Cumberland County Obituaries

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These obituaries are from miscellaneous sources....The Jasper County Newton Press newspaper, the Toledo Democrat, the Charleston (Coles County) Courier, researcher contributions, etc. Use your browser's FIND function to search for names.

Cummins, Mrs. Rebecca - widow of John Cummins, Sr died Thursday, aged 91 years, 6 mos, 8 days. Her husband had died 20 years earlier. Survivors include 4 sons: William, J. Frank and John of Rose Hill and Marion of Hornbrook, Calif.; two daughters Mrs. Rachel Roberts of Mahomet and Mrs. Addie Fitch of Cumberland county.

Dodds, John (1844-1928)
John Dodds, prominent and well known farmer living three miles northwest of town died quite suddenly from heart trouble at the family home about 3:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon. Until the previous evening he had been in his usual health. He attended the township election and voted in Trowbridge on Tuesday then drove to Neoga where he visited Tuesday afternoon. Friday evening while at his barn throwing hay to his horses he was taken ill with a severe pain in his chest. He managed to get to the house where everything possible was done to relieve his suffering and where he passed away just twenty-two hours after he was taken ill.
The deceased was born in Belmont County, Ohio, near the West Virginia line, November 4, 1844, one of the nine children born to John and Charity Nichols Dodds. With the exception of one half-brother, David Blystone of Longmont, Colorado, Mr. Dodds was the member of that large and industrious pioneer family.
John Dodds Sr., father of the deceased was an English sailor. He came from England as a young man to America settling first in Ohio and married there. When John Jr. the subject of this sketch was seven years old the family came to Illinois the father purchasing from the government a tract of land in Shelby county three miles northwest of Neoga.
The place now known as the John Dodds farm is a 160 acre tract of the original Dodds holdings. Some earlier pioneer had built a mill on this land the building being there when Mr. Dodds Sr., acquired the land and he then conducted the mill for several years. The old Dodds home stood near the mill and south of the present residence. John Dodds Jr., the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Harriett Elizabeth Betts on November 16th, 1869. Soon after their marriage they built the home, where Mr. Dodds passed away-the home of his family for over half a century.
Mr. and Mrs. Dodds were the parents of five children, one son and four daughters. One daughter passed away in infancy. Those left to mourn separation from husband and father are the wife, the son Fred Dodds of Valdosta, Ga., three daughters, Mrs. L.E. Tucker (Flossie) of Champaign, Mrs. Ernest Chamberlin (Anna) of Gays and Miss Belva Dodds at home. There are also twelve living grand-children and seven great-grand-children.
In Mr. Dodds' boyhood days, the Dodds family was affiliated with the Old Missionary Baptist church but since the building of the Gaskill Chapel in the neighborhood of the Dodds home, the deceased always enjoyed attending services there and thought of it as his church home. He was one of many baptized by Rev. A.L. Plowman following the revival the pastor conducted at Gaskill about thirty eight years ago.
Mr. Dodds often read his Bible and was a student of the Scriptures. He tried to live by the Golden Rule and endeavored to lead his children in the paths of honesty and uprightness. His genial, kindly presence will be greatly missed in town and country, where his friends included all who knew him. To be a good friend and neighbor was a vital part of his religion and so fittingly may these lines be quoted (nice poem omitted)

Funeral Services were held at Gaskill Chapel at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon in charge of Rev. R.C. Calderwood, pastor of the Neoga Methodist church. Interment was made in Gaskill cemetery. Music was furnished by singers of Gaskill Chapel, Mr. And Mrs. Ralph Carruthers, Mrs. Robert Burrell, and Charles Carruthers with Miss Faith Burrell, accompanist. The pall bearers were members of the family of the deceased: two nephews, Lon Dodds and Harve B. Cross, two grandsons, John Tucker and Paul Dodds, and two grandsons-in-law, F.D. Lowe and Percy Claybaugh. The flowers were in charge of three of the grand daughters of the deceased: Harriett and Annabelle Tucker and Marjorie Chamberlain.
Attending the services from a distance were: Mr. And Mrs. Fred Dodds and son Paul of Valdosta, Ga.; Mr. And Mrs. L.E. Tucker and children, Lorene, John, Harriet, and Annabelle, of Champaign; B.B. Betts of St. Louis; Lon Dodds of Indianapolis; Mrs. C.L. Miller, Mr. And Mrs. Harve B. Cross of Chicago.

Family Thanks
We extend our sincere gratitude to our neighbors and friends, for their various ways of expressing their sympathy and kindness in our time of lonliness and sorrow. The Dodds Family. [Contributed by Darin Clapp]

Goodwin, Mrs. Jess - Mrs. C.M. Oliver recently received word that her sister, Mrs. Jess Goodwin, had passed away in Washington, D.C., at the home of her daughter, Miss Lucille Goodwin. Martha was born near Janesville, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Freeman. She leaves to mourn her loss, two sons, Frank and Jess, Jr., one daughter, Lucille, a daughter-in-law, one grandson, Gene; three sisters, Mrs. Ethel Wall, Mattoon, Mrs. Letha Ryan, Atlanta, Ill; Mrs. Grace Oliver, Toledo; one brother, Grover Freeman, Decatur; a host of friends and relatives. Miss Goodwin took the body of her mother to Enid, Okla., to be placed by the side of her husband who passed away about a year ago. The Toledo Democrat, Jan. 29, 1948

Gray, Mrs. Margaret Bishop Gray - aged 87 years, widow of D.L. Gray, died at the home of her daughter, D.B. Atwell, near Lerna, Sunday morning. Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon and burial was made in Indian cemetery, near Lerna. Mrs. Gray, born in Mattoon, Aug. 22, 1860, was a daughter of W.W. and Martha Bishop Monfort. She was married to D.L. Gray in 1885. Mr. Gray died in 1937. Since his death she had spent the winters in Florida. She also resided in Mattoon and Charleston for some years. She leaves a daughter, Mrs. D.B. Atwell of Lerna, a son, Howard W. Gray of Gainesville, Florida and Lerna, & a grandson, John R. Atwell of Lerna. Toledo Democrat, Thursday Feb. 12, 1948

Green, Crat - aged 17, was drowned in the Embarras river near Toledo last week. He was a son of ex-Sheriff H.W. Green, of Cumberland County. July 24, 1889

Hammer, Amanda - wife of Wm. Hammer of Greenup, died at the residence of her father near Sailor Springs, Wednesday. She had been ill for several months. She leaves a husband, two children and two or three step-children to mourn her death. October 9, 1889

Huffcut, Armien - Word was received in Greenup Monday that Armien Huffcut had suicided by shooting himself. Huffcut, who resided in Jasper close to the Cumberland line, went out into the yard Monday morning with a rifle. pulling off one shoe to have free use of his toe, he placed the rifle to his forehead and pressed the trigger with his toe. Death was instantaneous. He left a wife and 3 children. Original source: Toledo Democrat, reprinted in the Newton Press on Sep 17, 1890

Jayne, Richard of Toledo KIA [World War II] - Death reported 7 July 1944

Lovins, A.A. - a well known Christian preacher, died at Toledo.....N.P. July 27, 1892

Markwell, Rev. Wm. - died at his residence in Cumberland County last Friday of typhoid fever. He had been the elder of the Christian church at Brockville 17 years, lacking 1 month....N.P. Sep 28, 1876

McConnell, Frank - Fell from a freight car on the P.D. & E. at Greenup and was run over and killed on the 10th ult. He was braking on the road and is said to have been a hard drinker. May 1, 1899

McDonald, Mrs. Sarah - (nee Mooney) died at the residence of her son, James A. McDonald, in Newton, on Tuesday, Jan 12, 1892 at 3:15 a.m. after a brief illness, aged 81 years, 4 mos and 28 days...b. in county Caaen, Ireland, Aug. 14, 1810; m. Archibald McDonald in 1839; came to America with her husband and located at Quebec, Canada in 1847; several children were born..Mr. McDonald, Sr., d. in 1858; in 1862, she removed to Rochester, N.Y. and in 1869 joined her son James at Greenup and three years afterward with him came to Newton where she has resided ever since....4 children survive her: James A. McDonald, A.C. McDonald, St. Louis, MO; John McDonald and Mrs. R.D. Dixon, Rochester, N.Y. Services were held at St. Thomas church today at 10 a.m. by Father Molitor, after which the remains were deposited in the grave at the Catholic cemetery. Jan. 13, 1892

A Man of Great Talent in His Day. A Valiant Soldier and a Successful Teacher in the School room and Out
By Prof Roy Baker

Jacob H. Mumper was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 18th, 1834. In early life he emigrated with his parents to Ohio, locating near the village of Bucyrus. Here he attended the subscription school of the pioneer days and laid the foundation of a generous education. While living in this community he formed the acquaintance of two persons destined to become National figures. They were William T. Sherman, who led the famous "March to the Sea" and John Sherman prominent as a soldier and statesman, serving Ohio as one of its United States senators for many years and taking active part in the financial legislation of his country. The remembrance of those men clung to Mr. Mumper through life and he was always proud of their record and the fact that he had known them.

In 1852 he came to Illinois which was then undergoing the transition from primitive wilderness to productive farm. He began to serve an apprenticeship as a blacksmith under James Wisner at Woodbury with which family he made his home until 1861. He spent his spare moments in adding to his meager knowledge of things found in books. When the gates of war swung open in 1861 he saw his duty and dared to do it, enlisting in Co. A. Cap't E.W. Pierson. He took active part in the siege of Vicksburg and many of the bloody battles of the war and mustered out at Springfield, ill., about the close of the war.

On Feb. 12th, 1865, he married Hester Bennett, of Jewett, Ill., to which union twelve children were born, of whom seven are still living. After his marriage he followed the duel occupation of farmer and school teacher. He taught in Cumberland, Effingham and Jasper counties. For a number of years he was the teacher of the village school at Montrose. He took active an (sic) part in civil affairs and held many positions of trust placed upon him by his fellow citizens. He was closely identified with the Montrose community for forty years and always sought the upbuilding of the moral and educational side of his environment. His declining years were saddened by the loss of his wife who died December 1st, 1904, but were made happy by the solace of a life well spent in behalf of his fellow man.

The last five years he was familiar on the streets of Montrose, always ready for a joke and to discuss topics of general interest. But the weight of years began to hang heavily and age and descriptude (sic) began to tell, at last after a long and useful life, his earthly career was terminated Dec. 25th, 1911. Funeral services were held at the M.E. church, Rev. Willey, officiating. Interment in the Faunce cemetery.

Thus endeth the earthly career of another of the pioneer of this section of Illinois, and another of those who fought under that starry banner, has answered the last roll call. To such as he, the present generation owes a debt of gratitude, not only for their temporal services but for their worthy example left for us to emulate and let us hope that for them, the great beyond has its reward. The respect of their associates during life will continue even in death, as one of the proudest heritages a man can leave. [Contributed by Jeffrey Johnson (Kizmaster@aol.com) , gg-grandson of Jacob H. Mumper]

Nichols, Mrs. George W. (Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1896), widow of Rev. Nichols who was a Presbyterian church minister in the 1870's in Newton. Died last Tuesday in Greenup. Surviving children were Anna, Mamie, and William. [Contributed by Deanna Bennett]

Reisner, Horace "PEG" - 96, of Hidalgo, died at 9:50 p.m. Saturday (Nov, 27, 1999) at Cumberland Nursing Center in Greenup.

Rhoads, Effie May - Funeral services for Mrs. Effie May Rhoads, 55, wife of Berlin Rhoads of Valley Rd., Millington, N.J. were held Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. from the Millington Baptist church, West Millington, with the Rev. Harry B. Morris officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Mrs. Rhoads died Friday, Jan. 9, [1948] in Overlook hospital, Summit, after a long illness. She was born in Toledo, Ill., a daughter of Richard Richardson and had lived in and about Millington for 27 years. She was a member of the United Brethren church of Toledo.
Mrs. Rhoads attended the Toledo schools and after her marriage moved to Chicago where she and her husband lived several years before going to New Jersey. Surviving besides her husband are one son, Richard, at home; two daughters, Mrs. John W. Allen, Liberty Corner, N.J.; Mrs. George H. Gehling, New Providence; her father, Richard Richardson of Toledo; one brother, Raymond Richardson, Gillette, N.J.; three sisters, Mrs. W.D. Mott, Azusa, Calif; Mrs. J.L. Barger, Mrs. R.B. Oakley, both of Toledo, and three grandchildren. Mr. Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Barger, Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Oakley attended the funeral services. The Toledo Democrat, Jan. 29, 1948

Robertson, Clint - postmaster at Greenup, died last week. Newspaper of Jan. 21, 1891

Rue, Wes - "Uncle" Wes Rue of Hazel Dell, who would have observed his 105th birthday Monday, died at 1:30 a.m., Sunday (May 9, 1948) in the home of his son Robert, where he had lived since 1928. Mr. Rue was in good health but suddenly became ill Saturday morning. He had been forced to use reading glasses only in the last two years and was active until death. On Monday, his birthday, telegrams were addressed to Mr. Rue from President Truman and Senator Scott Lucas.

He was born in what was at that time Coles County, but which is now Cumberland County. Before his death, Mr. Rue devoted much of his time to reading daily newspapers and the Bible and was still able to eat his favorite meal -- cornbread, sour cream and kraut.

He could look back on four wars, the Civil, Spanish-American and two World Wars, and he recalled his grandfather's fighting in the Revolutionary War. It is said that only two other members of the Grand Army of the Republic still survive in Illinois. He attributed his old age, physical vigor and mental alertness to routine living. He neither drank nor smoked and arose each morning between 5 and 6 o'clock. When Uncle Wes was 18 years old, he enlisted in the Union army with two brothers, Will and Henry. He served in the Federal army from 1861 to 1864 and married Martha Cash on being discharged. His wife died in 1928, after living together for 64 years.

His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, he had said, and he kept up to date on all elections since, voting the republican ticket each election. Uncle Wes was fond of traveling and had many friends in his own community, who with members of his family helped him quietly celebrate his birthdays in the later years. He spent most of his life across the road from the house in which he had lived since 1933 (or 1938?) with his son and his son's wife.

In addition to his son, he leaves three daughters, Mrs. Nora Foltz of Wynne, Ark., Mrs. Quincy Chapman of Yale and Mrs. Kate Sowers of Jewett. There are also eight grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Hazel Dell church. Burial was made in the Hazel Dell cemetery. Toledo Democrat, Thursday, May 13, 1948

Rue, Mrs. J.A. - of Mattoon died at 8:05 o'clock in Mattoon hospital Wednesday morning of complications incident to old age. Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon a the Schilling funeral home. Burial will be in the Dodge Grove cemetery.

Mrs. Hue was born as Mary M. Matteson, daugher of Mr. & Mrs. G.W. Matteson, Sept. 26, 1867, in Crooked Creek township, Cumberland county. She was married to J.A. Rue in Hazel Dell, Jan. 16, 1886 and resided in that vicinity until the couple moved to Mattoon in 1898. She and Mr. Rue celebrated their _2nd (can't read) wedding anniversary last month. Mr. Rue is retired water superintendent for the Central Ill. Pub. Service Co.

Scott, George - aged about 12 years, was accidentally shot and killed at Greenup, yesterday, by Wm. Mitchell while handling a target gun. Scott accompanied Ed Bennett to the Greenup reunion for the purpose of rubbing out the marks on the targets. The supposition is that Mitchell was drinking and while thus intoxicated prematurely discharged the gun, the ball entering Scott below the shoulder blade in the back and lodging under the chin where it was extracted by the doctors. The body was brought to Newton for interment this morning. It was a distressing accident and we do sincerely sympathize with the grief-stricken mother, and relatives. The first report received was to the effect that Bennett was handling the gun when it went off, but this was a mistake as he wasn't present at that time. Reported Sep 17, 1890

Ed Bennett went to Greenup Monday to see about the report of the coroner's jury concerning the death of George Scott. The verdict was that Scott's death was the result of the accidental discharge of a gun in Bennett's hands. There is much conflict of testimony but those who have investigated the matter do not believe that Ed Bennett was present when George Scott was shot. Oct. 8, 1890

Spiker, Eli - Toledo, Ill, December 14 - Eli Spiker, one of the oldest residents of Cumberland County, died at the County Home on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Spiker suffered a stroke of paralysis two years ago, and had been bedfast since that time. The funeral was held at the Salem church southeast of Toledo, Monday afternoon, Rev. H.P. French officiating, and burial in the nearby cemetery. Those who survive are a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Adkins and brother Edward Spiker of near Toledo, and two sons, John Spiker and William Spiker, who reside in Jasper County. Newton Press, Friday, December 17, 1926

Syms, Paul - MAN KILLED BY A FALLING LIMB. On Friday last, while Mr. Paul Syms was engaged in felling a tree, in Cumberland county, near the Coles line, about four miles below Farmington, after the tree fell a limb flew up and came down with great force on Mr. S's head, knocking him down. A couple of his neighbors hearing his cry of distress went to his assistance. By one getting on each side of him, he was enabled to walk to his house, a distance of about a quarter of a mile. On arriving there he laid down and at once became insensible. A physician was called in, but to no purpose. The poor man lingered until about four o'clock Sunday morning, when death put an end to his miseries. The deceased served during the war in an Indiana regiment. He was about thirty five years of age, and leaves a wife and children, in humble circumstances, to mourn his untimely loss. The Charleston Courier, March 21, 1867

Wiley, Mary A. - After an illness of months, Mrs. Wiley died at her home in Toledo, Illinois, December 21, 1916, at the age of 75 years, 7 months, and 7 days.
Mary A. Concannon was born in Galway County, Ireland, May 14, 1841, the daughter of Luke and Celia Concannon. Of this family were seven children, Patrick, James, Bridget, Mary, Michael, Mathias and Thomas.
Deceased came to United States with her father when she was about seven years old. She was united in marriage to James Harvey Wiley in June 22, 1857. To this union were born thirteen children. William (deceased); James L., Mary E., Liza E. (deceased); Daniel M., Charles N., Josephine (deceased), Mahala J. ( deceased). Ida A., Martha O., and Celia May. Five children died in infancy, Jane died at the age of 19.
Mrs. Wiley has lived near and in Toledo about 35 years. Her husband died 38 years ago last November, leaving the wife to care for the dear children of which by the help of the good Lord, she did the best she could. Mrs. Wiley was highly respected by all who knew her. She has many relatives and friends and as far as her children knew, Mrs. Wiley is the last of the Concannon family.
She professed faith in Christ at the age of 14 and lived a consistent Christian life, being an example for her children and others. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church at her death in Toledo where she has lived for a number of years. She leaves to mourn her death 3 sons, four daughters, thirty-five grand children and nineteen great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Submitted by Ruth Wiley - dennhardt@harborside.com

Wood, John W. - A young man by the name of John W. Wood, jumped from the train at Jewett on Tuesday evening and had his leg and arm badly chrushed by being run over, the accident occurred about 12 o'clock, and he died about 6. Dr. Eskridge was called to see the wounded man, but could not render him any assistance. He was a married man and lived near Dutchtown, and charged the Conductor with being responsible for the accident before he died. Newton Press, July 9, 1874

Woody, John - who resided near Slate Point, North Muddy township was thrown from a cart near Bradbury, Cumberland county, Thursday afternoon, receiving injuries from which he died about 24 hours afterward. Deceased was on his way home from Champaign county where he went to visit his son Charles. His horse, a spirited animal, scared at an approaching train while crossing the railroad and ran away, throwing him to the ground. He was picked up and carried to the house of Mrs. Joseph Russell, who kindly gave him all of the attention possible. Surgeons were brought to his assistance, but death followed on the next day despite all that could be done.... Sunday he was buried at Slate Point with the honors of the G.A.R., he being a member of Wheeler Post. [Member of the 9th Indiana Calvary] He left 4 children, two sons and two daughters.... Sep. 2, 1891

Worts, Newton - a deaf mute, while walking along the P.D. & E. track Friday night, near Toledo, was run over and killed by a train. He had been to Greenup, got drunk and started to walk to Mattoon, not having money enough left to pay his fare. Jan. 16, 1889

John Brewer age 17, the second son of Hon. Thomas Brewer of this place is dead.
        In the company with several other young men, a brother among the rest, John went out hunting on Wednesday and while riding along in the Spring Wagon. the gun he was carrying caught in the hind wheel of the wagon and some how discharged, the entire contents  of one barrel (which was loaded with sixteen buck shot), entering his breast. The poor boy faintly. 'Lord, Lord' and fell over. Mr. Brewer had just buried his wife.
       John had just finished one term of school at St. Francis College at Quincy, Illinois and was preparing to return in a few days to complete his course of study. The funeral service will take place at Mr. Brewer's residence at two o'clock today. Rev. McCann will preach the Sermon.
(Cumberland Democrat, Majority Point, Friday August 16, 1872)