I am a descendent of Millie Lyerla (born Mildred Allen, 1825, Rockbridge Co VA, d/o Hector/Nancy Allen) through her second marriage to Colbert Coffey in Montgomery Co IL. Only one child was born to this marriage, my ancestor, Andrew J Coffey (1848). Colbert died in 1849 and Millie remarried 3rd time to Jacob Lyerla. Several children were born to this union and I would like to get all of their names and dates. The family lived for several yrs in the vicinity of Irving in Montgomery Co IL, then moved to Eastland Co TX in mid 1880s. I recently got hold of two very old family pictures which had belonged to my maternal grandmother. Both fotos are of "Uncle Jake" and "Aunt Mary" Lyerla and their children. Did Jacob and Millie have a son named Jacob, born in 1850s? A daughter named Mattie? The one foto shows Jacob, Mary, and their 5 daughters: Alta, Minna, Lizzie, Birdie, Lottie. The other foto is larger and shows Jacob, Mary, their children and grandchildren. Picture was taken around 1900 and shows them sitting outside an old farm house. Although I myself am not a blood descendent of Jacob Lyerla, I AM interested in learning something of the Lyerla family history. I seem to have read somewhere that the family was German, settled first in Rowan Co NC, then migrated to Union Co IL. The branch that I am interested in moved up to Montgomery Co IL (Jacob, Solomon, others?). Any information anyone can share with me on the Lyerla family history would be much appreciated. I have been to Jacob and Millie's grave in the country south of Eastland TX. Was wondering if any of their descendents may still live around there? Also, saw periodical reference to Millie Lyerla Sturgeon who was 104 in 1978, lived SW Oklahoma. Does anyone have any info on her? My grandmother, Vera Porterfield, was born 1891 in Rising Star, Eastland Co TX. Moved to Cloud Chief, Washitaw Co OK as a small girl. She used to talk about the Lyerlas a lot and said some of them moved up to OK about the same time her folks did. That would have been in mid 1890s. Would love to share family info and have opportunity to gain more info about the Lyerlas. Do get in touch.

I am a direct member of the family you are asking about. Although I don't live in Union County anymore I was born there and MANY of my relatives still live there. I know the Lyerla family is a large one and has many members all over the country.
If I can help you let me know, if I can't answer your questions I am sure someone in the family can.

Thank you

Don Moore

Well as I said I am a member of the family you are speaking of. I have spoken to some of the members of my family and we would be interested in seeing the photo's you have or at least copies of them. So feel free to get in touch with me.

D.Moore

Hello Don,
Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you. Have been real busy with work and not much time for other things like genealogy. At any rate, I was glad to hear from you again and appreciate your interest. Regarding the two old family fotos I have of Jacob Lyerla, I'm pretty certain now that they are of Jacob Jr. who was born sometime in the 1850s. I don't know if I can scan these fotos, but will give it a try and see what happens. I don't have your email address, so if you could give it to me, maybe I could send them to you. Bear in mind that this Jacob Lyerla never lived in Union Co IL, so would only be a cousin to those who stayed in that part of the state. I believe his father Jacob Sr. and his uncle Solomon Lyerla WERE born there. Repeating what I said in earlier message, I am not blood kin to the Lyerlas, so have done no actual research on the family. There is only a connection through marriage (refer back to prior message). I will see if I can get my scanner to copy these old fotos. If so, you or anyone else is welcome to look at them. Thanks again for writing. You have a nice day.

Wayne Beeler

Hi

Yes Jacob Sr. lived there in the early 1800's. I have found land records dating back to 1837.
There is a college north of Union County that is probably named for your relative, my aunt told me about the last time I was home. I will see what I can find out. One of the early Lyerla's became a preacher and the college was named for him I believe.
This message has my email address in the heading I believe.

Don Moore

Well I guess not so here it is 74247.1630@compuserve.com
The photos should scan I have done many of the old pictures, it kind of a hobby of mine.

D.Moore

My dad's family grew up around the area of Alto Pass, Illinois. Using local landmark geography, one of the common places we refer to is "Uncle
Jake's Crossing". I would LOVE to hear from anyone who has info on the Lyerla history. My dad is Curt Lyerla, son of Leland Earl Lyerla and Myrtle Mae Lyerla (maiden name Sisk from Granite City area)

Yes, Jake is Jacob Lyerla who owned the family farm outside of Anna. He died in the sixties and the seven kids sold the farm or bought sections. Two of the older brothers farmed. The family is buried in Alto Pass. Leland was a uncle of my mother....Barbara Lyerla (Harneck). Norman Jacob Lyerla was my grandfather who was married to Velma Lucille Allen Lyerla. both are buried in Alto Pass...email me for more info. harneck@htc.net

i am blood kin to jacob lyerla dont recall how but he owned some land just outside of Jonesboro IL

Hi,
I am researching the Sisk family in and around Union County. Most of the information is Cobden and Jonesboro area. I would be most happy to share with you what I have.
My husband's grandfather was John Franklin Sisk who was part of several brothers and sisters born to Marion A. and Amanda A. Sisk. Does this fit with what you have? Dot Sisk