SAMUEL BRIDGES SMITH , passed away Sunday morning at four o’clock at the home of his niece, Mrs. Emma Hall at 333 Oak Street , Clinton , Iowa . Death ended for him a helpless struggle, and many times within the past few years he had wished that his passing was closer at hand. Always active and of good health, he suffered a paraletic stroke in 1919 and since that time he has been an invalid, and has not been able to leave his bed for the last five years. Following his stroke he was cared for by his daughter, Mrs. Alfred Schmaling until her health gave way and following her death he has made his home with his niece, Mrs. Hall and she has done everything to make his last passing days as comfortable as possible. Mr. Smith was on eof our early business men in Thomson and throughout his long life was one of the most familiar figures upon our streets for many years. For years he resided on the banks of the slough and built himself a nice comfortable home with a large open fireplace and spent his time with nature, in the woods and on the waters. While his passing is regretted, yet all realize that it is the best, as the future held forth no pleasures – just innumerable days in bed, suffering with pain and helpless as a child. Samuel Bridges Smith was born in Waterbury , Vermont on September 30, 1841 and passed away May 3, 1925 in Clinton , Iowa . His early youth was spent in the east, and following their removal from there he resided in York Township until five years ago. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company C, 92nd Illinois Infantry and in the spring of 1864 was assigned to Kilpatrick’s Cavalry. He made the famous march to the sea with Sherman . On May 18, 1870 he was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Burt. To this union, three children were born, Hattie May, Ernest, and Elvia (Mrs. Alfred Schmaling), all of whom preceded him in death as well as his wife. He is survived by two nieces, Cara Swaney of Chicago and Mrs. Hall with whom he made his home, and a nephew, Charles Brown of Dubuque . Funeral services were held at the Hall home in Clinton at two o’clock on Tuesday afternoon with burial in the Dunshee cemetery. Rev. E. G. Hunt of Chicago officiated. As many of the members of the Grand Army of the Republic as were able attended in a body.
Contributed by Alice Horner - Note: The Dunshee cemetery was renamed the Lower York Cemetery.
From Thursday, May 9, 1925 Thomson Review

WILLIAM M. SMITH - Funeral services were held this afternoon for William M. Smith, 88 pioneer resident who died Sunday morning at 1:30 o'clock in the home of Ward Gillespie, near Mt. Carroll. Services were held in the home of a son, Orville, with the Rev. R.H. Seitner, pastor of Mt. Carroll First Baptist church in charge. Burial was made in Oak Hill cemetery. William Smith was born Dec. 2 1849, near Mt. Carroll and his entire life was lived in this community. His wife preceded him in death a number of years ago. Surviving are four sons, Orville, Oscar, Elmer, and Emery, all of Mt. Carroll and a daughter, Mrs. Chester Gillogly, Lanark.
Freeport Journal Standard 06 Sept. 1938

WILLIAM ROBINSON SMITH was born near Chambersburg, Pa., May 14, 1814 and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Adam Fulrath, March 1st, 1893, aged 78 years, 9 months, and 17 days. Father Smith was married to Elizabeth Stouffer in the year 1838, who preceded him to the better world November 23rd, 1884. He emigrated to the state of Illinois and settled in Carroll County in the year 1855 where he remained about nine years, when he removed to Jones Co., Iowa, remaining about five years and then returning to Carroll County where he spent the rest of his life. Father Smith was converted about fifty-four years ago, and joined the United Brethren Church in which he lived a strict conscientious Christian life, adorning his profession by letting his light shine in actions of righteousness. Having Quarterly conference license, he frequently preached, as the Spirit gave utterance, and the people were glad to hear him. In the last two years of his life he became quite a helpless invalid, having lost his hearing, speech and memory, caused by sunstroke and partial paralysis. It was a burden to himself and doubly so to those who attended him. But a dutiful daughter and son-in-law kindly and patiently cared for and nursed this aged father. Surely they will have their reward! One son died in the defense of his country; and four daughters and one son, with a number of grandchildren, are left to mourn his departure. But in the sweet by and by if faithful, they will all meet on that beautifuf shore. A large concourse of people listened to a sermon from Rev 14:13 by Rev. E.T. Smith, assisted by the writer John J. Margileth. (Contributed by Donald L. Boyd)

ESTHER STENQUIST , 79, Lanark, a retired school teacher died Saturday morning in the Good Samaritan Center at Mt. Carroll where she had been a patient for the past two months. Funeral services were held Monday at 10 ;a.m. in the Frank Funeral Home, Lanark, with the Rev. Wallace Johnson, Mt. Carroll Lutheran Church and the Rev. Paul Aphalt, Lanark Lutheran Chukrch, officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll. Miss Stenquist was born Sept. 7, 1891, in Woodland Township, Mt. Carroll, to Andrew and Augusta Bjork Stenquist. Survivors include one brother Andrew, Lanark, and one sister, Augusta, Lanark, who is presently a patient at the Good Samaritan Center, Mt. Carroll. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
Contributed by Melva Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois January 11, 1971 - Monday, pg 2

LEONA (SCHREINER) STOVER , entered into eternal rest on Friday Sept. 21, 2007. She was a resident of The Good Samaritan Home in Mt. Carroll. She was 98 years old. She was born June 9, 1909 to Fred and Bertha (Hoffman) Schreiner in rural Chadwick. She spent her early years in Carroll and Whiteside counties and attended Whiteside County Schools. She worked several years for Dr. Fitzgerald in Morrison and then owned and operated a restaurant in Chadwick with her cousin, Ester Handel for 12 years. She married Howard Stover on Jan. 27, 1934. They farmed in the Milledgeville area for 47 years, retiring in 1981 and moving to Milledgeville. She was a longtime member of the Dutchtown Church of The Brethren. Her church and her family were always foremost in her life, a life that was rich in love and compassion. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and crocheting. Survivors include one daughter, Norma Jane (Ken) Workman of Auburn, IN; one son, Dr. Arman Stover, Lanark; one brother, Merlyn (Marion) Schreiner, Chadwick; along with five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one step great grandson. Her parents; husband; one brother, Wilbur Schreiner; and an infant sister, Alberta, precede Leona in death. Services were held on Monday, Sept. 24, 2007 at 11 A.M. at the Dutchtown Church of the Brethren near Milledgeville with Pastor Rick Koch officiating. Visitations were from 10 A.M. until time of service at the church. Interment was at the Lanark Cemetery. A memorial has been established in her memory. Russell-Frank Funeral Home assisted with Arrangements.
Contributed by Lori Gilbert

ALVERTA (WIRTJES) SWORD , 71, of Shannon died Monday, Sept. 9, 1996, at Freeport Memorial Hospital. She and her husband farmed until their retirement in 1980. She had been a school teacher at Evergreen Country School, and was a substitute teacher at Shannon, Lanark, Forreston and Freeport schools. She was a member of Cherry Grove Church of the Brethren, Lanark. Her pastimes included reading and gardening. Daughter of Christ and Fannie (DeWall) Wirtjes, she was born Aug. 16, 1925, at Florence Station. She and Eldon Sword were married Dec. 25, 1946, at Shannon. He died Sept. 7, 1996. Surviving family members include three sons, Wayne (Mary Anne) Sword of Shannon, John (Julie) Sword of Forreston and Jason (Sally Bowers) Sword of Forreston; a daughter, Sharon (Larry) Butt of Machesney Park; eight grandchildren; and a brother, Donald Wirtjes of Minden, NV. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a twin sister, Alberta, in infancy, and a grandson, Adrian Sword. Funeral service will be 11 A.M. Thursday at Cherry Grove Church of the Brethren with the Rev. Roger Harding of Cherry Grove Church of the Brethren and the Rev. Dan Rusmisel of Lanark Church of the Brethren officiating. Burial will be in Florence Station Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at Hermann Funeral Home in Shannon. A memorial fund has been established by the family.
Contributed by Judi Wirtjes

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SWORD was born in Washington County, Md., June 7, 1848, and died at his home on north Broad Street in Lanark, November 18, 1920, aged 72 years, 5 months and 11 days. He was the son of Jacob and Sarah (Reed) Sword. Death came peacefully after an illness of over two years. In 1865 he came with his parents to Carroll County, Ill., and has lived in the county ever since, living on a farm until the year 1884, when he moved to town. December 28, 1871, he was married to Elizabeth Boyd. To this union one child was born, Carrie, who died in 1902. About October 25, 1875, he gave his heart to God, and was baptized into the Church of the Brethren by Elder Henry Martin. Ten days before his death he called for the elders of the church and was anointed with oil according to the Scriptures. He loved the house of worship and the fellowship with God’s people, and not until compelled by failing strength did he give up his church duties. He was a great reader, taking special interest in the subject of history. He was an ardent lover of nature, and always found much joy in working with plants and trees. For about six years prior to 1911 he was sexton of the Lanark cemetery. This and his work around Lanark since have made him familiar to the people of the community. He will be greatly missed. He leaves three brothers – Newton, of Lanark; David, of Georgetown; and Calvin, of Mt. Carroll; also five sisters – Mary Miller, of Kansas City, Mo.; Katherine Wingerd, of Lanark; Lizzie Fry, of Inwood, Ia; Emma Ewing, of Pasadena, Calif.; and Alice Brown, of Orange, Va. These, with his wife, as well as other relative and friends, will feel the loss most keenly. One sister died in childhood. His oldest sister, Mrs. Lydia Ann Hicks, died in November, 1914. Funeral services were conducted in the Church of the Brethren Sunday afternoon by Elders James M. Moore and W.B. Stover. Burial in the Lanark cemetery.
Contributed by Caroll Parrish

CATHERINE (WILT) SWORD was born in Franklin Co., Pennsylvania and died at the residence of her son, Samuel Sword, in Cherry Grove, June 15, 1893, aged 80 years, 3 months and 4 days. She came to Illinois in 1846 and settled in Cherry Grove. Her husband, Geo. Sword, died about 5 years ago; since then she has continued to live at the old homestead in Cherry Grove. Her maiden name was Wilt. Seven children were born to her, three of which are now living. She united with the Brethren Church over 50 years ago and has spent her days in service to her Savior until death removed her to the celestial home. Her body was laid to rest in the Cherry Grove cemetery and funeral held at the Brethren church.
Contributed by Carol Parrish

ELDON K. SWORD , 73, of Shannon, lifetime farmer, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 1996, at the Villas of Shannon nursing home. He retired from farming in 1980. He was a member of Cherry Grove Church of the Brethren of Lanark. His pastimes included fox hunting and baseball. Son of Harry and Lulu (Livengood) Sword, he was born Aug. 29, 1923, at Lanark. He and Alverta Wirtjes were married Dec. 25, 1946, at Shannon. She died Sept. 9, 1996. Surviving family members include three sons, Wayne (Mary Anne) Sword of Shannon, John (Julie) Sword of Lanark, and Jason (Sally Bowers) Sword of Forreston; a daughter, Sharon (Larry) Butt of Machesney Park; and eight grandchildren. A grandson, Adrian, and a sister preceded him in death. Funeral service will be 11 A.M. Thursday at Cherry Grove Church of the Brethren with the Rev. Roger Harding of Cherry Grove Church of the Brethren and the Rev. Dan Rusmisel of Lanark Church of the Brethren officiating. Burial will be in Florence Station Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at Hermann Funeral Home, Shannon. A memorial fund has been established.
Contributed by Judi Wirtjes

EMMA (MONTAG) SWORD , widow of the late Allen P. Sword, passed away Sunday May 19, 1940 in a Freeport hospital. She was born at Shannon May 6, 1867, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. August Montag. (Note: The obituary gives their names as Mr. and Mrs. August Bame, but that is not correct. They were August Montag and Mary Bohm Montag.) She is survived by four daughters: Mrs. Frank Warfel of Waukegan , Mrs. George Ritter of Peoria , Mrs. Lynn Forrey of Lanark, and Mrs. Fred Packard of Bensonville , Ill. , one son, Earl Sword of Mt. Carroll , one sister, MRs. Eli Bohen of Miller, South Dakota; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon from the Church of God at Mt. Carroll . Rev. Mrs. Carl Binkley of Lanark will officiate and burial will be made at Oak Hill Cemetery .
Contributed by Alice Horner

JAY WOLF SWORD : Banning, Calif. -- Private graveside services were held June 14, 1993 for Jay Wolf Sword of Banning, Calif., formerly of Lanark, who died June 9, 1993 at San Gergonio Hospital. Born in Le Roy, he farmed and raised beef cattle in the Lanark area. He was a member of Banning United Methodist Church, and was a past member of Banning Sportsman’s Club. Surviving are his wife, Margaret Sword of Banning; a daughter, Gloria (Orval) Washburn of Banning; two granddaughters, Brenda Loera of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Debie Lara of Banning; two step-granddaughters, Miriam York of Gilford, N.H. and Judith Weals of Highland, Calif.; nine great-grandchildren and three step-grandsons. Preceding him in death was his first wife, Roberta, in 1968.
Contributed by Alice Horner

LULU (LIVENGOOD) SWORD , a lifelong resident here, died Wednesday morning (26 Jul 1967) in Freeport Memorial Hospital where she had been a patient for eight weeks. (Note: I can find no date of death, but it would have been before 1973.) Mrs. Sword, a member of the Cherry Grove Church of the Brethren, was born December 7, 1891, in rural Lanark, the daughter of Elias P. And Ellen (Miller) Livengood. She married Harry B. Sword December 18, 1912 at Lanark. They farmed in the Lanark area until ill health forced Mr. Sword to retire and move to Lanark in 1948. He died Feb. 7, 1953. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Howard (Ruth) Edler, Pearl City; a son, Eldon, Shannon; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers, and four sisters. Funeral services will be Friday at 1:30 in Frank Funeral Home here with the Rev. Russell McInnis officiating. Burial will be in Lanark cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. today.
Contributed by Alice Horner