McDonough County Obituaries - Page 4

To Obituary main page
To Obituary index



Linda Worstell Obituary of Mrs. Hattie (Guy) Welch

Macomb Journal - November 1, 1883
At her residence in Tennessee township, McDonough County, Illinois, on Friday evening, October 26, 1883, Mrs. Hattie Welch, wife of Elijah Welch, aged 41 years.
Deceased was a daughter of George G. Guy and was born and raised in Emmet township. Her disease was consumption with which she was severely afflicted for a long time.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Mrs. Washington Welch

Macomb Journal- November 17, 1887
Mrs. Washington Welch, mother of George S. Welch, well-known of this city, Mrs. A. Thornton, Albert Welch of Colchester and Mrs. Emma Norris, died at her home near Argyle Church, 2 miles north of Colchester, the present week.
She was a lady of high Christian character, and among the pioneer inhabitants.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Mrs. Amanda Thornton

Macomb Daily Journal- Tuesday, September 1923 (date is obscured by death occured on the 16th)
Mrs. Amanda Thornton, widow of Anthony Thornton, formerly of Macomb, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J.W. Morrow at Houston, Texas, September 16th aged about 90 years. The body accompanied by her daughter will arrive in Colchester Thursday and short funeral services will be held at the grave in Argyle Cemetery north of Colchester at 3 pm Thursday.
The family resided in Macomb years ago on what is now the Dr. Yard place on East Carroll street. Mr. Thornton was at one time county treasurer and was also in the book store business with his brother-in-law, George Welch.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Mrs. Adella (Caldwell) Welch

Macomb Daily Journal - May 7, 1907
Mrs. Adella Welch, an old and well known resident of the west part of the county, died at her home, two and one half miles northwest of Colchester, at 6:50 o'clock Monday evening of old age. She was one of the oldest residents of the county, being 93 years, 6 months and 10 days old. Funeral services will be held at the Argyle church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. R.B. Fisher of this city, interment in the cemetery at that place.
Adella Caldwell was born in Green County, Kentucky, October 26, 1813 and came to this state in 1830, locating in Sangamon county, where she lived only a short time, when she removed to this city. She lived here until 1832, when she came to the farm near Colchester, on which she lived the rest of her life. She was married to Jefferson Welch in 1832, they locating on the farm mentioned, he dying November 20, 1883. She has long been a faithful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and was a woman esteemed by all who knew her, one of the sturdy pioneers whose lives will ever be an example of self sacrifice and righteousness for the younger generation. She is survived by one brother, John Caldwell of Elvaston and five children - Wm. D. of Hire; Charles who lives on the home place; T.J. of Carlsbad, N.M.; Mrs. David Guy of Macomb and Mrs. Lee May of Atlanta, GA.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Jefferson Welch

Macomb Journal - December 6, 1883
Jefferson Welch, one of the oldest settlers of McDonough County died at his home north of Colchester in Emmet township on November 30th. He came to McDonough County before 1835. He married a sister of Thomas Caldwell of this city and was the father of a large family. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His wife survives. Burial was in the Argyle Cemetery.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Taylor Welch

Macomb Journal - November 29, 1883
Taylor Welch of Emmet township was killed by lightning Sunday night near his home. He was born in Emmet township and has spent his whole life there. He was the son of James Welch who died several years ago and a cousin of Mrs. A. Thornton of this place and Geo. S. Welch, the bookdealer. He was married some 14 years ago to Miss Murray whose parents reside in Kentucky. They had 3 children, 2 of whom have died; the surviving child is less than 3 years old. The funeral was yesterday with burial in the Argyle Cemetery.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Miss Garnet Carolyn Welch

Macomb Journal - March 5, 1969
Miss Garnet Carolyn Welch, 81, of 501 S. McArthur St., Macomb, a former school teacher, died at 9:30 am today at the Americana Nursing Home.Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Friday at the Baptist Church. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The Rev. N.C. Blake will conduct the services.
Miss Welch was born December 10, 1887, in Hire township, the daughter of Frank and Elsie Hunt Welch. She resided in Hire township until 1903 when she moved to Macomb. In 1910, she moved to a home north of Macomb and in 1954, moved back to Macomb. She was a member of the Baptist Church, the Eastern Star, the DAR and the Sunday School Philethia Class. She graduated from Western in 1907 and taught school for several years in the Macomb area.
She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Gertrude Runkle of Macomb and a niece Helen Sutton of Peoria.Two brothers, Wesley Welch and G. Bert Welch died previously.
Friends may call at the Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home after noon Thursday.


Linda Worstell Obituary of William D. Welch

Macomb Daily Journal - July 17, 1913
Was Dragged by a Hay Rake
The remains of the late William D. Welch were brought to Colchester last night from Christine, N.D., where he was killed in a runaway as told in yesterday's Journal and taken to the Williams undertaking parlors. From there they were taken to the home of his brother, Charles Welch, north of Colchester, who resides on the old home place. The funeral services will be held at Argyle Church at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Interment in the cemetery at that place.
(the rest of the lengthy article tells the details of the accident)


Linda Worstell Obituary of Melvin Welch

Macomb Daily Journal - September 11, 1919
Melvin Welch, formerly a resident of this city, died yesterday morning at the home of his sister, Mrs. Essie Grigsby at Joliet, aged 25 years. The body arrived last night at Colchester and was takenn to the home of his uncle, C.W. Welch. The funeral services will be held tomorrow at 2 pm at the Argyle church, north of Colchester, conducted by Rev. Jones.
Deceased was the son of Mrs. William Welch, who before the death of her husband lived in and near Macomb, with her family. Later they moved to Montana, where they had been making their home for the past five or six years. Several months ago the young man was taken ill with an attack of apolexy and was removed to a Denver hospital. A short time ago he was taken from there to the home of his sister, Mrs. Essie Grigsby of Joliet where he died. He was known by many here, and was well liked by everyone. He leaves his mother, two brothers, Jefferson of Arkansas, Robert of west of Macomb and one sister Mrs. Essie Grigsby of Joliet. A half sister and several brothers survive.


Linda Worstell Obituary of William D. Welch

Macomb Daily Journal - December 21, 1903
William D. Welch died at the residence of Henry Garrison in Industry at 5 o'clock last evening of typhoid pneumonia, aged 30 years, 8 months and 7 days. Funeral services will be held at the Unviersalist church tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, interment in Oakwood cemetery. Owing to the sickness of Rev. B.G. Carpenter, Rev. A.F. Ernest of the Presbyterian church will conduct the services.
Deceased was born in Blandinsville and has been a resident of this state all his life. He came to Macomb about nine years ago and has since made this his residence. He was an attorney at law by profession but latedly had devoted his entire attention to the business of the Macomb Mining company of which he was a member. For several months he had worked in the coal shaft of the company in an effort to get the clearing work done away so they could commence getting out the coal. Not accustomed to work of that kind it told severely on him but with the grit that was always characteristic, he kept at his task. But the effort proved too much for him. Just when they were ready to market their output and see the result of their hard labor he was taken sick, and his constitution, enfeebled by the hard labor and could not withstand the disease and just two weeks from the time he was stricken, death claimed him. Just at the point where he appeared to have a good start toward a successful business with the goal in sight, he was called away.
He was captain of the company raised here for the Spanish American war, but they never were called to the front as the quota was filled. Afther that he was made captain of Troop H, this city, a position which he held for some time. He was quiet and unassuming and made a first class officer.
He leaves his mother, Mrs. M.V. Martin of Quincy, tow sisters, Mrs. Ed Cowan of Rock Island and Mrs. Flora Albright of Chicago, one half-sister, Miss Laura Martin of Quincy and two brothers, David and Ernest of this city.
The remains were brought to Macomb last night and taken to Martin's undertaking parlors, where they were kept until this afternoon, when they were taken to the residence of his brother, David, 624 North Randolph Street.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Joseph Bean

Macomb Daily Journal - October 15, 1912
Joseph Bean, one of the older and more respected citizens of Colchester, died a few minutes before noon this morning, after an illness extending over a period of time. Death resulted from a complication of troubles. He was in
the neighborhood of 65 years.
The time of the funeral has not yet been decide on and will be announced later.
Deceased has been a resident of the county practically ever since he was married. After the death of his wife, several years ago, he retired from farming and has been living with his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Welch. He leaves besides the daughter, 2 sons, Vilasco and Bert, both of Colchester.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Frank Seybold

Blandinsville Star-Gazette - June 21, 1917
Frank Seybold died at his home in Blandinsville at 2:00 am Tuesday, June 19, 1917. He had been sick for several weeks with something like dropsy and Tuesday morning his suffering ended.
He was the son of James Seybold, a farmer who lived near the Reuben Martin place in Hire township, and was 78 years old last October. Some 40 years ago he moved to Blandinsville, where he and his wife have since resided. He was not a person of strong mentality and for many years the little fortune of about $3000 that was left him has been in the hands of a conservator.He went about town singing to himself and talking to everyone he met, and had no regular employment outside his home and garden.He was harmless but not endowed with sufficient mentality to engage in any regular occupation.
Besides his wife he leaves on son, James Seybold, of Cedar Vale, Kansas who is an intelligent and prosperous man of affairs and is engaged in contracting and building. He will likely care for his widowed mother.Funeral services were held at the house at 10 am on Wednesday morning, the Rev. Edward Hardy officiating and the interment was in the South Side Cemetery.


Linda Worstell Obituary of George L. Seybold

George L. Seybold was born near Blandinsville, Ill January 9th, 1839, and died at his late home 1 1/2 miles north Blandinsville, February 24, 1907, age 68 years 1 month and 15 days.
He was the son of David and Delila Seybold and was one of a family of ten children, John B., Mary, George L., Nancy V., Jasper N., Zilpha, Ellen, Laura, Henry and Louis dying in infancy.He was married to Hettie A. Myers, Feb. 2, 1879. To Mr. and Mrs. Seybold was born one son, Emmet O., who still lives with his mother.Those left to mourn his loss are his wife and son, two sisters, Nancy V. Martin of Macomb and Laura Harrington of Davenport, Iowa and a host of friends and relatives who will miss him as they go along lifes pathway.
A precious one from us is gone
A voice we loved is stilled
A place is vacant in our home
Which never can be filled.
Funeral services were held at the late home, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 1907 at 12 o'clock, Rev. Oranger of the Baptist church officiating. He was laid to rest in Liberty cemetery.


Linda Worstell Obituary of James Seybold

Macomb Daily Journal - Thursday, March ?, 1902, page 2 (death occured March 3, 1902)
James Seybold
Wm. Bond, wife and daughter, Gertie of Peoria, Mrs. Ketchum of near Roseville and Mrs. B. Claybaugh of St. Louis came Tuesday to attend the funeral of Uncle Jimmy Seybold, an old resident of this vicinity, who died at his home south of town (Blandinsville) Monday, age 65 years. Funeral from Baptist church Wednesday at 2 pm. Burial in South Cemetery.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Zelpha (Seybold) Cracy

Macomb Daily Journal - August 5, 1896
Mrs. Zelpha Cracy died at her late residence in Colchester Saturday and the remains were interred in the Argyle Cemtery Sunday. She was 49 years and 31 days old. She was a daughter of David Seybold ans a sister of Mrs. F.T. Harrington and Mrs. George Martin of this city.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Mrs. Nancy Jane (Grigsby) Gordon

Blandinsville Star-Gazette - October 10, 1935 - page 1 (this is a lengthy obituary- so this is an abstract)
Mrs. Nancy Gordon Dies; 90 Years of Age
Blandinsville this week is mourning the loss of one of its oldest and finest citizens, Mrs. Nancy Jane Gordon who at the age of 90 years, 5 months and 9 days, passed away on Monday morning at her beautiful home in the south part of town. Death came at 2:30 am following a short illness.
She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Grigsby who lived at the north east edge of town where she was born and she spent all her life in the vicinity.
On August 4, 1861, when she was just 16 years old, she became the bride of Newton Jasper Gordon. For 58 years they lived together until Mr. Gordon passed away in 1919.
During those years, 11 children were born to them and they built a home that is still one of the finest in all the vicinity. Of the 11 children, 4 preceded her in death, they were George William Gordon, Joel Floyd Gordon, Elizabeth Gordon and Mrs. Olive Lemara Pendarvis. The 7 children who survive are Nancy A. Gordon, John Henry Gordon, Crete Gordon, James Gordon and Mrs. Dona Armstrong, all of Blandinsville; Mrs. Pearl C. Kempher of Quincy, and Mrs. Ruby Kerr of LaHarpe. Mrs. Gordon also leaves one sister, Mrs. Mary Lou
Grigsby of Los Angeles, California.

Funeral services are to be held this Wednesday afternoon at the Baptist Church. Interment will be in the Glade City Cemetery.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Benjamin Fowler

Macomb Journal - December 16, 1886 - page 4
On the evening of the 11th of December , 1886, Benjamin Fowler, in the 80th year of his age. The deceased was for years a resident of this place, and was highly esteemed. The funeral services, which were in the charge of the
Odd Fellows, were conducted from the Christian Church, Elder Ross officiating. A vast concourse of people attended the remains to their final resting place in the village cemetery. The doubly stricken widow, who has been a helpless paralytic for a number of years, finds her grief in being prevented from immediately following him.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Joel Floyd Gordon

Blandinsville Star-Gazette - September 6, 1923
Joel Floyd Gordon, son of Newton Jasper and Nancy Grigsby Gordon was born in Blandinsville township February 24, 1864 and spent his entire life in the same locality and departed this life September 2, 1923, age 59 years, 7 months and 9 days.
On February 1894 he was united in marriage to Grace Wilson of this city, who preceded him in death July 2, 1900. To this union 2 daughters were born: now Mrs. Leone Banks and Mrs. Eileen Hall both of Blandinsville. He was preceded in death by one sister, Elizabeth, who died in infancy, a brother William who died September 9, 1905 and his father who passed away August 27, 1919. Besides his aged mother and 2 daughters he is survived by the following brothers and sisters - John Henry and James Owens Gordon of Blandinsville; Mrs. Ruby Kerr of LaHarpe; Mrs. Olive Prendarvis and Pearl Kempher both of Blandinsville; Misses Nancy J., Deliliah C., and Donna M. still at home.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Newton J. Gordon

Blandinsville Star Gazette - date is unreadable - but death occured August 27, 1919)
A Pioneer Gone
Death took from Blandinsville one of her oldest, best and most beloved citizens when Newton J. Gordon passed away at his home on south Main street on last Wednesday, August 27, 1919.
Mrs. Gordon was born in Kentucky March 3, 1835 and made his home there till he reached manhood. When about 25 years old he came to Blandinsville. This was nearly 60 years agoand the town was a scattered village. Here he began farming and his industry and intelligence brought him success and his kidness and courtesy and sterling character brought him friends.
He was married to Miss Nancy Grigsby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Grigsby, one of the oldest of the pioneers here and whose familty was among the most prominent in the community. To them were born 11 children. One died in childhood and the oldest one, William died some years ago. There remains, Joseph, Mrs. Ollie Pendarvis, Miss Nina, Mrs. Pearl Kempher, John, Mrs. Ruby Kerr, Miss Crete, James and Miss Donna. With the exeption of Mrs. John Kerr at LaHarpe, the children all live and Blandinsville and Misses Nina, Crete and Donna are at home with their widowed and heartbroken mother. Mr. Gordon was for many long years a faithful and active member of the Baptist church and to the day of his death, made its welfare one of the chief of his interests.
He was a man of more than ordinary itelligence and insight and died possessed of a considerable estate. He was honest and upright and his clean life and clean character gave him a high standing in the community. Besides the sorrowing wife and children his death brings sorrow to a wide circle of relatives and to every citizen of this community.
Funeral services were held at the home at 3:00 pm on Friday, August 29, and a great concourse of friends and neighbors congregated to join in this last sad ceremony. The body was laid to rest in Glade City Cemetery.


Linda Worstell Obituary of George M. Hoskinson

Unnamed newspaper - probably from Macomb or Rushville; undated clipping - death occured December 27, 1945
George M. Hoskinson, 92, Died at Macomb Dec. 27
George Monroe Hoskinson, 92, a native born resident of Rushville, died Thursday morning at his home in Macomb, following a 10 days illness.
Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Colin J. Robertson, were held Saturday at the Martin Funeral Home in Macomb, with burial in Oakwood Cemetery.
A son of John Lewis and Edith Edwards Hoskinson, George Hoskinson was born November 14, 1853 in Rushville. Leaving Rushville on Thanksgiving day in 1877, he located in Macomb, where for many years, in partnership with his father, he was engaged in the business of harness making on the south side of the square in that city.
On May 17, 1879, he married Miss Mary Reynolds of Macomb, who preceded him in death. He was the last surviving member of a family of 7 children.
He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Helen M. Hungerford, of Macomb; a granson, Reynold A. Hungerford of Chicago; and several nieces and nephews.
During his early life he was a member in civic groups, maintaining interest in civic affairs thuout the years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Mystic Workers, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America.


Linda Worstell Obituary of John L. Hoskinson

Rushville Times - Thursday, June 24, 1915 (this is a very lengthy article - so this is only an excerpt)
John L. Hoskinson, Died at His Home in Macomb, June 17th
John L. Hoskinson, a pioneer resident of Rushville, and the oldest man in McDonough county, died at his home in Macomb on Thursday morning of last week, aged 96 years, 3 months and 25 days.Mr. Hoskinson's fatal illness dated from the middle of May when he suffered a stroke of paralysis, which weakened his bodily functions and he steadily grew more feeble until the end came. On Sunday funeral services were held at the home in Macomb and the day following the remains were brought to Rushville for interment and brief services were conducted at the cemetery by Rev. Fred Wilson.
The following children of Mr. Hoskinson accompanied the remais to this city: Mrs. George A. Wilson of Peoria, Charles Hoskinson and son Edward of Rockford, Thomas and George Hoskinson of Macomb.John L., son of Chalres and Mary Lantz Hoskinson was born in Monongalia county, West Virginia February 24, 1819. When 8 years old his father moved to Shelbyville, Indiana were the latter died in 1828. The mother was subsequently married to Whitfield Chandler.
When 16 years of age he went to Martinsville, Indiana and entered service as an apprentice at the harness and saddlery trade and remained there until he reached his majority. He then went to Pennsylvania where he worked at his trace until 1844. On July 10, 1842 he was untied in marriage with Edith Edwards of Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania. Two years later they came to Illinois, settling at Rushville. They lived in Rushville until 1877, when upon the death of his bachelor brother, A. E. Hoskinson,who conducted a harness shop on the south side of the square, he moved to Macomb, took charge of the business and has conducted it up until the last few weeks.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Peter Iler (Eyler)

Macomb Journal - date cut off - but death occured September 16, 1900
Peter Iler, who lives 5 miles southeast of Macomb in Scotland township was in town Saturday. He died at his home about 4 am Sunday morning being ill but a short time. His wife was visiting at Macomb, Mo., and when in town Saturday he received a letter stating that she would be home Wednesday. He went home, ate his supper in apparent good health and when the rest of the family went
to bed he remained up reading. How long he stayed up is not known. His son, a lad who slept with him, was awakened about 4 am by his father's heavy breathing. He alarmed the family and a grown daughter coming to his bedside raised her father up and began bathing his forehead with spirits of camphor; the patient gave a sudden gasp and fell back dead.
Deceased was born in Germany in 1842 and came to this country at the age of 16 years, sttling in Scotland township, this county. He was married Sept. 20th, 1870 to Miss Senia Ann Ryan. He was a farmer by occupation. He leaves besides his wife, 11 children - Mrs. Bell Ferris, Mrs. Ella Powell, Mrs. Addie Hodges, Mrs. Mary Gingerich, Mrs. Nettie Duncan, Blossom, Lucy, Louis, Viola, Ray and Ruth. He was 57 years, 11 months and 21 days old. The time of his funeral has not yet been decided on as they are awaiting news from his wife.


Linda Worstell Obituary of Mrs. Senia Ann Ryan Eyler (Iler)

EYLER
Mrs. Senia Ann Ryan (Eyler?) died at her home at 928 (?) East Jeffferson street last night of cancer of the liver, after an illness of one year, aged 61 years, 4 months and 41 days. Funeral services will be held at the house at 10 o'clock tomorrow (Saturday) morning. Interment in Camp Creek Cemetery.
Deceased was a daughter of Drenery and Senia Ann Ryan and was born in Whitley county, Kentucky, February 15, 1850. she came to Illinois with her parents in 1864 and settled on a farm 2 and 1/2 miles north of Macomb. Forty one years ago last September she was married to Peter Eyler, now deceased. She was a member of the Presbyterian church for 35 years. She is survived by the following children - Mrs. Belle Ferris, Macomb; Mrs. Ella Powell, Colchester; Mrs. Eddie Hodges, Macomb; Mrs. Mary Gingerich, Colchester; Mrs. Nettie Duncan, Colchester; Mrs. Blossom Admas, Macomb; Mrs. Lucy Duncan, Blandinsville; Louis Eyler, Macomb; Mrs. Louis Rexroat, Shaeland, Texas; May Eyler, Macomb; and Miss Ruth Eyler, Macomb. She also leaves the following brothers and sisters: John and Joseph Ryan of Norwood, Mo; Drew Ryan of Ponca City, Okla.; Calvin Ryan, California; Mrs. J.F. Davis, Benson, Neg; Mrs. Mark Steed (not sure of last name - paper is ripped), Arkansas. She is survived by 26 grandchildren.


Jan Wilbur Obituary of Elizabeth (McGee) WHITE

Macomb Journal, Thursday, 25 August 1887
Elizabeth, wife of Stephen A. White, died in this city on August 12th aged 61 years 11 months 6 days. She was born Elizabet h McGee in Orange County, Indiana but moved to Tennessee twp, McDonough County when she was 4 years old, where she lived until moving to Colchester 2 years ago. She was married to Stephen A. White on 18 November 1841; he survives along with 7 of their 12 children, 8 of whom grew to adulthood. She was buried in the family burying ground on the old homestead in Tennessee twp on Saturday. (Colchester item)


Katherine Hughes Obituary of Mary (WEBSTER) SIMMONS

This was in Mattie Edna Simmons Hughes' obituary collection. Unfotunately, she pasted clippings in an album and did not date them or identify the source. The date was probably Jan. 1897, and the newspaper was probably the Macomb (IL) Journal. Mary Webster was Mattie's grandmother. Mattie's father was John Mordecai Simmons.

Death Record - Mrs. Mary Simmons

Mrs. Mary Simmons died at her home in Emmet township Thursday, Jan. 21, 1897, of debility incident to old age. She was born in the state of Maryland, April 29, 1810, and was in her 87th year at the time of her death. Her maiden name was Webster; when young she moved with her parents to Kentucky and in 1827 was united in marriage with Joshua Simmons. They moved to Illinois in 1834, settling in Emmet township, which continued to be their home until the death of each. Her husband died some ten or twelve years ago. She leaves surviving her nine children, Mrs. Mary Harden of Kansas, Mrs. Martha E. Wright, Mrs. Eliza Carter, Z. B. Simmons of Emmet, T. M. Simmons of Goodland, Kan.; Joe H. Simmons, Topeka, Kan., and Mrs. Sarah E. and John M. Simmons of Emmet. Four of her children were present at her death. She leaves 27 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. She has been a constant member of the Baptist church for nearly 50 years.


Harry Stafford - Obituary of John KEITHLY

Notes: John KEITHLY who was the 3rd of 12 children of Jacob and Sarah Roberts KEITHLY.  He was born in Harrison County, Indiana Nov. 15, 1828 and moved with the family to McDonough County in 1837 which was at that time a new and wild section of the Country.   Some of this may have appeared in the Macomb Journal of February 25, 1892.

Woodland (California) Democrat          

January 18, 1892 John KEITHLY went to Elmira (Solano County)to visit his brother Francis the day prior to his death.   He suffered from heart disease from which he had long been a sufferer and LaGrippe.  At Elmira medical aid was summoned and for a while he rallied but a second attack resulted in his death. The remains of the late John KEITHLY arrived from Elmira,  on the 11:40 train Sunday and were taken to the Catholic Church where a large number of friends of the deceased had gathered to pay their last sad respects to his memory.  At the conclusion of the ceremonies the remains were escorted by a long cortege of buggies and carriages to St. Joseph's  cemetery where they were interred with the usual services.  John KEITHLY arrived in California in 1852 from McDonough Co. Illinois afterwords removing to this county (Yolo) where he located on his farm near Davisville which was his home up to the time of his demise.  In 1868 he was married to Miss Alicia REYNOLDS, a native of Canada, and the issue of this union is three sons George F.L., William and James Rowland and one daughter Genevieve Estelle all of whom with the widow survive him.


Harry Stafford - Obituary of Jacob KEITHLEY

Note: Jacob KEITHLEY and his wife Sarah ROBERTS lived in Blandinsville.   Prior to their deaths they had a cemetery stone engraved with their names.   After the transcontinental railroad came into use they made at least three trips to California to visit their sons John, Francis, Seth and William.  In 1875 while in California Jacob died and was buried here.   Because of the engraving in Blandinsville there was some question as to where he was actually buried.   Sarah, however, returned to Blandinsville and is actually buried there.  I've located his burial site in California so I'm satisfied as to where he is interred. He was buried in the Shiloh Cemetery in present day Windsor, California.  Jacob was born 25 May 1805 in Bath County, Kentucky. The death date on his stone states August 27, 1875 which differs from the obituary. The present day spelling of KEITHLEY using two "E" s is prevalent in the Mid West but for reasons not known to me the KEITHLY surname is spelled with one "E" in California.

The Sonoma Democrat - Santa Rosa, California  September 4, 1875
"Our special corresondent writes us this morning:  "Last evening about 6:30 Mr. Jacob Keithly died very suddenly at his residence near this place (Fulton Station).  He had been in town during the day and only  few minutes before his death was with his son picking fruit in the orchard when he complained of being ill and went to the house to rest.  Upon arriving there he told his wife he was going to die, whereupon Mrs. Keithly went to call her son from the orchard. and during her absence the old gentleman quietly breathed his last. Deceased had purchased James Fulton's farm this year and had not more than taken possession before he was called away.   Mr. Keithly was in his seventieth year and a native of Kentucky."


Harry Stafford - Sarah Roberts KEITHLEY, the wife of Jacob KEITHLEY

The Macomb Journal      November 22, 1894
The JOURNAL, when the sad event occurred, gave a short notice of the death of Mrs. Sarah KEITHLY, who died  at the home of her son George in Hire township, this county, November 1st.  At the time we had no satisticy whereby we could give such a sketch of her life as we desired.  Since, the JOURNAL has come in possession of the matter necessary from the hands of her son George: Deceased was born in the state of Virginia June 20, 1805; moved to Harrison County, Indiana some time in her youth.  She was married to Jacob KEITHLEY in the year 1825; removed to McDonough County, Ill., October 1839, therefore was a pioneer of this County.  She was the mother of twelve children , three of the oldest have gone before to world unseen by us, namely Mary J. Hainline, William and John KEITHLEY.  She had 80 grand children, a great number of great grandchildren and quite a number of great great grandchildren. She saw her 4th generation.   Mother KEITHLEY  manufactured all the clothing that her family of twelve children needed away back in the 40s. "I, said her son George, to the writers remember the first Sunday school I ever attended: all the clothes I wore were made of her own hands.  She lived with her husband, Jacob KEITHLEY, made five trips over the Union Pacific railroad to California from 1869 to 1875 when her husband died in California August 28, 1875; since which time Mother KEITHLEY lived in Blandinsville alone, until six years ago her daughter, Lucinda Mourning, had taked care of her in her old age.  "Mother KEITHLEY's eldest children cannot remember when she was not a Christian.  She must have lived a Christian nearly eighty hears and lived in that way her children could call her blessed. The United Bretheren church was the church of her choice though she joined the Methodist church some eight years ago.  Her funeral was preached in the Methodist church in Blandinsville November 3rd by Rev. Bailey, pastor.  Mother is gone from us but we realize what is our loss is heaven's eternal   ?  .


Susan Murphy (Mrs. Thomas) Graves - Macomb Daily Journal, 27 Sept 1904, pg.4
DEATH RECORD - MRS. THOMAS GRAVES Mrs. Thomas Graves died at her home, 338 West Jefferson street, at 8 p.m. Sunday last, aged 56 years, 1 mpnth and 17 days. The funeral services were held at the residence at 2 o'clock this afternoon, Rev. J. S. Gash officiating, interment in Oakwood. Susan Murphy was born near Gosport, Ia, Aug. 10, 1848. She resided there until 1883, when she moved to this state and settled in Macomb, where she has since lived. In February 1876, she was married to Thomas Graves, who survives her. She was a devoted member of the Christian church for years and in every way has done her duty to her family and neighbors. She leaves children as follows: Mrs. Maggie Webster of Scotland township, John Rogers of this city, children by a former marriage; and Mrs. S.A. Hoffman, Essie, Frank, Roy and Jesse, by her second husband.





 

 


Return to McDonough County Main Page