwest corner of Shepherd's Lane and the St. Peter Road north of Kinmundy.

Standing in front are Iva (Warren) Holaday, little Margaret (Warren) Shufeldt and Ida (Shriver) Warren.

This was the childhood home of Margaret (Warren) Shufeldt. She lived here.

Sept. 28, 1944 - "The Kinmundy Express" - "Will SCHENIDER of Farina is wrecking the house he purchased, known as the Henry WARREN property."

Margaret Warren Shufeldt was born in this house on Jan. 14, 1908 at 404 S. Madison, Kinmundy.

Her brother, H.L. Warren lived here in Sept. 1920 until his death in 1955.

(R-200) Madison Street in Kinmundy

North Jefferson St. in Kinmundy

Street Scene - Kinmundy