|
|
Welcome to |
Obituaries
|
|
Welcome to |
Morris Birkbeck
Morris Birkbeck, Esq., Secretary of the State of Illinois, was lately drowned in crossing a stream on his way home
from a visit to Mr. Owen at Harmony. Mr. B. was the founder of New Albion, the zealous promoter of emigration from
Great Britain and the author of a vivid description of the Western country. His loss will be severely felt by the
emigrants of the West. His door was ever open and his purse was ever at the service of “the homeless wanderer.”
He has left four sons and two daughters. The backwoodsmen called him the “Emperor of the Prairies,” on account
of his buying at a single purchase, 16,000 acres of public land. He held a most fascinating pen, the productions
of which did more towards peopling the West than any other writer of the day. Illinois owed him a vast debt for
his exertions, in beating up for emigrants and she was grateful in the distinguished honor which she conferred
upon him. – Washington Gazette
[Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), July 6 1825]
Andrew L. Hedrick
Andrew Lafayette Hedrick, better known as "Lafe" or "Uncle Lafe", passed away Friday morning
at his home in the north part of. West Salem; having reached the age of 98 years. He was the last remaining Civil
War Veteran in Edwards county. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Moravian church, with Rev. Gordon
A. Stoltz, pastor of the church, preaching the sermon. Services also were conducted by the local Masonic Lodge,
whose members served as pall bearers, the American Legion Post and the Daughters of Union Veterans. Louise M. Alcott
Tent No. 85, of Olney. Burial was made in the Moravian cemetery.
Flower bearers were Mesdames Elsie Clodfelter, Emma Voigt, Dora Voigt, Minnie Moudy and Miss Mary Hedrick.
Andrew Lafayette Hedrick, better known as "Lafe Hedrick", was the
son of George Hedrick and his wife, Fanny Miller Hedrick, who were charter members of the West Salem Moravian church.
He was born near West Salem, Ill., on Oct. 14, 1846, one of a family of 12 children. He was baptized Aug. 29, 1847,
the eighth infant baptized in the newly organized Moravian church. On reaching the age of 18, he enlisted in the
service of his country, becoming a member of Co. F, 152nd Regiment of the Illinois Infantry. He is the last of
the Civil War veterans to have survived this long in Edwards county.
On April 13, 1870 he married Laicinda Ridgley. This union was blessed with four children, two girls and two boys.
One of his daughters preceded him in death. On Jan. 5, 1890, his wife departed
Two years later on March 23, 1892, he married --? Libke, his faithful wife
who cared for him up to his sudden departure form this life Friday morning.
All of his life has been spent in the vicinity of West Salem. During his long span of life he has kept his connections
with the Moravian church. In his earlier years he was a member of the church choir and band. Our deported brother
enjoyed a good share of excellent health. He was quite hearty until a day or two before his death. His death came
quite suddenly after this short period of break down. He passed away Friday morning, Nov. 24, about 6 o'clock,
reaching the age of 98 years, one month and ten days. Surviving him are, his wife; one sister, Almie Ridgley of
Calhoun, Ill., aged 93; three children, Bertha Tracy of Seattle. Wash., Ira Hedrick of Wapella. Ill., and Arthur
W. Hedrick of West Salem, Ill.; 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and many relatives and friends. Lafe Hedrick's
birthday in the last few years had become of interest to the whole community. He will long be remembered as one
whom God gave more than the regular span of life.
[c. 1944. Transcribed by K. Torp from a newspaper article sent in by Lawrence
Hedrick]
LIFE SKETCH OF CHESTER MICHELS
Chester Michels, son of Finley and Olive Michels was born near Bone Gap, Illinois, Sept. 24, 1888. He was taken
to the Olney sanitorium Monday morning, April 18, where he was tenderly cared for and all done that loving hands
could do, when the Lord called him to his heavenly home and he passed away Friday morning at eight o'clock, April
22, 1932, aged 43 years, 6 months and 29 days. In early life he accepted Christ as his Saviour and united with
the M.E. church at Bone Gap and later in life he moved his membership to Fortney M. E. church, where he was a regular
attendant and lived an upright Christian life. On April 12, 1910, he was united in marriage to Lilly B. Beagley,
and to this union four children were born, one son, Chester Frank, and three daughters, Ferris Veree, Imogene Olvetta
and Nieta Norma; all with their mother survive. He also leaves five brothers and three sisters, Ray of Urbana,
Ill; Herbert of Browns, Ill.; Hamer of Mt. Carmel, Ill.; Loy of West Salem, Ill.; Walter of California; Mrs. Effie
Bright of Chicago, Ill.; Mrs. Cora Seamahorn of Urbana, Ill.; Mrs. Carrie Stone, Noble, Ill., and many other relatives
and friends. Mr. Michels bore his suffering uncomplainingly and expressed his desire as being ready to go when
Jesus called him. He was a good neighbor and a kind and loving companion and father who will be greatly missed
in the home and community. Funeral services were held from the Fortney church in charge of the pastor, Rev. J.
T. Bryant. Internment at Graceland Cemetery. Pallbearers were Norman Marriott, Vernon Mason, Arthur Marriott, Jr.,
Elba Schuh, Harry Wiseman, Grant Marriott. Flower bearers were Ruby Cowling, Dorothy Wiseman, Genevieve Cowling,
Thelma Bender, Theda Rotramel and Mary Cowling.
[Unknown Newspaper/Date - Submitted by Cindy Ford]
Mrs. Ethel Michels
Passed Away Saturday Morn
Mrs. Ethel Michels, native of Edwards county, passed away at an Olney hospital Saturday morning at 9 o'clock. A
resident of Edwards county most of her life, Mrs. Michels for the past three years had made her home with her daughter
in Robinson. Just before Christmas she came home intending to spend the holidays with her children here. She was
taken ill however and her condition w became steadily worse until she was removed to the hospital where she passed
away. She was aged 64 years, 11 months, and 17 days.
Obituary
Ethel Shurtleff Michels, daughter of Alstorphus and Rebecca Shurtleff, was born Feb 17, 1880, near Bone Gap.
She became a member of the Methodist church of Bone Gap, when at an early age she mad the good confession and was
baptized into Christ. During her life she unquestionably lived a life consistent with the Bible teachings, loved
to attend church, and manifested implicit faith in God as her keeper and guide. On Sept. 26, 1900, she was united
in marriage to Charles Raymond Michels, prominent Edwards county farmer. To this union were born nine children.
One son Wilson died in infancy. She was preceded in death by her husband who passed away November 18, 1933. She
is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Mary J. Snowdall, Ellery; Mrs. Ada Germann, Robinson; Mrs. Margaret Reid, Albion;
Glendeane Etheridge, Gardena, Calif. Also four sons, Erwin and Vernon of Albion; Charles of Gardena, Calif.; Albert
of Olney, Also surviving are two brothers, Alfred Shurtleff, Albion, and Maurice Shurtleff, Bone Gap; four grandsons
and four granddaughters, and a host of other relatives and friends. Although many times weary from the toil and
the afflictions of life she was always happy. She had a smile and a word of kindness for everyone, having made
friends from far and near who knew her as a loving Christian woman, and of whom it may now be said, "Well
done, good and faithful servant, enter into the everlasting joy of the kingdom of heaven."
[Unknown Newspaper/Date - Submitted by Cindy Ford]
V. C. Michels
Funeral Held Here Sunday
Funeral services for Victor Clyde Michels, 82, retired Albion druggist, were held from the Ingram Funeral
Home Sunday afternoon, with the Rev. Luke Markve officiating. He passed away Friday evening at the Wabash General
Hospital in Mt. Carmel, after several years of poor health. Mr. Michels had owned and operated Michels Pharmacy
in Albion since 1936, after assisting his father there from 1901 thru 1922. The store had been founded by his father
in 1875, making it one of the oldest drug stores in the state. A graduate of Southern Collegiate Institute in Albion,
he received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Mr. Michels was Superintendent
of the Department of Registration and Education for the state of Illinois for 8 years; a former president of the
Albion Chamber of Commerce and one of the leaders in civic affairs here for many years prior to his retirement
over two years ago. The deceased was born in Albion on August 1, 1877, the son of B. F. and Julia Ratcliff Michels,
and was married to Lucy Walker of Philadelphia in 1901. She passed away in 1937 and one of their three children,
Margaret J. also preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Mae Michels, the former Mae Pearce Cook, of
Harrisburg, who he married in 1939, a son, Ben Michels of Glendale, N.Y. and a daughter Mrs. Victoria Davenport
of Arlington Heights; 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Concluding services were held at Graceland Cemetery.
[Wednesday April 23, 1958, Unknown Newspaper - Submitted by Cindy Ford]
Julia E. Miller
Mrs. Julia Elsie Miller, wife of Chas. Miller and daughter of Ephraim and
Susan Carter was born in Bone Gap Ill. Oct.12, 1887 and died at the home of her parents here May 28 1913 age 25
yrs.__months 14 days.
…greater part of her life has ………in this community ….she has many friends but …of a reserved and quiet ..position.
Elsie made few close friends but they who knew her best loved her most. On July 10, 1910 she was united in marriage
to Chas. Miller of E. St. Louis where they spent most of their wedded life. The bereaved husband is left with many
sweet memories of three short years spent together. She left no children but the devoted husband aged parents and
two brothers, with many other relatives and friends are left to mourn their loss but we know that our loss is her
gain and resign our wills to His who doeth all things well. She accepted Christ and united with the Christian Church
at Fairfield, Ill., Sept. 19, 1909 under the preaching of Evangelist Violet. The strong faith she possessed was
shown by her many words of love and encouragement spoken to her loved ones during her long illness.
She had all the tender care and everything done for her that loving hands could do but all to no avail. She bore
her suffering with the greatest patient to the very last but was ready and anxious to go and meet the sister …
loved ones gone before and ……… ………..in a savior’s love. The funeral services were held at the Christian Church,
and conducted by Bro. Ransom. The members of the Mason Lodge acted as Pall Bearers. The remains were laid to rest
in the Bone Gap cemetery.
CARD OF THANKS
Through the columns of our village paper, we desire to thank our friends and neighbors for their many acts of kindness
and words of love and sympathy during our recent bereavement.
Chas. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Carter.
[Unknown newspaper/unknown date - Submitted by Don Worthen]
Wesley Watkins
Wesley Watkins, 59 Of West Frankfort Dies (ca 1961)
Wesley Watkins, 59 of 704 N. Lincoln, West Frankfort, died 5:30 p.m. Monday in Union Hospital, West Frankfort.
He had a heart condition and had been under a doctor's care some time.
He was a mechanic at Glen Weeks Motors West Frankfort. He moved to West Frankfort in 1920 from Birmingham, Ala.
He leaves his wife Dorothy; a son James of Chester; brothers Greeley of Marlow, La; and Clarence of Birmingham,
Ala; a sister Mrs. Rose Mae Lee of Belleville and one grandson.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Union Funeral Home, West Frankfort. Rev Jesse Lipe will officiate.
Burial will be in Boner Cemetery. Friends may call after 4 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Submitted by Toni Faro Vogel
