DeKalb County, Illinois Obituaries

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Dekalb County, Illinois Obituaries

Hon. Harvey E. ALLEN, of DeKalb, died in that city March 21st, at the age of 76 years. Mr. Allen came to Shabonna Grove in 1844 and removed to DeKalb in 1873, where he has since resided. He was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. [Batavia Herald, 5 April, 1894]

DIED: - J. F. AVERILL, of DeKalb, Friday last, of the LaGrippe, aged 84 years. His remains were brought to Batavia and interred in the East Side Cemetery. He leaves five sons to mourn his loss, 3 in Nebraska, George of Waterman, and W. F. of this city. [Batavia Herald, 30 Nov. 1893]

SMITH AVERY MURDERED IN DEKALB
While returning from a hunting excursion in the country Monday between the hours of 8 and 9, Frank TULLER of DeKalb entered the field of Smith AVERY about two miles south of DeKalb, and helped himself to a bag of corn. A passerby mentioned this fact to Avery who immediately started out to see about it. On his approach TULLER dropped the corn and drove off in hot haste, with Avery in pursuit. Being overtaken TULLER grabbed his gun, and, as Avery approached the wagon, dealt him a terrific blow on the head, from the effects of which he died five hours later. TULLER, who is a carpenter, drove home and went to work in the morning as usual, but on learning of Avery’s death at once gave him self up to the officers of the law and is now in the county jail. AVERY was an intelligent young farmer of about 35 years, prominently connected and stood well in the community. [Batavia Herald, 24 August, 1893]

Henry L. BOWERS
Terrible Tragedy at DeKalb--- Murders His Wife and Then Kills Himself.
Domestic trouble in the home of Henry L. BOWERS of DeKalb, culminated at an early hour Friday morning, Nov. 27, in the murder of the wife and the suicide of the husband. According to the facts developed, the couple had been living most unhappily for some time, and Bowers, it is said, had more than one threatened to end it all.
Their latest misunderstanding which occurred Friday, seemed to have clinched the decision. He came downstairs at about 5 o’clock and attacked his wife in her bedroom where she was sleeping with her mother and her child. The weapon used was a long, keen-bladed knife, with which he inflicted three terrible wounds in the neck, breast and side. Bleeding and dying, the unfortunate woman made a brave fight for life and succeeded in getting out of the house and across the yard to a neighbor’s dwelling, where she dropped on the walk and expired, within a few minutes.
The neighbors instantly responded to the alarm, but in the interval, BOWERS had turned his murderous weapon upon himself and was found lying in a pool of plod, his throat cut from ear to ear. Those who know BOWERS give hem an excellent reputation. [Batavia Herald, 3 December, 1896]

Peter DAVIDSON, a former resident of this city (Batavia), died at his home, near Sycamore, Friday, Feb. 9, 1894, aged 67 years. He leaves a wife and three children. [Batavia Herald, 15 February, 1894]

Death of Mrs. Reuben ELLWOOD
The Sycamore city WEEKLY sys Mrs. Reuben ELLWOOD, wife of the late Congressman ELLWOOD died Aug. 26, 1896, after an illness extending over several months. Mrs. ELLWOOD was in her 66th year. She was born in Schenectady county, New York, August 1, 1830, and in 1849 was united in marriage to Reuben ELLWOOD. [Batavia Herald, 3 Sept. 1896]

Fatal Mistake Of A Careless Druggist.
Col. FOSTER, of Sycamore, went into a drug store at Cherryvale, Kansas, the other day, and drank what was given him for blackberry brandy and Jamaica ginger. It proved that one of the ingredients was Laudanum, and he died the evening following. His remains were brought to Sycamore Monday. The druggist was unregistered. [Batavia Herald, 11 July 1895]

Kathleen Sue HECATHORN, 14, RFD 3, Polo, died en route to the Dixon Public Hospital about 10 a.m. Sunday from injuries received in a tractor accident. An inquest will be conducted this afternoon in Polo. Kathleen was killed when the tractor she was driving overturned on a curve on a gravel road near her home. She apparently turned a corner too short. Her foot was pinned under the tractor and her brother, Gary, who was with her on the tractor, went for help. It is believed that death was due to a severe head injury. Kathleen Sue Hecathorn was born in Sandwich, July 18, 1947, the daughter of Chester and Dorothy Smith Hecathorn. The family moved to Polo in March and Kathleen had attended the Polo schools since that time. Surviving are her parents one brother Gary and one sister, Corinne; her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hecathorn and the maternal grandmother, Mrs. Alice Smith, Deland, Fla., and several aunts and uncles. There will be a prayer service at 8 p.m. tonight at the McNabb Funeral Home, where friends may call tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. The body will be sent to Sandwich Tuesday and services will be conducted there at 2 p.m. with burial in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Sandwich. [The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois July 2, 1962 - Monday, pg 1 col 6 - Contributed by Melva L. Taylor]

C. W. HINDS
DeKalb Coroner Commits Suicide
C. W. HINDS coroner of DeKalb Co., commited suicide at a hotel in Belvidere, Sunday morning, by cutting his throat with a razor. He arrived there Saturday morning, and said he would return to DeKalb in the afternoon. Complaining that he was not well he decided to remain until Monday. The call-boy at the hotel this morning, after trying to ineffectually to awaken him, looked over the transom and saw him lying on the bed, bathed in blood and horribly mutilated. He was not quite dead, but the doctors were unable to revive him and he died in a few hours. He left nothing assigning any cause for the act. He leaves a wife and two children in DeKalb. Besides being coroner of DeKalb county, he was a justice of the peace., and well known through this section. He was 35 years old. We trust the Kane Co. coroner will not do likewise, and we don’t believe he will, as he has too many inquests to hold over others, to get for such melancholy and dreadful work. [Batavia Herald, 14 Dec. 1893]

Death of Mrs. W. J. HOLDERNESS.
A Devoted Wife and Mother.
Mrs. W. J. HOLDERNESS, who has been a great sufferer from dropsy, for some time, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. B. Willey, where she had gone on a visit, Tuesday, March 12, 1895, at 2 a.m., aged 63 years and 22 days.
Philinna BLACKMON, was born in North Crosby, Upper Canada, Leeds Co., Feb. 18, 1832; came with her parents to Illinois, at the age of 18 years. She was converted and united with the M. E. Church, in DeKalb, where she was a valued member. June 27, 1856, she was married to Mr. W. J. HOLDERNESS, at DeKalb, Ill., where they made their home for some time, and there her seven children were born and raised; two of whom have preceded her in death, Ethel and Walter. The remaining five, Mrs. W. B. Willey, Mrs Lettie Rice, Miss Minnie, and Messrs. L. J. and P. B. HOLDERNESS, are all residents of this city, and were with her in her last moments, and are nowleft with the husband to mourn.
During her illness she was a great sufferer, yet ever patient, thinking of others, and not of self. She was anxious and ready to go, and be free from pain. Deceased was a devoted wife; a lobving mother and a kind, sympathizing neighbor, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Funeral services will be held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Willey, this (Thursday) at 2 p.m., Rev. J. D. Leek officiating. [Batavia Herald, 14 March 1895]

Suicide of a Young Man, at Sandwich.
L. C. HUTCHINSON, a young man of about 20 years of age, while attending a dance at the Sandwich opera house, Wed. eve., Nov. 25, suicided by taking prussic acid. Despondency, caused by lack of work and the non-arrival of expected money, was ascribed as the cause. [Batavia Herald, 3 December, 1896]

Mr. Levin JOHNSON, Monday, Oct. 26, 1896, at 1 p.m., aged 21 years, from consumption. Deceased was born at Sycamore, and came to Batavia when a small boy and has lived here ever since. He was a painter, by trade, and an honest and upright young man. He was stricken one year ago, but was confined to his bed only three weeks. A father, mother and two brothers are left to mourn his early death. Funeral services will take place this afternoon from the Swedish Lutheran church; Rev. Challman officiating. [Batavia Herald, 29 October 1896]

Mrs. A. H. JONES received the painful news, from Chicago, that her cousin, Mrs. Thos. GLIDDEN, of DeKalb, had just undergone a surgical operation, and cannot survive many days. Later: - Mrs. GLIDDEN died Monday, Oct. 28, and the funeral was held at DeKalb, Wednesday. [Batavia Herald, 31 Oct. 1895]

Miss Lottie MCCALPINE, of Sycamore, committed suicide by taking poison, Sunday night. [Batavia Herald, 1 March, 1894]