John William Broom Jr.

Thelia Belle Crown

John W. Broom Jr. was born 26 September, 1866 in St. Louis County, Illinois.

Thelia B. Crown was born 11 December 1871 in Zanesville, Ohio. Her family moved to Danville, Illinois, when she was about three, then to Flora.

John W. Broom Jr, known as Will, and Thelia B. Crown, known as Belle, were married when Belle was only 15 or 16 years old. They had seven children:

Carrie Arnette b. 2-25-1890 Oskaloosa d.

m. Dwight C. Purcell 10-24-1912

Lavina b. 3-28-1892 Iuka

Roy E. b. 3-27-1896 Alma

Paul Shaw b. 11-26-1905 (?) Alma

Charles Frederick b. 9-28-1907 (?) Alma

Riley Fernando b. 1-23-1911 Alma

(Tang)

Wilbur Arthur b. 2-9-1914 Alma

Will Broom owned and operated a general store in Alma, Illinois, The Square Deal. He advertised "Buy at the Square Deal" along the country roads of the area, and used the "leader" method of selling. His store gave 2 cents more for eggs in trade than in cash.

I can remember Belle Broom, who was my great grandmother, when she lived alone in a small house on a corner in Alma, and I was 4 or 5 years old. I remember her mainly as an invalid who was in bed, and I would stop by to do a few chores. I remember her as a very kindly lady.

Will Broom died 4 October 1926. Thelia Broom died 16 March 1966 (in Flora?). Both are buried in the Alma Cemetery.