Simion Bunn
Simion Bunn, a foundryman from Pennsylvania, was a bricklayer in his youth. He became a furnace builder for Belleville Steel Co. which operated two mills in the city — Valley Mill and West Mill. In 1871 Bunn patented a Puddling Furnace and in 1886 a “double-decker” Nail Plate Furnace. His sons followed him in the stove and foundry industries of Belleville. Simion enjoyed and worked at a long career. At the age of 65 he was still installing furnaces. In 1910, Simion Bunn Sr., installed an annealing and smelting furnace for the Allegheny Valley Malleable Iron Co. of Missouri. In his spare time he led a brass band, playing the trumpet and bugle. He died October 11, 1913.
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National Archive Records Preserved
Have you ever wondered how archives and records are preserved? The brand new St. Louis office of the National Personnel Records Center describes how they prepare, repair, restore and preserve the national archives that we all love to view and obtain information from as we trace our family tree.
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Genealogy Family Interest
While your fascination (or addiction) with tracing your family tree is very important to you, getting the rest of your family involved and excited about your ancestry is not always an easy feat. I know that I have spent a ridiculous amount of time researching my family tree and feel this great connection to my ancestors, while others in my family really just aren’t that interested. Not that they don’t like to hear family stories or see pictures, but the details fail to peak their interest and the connection I feel to these people who I research just isn’t there for them. (more…)
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Today in American History – Battle of Cane Hill
Today in history, in 1862, the Battle of Cane Hill began in Arkansas during the American Civil War. In this battle, the Union army, under Brigadier General James Blunt, outsmarted the Confederate troops under Brigadier General John Marmaduke. (more…)
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Family Thanksgiving Traditions
As I sit back with a cup of coffee, my turkey stuffed and cooking, the pies cooling and my kids running around in their Indian hats they made at school, I started doing a post on the history of Thanksgiving or something because it seemed appropriate. Instead I kept thinking of what Thanksgiving and family holidays mean for family connections. Whether we live next door to our family or across the country, the holidays can bring us together.
