James Willis Lillis

In 1892, six year old James Willis Lillis made his journey aboard the Orphan Train. He was selected in Carthage by a rough appearing man with a beard, for whom James formed and immediate and unshakeable dislike. He was returned to the Courthouse the same day, but the train had already left. As the Supervisor stood with him in some indecision about what to do next, young James decided to find someone of his own choice. There was a neat appearing young man, well dressed, in the group of attorneys hanging about the courthouse. James approached, grabbed his coattail, and announced that this was the man he would go home with. This man was in his 40’s, a son of a pioneer, and college educated. He was Sater Comer, and he lived with his mother on a farm near Elvaston.

Mr. Comer was surprised and began to protest, stating that he was a bachelor, over 40, and an alcoholic. Nevertheless, he was much touched by the boy’s pleas, and with some urging from the supervisor and prodding from his fellow attorneys, agreed to take the boy home to see what his mother said. Mr. Comer noticed that the boy needed some new shoes and, before leaving Carthage, bought him a new pair of red-topped boots. In later years, James often mentioned the great joy of wearing those beautiful boots.

Mrs. Comer was not pleased with the sudden appearance of a 6 year old boy on her doorstep and directed that he be returned the next day. Young Jimmie applied all of his charm and instead won her over with a few days; years later, upon her deathbed, she asked Sater to provide for Jimmie in his will.

Jimmie learned to farm, and also to care for a foster father who was, in fact, quite an alcoholic who was usually to be found in one of the many taverns in Warsaw, especially after he was forced to leave law practice. When, after the death of Mrs. Comer, friends suggested that he leave the home, James admitted that he considered it but couldn’t bring himself to leave those who cared for him when he was in need.

James married Susie Sigmund in 1898. They had five children, six grand children, and thirteen great grandchildren. James was an active member of the coumunity — as a Presbyterian church elder and as a member of the Elvaston School Board, They lived on the Comer farm until 1942, at which time they moved to Elavaston. Susied died in 1950 and James in 1956.

James and Susie Willis had five children: Harriet (m. Thomas Reischling), Roy, William, Paul, and Carl (died age 6).
Their son, Paul, was a carpenter and lived in Elavaston and Keokuk. He was active in the Methodist Church, F.E.O, Issac Walton league, Masonic lodge, and Modern Woodmen of America. Upon his death, a local obituary noted: “His honesty in every concept, his many and varied interests, his love and devotion to family and friends make it difficult to understand why one so useful should suddenly be taken. At least there is a great source of satisfaction and comfort in knowing he was well prepared for the journey.”

Roy was an elder in the Presbyterian church, farmer, and custodian for Elvaston elementary school.

William, became clerk of the Circuit Court in Carthage. He served in the Army during WWII and trained as a medical technican. In 1943, he was commissioned into the Medical Administration Corps. He owned August Cleaners, served as Augusta Township supervisor, and on the County Board of Supervisors. He was also a member of United Church of Augusta, Masons, Knights Templars, Eastern Star, Lions Club, and American Legion.

— Much of the detail of James Lillis’ life is extracted from a memoir written by William Lillis, as recollected by his sister, Harriet Reischling. The memoir is on file at the Historical Society.