1893 Necrologist Report

(Transcribed and copyrighted March 19, 2001, by Lawrence B. Peet, Joliet, Illinois. Permission granted to copy for non-commercial use only. All in Italics and upper case surnames are added to or modified from the original by the transcriber.)

(1893 Old Settlers’ Association, Necrology Report, by H. N. Marsh, as Printed in The Joliet Daily Republican, September 6, 1893, and Transcribed by Lawrence B. Peet.)

Patriarchs With Us. — Gray-Haired Veterans are Enjoying Themselves. — Masonic Temple the Headquarters For a Notable Gathering of the Founders of Will County. —

Another year has rolled around, and again the old settlers of Will county are with us. The weather is all that can be desired, and the old people were able to get out in large numbers. Since a year ago many have stepped over the border; several of whom we remembered as being present then, were announced as dead in the Necrologist’s report, which appears below.

The dining room in the Masonic Temple was not as well filled as it has been, but those present showed evidence of prosperity. The idea promulgated to extend the “time limit,” so as to permit those living in the county before 1860, is a good one; the ranks of the ’30s and ’40s pioneers have been woefully decimated within the past three years.

Before the business meeting began the West Wilton band played several pieces that cheered the hearts of the old bodies.

It was 11:35 before Secretary Zarley called the meeting to order, stating that President BAKER was absent, and that it was necessary to elect another President.

Messrs. H. N. MARSH and E. WILCOX were elected, but refused on account of being very deaf, but at last Mr. Marsh presided.

Rev. A. H. LAING opened the meeting with invocation, asking the blessing of God upon those assembled, for the good work they had done in the many years gone past.

Mr. BARBER appeared stating the reason of his tardiness.

The Treasurer’s Report.

Mr. W. H. ZARLEY, treasurer, read his annual report, showing that he had collected $64.68, disbursed $21.31, leaving a balance of $47.68. The report was accepted and adopted.

Thos. TAIT moved committee of three be appointed to select officers for ensuing year, to present to the meeting for their approval, Messrs. LANFEAR, WILCOX and MILLS.

Mr. Barber spoke a few words of welcome, saying that no one needed introduction to each other, all should feel at liberty to commingle and talk over the old times.

It being noontime an adjournment was had until 1:30 to permit dinner being served at the St. Nicholas hotel.

Afternoon Session.

After a substantial dinner every one was back in the hall talking for dear life, and relunctantly gave up their reminiscences when the president called for order.

Officers Elected.

The meeting opened with the committee on selecting officers reporting the following who were unanimously elected:

President – R. E. BARBER.

Chaplain – Elder BEGGS.

Secretary – W. E. ZARLEY.

Necrologist – H. N. MARSH.

Vice Presidents – A. P. CARPENTER, Channahon; J. BOUGHTON, Dupage; Joseph HUNTER, Frankfort; N. P. STRONG, Florence; J. J. SMILLIE, Custer; H. H. STASSEN, Green Garden; John EVANS, Plainfield; D. E. CHRISTIAN, Peotone; Addison COLLINS, New Lenox; J. H. DANIELS, Monee; J. C. BAKER, Manhattan; W. C. GRANT, Jackson; James ALEXANDER, Lockport; Curtis MORSE, Homer; Mat MOONEY, Troy; John KELLY, Hartley; Jabez HARVEY, Wilton; Fred WILKIE, Washington; J. D. HENDERSON, Wilmington; J. MERRILL, REED; James PATTERSON, Wheatland; A. P. LILLEY, Will.

Executive Committee – Thos. TAIT, A. O. MARSHALL, H. C. CASSEDAY, H. LANFEAR, Geo. VAN DUSEN, Horace WEEKS, Alex McINTOSH.

General Hayes’ Remarks.

Gen. HAYES, upon being introduced, congratulated the old settlers upon so many being present and the evident interest they were taking in their annual gathering. If any class of people had a right to meet in annual session, it was the old settlers of Will county, or of any other county in our state. He said he is a comparative stranger to most of those present, but he was an old settler, having been taken as a child in his mother’s arms from Connecticut to LaSalle county in 1838. He knew what pioneer life was, and he had been through all the trials, hardships and sufferings of that life, and could testify from actual experience as to all the undesirable things connected with it.

In developing his subject, the general spoke of the many and great changes that those present had witnessed during their lifetime, changes from the farm wagon to the railroad train, in the mail service, in the markets, in methods of farming and in living as it was in the log hut to the fine home or brick dwelling of to-day. He traced the changes from the old log school house to “the little red school house” with all the modern appliances, from the church of forty years ago to the church of today, from the old weekly newspaper that was so poorly printed that one could scarcely read it to the magnificent daily that comes us every morning now, with news from every quarter of the world.

He then proceeded to point out some of the great events which had taken place during the life of those present. He referred to the great campaign of 1840, to the construction of the first telegraph line between Washington and Baltimore in 1844, to the war with Mexico, to the gold excitement in California in 1850, with the passage of the Fugitive slave law, to the repeal of the Missouri compromise in 1854, and the struggle in Kansas and Nebraska, to the panic of 1857, to the great joint debate in 1858 between Lincoln and Douglass, to the election of Lincoln to the presidency, and the terrible war which followed, to the building of the Pacific railroad, to the laying of the ocean telegraph, to the panic of 1873, to the resumption of specie payments in 1879, and lastly to the World’s Fair, as the crowning effort and glory of our age.

He pointed out some of the characteristics of the early settlers in this section of the state, such as industry, push, economy, helpfulness of others and honesty. By the exhibition of these characteristics the pioneers of this state had laid the foundation and had built up a mighty empire here which has within its borders to-day over 4,000,000 of people and which in wealth ranks as third state in our glorious Union. The pioneers here assembled had helped to make both our state and nation what they are to-day, and it is befitting that they should assemble once a year to contemplate their handiwork, to rejoice together over what they and others had done, and to pledge themselves to a continuance of their good work as long as God spares their lives.

As we go to press, Mr. H. N. MARSH is reading the following report. An account of the remainder of the exercises will be found in tomorrow’s Republican.

A Long List Of Dead.

Necrology of the old settlers of Will county for 1892-3.

Among the old settlers of Will county who, since our last meeting, have been cut down by the reaper, Death, we have been able to gather the following list, doubtless imperfect, but the best we could do.

We would gladly render a more fitting tribute to their memory, but have space for only the most meager record; commencing in each case with the date of their death:

(1892)

Sept. 11, 1892, Martin WALKERLY, of Crete, aged 75 years. He located in that township in 1849.

Sept. 18, Mrs. Bridget KERWIN, of Joliet, aged 84 years. Further particulars not accessible.

Sept. 18, Mrs. Mary HURLY, of Wilmington, aged 87 years. She came to the county from Ireland, in 1838.

Sept. 19, Hon. W. S. BROOKS, of Joliet, aged 70 years. Born in Schenectady, N. Y., and came to Joliet in 1854, where the remainder of an active, honest and useful life has been spent.

Sept. 23, Alfred WARNER, of Wilmington, aged 80 years. Born in Lima, N. Y. He located in the county in 1853, but has spent many years since in Australia.

Sept. 23, Mrs. Hannah DAIRS, of Wheatland, aged 82. A resident of the county since 1840.

(1892)

Oct 2, 1892, Hon. Solomon SIMMONS, of Plainfield, aged 80 years. Born in Columbia county, New York, and came here in 1845. Few residents of Will county have held a higher place in the estimation of its citizens, than Judge Simmons.

Oct. 4, Paul SMITH, Sr., of Joliet aged 82 years. He came from Germany to Joliet in 1846.

Oct. 19, Capt. H. G. EDDY, of Lockport, aged 63 years. Born in Oxford, N. Y., came to Lockport in 1838, and has long been honorably connected with the management of the Illinois and Michigan canal.

Oct. 19, Mrs. Ann STAPLETON, widow of the late Wm. STAPLETON, of Joliet, aged 73 years.

Oct. 24, Geo. GEDDES, of Lockport, aged 83 years. Born in New York state, and settled in Homer in 1843.

Oct. 25, Robert LAMPING, at St. Mary’s Ks., aged 77. He is remembered as a resident of Joliet before 1840.

Oct. 30, Mrs. Mary A. BAER, of Joliet, aged 71. She was one of the early settlers in Jackson.

Oct. 26, Thos. WHITE, of Joliet, aged 62 years. Born in England. Came to America in 1852, to Illinois in 1853.

Oct. 26, Mrs. Jno. HONDCLE, of Joliet, aged 72, A German by birth, and a resident of Joliet for fifty years.

Oct. 30, Mrs. Mary A. BAER, of Joliet, aged 71. She was one of the early settlers in Jackson. (duplication of above.-L. B. Peet)

Oct. 30, Albert F. KERCHEVAL, at Los Angeles, Cal., aged 64. He was born in Ohio, and came to New Lenox with his parents in 1830. In 1849 he went to California, where he has since resided. He was an honored participant in our re-union three years ago.

(1892)

Nov. 1, 1892, John L. HASEY, of Joliet, aged 73. He was born in Maine, and has been an honored resident of this city since 1866.

Nov. 5, Joseph KORZELIUS, of Joliet, aged 73. From Germany and an early settler in this city.

Nov. 5, Mrs. Maria BANNON, of Joliet, aged 80. She has lived here since 1839.

Nov. 11, Dr. J. R. LEAVY, of Joliet, aged 93. A native of Ireland, and has lived in the county since 1853.

Nov. 15, Mrs. D. N. COBB, of Wilmington, aged 87. A resident of Wilmington since 1854.

Nov. 11, Mrs. Mary Chapman BROWN, of Joliet, aged 95. Born in Rensalem (I presume Rensselaer county, — L. B. Peet.), N. Y., and a resident of Joliet since 1866.

Nov. 20, Mrs. John Dean CATON, of Chicago, aged 80. She was married to Judge CATON in 1835, coming a bride to Chicago, and located on the noted Caton farm in this county in 1839.

Nov. 23, John HAMMOND, of Wilmington, aged 53. He came with his parents to Homer in 1853, and was a valiant soldier in the late war.

Nov. 27, Geo. E. SHAW, of Plainfield, aged 77. A resident of that town since 1853.

(1892)

Dec.1, Selah MOREY, of Florence, aged 90. A native of Pennsylvania, and an honored citizen of the county, since 1847.

Dec. 5, Mrs. Ann DOBSON, of Wilmington, aged 73. From Ireland, and a resident of Wilmington since 1845.

Dec. 18, Alexander McCLOSKEY, of Plainfield, aged 75. He has been an honored and useful citizen of the county since 1852.

Dec. 20, Levi S. NORTON, of the town of Lockport, aged 78, A resident of the county since 1842.

Dec. 21, Geo. W. HOUGHTON, of Joliet, aged 72. An early settler in the county.

Dec. 22, Mrs. Maria C. YOUNG, nee DOOLITTLE, at Sanora, Cal., aged 78. Her husband, D. C. YOUNG, was one of Joliet’s early and most public spirited citizens. Several monuments of his enterprise still adorn our streets.

Dec. 24, John W. Merril, of Wilmington, aged 63. Born in New Hampshire, and came with his parents to Wilmington in 1849; studying his profession with the late Judge Norton.

Dec. 24, Tracy AVERY, at Beaver, Minn., aged 95. He came to this county in 1844, and removed to Minnesota in 1876.

(1893)

Jan. 3, 1893, Bernard BERSCHEIDT, of Joliet, aged 67. A resident of the city for forty years.

Jan. 7, Mrs. Frank L. CAGWIN, of Joliet, aged 59 years; a daughter of the late John YOUNG, born in New York City and coming with her parents to Manhattan, in 1849.

Jan. 11, John McSHANE, of Lockport, aged 75. A resident of Lockport since 1848.

Jan. 12, S. W. STONE, of Oak Park, Ill., aged 70. He was early and long a resident of Joliet, especially identified with our schools as a teacher and county superintendent.

Jan. 14th, Peter D. DOWNEY, of Channahon, aged 74, settled in Channahon in 1845.

Jan. 17, Mrs. Elizabeth CATON, of Joliet, widow of the late W. P. CATON, aged 74. A native of New York state, the most of her life has been spent in Illinois, largely in this county.

Jan. 19, John GEDDES, of Lockport, aged 62. He came with his parents from New York state, and located in Homer, in 1843. A son of George GEDDES.

Jan. 22, Mrs. Catherine TONNER, wife of William TONNER, of Joliet, aged __. They came to this county from Ohio, in 1850.

Jan. 22, Clark BAKER, of Manhattan, aged 97. Mr. Baker was born in Hoosic, New York, in 1796. Married in 1826, came here in 1843, serving his town as supervisor for thirty years.

Jan. 26, Mrs. A. H. SHREFFLER, of Joliet, aged 60. An early settler in Plainfield.

Jan. 26, Mrs. Mary MARTIN, widow of James MARTIN, of Plainfield, aged 89. Long a resident of the county.

Jan. 29, John WHITTEN, of Wilmington, aged 73. He came from Canada, in 1838, and located in Wilmington, 1841, where he has resided to the time of his death.

(1893)

Feb. 4, Jacob MUELER, of Frankfort, aged 70. An old resident and at one time postmaster of Frankfort.

Feb. 9, John PRITCHARD, of Joliet, aged 77. A resident of Joliet for 40 years.

Feb. 14, Jeremiah HARLY, of Wilmington, aged 97. A native of Ireland, living in Wilmington since 1838.

Feb. 17, John KILE, of Chicago, aged 75, a native of Vermont. He came to Crete from Monroe county New York, in 1835, and has since lived the most of the time in this and Kankakee counties.

Feb. 17, Henry SNOAD, of Elwood, aged 73. He was born in England, and has been an honored resident of the county since 1845.

Feb. 22, Alva CULVER, of Lockport, aged __. He came to this county with his parents in 1847.

Feb. 28, Duane SAMMONS, of Joliet, aged 58. A native of New York state and long a resident of Joliet.

Feb. 28, John SCHOFIELD, of Plainfield, aged 80. He has been an honored resident of the county since 1837.

(1893)

March 23, 1893, Mrs. Laura SUMMENS, wife of Oliver SUMMENS, of Petrolia, Ont., aged 59 years. She was long a resident of Joliet.

March 27, Amos BURDICK, of Lockport, aged 50. He came with his parents to Plainfield in 1837 and was a valiant soldier in the late war.

March 31, Mrs. Abijah CAGWIN, of Joliet, aged 87. She came with her husband from Monroe county, N. Y., in 1836, since which time she has been a resident of this city.

March 31, Mrs. A. B. MEAD, at Marseilles, Ill., aged 72. A resident of the county since 1848.

(1893)

April 2, Mrs. Margaret HILL, of Joliet, widow of Alvah HILL, aged 72. A resident since 1858.

(1893)

May 1, Mrs. Belinda MARSHALL, of New Lenox, widow of Deacon Rollin MARSHALL, aged 86. A resident of Will county since 1836.

May 1, Samuel SHREFFLER, of Joliet, aged 86. A native of Pennsylvania and a resident of Joliet since 1849.

May 6, Mrs. Elmira MELLEN, wife of Geo. VAN DUSEN, of New Lenox, aged 75. Born in Vermont, came west with her parents in 1838; and married and settled on the farm where she died in 1840.

May 20, Joseph COLBERT, of Joliet, aged 75. A resident of the county since 1852.

May 28, Corydon S. LEWIS, of New Lenox, aged 77. A native of New York state. He came to Illinois in 1849 and settled in New Lenox in 1864.

(1893)

June 3, Mrs. John RIGDON, of Joliet, aged 79. She has been a resident of the city more than 40 years. A native of New York state.

June 4, Peter DONY, of Joliet, aged 92. A French Canadian of noted peculiarities and sterling integrity. He has been a marked character among the residents of Joliet for more than half a century.

June 6, Oscar T. RANDALL, at Chicago, aged 54. He was one of Will county’s valiant soldiers, his earlier life having been spent in Troy and Channahon.

June 8, Burke VAN ALSTYNE, at Topeka, Kan., aged 83. A descendant of the old Knickerbockers, he left the valley of the Hudson and settled at Channahon in 1833. He has resided in Kansas some years.

June 17, Isaac VAN ALSTYNE, of Channahon, aged 88. He was a brother of Burke, coming to Illinois the same year and locating on the beautiful farm where he died.

(1893)

July 1, Hiram VAN ALLEN, at Chicago, aged 97 years. He came to Joliet from Mendham, N. Y., in 1848.

July 8th, Mrs. Deliah CASSEDY, of Joliet, widow of Geo. W. CASSEDY, aged 87. A resident of the state from her youth and of Joliet since 1850.

July 9th, Marvin WILDER, at Boulder, Col., aged 86. He settled in Wilmington in 1842, removed to Joliet in 1850, served in the war of the rebellion, and went to Colorado at its close.

July 20th, Rev. Mosses MERRILL at Wilmington, aged 96. He was born in N. Hampshire, and has resided in Wilmington since 1849. He was the father of I. W. MERRILL, whose death has been already recorded.

(1893)

August 6th, Mer, John TIDMARSH, nee TORRY, of Lockport, aged 65. A resident since 1838.

August 6th, Anson SWEET, of Channahon, aged 83. A resident of the county since 1852, and a worthy member of the Methodist church for 65 years.

August 14th, Mrs. Hannah EVANS, of Plainfield, aged 72. She has been a resident of Plainfield since 1837.

August 15th, Bela LUCE, of Plainfield, aged 78. A native of N. Y. state coming to Plainfield in 1837.

August 17th, Mrs. Mary KYRK, of Elwood, aged 78. A resident of Jackson township for 50 years.

August 18th, Mrs. Thos. MARTIN, of Wilmington, aged 76.

August 25, Wm. A. STRONG, of Joliet, aged 65. He was born in Waterloo, N. Y., and came to Joliet in 1850. His life has been an honored and useful one – a model for the young who succeed him.

August 25th, Mrs. Lucretia A. PARKS, of Joliet, aged 69. She came while young from Livingston Co. N. Y., to Channahon where she resided until she married Judge PARKS, in 1848, and has since been a resident of Joliet. In this community it would be needless to say one word in commendation of the subject of this notice.

August 26, Mrs. J. P. MAGNER, of Wilmington, aged 65. We have no further details of her life.

August 26th, Peter CORBIN, of Wilmington, aged 96. A native of Vermont, locating in Wilmington in 1853, where he has since resided.

August 27th, Vincent HOUSER, of Joliet, aged 64. A German by birth, and a resident of this city for 40 years.

It is perhaps worthy of note that of the 89 whose deaths are recorded, 10 had passed the age of 90, and 3 that of 97.

Another division of the grand panorama of time has gone by, and the “Old Settlers of Will Co.” have again met to talk over the events of the past, and to drop a tear to the memory of those who, wearied with life’s journey, have fallen out by the way and gone to the silence and rest of the grave.

Who shall be left of these old settlers for another annual season of friendly intercourse; or who record the names of the fallen for the information of those who remain can only be forseen (sic.) by Him who has the destiny of all in His keeping.

H. N. MARSHJoliet Sept. 6th, 1893.

Some Who Were There.

Among those present we noticed: J. E. BROOKS and wife, Plainfield. A. O. MARSHALL, Joliet. E. D. CONLEY, Joliet. Alex McINTOSH, Joliet. W. T. WHITEMORE, Joliet. Mrs. Helen A. HENDERSON, Joliet. Mrs. John KEYES, Joliet. Thos. TAIT and wife, Joliet. Mrs. Lucy THORNTON, Joliet. Mrs. E. D. MOSEY, Joliet. Mrs. Martha CULBERTSON, Joliet. E. WILCOX, Joliet. Mr. and Mrs. H. N. MARSH, Joliet. Mrs. W. H. ZARLEY, Joliet. Frank NICHOLSON, Joliet. W. C. GRANT, Elwood. G. NOEL, Jackson. A. P. CARPENTER, Channahon. John VAN HORNE and wife, Plainfield. Levi PIERCE, Morris. Mrs. GRANT, Elwood. Geo. F. GURNEY, Jackson. Geo. VAN DUSER, New Lenox. Mr. E. GIFFORD and wife, Elwood. Joseph ROSE and wife, Wilton. Joseph GOUGAR, New Lenox. D. BIRKETT, Plainfield. Wm. KIRKHAM, Manhattan. C. H. MERRILL, Grandview. C. B. HILL. A. PRESTON, Lockport. Geo. McALLISTER and wife, Plainfield. James OWENS, Joliet. J. GRAVES and wife, Plainfield. Mr. FRASER and wife, Joliet. Mrs. D. Y. SMITH, Joliet. Dorothy SYMINGTON, Joliet. Chas. SYMINGTON, Joliet. Martin METZ and wife, Elwood. Mrs. Augustine Cotton McDADE, San Francisco. J. J. LICHTENWALTER, Elwood. J. BUSH, Elwood. H. E. BOVEE, Elwood. W. H. NORTON, Elwood. Joseph HUNTER, Frankfort. Wm. KRINIER and wife, Elwood. H. H. LICHTENWALTER, Elwood. Mrs. ASTRANDER, Joliet. Mrs. Robert J. BOYLAN, Jackson. Wm. THOMAS, Ottawa. Chris BITNER, Wilton. D. C. BALDWIN and wife, Lockport. Mrs. L. S. PARKER, Lockport. Mrs. Desire WADE, Joliet. Mrs. Henry Ewing, Joliet. Robert EATON, Jackson. Mrs. M. A. KINNIE. Joliet.