FIRST GENERATION 

1. Thomas BRINK1 was born about 1798 in New Jersey,2 possibly the Thomas Brink christened on 29 Apr 1799 in the Dutch Reformed Church, Walpack, Sussex, New Jersey.3 He probably was included in those Brink families in 1820 in Milton Township, Richland (now Ashland) County, Ohio;4 there was one boy of the correct age living with Levi Brink. Thomas appeared on the census in 1830 in Clearcreek Township, Richland (now Ashland) County, Ohio.5 The 1830 census lists Thomas Brink, between 30 and 39, his wife of the same age span and 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls all under 10. Thomas Brink purchased 80 acres of land6 in Warren County, Illinois (E2SE, section 35, township 8N, range 1W, meridian 4) on 08/26/1836. The land was adjacent to and across the McDonough-Fulton county line (just north of), land parcels purchased a few weeks later by a Henry Brink and Vincent Goldsmith. It should also be noted that Henry S. Brink of Marietta was probably closely related to Thomas Brink; possibly his brother. A Thomas Brink also purchased 60 acres of land in Fulton County, Illinois, on 01/22/1836 (W2SW, section 6, township 7N, range, 3E, meridian 4); this latter purchase may well have been by another Thomas Brink. The 1840 census, Warren County, Illinois,2 shows Thomas Brink (age 40-50), a wife, and ten children. Living very close to them was Moses Brink (age 20-30) and his wife (age 20-30). The 1850 census Greenbush Township, Warren County, Illinois shows Thomas Brink (52), born in New Jersey; Nancy (53), born in New Jersey, Thomas J. (17) born in Ohio; Abram (15), born in Illinois; Elisabeth (13), born in Illinois; Jane (12), born in Illinois; Stephen (9), born in Illinois Grady (or Giady?) Ann (8), born in Illinois; and Sarah Hewitt (4), born in Iowa. The Methodist Episcopal church in Prairie City was organized in 1856,7 with services first held at the home of Thomas and Nancy Brink. The 1860 census shows Thomas Brink (60), Nancy (63), Abraham (24), Elizabeth (23), Stephen (20), Sarah Hewitt (13), Ellen Clark (9), Karin Clark (7), George Goldsmith (13), apparent son of Edward B. Goldsmith.8 He appeared on the census in 1870 in Greenbush Township, and the census9 shows Thomas Brink (70) living with his son Abram (34) and daughter Elizabeth (32), and very close to son Stephen (28) and his family. He died after 1870. The parents of Thomas Brink require further clarification; however, his father may have been Levi.

He was married to Nancy SCHOONOVER in Nov 1821 in Richland County, Ohio.10,2 (Early Ohio Marriage Records, 1821. Source: The Ohio Liberal, 26 December 1883, Vol.11, No. 37). The name appears as Nancy SCHOOHOVER. The compiled Richland County, Ohio Marriage Records, 1813 to 1871, combined brides and grooms index, vol. 1, page 46, lists Brink, Thomas, and Nancy SCHOONHOV, 22 Nov 1821, vol 001, page 098, N (the N indicates that a note is included). Nancy SCHOONOVER1 was born about 1797 in New Jersey.8 She appeared on the census in 1850 and 1860 in Greenbush Township, Warren County, Illinois.2,8 She died after 1860.8 The ancestors of Nancy were probably named Schoonhoven or Van Schoonhoven. They appear to have been early Dutch settlers in the Hudson River Valley in New York who migrated to New Jersey and then to Ohio. These moves were very similar to those of the Brink families. The 1820 census for Milton Twp., Richland County, Ohio is very difficult to read, but it looks as though there was a Henry Schoonover family living between the families of Levi Brink and a Thomas Brink; next door to the latter was a Thomas Brink, Jr. The ancestry of Nancy Schoonover needs further clarification.  Thomas BRINK and Nancy SCHOONOVER had the following children: 

       +2              i.  Thomas J. BRINK.

         3             ii.  Abram BRINK1 was born in 1835 in Illinois.2 He appeared on the census in Greenbush Township, Warren county, Illinois in1850 and 1860.2,8 He was a carpenter in 1870 in Prairie City, McDonough County, Illinois, and a mill worker there in 18809,11

       +4            iii.  Elizabeth B. BRINK.

         5            iv.  Jane BRINK1 was born in 1838 in Illinois.2 She appeared on the census in 1850 in Warren County, Illinois.

       +6             v.  Stephen Arthur BRINK.

         7            vi.  Grady Ann BRINK1 was born in 1842 in Illinois.2 She appeared on the census in 1850 in Warren County, Illinois.

 

SECOND GENERATION 

2.  Thomas J. BRINK1 was born in 1833 in Ohio.2 He appeared on the census in 1850 in Warren County, Illinois.2 He was a farmer in 1880 in Lincoln, Atchison, Kansas.12 The Illinois Marriage records show that Thomas J. Brink (son of Thomas Brink) married Caroline Bolon on 8 Apr 1852, and that Thomas G. Brink (son of a Mary Ann and Henry Brink) married Mary R. Bolon on 7 Jan 1852. Thomas Brink (son of Henry S. Brink, from Marietta) would only have been 9 years old in 1852. The census of 1880, Lincoln, Atchison, Kansas, shows Thomas J. Brink (age 47) married to Mary R. (age 43). How Thomas J. Brink came to be the husband of Mary R. (Bolon?) is a mystery that needs further research. 

He was married to Caroline BOLON on 8 Apr 1852 in Fulton County, Illinois.13 Caroline BOLON1 was born about 1833 in Ohio.14 There was a Caroline Bolon, age 17, living with the William Bolon family in Centre Township, Fulton County, Illinois in 1850. From the order of listing it is apparent that William Bolon was not her father. William Bolon was a cooper. 

He was married to Mary R. BOLON before 1870.  Mary R. BOLON1 was born about 1837 in Ohio.12 She appeared on the census in 1880 in Lincoln, Atchison, Kansas.12 Thomas J. BRINK and Mary R. BOLON had the following children: 

         8              i.  William H. BRINK1 was born about 1866 in Illinois.

         9             ii.  Milo G. BRINK1 was born about 1868 in Missouri.

       10            iii.  Bertha G. BRINK1 was born about 1870 in Missouri.

       11            iv.  Lizzie M. BRINK1 was born about 1872 in Iowa.

       12             v.  Anna L. BRINK1 was born about 1879 in Missouri.

 

4.  Elizabeth B. BRINK1 was born on 8 Jan 1837 in Illinois.2,15 She appeared on the census in 1850, 1860 and 1870 in Warren County, Illinois.2,8,9 She appeared on the census in 1880 in Junction Township, Osage County, Kansas.16 She appeared on the census in 1910 in Homewood, Franklin, Kansas.17 She died on 30 September 1928 in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas,18 and was buried in Princeton Cemetery.15 The death certificate of Elizabeth B. (Brink) Louk states that she was born in Prairie City, IL, and lists her parents as Thomas Brink and Nancy Schoonover, both born in New Jersey. 

She was married to Charles Wesley LOUK Sr. (son of Benjamin Franklin LOUK and Clarinda GILES) on 31 Oct 1871 in Warren County, Illinois.13,18 Charles Wesley LOUK Sr.1 was born on 31 May 1839 in Illinois.19 He appeared on the census in 1850 in Lee Township, Fulton County, Illinois.20  He was a Teamster in 1860.21 He appeared on the census in 1860 an 1870 in Union Township, Fulton County, Illinois.21,22 He appeared on the census in 1880 in Junction Township, Osage County, Kansas.16 He appeared on the census in 1910 in Homewood, Franklin, Kansas.17 He died on 22 Dec 1915 in Princeton, Franklin, Kansas.18 Elizabeth B. BRINK and Charles Wesley LOUK Sr. had the following children: 

       13              i.  Eva LOUK1 was born in 1873 in Illinois.16 She appeared on the census in 1880 in Junction Township, Osage County, Kansas.16

     +14             ii.  Charles Wesley LOUK Jr.

       15            iii.  Lawrence LOUK1 was born in 1879 in Kansas.16 He appeared on the census in 1880 in Junction Township, Osage County, Kansas.16

     +16            iv.  Minnie LOUK.

 

6.  Stephen Arthur BRINK1 was born on 28 Feb 1842 in McDonough County, Illinois.2,23 He appeared on the census in 1850 and 1860 in Greenbush Township, Warren County, Illinois.2,8 He served in the Civil War.24 He appeared on the census in 1870 in Greenbush Township, Warren County, Illinois.9 The 1880 census for Prairie City, McDonough County, Illinois11 lists the following: Brink, Stephen, age 39, laborer, born in Illinois; Clara, age 36, born in Illinois; Nettie, age 13, born in Illinois; Ella, age 12, born in Illinois; Lucinda and Elizabeth (twins), age 10, born in Illinois; Grace, age 8, born in  Illinois; Frank, age 4, born in Illinois; Lester, age 2, born in  Illinois; Abram Brink (brother), age 43, born in  Illinois.  He appeared on the census in 1900 in Garnett, Anderson County, Kansas. He appeared on the census in 1910 in Richmond, Franklin County, Kansas. Stephen A. Brink was living with Grace (daughter) and Harry Morris in 1910. He appeared on the census in 1920 in Garnett, Anderson County, Kansas.25 He died on 2 Mar 1927 in Garnett, Kansas.23 He was buried on 5 Mar 1927 in the Garnett cemetery.  Stephen Brink was a Private in Company C, 151 Illinois Infantry (residence Prairie City), from 15 February 1865 to 24 January 1866. In the History of McDonough County Illinois, under Prairie City, printed by Continental Histories Co., 1885, Springfield, Illinois, is found the following: Stephen Brink, O. G. in the Royal Douglas Post #179 GAR. Meeting held in the GAR Hall over the White Foster Store. 

The obituary of Stephen Arthur Brink (from: The Anderson County ---, Garnett, Anderson County, Kansas, March 10, 1927) reads as follows: “Stephen Arthur Brink was born in Fulton County, Illinois, February 28, 1842, and died March 2, 1927, aged 85 years and 3 days. He was married in 1864 to Miss Clara Louk. Eleven children were born to them, five of whom are living: Frank Brink of the home address, Mrs. Fannie Clayton and Mrs. Annie Powell both of Avon, Illinois, Mrs. Ella Murphy of Davenport, Iowa and Chester Brink of Topeka. His only living sister Mrs. Libbie Louk lives at Yates Center. She is 89 years old and has been ill all winter and was unable to attend the funeral. Mrs. Brink died February 13, 1895 aged 47 years. Mr. Brink leaves nineteen grandchildren and forty-four great grandchildren. He enlisted in the 151 Regiment Illinois Infantry February 15, 1865 and was discharged January 24, 1866. The Brink family came to Garnett from Douglas County, Kansas in 1892, living here continuously since. Mr. Brink was a familiar figure on the streets of Garnett, a good citizen and will be missed by many friends. The funeral service was held at the Farris Chapel Saturday afternoon conducted by Rev. Pumphrey of the Baptist church. Music was by the Baptist choir. Children and other relatives who attended the funeral from out of town were: Mrs. Fannie (Brink) Clayton, Avon, Illinois, Mrs. Annie (Brink) Powell, Avon, Illinois, Mrs. Ella Murphy, Davenport, Iowa, Mr. Chester Brink, Topeka, Kansas, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Brink and family, Ottawa, Mr. Walter Hallbeck, Avon, Illinois, ---.” 

He was married to Clara M. LOUK (daughter of Benjamin Franklin LOUK and Clarinda GILES) on 17 Sep 1863 in Fulton County, Illinois.26,27 Clara M. LOUK1 was born in 1844 in Illinois.18 She appeared on the census in 1850 in Lee Township, Fulton County, Illinois.20 She appeared on the census in 1860 in Union Township, Fulton County, Illinois.21 She appeared on the census in 1880 in Prairie City, McDonough County, Illinois.11 She died on 13 Feb 1895 in Garnett, Anderson County, Kansas.18  Stephen Arthur BRINK and Clara M. LOUK had the following children: 

     +17              i.  Nettie BRINK.

     +18             ii.  Ella Adelle BRINK.

     +19            iii.  Fannie Lucinda BRINK.

     +20            iv.  Anna Elizabeth BRINK.

     +21             v.  Grace May BRINK.

     +22            vi.  William "Frank" Franklin BRINK.

       23           vii.  Lester BRINK1 was born in 1878 in Prairie City, McDonough County, Illinois, and was there in 1880.11

 

SOURCES: 

1.  Richard Powell.  (personal GEDCOM file, 18 Jun 2007).

2.  U.S. Census, 1850, Warren County, Illinois.

3.  FamilySearch International Genealogical Index.  Individual Record, batch #C506501, Source Call #0599307 IT 3, film, Printout Call # 0883821.

4.  U.S. Census, 1820, Milton Township, Richland County, Ohio.

5.  U.S. Census, 1830, Clear Creek, Township, Richland County, Ohio.

6.  Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database.

7.  Continental Historical Co., Springfield, Illinois, 1885, pages 447 and 448.

8.  U.S. Census, 1860, Greenbush, Township, Warren County, Illinois.

9.  U.S. Census, 1870, Greenbush Township, Warren County, Illinois.

10.  Ohio early marriage records.

11.  U.S. Census, 1880, Prairie City, McDonough County, Illinois.

12.  U.S. Census, 1880, Lincoln, Atchison, Kansas.

13.  Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763 - 1900.

14.  U.S. Census, 1850, Centre Township, Fulton County, Illinois.

15.  Death Certificate.

16.  http://www.familysearch.org:

17.  U.S. Census, 1910, Homewood, Franklin, Kansas.

18.  Rita Louk, 1009 Prairie, Emporia, Kansas, 66801; 316-342-9471; rlouk@valu-line.net (Aug., 2001).

19.  "The Louk Family," edited and compiled by Frank Tilden Louk, Jr., Olathe, Kansas.

20.  U.S. Census, 1850, Lee Township, Fulton County, Illinois.

21.  U.S. Census, 1860, Union Township, Fulton County, Illinois.

22.  U.S. Census, 1870, Union Township, Fulton County, Illinois.

23.  Obituary.

24.  Illinois Civil War Veterans Database. Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men (ILRoster) Published in 1900. Stephen Brink, residence Prairie City, Illinois, enlisted as a Private in Company C, 151st Infantry Regiment Illinois on 15 February 1865, and mustered out on 24 January 1866 in Columbus, Georgia.

25.  U.S. Census, 1920, Garnett, Anderson County, Kansas.

26.  Marriage Certificate.

27.  Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763 - 1900.  Vol. D/page 28.