
Mercer County, IL Obituaries
Thanks to Donna for transcribing many of these obituaries for us!!
Anderson, Sophia, burned to death at a hotel in Berlin, Illinois recently (RI Argus, Saturday 24 August 1867.) Miss Sophia Anderson burned to death in a fire on 21 August at Berlin. She was employed at the Berlin House along with her sister, Matilda. She was a native of Sweden; her parents came to this country when she was a child. She is survived by her widowed mother, three sisters and a brother who live near Berlin. The funeral was in Swedish and English. She was aged 17y 8m 12d. (RI Argus, Wednesday, 28 August 1867, sub. by K. Torp).
Boone, James - Died- At Farlow's Grove, Mercer County, IL on the 24th ult., James Boone, age 66y, formerly of Bloomsburg, PA.
(The Upper Mississippian, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 1842, submitted by Candi Horton)
Bradshaw, Watson, died 26 May 1867 at Richland Grove, Mercer Co., aged 39y. He was a native of Pennsylvania and moved from that state to Illinois thirteen years ago. He leaves a wife and two children. (RE Union, Wednesday, 17 July 1867, sub. by K. Torp)
Brown, J.E., of Millersburg, committed suicide last Monday; his wife survives (RI Daily Union, Friday, 4 November 1870, sub. by K. Torp)
Brown, John H., who settled in Mercer Co. in 1835, died Friday of last week, aged 84y. (RI Daily Union, Thursday, 17 Aug. 1871, sub. by K. Torp)
Carver, ------, a little son of Y.B. Carver of Aledo, Mercer Co., died recently in an accident, aged ca. 2y. the child's grandmother also lives with the family. (RI Weekly Union, Wednesday, 14 February 1866, sub. by K. Torp)
Collins, John, died 5 February 1869, at his residence at Viola, Mercer Co., aged 87y. He had lived in Mercer Co. for more than 33 years. He was ordained an elder of the A.R., now the U.P., Church in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1811. (RI & Moline Daily Union, Tuesday, 9 February 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Connelly, Elizabeth, wife of James Connelly, died 11 February 1869, at Preemption, aged 77y. She was a native of Ireland and came to this country 22 years ago and has lived in that vicinity where she died ever since. She leaves a family of seven children, all of whom have reached their majority (RI & Moline Daily Union, Friday, 12 February 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Conway, Bridget, wife of Joseph Conway, died 6 January 1870, at Preemption, Mercer Co., aged 39y. (RI Evening Argus Monday, 10 January 1870, sub. by K. Torp)
Cox, Joseph R., one of the oldest settlers of Mercer Co., died on the 8th inst., aged 35y. He was a veteran of the 9th Illinois Volunteers in the Civil War. The funeral was on the 10th at Oxford. (RI & Moline Daily Union, Thursday, 18 September 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Dempster, Wm., was killed in a fire yesterday at Keithsburg, in which the Nelson Hotel and the Ives' livery stable were destroyed. (RI Evening Argus, Wednesday, 6 July 1870, sub. by K. Torp)
Downing, -----, a little daughter of Nr. Downing who lived on the farm of John M. Gilmore near Millersburg, died in a fire there on Monday of last week aged ca. 4y. (RI Weekly Union, Wednesday, 25 April 1866, sub. by K. Torp)Dunlap, Andrew, d. on the 7th near Aledo, Mercer Co., aged 75y. (RI Daily Union, Thursday, 12 Jan. 1871, sub. by K. Torp)
Eckley, Isaac, who formerly lived near Keithsburg, was killed 14 January 1867 in an accident while crossing the Henderson Bridge south of Oquawka, Henderson Co. He died at the nearby house of Geo. Carpenter; his sister was not injured in the accident. (RI Daily Union, Monday, 21 January 1867, sub. by K. Torp)
Edwards, J.G., of Suez Twp., Mercer Co., died suddenly last week at the Button House in Aledo. Seth Gates witnessed the death. (RI Daily Union, Friday, 5 March 1869, sub. by K. Torp)Evans, J.B., of Aledo, Mercer Co., committed suicide recently at the state insane asylum. (RI Evening Argus, Friday, 10 Nov. 1871, sub. by K. Torp)
Fletcher, Samuel M., formerly of Preemption, Mercer Co., died 11 November 1866 in Salem, Ore. He had left here in the spring of 1864 for Oregon. He leaves a wife and several children, all living on his farm in Salem. (RI Argus, Thursday, 3 January 1867, sub. by K. Torp)
Ford, Samuel, aged 33y, was murdered by Henry White at Sunbeam, Mercer Co., on Thursday of last week, according to the Aledo Record. Mr. Ford leaves a wife and three children (RI Daily Union, Friday, 10 Mar. 1871, sub. by K. Torp)
Fraizer, Hannah, daughter of Andrew Fraizer of Keithsburg, Mercer Co., was badly injured in a fire at her home and is not expected to live. She is aged ca. 15y. (RI Evening Argus, Saturday, 20 June 1868, sub. by K. Torp)
Fraizer, Harvey, was accidentally shot by a Mr. Ives in a gun accident at Keithsburg, Mercer Co., on 27 April. Just recently, a sister of Mr. Fraizer died in an explosion with an oil can. (RI Evening Argus, Saturday, 1 May 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Frick, Frederick, died on the 22nd instantly at his home in Abington Twp., aged 69y 13d. He was born 9 July 1797 in Northumberland Co., Pa., and came to this county in 1837 where he has since resided, being one of the earliest settlers of the county. He was buried on the 24th. (From the Keithsburg, Mercer Co., Observer, as reported in the RI Evening Argus, Monday, 30 July 1866, sub. by K. Torp)
Gilbert, Elijah A., of Suez Twp., Mercer Co., was killed by Cheyenne Indians on the 7th inst. while traveling with McCluskey's trading party at the north fork of the Canadian River. (From the Aledo Record as reported in the RI & Moline Daily Union, Thursday, 18 July 1867, sub. by K. Torp)
Gillem, John, drowned last Thursday in Pope Creek near Bridger's corners. He lived with his widowed mother. (From the Aledo Record as reported in the RI Evening Argus, Thursday, 22 July 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Gilmore, William, a Preemption, Mercer Co., farmer was killed in a wagon accident on 15 January 1869, three miles from home, near the residence of Moses Tuttle. He was aged ca. 60 or 63y and leaves a family of four to five grown sons and two daughters. James F. Gilmore of Rock Island is his son and has a daughter married to August Treman of Rock Island. (RI Evening Argus, Saturday, 16 January 1869; RI Union, Monday, 18 January 1869) Burial for Wm. Gilmore was in the old burying ground at Preemption, last Sunday, after a funeral at the new Presbyterian Church. (RI Evening Argus, Wednesday, 20 January 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Graham, Kirk, a son of A.F. Graham of Aledo, Mercer Co., was killed in an accident there last week, aged 12y. (RI & Moline Daily Union, Thursday, 15 April 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Gray, Mr., of Viola, Mercer Co., was killed in an accident last week near the village, aged ca. 60y. He is formerly of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. (RI Evening Argus, Friday, 27 August 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Hedge, Sam and his brother, two colored barbers in Aledo, Mercer Co., were involved in a fight at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, recently. Same was shot in the back and his brother was killer. (RI Daily Union, Thursday, 3 Aug. 1871, sub. by K. Torp)
Irwin, Geo. an Irishman working on a farm in Preemption, Mercer Co., died 17 July 1868, from sunstroke. (RI Evening Argus, Monday, 20 July 1868) The name of the deceased is reported at George Swaine. (RI Union, Monday, 20 July 1868, sub. by K. Torp) (see SWAINE)
Ives, Frank, son of H.N. Ives, died in a fire at Keithsburg, Mercer Co., yesterday, in which The Nelson Hotel and the Ives liver stable were destroyed. (RI Evening Argus, Wednesday, 6 July 1870, sub. by K. Torp)
Johnson, John Y., aged 56y, of Pre-emption, Mercer Co., better known as "Yankee Johnson", died in an accident yesterday in his barn, after being kicked by a horse. He leaves several children (4 daughters and 1 son). He was among the first to settle in what is known as the "Irish settlement" at Pre-emption. He had lived in this county, for a number of years. (RI Evening Argus, Saturday, 4 Feb. 1871 and RI Daily Union, Sunday, 5 Feb. 1871, sub. by K. Torp)
Johnston, John F., died 16 March 1867 at Viola, Mercer Co., aged 29y. He formerly kept a shoe shop on Illinois Street in Rock Island. (RI Argus, Wednesday, 5 June 1867, sub. by K. Torp)
Keleher, John, of Perryton, Mercer Co., died last Tuesday, from injuries when he was kicked by a horse four weeks ago. Bur. was Wednesday in the Catholic Cemetery, in Rock Island. He as aged ca.51y and leaves a wife and adopted son. (RI Daily Union, Thursday, 19 September 1867, sub. by K. Torp)
Kennedy, William, died 3 March 1868 at Preemption, Mercer Co., at the residence of his son-in-law, Robert Foster, aged ca. 70y. The funeral will be Thursday. (RI Evening Argus, Wednesday, 4 March 1868) He came to this country from Ireland about 24 years ago and at one time owned a good farm near Mill Creek in the southern part of the county. (RI Union, Thursday, 5 March 1868, sub. by K. Torp)
Kile, William, son of Archibald Kile of Keithsburg, Mercer Co., accidentally shot himself while hunting in the river bottom above this town on Monday and died on the following night. (RI Evening Argus, Monday, 15 November 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Landreth, James, was struck by lightning on 29 May near Millersburg and killed. He leaves a family. (RI Evening Argus, Thursday, 3 June 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Lingafelter, Abraham - passed away at 7:30 o'clock this morning after a serious illness at the home of his son Frank, in Joy. Paralysis and complications are believed to have caused his death. The family has the sincere sympathy of the people of this community.
Abraham Lingafelter was born in Ohio, may 12, 1839, and died at the home of his son, Frank, in Joy, Thursday morning, April 3, 1919, at 7:30. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Moore, February 25, 1869. To this union four children were born, John K., Retta Jane Mays, Frank C. and David Everel, all of who are living. Funeral services will be held form the Methodist Church in Joy, Saturday morning, April 5, at 10 o'clock. [Aledo Times Record April 3, 1919, Submitted by R. Wiley]
Lingafelter, John - At an advanced age seldom reached by man John Lingafelter passed over Time's river Tuesday, September 3, 1901. "Grandpap Lingafelter," as he was known to everyone, was nearly 100 years old, according to the best data obtainable, his correct birth record having been destroyed by fire. They made their home in Ohio for a few years, thence came to Illinois in company with the Braucht families in the year 1852. Seven years after arriving he bought and moved to the farm in Millersburg Township where he died. Four sons and three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lingafelter. Two of the sons, William, who died last winter, and Abraham of Abington Township, served in the Union Army. His other living son, Daniel, lives in new Boston. Two living daughters are Mrs. Joseph L. Wagner of Keithburg and Jemima, at home. There are 17 grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the Lingafelter home, conducted by Rev. Fulton. Interment was made in the Peniel Cemetery. In Mr. Lingafelter's death Mercer County loses one to whom she is greatly indebted for her present prosperous condition. Taking as he did, a home in her borders which at that time was nothing more than a wilderness, by perseverance and the greatest hardships he developed it into one which today stands among those that have made the country what it is. He was highly respected by all who knew him and patient qualities of his heart, even being mindful of those to whom he could lend a helping hand in time of need. (Aledo Times Record September 5, 1901 - Submitted by R. Wiley)
Lingafelter, Mrs. John - died, at her home near Peniel Church, Millersburg TP., at 2 o'clock, a.m., Wednesday, January 27, 1892, Mrs. Lingafelter, wife of John Lingafelter, in the 85th year of her age. Mrs. Lingafelter's maiden name was Eve Duncan. She was born in Bedford County, Pa.; came to Illinois with her husband in 1853, the family settling in the neighborhood where the mother died. Mrs. Lingafelter's illness had covered a period of several years, her death resulting from debility consequent from old age. The funeral services were announced for today (Thursday) at 11, a.m., from Peniel Church, Rev. Fisk to officiate. [Aledo Democrat, January 29,1892 , Submitted by R. Wiley]
Livingston, Hugh, of Richland Grove, Mercer Co., has learned of the death of his brother, Paul M. Livingston of Andrew, Jackson Co., Iowa, who was killed (10?) April 1868 in an accident. Paul's wife, a young child, and a son aged 10-11y were injured. (RI Evening Argus, Friday, 1 May 1868, sub. by K. Torp)Lorimer, (--?--), a little daughter of W.A. Lorimer, circuit clerk of Mercer Co., died at Aledo on 12 Aug. (RI Daily Union, Friday, 25 Aug. 1871, sub. by K. Torp)
Lowther, William, died on the 19th inst. at Moline, Rock Island Co., aged 71y. He was one of the oldest settlers, having resided in Mercer and Rock Island cos. for more than 30 years. He has been a resident of Moline for the past 16 years. The funeral will be on the 21st at the residence of his son-in-law, Ira Waterman on Wells Street. Galesburg and Mercer Co. papers please copy. (RI & Moline Daily Union, Tuesday, 21 September 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
McKnight, Andrew, of Coal Valley Twp., Rock Island Co., an old settler in this county and a native of the north of Ireland (County Monahan), died on the 2nd inst. at Preemption, Mercer Co., and was buried on the 4th at Preemption. He was a Presbyterian and was aged 90-91y. He leaves a wife, five sons and a daughter. He came to America and settled in Rock Island in 1850. (RI Evening Argus and RI Union, Monday, 17 January 1870, sub. by K. Torp)
Miller, ----, a son of Michael Miller of Millersburg, Mercer Co., aged 12-14y; accidentally shot himself to death on Monday. (From Aledo Record and reported in the RI Weekly Union, Wednesday, 5 April 1865, sub. by K. Torp)
Moore, ---, a little son of John Moore of Keithsburg, Mercer Co., was badly injured in an accident Monday is not expected to live (RI Evening Argus, Monday, 17 May 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Morey, Lydia, wife of the Rev. Amos Morey, died 30 April 1867 at the Preemption, Mercer Co., M.E. parsonage. (RI Daily Union, Wednesday, 1 May 1867, sub. by K. Torp)
Noble, Frank, son of Andrew Noble, a member of Co. G, 128th regiment, died of sunstroke on the 27th ult. at Memphis, Tennessee (Keithsburg, Mercer Co., item reported in the RI Weekly Union, Wednesday, 16 August 1865, sub. by K. Torp)
Noland, John, aged 45050y, drowned near the bridge across the Edwards River between Aledo and Millersburg, Mercer Co., recently. He was a native of Ireland but had resided in Mercer Co. for a number of years. We do not believe he had any relatives here. He was a Civil War veteran, serving with Co. A, 30th Illinois. Burial was last Sunday (RI Weekly Union, Wednesday, 21 March 1866, sub. by K. Torp)
Oldson, Mr., and two children, a boy aged ca.7y and a girl aged ca.10y, drowned Saturday in the Edwards River while trying to cross, near the Kasenburg Bridge in Richland Grove Twp., Mercer Co. They were Swedish people. (RI Evening Argus, Thursday, 24 June 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Partridge, Robert, was struck and killed by lighting on 29 May while working near Millersburg, Mercer Co. He leaves a family (RI Evening Argus, Thursday, 3 June 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Petrie, Wm.F., died 19 August 1866 at his residence in Rivoli, Mercer Co., aged 62y. (RI Evening Argus, Monday, 27 August 1866, sub. by K. Torp)
Reed, ----, a little son of Mr. Reed living near Keithsburg, Mercer Co., was killed in a gun accident there on 28 February 1868 aged ca.14y (RI Daily Union, Monday, 18 March 1867, sub. by K. Torp)
Senter, Miss Jennie of Keithsburg, Mercer Co., d. a few days ago at an Ohio Seminary at Steubenville, Ohio, on 4 Dec., aged 16y. She was the daughter of H.H. Senter of Aledo, Mercer Co., and was aged 18y. (RI Evening Argus, Saturday, 9 Dec. 1871, and Thursday, 14 Dec 1871, and RI Daily Union, Tuesday, 12 Dec. 1871, sub. by K. Torp)
Shay, ----, a man named Shay was killed by the train near the Edwards Bridge in Mercer Co. (RI Evening Argus, Thursday, 7 October 1869, sub. by K. Torp)
Sheriff, J.B., of New Boston Twp., Mercer Co., died at his residence last week. He had been a resident of Mercer Co. for many years. (RI Weekly Union, Wednesday, 22 November 1865, sub. by K. Torp)
Simpson, Thomas, sheriff-elect of Mercer Col, died 28 December 1866 at the residence of his father in Suez Twp., Mercer Co., aged 28 y. He was formerly a sergeant with Co. E, 102nd Illinois volunteers and lost an arm at the Battle of Averysborough, N.C., on 12 March 1865. (RI Argus, Wednesday, 9 January 1867, sub. by K. Torp)
Smith, A.J., was killed in a runaway accident near Millersburg, Mercer Co., on 5 July. (RI Daily Union, Thursday, 21 July 1870, sub. by K. Torp)
Stevenson, Willie, little son of A. Stevenson, died last Wednesday in an accident near Aledo, Mercer Co. (RI Weekly Union, Wednesday, 12 December 1866, sub. by K. Torp)
Swaine, George, who was at work on a farm adjoining Mr. Whitsitt's in Mercer Co., has died of sunstroke. (RI Daily Union, Monday, 20 July 1868, sub. by K. Torp)
Warwick, John, son of J.M. Warwick of Aledo, Mercer Co., went to Rock Island recently with Arnott McCandless, with a load of goods. On the 13th inst. near Camden (Milan), there was an accident and John was badly injured. He was taken to Warren's Creek, but was returned home the next day, where he died. (RI Weekly Union, Wednesday, 31 October 1866, sub. by K. Torp
Whan, Samuel, died 27 September 1856 at Preemption, Mercer Co., aged ca. 60y. (RI Argus, Friday, 11 October 1867) He was aged ca. 62y. He was born 9 June 1805 in County Antrim, Ireland, and came to this county in 1832, stopping for 10 years in Pennsylvania. He then located at Preemption where he has since resided. He was buried on his farm. He leaves a wife and sex children, all of whom except one, have arrived at their years on maturity. (RI Argus, Wednesday, 23 October 1867, sub. by K. Torp)
Willett, Julius C., of Sugar Grove, Mercer Co., died in an accident last Saturday while on his way to Aledo. His mother survives. (RI Weekly Union, Wednesday, 1 November 1865, sub. by K. Torp)