Frain Family Tree - Illinois Branch

Frain, Luke and Elizabeth Bird

Information on this page includes:

Luke Frain Obituary
Elizabeth Bird Frain Obituary
Estate of Mrs. Frain
Luke and Elizabeth Bird Frain Death Certificates
Census Information

Luke was born in Durham, England on Aug. 13, 1866 to Luke Frain and Mary Sweeney. Their parents' origins are Countys Mayo and Leitrim, Ireland.

Elizabeth was born in Pennsylvania on Feb. 22, 1878 or 1880, depending on the source, to Samuel and Elizabeth Bird. Their origin is Germany.

Luke Frain and Elizabeth Bird were married 16 Nov 1895 in La Salle, IL per record found in record search of Mormon International Genealogical Index.

They had 10 children.

 Elizabeth, born Nov. 22, 1895,
Mary on Dec. 25, 1898,
Anna on Jan. 21, 1901,
Alice K. on May 13, 1903,
Luke Jr. on Aug. 14, 1905,
Cecilia on Nov. 13, 1908,
Kathrine on Feb.10, 1910,
Joseph William on Jan 9, 1912,
Bernice on Jan. 25, 1914,
Patrick Michael on Jan. 31, 1919.

Most all the children are shown as being born in Spring Valley with the exception of Joseph who was born in nearby Seatonville and Ann and Patrick who were born in Lacon, all towns in north/central Illinois.

On the 19th of November of 1900, Luke and Mary Frain sold property in Spring Valley to Luke Frain, Jr. for $650. It was described as "Lot numbered Nine (9) in Block numbered One hundred and eighteen (118) in O'Bierne's Third Addition to the City of Spring Valley, excepting the underlying coal & fireclay with the right to dig, mine and remove the same without entering upon or occupying any part of the surface thereof."

Luke, Elizabeth and family moved to Tovey, Christian County, Illinois between1921 and 1922. The seemed to have followed coal mines from Spring Valley, to Lacon to Tovey.  They bought a home in Tovey and Luke got a job in the local mines. Luke retired from coal mining in 1932 after 40+ years. The vagueness of the move date is due to information which says he worked in southern Illinois coal mines for 20 years before retiring. Elizabeth's death certificate says she resided in Tovey 29 years prior to her death. This would point to 1922 as a move date.

Some information gathered about Luke and Elizabeth was from questionnaires received from their family members. They were either distributed or filled out by their son Patrick M.  Frain. Other information has been gathered from obituaries and death certificates. The following narratives are direct recreations of Luke and Elizabeth's obituaries and death certificates.

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Luke Frain Obituary

THE DAILY POST-TRIBUNE LA SALLE, ILLINOIS - WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9, 1939

FRAIN RITES THURSDAY

SPRING VALLEY, ILL. - Funeral services for Luke Frain Spring Valley resident for many years who died in Perry Memorial hospital, Princeton, Tuesday morning will be held Thursday morning.

The cortege will move from the Keegan funeral home to the Immaculate Conception Catholic church were Rev. P. T. Walsh will sing the requiem mass at 9 A.M. Burial will be made in Mt. Olivet cemetery.

THE DAILY POST-TRIBUNE LA SALLE, ILLINOIS - WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9, 1939

FRAIN FUNERAL, THURSDAY

SPRING VALLEY, ILL. - Last rites for Luke Frain, Spring Valley, were held here Thursday morning with the cortege moving from the Keegan Funeral home to the Immaculate Conception Catholic church where Re. P. T. Walsh was in charge of a requiem mass at 9 o'clock.

Burial was made in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Edward Rafter, John Foley, Ed. J. Banrick, Edward Selmon, Andrew Ellerbrook and William Bird.

Newspaper Masthead not available - Aug. 10, 1939

AGED VALLEY RESIDENT DIES AT HOSPITAL

Moved to Spring Valley when the First Houses were Built.

Luke Frain, 73, passed away at the Princeton hospital at 7 AM, Tuesday. He had been a patient there for two weeks suffering with gall bladder trouble. Before being taken to the Princeton hospital, he was a patient at St. Margaret's hospital, Spring Valley for one week.

The deceased was born in England, a son of the late Luke and Mary Frain, on Aug.13, 1866. In 1844 (obviously a wrong date since the family immigrated in 1886) he came to La Salle and a year later moved to Spring Valley. In 1894 he married Elizabeth Bird, in Spring Valley. For some years the couple resided here, while Frain worked in the coal mines. Then the family moved to Tovey, Ill., where he worked in southern Illinois coal fields for about 20 years.

For the past seven years he had been retired from active work, and a year ago he and his wife returned to Spring Valley. They resided at 228 West Dakota Street.

His widow survives him along with nine children, a brother, and 25 grandchildren. The children are Luke Jr. of Tovey; Mrs. Elizabeth Briddick of Joliet; Alice Dean of Chicago; Mary Travis of Peoria; Ann Hodley (sic) of Floyd, Mexico (sic); Joseph of Carrollton; Bernice Bensen, Chicago; Catherine Glaysbrook (sic) of Bulphite (sic); and Patrick of Chicago. The brother is Patrick Frain, of Spring Valley, a merchant.

Two other brothers, John of Spring Valley and Martin of Hillsboro; a sister Mrs. Mary Foster of Spring Valley; and a daughter, Mrs. Celia Rape of Tovey preceded him in death.

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Elizabeth Bird Frain Obituary

BREEZE COURIER - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1951

MRS. FRAIN, 73, OF TOVEY DIES FRIDAY NIGHT

Mrs. Elizabeth Frain, 73, widow of Luke Frain, died at 10:20 o'clock last night at her home in Tovey. She had been ill only two days, suffering from a heart condition.

Mrs. Frain was born February 22, 1878, in Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Bird. She was married to Luke Frain, who preceded her in death in 1939 at Spring Valley. Mrs. Frain had resided at Tovey for several years.

Surviving are six daughters and three sons; Mrs. Elizabeth Briddick, Joliet; Mrs. Mary Travis, Creve Couer; Mrs. Anna Hoadley, Emmit, Idaho; Mrs. Alice Dean, Los Angeles, Calif; Mrs. Catherine Glazebrook, Bulpitt; Mrs. Bernice Benson, Chicago; Luke and Joseph of Tovey, and Patrick of Chicago. She also leaves one brother, William Bird of Ladd; 35 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

The body was removed to the Masterson chapel in Kincaid, where friends may call until Monday morning, when it will be taken to the Keegan and Mahan funeral home at Spring Valley.

Funeral services will be held at 9 o'clock Tuesday morning in the Immaculate Conception church at Spring Valley. Burial will be in a Spring Valley cemetery.

(Note: Two observations. First, she died at her son Joseph's home, which was also my home, instead of her own. It is one of the most vivid memories of my life. Seeing the magnitude of grief suffered by my dad, was heart-rending. Second, she was buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Spring Valley, Illinois along side her husband Luke and only a few yards from the Frain family plot where Luke Frain and Mary Sweeney and their son Patrick are buried.)

THE DAILY NEWS-TRIBUNE - LA SALLE-PERU OGLESBY, ILL.MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1951

VALLEY RITES TUESDAY FOR MRS. FRAIN

SPRING VALLEY - Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Frain, the widow of the late Luke Frain, former Spring Valley resident, will be held Tuesday at 8 A.M. from the Keegan-Mahan Funeral home to the Immaculate Conception Catholic church. The Rev. R. E. Gates, pastor, will celebrate a 9 A.M. requiem mass. Interment will take place in Mt. Olivet cemetery.

Mrs. Frain died Saturday in her home at Tovey, Ill.

Survivors include a brother, Sam Bird, Ladd, and the following sons and daughters; Patrick Frain, Chicago; Joseph Frain and Mrs. Catherine Gladbrook(sic), Tovey; Mrs. Elizabeth Briddick, Joliet; Mrs. Bernice Benson, Chicago; Mrs. Mary Travers (sic), Peoria; Mrs Ann Hoadley, Mountain Home, Ida.; Mrs. Alice Dean, Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Frain was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter, Mrs. Cecelia Ratte (sic).

The body is being brought to Spring Valley today and being taken to the Keegan-Mahan Funeral home where the rosary will be recited at 8 tonight with the Rev. R. E. Gates in charge.

THE DAILY NEWS-TRIBUNE - LA SALLE-PERU-OGLESBY, ILLINOIS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1951

MRS. FRAIN

SPRING VALLEY - Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Frain, former Spring Valley resident who died in her home at Tovey, Ill., were held Tuesday in Spring Valley. The cortege moved from the Keegan-Mahan Funeral home at 8 A.M. to the Immaculate Conception Church where the Re. R. E. Gates celebrated a 9 A. M. requiem mass.

Interment took place in Mt. Olivet cemetery.

Pallbearers were Thomas and Earl Briddick, James Glazebrook, William Erdy, Don Frain and Earl Warren.

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Estate of Mrs. Frain

Masthead and date missing:

FILE PETITION IN ESTATE OF MRS. FRAIN

A petition for letters of administration in the estate of the late Elizabeth Frain, has been filed in county court. It asks that Mrs. Kathryn Glazebrook, Bulpitt, a daughter, be appointed administrator. Personal property is listed as valued at $250 and real estate $2500.

The following are the heirs of the estate: daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Briddick, Joliet; Mary Travis, Creve Couer; Anna Hoadley, Emmett, Idaho; Alice Dean, Los Angeles, Calif.; Bernice Bensen, Chicago and Kathryn Glazebrook, Bulpitt; three sons, Luke Frain, Patrick Frain both of Chicago and Joseph Frain, Tovey; one grandson, Edward Rape, Sheridon Wym.

The following quote is from a card to an unknown recipient from the family of Elizabeth Frain 'acknowledging with grateful appreciation your kind expression of sympathy.'  It was handwritten, but not signed,  It may have been her daughter Kathryn Glazebrook, nee Frain.

Mom was sick a little Thursday Nov. 1.  She passed away Friday Nov. 2, 1951 at age 71.  About our near 12 PM.  Birth date (presumably) Feb. 22, 1880.

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Luke and Elizabeth Bird Frain Death Certificates

LUKE FRAIN - DEATH CERTIFICATE - ON FILE IN BUREAU COUNTY

Luke died at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton, Ill. at 6 A.M. on Aug. 8,1939. He resided at 228 W. Dakota Street, Spring Valley, Ill. Cause of death was surgical shock - Prostaerctromy.

His birth date is shown as Aug. 13, 1866 and his birthplace as England. He was a coal miner for 40 years.

His father Luke Frain and his mother Mary Sweeney are shown as both being born in County Mayo, Ireland. (Mary Sweeney's obituary indicated she was born in County Leitrim.)

The informant on the death certificate was Patrick Frain from Spring Valley(most likely was his brother).

ELIZABETH BIRD FRAIN - DEATH CERTIFICATE

Elizabeth died in her home in Tovey, on Nov. 2, 1951. Cause of death was coronary occlusion with myocardial infarction due to arteroscheratic heart disease.

Her birth date is shown as Feb. 22, 1880 and her birthplace as Pennsylvania. Her father's name was William Bird. Her mother's maiden name is shown as 'do not know' - first name was not listed either.

Her father was never in the U.S. Armed Forces and had no SSN.

Patrick Frain of Chicago was the informant (most likely her son).

It appears that Luke may have gotten ill in Tovey, then he and Elizabeth moved back to Spring Valley a year before he died. When an operation was needed he was admitted to the hospital in Spring Valley and then the hospital in Princeton. Who owned the place of residence in Spring Valley which was shown as his home address is unknown at this time. It may have been his brother Patrick who lived in Spring Valley all his life.  Other brothers and sisters had all moved away.

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Census Information

The 1900 census provides the following information. Luke and Elizabeth lived in  La Salle, Ill. with their children Elizabeth and Mary. They rented their home. Luke was a coal miner and had been unemployed for 3 months as of June,1900.

Luke immigrated in 1886 and was a naturalized citizen.

Luke's birth date is shown as Aug. 1866, and Elizabeth's is shown as Feb. 1878 (which differs from her death certificate which shows 1880). This points out how information is always considered suspect until validated by more that one source. Elizabeth is shown on the census document as Laura. Also, it shows they were married for 4 years, 1896 and that their daughter Elizabeth was born in Nov. 1895.

The 1900 census shows Luke's parents as born in Ireland and Elizabeth's parents as born in Germany. Luke is shown as born in England while Elizabeth is shown as born in Pennsylvania.

The 1910 census shows that Luke and Elizabeth lived in Seatonville, Illinois, not far from Spring Valley with their children Elizabeth, Mary, Ann, Alice, Luke Jr, Cecilia (Sealie), Cathrine and a border John Nanley. They owned the home.

Luke was still a coal miner in 1910.

The 1910 census shows that Luke and Elizabeth were married for 14 years(1896). The daughter Elizabeth's age at last birthday is shown as 13 (born in1897) which conflicts with the 1900 census.

The 1910 census shows Elizabeth's parents as born in Pennsylvania which conflicts with the 1900 census which shows them as born in Germany. Even though Luke is shown as born in England, his children's father is all shown as born in Pennsylvania. Luke's immigration date is shown as 1885 which conflicts with the 1900 census. The census taker's writing is sloppy and the work is inaccurate in many details.

The 1920 U.S. Census Index shows Luke Frain, age 50, white male, born in England living on Prairie Street, Lacon, Marshall County, IL with his family. This may have been a small town or semi-rural property since there was no house number, but there was a Farm Schedule Number of 532. He is shown as a coal miner. His daughters, Anna and Alice and his son Luke were were working as spoolers in the woolen mill. Elizabeth, his wife, was 42 and her birthplace was Pennsylvania. His children, all born in Illinois, were Anna age 18, Alice age16, Luke age 14, Celia age 12, Catherine age 10, Joseph age 8, Bernice age 5 and Michael age 4 months. Patrick, the youngest is shown as Michael, his middle name. Elizabeth would be about 24 and she has married and left home by this time. Mary would be about 22 and she also has married and left home.

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