Will County Historical Society textual records: Canal Commission letters

Historical records offer genealogical information. While researching the Illinois and Michigan Canal Commission records at the Will County Historical Society, family information will be discovered among the Commission Letters Collection dated 1885-1918.

The Will County Historical Society is located at 803 S. State St, Lockport, IL 60441, call 815-838-5080, or online at www.willcountyhistoricalsociety.org. For more information, contact Sandy Vasko, President WCHS, at info@willcountyhistory.org.

Examples include:

9 May 1885, petition for reimbursement, John Shuler lost three mules when ground gave way, also signed by Joseph Strobel, George and Emanuel Thomas

28 September 1900, expense account from Will Shuler, for steamer and board, Harvey Chamberlain also mentioned, keep checks will pick up at home

16 February 1907, keeper of locks 3 & 4, Albert Schultz, resigns with plans to farm in Iowa

1912-1914 Ed Schuler work permit

also on the permit, O'Leary, Doran, Walsh, Effting, Hyland, Coreeran, Murray, Coady, Miller, Carroll, O'Brian, Cousland, Mondtomery, Blicic, Colgan, Kelly, Mulvihill, Voris, Tibbetts, Schultz, McDonald, Herbert, Bardsley, Meagher, Bealse, and Tasharski

The addresses include Ottawa, Lockport, Chicago, Peoria, Channahon, Lemont, and Banner, IL.

Many more historical and genealogical documents are waiting for someone to find them, scan them, and share them.

Treasure Chest Thursday – book used by Capt. W.J. Schuler, I & M Canal

Wow, what a treasure chest find yesterday, 20 July 2011, I found a book used by my grandfather William J. Schuler (1872-1965) for navigating the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

The book is a government printing of Document No. 263, House of Representatives report with survey and maps of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. The report was published in 1905. From 1898 to 1914, Captain Schuler piloted boats down the canal. In 1914, he piloted the last boat the entire viable length of the canal from Peru to Lockport. The boat “Niagara” was owned by the Morton Salt Company.

The book is in the collection of The Will County Historical Society, 803 S. State St, Lockport, IL 60441, 815-838-5080 and www.willcountyhistoricalsociety.org

info@willcountyhistory.org.

 Who stitched the cover? Every treasure adds more questions.

Volunteers wanted: Apply at the Will County Historical Society

Will County Historical Society volunteers during the annual Lockport, IL, Canal Days, June 18-20, 2011. Jill Ilbert, Wheaton, IL, is cooking. Tony Lobello, Homer Glen, IL, is dressed in his Civil War uniform, Brian Conroy, Joliet, IL, is dressed in a white shirt.

Volunteers are necessary to preserve our history. The Will County Historical Society,

803 S State St, Lockport, IL 60441

, 815-838-5080 and http://www.willcountyhistoricalsociety.org/ is actively recruiting volunteers. Help is needed in every area from maintenance and housekeeping to educational outreach. All skill levels are welcome. Will you commit to one afternoon a month? Financial donations are also appreciated.  For more information, contact Sandy Vasko, President WCHS, at info@willcountyhistory.org.