Volume XXVII, Number 2 Page 1 September 2017

Genl George Rogers Clark on

“The March to Vincennes” by

Frederich Coffay Yohn, 1929

GGRC Participation in the Bond County Bicentennial Parade

Members of the Genl George Rogers Clark Chapter, Illinois SAR color guard participated in the Bond County Bicenten-nial Parade on July 2, 2017, in Greenville, Illinois. Bond County Illinois was formed in 1817 out of Madison County. It was named for Shadrach Bond, who was then the delegate from the Illinois Territory to the United States Congress, and who thereupon became the first governor of Illinois, serving from 1818 to 1822. Color guard members carried historic flags during the parade. Participating were: front row (L-R), Charles Casey, Jerry Oglesby, and Bob Kilzer. Middle row: Bill Em-ery, John Stanton, and Phil Bailey. Third row: Jim DeGroff, Lynn Hargus, Justin Ottolini. Fourth row: Tom Beavers, Eric Reelitz, Dennis Lybarger. Not shown is Chris Casey. Also participating was Maria Stanton, a member’s granddaughter.

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 2

Death of MemberRay J. Robinson

Ray J. Robinson, age 90, of Alton, died at 11:15 am on Monday October 2, 2017, at Eunice Smith Home in Alton, Illinois. Ray was born on June 11, 1927, in Alton, Illinois, the son of the late Ruby and Pearl (Lord) Robinson. He married the former Juanita H. Markel on November 2, 1946, in Alton, Illinois. She preceded him in death on April 18, 2015.

Ray had retired in 1981 from Shell Oil Company in Wood River, Illinois, as a Senior Drafting Engineer and was later the owner of his own contract drafting specialist business. He graduated from Alton High School, attended Shurtleff College, and later graduated with a Bachelors degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwards-ville, Illinois. Ray had served in WWII with the Navy Amphibious Forces in the Pacific on Guam. He was also a member of the Sons of The American Revolution, Genl George Rogers Clark Chapter. He was an avid golfer and bowler as well as enjoying participating in many other sports. He had built his own home and enjoyed working on cars.

Ray is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law: Linda and Don Rosenthal of Nashville, Illinois; Joyce and Joseph Mormino of Alton, Illinois; and Barbara and Ryan Hanawalt of Cary, Illinois; six grandchildren: Ali-son (Chris) Maley, Brian Rosenthal, Lara (Rich) Berry, Karen (Greg) Ernst, Lisa (Brian) Fahl, and Dr. Sheryl Hanawalt; two great-grandchildren: William Maley and Elena Fahl; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Juanita, and his parents; he was preceded in death by two brothers, Floyd and Earl Robin-son; and one sister, Lillian Duecker-Owings. A private, family only, funeral service was conducted on October 9, 2017, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Alton officiated by Rev. George Humbert. Burial followed at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey, Illinois, with Military Burial Rites provided by Alton VFW Post #1308.Me-morials may be made to 5A’s Animal Shelter in Godfrey, Illinois.

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 3

Death of MemberPhilip M. Corlew

Philip M. Corlew, age 79, of Edwardsville, Illinois, died at 5:25 a.m. Tuesday, October 3, 2017, at Anderson Hos-pital in Maryville.

A civil engineer and registered land surveyor in four states, he operated M.B. Corlew & Associates in Edwards-ville. After merging the business, he continued to practice as a consultant and expert witness.

Phil was born June 28, 1938, in Litchfield, Illinois, the son of the late Morgan B. & Mary E. (Handlon) Corlew. He married Louise R. Gradolph on November 12, 1960, at Champaign, Illinois. She preceded him in death on June 17, 2017. He is survived by two daughters: Michelle Corlew of Naperville, Illinois, and Elise S. Reis of Florissant, Colorado; a sister, Mary Georgia Simpson; a niece, Sherry Scarsdale; a nephew, Philip Simpson; and a great nephew, William Curtis Beasley, all of Granite City.

Philip was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Edwardsville. He was member and Past President of the Edwardsville Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, a member of the Edwardsville Gun Club, Sunset Hills Country Club, a member of American Consulting Engineers Council of Illinois, American Society of Civil Engineers, and served on the Licensing Board for Professional Engineers for the State of Illinois. He was a member of the Genl George Rogers Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and proud to be an Eagle Scout. Philip loved hunting with his dogs and friends and was proud of their field trial accomplishments; and he enjoyed fish-ing in Colorado.

Services were held Saturday, October 7, 2017, at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home, with Rev. Dr. John Hembruch officiating. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorials may be given to M.B. Corlew Scholarship in care of the SIUE Foundation.

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 4On July 29, 2017, as part of Farm Heritage Days at the American Farm Heritage Museum, in Greenville, Illinois, a Flag Retirement Ceremony was held in Hill's Fort. Individuals assisting in this ceremony were members of DAR, USD1812, GGRC SAR, and Illinois Society of the War of 1812.

GGRC SAR members and Illinois Society War of 1812 members assist with Flag Retirement Ceremony performed at Hill’s Fort on July 29, 2017, during Farm Heritage Days at the American Farm Heritage Museum, in Greenville, Illinois (l-r): Jerry Oglesby, Bob Ridenour, Eric Reelitz, Bill Emery; all are members of GGRC SAR; Ridenour and Reelitz are also members of the Illinois Society of the War of 1812.

New GGRC Member

Wayne Eastby (r) receives his new membership certificate from GGRC Vice President Robert Ridenour at a recent meeting.

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 5Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner greeted and shook hands with Illinois compatriots who marched and rode in this year’s Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade which kicked off the state fair August 10. From left to right: Tom Ashby, Drew Robinson, Governor Bruce Rauner, Erica Cohen, Tina Robinson, Caleb Cohen, Linda Ashby, Jim Degroff, and Mike Campagnola. Photo by Scott Sanders

New GGRC Member

James Patterson (r) receives his new membership certificate from GGRC Vice President Robert Ridenour at a recent meeting.

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 6Eagle Scout Honors

GGRC Members Rich Ruedin (l) and Chuck Dobias (r) present the SAR Eagle Scout Certificate and patch to Caleb Hurst on August 27, 2017, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in East Alton, Illinois

GGRC President Chuck Dobias (r) presents the SAR Eagle Scout Certificate and patch to Kaleb Smith on August 27, 2017, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in East Alton, Illinois

Congratulations to Troop 777’s newest Eagle Scouts - Kaleb Smith and Caleb Hurst.

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 7

GGRC Members Rich Ruedin (l) and Chuck Dobias (r) present the SAR Eagle Scout Certificate and patch to Kurt Brase of Troop 72 on September 3, 2017.

Eagle Scout Honors

Troop 72 Group Picture, with GGRC members Rich Ruedin and Chuck Dobias, September 3, 2017

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 8

Hill’s Fort Rendezvous

On September 16, 2017, at the Hill’s Fort Rendezvous near Greenville, Illinois, the GGRC Chapter presented their Historic Flag Program.

Some of the flags used in the Historic Flag Program

Bob Ridenour with the Taunton Flag. Phil Bailey is behind the flag holding it.

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 9Hill’s Fort Rendezvous

Eric Reelitz with the Serapis Flag. Phil Bailey is behind the flag holding it.

Ladies’ Night Out

On September 20, 2017, the Genl George Rogers Clark Chapter held a Ladies’ Night Out at the First Christian Church in Edwardsville, Illinois.

New GGRC Member

New Member Frank Arnold III (l) is presented with his Membership Certificate and Rosette by GGRC President Chuck Dobias at the recent Ladies’ Night Out.

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 10Ladies’ Night Out

Chapter members (l-r) Ronnie Hicks, Mike Allen, and Frank Arnold III received Disabled Veteran Certificates honoring their sacrifice.

L-R, Donnie Barnard, Harry Redd, and Ken Leach received Military Service Medals.

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 11

Ladies’ Night Out

L-R, Receiving medals Phililp Bailey (Military Service Medal), Wayne Eastby and Mike Allen (War Service Medals, Viet Nam)

John Murphy presented an excellent program on colonial medicine.

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 12Ladies’ Night Out

Some of the medical tools used in colonial times.

Grave Marking of John Thompson

On September 23, 2017, the Genl George Rogers Clark Chapter formally marked the grave of Revolutionary War Patriot John Thompson at Thompson Cemetery near Roodhouse, Illinois. John Thompson was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, about 1758 or 59. On June 20, 1781, he married Winifred Brickey, born 1764, of Botetourt County, Virginia.

He enlisted in 1781 for three months with Capt. Henry Pawling, Col. William McClenahan. He again served for five months and again for one month in 1781 under Capt David May, Col. Thomas Fleming, in the Virginia troops. John was serving under General Greene in the siege of Yorktown and surrender of Cornwallis. He was pensioned.

John and Winifred Thompson were the parents of seven children, four sons: William, John Jr., James, and Thomas; and three daughters: Nancy Taylor, Peggy Friend, and Sally Westbrook. The girls were all married and all but one of the boys, John Jr., when they came to what is now Greene County in 1818. This was one of the first three families to settle north of Apple Creek in this county. They settled where Barrow is now located. The old Thompson cemetery at Barrow holds the remains of this first family to settle there. The first grave was made the first year in 1819, and was the grave of Lucinda Taylor, the granddaughter of John Thompson, Sr. John Thompson, Jr. was married to Docia Bandy after they came to Illinois. They raised eleven children, one of whom was David Thompson who married Mary Jane Cole of Morgan County in 1850. They raised nine children. Many descendants of John Thompson, Sr. still live in and around Roodhouse.

John Thompson, Sr. died March 27, 1843, and is buried in the Thompson Cemetery in Barrow Township.

His wife, Winifred, died October 14, 1844, and is buried in the Brickey Cemetery in Monroe County, Illinois.

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 13

Judy Cannon, desscendant of John Thompson, reads a tribute to the Revolutionary War patriot.

GGRC President Chuck Dobias is in the background.

(l-r): Mary McElfresh, Peggy Surgeon Clemons, and Judy Can-non, all descendants of John Thompson, unveil the marker.

Bob Ridenour (l) and Dennis Lybarger fire a salute to Revolu-tionary War veteran John Thompson.

Saluting the Colors(l-r): Bob Ridenour, Dennis Lybarger, Rich Ruedin, Jim DeGroff

Volume XXVII, Number 2 September 2017Page 14

The Long Knife is a quarterly publication of the Genl. George Rogers Clark Chapter, Illinois Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Robert W. Ridenour, Editor; Lola DeGroff, Associate Editor

Send announcements, items of interest and member news to: Editor, The Long Knife, 4814 Loop Rd, Dorsey, IL 62021-1014; e-mail: rwridenour@wildblue.net; phone: (618) 377-9096; FAX: (618) 377-9103.

Scheduled monthly luncheon meetings: 11:30 a.m., the third Wednesday of each month at Edwardsville Moose Lodge, 7371 Marine Rd. (Rt. 143), unless announced otherwise.

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

— Thomas Paine

There were eight members of the GGRC Chapter plus several descendants of Rev War patriot John Thompson present. Front Row (l-r): Charles Casey, Richard Ruedin, Chancy Sturgeon, Mary McElfresh, Judy Cannon, Scott McConathy

Back Row (l-r): Bob Ridenour, Dennis Lybarger, Rod Sturgeon, Chuck Dobias, Peggy Sturgeon Clemons, (Jerry Oglesby and Jim DeGroff are almost completely hidden), Bob Kilzer