CLARENCE W. CHAPMAN
, 92, of 606 Kiwanis Court, a longtime Freeport businessman and civic participant, died Monday night at St. Clare Hospital in Monroe, Wis. (Note: The Social Security Death Index gives the date as April 1980.) Chapman organized Freeport Securities Co. in 1915 and served as president until the time of his death. He was one of the organizers of the Freeport Insurance Co., where he served as director and vice president. In civic affairs he was one of the first members of the Freeport Rotary Club and the oldest member at the time of his death. He was a past director and trustee of the Freeport YMCA and trustee of the YWCA. A World War I veteran, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Excelsior Masonic Lodge, Freeport Consistory, Freeport Commandery, Tebala Shrine of Rockford, and the Elks Club. Born July 3, 1887 in Freeport, he was the son of Samuel W. and Minerva (Trexler) Chapman. He married Isabel L. Gugger in 1923. She died in 1961. Surviving are two sons, Robert P. and Jack W.; and one daughter, Marilyn C. Laux, all of Freeport; and 10 grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Chapel of the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Douglas Bear, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorial funds have been established for First Presbyterian Church and the Heart Fund.
Contributed by Alice Horner
EUGENE R. CHITTY
, 75, of Rockford , formerly of Freeport , died Saturday morning at Bronson Methodist Hospital , Kalamazoo , Michigan following a long illness. (Transcriber’s note: His date of death was November 5, 1983 according to an online source. Oakland Cemetery personnel give the burial date as November 18, 1983.)
He was a 1925 graduate of Freeport High School , a member of Second Congregational Church, Rockford , and marshal’s aid division of the Tebala Shrine, and the YMCA.
Born December 17, 1907 in Freeport , he was the son of Arthur N. and Anna (LaShelle) Chitty. He married Dorothy Irwin in Rockford on August 15, 1936. In January, 1967 he married Alice M. (Hoy) Ackermann. She died January 6, 1983. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Susan (James) Gilmore Jr. of Kalamazoo , Michigan , one stepson, H. Dennis Ackermann, Moline ; one sister, Mrs. Lois (Richard) Hayner of Freeport; two stepchildren; and four grandchildren.
Graveside service will be 1 p.m. on November 14, at Oakland Cemetery , with Dr. Douglas Baer, pastor of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Memorials have been established for Tebala Shrine and The Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo, 247 W. Lovell Blvd , Kalamazoo 49007 .
Contributed by Alice Horner
ANDREW H. CHRISTENSEN
, 67, of Kent died Monday, September 30, 1986 at Rockford Memorial Hospital . He was the owner of Christensen’s Motor Service in Kent . A 32-degree mason, he was a member of Pearl City Masonic Lodge and the Pearl City Lions Club. Also, he was a World War II veteran, member and past commander of the Pearl City American legion and member of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society. The son of Chris and Roszella (Braton) Christensen, he was born September 8, 1919 in Barnesville , Minnesota . He married Mary “Peggy” J. Laidlaw on December 23, 1944 in London , England . Surviving are his widow; a daughter, Brenda Christensen of Kent ; a son, Gary S. of Omaha , Nebraska ; three foster daughters, Mrs. Janice (Terry) Scheider of Lena, Mrs. Jeannell (Don) Paul and Maylene Miller, both of Rockford; his mother, Roszella Christensen of Freeport; two brothers, Herbert of Evansville, Wisconsin and Melvin of Monroe, Wisconsin; six sisters, Mrs. Esther (Fred) MacAdam, Mrs. Lois (Stanley) Wellman and Mrs. Gladys (Henry) Boettner, all of Freeport, Edna Wilson of Florida, Evelyn Layton of Kent, and Mrs. Donna (Dayle) Nagel of Stockton; two grandchildren; and three foster-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister. Service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Walker Mortuary. The Rev. Milton L. Whitney, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church , Pearl City , will officiate. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery . Friends may call Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the mortuary where a Masonic service will be held by the Pearl City Masonic Lodge at 7:30 p.m. A memorial fund has been established.
Contributed by Alice Horner
CUNA J. CLARKE
, 91, of 314 W. Homer Street, Freeport, who died Thursday afternoon at Freeport Manor Nursing Home after a lengthy illness, will be at 10:15 a.m. Monday at Schwarz Funeral Home and 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. (Note: Her date of death was June 9, 1983. Her full name was Cunegundas Josephina Clarke.) Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home where the scripture will be read at 7:30 p.m.
Since 1913, she was a Freeport resident, coming from Dubuque, Iowa. She was employed as a seamstress at the Garment Co. in Freeport and later by the Henney Motor Co. until its closing, at which time she retired. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Born August 22, 1891 in Tama, Iowa she was the daughter of Michael H. and Elizabeth (Muehlenhoff) Clarke. Surviving are nieces and nephews in the area. She was the last surviving member of her family and was preceded in death by two brothers and five sisters
Contributed by Alice Horner
N. TYNDALE COBB
, 85, formerly of Freeport, and grandson of Gen. Smith D. Atkins, owner of the Freeport Journal Standard following the Civil War, died August 7, 1984 in Winter Park, Fla. Service was held August 10, 1984 in Winter Park, Fla. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando, Fla. He attended school in Freeport for several years until the family moved south. Cobb was active in Florida politics and owned several businesses prior to retirement. He was born Dec. 16, 1898 in Sanford, N. C., the son of N. T. and Eleanor Hope Cobb. On December 1, 1978 he married Vivian Weir Talbott. Among the survivors are his widow; stepdaughter, Mrs. James Nix Bier, Charlotte, N. C.; three step grandsons; and a nephew in Freeport. Memorials have been established for the American Cancer Society and All Saints Episcopal Church, Winter Park. Arrangements were completed by Cox-Parker Funeral Home, Winter Park.
Contributed by Alice Horner
**Note from Ellie Maynard - Tyn Cobb was her Great Uncle: The obituary only has listed his second wife, Vivian.
His first wife was Pattie Cobb, the love of his life. He was survived by my aunt, Sue Newell (his sister's daughter),
my mother (his niece) Eleanor Hope Newell Maynard and her 7 children, all of whom Tyn Cobb loved dearly, arranged for college finances and left his estate to.
He married Vivian towards the end of his life.
ESTHER MABEL (HARR) COHLMORGAN
, 64, a school teacher for 30 years, died early Saturday, May 22, 1965 in Savanna City Hospital, where she had been a patient for several months. (Transcriber's note: Cohlmorgan is spelled with a K in the obituary but with a C on the tombstone.) She had taught for 30 years in Carroll and Stephenson Counties and was a member of the Retired Teachers' Association.
Esther Harr Kohlmorgan was born September 29, 1899 in Mt. Carroll Township, Carroll County, Illinois to John and Cora Elsie (Holy) Harr. She attended country schools in Carroll County and graduated from Savanna High School in 1918. She received her teaching certificate from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, probably in about 1920. (It may not have been called Northern Illinois University at the time). She married John P. Cohlmorgan sometime in the late 1930s; he died November 17, 1956. Survivors include two brothers, Loyal and Lloyd Harr, both of Savanna; a stepson, John Kohlmorgan, Freeport; and a stepdaughter, Mrs. Geneve Benz, Freeport. She was preceded in death by her husband, John P. Cohlmorgan, who died November 17, 1956. Services will be held at 2 p. m. Monday in Law Funeral Home here. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Freeport.
Contributed by Alice Horner
CARLYLE E. CONFER
, prominent Lena businessman and civic leader, died this morning in Freeport Memorial Hospital after an extended illness. He was born in Lena Feb. 23, 1903, son of Farmer Daniel and Sarah (Bitz) Confer. He married Lois Rayhorn July 8, 1926, in Freeport. Mr. Confer was a Lena grocer for 35 years and then operated a grocery business in Lanark for five years. Since 1957 he was vice president of Confer Chevrolet in Lena. Mr. Confer was vice president of Lena State Bank; board member of Jane Addamsland Park Foundation; board member of Stephenson County Mental Health Association; secretary of Lena Masonic Lodge; past president of Stephenson County Association for the Handicapped; and past West Point Township supervisor. He was also a member of Freeport Consistory and Eastern Star; past district deputy of Masonic Lodge of Northern Illinois; past master of Lena Masonic Lodge; past president of Lena Lions Club; and former member of Lena Village Board, Fire Department and School Board. He was also a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Lena. Surviving are his widow; two daughters, Mrs. Vernon (Donna) Lobdell of Lena and Miss Janice Confer of Lena; a son Jack of Lena; a nephew, Clyde Scholtz of Lena, who was reared by the family; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His parents and a sister preceded him in death. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Leamon Funeral Home, Lena. The Rev. Dean Reninger, pastor of Good Shepherd Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Lena Burial Park, with Masonic services. A memorial fund for the Stephenson County Association for the Handicapped has been established. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Saturday.
Contributed by Alice Horner exclusively for Genealogy Trails
Emery V. COON
, 69, passed away at a local hospital late yesterday afternoon following a brief illness. (The date of death was January 29, 1940.) Funeral services will be conducted at the Eichmeier & Becker funeral home, West Stephenson Street, at 1 o’clock Thursday afternoon. Rev. B. N. Covert, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, will conduct the services and interment will be made in City Cemetery. L. W. Kasten will have charge of funeral arrangements.
Mr. Coon was born at Waverly, Iowa October 29, 1870. He was united in marriage to Harriet McDowell October 19, 1899. The wife passed away 12 years ago. One daughter died in infancy. Surviving are the following children: Alvernon Coon, Elkport, Iowa; Mrs. Anson Green, Mrs. Arthur Holmes, Stanley, Clifford, Robert, Russell, and Forrest Coon, all of Freeport. His aged mother, Mrs. Belle Coon, resides at Colesburg, Iowa. Two brothers survive, H. A. Coon of Austin, Minn., and Charles E. Coon of Salt Lake City, Utah. There are also 12 grandchildren. Mr. Coon came to Freeport 15 years ago from Manchester, Iowa.
Contributed by Alice Horner
HERBERT CLEVELAND COON
, 69, Born Dec 21, 1884 in Caroll County, Illinois, died June 21, 1964 in Freeport. Son of Robert E and Martha Coon. Maried Elsie Mallory September 12, 1907. Leaves widow, three daughters and two sons: Mrs Dale (Dorothy) Fair, Mrs. Elwood (Lois) Kortmeier, Robert E Coon of Freeport, Herbert E Coon of Freeport, Mrs. Sam (Ruth) Albert living in Puerto Rico, and several grandchildren.”
Contributed by Mallory Smith - Freeport Journal Standard Monday, June 21, 1954
Married to Elsie Mallory 31 Jan 1886 Rock Run, Stephenson Co, Ill Living in West Hollywood Fla in 1962 d 14 Jan 1969 =
12 Sep 1907/8 Freeport Herbert Coon 21 Dec 1884 Caroll Co. Illinois d 21 Jun 1954 Freeport, Illinois (Robert E Coon
c 1857 = Martha c 1864
RALPH J. CORNELIUS
, 1231 East A street, retired business man and one of Ontario's earliest pioneers, died yesterday at Mercy hospital, San Diego, where he had recently undergone major surgery. He was 73 years of age. A native of Freeport, Ill., Mr. Cornelius came to Ontario when a lad of 10 years in 1886. He was among the first students to enroll in the original Chaffey college, being graduated with the class of 1895, and that year played on the football team which defeated Stanford university. Mr. Cornelius retired a year ago after having served for 31 years as a plumbing contractor. He was a member of the Ontario Rotary club. Surviving the pioneer are his widow, Anne; two daughters, Marion, Mrs. Tack Spoor, Berkeley, and Jean, Mrs. Al. Worrell, Pasadena; a son, Paul, San Mateo; a brother Charles, Ontario, and two grandchildren. With arrangements in charge of the J. B. Draper company, funeral services for Mr. Cornelius will be conducted Wednesday, 10 a.m. at Christ Church, Episcopal. The Rev. Robert Crane will officiate. Entombment will follow at Bellevue mausoleum. The Daily Report, Ontario, California January 9, 1950
STEELE A. CORNELIUS
, 87, passed away last night at a local hospital, to which he was taken on Saturday after suffering a fractured hip at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Otto E. Landgraf, 619 South Harvey Ave., Freeport, where he had made his home for the past several years. (The date of death would have been January 20, 1941.) Funeral services will be held at the Echmeier & Becker funeral home, West Stephenson Street, at 2:30 o’clock Thursday afternoon. Rev. C. J. Schuth, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran church, will conduct the services and interment will be made at Oakland Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home. Mr. Cornelius was born at Williamsburg, Pa. Oct. 9, 1853. At the age of 4 he moved to Polo, where he resided until 1911, when he moved to Freeport. For a number of years he was employed by the Stephens Motor company. He retired from active labor 15 years ago. His wife passed away seven years ago. The following children survive: Ray S. Cornelius, Mrs. Otto E. Landgraf, Freeport; Ross L. Cornelius, La Moille, Ill.; Mrs. Ray Howe, Darlington, Wis.; and Mrs. Charles L. Ayres, Spirit Lake, Ia.
Contributed by Alice Horner
ELIZABETH (KIESTER) COTHERMAN
, 88, died early today (Sept. 25, 1947) at the home of her daughter, MRs. J.J. Scheffner, 825 South Galena avenue, with whom she had been living for the past four years. Elizabeth Keister was born March 16, 1879, in Rock Grove Township, Stephenson county, and married Wilmott T. Cotherman Jan. 30, 1879 at Twin Grove, Wis. She lived in White S.D. for 30 years until the death of her husband in May 1939. A son, Charles and a daughter Mrs. J.W. Stemm also died previously. Survivors include two daughter, Mrs. J.J. (Grace) Scheffner, Freeport, and Mrs. F.A. (Mary) Slamp, Delavan Wis., and a son, Robert H. Cotherman, Minneapolis, one sister, MRs. Martha Bennehoff, of Orangeville and a brother, John S. Keister of Dakota. Funeral services will be held at a.m. tomorrow at Walker mortuary after which the bady will be taken to Whie S.D. for services and burial in Fairview cemetery.
Contributed by Al Morgan / Freeport Journal Standard Thursday Sept. 25, 1945 p. 22
WILMOTT TAYLOR COTHERMAN
died at 1:20 Monday afternoon (29 May 1939) at Brookings hospital (White, South Dakota). He was operated on for hernia Saturday May 20, and came through nicely and the incision was healing satisfactorily. His strength, however, did not return and aged body gave up the struggle. At the time of his death he had reached the age of 80 years, 2 months and 7 days. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon from the Methodist church after a prayer service at the home, with the Rev. H.H. Arms officiating.Rev. G.A. Doolittle of garden city sang two solos and he and Mrs. I. Schouweiler sang a duet. Mrs. N. Schouweiler was pianist. Pallbearers were Harold Barg, John Thoelke, Norm Schouweiler, E.A. King, Jay Kellogg and Harrison Moore. Interment was made a Fairview cemetery on one of the most perfect days that this season can bring. Wilmott Taylor Cotherman was born March 22, 1859 in Monroe Wisc. where his father operated a flour mill. When he was 12 years old the family moved to Rock Run Twp. Stephenson County, Il. where he lived with the family until 1879 when he was married to Elizabeth Catherine Kiester on Jan. 30, 1879. He followed the profession of teaching in the public schools of Stephenson and Ogle counties, Illinois, for more than 20 years, most of the time operating a farm in addition to school work.
In 1903 they moved to Ridott, Stephenson County, IL where Mr. Cotherman was in charge of a grain elevator for the H.A. Hillmer Co. for two years. Then he farmed three years near Dakota IL and then moved to Dakota and bought grain for the H.A. Hillmer Co. again for five years. In 1913 they came to White S.D. where he operated the E.A. Brown Co. elevator for a number of years and also worked at the carpenter trade in which he was skilled. He was active and busy until the infirmities of age forbade. Five childen were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cotherman; Mrs. J.W. Stemm of Leal N.D.; Mrs. J.J. Sheffner of Freeport IL; Mrs. F.A. Slamp of White, Robert Cotherman of Minneapolis, Minn and Charles Cotherman who died August 22, 1931. Besides his wife and four children, eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren also survive. Mr. and mrs. Dick (as he was always called) Cotherman celebrated their golden wedding January 30, 1929 and this year their 60th anniversary was made the occasion of an observance at the Methodist church last january. Mr. Cotherman became a member of the Methodist denomination at the age of 18 and was active in church work all his life, serving in many official capacities and living a life in full accord with Christian teaching. His record of public service also is one of usefulness and efficiency. He served on the White board of education and was mayor of the city from 1921 - 1925. His interest in the affairs of the community and state was keen. He always stood unafraid for all that wa upright and honorable, and of hte integrity of his character no one harbored the slightest doubt.
Contributed by Al Morgan
DADO C. CRAMER
, 61, a lifelong resident of Freeport, passed away at his home, 330 West Homer Street, Sunday afternoon (September 11, 1938) following an illness of several months. He had been confined since last April. Funeral services will be conducted at the Eichmeier and Becker Funeral Home, West Stephenson Street, at 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Rev. Edwin A. Arends, pastor of St. John's Evangelical Church will conduct the services and interment will be made at Oakland Cemetery. Friends may view the body at the funeral home.
Dado C. Cramer was born in Freeport June 19, 1877, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad D. Cramer. He was educated in Freeport schools and in his boyhood days was one of the leading baseball pitchers of this section, pitching for various Freeport teams back in the old days when the games were played in the Cramer pasture, north Foley Avenue, and on the old Grant brickyards. He always retained his interest in baseball and was an ardent admirer of the Chicago Cubs. He also contributed financially to various Freeport baseball teams.
Mr. Cramer operated a tavern and cigar store in the New York hotel building, East Main Street, for 35 years, his place having been headquarters for many of the city's leading baseball enthusiasts. Possessed of a gracious disposition and always willing to aid those in need Mr. Cramer had hundreds of friends throughout the community. He was confirmed in St. John's Evanglical Church and was a member of Freeport aerie of Eagles.
His marriage to Miss Mary Knauff took place in 1906. Survivors are his wife and one son, Dado, Jr. There is also one granddaughter. His father and step-mother, Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Cramer, also survive, as do a sister and two brothers, Mrs. Arthur Schmich, Conrad and John Cramer, all of Freeport. His mother and one brother, Charles Cramer, preceded him in death.
Contributed by Alice Horner - September 12, 1938 edition Freeport Journal Standard
FRANCIS LEE CROFFOOT
, 86, of Pearl City, died Thursday, March 5, 1992 in Freeport Memorial Hospital , following a short illness. He was a retired carpenter. He was a member of Pearl City Masonic Lodge. Born in Carroll County in June 25, 1905, he was the son of Frank and Elizabeth ( Moore ) Croffoot. He married Blanche Krise in Stockton on August 26, 1978. Surviving are his wife, Blanche; one daughter, Sharon (Chuck) Knoup of Pearl City; four grandchildren, Mrs. Sherrie (Rick) Wanner of Louisville, Colorado, Kirk (Kathy) Knoup, Todd Knoup, and Tricia Knoup, all of Pearl City; one great-grandson, Tyler Lee Knoup of Pearl City; 13 stepchildren, and several step-grandchildren. Preceding him death were his parents; seven brothers, Orville, Glen, Lawrence, Earl, Roy, and two that died in infancy; and three wives, Hazel Dietrich, Marie Harmon and Flossie Liphart. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pearl City , with the Rev. Milton L. Whitney officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery , Pearl City . Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Offenheiser-Schwarz Funeral Home, where there will be a Masonic service at 8 p.m. A memorial fund has been established in his name
Contributed by Alice Horner
