My great grandfather was James Arthur Tanner born in 1884 in Illinois (Johnson County) I believe he was married to Mary (maiden name unknown). He died by suicide somewhere around 1940 in Missouri/Illinois...anyone who might know his parents or any other information about his geneology, I would appreciate it.

I am sorry but I will not be of any help to you but I too have unanswered questions. Just thought that I would let you know that I am searching for clues to Tanners pos. in Illinois (Rockford area maybe) as I have a picture taken in this area pos. about 1863 but have never found a connection. My known connections are in Michigan Ontario. Perhaps one day, I will get some info. if so I will let you know.

Thought I would just roam around on my grandmother's brother's wife's family site-The Tanners. Mamie Tanner was married in Southern IL-more than likely in the Williamson Co., area of Southern IL in 1914. Let me know if you have learned anything of your Tanner family.

I am looking for information on a Wiley Tanner b. abt 1864 in Johnson County IL. Wiley may be his middle name. I know he had at least 2 sons, James Arthur Tanner and William Oscar Tanner. He was married at least once to Malissa Melvina Watson. His sons and their mother moved to Missouri in early 1900's, she was then re-married to a Pendergrass, but I don't know what ever happened to Wiley Tanner. Do you have any information?

I dont' have any of those names in my database, but I do have the same time frame. It sounds like your Wiley Tanner-b1864, Johnson Co., IL could be the brother of John Monroe Tanner, son of Elijah and Bessie Tanner. These Tanners were from the New Burnside area, near Creal Springs, which is now considered Williamson Co., IL-I know my family that is tied into the Tanners lived near the county line. Please write me at my mailbox at this info and I will forward it to a Tanner descendent of whom I am cooresponding-all other Tanner researchers are willing to do the same.

My Great-grandmother's (Eula) father was a Tanner. She was b. In Carterville in Williamson Co but I don't believe her parents (Anna Garaghan or MacDonald) were married. We believe her father to be Arnold or Armel Tanner. Eula was b 1908 and her mother Anna was b. in 1886 both in Williamson Co.
Ring any bells?

Actually, I have a Eula Tanner in my database......but her birthdate is listed as 1911......she is the daughter of John Monroe Tanner and wife, Serena? Isabella (Patton) Tanner......could she possibly be one in the same? These Tanners did live in Williamson......in the New Burnside area, which, I have been told, is near Creal Springs. This Eula possibly married someone with the last name of Jones

What about this James Arthur that is mentioned in the first message in this thread?

James Arthur Tanner was my G-Grandfather. He was from Williamson Co Ill and I his father is listed as Wylie or Wiley Tanner. His mother was Melissa Melvinia (Vinney) Watson who later moved to Cape Girardeau MO in 1900 or so but married to a Thomas Pendergrass by that time. This family is somehow related by blood or marriage to a 'Houseman' or 'Hausman' family from the same area. I have documents that repeatedly show this family lived in and around Williamson Co, creal springs area, boot hill, etc. It's possible Wylie was a nickname or mispelled...looking for ALL options and possibilities..been at a dead end for 4 years!

In the Tanner lines, Wylie was not just a nickname, or a diminutive of William. There are plenty of William/Willie/Willy Tanners, but Wylie/Wiley appears often as a name in its own right.

Samuel Tanner (The Younger,) patriarch of the So. ILL Tanners, migrated from Duplin Co. NC; to
Muhlenberg Co. KY, eventually settling in and around Gallatan/Williamson/Saline Co., ILL

Samuel's son 'Old' Wiley Tanner and his wife, Celia Johnston settled in Perry Co., Tenn. In the 1880
census, he was still there, as a very old man, with a great-grandson named Wiley.

Of course, as was the custom, Samuel's sons named their sons after their father and their brothers,
so 'Old' Wiley's brothers and their wives, 'Old' Thomas & Aisley Jernigan; 'Old' James & Nancy Jernigan,
'Old' John & Alby Jernigan, all have Wiley Tanner's, (and Samuel/William/John/James/Thomas') in their lines, all born in Southern Illinois, mostly around Carrier Mills and Stonefort, in the area that was known
as the Tanner Settlement.
............................................................

The 1900 Census for Anna, Union Co. Illinois lists:

Thomas Pendergrass 49
Melvina Pendergrass 30
James A. Pendergrass 15
William Oscer Pendergrass 9
John F. Pendergrass 6
Harrison Pendergrass 4

It looks like Melvina's new hubby, Mr. Pendergrass, may have adopted James Arthur, or else the enumerator may have 'just presumed.' From the break in ages between James A. (Tanner?) and William Pendergrass, it's a fair guess that James Arthur's father, Wylie Tanner might have died (or something) between 1875 and 1880. Should give you a place to start looking.

Most of the Tanners who crossed the river to Cape Girardeau, MO, eventually made their way to Stoddard Coo, MO, so you might want to check the Tanners in that area for your James Arthur Tanner, as an adult.

Hope some of this helps.

Ray Reese
Spindazzled@aol.com