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History and Genealogy
John Morgan Harney
FROM THE HENRY NEWS REPUBLICAN 6/3/1907 - Courtesy Kandi Anderson McLaney
JOHN MORGAN HARNEY Johnnie or Jack suffered from consumption for two years. Eight years before, an older brother and father died. He spent a few years in business with his brothers in Seneca, later was a traveling salesman. Four years ago he went to farm swamp land in Henry Co. with his brothers and caught a severe cold which lead to the death. Relatives from abroad included Thomas of Annawan, James from Chicago, Daniel from Lee Co., William Harney with wife and two sons, Phillip Real with his mother from Milo, Thomas F. Real and wife from Washburn.
Mrs. Adam Gunther
Obituary Unknown Source - Courtesy Treasa Kincaid-Bond Brookman
March 1908
Four months of extreme suffering from Dropsy, Mrs. Adam Gunther passed away at the home in South Sparland on Saturday at half past at the age of 64 years, 3 months and 22 days. She had been afflicted with dropsy for a number of years, but since the holidays had been confined to the room. She was conscious up to the time of her death, bidding each member of the household a last good bye.
Heneritta Shallcross was born in Drauda, Ireland, November 23, 1843. When quite young she became a member of the Episcopal Church and throughout her life she adhered to its doctrines. In 1856 she came to America and lived for some time with an uncle in New York. On Nov, 6, 1861 she was unite in marriage to Anthony DeWalt and to this union were born 9 children. James Dewalt, Mrs. Clara Pride, Mrs. Mary Head, Mrs. Margaret Swanson, Mrs. Anna VanDusen, and Mrs. Ella Marshall. Mr. Dewalt died Feb. 25, 1878 and on the 14th of October 1880 she was again united in marriage to Adam Gunther at Ottawa, IL. Three children were born to them, twin girls, who died in infancy and a little daughter Lizzie who became a cripple at age 2 but lived to be 11 years old.
Mrs. Gunther leaves to survive her one sister, Mrs. Sarah Lyons, an aged husband, 8 children and 36 grandchildren who will ever miss her indulgent love. The funeral was held at the house on Sunday at 3 pm Rev. Chessman conducting the services, reading from the 15th chapter of 1st Corinthians.
His remarks and prayer was very comforting to the family. He very touchingly based his remarks on the word "Mother". The singing was in charge of a quartet consisting of Mr & Mrs. F.A. Barr, Mrs. John Parsons and Mrs. Geo Frank. the pall bearers were chosen from neighbors and friends who laid the body to rest beside the little girl Lizzie in the Sparland Cemetery.
The family sincerely appreciate all the kindness shown to them during the
illness and death of their beloved mother.
Mr. Gunther and family.
JONAS WOODWARD
Donated by Susie Martin-Rott <rootboun@tampabay.rr.com>
Susie writes: "Since I was lucky enough to find my Chester S. Woodward on your Marshall Co site, I'm passing along the obituary of his son, Jonas Dodge Woodward, who owned the newspaper in Henry for a time along with his brother in law Mr.Ruggles:"
Obituary from The Daily News, Joliet Illinois
Friday March 13, 1908 Page 10
JONAS WOODWARD ANSWERS CALL
Odd Fellow for Half Century and Oldest Printer Here
Jonas D. Woodward, known in Joliet for many years, died at his home, 206 Grant avenue, Friday morning at 2:45. He is survived by his wife and four children: Mrs. Cora R. Nicholson and Earnest Woodward, and Mrs. Jessie E. Crissey and Kate E. Buck.
Mr. Woodward was born in Lyons, Wayne county, New York, May 14, 1836 and had almost completed his 72nd year. When he was four years old he came west with his parents who settled in Henry, Ill. where he was educated and learned his trade of printer.
Mr. Woodward was the oldest printer in Joliet. As a printer when the copositor filled a more important function than in these linotype days, it was when he was working on a paper in Galesburg that he helped to set up the copy on Lincoln's famous debate with Stephen A. Douglass. Later while working in Springfield, he met Lincoln and visited at his home before he went to Washington to fill the office of Chief Executive. Not only did he help elect him but Mr. Woodward had the honor of voting at the same booth with Lincoln in 1860.
In 1861, on August 2, Mr. Woodward married Mrs. Roxana Buck in Joliet, and in 1870 came to Joliet and made this place his home until 1880, when the family moved to Jewel City, Kansas, at which place Mr. Woodward managed the Republican, selling out to his partner in 1883 and returning to Joliet a year later.
For fifty years Mr. Woodward has been a prominent member of the Order of Odd Fellows, joining the "lodge" in Henry in 1857. Last June the 50th anniversary of his association with the order was celebrated in Joliet with considerable ceremony and Mr. Woodward was presented with a handsome jewel comemorative of his long and honorable connection with the fraternity. The Odd Fellow's medal, showing a record of 50 years membership for Mr. Woodward is among the treasures which his death has placed in the keeping of others.
The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the house to the Richards street M.E. Church at 2:30, under conduct of the Odd Fellows and the Printer's Union.
Rev. L. G. Landenberger, formerly of Joliet and now of St. Louis, will officiate, assisted by the Rev. J. H. Odgers.
----------
The Daily News, Joliet, Illinois, Monday, March 16, 1908 p. 2 col 4 and
col 5
FUNERAL SERVICES OF JONAS WOODWARD
The Richards street Methodist church was crowded yesterday afternoon with friends of the late Jonas Woodward who had gathered to pay their respects to his memory.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. L. G. Landenbarger of St. Louis, assisted by Rev. J. Hastle Odgers. The service was simple and followed by the regular service of the Odd Fellows at the grave at Oakwood.
The pall bearers representing the Odd Fellows were Thomas Baker, James Love and Wm. H. Berst. Those representing the printers were A.M. Stephenson, George Walton and A.J. Steffey.
Copied from The Wenona Index, “Harriet Springer Evans, Former Wenona
Resident
(Courtesy of Peggy Brock
Cacciamatta)
June 3, 1909
Harriet Springer
Died at Her Home in Nevada, Mo., Last Thursday, Aged 76 Years”,
Harriet Springer, daughter of Isaac and Charlotte Springer, was born in Putnam county, Illinois, near Magnolia, in July, 1834, and departed this life at her home in Nevada, Missouri, May 27th, 1909. Her parents were among the early settlers to this section of Illinois. The children, although left parentless in early life, grew up to be an honor to the home and a blessing to the world. Milton C., who passed to the spirit world several years ago, was at one time president of Hedding college at Abingdon, Illinois. Creighton and Lewis have been for many years honored members of the Central Illinois Conference. Melville is a successful business man in Denver, Col. The daughters are Mrs. Sarah Kimball, state of Washington, Mrs. Amelia Iliff, of Denver, Col., Mrs. Adelia Kemp and Mrs. Helen Axline, of Wenona.
The father died about 55 years ago and the mother about 38 years ago. Harriet being the eldest at home, much of the care and management of the home fell upon her. These grave responsibilities she met with remarkable devotion and cheerfulness. In 1855 she was married to Albert Evans, and to them were born the following children: Judge Winslow Evans, of Peoria, Ill.; Ella, Lincoln P., Charles and Addie, of Nevada, Mo., and Mrs. Belle Wright, of Wenona.
The family moved to Nevada, Mo., several years ago, after the deceased had made her home in and near Wenona for more than fifty years. Here, where she is best known, “none name her but to praise.”She united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Sandy when about fifteen years of age, and with rarest fidelity she had held fast the profession of her faith. For a number of years during her life she was a great sufferer and her final fatal illness extended through many months, but she endured it all with true Christian fortitude. She was tenderly cared for by her children, and her sister, Mrs. Iliff, was with her at the last.
The remains were brought to the old home for burial in the Cherry Point cemetery. Funeral services were held at the home of Mrs. Adelia Kemp on Monday at 2:30 p.m. Mrs. C.E. Erwin and Miss Alice Moulton sang very sweetly the following selections: “I Shall Not be a Stranger Up There,” “O, that will be Glory for Me” and “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere.” Rev. J.D. Calhoun had charge of the services, basing his remarks on “God’s Sheltering Care.” He also paid a tribute to Christian motherhood. The following were pallbearers: L.W. Kemp, Carmi Swartz, J.W. Argubright, N.F. Brown, E.G. Becher and W.H. Parkinson. Those from a distance attending the funeral were L.P. Evans, of Nevada, Mo., Winslow Evans and wife, and Mrs. C.K. Woolf, of Peoria.
Ellen McCarty Marnane
FROM THE HENRY NEWS REPUBLICAN 3/24/1910 - Courtesy Kandi Anderson McLaney
Mrs Ellen Marnane died at son-in-law David Dwyer's residence on School Street at 74. Born Ellen McCarty in County Clare, Ireland. In 1850 in Buffalo, NY she married Michael Marnane and they had 7 children, five children and a husband dying before her. Still living is son Daniel, a prosperous farmer of Winside, Wayne Co., Neb.... Minnie, w/ David Dwyer where she's lived since their marriage...five grandchildren. A resident of Henry for more than 50 years.
SOURCE UNKNOWN - OBITUARY (COURTESY JULIE GERDES)
1911
Mrs. W.D. Bayless Dead
Mrs. W.D. Bayless died at her home in this city last Sunday afternoon at four o'clock after an illness of several months of kidney trouble, which was the cause of her death. The funeral service which was largely attended were held in the Christian, on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Moore officiating and paying a high tribute to the deceased, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Ball Cemetery.
Lucinda Palmer was born in Missouri June the 11th, 1844 and with her parents moved to Marion County, Iowa, where on November 3rd, 1865 she was united in marriage to William D. Bayless, and to this union there were born twelve children, nine of whom are living. In 1901 the family moved to Toluca, Illinois where they have since resided, with the exception of about six months when they were in Missouri.
The deceased was well known and highly respected by all who knew her, was a kind mother, and friend to those who were near and dear to her, and ever ready to lend a helping hand. She leaves to mourn her death, the husband, and nine children: Mrs. H.O. Clark, Loren, Phillip, and William of Omaha, Nebraska, Mrs. Joseph Rush, Mrs. M. Schneckenberger, Mrs. John Mehl of Valley NE, and Samuel of Quincy and John of Toluca.
Jacob Strawn
Taken From the HENRY REPUBLICAN - November 23, 1911
Death of Jacob Strawn
A Man of Striking Personality and a Very Entertaining Person
Last week we mentioned the critical illness of Jacob Strawn. Scarcely before our papers were in the hands of the reades he had passed away daying on last Thursday evening about 11 o'clock, says the Lacon Home Journal.
Jacob Strawn was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Strawn, pionerr settlers of Hopewell township, having come to Lacon from Ohio in 1829. Jacob was the second oldest of ten children and was born in a log cabin in Hopewell township, March 27, 1843, and resided at home until his marriage to Miss Harriet Ramsey on March 10, 1864. They moved to a farm near Creston, Ia., where they resided until 1876, when they returned to Lacon and since that time this city has been their home, his wife dying several years ago. One daughter, Miss Emma, has always remained at home and cared for her parents.
Mr. Strawn was a man of striking personality. He was a great reader, a broad thinker, had traveled extensively and in consequence was a very entertaining man. He had hosts of friends and no enemies and his death is regretted by all who knew him. Beside his daughter he leaves three sisters, Mrs. Lucy B. Foster, who is now traveling in far away Italy, Mrs. Helen M. Held, Mrs. Carrie Marsh and four brothers, Leland and John of Peoria, Leroy and Alfred of Lacon.
Copied from The Washburn Leader, Feb. 10, 1916.
Amelia Springer, the subject of this sketch, was born in Marshall county, Illinois, March 8, 1842. Her early years were spent in and around Wenona and later in life she taught school in Wenona, Sparland, and Sandy. This occupation she followed for twelve years.She was married in Wenona, Ill., June 27, 1877, to John M. Iliff, but only four years of wedded life awaited her, for on Feb. 11, 1881, her husband died, leaving her a widow with one child, Eddie, who was born August 17. 1878, to fight the battle for life alone.
For a few years she made her home in Wenona, but the death angel came for her boy, snatching him away from her side December 16, 1885, aged but seven years.Bereft of husband and child she entered the home of her brother Melvin Springer in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to care for his motherless children. With this family she moved to Galesburg, Ill., then to Denver, Col., and at the time of her death was living at Pomona, Cal.Four years ago she had a stroke of paralysis, from which she never fully recovered. The second stroke came the 30th and the angels came the 31st of January, 1916, and bore away this saint of God to her everlasting rest, aged 73 years, 10 months and 23 days.She leaves two sisters and two brothers: Mrs. Delia Kemp and Mrs. Helen Axline both of Wenona, Ill., Melvin Springer, of Pomona, Cal., and the Rev. Creighton Springer, a retired minister of the Central Illinois Conference, residing at North Yakima, Wash.Many nieces and nephews will mourn her loss and “Grandma,” as she was familiarly called, will be sadly missed by those who experienced the loving smile and tender care of this truly noble woman.
Mrs. Iliff was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church;, uniting with it early in life. During her long membership she filled many important offices and few have discharged their duties as faithfully and as conscientiously as did she. Faithful in “least” she was also faithful in “much”–left alone, without the support of husband or child, she leaned hard on God and served him with her whole heart. Surely we can say of her, she was one of those who, having come up out of great tribulations, had washed her robes and home them white in the blood of the Lamb. The funeral service was held at the home of Mrs. Alice Iliff, Monday, Feb. 7, at 2 o’clock p.m., the Rev. Arthur J. Jolly, Ph.D., pastor of the Methodist church of Washburn, conducting. The floral tributes were many and beautiful. A quartet sang the songs she loved and the last rites were given in the Fort cemetery where she will sleep till the Trumpet Call shell awaken her to the Resurrection of the Just.
Michael J. Harney
FROM THE HENRY NEWS REPUBLICAN 3/30/1916 - Courtesy Kandi Anderson McLaney
Michael J. Harney, son of Mr & Mrs Michael Harney, familiarly known as Ike Harney was born near Camp Grove April 30, 1867 and died at the state hospital, Peoria, March 25, 1916. The deceased was an unmarried man, for some years suffering from and incurable attack of locomotor ataxia, cared for here by his sisters and brothers, most attentively andassiduously. His condition within the past few months demanding care he could not be given here, he was taken to the hospital. It is a matter now of great satisfaction to the relatives that all that could be was done for their afflicted one. The neighbors and friends were also very kind in their remembrance during his long affliction. The body was brought back to the old home for the final services and internment...St. Joseph's cemetary...The near relatives of the deceased yet living are a sister, Katherine Harney, two brothers Patrick and Fred Harney with whom we deeply sympathize.
Eliza Jane Wood
OBITUARIES
FROM THE HENRY NEWS REPUBLICAN 3/30/1916 EXERPTS ONLY - Courtesy Kandi Anderson
McLaney
Eliza Jane Wood, born Prince Fredrick, Maryland. 9/22/1829 married Thomas Wood of the same place. At 21...settled north of Chilicothe for 60 years then LaPrairie Center
Obituary - June 1918
(New clipping from the research of Elsie Piper. This is the
great-great-great grandmother of my husband - Nancy Piper)
Mrs. H. H. Allen
It is a distinctive privilege to aid in these last tributes of respect paid to the revered remains of so worthy a character as this mother in Israel, Mrs. Henry Howe Allen, formerly Mary E. Hunter. The deceased was born in the state of New York, October 16, 1834 and died at Nevada, Iowa, June 4, 1918, at the ripe age of 83 years, 7 months and 18 days. The youngest daughter of a family of six children born to Andrew and Huldah Hunter. There remains but one of the family, Hiram Hunter of this city. Mrs. Allen came with the family to Illinois when she was 12 years old.
At the age of 20 she was united in marriage to Henry Howe Allen, to which union eight children were born, all of whom survive the parents except the eldest daughter Martha, who died at the age of 24 years. Since Mr. Allen's decease, November 16, 1906, Mrs. Allen spent the greater part of her time with her children.
She was a kind, affectionate mother, the truest of friends and a devoted Christian. It would be hard if at all necessary to resist a feeling of pride to be born of such stock. I am not indebted excluseively to any member of the family for many facts at my disposal had there been time to reveal them. May the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren long live to emulate their service and consecrated devotion.
"Some other world is glad to see one light that's gone away.
The light whose going makes our night, makes somewhere else a day."
The remains of Mrs. Allen were brought to Henry and taken to the home of Hiram Hunter, the only surviving member of the family, where the funeral was held Friday afternoon. The officiating cleryman was Rev. D. G. Davies, pastor of the Congregational church of Lacon, who spoke words of comfort, both at the house and at the open grave. The attendance was large, as there were many relatives as well as neighbors and friends of the deceased.
The singers were Mrs. C. E. Smith and Mrs. H. F. Andrews, who sand "Abide With Me." Mrs. Smith also sand a solo, "Gone, Our Beloved." Miss Lucy Mateer was the accompanist.
The pall bearers were the five sons of the deceased - Frederick, Hiram, Andrew, Louis, and Albert Allen, and Frank Vail. Interment was in Henry cemetery. A. B. Smith, funeral director.
Those from a distance, in and around Tiskilwa, were Mr. and Mrs. John Jack, Mr. and Mrs. William Piper, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Farley, Mr. and Mrs. Byron Allen, Mr. and Mrs. William Chesney, Ernest and Earl Runnells and Misses Helen and Mary Hunter; also Mr. and Mrs. Harry Spencer of St. Louis.
Card of Thanks
The undersigned wish to express their appreciation and thanks to all who assisted us at the funeral and intement of our venerable sister and mother, Mrs. H. H. Allen, in Henry last Friday, June 7. The sympathy and kindly services will ever be cherished by us all.
Hiram Hunter
Children of Mrs. H. H. Allen
Copied from The Wenona Index, Dec. 12, 1919
“Mrs. Helen Axline– Mrs. Belle Wright Writes Beautiful Outline
of Deceased’s Life,”
Helen Louisa Springer, daughter of Isaac and Charlotte Springer, pioneers of this community, was born at Moon’s Point, Livingston county, Illinois, October 20, 1844, and died at Clinton, Illinois, December 6, 1929. At the age of four years she came with her parents to what was then called Cherry Point, later known as Sandy Community, about four and one-half miles north of Wenona. Here she grew to womanhood. A child of Godly parents, she early expressed her religious convictions. She was a great Bible student. Her earliest memory was of looking as far as the eye could see in any direction, over a vast expanse of blooming prairie, not a home or building in sight. She said it was unspeakably beautiful.
She is the last of twelve children, and has the unusual distinction of having three brothers who became Methodist ministers, namely, Creighton, Lewis, and Milton Springer. Creighton joined the Central Illinois Conference in 1856, and was an honorary member when he died at the age of 94. Lewis Springer had the honor of delivering the first sermon ever preached in Streator. At this time the town was being built, and the pulpit furnished Reverend Springer, was a number of boxes piled together. Helen Springer’s early life’s pleasures were centered around Sandy church (now a memory) where they enjoyed wonderful revivals, camp meetings, Sabbath school picnics, and quarterly meetings, as as I listened to the singers paying a last tribute to this dear woman, singing “Shall We Gather at the River,” I thought how many times I heard her sing the same song at dear old Sandy church.
On March 17, 1890, Helen Springer was united in marriage to John W. Axline. For some years they lived on Sandy. Later they spent five years at Paxton, then moving to Lacon. They lived there eighteen years. Then came the sad news that a dearly loved husband and father had been called home. Just thirty-five years ago since them, Mrs. Axline has made her home in Wenona. Six years ago, Mrs. Axline had another dad bereavement, in the death of her daughter, Mrs. Myra Fosbender, well known and loved by all Wenona people.
For more than thirty years she has been active in her church relations in the Methodist church in Wenona, as much as health would permit. She was much loved by her Sabbath school class of middle aged ladies. The past five years with the feebleness of age, she spent her summers with her daughter, Mrs. old Carey, at Clinton, and winters with her son, Elmer C. Axline, at Illino, Mo. It has been her great pleasure to watch the progress of this community from the log cabin to a modern home, from the Old Oaken Bucket to the faucet in the home; from the prairie schooner to the automobile; from an occasional community sing in the home, to a radio in every home and music every night.
When fourteen years old she watched the building of the Illinois Central railroad through Wenona and saw the first railroad train pass through Wenona. As she watched the progress of material things, she lived the development of things spiritual. To me, the growth of her spiritual life is like the growth of the climbing rose of the prairie, each clinging tendril as it fastens itself to a firm support, is her faith in her God. The myriads of roses are the shining lights radiating to the multitudes of spiritual needs. The leaves are the may who have been touched by the light of her faith. this beautiful rose of the prairie has reached its perfection and now shines in the heavens.
Those surviving her are her children, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Carey, of Clinton; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Axline, of Herrin; Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Axline, of New York; her grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Fosbender, of Los Angeles, California; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley S. Whittier, of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fosbender, of Los Angeles, California; Mr. and Mrs. Dooley, of Jefferson City, Mo.; Elmer and Hobert Axline, of Herrin, Illinois.
In memory of Mrs. Axline, by the Filth M.E. Sunday school class, of Wenona.
“AWAY”
I cannot say, and I will not say
That she is dead, She is just away.
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand
She has wandered into an unknown land.
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since she lingers there,
And you–oh you, who the wildest yearn,
For the old time step and the glad return.
Think of her faring on, as dear
In the love of there as the love of here.
Think of her still as the same, I say,
She is not dead, she is just away.
Henry News Republican
November 23, 1922
Prominent Farmer of Evans Township Passes Away.
M. J. French, passed away at his home at Wenona on Monday evening at the age of 69 years, after an illness of four months. The deceased was a prominent farmer in Evans township for many years, and his passing has cast a gloom over the entire community. About three years ago he moved to Wenona and has since resided at that place, his son Ralph having charge of the farm.
He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and also of the Masonic lodge. Funeral services were held from his late on Wednesday afternoon at 1:30. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in that locality, showing the high esteem in which this worthy citizen held. ...........(remainder missing).