April
5, 1928
FROM THE HENRY NEWS REPUBLICAN 4/30/1925 EXERPTS ONLY - Courtesy Kandi Anderson McLaney
Lindsey Anderson, son of Abraham and Pleasant Anderson, near Lone Tree born April 19, 1859 died at 66 years, 6 days, one of ten children....two brothers Frank E and John W.
March 18, 1926
Former Whitefield Resident Called by Death.
Death came suddenly to Frank Clark Swift, a brother of Mrs. C. L. Clawson and Miss Emma Swift at his home in Delavan, Kansas, last Wednesday. He was well known here as he was born and rasied at Whitefield. Mr. Swift was apparently in his usual heath when he suffered a stroke on the Saturday before his death from which he never regained consciousness. The deceased was aged 69 years and 5 months at the time of his death.
His passing is mourned by his surviving widow and three daughters and three sons. A seventh child is deceased. He is also survived by one brother, Arthur Swift of Keota, Ia., and two sisters, Mrs. C. L. Clawson and Miss Emma Swift of this city.
Funeral services were held Friday afternoon. Mrs. C. L. Clawson left last Monday for Kansas and reached her brother's bedside before his death.
May 6, 1926
C.W. Dersey Dies At Home In Toluca
After an illness of long duration, C.W. Dersey, passes peacefully away at his home in Toluca at 2 p.m. Sunday. The deceased had been a patient sufferer for over two years with heart and kidney trouble, and for the past two months was confined to bed. Funeral services were conducted form his late home at two o’clock last Tuesday afternoon, by Wenona Lodge No. 283, I.O.O.F., and his remains were interred in the Antioch cemetery, the funeral being very largely attended. Charles W. Dersey was born in the town of Ashippun, Dodge county, Wis., November 16, 1850, being at the time of his death aged 75 years, 5 months and 9 days. He had been a resident of Toluca for the past nineteen years, being engaged in the hotel business for a number of years.
William Dexter Amrine, formerly a resident of this city, and a baker by trade, passed away at Toluca, April 22. He was born September 10, 1869 at Saline, Kansas. During the war with Spain he enlisted with a regiment that formed a part of Colonel Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and with them saw service in Cuba. On October 12, 1912, he was united in marriage to Gertrude E. Fike and to this union one child was born, Elizabeth Minerve, and who with the mother and wife are left to mourn his loss. The funeral services were held at the Christian church in Toluca a week ago Sunday at 2:30 and interment was made in Antioch cemetery.
August 18, 1927
Toluca Man Fatally Stricken on Porch
Thomas Keigan of Toluca died suddenly Friday. While sitting on the front porch of his home, he was seized with a hemhorage and was dead before physicians arrived. Although in poor health for the past year, Mr. Keigan was still able to be around and made several trips to town the day of his death. During the winter he was a janitor in the Toluca Grade School.
April
5, 1928
Norton E. Moffitt, Past 87, Died At Bradford Home
Funeral Services Held at Henry M. E. Church
Infirmities and general weakness due to a multiciplicity of years terminated in death on Monday, March 26, 1928, when Norton Edgar Moffitt passed to his fathers at the home of his son, Allen Moffitt, near Bradford, at the advanced age of 87 years and 10 months. Mr. Moffitt formerly resided in henry and with his wife, who passed away in this city, occupied a home on Green street. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt were excellent people, kind friends and neighbors and had the love and esteem of a host of acquaintances.
Norton Edgar Moffitt, the subject of our sketch, was born in Chillicothe, Illinois, May 26, 1840, his parents being Hugh and Jane (Laughlin) Moffitt. His childhood was spent in and near Chillicothe, where he received his early education.
In 1860, he with his parents, became residents of Marshall county, moving to the Moffitt farm near Whitefield. He attended school at Lombard, and at the age of 21 entered the Eastman National Business college at Poughkeepsie, New York, from which he graduated May 2, 1865. Eight years of his life were spent in Fort Scott, Kansas, eight years near Kingman, Kansas, and ten years, as mentioned above, being spent in Henry.
On March 28, 1878, Mr. Moffitt was united in marriage with Elizabeth Funston, and to their union four children were born - Allen E. Moffitt of Bradford; Fannie M., wife of J. Finley of Chillicothe; Cora B., wife of Thomas Seelye, of Alama, Texas, and Hugh Moffitt of Henry; there war also twelve grandchildren and many relatives and friends.
The wife and mother passed to the Great Beyond Jan. 19, 1922, since which time the aged husband has made his home among his children. The deceased was the fifth child of a family of eight children, all of whom have preceded him in death with the exception of the youngest sister, Mrs. Jane Graves of Portland Oregan. The deceased brothers and sisters are Mariah Ramsey, John, Allen and Snowden Moffitt, Lydia and Ruth.
Thus closes the final chapter of a nobel manhood, a kind husband and father; and his children will honor his memory. The funeral services were held from the Methodist church last Thursday afternoon, Rev. Ivins Chatten officiating. Rev. and Mrs. Dusenberry had charge of the singing. Interment in Henry Cemetery. Pallbearers were Richard Tremain, W.R. Brokaw, Simeon Doyle, J.O. Hill, Geo. Pace and Henry Mattison.
April 5, 1928
Mrs. Florence Ramage Dies At Magnolia Home
Another daughter of this city, born in Henry but in the natural trend of events having grown to womanhood, married and made a home elsewhere, has completed her mission here on earth and gone Home to hear ever welcome salutation, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Florence Bowars, daughter of John and Mary Hartenbower Bowars, was born born April 25, 1864, at Henry, Illinois and passed to her reward at her home in Magnolia, Sunday at 1:17 a.m., April 1, 1928, being 63 years, 11 months and 6 days old. She was married January 7, 1886, to John Ramage of Magnolia. .... She was a member of the M. E. church and various church societies. During her recent illness she had every care but gradually lost in the valiant fight with death.
At the passing of her father and mother, at an early age she and her sister Carrie were left to the care of her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bowars, who resided on the home farm near Lostant, Illinois. From there, at the death of teh uncle, they moved to Magnolia, where she has since resided. Her sister Carrie, (Mrs. H. G. Mitchell) passed away January 24, 1925.
Surviving her in addition to her husband, is one son Harry and wife and one granddaughter, Patricia Lou, one nephew, Ivan Mitchell and a host of cousins to mourn her loss.
PATRICK HARNEY, LIFELONG RESIDENT DIES -(Courtesy Kandi Anderson McLaney)
Following a long and excruciating illness with complications, death came a merciful release to Patrick Harney, a lifelong resident of Henry, on Saturday, May 11,1929 at the age of 67 years 11 months and 19 days. The deceased was the oldest son of Michael and Margaret (Murnane) Harney and was born in this city May 22, 1861. He spent his entire life of over 3 score years, was educated and married to his wife, now deceased, being Margaret Dwyer, a sister to the late John and David Dwyer and of Mrs. Julius Meister of Indiana.
April 10, 1930
Toluca Man Falls Down Stairs, Killed
Louis Mariotti, a resident of Toluca for the past 30 years, was instantly killed a week ago, when he fell down a flight of stairs in his home, following a sudden stroke of paralysis. His skull was fractured in the fall, entailing the loss of much blood, which the coroner’s jury ascribed as the cause of his passing. The accident occurred at 3:30 o’clock. Aside from the widow; Mr. Mariotti leaves two sons, Faustino, of Chicago, and Frank of Toluca, and two daughters, Mrs. James Mouser and Marie Mariotti. Funeral services were conducted form St. Ann’s church at Toluca Friday morning at 9 o’clock and interment took place in Toluca. Mr. Mariotti was prominent in the political life of Toluca for many years. He conducted a soft drink parlor in that village since coming from Italy some 30 years ago.
Charles N. Barnes, Lawyer, Dies at Age 71 Years
Charles Newton Barnes, former state senator, long a leader in Democratic circles in this district and prominent for half a century in legal circles, died at 1:30 o’clock last Thursday morning at the Methodist hospital in Peoria. He was 71 years old. While he had been in ill health for about two years, he was able to be about until he was stricken two weeks ago. His condition became steadily worse, having been critical for several days.
He was born at Washburn, Ill., March 25, 1860, son of Thomas and Anna Little Barnes, pioneer settlers in that community. He was educated in the schools there, graduating from Washburn High school in 1878 after which he attended Iowa City college at Iowa City, Iowa, where he received his A.B. degree in 1881. He then continued his education in the law school at Northwestern university at Chicago, where he graduated with the degree of L. LB in 1883. He was admitted to the bar the next year, entering practice at Lacon.
January 26, 1933
Life Sketch of the Late Mrs. Harrison Gehr
Ina Zetta Adkinson, daughter of John and Eliza Wilkinson Adkinson was born in Peoria, Ill., March 17, 1855, and passed to her heavenly home, January 19, 1933, aged 77 years, 10 months and 2 days. When a small child, she moved with her parents to Henry, Ill., where she grew to young womanhood and undder the guidance of exemplary Christian parents she united with the Methodist church when 10 years of age.
In 1872, when not quite 17 years old, she became the wife of Harrison Gehr of Sparland, where they began housekeeping shortly afterward. Three children came to bless their home, a son Fred, and two daughters, Mabelle and Elsie...... She has been an active member of the methodist Episcopal church, working faithfully in its interests and allied organizations. She served as president of the Ladies Aid society for a number of years and was active in its early organization.
Since the death of Mr. Gehr on December 14, 1907, she has found sweet solace and companionship with her children. She has had a very happy home for almost nine years with her daughter, Mrs. Mabelle Mathias and husband. She enjoyed coming to town and spending a while with her son Fred and wife, and also with her beloved sister in Henry.
..... She has been gradually failing for some time. Her last illness was of short duration. She was taken with a severe cold which teminated in pneumonia. Though everthing was done that loving hands and careful nursing could do, she passed peacefully into her last sleep early Thursday morning, surrounded by her children and other loved ones.
She is survived by her son Fred and wife, her daughters, Mrs. Mabelle Mathias and Mrs. Elsie Moore and their husbands; one sister, Mrs. Mellie Johnson of Henry, Ill., one brother Julius Adkinson of Springfield, Ill., also a number of nephews and nieces, and a large circle of friends.
The funeral was held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Methodist church. (REST MISSING).
February 2, 1933
Charles W. Meier
Charles William Meier was born at Henry on April 13, 1887, to son of William and Lucy Meier. He grew to manhood in this city and was educated in the public schools here. On November 14, 1910, he was united in marriage with Miss Cleo Chance, and to this union were born two children, Curtis and Maurice, both of whom survive. Mr. Meier's father preceded him in death about seven years ago.
Mr. Meier engaged in the hardware business with his brother, Louis, operating for a number of years under the firm name of Meier Bros. With the exception of a year spent in Clovis, New Mexico, shortly after his marriage, his entire life was spent in this community. While in New Mexico he ran a variety store business.
He was a member of the Masonic lodge, the Order of Eastern Star, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen, and was for a number of years of member of the Henry and Lacon bands. He had filled offices in several of the lodges and societies to which be belonged, and was a past Worthy Patron of the O. E. S. He was also a member of the grade school board.
Besides his two children and his wife, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. William Meier, one brother, Louis Meier, and one sister, Mrs. Clyde Worley of this city.
(Article before states "Charles Meier, 45, prominent citizen and lifelong resident of Henry, ended his life by hanging hisself in a shed at the rear of the Meier Bros Hardware Store, at about 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon." The article goes on the state that worry over business difficulties and metal strain were the motives. He was buried in the Henry City Cemetery)
August 17, 1933
Life Sketch of the Late Mrs. Charles Palm
Mrs. Sophia Palm passed away on Thursday afternoon of last week. Funeral services were held at her late home in Wenona at 2 p.m. and in the First Lutheran church at Varna at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon. The Rev. Nilsson conducted the Swedish services and the Rev. Hultberg of Wenona, officiated in English.
Sophia Peterson Palm was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Peterson and was born in September 1867 and next month would have been 66 years old. She was married to Charles Palm on February 27, 1887. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Palm - George, Bert and Clifford, and Mrs. Nettie Johnson; two children having died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Palm moved from the farm to Varna in 1914, where they lived
until two years ago when they moved to Wenona. Mrs. Palm was a devoted
mother and a kind neighbor. She was also a devout church member.
Interment was made in Salem cemetery.
March 22, 1934
Frank T. Harlin Dies in Woodstock, IL
Frank T. Harlin, 78-year-old former farmer of Marshall and Peoria counties, passed away a week ago Sunday at a Woodstock, Ill. hospital where he had been a patient since January 16 of this year. Funeral services were conducted from the Blue Ridge church at 1 o'clock last Wednesday afternoon with many friends, relatives and former neighbors in attendance. Interment was made in the cemetery nearby.
Franklin Thaddeus Harlin was born near Worcester, Ashland county, Ohio, June 15, 1855, and died March 4, 1934, aged 78 years, 8 months and 17 days. When about 10 years old he came with his parents to Illinois and settled on a farm near Putnam. When a young man he moved to a farm near Northampton and most of his life was spent farming in Peoria and Marshall counties.
January 30, 1879, he was united in marriage to Ella A. Clark, of Hallock. To this union were born four children: Alvin J. of Woodstock, Ill.; Mrs. Mary E. Nurse who died Feb. 25, 1926; Fred C. of Brimfield, and Edith E., who passed away April 27, 1906. His wife preceded him in death June 17, 1893, leaving him to fill the place of both mother and father to his children. January 1904, he was married to Mrs. Ella Fillmore, who was taken by death January 1925. To them was born one child, Ora F. of Chillicothe. When very young he united with the Methodist church and remainded a faithful member.
November 19, 1936
Nellie G. Clemens Laid to Rest In Magnolia Cemetery
On Nov. 12, 1936, Nellie G. Clemens passes away quietly at her home in LaRose, after a protracted illness. She was born at Napoleon, Ind., on July 30, 1872. On Jan. 9, 1893, she was united in marriage at Indianapolis, Ind., to John G. Clemens, also of Napoleon, after which the young couple moved to Varna, and for the greater part of their married life, they were residents of this immediate vicinity. There were born to this union, six children; Freda and Meda, twin daughters, who died in infancy, Louis H. Clemens, Georgia C. Thrawl, Virginia C. Juers and Russell C. Clemens, who with the husband and nine grandchildren, survive to mourn her passing. Funeral services were held at the home at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 1936 with the Rev. Sam Crabtree, officiating. Interment was in the Magnolia cemetery. Other relatives who attended the service were: George Borgstede and daughter Mildred of Magnolia; Mr. and Mrs. August Clemens of Varna; Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Clemens and daughter Mabel of Washington, Ill.; and Mrs. Gene Craine and William Long of Decatur.
Late Rites Friday For Wm. Smith, 78
Funeral services for William Smith, 78, will be held Friday afternoon from his late home in Roberts Township. Rev. Keith Loveless of the Magnolia M.E. church will officiate. Surviving are the wife and the following children: Mrs. Bertha Zobrest of Granville; Mrs. Minne Brushwailer of Chillicothe; Mrs. Sarah Hoppis of Muskegon, Mich.; Mrs. Anna Wilkins of Chillicothe; Jacob T. and Elmer T. Smith, both of Magnolia; also step-sons and daughters, who are Mrs. Dorothy Sylvester of Varna, and Mrs. Darlene Doran, Mrs. Margaret E. Reaska, Charles T. Skaggs and Ernest J. Skaggs, all of Magnolia. Burial will be in the Rutland Cemetery. A.C. Lindbloom is the funeral director.
George B. Anderson
Henry News Republican - 1941 - Courtesy Kandi Anderson McLaney
HENRY CITIZEN DIES
G. B. Anderson Dies of Stroke; Invalid For Past TwoYears
"George Benton Anderson was born Sept. 6, 1870 at Promise City, Wayne county, Iowa and died Sunday at 1:15pm after a long illness. Mr. Anderson suffered a stroke in 1939 and after two years of invalidism, a second stroke on his birthday this year resulted in critical illness from which he did not recover.
Mr. Anderson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benton Anderson moved to Illinois with his parents when a child, and during his early manhood worked on various farms in the Whitefield and Lone Tree neighborhoods. After coming to Henry many years ago, he was city policeman at the time that Clifford Haws was mayor. His trade was painting and paper hanging at which he was very adept. On Dec. 17, 1919, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret May Harney, daughter of Patrick Harney of this city (Henry).
To this union three children were born, two sons, Clifford Benton and Harry Edward, and a daughter, May Margaret. He leaves to mourn his death, his wife and three children; one sister, Mrs. Charles A. Wood of Putnam; two half-sisters, Mrs. Fred Becker of Rock Island, and Mrs. Roy Bauter of Donellson, Iowa; two Aunts, Mrs. Thomas Harris of Whitefield and Mrs. Retta Shultz of Chicago; a number of cousins and many friends. Ed Haines, who passed away recently, was a half-brother"
T. E. Hennessey
FROM THE HENRY NEWS REPUBLICAN
July 29,1959
EXERPTS - Courtesy Kandi Anderson McLaney
Thomas Edward (Ed) Hennessey, one of 9 children of Patrick and Anna Kelly Hennessey and last surviving born at Camp Grove July 28, 1878. He was married at St. Patrick's in Havana October 20 1909 toCecelia Kearney. They had three sons, Harold of Washington and Paul and Thomas of Peoria. There are 8 grandchildren. He has lived in Henry since 1907. Mrs. Hennessey died April 29, 1953.
Taken From the Toluca Star, September 1960
Mrs. Vespa Died In Chicago
Mrs. Donato Vespa, a Toluca resident for many years, succumbed Saturday evening in the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Orne in Chicago after a lengthy illness. Numzia Marinacci was born April 29,1875 in Calascio, Italy, the daughter of Francesco and Philameno Marinacci. She married Donato Vespa in Italy on January 29, 1896 and a year later they came to the United States and settled in Toluca. Mr. Vespa died in 1956. Surviving are five children, mrs. George Orne of Chicago; Miss Anna, at home; David of Berwyn; Daniel of Silver Springs, Md.; and Dewey of St. Louis, Mo. Visitation was held at the Aimone and Son Funeral Home and ferneal services were conducted in St. Ann's church at 9 am Tuesday with Fr. John Schumacher officiating. Pallbearers were Louis Dobrich, Primo Biagini, Joe Cicciarelli, John Boresi, Tony Tiraboschi and Dave Supan. Burial followed in St. Ann's cemetery.
Back to Marshall County Illinois History and Genealogy
BIOGRAPHICAL SKITS AND EXERPTS
William Davis Bayless (1842-1928)
William was 5 feet 3 3/4 inches tall with hazel eyes and light brown hair. William moved with his parents to Iowa as a young man. He was a civil war veteran and served with Company "A" 40th Regiment Iowa Infantry commanded by William S. Blaine. He served from November 21, 1864 to August 2, 1865. While in the service he was stationed at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
During the civil war he was hospitalized at Fort Smith during March of 1865 due to "catching a severe cold about Feb. 20, 1865 by wading out where a boat was run aground in the Arkansas River. He has never fully recovered from this cold and it settled in his head and eyes". According to his physician J.D. Skidmon M.D. "William is deaf in one ear ahd his eyesight was partially impaired due to overexposure and hard duty while in the United States service". William eventually lost the sight completely in his right eye.
William and his son John came to Toluca in 1901. They had previously been farmers and brick masons. He may have worked for the Devlin Coal Company for a couple of years. His son John worked as a carpenter for the Devlin Coal Company until the mines closed and then John and his wife Martha "Mattie" operated a restaurant on East Santa Fe Ave. A history of Toluca published by the City of Toluca, under the section written by Pete Aimone, mentions a restaurant about in the area of Clanin's building by the name of Thompson's. When the Baylesses came here, they brought Martha Thompson , Martha's brother Martin Thompson and also a sister, Mrs.(Addie) C.B. Dersay.
About a year before his death, William's health began to fail. He died at the home of his son around five-thirty, Sunday evening, January 22, 1928, after a two week illness with "dropsy and heart trouble". He was laid to rest, Tuesday February 24, 1928 in the Antioch cemetery, Toluca, IL.
Martha "Mattie" Thompson Bayless (1866-1939)
Mattie was a resident of Toluca for 42 years. Her husband, John worked as a carpenter for the Devlin Coal Company until the mines closed and then John and Mattie operated a restaurant on East Santa Fe Ave. A history of Toluca published by the City of Toluca, under the section written by Pete Aimone, mentions a restaurant about in the area of Clanin's building by the name of Thompson's. She died at her home at Toluca at 11:00 PM after a seven month illness.
Edwin Wright (1860-1952)
Edwin Wright was born on a farm west of Wenona. As a child, he attended school during the winter months and helped his father on the farm during the remaining seasons.At the age of 24, he married Lucy Evans on her father's farm in Evan's township. Edwin and Lucy settled on a farm two miles west of Wenona where Edwin began farming for himself . He taught an adult Bible class at Sandy and was also superintendent of the Wenona Methodist Church Sunday School. He also served on the county school board. Edwin Wright, at the age of 92, passed away at his home in Wenona at 4:45 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, May 20, 1952, following a gradual decline in health, being bedfast the previous month. He was laid to rest in the Cherry Point cemetery in Marshalll County on Friday, May 23, 1952.
