Obituaries - G
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Obituaries were submitted by Judy Simpson unless otherwise noted.
GADDIS (child)
February 10, 1888
Clinton Public
Burned to Death.
Six miles north-west of Clinton lives Richard GADDIS. On last Wednesday afternoon his little four-year-old daughter was burned to death. Mrs. GADDIS had gone to visit a sick neighbor and Mr. Gaddis was out working in the field. The children got to making paper cigars and smoking them. The little girl's clothes caught fire, and before her father could reach the house her clothing was all in flames. The child inhaled the flames and smoke, which resulted in her death that night. It is a terrible affliction on the poor father and mother.
Mary (TROWBRIDGE) GADDIS
March 22, 1889
Clinton Register
Mrs. Mary C. GADDIS died at her home, five miles northwest of Aurora, Hamilton county, Neb., March 10, at 2 o'clock A.M. The burial was at the Aurora cemetery. The deceased was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 15th day of October, 1832, and in October, 1855, she moved with her parents, Abraham and Rachel TROWBRIDGE, to DeWitt county, Illinois, near where the village of Kenney now stands. She was married to Levi D. GADDIS on Sept. 8, 1859, and lived in Tunbridge township, DeWitt county, Illinois, until March 9, 1888, when she removed with her husband and family to Hamilton county, Nebraska. She was the mother of four children; the second, Sarah J., died Sept. 24, 1865, and the other three children, Mrs. Jesse Cantrell, Milford W. Gaddis and Mrs. Elsworth Squier, all live in Hamilton county, Nebraska. She was a devoted wife and a kind mother and leaves many kind friends to mourn her loss.
GAINES (child)
December 18, 1885
Clinton Public
Died, December 12, of membranous croup, the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. GAINES. The parents have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in this their sad bereavement.
John W. GAINES
August 17, 1894
Clinton Public
DEATH FROM LIGHTNING.
Lawrence Gaines Stricken Down during a
Storm.
John W. GAINES lives on a farm five and one-half miles southwest of Weldon. Last Saturday afternoon about two o'clock, as the threshers were about through threshing Mr. Gaines' grain, a heavy rain and wind storm came up accompanied with thunder and vivid flashes of lightning. The men at work with the thresher, numbering twelve in all, sought shelter in a corn crib. In the doorway of the crib there stood a team of horses. Just as the rain was about over a flash of lightning struck the crib and instantly killed Lawrence E. GAINES, a son of the owner of the farm, and a horse. Mr. Gaines was also stunned by the flash but he recovered in a few minutes. Charles MOORHEAD, whose home is in Nebraska, was also stricken down, and for some time it was thought life was extinct. His nervous system was badly shocked and he was brought to Clinton for medical treatment. The horse that was killed fell on Thomas ROGERS, who lives near Lane Station, and badly bruised his leg.
Lawrence Gaines was fifteen years old. He was a member of the United Brethren Church and also of Y. P. S. C. E. connected with Shiloh Church. His life was a blessing to the young people with whom he was acquainted for he was always doing good and helping others to see the bright and sunny side of life.
Samuel B. GAINES
September 23, 1887
Clinton Public
Samuel B. GAINES died on Wednesday evening at the residence of his brother, J. W. GAINES, of malarial fever, aggravated by diabetes. His age was 41. He was buried at Lincoln on Thursday. Further particulars next week.
Rev. I. B. GALLAGHER
September 7, 1906
Clinton Register
DEATH OF A MINISTER.
Rev. I. B. GALLAGHER died Wednesday at his home in Midland City, aged 90, being born May 10, 1916, in the East, and his parents moved to Illinois when he was young, locating in McDonough county. He later lived at Farmer City. After Quitting the ministry he went into the furniture business in Kenney, where he was burned out in 1889 when several stores were burned. He then engaged in the same business in Waynesville, and lost his store there by fire in 1893. He then opened a furniture store in Midland City, which he conducted until 1899, when he retired from the business on account of old age. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs. LeGRAND, of Pierce City, Mo.; Mrs. EBE, of Farmer City; and three brothers, Geo. of Weldon; David and Bazel, of Arkansas. Funeral was held at 10 o'clock today in the Kenney Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. McFadden. Burial in Pleasant Valley cemetery, 2 miles west of Kenney.
Mrs. Margaret S. GALT
October 20, 1899
Paper Unknown
Mrs. Margaret S. GALT died at the home of her sister Mrs. Sarah NEWELL, of Farmer City, on Tuesday, October 17, 1899, at 6:30 a.m., in her 77th year. Funeral: home of Mrs. Newell on October 17th. Burial: Farmington, IL., October 18th.
Submitted by Unknown
--------------------October 20, 1899
Clinton Public
Mrs. Margaret GALT died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Sarah NEWELL, Oct. 17, at 9:30 a.m., aged 77 years. Funeral services were held at the home of her sister, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m. The remains were taken to her home at Farmingdale, Ill., Wednesday morning. Mrs. Galt came here about two months ago to visit and was shortly afterwards taken sick.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
Etta (ESKEW) GAMBREL
January 25, 1884
Clinton Public
George GAMBREL and wife left Waynesville some months ago for St. Joe, Neb. Mrs. GAMBREL had been in poor health, and thinking that a change of climate would be beneficial, George bought a farm in Nebraska and moved there. Mrs. Gambrel died last week, and her body was brought back for internment at Waynesville.
Note: From the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index:
GAMBREL, GEORGE ESKEW, ETTA 02/08/1883
DE WITT
William GAMBREL
September 10, 1909
Clinton Register
At 1:30 Tuesday William GAMBREL died at his home in Barnett township, aged nearly 76. He attended the Atlanta fair Tuesday of last week, and that evening was not feeling well, but his condition did not alarm his friends until Saturday when it was realized he had pneumonia.
Deceased was born in Ohio Oct. 10, 1833, and had lived in this county the greater part of his life. He owned a well-improved farm south of Waynesville three miles and had been active in farming and stock raising. He served one term as county treasurer and was one of the best officials the county ever had.
He is survived by his wife and nine children, as follows: George, of Niantic; Frank, south of Waynesville; Calvin, near Tabor; Mrs. Lavina ATCHISON, Waynesville; Mrs. Rebecca LANTERMAN, Aurora; Mrs. Elizabeth HORN, Spokane, Wash.; Mrs. Laura LONGWORTH, McLean, Ill.; Mrs. Anna THOMPSON, McLean; and Miss Minnie, at home. William, who was an attorney, died in Clinton nearly 20 years ago.
Funeral services were held in the M. E. church in Waynesville yesterday at 2 o'clock. Burial in Evergreen cemetery.
James GANDY
November 14, 1879
Clinton Public
Died, November 6, at the residence of his father, James GANDY, son of Shepard GANDY, after an illness of several weeks, caused from a hurt.
Stephen GANDY
March 26, 1897
Clinton Public
Stephen GANDY, and old and respected resident of Tunbridge township, died at the home of his son, Mell GANDY, near Kenney Sunday morning, aged about 80 years. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, conducted by Rev. Thos JENKINS. Interment at the Baptist church cemetery near Kenney.
Jacob GARD
May 22, 1891
Clinton Public
Jacob GARD died in this city on Wednesday morning [May 20], in the eighty-fifth year of his age. For years he was afflicted with cancer on his face and mouth, from which there was no relief. He was born in Ohio and came to Illinois in 1833 and settled in Sangamon County, within eight miles of Springfield, where he lived till about three years ago, when he moved to Clinton shortly after the death of his wife. Mrs. GARD was the aunt of Mr. Lewis CAMPBELL and of Mrs. Phil CLARK, and Mr. Gard was the grandfather of Dr. Charles NELSON, formerly of Wapella. His remains were taken to his old home near Springfield on Wednesday morning for burial by the side of his wife and other members of his family.
Mr. & Mrs. A. J. GARDINER
January 18, 1907
Clinton Register
Mrs. A. J. GARDINER, sister of Mrs. Frank SANGSTER of Farmer City, died at her home in Indianapolis. Her husband died a few hours before and they were buried in the same grave. They formerly lived in Farmer City.
Note: aka GARDNER
Thomas GARDINER
January 15, 1892
Clinton Public
Mustered Out.
The familiar voice of Thomas GARDINER was stilled forever on Thursday afternoon, and no more will his friendly greetings be heard. "Tom" Gardiner was one of the prominent characters in the history of DeWitt County and settled at Mt. Pleasant (now Farmer City) nearly fifty years ago, and this county has substantially been his home ever since. When the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry was organized Tom Gardiner left the farm and shouldered his musket. He served about sixteen months, when his health failed and he was discharged from the service. Coming home he entered business as a stock buyer. He was an ardent Democrat and drifted into politics, and in the fall of 1870 he was elected sheriff of this county and was re-elected in 1872. Sheriff Gardiner had a strong hold with Republicans who knew him from his youth besides quite a Republican family connection, so that it was sure defeat for any Republican to run against him. In 1874 he was not a candidate and retired once more to his farm. In 1882 he was again the choice of his party for sheriff and was elected for the four-years’ term, when he retired forever from office. But he was not out of politics, for his party found that he was a power in the east end of the county.
In 1887 he got the California fever, but after spending a few months in the Golden State the disease was cured and he came back loving DeWitt County better than ever. Since his return he was successfully engaged in the coal business in Farmer City.
Thomas Gardiner was born in Pike County, Ohio, on the 22d of March, 1827. His sister was the first wife of Dr. John WARNER, and he was a half brother to Mrs. Eugene DAVIS. His wife was Miss Sarah E. McKINLEY, and two daughters were born to them. The mother and daughters are left to mourn for an affectionate husband and father. The funeral will take place tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, at one o’clock. He was a member of Goodbrake Chapter of the Masonic fraternity of this city. The funeral was set at an hour so that the friends from Clinton can go up on the morning train and return at four o’clock.
Note: aka GARDNER
Mrs. Thomas GARDINER
May 27, 1897
Paper Unknown
Sarah E. GARDINER, wife of Thomas died at her home in Farmer city, on Thursday, May 27, 1897, at 2:20 p.m., aged 66 years, 8 months, 2 days. Funeral: late residence, May 28th. Burial City Cemetery.
Note: aka GARDNER
William GARDNER
May 12, 1911
Clinton Register
WILLIAM GARDNER DEAD.
William GARDNER, aged 87 years, died at the county farm at Hallsville Tuesday morning at about 4 o'clock. He was born at Bellefontaine, Ohio, and came to Illinois when a young man, and has since resided in the vicinity of Hallsville.
He was married to Miss Mary McCLIMANS, a sister of David McCLIMANS, who now lives at Clinton. To this union eight children were born, five of whom are living, viz: Mrs. Alice HARROLD, of St. Louis; Henry, west of Kenney; Chas. of Wyoming; Mrs. Mollie CRAIG, of Lincoln; and Edward of Hallsville.
Mr. Gardner had made his home at the county farm the past four years. At one time he owned a 160-acre farm near Hallsville. The body was taken to the home of his son Ed on Monday, and funeral services were held at the Hallsville Christian church at 2:30 o'clock, Elder A. Forman officiating. Interment was made in the McClimans cemetery.
Mrs. Feriba GARRETT
January 11, 1901
Clinton Register
AGED MOTHER CALLED.
At the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. W. JOHNSON, living seven miles east of Clinton, Mrs. Feriba GARRETT departed this life Jan. 4, at 6 p.m. She had been an invalid and a great sufferer for the past twenty years, and her death was the result of consumption. Interment was in New Providence cemetery near Kenney.
Mrs. Amanda C. GARRIOTT
June 27, 1890
Clinton Public
Mrs. Amanda C. GARRIOTT died at her home in the south part of this city, last Tuesday, June 24th, and was buried at the Tunbridge cemetery yesterday morning. She was a native of this county, and was forty-two years, five months and twenty-five days old. She had been a member of the U. B. Church for sixteen years, and was a Christian woman. She leaves a husband and eight children, four sons and four daughters to mourn her death. Rev. D. Mac ARTHUR conducted the services.
Irma GASH
Friday, August 4, 1899
Clinton Register
Irma GASH, daughter of Jesse GASH, aged one year, was buried in Hill cemetery Saturday.
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd
Mary GASH
May 25, 1900
Clinton Register
Mrs. Mary GASH, formerly of Texas township, died at Pana about two weeks ago, aged 70. Her husband and six children survive her, one of them being Mrs. Geo. BOTKIN, of this city.
Thomas J. GASH
July 6, 1928
Clinton Journal and Public
Thomas Gash of This City Dies Tuesday.
Thomas J. GASH, 79 died at the home of his son, Warner GASH, in Bloomington Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. He had been a resident of Clinton for 50 years. Five months ago he went to Bloomington where he had since been with his son. Deceased was born in Wayne county, Fairfield, Ill., on May 6, 1849, and was married on Nov. 10, 1869 to Sarah Jane WARNER, who died four months ago. He is survived by the following children: Eugene, Marseilles, Ill.; Unice, Chicago; Oren, Clinton; and Warner, Bloomington. Deceased was a member of the Methodist church of Clinton where the funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Burial was in Woodlawn cemetery.
Charles GATCHELL
February 25, 1875
Clinton Public
Charles GATCHELL, a youth of fifteen years, met with a sad death on Tuesday morning. The boy was at his father's house, located two miles east of this city on the Marion road, and was standing in the kitchen in the act of loading a double-barreled shot gun, with which to shoot some chickens, when one of the barrels was discharged, the load of shot striking upward tearing away one side of his face and piercing his brain. The report of the gun was heard by his mother, who was in another part of the house, and on reaching the kitchen she found her son lying on the floor in a pool of blood.
Eunice (HARP) GATCHELL
August 2, 1918
Clinton Daily Public
PIONEER RESIDENT OF CLINTONIA TWP. DEAD.
Mrs. Harry Gatchell,
63 years old, Dies Following Apoplexy Stroke.
One of DeWitt county's oldest pioneers, Mrs. Eunice GATCHELL, wife of Harry GATCHELL, 1128 East Jefferson street, passed away at the John Warner hospital last evening at 10:20 o'clock after a residence in and near Clinton of over a half century. Mrs. Gatchell was 62 years of age, at the time of her demise, and had spent all of her life in this vicinity. She had many friends. Her death ended a period of several years of illness, brought on by a stroke of apoplexy, suffered two years ago. A second stroke five weeks ago necessitated her removal to the hospital.
Mrs. Gatchell was born in Clintonia township, east of Clinton, on April 14, 1856, and spent her entire girlhood in this vicinity. In 1875 she was united in marriage to Harry Gatchell, who still survives and who is now an employee at the Illinois Central shops. The deceased is also a sister of William H. HARP, of 504 West Jefferson street. To the marriage of the deceased to Mr. Gatchell occurred the birth of four sons, Roy, of this city, Welby and Thomas, both of Decatur, and Carl, now in the service at Camp Taylor. All will be here for the funeral services.
The passing of Mrs. Gatchell takes from this community one of its oldest pioneers as well as one of its best known and lovable residents. Because of her long residence she had established a wide circle of acquaintances and she had watched the career and growth of this community from child up. Besides the husband and four sons, three grandchildren also survive and are Miss Grace Gatchell, of this city, and two grandsons of Decatur. She was also an aunt of Atty. Hal HARP, now in the service. The funeral arrangements will be made as soon as word is received from the son Carl at Camp Taylor.
Henry Simpson GATCHELL
December 25, 1891
Clinton Public
Henry Simpson GATCHEL died at his home farm, east of this city, last Tuesday night. He was born in Cecil County, Maryland, on the 6th of July, 1829, and at his death was in his sixty-third year. His death was the result of the grippe. When a young man he came west and settled in this county, and has been one of the older residents. He was married November 10, 1859, to Miss Martha J. GRIER, and they were the parents of four children, three boys and William HARP's wife. In his early life Mr. Gatchel was a member of the Presbyterian Church, but in his later years he was a believer in the doctrines of spiritualism. He was a just man, a kind neighbor, and a good citizen.
Note: His last name was GATCHELL. He was born June 6, 1829, and was married in 1853, not 1859.
--------------------January 1, 1892
Clinton Public
In last week's PUBLIC we gave a brief notice of the death of Henry S. GATCHEL. His family has since furnished a few facts in his history. He was born in Cecil County, Maryland, on the 6th of June, 1829, and at the time of his death was sixty-two years, six months and sixteen days old. In the year 1853 he was married to Miss Martha Jane GRIER. Six children were born to them, four of whom are living. In the spring of 1854 he moved from Maryland to Green County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1855 he came to Clinton. In the summer of 1859 the Pike's Peak fever broke out in Clinton and in this county, and Mr. Gatchell became one of the party that went to seek their fortunes in the gold fields. The prospects were not inviting, so the same fall he came back home and settled down to get rich by the ordinary methods of hard toil and industry. He built the house that is now owned by Mr. Morris Strum, and here he lived with his family till he went to farming. In partnership with his brother-in-law, William GRIER, he worked at the cooperage business in this city, but the demand being light for that class of work he turned to farming and there achieved success. In 1860 he began farming on the Sam Argo farm, and two years later he moved to his own farm, where he lived and prospered till his death. In his early life Mr. Gatchel was brought up in the Presbyterian faith, but later he became a believer in spiritualism and continued so till the end. In politics he was an ardent Democrat and was quite active as a party man.
Martha (GRIER) GATCHELL
March 13, 1914
Clinton Register
DEATH OF OLD RESIDENT.
Mrs. Martha Jane Gatchell Dies After
Three Days Illness—
Lived Here Half a Century.
Monday morning at 12:15 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William HARP, four miles east of Clinton, occurred the death of Mrs. Martha Jane GATCHELL, after an illness of but three days. Deceased had been making her home with her daughter for the past 5 years. Although advanced in years, she had enjoyed the best of health prior to three days before her demise. On Thursday of last week she was taken ill with pneumonia, but her condition was not considered serious until Saturday, when arrangements were being made to change her room. At that time she dressed herself without the knowledge of the family. Sunday, when her condition became known, her relatives were summoned by telegraph. Deceased was well known in Clinton to many who speak of her as a true Christian and a faithful mother.
Martha Jane GREER was born October 8, 1832, in Chester county, Penn., where she was married November 10, 1853, to Henry GATCHELL. In the same year they moved to Ohio and one year later came to Clinton. The husband died in 1891 east of Clinton, where the family lived, and in 1892 Mrs. Gatchell removed to Clinton, living with her brother, William GREER and family. For the past five years she has lived with Mr. and Mrs. Harp.
Mrs. Gatchell was the mother of six children, two of whom, William and Charles, are deceased. Those surviving are Mrs. William HARP, four miles east of Clinton; Harry GATCHELL, of Clinton; Frank GATHCELL, of Ordway, S. D., and Arthur GATCHELL, of St. Louis. She leaves one brother, William Greer [Grier], of Clinton, and six grandchildren: Roy and Thomas GATCHELL, of Clinton; Carl G. GATCHELL, of Bloomington; Welby GATCHELL, of Decatur; William and Hal D. HARP, of Clinton. She leaves four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the Universalist church at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Arthur McDavitt conducting the services.
Note: The full name of her husband was Henry Simpson Gatchell, and her maiden name should have been spelled GRIER.
Mrs. Elias GEER
August 27, 1886
Clinton Public
Mrs. Jane GEER died yesterday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. S. NEWMAN, in this city. The old lady had a malignant cancer in her face and it had developed so rapidly that there was no hope in surgical skill and remedies. She was an old resident of this county, and leaves quite a family, all of them, however, being able to care for themselves.
--------------------September 10, 1886
Clinton Public
Died, at Clinton, August 26th, Mrs. Jane GEER, aged 71 years. Deceased was the wife of Elias GEER, who preceded her to the better land many years ago. She and her husband settled in Wilson township, DeWitt county, near Rucker Chapel, in 1852 where she has resided ever since, until recently when she was removed to Clinton to be cared for by her daughter, Mrs. NEWMAN. She leaves four children, Mrs. Newman, of Clinton; O. T. GEER, of Farmer City; George GEER, of Harp; and N. B. GEER, who always lived with his mother. The funeral was preached at Rucker Chapel by Rev. KIRKPATRICK, who took for his text Phil. i; xxii. After an eloquent sermon he pronounced the following beautiful eulogy, which was fully appreciated by all present:
She and her husband have seen this country develop from a wild waste to its present happy condition. None except those who have experienced it know the struggles, the hardships, the privations gone through to bring a family up into respectable manhood and womanhood and fit them for an advanced civilization. She was the stay and comfort of her companion, who for twenty years was the leader of the class at Rucker Chapel—in fact he was the apostle of Methodism in this part of the county, for in 1853 he organized the Brittin class, as it was then called, and ably assisted in building Rucker Chapel and uniting the Butler and Cain classes. In all this labor his hands were held up by Sister Geer, who always looked at the bright side of life—always took care of God's people, sheltered His ministering servants, as though they were messengers direct from heaven. Sister Geer was always solicitous for the welfare of those around her, so good and kind that as the young generation grew up around her they all of common consent called her Aunt Jane, and as long as life shall last will remember her kind and pleasant words and loving ways and deeds. Though Aunt Jane be dead she yet shall speak to many who live with a remembrance of her. She shared her husband's joys and sorrows until the winged angel messenger came and said to the old faithful soldier, "It is enough, come up higher." It was a sad stroke to her but her faithful soul was always willing to say, Thy will, not mine, be done.
Her last affliction was long and painful, but she bore it with her usual Christian fortitude, and, as mentioned before, passed away August 26th. Thus died an old soldier of the cross, a follower of the lamb, and as we think of God's promise we know she had a triumphant entry through the gates into the city of God.
George W. GEER
April 21, 1923
Paper Unknown
George W. GEER, 222 W. Main street, well know resident of Clinton and Dewitt County, died at 3 o'clock yesterday morning, following a sudden and very short illness. Mr. and Mrs. GEER had spent winter at Biloxi, Miss., and had returned Saturday one week ago. The sudden illness was a short duration, having lasted less than a week. He had suffered from a complication of diseases. From the beginning his illness was critical, a special nurse arrived from Bloomington Sunday. George W. GEER a son of Elias and Jane GEER, was born in Marion County, Ohio, May 14, 1845, being at his death 77 years, 11 months and 6 days old. He came to Illinois with his parents in 1854, the family settling in Dewitt County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was married to Mrs. Alma BELL, daughter of Henry and Rebecca BELL, November 4, 1870, and they began housekeeping on a farm northeast of Clinton, where they continued to reside until 35 years ago, when they retired and moved to Clinton. Mr. and Mrs. GEER were the parents of one child, Frank who died at the age of 2 years. Mrs. GEER is the only surviving relative.
He was a member of a family of 6 children, of which he was the youngest, all having proceeded him in death. The brothers and sisters were: Mrs. Mira NEWMAN, Mitchell and Nathan GEER of Farmer City and Orand and William GEER of Missouri. He also leaves the following nephews and nieces: Dr. Clint CAIN, Chicago; Lynn and Elva CAIN, Mills, Mich.; Ira CAIN and Mrs. Mace HARPER, North Manchester, Ind., and Dr. Mira STEWART of Oregon.
When a young man he became a member of the Rucker Chapel Church, near Clinton, later transferring membership to the First United Methodist Episcopal church of this city, of which he had been a faithful member and officer. At the time of his death he was serving as a member of the board of stewards and trustees. He was also a member of the Plantagenet Lodge, No. 25, Knights of Pythias. During his lifetime Mr. GEER had accumulated a considerable amount of property and left a handsome legacy to the First United Methodist Episcopal Church of this city. He was known to the entire community and enjoyed the respect and admiration of all who knew him.
The remains were removed to the Pullen Undertaking Parlors, to be prepared for burial. Funeral services will be conducted from the late home, 222 W. Main street, Monday morning at 10 o'clock. Rev. F.B. MADDDEN, pastor, will officiate and the burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery.
Submitted by Unknown
Joseph GEER
August 7, 1914
Clinton Register
THE HARVEST OF DEATH.
Two Well Known Dewitt County Men Are
Called—
Joseph Geer and Samuel Polen.
Joseph GEER, a life-long resident of this vicinity, passed away at nine o'clock this morning after an extended illness at the age of about seventy years.
Mr. Geer was reared in this county, and the greater part of his life before coming to Clinton was passed on a farm in the vicinity of Hallsville.
He was born in Cheney's Grove, Ill., in 1844, coming to Tunbridge township when a small boy. In 1870 he was married to Miss Margaret JORDAN, sister of the late Milo JORDAN, a large family of children being the fruits of the union. Those surviving, besides the widow, are: Mrs. Minnie BERRY, of Clinton; Mrs. Shelby WEST, of Birkbeck; Mrs. Anna WILES, of Peoria; Samuel GEER, living north of Clinton; and John, at home. He is also survived by a brother and sister, George GEER, of Clinton, and Mrs. Mary ALINGTON, of Hallsville.
Deceased was a veteran of the civil war, having been a member of Co. E, 68th Ill. Vol. Inft. He was a member of the G. A. R. and well known and highly respected among all the older citizens. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, no arrangements as yet having been made.
Nathan B. GEER
June 8, 1894
Clinton Public
Sudden Death.
In the full enjoyment of health and bright in spirit Nathan B. GEER was in the Public office on Tuesday forenoon, for it was pleasant for him to spend a few moments in the office nearly every day. On Wednesday morning his lifeless body found a resting place in the home of his nephew, Webb NEWMAN. Nathan B. GEER has been unfortunate for years in having a bad spell of sickness every winter, but when the bright spring and summer months came he would take on new life and vigor. Tuesday afternoon he was attacked with neuralgia of the heart while sitting in Wall & Son's restaurant and Webb Newman was sent for. Webb took his uncle down to his home and in the meantime had Dr. MYERS summoned. When the doctor arrived he saw that there was no hope, but he prescribed a simple remedy that would soothe him in the passing hours. Early on Wednesday morning Nathan joined the silent majority in the world beyond. Nathan B. Geer was born in Ohio nearly fifty-five years ago and came with his parents to this county in 1851. His affliction did not make him sour or morose, but he was a cheerful soul who delighted in making others happy. Of late years he made his home in this city with his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth NEWMAN. On Thursday afternoon he was laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Opal Iona GEER
April 24, 1914
Paper Unknown
DEATH OF LITTLE GIRL.
The daughter of W. M. and Jane GEER, Opal Iona, died at the home of her parents in the east part of the city Tuesday morning at six o'clock. The little one had never been strong, and three weeks ago was taken seriously ill. She was born in this city, her father at the time being in the employ of the Central. He is now with the Interurban at Decatur.
Submitted by Unknown
Patrick GEHAGEN
February 8, 1878
Clinton Public
Patrick GEHAGEN, an Irish farmer living about six miles north of Farmer City came to that town last Saturday morning with a load of corn and toward evening started homeward very drunk. On his way home he drove his team off a bridge and fell under the wagon into the water. His neck was broken. He leaves a wife and six children.
GEISERMAN (child)
September 23, 1887
Clinton Public
A child of Albert GEISERMAN and one of Mr. WALKER both died during the past week.
Mrs. John GELSTHORPE
December 27, 1904
Decatur Herald
WAYNESVILLE.
Mrs. John GELSTHORPE departed this life at her home, four miles east of Waynesville, Thursday at 10 o'clock a.m. She was 57 years of age and leaves a husband and five children, three boys and two girls, to mourn her loss. The funeral services were held at Fairview Friday at 2:30 p.m. conducted by Rev. Roush.
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd
James A. GESSFORD
July 21, 1864
Clinton Public
OBITUARY FROM THE 107TH ILLINOIS.
James A. GESSFORD, of the 107th
Illinois, fell in the battle of Dallas, on the 27th of May 1864.
As I record the death of our friend, "memory, like a pensive Ruth, goes gleaning the fields of other days, and finds the scattered grains still golden, the morning sunlight yet fresh and fair." All the pleasant scenes with which he was associated, the sunny joys in which he was a participant, together with the beauty and generosity of his nature, the good deeds and magnanimity of his brief existence, we gather up, bind in one golden sheaf, and with the hand of friendship lay it on the tablets of memory and place it, as a monument, over his silent resting place. Neither the prayers of an affectionate, devoted mother, nor the earnest supplications of a kind sister and brother, nor the silent petitions of kind friends could check the approach of the death angel. He met the messenger without fear, and with a manly heart; and his deed of bravery will long live in the hearts of those he loved. They made his grave in a strange land, far away from home and friends, but our thoughts, like a troop of mourners, linger round his silent resting place, and the flowers which spring from his grave will be a miniature token of the beauty in which his soul has blossomed in the eternal world.
May God in His infinite mercy comfort the afflicted mother, whose heart for years has been a shrine of prayers for the safety of her soldier boy and though she'll never hear his winning voice again—may she bow in submission to the will of God; may the assurance of his happy state and the hope of a glorious union dispel the gloom that encircles the hearts of his brothers and sisters. May God comfort the sorrowing friends and relatives, and gird their souls for that glad meeting in the fair eternal mansion. His Friend, July 11th, 1864.
David L. GIBSON
August 18, 1917
Clinton Daily Public
ANOTHER VETERAN GONE.
T. D. Bryant, of South Monroe street, has received word of the death of David L. GIBSON, a member of the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry, Company D, of which Charles Zorger, E. Sylvester, N. M. Barnett, James E. Longrake and others of Clinton and DeWitt county were members. The information received by Mr. Bryant stated that the deceased was killed on August 13, but gave no particulars of the death. Burial was at Pleasant Plains, Ill.
Edward GIDDINGS
January 8, 1892
Clinton Public
Mustered Out.
At the age of sixty years Captain Edward GIDDINGS answered the last roll-call yesterday morning and was mustered out from the turmoil of life's battles and entered into rest. Sixty years ago the second day of this month Edward Giddings was born in the State of Vermont, and when but a child his parents moved to Ohio. About the year 1850 he moved to Clinton, and from here he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry and went out with Co. B as orderly sergeant, and when Captain TURNER resigned and came home Edward was promoted to the captaincy and served till the regiment was mustered out. For several years after the war he followed the occupation of carpenter till he bought BOGAR's furniture store in partnership with Finis MORGAN. Later the firm sold out to WOLFE & McHENRY, and then Captain Giddings opened a general store in the room now occupied by JORDAN Bros., and continued there till the Florida fever broke out, when the captain and his brother Milton joined a Clinton colony that located in Gainesville, Florida. There he remained with varying fortunes till his health failed, and a few weeks ago he came back to Clinton to die in the home of his sister, Mrs. William WELD. Captain Giddings had his share of the brightness and shadows of life. A married daughter lost her husband about a year ago in a railroad accident. His wife is here at Mr. Weld's home. The funeral service Will be held on Sunday afternoon, at two o'clock, at the home of Mr. William WELD, one mile south of the city. Rev. W. A. HUNTER will conduct the service, and the masonic fraternity will have charge of the ceremonies. The captain was not a member of the G.A.R., because there is no Post in Gainsville, but it is expected that the Grand Army will bury their old comrade.
Submitted by Bob Halsey
Minnie GIDDINGS
December 25, 1903
Clinton Register
Miss Minnie GIDDINGS died at her home in Gainsville, Fla. She is a niece of O. T. COLWELL and her father, Milton GIDDINGS, was once a Clinton merchant, moving to Florida over 20 years ago.
Mrs. Elizabeth GIDEON
January 28, 1864
Clinton Public
DIED – In this town on Saturday, Jan. 23, 1864, Mrs. Elizabeth GIDEON, consort of George GIDEON, aged 72 years, 5 months and 7 days.
George W. GIDEON
March 15, 1889
Clinton Public
Death of an Old Citizen.
At the advanced ago of seventy-six years, George William GIDEON departed this life at his home in this city, yesterday morning at ten minutes to one o’clock, after a brief sickness of only three days. The deceased was born in Loudon county, Virginia, on the 15th of January, 1813. At six years of age his parents moved to a farm near Woodstock, Champaign county, Ohio, and there Mr. Gideon was married to Miss Lydia KIDDER. The result of this union was six children, three sons and three daughters. One of his sons, Edwin W., was among the first to enlist in the Twentieth Illinois Infantry when the war broke out, and he was among the first to give his life for the flag of his country. Another son, Nathan, died a few years ago. The surviving children are three daughters and one son. Their mother died April 20, 1869. On the 8th of September, 1870, he was united in marriage for a second time to Miss Angeline ROWLEY, who survives him.
Geo. W. Gideon came to Clinton from Ohio in the spring of 1847, where he resided till his death. In the fall of 1853 he was one of the incorporators of the village of Clinton and was elected a member of the board of trustees. In those days he was considered one of the wealthiest men in the township as he had both money and land, and was the owner of a couple of valuable farms, one of which was the eighty acres running west from the corner of Webster and Center streets, in and which is comprised what is now Woodlawn Cemetery, and one hundred and sixty acres which is part of C. C. KELLOGG’s farm. In addition to this he owned a number of town lots and pieces of timber land here and there, and later he owned the City Hotel property. Few men were stronger financially in those days than GeorgeW. Gideon. He was a large-hearted man and could never refuse to accommodate a friend, and as the result of having to pay security debts and losses in business enterprises in which he was persuaded to invest, his wealth dwindled down till in his old age he had but little which he could call his own. But with all his losses he never lost his cheerful disposition, and till the last he was the same generous-hearted George W. Gideon that he was in his days of prosperity. Many a home has been gladdened by his benefactions, and many a man has he helped in his day.
It was to his liberality that Clinton is indebted for our beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery. When his son Edwin W. died in the army and was brought home for burial, Mr. Gideon dedicated the beautiful hill on his home farm for a soldiers’ cemetery, and his son was the first one buried within the shadow of the soldiers’ monument that was erected at the close of the war. At that time, Clinton had as is only place of interment the old graveyard south of the Champaign and Havana road. Those who had sons and relatives buried in the soldiers’ cemetery on Mr. Gideon’s farm urged him to dedicate that part of the land for cemetery purposes, and the lots were speedily purchased. Ten or twelve years later the Cemetery Association was organized and the north half of the eighty acres was purchased and became Woodlawn Cemetery. This has since become the property of the city of Clinton. In this cemetery will be laid to rest this afternoon the remains of Mr. Gideon.
In his earlier days Mr. Gideon took an active part in public affairs. During the war he gave liberally of his means to the families of the men who enlisted from Clinton. He was an intense lover of his country, and only his age prevented him from shouldering a musket when the country needed soldiers to protect it. He never sought for or accepted any office higher than that of alderman in his ward, and then only because he believed that he could be of some benefit in helping to shape the destinies of the town to which he was so strongly attached. In his dealings with his fellow men, George W. Gideon was the soul of honor; and what better inheritance can a man leave his family than a pure and good name.
Nate GIDEON
November 2, 1883
Clinton Public
Nate GIDEON left Clinton about three years ago and bought a farm near Unique, Iowa. For the past year his health was poor, and thinking that a residence in a milder climate for the winter would help him, he started in a wagon, with his family, for the south__st part of Missouri. In the journey he became worse in health, and the family were obliged to rest for a few days at the home of Peter GIDEON, a cousin of Nate's. On Sunday, unexpectedly to his physician and his family, Nate died. His body arrived here late on Wednesday and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Peter M. GIDEON
November 10, 1899
Clinton Register
A famous Horticulturist Dead.
The death of Peter M. GIDEON, originator of the Wealthy apple, occurred on Friday morning, October 27, after an illness of several months. About the last four weeks he was confined to his bed upon which he died at the advanced age of eighty-one years. Mr. Gideon was one of the most remarkable men of the northwest. He was born in Champaign county, Ohio, on Feb. 9, 1818, and was one of the first abolitionists to be closely identified with that movement in Ohio and Illinois. He resided in Ohio until 1841 when he moved to Clinton, Ill., and in 1853 came to Lake Minnetonka, where he experimented in growing fruit trees by planting thirty varieties of apple trees, a collection of pear, plum and cherry trees, besides a bushel of apple and a peck of peach seeds. He kept this up, adding more annually for nine years. At the end of ten years the rigorous Minnesota winters had killed every tree except one seedling crab. The labor and money of all these years was lost to him, and many others who followed in his footsteps. At this time Mr. Gideon found himself with only eight dollars in his pocket, a large family, one cow and a few chickens with the long winter months ahead. However he did not give up in despair but sent the eight dollars to Bangor, Me., for seeds and scions, instead of clothing. For the latter he substituted two cast off vests, sewed them together, cut the legs off an old worn pair of trousers and sewed them on the vests, which did duty as a pair of sleeves. By reinforcing the old patches and adding a little here and there, he succeeded in building himself a winter suit that lasted six months. Yet that antiquated garment was the means of adding millions to the horticultural wealth in the cold northwest.
From the seeds and scions he grew the Duchess, cherry crabs and Blue Pearmain— from the surviving cherry crab came the Wealthy apple, which was named in honor of Mr. Gideon's wife whose maiden name was Wealthy HULL. In crossing the common apple with the cherry crab he achieved marvelous results in producing hardy apple trees adapted to the cold northern climate. In 1878 when the state established an experimental fruit farm, he was made superintendent and continued in that capacity for several years.
From the Fruitman published at Mt. Vernon, Ia., we take the following:
Never was a greater or more valuable surprise sprung upon the homemakers of the Mississippi valley than the Wealthy apple. When Mr. Gideon announced it, the news seemed too good to be true, and fruit men were slow to believe its value. The producer says he named it in honor of his wife. He induced leading fruit men to test it, and when they gave judgment, its spread was rapid.
Suel FOSTER, of Muscatine, was one of the first of Iowa horticulturists to endorse and urge its general trial. It is perhaps not needed south of 41 where it becomes an early fall apple, but to all the lands above, as high as 46, it is a Godsend, whose worth no man can measure.
Secretary Philips of Wis., well says: "I never so realized the work Mr. Gideon has done for northwestern horticulture, as I did at the Omaha exposition, when I looked at the beautiful Wealthy apples from ten different states. In thirty years it has covered the continent, and the name of Wealthy and Gideon have become household words throughout the apple world."—Minnetonka (Minn.) News.
Wealthy (HULL) GIDEON
January 25, 1889
Clinton Public
Mrs. Wealthy GIDEON, wife of Peter W. GIDEON, formerly of Clinton, died in Minneapolis, January 19, 1889, where she had gone for treatment of disease from which she had been suffering for a number of years. Mrs. Gideon’s maiden name was HULL, and she came from Madison county, Ohio, to this county with her father, Benjamin HULL, in the fall of 1847, she then being 17 years old. Perhaps many who read this will remember her as their young teacher, as she followed teaching county schools after coming to this county until she was married to Peter Gideon, in the winter of 1848. A few years after her marriage, and after she was the mother of three children, she moved with her family to Hennepin county, Minnesota, and settled on Lake Minnetonka, near Excelsior, where her body will repose, while we trust her spirit has returned to the God who gave it.
Note: Her husband's name was Peter M., not Peter W.
Mrs. John GIFT
April 22, 1887
Clinton Public
Mrs. John GIFT departed this life at three o'clock Wednesday morning at her home, one mile northwest of Weldon. Mrs. Gift was a native of Pennsylvania, and a member of the M. E. Church. Her disease was dropsy, but she had not been sick over two weeks, as we are informed. Further particulars will probably be given next week.
Isadore (HOLMES) GILLILAND
January 21, 1910
Clinton Register
CHRISTIAN MOTHER IS CALLED HOME.
Was Wife of Former Clinton Minister,
Who for Two Years Has Been Located in Lincoln.
Saturday the people of Clinton were pained to learn of the death of Mrs. E. A. GILLILAND, who passed away at 8 o'clock that morning at her home in Lincoln, aged 46 years. She lived in Clinton about nine years, her husband being pastor of the Christian church here, and she had hundreds of friends in this county, who felt a keen sorrow when they learned death had taken her from home and loved ones. They knew her and loved her for her kindly disposition, gentle ways and earnest Christian life. The following is from the Lincoln Courier:
"Isadore HOLMES was born in Mason county, Ill., Dec. 1, 1862. All her girlhood days were spent near Vermont, Ill., where she graduated with honors from the public school at an early age. She was married to E. A. GILLILAND August 9, 1882. There were born to this union three children, Eva M. MITCHELL, who resides in Clinton, Ill.; Owen E., residing at El Reno, Okla.; and Elfleda, at home.
"Mrs. Gilliland had been sick for over a year, suffering severely much of the time, a part of the time, however, she was able to walk out and receive her friends at home. She had been confined to her bed but little over a week at the last; death came quietly Saturday morning Jan. 15, 1910.
"Rev. GILLILAND came to the Christian church pastorate with his wife and daughter in June, 1908. Never in the history of the church has a pastor and his wife taken hold upon the hearts of the people more fully than these two have done. Earnest, faithful, full of zeal, the work of the church took on new life with their coming and advanced wonderfully.
"While her health permitted, she worked by her husband's side among the people, calling, visiting in sickness, encouraging and by the very cheeriness of her presence aiding and benefiting all with whom she came in contact.
"She was an active member of both the Ladies Aid and Willing Workers societies, and was president of the C. W. B. M. when stricken with sickness. She will be greatly missed by the members of these organizations who loved her because of her splendid personality and sweet natured womanliness, as well as appreciating her abilities as a manager and worker in church lines. It is a terrible bereavement and loss to Rev. Gilliland, and his people extend to him and his, their deepest and most sincere love and sympathy."
Funeral services were held in the Christian Church in Lincoln Monday at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. F. L. Bower, of Kansas City, a close friend of the family. A number of Clinton people attended and returned to Clinton with the family and friends at 5 o'clock, the remains being brought here for interment in Woodlawn cemetery.
Rev. James M. GILLILAND
May 3, 1912
Clinton Register
DEATH OF NOTED MINISTER.
Rev. James M. GILLILAND, builder of churches in Bloomington and Normal and one of the most able and eloquent ministers of the Christian denomination in Illinois, died Friday in Bloomington shortly before 5 o'clock at his home, following a stroke of paralysis. He was stricken a week before, while in his study, having just finished his manuscript on "Twenty-Five Years of Religious History in Bloomington" which was read by another minister while Rev. Gilliland was very ill.
He was born in Fulton county, this state, March 26, 1855. He lived and worked on a farm from the age of 12 until he finally left the parental roof at the age of 24. During that period he acquired an excellent educational equipment, first attending Abingdon college in 1875. In 1880 he graduated from Eureka college, receiving his master's degree from that institution in 1881. In the fall of that year [he] assumed his first charge at Mechanicsburg, remaining there four years. His next pastorate was at Harristown where he remained until he received a call from the First Christian church in Bloomington.
Feb. 1, 1888, Rev. Mr. Gilliland began his work in Bloomington. The church at that time had something over 400 members, who worshipped in a building that had long served beyond its usefulness. The city, too, was not the "beautiful Bloomington" of today. There were few pavements and the old-fashioned mule-cars were still in operation on Main street and West Washington street.
Mr. Gilliland was married on June 25, 1897, to Miss Clara KELLY, the wedding taking place at Vermont, Ill. The home life of Mr. Gilliland and his family has been exceptionally happy and the minister was seen at his best in his home. One child, Mary, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland, who is now Mrs. G. E. BRAMMER, of Des Moines.
In four years the church grew from 400 to 1550 members and he resigned the pastorate to become pastor of the Second Christian church, which he established, and a new building was erected in 1892. A few years later he resigned the pastorate of this church to take charge of another church he established. The fourth church he had built was in Normal, completed a few weeks before his death.
Robert F. GLASGOW
April 8, 1887
Clinton Public
Robert F. GLASGOW was born in Adams county, Ohio, April 13, 1820. At the age of twenty-one he united with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and was a consistent member of said church until his removal to Illinois in 1886. For more than a year Mr. Glasgow has been troubled with rheumatism but has been able to be around until a few weeks since when he was taken quite ill. He had recovered somewhat and on the morning of his death, March 31st, had walked out in the yard. After eating a hearty breakfast he went into the sitting room and was found by the family, a few minutes later, lying on the floor almost gone. A neighbor, who chanced to be near, was summoned and found him quite dead. Mr. G. leaves a wife and ten children who mourn a very affectionate husband and father. The funeral services were conducted by Pastor WIDNEY, in the presence of a very large concourse of friends, at the late residence of the deceased, after which the remains were taken to the Chandler Cemetery for burial. Mr. G. lacked but 14 days of being 67 years of age. He was highly esteemed by his neighbors, as was witnessed by the large concourse at the burial. His residence was Piatt county, two and a quarter miles south and one mile east of Weldon.
Samuel P. GLENN
July 28, 1882
Clinton Public
Death of Samuel P. Glenn.
Samuel P. GLENN, one of the pioneers of DeWitt county, died at his home in Waynesville township on last Sunday morning, at the ripe age of eighty-four years. The deceased was born in South Carolina on the 17th day of January, 1798, and after living in Tennessee and Indiana till after he arrived at man’s estate, he came to this county in 1828 and settled on Rock Creek. The farm he first tilled he occupied until the day of his death, a period of over fifty-four years. He was one of the first two men to enter land in DeWitt county. He was first married to Ruth SCOTT in the spring of 1827 and for a second wife married Mary RILEY. By the first marriage he had no children but by the second there was one daughter. Fifty years ago Mr. Glenn was converted and joined the Christian Church, of which denomination he was a faithful and active member during half a century. From 1846 to 1848 he represented DeWitt county in the State legislature and afterwards filled the office of justice of the peace in his township for several years. In the early days of DeWitt county Samuel P. Glenn was one of its most active men and did much by his force of character to elevate the morals of the then sparsely settled county. Of late years he had dropped out of active life and was remembered only by his associates in the early days of Illinois. But few of the old settlers remain with us now, they having gone to join the silent majority.
William GLENN
December 7, 1901
Decatur Review
AGED CLINTON MAN DIES.
Clinton, Ills., Dec. 6—William GLENN, 70 years old and an old settler of this county, died at midnight on Wednesday, at his home on South Center street. He had suffered a stroke of paralysis about a year ago from which he never recovered. He had been in the city nearly forty years. A widow and four children survive.
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd
Mrs. William GLENN
January 9, 1914
Clinton Register
AGED CLINTON WOMAN AT REST.
Was Nearly Four Score Years Old
and Had Lived in DeWitt County Nearly All Her Life.
Mrs. Mary GLENN, who had been in poor health a number of years, died Monday morning about 9 o'clock, aged 78 years.
Deceased was born in Sangamon county, Ill., February 3, 1835, and when quite young came to this county. September 27, 1853 she was wedded to William GLENN. Eight children were born, three of whom, Cicero, George and Harley, all of Clinton, survive. She is also survived by one sister, Melvina HANGER, of Missouri.
Mrs. Glenn's home had been just outside the city limits, at the south end of Center street, about 45 years and surviving all her family except three.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon by Rev. Towle. Burial in Woodlawn.
Lewis GLESSNER
March 21, 1879
Clinton Public
Death of Lewis Glessner.
On Tuesday of last week Mr. W. L. GLESSNER, editor of the Register, received a dispatch from Findlay, Ohio, calling him to the death-bed of his father. On the Thursday following, the elder Mr. GLESSNER died. Some years ago we had the pleasure of forming the acquaintance of the old gentleman when he was visiting his son in this city. Mr. Glessner was one of the old veteran newspaper men, having spent the greater part of a long and useful life in the publishing business. His four sons were educated for the editorial profession, and he had the satisfaction of seeing them grow up prosperous publishers. The loss of a beloved parent no one can estimate who has not passed through that sad trial, and in this time of his sorrow the PUBLIC extends its sympathy to Mr. W. L. Glessner.
From the Findlay (Ohio) Journal we copy the following tribute to the memory of the deceased:
"Mr. Lewis Glessner, editor and proprietor of the Hancock Courier, died on Findlay at the ripe age of sixty-eight years, last Thursday afternoon. He was a thoroughly good man. Though positive in his political views and always fighting in the front ranks of his party—time-serving in nothing—striking telling blows for that which he regarded as the right, yet personally he had as many warm friends among political opponents as in the ranks of his own party that trusted in him implicitly. This was simply because he was always a kind hearted, intelligent gentleman in all his intercourse with the people. In his death the writer loses a friend who has always been true to him even when others flinched. He modestly limited his ambition to a desire to live well, and to accomplish thoroughly what he undertook to do, and refused for the last years of his life to take the political positions within the gift of his party, although well fitted by natural ability and long years of ardent training to fill them well. He published one of the best, if not the best Democratic county paper, and owned the finest local office in the State— an establishment that he had finished long enough to put in first rate order, so as to leave control of the…"(page cut off).
Mrs. W. L. GLESSNER
January 16, 1885
Clinton Public
Death of Mrs. W. L. Glessner.
It will be sad news to many in Clinton and in DeWitt county to learn of the death of Mrs. W. L. GLESSNER, which occurred in Americus, Georgia, on the 7th of January. For about twelve years Mr. and Mrs. Glessner were residents of this city, during which time Mr. GLESSNER was editor of the Register. It was partly on account of the health of his wife, as well as his own, that induced Bro. Glessner to seek a warmer climate, and from time to time word came back to Clinton that the family was benefited by the change. But death had marked Mrs. Glessner as its victim, and there was no escape from the inexorable laws of nature. Mrs. Glessner was a woman of fine literary attainments, and often the columns of the Register were graced with the work of her brain and pen. During the years of the residence of the family in this city Mrs. Glessner was prominent in social life, and she had a large circle of friends who will sympathize with the bereaved husband and children in their sad affliction. In the hour of sorrow words are but poor comfort to the stricken heart. There is, however, a land of better promise, where kindred hearts will be reunited, and to this glad time affliction ever looks for consolation.
Note: The obituary is followed by a 48-line poem written by Mrs. Glessner in 1871.
Sarah (DILLAVOU) GODDEN
April 1, 1887
Clinton Public
Mrs. Sarah S. GODDEN, daughter of Mr. W. R. DILLAVOU, of Creek township, died at her home near Lake Fork, Logan county, on last Friday, after an illness of eleven days. Her eldest daughter died eleven days previous. Mrs. Godden was born in Randolph county, Indiana, on the 28th of June, 1849, and in the fall of 1850 her parents moved to this county. She was united in marriage to John GODDEN on the 20th of February, 1870. Six children were born to them, five boys and one girl. Mrs. Godden leaves a husband and five boys, an aged father, three brothers and two sisters to mourn her death.
Martha (McDONALD) GOOD
March 29, 1898
Paper Unknown
Martha L. (McDONALD) GOOD died at her home in Bellefontaine, Ohio, on Tuesday, March 29, 1898, aged 53 years, 9 months, 2 days. Funeral: M. E. Church April 1st. Burial: City Cemetery, Farmer City.
Submitted by Unknown
Dr. Christopher GOODBRAKE
March 20, 1891
Clinton Public
Major Christopher GOODBRAKE, M. D., Surgeon of the Twentieth Illinois V. I., answered the last roll call on Monday night [March 16], at eleven o’clock. One week ago last Monday he went down to Beason to attend a consultation in a critical case of sickness, and to reach the place had to drive a couple of miles out from the station. The day was raw and chilly, and Dr. Goodbrake caught cold, which resulted in a chill on Tuesday night when he went to bed. Sleeping alone in his office there was no one to call assistance, and he suffered terribly during the next night and till nearly noon the next day, till someone happened to call at his office on business. The doctor was occasionally called away to attend patients in the country, so that nothing was thought of his absence at his boarding-house as he seemed to be in his usual health the evening before. Drs. J. A. EDMISTON and MYERS were summoned to his bedside, and they gave the venerable doctor all the care and attention possible to medical science. From Wednesday the doctor gradually grew worse, and by Sunday the attending physicians had about abandoned all hope of his recovery. The end came suddenly, and on Monday night, at eleven o’clock, Dr. Goodbrake breathed his last. He was conscious down to a few minutes before his death, and while he was unable to speak he recognized his friends by a pressure of the hand.
Dr. Goodbrake was of German origin and was born near Stuttgart on the 14th of June, 1816. Had he lived till next June he would have been seventy-five years old. When he was but five years old his parents emigrated to this country and settled on a farm near Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio. His early life was spent on the farm, and his education was had in the country district schools, supplemented by the lessons his father gave him in the higher branches. In this way Dr. Goodbrake obtained a good English education and a fair knowledge of Latin. After arriving at manhood’s estate he spent three years in Allegheny City, Penn., in the office of a celebrated physician and studied medicine. In the summer of 1840 he began the practice of medicine in Portsmouth, Ohio, where he remained three years, and then returned to Allegheny City. It was slow work for the young doctor to build up a lucrative practice where there were so many older physicians, and being ambitious to win success he left the scenes of his youth and came to Illinois, arriving in Clinton in the year 1847. There are but few living in Clinton now that were here when Dr. Goodbrake came, and we can only recall the names of the Hon. C. H. MOORE, Dr. John WARNER, Col. Thos. SNELL and Mrs. Samuel K. HARROLD. At that time Dr. Warner practiced medicine, and between him and Dr. Goodbrake a friendship was formed that has lasted during all these long years. Practicing medicine in those days was hard and laborious, for the doctors had to make long trips over the unbroken prairies in all kinds of weather, both by night as well as by day.
Before leaving Ohio in 1847, Dr. Goodbrake was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte GLEASON, a native of Brookfield, Mass., and when they came to Clinton they began housekeeping in the house now owned by Mrs. W. E. CARTER. Mrs. Goodbrake died in March 1872, and since that time the doctor has occupied his office as his home, boarding in the neighborhood. In 1876 the doctor began boarding at the home of the editor [Richard BUTLER] of the PUBLIC, and with the exception of one year he called that his home till the hour of his death. In all those years we had an opportunity of studying his life and character, and we bear cheerful testimony to his worth as a man and as a physician.
Being anxious to excel in his profession, Dr. Goodbrake attended a course of lectures in Rush Medical College, Chicago, and in February, 1855, received a diploma from that institution. He had great love for his alma mater, and during the years of his life made almost annual pilgrimages to Chicago to attend its graduating ceremonies. He was credited by the members of the profession with being one of the most skilful surgeons and practitioners in Central Illinois. In nearly all critical cases he was consulted by the younger men in the profession, and rarely, if ever, was his judgment at fault. Till the past few years, when he began to gradually retire from the active duties of his profession, he was the family physician of nearly all the older residents of Clinton and of a large circuit in the country; and even after his advancing years protested against long rides, his old friends went to his office for treatment and counsel.
On the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, Dr. Goodbrake was one among the first to enlist as a private in the first company organized in DeWitt County, which in June of the same year was mustered into the United States service at Joliet as Co. E, Twentieth Illinois Infantry. His reputation as a skilful surgeon and physician secured for him the position of surgeon of the regiment, and he was mustered into the service as a major. Dr. Goodbrake was intensely loyal to the government of his adopted country, and when treason threatened it he left home and wife and child and a lucrative practice to defend the old flag. In 1862 he was taken from the Twentieth and detailed as Surgeon-in-Chief of the Third Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps, which was a part of the grand Army of the Tennessee, and was Surgeon-in-Chief on the staffs of Generals John A. LOGAN, M. D. LEGGETT, and Charles R. WOODS. On the field of battle he was always faithful at the post of duty, and no matter how dangerous the place might be he was always close to the boys to render them his professional aid. No man was more popular in the Third Division with both officers and men than was Dr. Goodbrake. He was with his division in more than a score of hard-fought battles besides skirmishes without number. The doctor was a skilful marksman with the rifle, and it is told of him by his old comrades that often during the siege of Vicksburg he would take a rifle and go out on the advance line and do a little shooting to keep his hand in practice. He served in the army till September, 1864, when he resigned and came home, having served over three years and five months from the date of his enlistment.
Dr. Goodbrake was an enthusiastic member of the Masonic order. He was made a Master Mason in Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1843; took the Royal Arch degrees in Springfield, Ill., in 1852; and in 1857 was created a Knight Templar and Knight of Malta in Apollo Commandery No. 1, in Chicago. In 1884 he received all of the degrees from the fourth to the thirty-second in Oriental Consistory in Chicago, and had reached almost to the summit of Masonic honors. He was one of the early founders of the Masonic order in this city, and when the Chapter was instituted it was christened Goodbrake Chapter in his honor. He removed his membership from the commandery in Chicago and united with the Beaumanoir Commandery in Decatur.
After the incorporation of the City of Clinton he served one year as mayor, but local politics not being congenial to his tastes he retired from the field. For a number of years he was a member of the board of education of this city, and for five consecutive terms filled the office of president of the board.
He took great pride in his profession and was a life member of the American Medical Association, and also a life member of the Illinois State Medical Society, of which he served as president for one year. He was the founder of the DeWitt County Medical Society, was its first president, and for ten years or more has been its secretary. In 1866 he was elected president of the Central Illinois Medical Society. For a number of years he has been that local surgeon of the Illinois Central company in this city, and his professional skill was held in high repute by the chief medical officers of the company.
To write of our old friend has been a work of sorrow. For fourteen years we have sat at the same table, for he was a member of our household. He was a man of kindly nature, and when he had a patient whose case was critical his sympathetic heart would add nerve to his professional skill, and it was only when the crisis was passed that he could be at ease. His life work is finished after having passed nearly five years beyond the allotted three-score and ten. His only child, Mrs. Amanda TAYLOR, and one grandson survive him. The doctor was prudent in financial matters and leaves to his heirs an estate worth from $16,000 to $18,000.
THE FUNERAL.
Dr. Goodbrake was buried on Wednesday afternoon [March 18] in Woodlawn Cemetery. For years before his death he had expressed a desire to have the funeral conducted by Beaumanoir Cammandery of Decatur and the Grand Army of this city. The old soldier was proud of his army record, and well he might be, for he was forty-five years old the day after he was mustered into the service, and in those days but few men of his age were willing to leave the comforts of home for a three-year campaign on the battlefields of the South. And he was also proud of his advancement in Masonry and made arrangements with his Commandery to bury him with the rites of a Knight Templar. The Decatur Commandery sent a representative here on Tuesday to arrange for the funeral, and on Wednesday the Commandery, numbering forty-five, with GOODMAN’s band, came up on a special train. The Commandery at Mt. Pulaski of sixteen members, and twelve Knights came from Farmer City, DeWitt, Weldon, Maroa, and other lodges in this neighborhood. At two o’clock the line was formed and marched to Dr. Goodbrake’s office and escorted his remains to the M. E. Church, where Rev. W. A. HUNTER preached an appropriate sermon. The side pews of the church were so densely packed long before the hours of service that after the Masonic orders were seated in the center pews the doctor’s old comrades of the Grand Army were crowded out, and with the exception of a few who found standing room in the aisles the larger number had to stand out in the street till after the ceremony was completed. The floral pieces were handsome, especially that sent from the Oriental Consistory of Chicago and the piece brought by the Decatur Commandery. The Grand Army had a beautiful arrow in flowers, representing the symbol of the Seventeeth Army Corps, which was made at Moore’s green-house in this city. The selection and arrangement of the flowers in the arrow did credit to the taste of young McABOY. Other pieces were sent by the DeWitt County Medical Society and old friends of the doctor.
After the service in the church the funeral procession took up the line of march to Woodlawn Cemetery. At the request of Mayor HARRIS all of the business houses were closed. The tolling of the bells and the solemn notes of the funeral dirge by Goodman’s band made an impression that will not soon be forgotten. Arriving at the cemetery the Blue Lodge of the Masonic order performed their ritualistic ceremonies, and then came Beaumanoir Commandery with their beautiful and solemn service, which was made more impressive by the rich, deep voice and scholarly reading of the Rev. Mr. GOODWIN, chaplain of the Commandery. As a fitting close the firing squad of Frank Lowry Post fired three rounds over the grave of their venerable comrade, when Orrie HARRISON stepped to the head of the grave and sounded on his bugle “lights out.” This brought the tears to the eyes of many of the old boys and their wives, for the thought came to them which of the veterans would be first to answer the last roll-call and have “lights-out” sounded at his grave.
The last sad rites ended. The old and faithful physician, the patriot soldier, was laid to rest. Dr. Goodbrake was buried in his Commandery uniform and on his left breast was the badge of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Aaron GOODFELLOW
August 8, 1879
Clinton Public
Aaron GOODFELLOW, a prominent citizen of Bloomington, was murdered on the streets of that city last Monday night, a little after nine o'clock, when he was returning to his home. Mr. Goodfellow had been spending the evening playing croquet with some of his neighbors, and as he was walking toward home two men met him on the street, and one of them ordered him to throw up his hands. Mr. Goodfellow, seeing that the fellow had a revolver in his hand, attempted to take it from him when he fired and sent the bullet crashing into Mr. G.'s head. Another shot was immediately fired which took effect in the wounded man's bowels. The assassins then ran off. Mr. Goodfellow lived till Tuesday afternoon, when he died. No reason can be given for this wanton murder, as Mr. Goodfellow stood high in the estimation of the people of Bloomington.
Mrs. Jeff GOSSARD
March 23, 1883
Clinton Public
News came to Wapella the other day that Mrs. Jeff GOSSARD had died at their new home in Nebraska. A year or more ago Mr. Gossard went from this county to Nero, Nebraska, and from all reports he was prospering. This sad affliction will overturn all his bright hopes. His many friends in this county sympathize with him in his sorrow.
Levi GOSSETT
February 8, 1895
Clinton Public
Rev. Levi GOSSETT, father of Conductor J. R. GOSSETT on the Champaign and Havana division, died recently in Sedgwick, Kansas, aged eighty years. He had been in the Methodist ministry for nearly sixty years, and helped organize the first Methodist Church in Champaign County.
John GRADEN
September 16, 1875
Clinton Public
DEATH FROM LIGHTNING.
During the prevalence of the storm on last Thursday [Sept. 9], John GRADEN, a laborer in the employ of Kirk & Bell, was killed by lightning. Mr. Graden lived in a two-story frame house near the Illinois Central freight depot. He was sitting in a room, near the window, in the lower part of the house, smoking his pipe, and had his chair tilted back against the wall in the south end. The lightning struck the chimney, tore down through the siding of the house, and struck poor Graden dead as he sat in his chair. His wife and child were upstairs, preparing for bed, and becoming alarmed at the flashes of lightning started to do downstairs. The shock prostrated them on the stairs, and for a moment they were unconscious. When Mrs. GRADEN reached the room in which her husband was sitting, she saw him sitting upright and a brilliant light, the effects of the electricity, gleaming from his bosom. She called to him and receiving no answer she ran up to him, thinking probably that he had also been stunned. But the vital spark had fled and poor Graden was dead. A doctor was sent for and the neighbors gathered in, but Graden was beyond the power of their kind offices. On Friday his remains were taken to Bloomington for interment. Graden leaves a widow and three children.
Jesse GRAHAM
November 7, 1890
Clinton Public
Jessie GRAHAM, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. GRAHAM, died last Sunday morning of diphtheria. She had been sick for some time, but was thought to have recovered beyond the danger point when there was a relapse. Jessie was a bright and lovable girl of about twelve years, and her death is a sad blow to her parents.
--------------------November 14, 1890
Clinton Public
The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. GRAHAM, of Clinton, have heard with sincere sorrow of the death of their daughter, Jessie E. GRAHAM. After a brief period of suffering she was called to leave a good home and loving friends. On the 2d of November this gentle, loving young life, just beginning to unfold into great beauty and loveliness, ended. She had only reached the age of eleven years, eight months and nine days, but was remarkably bright and developed in patience, trustfulness and kindness. March 23d last she united with the Presbyterian Church, upon profession of her faith, and her answers to questions asked, showed an intelligent understanding of the word of God. She was a member of the Christian Endeavor and Willing Workers Societies. Her constant presence and words were helpful to even those who were older in years. She was a general favorite. Everybody loved her because she seemed to love everybody. Like some brilliant star, Jessie shone here only for a little while, then passed away beyond our sight to shine on forever in intensified beauty in the world of rest, joy and glory. This brief life was not in vain. She still lives in our memory; she lives in Heaven, beckoning the many friends, relatives and companions to come and join her and the multitude in praising Him who said, “Come unto me.” May Our Heavenly Father comfort and bless the bereaved parents.
Samuel GRAHAM
January 31, 1890
Clinton Public
Death of Samuel Graham.
After more than the allotted time of man Judge Samuel GRAHAM departed this life on last Monday at the residence of his son, Dr. S. A. GRAHAM, in Waynesville, aged eighty-three years, five months and thirteen days. Judge Graham was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 13th of August, 1806. He came from a long-lived stock. His father was born in the County Down, Ireland, and when a young man came to this country and settled on a farm in Warren county, Ohio, where he died at the advanced age of one hundred and one years. Judge Graham was raised on a farm, and in September, 1849, he emigrated from Ohio and settled in Waynesville township, where he spent more than thirty years of his life. When he was twenty-three years of age he was united in marriage to Hannah KIRBY, on the 1st of November, 1829. Thirteen children were born to them, nine sons and four daughters, all of whom excepting two are still living. One of the sons died in infancy, and a daughter, Mrs. A. JEFFREY, who died in the summer of 1876. Mrs. Graham died in December, 1876 [should be 1886], aged seventy-six years, and last Tuesday the body of her aged husband was laid to rest by her side in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Four years after coming to this county (in 1853) Judge Graham was elected Associate Justice of the County Court, which office he filled for six years when the adoption of township organization by the county disbanded the court. He was next elected Justice of the Peace, which office he filled till 1865, when he was elected Probate Judge, in which he served four years, being succeeded by Judge Hall. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Judge Graham was a kindly old man and was always pleasant and affable. In his home and in his public life he was the same genial man, beloved by his children and respected by his friends and neighbors. His last sickness was of brief duration, and he died surrounded by all of his children who are now residents of this county.
Mrs. Samuel GRAHAM
December 10, 1886
Clinton Public
Death of Mrs. Samuel Graham.
After seventy-six years spent in this world of happiness, sorrow and care, Mrs. Hannah GRAHAM passed into eternity on Thursday evening, December 9. For the past twelve or fifteen years Mrs. Graham had been an invalid, yet her active nature had kept her up so that she was able to attend to her domestic duties. For several years past Mr. and Mrs. Graham have made their home in this city with their son, Judge GRAHAM. About five weeks ago old Mrs. Graham was stricken down by sickness, and for more than two weeks past her death was hourly expected.
Hannah Graham, whose maiden name was Hannah KIRBY, was born in Warren County, Ohio, November 1, 1810. At the age of nineteen she was married to Samuel GRAHAM, who still survives, although the old gentleman is very feeble in health. Of this union there were thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters. One of the sons died in infancy; all the others lived to manhood and womanhood and are still living, except Mrs. A. JEFFREY, who died last summer. About forty years ago Mr. and Mrs. Graham joined the Universalist Church, and in that faith they lived consistent lives. In September, 1849, they emigrated from Warren county and located near Waynesville, where they resided till about five years ago, when they came to Clinton to make their home with Judge Graham and enjoy peace and quietude in their declining years. All of their children except two are married. It might well be said of Mrs. Graham that she had no faults. She was the embodiment of Christian perfection, the salient traits of her character being that boundless, endless and sublime goodness and charity for her family and neighbors. The funeral services will be at Judge Graham's residence at two o'clock on Sunday afternoon. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.
William Wallace GRAHAM
June 18, 1909
Clinton Register
CLINTON CITIZEN DIES SUDDENLY.
Had Been to Church and to Weldon
Springs Sunday and Passed Away Early Monday Morning.
Perhaps no death of a Clinton citizen for several years was more of a shock to the people of the city than was that of W. W. GRAHAM, who died at three o'clock Monday morning. They had seen him about the streets Saturday, and many had seen him Sunday, as he was at church in the morning and in the afternoon was at Weldon Springs. When he and his wife returned home in the evening he complained of not feeling well and not resting well during the night on account of pains. Just before three o'clock he requested his wife to telephone his brother, Dr. S. A. GRAHAM, to come at once. She did so, but when she returned to the bed he was dead. It would seem he realized death was near when he asked that his brother come at once.
With his passing away, one of the oldest and most prominent families in the county has lost one of its most honorable members. Perhaps no man of his age had so few enemies and so many friends. He never meddled with the affairs of others, and was honest in all his dealings. He had spent most of his life on a farm in Barnett township, the other years being spent in Clinton. He served one term as county clerk, two terms as overseer of the DeWitt county poor farm, and two months ago was elected clerk of Clintonia township for the third time in succession. He was also public administrator. He had always been a Republican. In religion a Presbyterian he had long been identified with that church and was one of its most prominent and influential members.
Deceased was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 23, 1837, and lived 71 years, 6 months and 21 days. In 1849 his father, Samuel GRAHAM, moved to DeWitt county and located on a farm in the western part of the county. His first marriage was to Miss Hattie CUSHMAN of Waynesville and three children were born to them: Clayton and Frank live in New York, and Norvel lives in Barnett township on a farm. His wife died about twenty years ago, and he was married 2 years later to Miss Rose EDMISTON, who with 2 children, Mrs. Fred H. MAGILL and Lloyd, survives him. Two are dead. He is also survived by the following brothers: George B., Fresno, Cal.; Dr. Samuel A., Clinton; Judge John M., Kingfisher, Ok.; Joseph, Grand Island, Neb.; and a sister, Miss Alice, of Bloomington.
The funeral was held from the residence at three o'clock Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. H. FULTON. Interment at Woodlawn. The pall bearers were G. K. INGHAM, John FULLER, W. H. OGLEVEE, C. M. FULLER, William MATTHEWS and Charles WILLIAMSON.
Julia (SMITH) McCONKEY GRANT
1944
Paper Unknown
LAST RITES FOR MRS. U.S. GRANT.
Julia Belle Grant passed away after a week's illness at Medicine Hat General Hospital on November 27, 1944, at the age of seventy. She was born in DeWitt County, Illinois, U.S.A., married Mr. U.S. Grant and came to Canada, where they homsteaded at Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan approximately forty years ago. They moved to Medicine Hat district in the year 1912, where they resided until 1927, when the returned to Yellow Grass and lived there until April of this year, when the moved to Medicine Hat to their home at 367 Sixth Street. Mrs. Grant was much loved by her many friends and will be remembered as one who had a very fine appreciation of beauty. She was a great lover of flowers and was gifted with a talent for expressing her art in fancy work of various kinds.
The funeral services were conducted in Pattison's Funeral Home by Rev. S. H. Irving of Fifth Avenue United Church, who was the conveyor of a very fine tribute from a former pastor, Rev. J. C. Hartley, who was at one time minister at the United Church at Yellow Grass. Mr. Hartley referred to Mrs. Grant as an "exceptionally fine woman, dependable in her church and Christian in character".
She is survived by her husband, Mr. U.S. Grant and daughter, Mrs. J. C. Daniel, her brother, Mr. A.T. Smith of St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S.A., and two granddaughters, Marjorie and Wilma.
The pallbearers were Messrs. W. W. Oliver, C.V. Gilman, J.D. Tufford, J. I. Trotman, A. G. Finch, and R. E. Keating. Internment was made in the family plot in Hillside Cemetery.
Note: Julia Belle Smith was the daughter of George Jackson Smith and Julia Angeline (Bell) Smith; she married (1) Lloyd F. McConkey 11/28/1895; and married (2) U.S. Grant.
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd
Charles GRAVES
December 6, 1889
Clinton Public
Disappointment in Love Caused Charles Graves to Commit Suicide.
Last Monday afternoon Coroner Cyrus Jones was notified that the body of a young man was found in a field near a by-road four miles south of this city. The coroner went out and found the body of Charles GRAVES with a gunshot wound in the heart, and every indication pointed to a case of suicide. One week ago last Tuesday Charles Graves borrowed a double-barreled shotgun from Charley HOAG and then started from Clinton, and when within a quarter of a mile of Tom DAVIS's house, where his mother lived, he killed himself. That same night it rained and snowed, and the following two days snow fell to the depth of three or four inches, which covered the body, and it was not till the thaw last Saturday that the body could have been seen. Saturday evening Graves's relatives became anxious on account of his long absence, and on Monday when Tom Davis, who is a half brother of Graves, was going to a neighbor's he found the body of young Graves in the field about sixty feet from the roadside. An inquest was held and a verdict of death by his own hand rendered. On Tuesday young Graves was buried in Rose Cemetery, west of Lane station, by the side of his father.
Charles Graves was twenty-three years of age and was above the average farm boy in point of education. He was quite a reader and was generally well informed in current matters of history. His mother owned about twenty acres of land in Texas township, and this Charles tilled till about a year ago, when he sold his interest to Tom Davis. After leaving home, he worked during the spring and a part of the summer by the month for other farmers, and last July, when he received the $100 for his interest in the land, he came to Clinton and boarded with his brother-in-law, William TURNEY. Charles got acquainted with a girl living here in town and wanted to marry her, but it seems she was not matrimonially inclined. As the story goes, she played fast and loose with his affections but managed to keep him on the string. Once or twice Charley became so discouraged over his failure to get a wife that he took heavy doses of a deadly drug, but not taking quite enough to accomplish the purpose, it had the effect to make him deathly sick. Not long ago he told his sister that if the girl went back on him again his "name would be Dennis." He made a final attempt to bring matters to a focus on Monday or Tuesday of last week and, failing in the effort, he foolishly concluded to end his young life with a shotgun. On the 25th of last July he insured his life in the New York Life Insurance Company for $1000, payable to his mother in case he should die first. The old lady is nearly blind, and is now about fifty-seven years old. She is living with Tom Davis, a son by a former marriage. The family feels grateful to the kind friends who came to their assistance.
Sarah (CARLOCK) GRAVES
March 21, 1890
Clinton Public
Mrs. GRAVES, the mother of Charles GRAVES who committed suicide in Texas township about three months ago, died last Saturday at the home of her son, I. T. DAVIS. Mrs. Graves had completely lost her sight and about a year ago her youngest son, Charles, insured his life for $1000 for her benefit. The agent of the company was Captain Lee McGRAW. About a week before she died the company sent her a draft for the $1000. This will now go to her other children.
Note: Sarah Ann Carlock married (1) Nelson Bailey 02/25/1849, (2) Christopher Davis 12/25/1853, and (3) Samuel Graves 10/13/1864.
GRAY (child)
November 10, 1899
Clinton Register
The little child of Mr. GRAY reported burned, died Wednesday night. A sad death indeed, and Mr. and Mrs. Gray have the sympathy of everyone.
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd
--------------------November 10, 1899
Clinton Register
WELDON.
The remains of the little one year old child of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. GRAY of Weldon, which died from the effects of a scald, will be laid to rest in the Weldon cemetery today.
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd
Mrs. Richard GRAY
January 27, 1899
Clinton Public
Mrs. Richard GRAY died Tuesday night at her home 2 miles east of Lanes, aged 24 years. She had been sick only a week, and the news of her death was a shock to her many friends in the eastern part of the county. Besides her husband, deceased leaves two children, aged 4 and 1½ years respectively.
Worship GRAY
August 26, 1904
Clinton Register
DEATH OF AN OLD CITIZEN.
One of Weldon's Prominent Men Dies
While Away from Home—
Funeral at Weldon Tuesday.
Worship GRAY, Sr., of Weldon, was stricken with paralysis about two weeks ago while visiting his son, Worship, at Dunkel, near Pana. There was little hope of his recovery from the first, and he died Saturday evening. The remains were taken to Weldon Sunday and funeral services were held Tuesday. Deceased was born in Ireland in 1831, and came to this country with his parents when about 15 years old, and after remaining in New York four years, came to Illinois. He was married in 1862, and is survived by his wife and three sons, William, a doctor in Champaign; Fred, of Chicago; and Worship, of Dunkel. He lived in or near Weldon many years and was one of its leading citizens. He was a Democrat and always much interested in the success of his party.
Levi Wyman GREEN
Friday, January 3, 1916
Clinton Daily Public
PNEUMONIA KILLS AGED MAN.
L. W. Green, of Kenney, Sick Only Few
Hours –
L. W. Green, a well known resident of Kenney, passed away at his home in that city Sunday morning at 9 o’clock. His death was the result of quick pneumonia, he having been sick but two days. Mr. Green had been in poor health for the last two years, but his illness was never serious until Saturday when he was taken ill with pneumonia.
Member of Four Lodges.
Mr. Green was born in Ohio and was about seventy years of age at the time of his death. He was a member of the local order of the Masons, being a master Mason since 1871, of the I. O. O. F., Knights of Pythlas and the Court of Honor at Kenney.
He is survived by his wife and the following sons and daughter, D. C. (Djalma Carl) Green, Florissant, Colo.; C. W. (Clifford Wilson) Green, of Storm Lake, Ia.; Hal Green, of Iowa; Bert Green, of Kenney; Fuller Green at home; Newton Green, of Indiana, and Bunn, who left last Tuesday for Delaware, and Mrs. W. J. (William J.) Miller, of 508 South Center Street, Clinton. No funeral arrangements have been made.
Note: Levi Wyman Green died on Sunday, 2 Jan 1916.
Submitted by Mike Malerich
--------------------January 7, 1916
Kenney Gazette (Kenney, Illinois)
Levi Wyman Green, son of Samuel and Hulda Green, was born in Vinton county, Ohio January 26, 1947. He was the second of a family of three sons, his mother dying when they were young.
The family moved to Ross County Ohio. From there Mr. Green came to Illinois in 1868 and has been a resident of DeWitt county until his death on January 2, 1916, being 68 years, 11 months and 8 days of age.
He was married to Sarah Icyphenie Davenport November 26, 1871, by Joseph E Cain at the Davenport homestead west of Kenney, Illinois, where he spent his last days.
To this union were born nine children – eight sons and one daughter; one son dying in infancy, the wird and eight children survive as follows:
D. C. (Djalma Carl) Green, Florrisant Colo; Lillie G., wife of W. J. (William J.) Miller, Clinton, Illinois; A. S. (Albert Stratford) Green, Kenney; L. H. (Levi Hallett), Gilmore City, Iowa; I. N. (Ivan Newton), New Castle, Indiana; Bunn, Washington, D.C.; Fuller, at home; Clifford, Storm Lake, Iowa.
He also leaves two brothers, Eli B. Green, of Marengo, Iowa; Albert W., West Bend, Iowa; two half brothers, Rufus Green, of Stroud, Oklahoma; Ezra of North Dakota, four half sisters, Mrs. D. A. (David A.) Copper, Kenney; Mrs. E. T. (Elijah T.) Jett, Kenney; Miss Anna Green, Chestnut; Mrs. Will Smedley of Indiana.
The following grandchildren survive: Maurine and Mareece, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Miller; Clifford, Nolan and Merle, sons of L. H. Green; Carl, son of D. C.; Leota, Ellis and Myron, children of A. S.; Frances, Agnes, Arnold and Mildred, children of I. N.
The mother and all the sons and daughter were present at the funeral which was held Thursday morning at ten o’clock from the late residence. Rev. A. W. McDavitt, pastor of the Universalist church of Clinton, officiating. Interment was made in Pleasant Valley cemetery, DeWitt. Lodge No. 84 A. F. and A. M. of Clinton having charge of the funeral and the pall bearers all being Masons of Henderson Lodge No. 820 of Kenney, were Messrs. L. M. Glaebrook, Perry Wene, Frank Stoutenborough, W. A. Butler, and C. T. McLean.
Mr. Green was made Master Mason in July 1871 at Clinton and has ever since held his membership there. He was also a member in good standing of the following orders, holding his membership in Kenney lodges, I. O. O. F., K. of P., M. W. of A. and Court of Honor.
Submitted by Mike Malerich
Sarah Icyphene (DAVENPORT) GREEN
December 13, 1922
Clinton Daily Public
ICYPHENE GREEN AGED 75, DEAD.
Well Known Kenney Woman Succumbs—
Funeral Thursday
Mrs. Icyphene GREEN, widow of L.W. GREEN, died Monday night at her home in Kenney, at the age of 75 years.
Icyphene DAVENPORT, daughter of Levi and Mary DAVENPORT, was born in Clinton, December 18, 1847. She made her home here a number of years previous to her marriage to Levi Green, after which she moved to Tunbridge township. Mr. Green died in 1914.
Surviving are the following children: D. C. (Djalma Carl) GREEN, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Mrs. W. J. (William J.) MILLER, of Clinton; Albert, Fuller, and Clifford GREEN, of Kenney; Hal GREEN, of Storm Lake, Iowa; Bunn GREEN, of New Brunswich, Canada. There is also a sister, Mrs. Catherine WILLIAMS, of Clinton, and a brother, Djalma DAVENPORT, of Creston, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock from the Christian church in Kenney, in charge of Rev. R. L. Cartwright of Clinton. Burial will be made in Pleasant Valley cemetery.
Note: She was not born in Clinton; she was born near Kenney. Her husband died in 1916, not 1914.
Submitted by Mike Malerich
--------------------December 15, 1922
Kenney Gazette (Kenney, Illinois)
MRS. ICYPHENIE GREEN DEPARTS THIS LIFE.
After One Year Intense Suffering.
Almost Seventy-Five Years Spent In This Community.
Mrs. Icyphenie GREEN passed away at the family residence in Kenney Monday evening at 9:04 o’clock, after an illness extending over the past year, the last eight weeks of which she was confined to her bed. Had she lived one week longer she would have attained her seventy-fifth birthday. Mrs. Green was a woman of true motherly instincts, not only to her own family, but to all with whom she came in contact.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) from the Christian church, Rev. R. L. Cartwright officiating, and burial will be made in Pleasant Valley cemetery, west of Kenney.
Sarah Icyphenie DAVENPORT, daughter of Levi and Mary DAVENPORT, was born December 18, 1847, on a farm near Kenney. When she was about ten years old her parents purchased the farm west of town, now occupied by her son, A. S. GREEN, and known as the Davenport farm. She was married to Levi Wyman GREEN November 26, 1871, who departed this life January 2, 1916. Mrs. Green resided on the farm until six years ago, when she moved to Kenney and has made her home here since that time.
Until within recent years Mrs. Green was active in church and lodge affairs, being a member of the Christian church, and of the Order Eastern Star, White Shrine, Pythian Sisters, and Rebekahs.
She leaves to mourn, one sister, Mrs. Catherine WILLIAMS, of Clinton, Illinois; one brother, Djalma DAVENPORT, Custer, Iowa; seven children as follows: D. C. (Djalma Carl), Cheyenne, Wyoming; Lillie MILLER, Clinton, Illinois; A. S. (Albert Stratford), Kenney; L. H. (Levi Hallett), Rembrandt, Iowa; Bunn, Newcastle, N.B. Canada; Fuller and Clifford, of Kenney. Brother and sister and all the children are present for the funeral. One child, Newton died May 22, 1918.
Submitted by Mike Malerich
Henry S. GREENE
March 3, 1899
Clinton Public
DEATH OF HENRY S. GREENE.
The Eminent Jurist Died Saturday at his Home
in Springfield.
WAS A PARTNER OF C. H. MOORE
He was Prominent in the Early
History of Clinton Where he Lived and Practiced Law.
Henry S. GREENE, one of the leading attorneys of Central Illinois, died Saturday after an illness of many weeks’ duration, his disease being a complicated stomach trouble. He was born in the north of Ireland in 1833, and was taken by his mother, after the death of his father, to Canada, in 1838. In 1853 he entered upon the study of law in Danville, and in 1857 removed to Clinton, where he taught school and continued his study of law in the office of Hon. C. H. MOORE, and was admitted to the bar from this office. He afterwards formed a partnership with Mr. MOORE, and for a number of years the firm was one of the strongest in the state. In 1863 he was appointed states attorney for the eighth judicial district. One of the most noted cases tried by him to this capacity was The People vs. Wm. BURNES, for the murder of a man at Concord, in McLean county. The case was brought here in a change of venue from McLean. Mr. GREENE’s opponent in this case was the noted Leonard SWEAT. After a hard legal battle Mr. GREENE succeeded in proving his man guilty to the satisfaction of the jury, but a new trial was granted on error. Mr. GREENE being retired from the office of states attorney, the man was afterward acquitted. In 1868 he was elected to the legislature and served one term, after which he located in Springfield and practiced law.
In 1872 Judge GREENE delivered a decoration day address in Woodlawn cemetery here in which he spoke of his close association to DeWitt county. He felt that this was his home, and that the families of Clinton were endeared to him. So great was the emotion of this speaker that he frequently broke down during his address. When the DeWitt county court house was dedicated Judge GREENE was to deliver the dedicatory address, but was unable to speak and his address was read by Prof. B. F. STAMATES, and those who heard it say that it was a (?) effort, and one long to be remembered by the citizens of this county.
Deceased was a powerful attorney in the interests of railroads and at one time was confidential advisor of Jay GOULD, traveling with him in a special car on a number of occasions. Mr. GREENE was not like many brilliant lawyers, a conversationalist. He was quiet, unassuming, (?) possessing that personal magnetism which gained the confidence of associates and respect of the community. A remarkable trait in his disposition was that he never led in discussions, but appeared to be a listener more than a participant. He was unselfish and plain in dress, nothing in his manner indicating aristocracy, pomp and dignity being foreign to his nature. No flowery oratory characterized his speeches, his sentences being plain and of the most forcible English. Everything was sacrificed for a directness of meaning.
Inasmuch as Judge GREENE began his public life in Clinton and so often spoke of his attachment to DeWitt county, we mourn his loss as deeply as though he had been a citizen of this community.
At the funeral of Judge GREENE in Springfield Monday, the following distinguished gentlemen acted as pallbearers: Circuit Judge James A. CREIGHTON, Hon. Lloyd F. HAMILTON, State Treasurer Floyd K. WHITTEMORE, Attorney Logan HAY, United States District Attorney J. Otis HUMPHREY, and Hon. Riley KELLY, of Omaha, Neb., general solicitor of the Union Pacific railroad and a former student in the law office of Judge GREENE. The honorary pallbearers were George N. BLACK, Hon. David T. LITTLER, Rev. T. D. LOGAN, pastor of the First Presbyterian church; Edwin A. WILSON, Col. J. J. KELLY, of Lincoln, Neb., father of Riley KELLY; Charles RIDGELY, United States District Judge W. J. ALLEN, former Governor Richard J. OGLESBY, of Elkhart; former Senator John M. PALMER, former Governor Joseph W. FIFER, and John CHENEY, of Bloomington.
Submitted by Debbie Champion
Melvina (McGRAW) GRIER
September 16, 1881
Clinton Register
Mrs. Melvina GRIER, wife of Wm. H. GRIER, died at her residence east of this city on Monday, Sept. 12, after a long and painful illness. On the 3d day of February, 1874, she was stricken with paralysis, and from that day could not articulate an intelligible word, and for the past five years was unable to take a step or feed herself. During these long and weary years her husband, with rare patience and devotion, attended to her wants and soothed her weary life. She was a daughter of Judge John J. McGRAW, being born December 15, 1830, with the present limits of DeWitt county, then Tazewell county, and resided near Clinton up to the time of her death. She became a member of the M. E. Church when quite young and remained a consistent member. Rev. G. W. HENNING officiated at the funeral services, which took place on Tuesday, and were largely attended.
Note: Melvina McGraw was married to (1) William S. Cundiff 10/01/1849, (2) Oliver Lakin 09/04/1862, and (3) William H. Grier 10/11/1866.
Elias GRIFFIN
December 25, 1891
Clinton Public
Elias GRIFFIN died at his home in Kenney, last Sunday evening, and on Tuesday afternoon he was buried in New Providence Baptist Church cemetery. The old ’ Squire was a prominent figure in Republican politics in this county, and there was never a county convention since the organization of the party to which he was not a delegate. Elias Griffin was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in the year 1818, and when he was a young man he was a school teacher. On the 26th of February, 1839, he was united in marriage to Mary STAYNER, who survives him. They were the parents of eleven children all of whom are living except two boys they gave to their country in the late war. John M. was a member of Co. E, Twentieth Illinois, and James A. enlisted in the Forty-first Illinois. ’Squire Griffin came to Illinois in 1852 and landed in Clinton on Christmas day. The greater part of his life was spent in Tunbridge township, where he held the office of Justice of the Peace for thirty years or more. He never had a case reversed by the circuit court, which is a remarkable showing for a country justice. In the early days in Tunbridge there were but five Republicans in that township, but that five never missed an election and always stood up to be counted. Notwithstanding that ’Squire Griffin was an uncompromising Republican yet he failed but once in being elected to the office of justice of the peace. The people knew that he was honest and capable, and they elected him year after year. At the age of seventy-three years, after a brief illness, he was called from earth. His aged wife was sick at the time of his death and was confined to her bed. Two years ago the government granted Mrs. Griffin a pension on account of the death of her son John M., who lost his life at Fort Donelson.
Jeff GRIFFIN
February 9, 1900
Clinton Register
A SMALLPOX VICTIM.
Jeff Griffin, of DeWitt, Died at the Home of
Mrs. Walters, Near Swisher, of that Disease.
About a month ago a son of Mrs. WALTERS, near Swisher, returned from Dixon, where he was attending school, and soon had what was pronounced smallpox, though in a mild form. Four others of the family had the disease but none of them became dangerous. Jeff GRIFFIN, of DeWitt, was carpentering at Walter's home when the first son took the disease and was quarantined. About two weeks ago he took the disease and died Tuesday morning. It is said the doctor, from Leroy, did not consider the case dangerous the day before his death. He was nearly 40 years old and leaves a wife and five children. His brother, L. McDONALD, lives in Clinton. The deceased was buried in the cemetery near DeWitt. Miss Flaherty, who was teaching the Swisher school and was quarantined at the Walter's home, has not taken the disease.
Nettie L. GRIFFIN
February 10, 1882
Clinton Public
Nettie L. GRIFFIN, granddaughter of Mrs. Sarah KIRKLEY, died at the home of an aunt in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, on last Saturday. The deceased young lady had lived in this city the greater part of her life, her home being with her grandmother. About two years ago she graduated from the high school in this city, and was considered one of the brightest scholars of her class. By close application to study she fitted herself for the duties of a teacher, and for one term taught one of the district schools in Tunbridge township. Her health failing, she was compelled to give up a profession for which she was eminently qualified. Some months ago she went to Mechanicsburg, Ohio, hoping that a change of location might help her, but the seeds of consumption had so rapidly undermined her constitution that she grew worse instead of better. She longed to return to Clinton, but it was not deemed safe for her to undergo the journey. Last Saturday her spirit took its flight from earth to heaven. Miss Griffin was only twenty years of age.
Bayard GRIFFITH
November 21, 1890
Clinton Public
At his home farm in Harp township, on last Sunday [Nov. 16], Bayard GRIFFITH, one of the early settlers of this county, departed this life. For several months he had been a great sufferer from diabetes, and for some time there had been no hopes of his recovery. He came to this county over fifty years ago, when he was but twenty-six years of age, and by prudence and industry became an extensive land owner. His home farm contains over sixteen hundred acres, and he was the owner of as much more land in Kansas and other Western States. He was a great believer in land investments as being the safest form of wealth. The funeral took place on Monday.
Mrs. S. J. GRIFFITH
March 18, 1887
Clinton Public
Died.—At the residence of her son, George A. GRIFFITH, in Perrysville, Ohio, December 24, 1886, Mrs. S. J. GRIFFITH, wife of Dr. J. W. GRIFFITH, aged sixty-one years. It is needless to say one word of commendation on the life and character of this kind-hearted, pure-minded woman. It would be a useless task to try to describe her amiable and sweet disposition, for which she was characterized from her cradle to her grave. Her disease was consumption and her sufferings were very great, but she bore her affliction patiently, and bowed submissively to the will of her father. As she neared the tomb her Christian hope grew brighter and brighter—so much so that she longed to go and dwell with Jesus. She has left many near relatives and friends to mourn her death.
George W. GRINER
March 27, 1914
Clinton Register
AGED MIDLAND RESIDENT.
Passed Away at His Home on Thursday Evening
of Last Week—
60 Years in This County.
One of the oldest residents of Midland City passed to his final reward at his home at 7:40 Thursday evening of last week.
George W. GRINER, who had lived at the home where he died for fifty-nine years, was one of the best known men in that section of the country. He was only ill about three days, suffering a stroke of paralysis on Tuesday preceding his death, and never regaining consciousness. The immediate members of his family and a number of friends were at the bedside when the end came.
Deceased was born near Bridgeport, Marion county, N. J., June 22, 1835, being the son of and sixth child of Wm. and Ann (BROOKS) GRINER. He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Rachel SAMUELS, who is 84 years old, two half-sisters, and a half-brother, the latter three residing in Indiana.
Mr. Griner, while a child, came with his parents first to Indiana in 1838. Mr. Griner came to Illinois in 1853, and in 1855 was united in marriage to Mary COPPENBARGER, November 25, 1855. Seven children were the fruits of this union. They are Rachel TROWBRIDGE; Charles, who died in infancy; Nancy A. KIMMEL, who died at Leona, Mo., in 1901; Geo. B. GRINER, at home; Olive M. DECKER; Mary W. JENKINS; and Ida M. ANDERSON. In addition there are surviving seventeen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Deceased had been a member of the Christian church since boyhood. He had always lived a Christian life and was loved and respected by all who knew him.
Funeral services were held from the home at 12 o'clock Sunday, conducted by Rev. T. T. HOLTON, a former pastor and old friend of the family. Following the services remains were brought by special train to Clinton and interment was made in Woodlawn.
Eli W. GROVES
August 13, 1868
Clinton Public & Central Transcript
In Barnett Township, Aug. 5th, Eli W. GROVES, aged 35 years. Mr. Groves was a member of Co. A. 107th Illinois Regiment, fought in the war against the great rebellion, and was badly wounded in the right arm while fighting for his country. His body now lies in the soldiers' burying ground in this city.
Eugene GROVES
September 7, 1906
Clinton Register
WELL KNOWN CITIZEN DEAD.
Was Raised in DeWitt County and It Had
Been His Home Most of His Life—
Funeral Tuesday.
Eugene GROVES, of DeWitt, one of the best known men in the eastern part of the county, died at his home, about 4 o’clock Sunday morning, aged 47. He had been sick several weeks and his death was not unexpected.
Eugene E. Groves was born at DeWitt April 25, 1859, and that had been his home most of the time. When a young man, he became a telegraph operator for the Central and served several years at other towns before being sent to DeWitt. About 16 years ago he resigned to work insurance which he had since done.
December 11, 1883, he was married to Miss Lillie McCONKEY, who died several years ago. Of the five children born to them, four are living, Mont, Otis, Luther, Stillman and Luella. He is also survived by his mother and three brothers, Chas., of Rankin; John, of Bloomington; and Barnett, of Mt. Auburn. Oct. 17, 1900, he was married to Miss Eva BOTKIN, of Clinton, who survives him.
He was a member of the C. P. church of DeWitt, and was an upright citizen, and his numerous friends are pained to learn of his death. Funeral services were held Tuesday conducted by Rev. Forbes. Burial in DeWitt cemetery.