Kendall County, Illinois obituaries

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KENDALL COUNTY OBITUARIES

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Jonathan Andrews [new]
was born in St. Johnsville, N.Y., September 20, 1820; came west and to the parts in 1856; was residing in this village for upwards of 40 years. He was of a quiet disposition, on good terms with everybody, spent his spare time at home, and was one of our best citizens. His wife died 11 years ago. Lately he began ailing and several weeks ago went with his daughter to her home at South Bend., Indiana, where he died September 3, 1905. The body was brought here Tuesday and the funeral had from the Methodist Church, of which he had been a consistent member for upward of 30 years; his usual seat there was kept vacant and was draped, also other parts of the church were draped. Rev. A.C. Gruber performed the spiritual obsequies, preaching an appropriate funeral sermon, based on Hebrews 11:16 and which was about the situation of the redeemed in the life of the beyond. The expressions of love by flowers were significant. He is survived by three children - Mrs. Lida Mathews of South Bend; Mrs. Elizabeth Hale of South Haven, Michigan and Frank Andrews of Aurora, all of whom were at his bedside at the time of death --- also by a brother and sister of Nebraska. [Yorkville, IL, September 13, 1905. Submitted by Stephanie Maguellal at kivets@yahoo.com, transcribed by K. Torp]

Jesse Brady
Death of An Old Kendall County Pioneer.
Mr. Jesse BRADY, brother of the late L. D. BRADY, of Aurora, died, Sunday morning, March 1, 1896, at his home in Little Rock, aged 82 years. [Batavia Herald, 5 March 1896]

BENJAMIN BURSON
Funeral services for Benjamin Burson were held Saturday afternoon, October 21, 1939, at 1:30 at the Cooper Funeral Home and at 2 o'clock at the Plano Methodist Church. Rev. J.H. Hagerty of PawPaw, Illinois and Rev. E.E. Ward of Plano conducted the services. At the close of the service, Mrs. Ray Wiley sang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" in her usual sweet manner. Internment was in the Plano Cemetery. Among those attending the funeral from out-of-town were: Mr. and Mrs. Francis Wilson from Elgin, Illinois; Mrs. Sofus Marinson, Mrs. A.J. Barnum, Mrs. Lida Johnson, Oscar Olson, Mr. and Mrs. Benson and John Spolum from Chicago, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. William Hiddleson from Bristol, Tennessee; Louis Oleson from Leland, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hartman, Mrs. Eunice Patterson from Hinckley, Illinois; Miss Spolum from Maple Park, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Springer, Mr. and Mrs. William Fields, Dr. Charles Daniels from Aurora, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Spach, Harry Webber, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Bate from Sandwich; Mrs. Joseph Byers from Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.

The following obituary was read by Rev. Ward: "Benjamin Burson was born at Barum, Norway, October 16, 1855. He was the youngest of nine children, all of whom preceded him in death. His twin sister, Mrs. Bertha Speitel, preceded him in December, 1908. He, with his mother, brothers and sisters, came to America when a lad of twelve years. The family settled in Chicago where he lived until he was eighteen years old. He then came to Plano, Illinois, which became his home for the remaining 65 years of his life and was employed with the Deering Harvester company and later with the Plano and Sandwich Manufacturing Companies.
On August 17, 1878, he married Anna Marie Neilsen who preceded him in death on July 27, 1927. To them were born eight children: Annette, Clara, twins Alfred and Arthur, Norman, Leon who gave his life in France during the World War, Leslie and Evelyn. He was a kind devoted father and grandfather, ever interested in the welfare of his family. Mr. Burson was reared in the Lutheran Church and Parochial school in Norway. When about 12 years of age, he was confirmed and became a member of the church. Owing to the connection of his parents with the Lutheran church and the careful religious training which he received in his youth, he was never able to see his way clear to transfer his membership to any other denomination. However, his firm belief in the Saviour led him to be interested in other churches and in everything that was wholesome and uplifting. Benjamin played the accordian for dances in Little Rock [note: this may be a village name or a township name...both are in Kendall County, Illinois. -KG]
He passed away at the age of 84 years and two days after a brief illness. Death came to him during a quiet peaceful sleep at his home on the morning of October 18, 1939. Those left to mourn his loss are his children: Mrs. Annette Schumaker, Mrs. Clara Smith, Alfred Burson of Eldorado Springs, Missouri; Arthur Burson, Norman Burson, Leslie Burson, Mrs. Evelyn Patterson, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, besides a host of relatives and friends.
Date of Obit: Wednesday, October 25, 1939
Submitted by: Kristy Lawrie Gravlin [but not a relative]
Newspaper Name: Kendall County News

Death of Albert Cook
The King of Terrors has been active in our midst this winter, and we are called upon to chronicle the death of Albert Cook, Esq., of Newark. He died on Friday last from general debility after an illness of some weeks. Mr. Cook was post master of Newark and Justice of the Peace for many years. He was well-known by all who have attended the sessions of our circuit court. He was buried Saturday. He leaves a wife and children. [Kendall County Record, February 10, 1870 - sub. by Kristy Gravlin]

MRS. HINES and Perry FERGUSON
Jealous Husband’s Awful Deed.
Peter HINES Kills His Wife and Perry FERGUSON, near Plano
The Aurora News says Peter HINES shot and instantly killed Perry FERGOSUN and mortally wounded his own wife at Perry FERGOSON’s home, about two miles east of Plano Monday evening, Sept. 28, at 8 p.m.
Mr. HINES, upon returning to his home and finding Mrs. HINES absent, and suspecting her whereabouts, went to Mr. FERGUSON’s house and discovered his wife and Mr. FERGOSUN alone in the home. He immediately shot Mr. FERGOSUN, severing the great jugular vein and killing him almost instantly. HINES then followed his wife, who had run into an adjoining room, told her that she would have to die and fired his revolver at her, the bullet lodging in her left lung. HINES immediately went to Plano and gave himself up to the officers. Mrs. FERGOSUN came to Aurora Monday evening to visit with her daughter, Mrs. Al. HENN, on Garfield avenue, her husband seeing her off on the train at Plano. A telegram Tuesday morning to her and Mrs. HENN announced the sudden death of Mr. FERGUSON and summoned them to Plano. [Batavia Herald, 1 October, 1896 - sub. by K. Torp]

Death Of Former Bataviaite - Frank E. FOSTER
The Kendall County Record says Frank E. FOSTER, son of S. E. and E. S. FOSTER of Millington, Ill., was born in Batavia, Kane County, Ill., September 1, 1861; and died at Los Angeles, Cal., Sunday, June 24, 1894, after a prolonged illness.
Deceased, at the age of three years, moved with his parents to Geneva, Ill. In 1871, when a boy of 10 years, he moved with his parents to Millington, where he remained till the spring of 1883, when he went to Arizona. In August 21, 1889, married Ada M. TAYLOR, of this vicinity. Soon after their marriage Frank and Ada FOSTER went to Flagstaff, Arizona, where, for a time, was engaged in business. Two children were born to them at this place. In 1892 they moved to Los Angeles, Cal., where they remained till Mr. FOSTER’s death. [Batavia Herald, 26 July 1894 - sub. by K. Torp]

DEATH OF MR. JOHN GILLMAN, A FORMER RESIDENT OF THIS VICINITY
Mr. John GILLMAN, a resident of this vicinity (Batavia, Kane County, IL) for eight years, and well and favorably known among our older citizens, died at his home in Plano, Sunday, April 30, 1893, at 8 o’clock, a.m., aged 77 years. Deceased was born in Coburg, Canada, June 1, 1816, and went from there to N. Y., when eleven years of age, where he remained until 1837, when he came to ill., and settled near Long Grove, from thence he came to Elburn, where he remained eight years, and then moved to near Plano. Oct. 1, 1842, he married Miss Margaret JOBES, with whom he lived to celebrate their Golden Wedding, which occurred Oct. 2, 1892. About eight years ago he was injured in a runaway accident which resulted in the loss of his eye sight, and since that time has been entirely blind. A few years ago they retired from active farming and went to Plano, where the rest of his life has been spent. Since his blindness his faithful wife has been his greatest comfort, as her whole time was devoted to reading to him, and helping to pleasantly pass away the time. His health has been gradually failing ever since his blindness, and for a few months just past has been nearly helpless, but was only confined to his bed a few days before his death. He was the father of three children, one son, Charles, who lives on the old homestead, and two daughters, one having died in infancy, the other, Mrs. Post, living at Post Falls, Oregon. Deceased was honest, upright and highly respected by all who knew him. The funeral was held in the Plano Baptist church, Tuesday, May 2d, at 2 p.m., Rev. G. M. Daniels officiating. The remains were taken to Griswold cemetery for burial. His faithful and aged companion has our heartfelt sympathy in her hour of sorrow. [Batavia Herald, Kane Co, IL, 5 May 1893 - sub. by K. Torp]

William HIDDLESON, the oldest man in Plano, died last week at the age of 95 years. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and in early life a boatman on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. [Batavia Herald, 14 March 1895 - sub. by K. Torp]

Sad Death of Mrs. Bell JACKSON.
Mrs. Bell NEWTON JACKSON, died on Thursday, March 5th, 1896, at her home in Millington, Ill., after a short illness. She as the wife of E. W. JACKSON, Asisting City Engineer of Chicago, and the only daughter of ex-Sheriff A. D. NEWTON, of Kendall County. Mrs. JACKSON held the position of Deputy Recorder of Kendall county during three different administrations, a period of twelve years. She was a young woman of marked intelligence, deservedly popular among a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
The Herald deeply regrets her departure, and join a large circle of friends in expressing sympathy to the bereaved family. [Batavia Herald, 12 March 1896 - sub. by K. Torp]

DEATH OF MRS. JENKS, THE OLDEST CHAUTAUQUAN
Mrs. Clarissa JENKS, a resident of Winnebago county since 1836, and the oldest Chautauquan graduate in the world, died, in Rockford, Saturday afternoon, at the age of 90 years. She was the mother of J. H. JENKS, of Aurora and Dr. Jenks who has been one of the successful physicians of Plano, for over 30 years. [Batavia Herald, Kane County, IL, 8 June 1893 - sub. by K. Torp]

Sudden Death of William LONG.
Died on a Street Car.
Wm. LONG, of Chicago, who was formerly a barber in VanNortwick Block, Batavia, died Thursday afternoon, March 19, 1896, in Chicago on a Wentworth Ave. street car, just after his return from visiting his brother in this city. LONG had been downtown on some business, and was returning to his home on a Wentworth Ave. car. All the seats were taken and he was forced to stand. At Twenty-second street he was seen to stagger, and Conductor Alheim ran into the car and caught him before he fell to the floor. He dragged LONG out on the platform, where he almost immediately expired. Heart failure is attributed as the cause. He was buried at Yorkville. [Batavia Herald, 26 March 1896 - sub. by K. Torp]

OSWEGO’S TRAGEDY
John OLSON, of Oswego, fired three shots, at Paul Hawley, without effect last week, on account of domestic troubles. The next day, Olson was found in a barn, with a bullet in his head, cold in death. After Coroner Lord had held an inquest, testimony was brought out which looked very much as though Olson was murdered by some unknown person. [Batavia Herald, 24 August, 1893 - sub. by K. Torp]

DANIEL PEARCE
The oldest Settler gone
Daniel Pearce died Sunday afternoon and his funeral will take place at 2 o'clock today at the house, Elder Keys of Aurora, performing the solemn rites. Mr. P. was 89 years and one month of age, a native of Maryland, and served three months in the war of 1812; previous to his coming here he was residing in Ohio; he came from there in 1832, selected and staked out his lands, returned and the next year moved his family here and ever since has been living on the spot he then selected for a residence; he raised a numerous family of large, stout and healthy children, confined himself exclusively to farming and prospered extraordinarily; he was the main stay of the Oswego Methodist church during the early stages of its existence; he had strong prejudices and did not regard with the greatest degree of charitableness contrary opinions to his own, but he was a man that minded his own business, was seldom away from home, never unless it was necessary, and hence had little difficulty with his neighbors or anybody else during his long residence here. [June 5, 1878, Kendall County Register Submitted by Stephanie at kivests@yahoo.com, transcribed by K. Torp]

The remains of Mr. Harvey RAWSON were brought from Yorkville by carriage, Monday, and interred in the East Side Cemetery. Deceased was a brother of Mrs. Wm. H. PRATT, and died at his home in Yorkville, of paralysis, aged over 80 years. [Batavia Herald, 27 July 1893 - sub. by K. Torp]

Mrs. SIDNEY, daughter of J. M. HUMMEL, of Sandwich, died at her home in Yorkville, Saturday, June 10. She leaves two children, the youngest only a week old. She was much beloved and will be deeply mourned. [Batavia Herald, 15 June 1893 - sub. by K. Torp]