OK we are going to throw our lineage in here and let you all know we are still here in KS. John Marion Mater mar Mary Culver, they had among other ch, Harriet Mater b 8 Oct 1830, who mar John Russell, John and Harriet had about 8 ch (haven't worked on this line for quite a while so bear with me)
One of their younger children was also John Russell, we think his middle name was Albert. Many of the Maters, Wimmers and some Russells came to KS but most returned to IL and IN. John Albert made his way back to KS where he was born and mar in Barton Co., KS to Cynthia Ella Layton d/o David and Cassandra Hopkins Layton. John and Ella's only child, Jesse W. was born in 1887, Stafford County, KS. John Albert died ca 1887 in AR. Ella Layton remar (her parents were from Coles county, IL) and had more children with her second husband, Ben Cossman. Jesse Russell mar and had five ch who lived to adulthood---one was Jesse jr. who was my father-in-law. Stafford County is about 50 miles from us now. We have made trips to Parke county, IN before and eastern IL. We have seen Harriet Mater Russell's grave but tho John is said to have died in Bellemore, IN we have no been able to prove this. Jesse W. jr. had four sons who survived him, my husband being the youngest. There are not many of our people left in this area, but you are welcome to visit.