"A" Obituaries

Alexander County/Illinois Genealogy Trails

Tamms, IL--J. REID ABERCROMBIE, 85, of Tamms died Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO.  He was born May 16, 1922 in Alexander County, Ill., to Cyrille and Adeline Jane Kendall Abercrombie.  He married Mildred Dean Brock June 16, 1941.  She preceded him in death Sept. 14, 2001.  Abercrombie was a director and one of the original organizers of Tamms State Bank (now Capaha Bank).  He was the owner and operator of Abercrombie Abstract Co. in Cairo, Ill.  He retired from GM&O Railroad where he had worked as a yard clerk.  He served his country honorably in the U. S. Army and the U. S. Air Force during World War II as a tail gunner in Europe.  Abercrombie was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a 32nd Degree Mason at Caledonia Lodge.  He is survived by a son, John R. Abercrombie Jr. of Cape Girardeau; a grandson, John Reid Abercrombie III of Jacksonville, Fla.; two granddaughters, Sarah Beth Abercrombie of St. Louis, Lindsay Abercrombie of Cape Girardeau; and a great-grandson, James Alexander Smoot of Cape Girardeau.  He was preceded in death by his wife; parents and a brother, Cyrille H. Abercrombie, Jr.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.  The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Larry Buckles officiating.  Burial will be in Jonesboro Cemetery.
 

McClure, IL.--VIRTIE MAY NEWELL ABERCROMBIE, age 90, of McClure, formerly of Tamms, died at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb 5, 2005 at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mrs. Abercrombie was born on May 1, 1914 in Alexander County, Illinois, daughter of the late James Warren and Gertrude Story Warren. She was a homemaker.  She was of the Pentecostal faith. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Loil "Red" Tinsley of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Henry Lee Newell in 1962; her second husband, Chester Abercrombie; a daughter, Myrtle Hawkins; and a son, Ralph Newell. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb 7, at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms with Rev. Dee Hazelwood officiating.  Interment followed in St. John's Cemetery in Dongola. Friends called from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Jones Funeral Home in Tamms in charge of arrangements. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Feb. 10, 2005, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Tamms, IL--KENNETH EUGENE ADAMS, 72, of Tamms died Monday, Nov. 18, 2002 at his home.  He was born Dec. 21, 1929 at Tamms, son of George and Rhoda Pole Adams.  He married the former Joanna Smithey.
Adams was a lifelong resident of Alexander County.  He farmed and retired as a maintenance worker from Illinois Department of Transportation.  He was a member of Elco Methodist Church.  He served in the U. S. Army.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Rex Adams of Tamms, Kim Adams of Dallas, Texas; two daughters, Jane Hodges of Tamms, Janice Todd of Jackson, Mo.; a brother, Elmer "Sharkey" Adams of Ullin, IL; two sisters, Evelyn Strader of Edwardsville, Ill., Velma Adams of Alton, Ill.; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Friends may call at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms from 5 to 8 p.m. today, and after 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Elco Methodist Church.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Revs. Tom Bailey, Robbie Grief, Buddy Walls and Bob Richardson officiating.  Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery near Dongola, IL, with military honors by VFW Post 1301 of Marion, Ill.

Cairo, IL.--MISS HAZEL AISTHORPE Laid to Rest Today--Funeral services were held this afternoon for Miss Hazel Aisthorpe, daughter of Mr. J. S. Aisthorpe of 613 Walnut street, who died in Jacksonville, Ill., Tuesday morning where she had been taken for treatment following a long illness.  The beautiful and impressive services were held in the Church of the Redeemer of which Miss Aisthorpe was a member, and were conducted by the rector, the Ven. Charles K. Weller, in the presence of a large assemblage of sorrowing friends. Profuse and beautiful floral offerings were massed about the casket, tributes of sympathy from the many friends of Miss Aisthorpe, who was a young woman of wonderful character, capable and accomplished, and whose untimely death has caused deep grief to all who knew her. The choir of the church, with Mrs. C. Fred Galigher playing the organ, rendered beautiful music during the services, and several favorite hymns of Miss Aisthorpe were sung.  The pall bearers were Robert Halliday, Harry Emerson, Warner Halliday, H. W. Cade, P. B. Halliday, William Bryant, W. A. Rittenhouse, William Winter, Herbert C. Steinel and Victus Brown. After the services the cortege left by automobiles for Mounds where interment was made in Beech Grove cemetery.  Karcher Brothers directed the funeral. Among the many floral offerings was a blanket of flowers and ferns, sent by the employees and directors of the First Bank & Trust company of which Miss Aisthorpe's father, the late J. S. Aisthorpe, was president for many years and of which her brother, H. R. Aisthorpe is cashier. This beautiful floral blanket was placed on the grave at the conclusion of the last rites at the cemetery.  Other floral pieces were a large wreath from the Cairo Business and Professional Women's club and a floral spray from the Fortnightly Musical club, Miss Aisthorpe having been a member of both of these organizations. --From the Cairo Evening Citizen, Thursday, July 14, 1927, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--NOBLE LIFE OF OLD RESIDENT IS ENDED FRIDAY--Mrs. Conrad Alba Passes Away at Home Here--MRS. BARBARA NEFF ALBA, of 306 1/2 Eighteenth Street, died Friday evening at 6 o'clock at her home, following a prolonged illness that had confined her to her bed for the past several weeks.  Her husband, a prominent insurance and real estate man, and secretary of the Delta Building and Loan Co., also has been seriously ill for several weeks and shows no improvement today. Besides her husband, Mrs. Alba is survived by two sons, Harvey Alba, of Vernon, Texas, and Chester N. Alba of Cairo, who is associated with his father here in business.  The son from Texas and his wife were called here early in the week by Mrs. Alba's illness and were at her bedside when she died, as were her husband and son Chester and wife. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence, conducted by Dr. J. Turner Hood, pastor of the First Presbyterian church.  Immediately after the services the cortege will leave by automobiles for Villa Ridge where interment will be made.  E. A. Burke will direct the funeral. The active pall bearers will be Dave Ringol, John J. Levitt, Dan Lambert, Allan Hickcox, Carl Hebsacker, Harry Schultz, William Neff, Herbert Neff, Milton Kobler, Vernet Rees, Robert Swoboda and Gus Swoboda. The honorary pallbearers will be Joe Bucher, Leo J. Kleb, R. Hebsacker, Peter Kobler, William S. Dewey, John C. Fisher, Oscar L. Herbert, August Bode, Jacob Steger, Herman Weber and George F. Schoembs.

Contracted Influenza--Mrs. Alba's death was attributed to a severe cold which developed into influenza and complications.  She was a patient sufferer and had been ill for a number of years with arteriosclerosis, suffering intensely at times due to this ailment.  She had been confined to her bed for almost three months. Mrs. Alba possessed an affable disposition and was a lovable character.  She leaves many friends whom she was always glad to see although she was of a home-loving nature and rarely left her residence, due largely of late years to her physical disability.  She was always thinking of her loved ones and toiled incessantly to make her home one of joy for her family with unceasing regard for the comforts and pleasures of her husband and sons.  This and her gentle disposition, kindly nature and reserve marked a unique character in the person of Mrs. Alba. Mrs. Alba was born in Germany July 4, 1850 and came to this country when a girl of thirteen years, residing for the past sixty-five years in Cairo.  Her maiden name was Barbara Neff and on September 22, 1884 she was married in this city to Mr. Alba.  Besides her husband and two sons she is survived by a brother, Peter Neff, and a niece, Mrs. L. C. Roberts of 428 Thirty-fourth Street, a cousin, Calvin Neff, and a cousin, Miss Effie Neff.  Another cousin, Will A. Neff, died recently in this city. She was a member of the First Presbyterian church and lived a fine Christian life, setting a standard of modest reservations in her views of life.  She asked that the Bible be read to her by those in attendance during her weeks of illness and often spoke of the interest of the church in a Christian faith. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin, Saturday, May 4, 1929, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--DEATH CLAIMS CONRAD ALBA EARLY TODAY--Veteran Insurance Man Passes Away At St. Mary's--CONRAD ALBA, age 86, one of Cairo's oldest and most highly respected citizens, passed away at St. Mary's Infirmary at 4:30 o'clock this morning, following an operation performed in the hope that it would prolong his life.  Death was the result of uremic poisoning. His wife passed away on May 3d last, and since her death Mr. Alba had wanted to go and join her in the better land. Funeral services will probably be held Sunday, but arrangements will not be definitely concluded until the arrival of Harvey C. Alba, his other son, from Vernon, Tex., Saturday.  Chester N. Alba, his youngest son, was with him at the end and did everything that a devoted son could do. Conrad Alba was born in Grossen Bussek, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany on June 16, 1849.  His father, Dr. Daniel Alba was a physician in Germany.  He came to America and to St. Louis when a lad of eight, his father having died, and he worked there at stripping tobacco to help support his mother.  In the year 1862 he came to Cairo and worked for his brother, William Alba, who was conducting a barber shop here. In the year 1896 he embarked in the insurance business at the same place where he remained until his death, Commercial Avenue and Eighteenth Street.  He had built the buildings there which are known as the Alba block.  In the year 1910 he organized the Delta Building and Loan Association, remaining as its secretary until his death.  The insurance and building and loan were conducted along with an extensive real estate business, he having acquired considerable holdings in Cairo real estate during his long life. Mr. Alba was a loyal Cairoite.  He was a firm believer in the future of this city.  He aided in every civic movement, was a member of the Cairo Association of Commerce, and was a member of the State and local underwriters' organizations.  He was also affiliated with the Masons and Odd Fellows and was a Knight Templar.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian church. As a lad in St. Louis he was active in athletic events and won a belt as a trophy at a contest.  In the days of the old volunteer fire departments in Cairo, he was a member of the Rough and Ready company. Mr. Alba is survived by his two sons, Harvey C. and Chester N. Alba, by a number of nieces and nephews, Misses Ida and Matilda Alba; Miss Lena Klee, Mrs. Minnie Carpenter, Mrs. Rose Feiss, and Fred Klee, and a host of friends. Mr. Alba was respected by all who knew him.  He was always a loyal friend, and most devoted to his family. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin, Friday, July 5, 1929, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Conrad Alba is buried at the Cairo City Cemetery in Villa Ridge, IL)

Tamms, IL.--JOHN PAUL ALBRIGHT, age 29, of Tamms, died Wednesday evening at Jefferson Barracks Hospital in St. Louis.  Mr. Albright was injured in an automobile accident some time ago and never fully recovered his health.  He served in World War II and was a member of the V. F. W. of St. Louis. Survivors include his wife, Pauline; his mother, Mrs. Lucy Albright of Tamms; four brothers, Wayne of Oregon, Ill., Fred and Jesse of Joliet, Ill., and Charles of Tamms; four sisters, Mrs. Thomas Davis of Chicago, Mrs. Bernold Miller, Mrs. Howard Powless, and Mrs. Lorraine Albright, all of Tamms; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Jordan of Elco; several nieces and nephews and other relatives.  The body is at the Crain Funeral Home in Tamms where friends may call. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Baptist Church with the pastor, Rev. W. A. Godbey, officiating. Interment will be made in the Thistlewood Cemetery with V. F. W. No. 8890 of Tamms conducting services at the grave. Crain Funeral Home is in charge. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Friday, Sept. 2, 1949, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Pinellas Park, FL--WILLIE JEAN ALBRIGHT, 76, of Pinellas Park, died Friday (Sept. 16, 2005). She was born in Alexander County, Ill., and came here in 1982 from Novato, Calif. Survivors include three daughters, Gail J. Brown, St. Petersburg, Rosalie Ackerson, Pleasant Hill, Calif., and Diane Goodman, Largo; three sons, Dale Dressler, Fred Dressler and George Dressler, all of Jacksonville; two brothers, Jerry Albright, St. Petersburg, and Lawrence Albright, Alton, Ill.; two sisters, Alvena Eastwood, Anna, Ill., and Marcitias DeWerff, Rogers, Ark.; 12 grandchildren; and a great-grandson. R. Lee Williams & Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 49th Street N Chapel, St. Petersburg.  --St. Petersburg Times (FL) - September 19, 2005 

Tamms, IL.--Funeral rites for LORA ALLEN of Jackson (MO) were held at 1 p.m., Dec. 16, 1993 at Crain Funeral Chapel in Tamms. The Revs. Verlee Eaker and Raymond Oxford officiated and burial was in St. John's Cemetery. Mrs. Allen, 92, died Dec. 13, 1993 at the Jackson Manor Nursing Home. She was born Feb. 15, 1901 near Tamms, a daughter of James F. and Ida May King Palmer. On June 29, 1929 she was married to Claude Allen, who died June 24, 1983. She was a member of East Cape Baptist Church. Surviving are nieces, nephews and cousins.

Tamms, IL.--RUTH ALLEN, 82, of Tamms, died at 6:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, 2006 at home. She was born Jan. 22, 1924 in Elco, the daughter of John P. and Ethel Hammonds Brown. She married Donald C. Allen Feb. 7, 1941 and he survives. She was a member of Tamms Methodist Church. She retired with 30 years of service for the U. S. Postal Service at the Tamms Post Office. She is survived by her husband, Donald of Tamms; one daughter, Marjorie Faye (Larry) Brymer of Anna; three grandchildren, Angie (Brent) Gordon, Steve Hornbeak and Mike (Teresa) Hornbeak; four great-grandchildren, Olivia and Graham Gordon and Skylar and Jaclyn Hornbeak; one brother, Butch Brown of Springfield; nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Donna Kay Hornbeak; and one sister, Marjorie Brown. Services for Ruth Allen will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6, 2006 in Crain Funeral Home in Tamms with Pastor Pete Vinson and Pastor Brent Gordon officiating. Burial will be in Ullin Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms. --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan, Feb. 5, 2006.

Olive Branch, IL.--JOHN LLOYD AMBLER, 58, Olive Branch, died Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau following a brief illness.  He was a lifelong resident of Olive Branch. Survivors are one daughter, Mrs. Andrea Rogers, Houston, Texas; his mother, Mrs. Icy Ambler, Olive Branch, and one brother Max Ambler, Olive Branch. Visitation will be at the Crain Funeral Chapel in Tamms after 4 p.m. today. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the Olive Branch Methodist Church with the Rev. Ray Hall and the Rev. Richard Giffin officiating.  Burial will be in the Olive Branch Cemetery. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Thursday, Dec. 4, 1969, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Olive Branch, IL--AUDREY ANDERSON, 74, of Olive Branch died Friday morning, Aug 3, 1990 at St. Francis Medical Center.  He was a 56-year member of the Sandy Creek Baptist Church, and was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.  He was also a veteran of the U. S. Army.  He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Olive Branch; one son, Robert Lester Anderson of Goreville; two daughters, Betty Sue Barnett of O'Fallon, IL and Sherma Doris Cain of Elgin, IL; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a brother, a sister and his parents.  Funeral service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Crain Funeral Home in Tamms with the Rev. Albert Moore and the Rev. Howard Sutton officiating.  Burial will follow in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens in Villa Ridge.  

Olive Branch, IL.--Funeral service for BOB ANDERSON of Olive Branch will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.  Rev. Howard Sutton will officiate, with burial in Cummins Cemetery near Mill Creek.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 5 p.m. Tuesday.  Anderson, 48 years old, died Sunday, Feb 11, 1990 at his home.  He was born June 7, 1941 at Tamms, son of Darrell and Hazel Bernice Stonecipher Anderson.  He and the former Clara King were married Sep 27, 1981.  Anderson was a truck driver nd member of Teamsters Local 547 in Cape Girardeau.  He was a member of the Eagles Lodge there and served in the U. S. Army.  Survivors include his wife: two sons, Stanton and James Anderson of Chaffee, MO; three daughters, Darla Grumblatt of Philadelphia, PA, andrea Montgomery and Kia Anderson of Chaffee; four brothers, Garrett Anderson of Olive Branch, Darrell Anderson of Rockford, Eddie Anderson of Cape Girardeau, Danny Anderson of Centralia; three sisters, Shirley Hull of Thebes, IL, Ruthie Miller of Olive Branch, Helen Poe of Pocahontas, AR and four grandsons.

McClure, IL--Funeral service for DALE IRVIN ANDERSON of San Francisco, Calif., formerly of McClure, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Jones Funeral Chapel in Tamms.  The Rev. Raymond Oxford will officiate, with burial in Cumins Cemetery near McClure.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m. today.  Anderson, 42, died Sunday, Dec. 27, 1992 at San Francisco General Hospital.

McClure, IL.--JEFFREY KENNETH ANGEL, 49, of McClure, died at 2:50 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005 in Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, with the Rev. Larry Buckles officiating. Burial will be in McCrite Cemetery. --Courtesy The Southeran Illinoisan, Nov. 1, 2005.

Cairo, IL.--GEORGIA E. APPLEGATE--MOTHER OF FIVE SMALL CHILDREN DIES AT HOSPITAL--Kept Up Struggle to Support Them Two Years After Tragic Death of Husband--Five small children were made orphans yesterday afternoon when Mrs. Georgia E. Applegate died at St. Mary's Infirmary at 5:30 o'clock.  The children, three boys, 13, 11, and 9 years old, and two girls, 5 and 2 years old, were taken to the Children's Home several days ago when the mother became too ill to care for them. The father of the children, Charles F. Applegate, was killed nearly two years ago while in the employ of the Central Union Telephone Company, working on a pole in the north end of Cairo.  Since then the widow has struggled to support the children but the battle ended yesterday when she succumbed at the hospital. An effort was made last night to locate relatives of Mrs. Applegate before making arrangements for the funeral and the body was taken to the undertaking establishment of E. A. Burke.  It was learned that Monroe Wooden, an employee of the Wels-Peterson Box factory, is her step-father and he probably will be consulted before arrangements are completed. The children were sent to bed last night at 8 o'clock without being told of their mother's death. --From The Cairo Bulletin, Friday, Sept. 17, 1915, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--ORVILLE P. APPLEGATE, age 57, a resident of 43-8th St., Cairo, died suddenly Sunday morning at St. Mary's Hospital at 2:45 a.m.  He was born in Cairo and lived in the city his entire lifetime.  He was employed by Smith and Groves and was a veteran of World War II. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Lela Applegate; two sisters, Mrs. Georgia Klingeman of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Mrs. Frances Prince of Hot Springs, Ark.; one brother, Charles Applegate of Sacramento, Calif.; and other relatives. Friends may call Tuesday after 2 p.m., at the Joe F. Berbling Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Joe F. Berbling Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Ivan Lirely, pastor of the First Methodist Church of Cairo, officiating.  Interment will be in the National Cemetery at Mound City. Joe F. Berbling, Funeral Director, is in charge of arrangements. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Monday, Feb. 22, 1965, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--DR. DANIEL D. ARTER--It had been determined to remove Dr. Arter to his fa rm at Villa Ridge, as soon as needful arrangements could be made. But, strangely enough, on Thursday evening last, he insisted that his removal should be effected the next day, Friday. He would not listen patiently to suggestions that argued for delay. He had fixed his heart on going up Friday; and had his physical organism been in a condition to respond to what seemed the earnest desire of his heart, he would have been a passenger on the same train that carried up the dead body of his murdered son, of whose death he has not yet been apprised. It was one of those strange happenings upon which the faith in premonitions is built--an occurence in which reason had no part, but which is most difficult to account for if the idea of reason is discarded. -- From the Daily Cairo Bulletin, Wednesday, Aug 7, 1879
DEATH OF DR. DANIEL ARTER --The announcement of Dr. Arter's death, which took place at a quarter to 10 o'clock, yesterday morning, will excite but little surprise among the people of Cairo. Something over a year ago his left leg was broken in two places by the fall of a wall, at the foundation of which he was working. Being at that time over 80 years of age, it was thought that he could not recover from his injuries; but possessing a vigorous constitution and a well preserved physical organization, he so far recovered as to be able to move from place to place on crutches; and for a time he was promised a renewed lease of several years of life. Five or six months ago, however, he was taken down with pneumonia, which being succeeded by other ailments, so reduced him in flesh and strength that his recuperative powers failed to assert themselves, and he was confined to his bed continuously from that time forward. The advent of the present hot weather had a most debilitating effect upon him, and growing feebler from day to day, he finally passed away easily and calmly, like one lying down to sweet dreams.
Doctor Arter was born in the State of Maryland, on the 3rd day of June, 1798, and was at the time of his death, therefore, 81 years, two months and three days old. He was married twice, having six children by his first wife; only one of which now survives him, viz: Mrs. Louis Jaccard, of Caledonia. By his second wife, (who still survives him, and who bestowed most patient and loving care upon him during his long and trying illness) he also had six children, four of whom, (all being daughters) survive him and reside in this city.
The Doctor came to Southern Illinois over forty years ago, during twenty-five years of which time he lived in Pulaski County, and practiced medicine. Always blessed with great vigor and activity of both body and mind, he not only became a very successful physician in his treatment of the diseases incident to the country; but became a widely known, popular and influential citizen. At the outbreak of the war he moved to Cairo, and accepted an appointment from President Lincoln to the then very responsible and laborious position of Surveyor of the Cairo port. This office he held, always personally supervising its affairs, until the close of the war, when he retired from business altogether, upon a competence for his old age. Although often importuned to offer himself as a candidate for offices of public trust, he seemed to have no ambition in that direction, contenting himself during his eighteen-years residence in Cairo, with a single term as Select Councilman--a position he filled most intelligently and industriously. Although but little in public life, as already stated, few men were more constantly before the public. Known to and knowing almost everybody in the country--a man of quick perceptions, active intellect and good judgment, he was induced to accept a directorship of the affairs of the Emporium Real Estate and Manufacturing Company, during the prosperous days of that corporation, and so well and satisfactorily did he discharge the trusts of the position that, upon his retirement, his co-directors and the officers of the company testified their appreciation of his valuable aid, in the presentation of a splendid and costly gold watch. In the management of his own affairs he was reasonably successful, so much so that his declining years were blessed with a "temporal abundance."
During the past ten years the Doctor gave much thought to the creeds of the different Christian sects, and embodied in pamphlet form the results of much of his thought and researches. He firmly believed in an over-ruling, ever-present intelligence, and in an existence after death; but he discarded all the creeds and isms of the churches; and denied the inspiration of the scriptures and the divinity of Christ. To this delstic [deist?] belief he clung to the last rational moment of his life, feeling assured that whatever________________(unreadable) ___in store for the creatures of earth he would fare as well and happily as the rest.
He approached death without a tremor or a fear--nay, he longed for it as for a happy release from his suffering--as for a sweet rest for his old and toil-worn body. Daily, almost hourly, for months past, he has exclaimed, "Oh, will the end NEVER come!"--and, in the growing certainty that the end could not long be delayed, he was never frightened or alarmed; but solaced and comforted. He had run his course; he had outlived the allotted span; nature had prepared him for the change, and he contemplated it calmly, philosophically--never as a terror; but, always as a rest to his tired, worn, pain racked, and exhausted old body, and wearied, but ever active brain. Now and here more is not called for, at least at our hands. We have known him long and well as a most affectionate father to his children, and as a most provident husband; and now as the surviving children and the bereaved widow commit his body to the earth, they can have the solace of knowing that the world is not worse because Doctor Arter came upon it, performed his mission and passed ayas. Thousands remembered him to bless him for his generous charities, and friendly aid and council; and blessed memories of him will live long after all that is now left of him has become a mass of indistinguishable dust.
--The funeral train that is to convey the remains of Dr. Arter to Villa Ridge for burial will have the foot of Tenth Street at half-past two o'clock this afternoon, the funeral procession leaving the house of deceased on Tenth Street, a few minutes before that time. Services at the house at 2 p.m. The friends of the family are invited to attend. --Dr. Daniel Arter, From the Daily Cairo Bulletin, Friday, Aug 8, 1879.
--The funeral ceremonies over the remains of Dr. Arter, yesterday, called on an unusually large number of citizen's including the members of the Masonic lodge of which he had long been a member. The services at the house consisted of appropriate readings by Dr. C. W. Dunning, from the "Truth Seeker's Collections," and the singing, in quartette, of that most beautiful of all hymns, "Nearer my God to Thee," by Mrs. Capt. W. P. Halliday, Miss Annie Pitcher, Mr. Van Dorn and Col. Wood, with organ accompaniment by Miss Ida Harrell. Four compactly filled coaches of friends and relatives accompanied the body to the grave, and were joined there by a large number of persons who had come from______[here I must have cut the bot tom line - sorry - I assume it was friends from Pulaski County. Anna Shelton].
--For many years Dr. Arter has had all his persoal affairs well in hand," leaving none of the details in doubt and uncertainty. Full directions were left by him as to the disposition of his body; his monument having been erected several years ago under his own personal supervision. In some things he was peculiar perhaps, as for instance in leaving directions that the casket containing his body should be imbedded in cement. While this is sometimes done elsewhere, it is an unusual thing in Southern Illinois. His direction, in this particular, were strictly followed. --From the Daily Cairo Bulletin, Sunday, Aug 3, 1879, transcribed by Anna Shelton, January 30, 2003 and contributed by Sue Mullins.

Cairo, IL.--MRS. ELIZA ARTER DIED WEDNESDAY IN LOS ANGELES
Former Pioneer Resident Passes Away at Age of 90
Word was received by Cairo relatives Wednesday of the death in California of Mrs. Eliza M. Arter, who passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Grace E. Magee in Los Angeles Wednesday, at the age of 90.
Mrs. Arter was the widow of Charles D. Arter, one of the pioneer residents of Cairo, and the mother of Charles F. Arter of Cairo. She came to Cairo in 1844, and lived here continuously until five years ago, when she went west with her daughter.
Surviving are four children, the other two being Mrs. Phil H. Saup of Los Angeles and H. T. Arter of Chicago. There are also seven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
Funeral arrangements had not been completed when the word of her death was received. --Contributed by Sue Mullins and transcribed by Anna Shelton from The Cairo Evening Citizen, Thursday, Nov. 27, 1924.

Cairo, IL.--Funeral services for NICHOLAS "NICK" ARTER, well known switchman for the Missouri-Pacific railroad, who was shot by robbers early Monday morning as he began his work at West Twenty-first street, and who died from the effects of the bullet wounds Tuesday morning at St. Mary's Hospital, will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Lutheran Church.  The services will be conducted by the pastor, the Rev. C. Robert Dunlap. The cortege will leave the residence, 229 Thirty-fourth street, for the church at 1:45 p.m. Immediately after the services the funeral party will leave for Villa Ridge where burial will be made.  Karcher Brothers will direct the funeral. The casket bearers will be Beckham Bard, Elmer Cowell, James Wallace, Frank De Graffenreid, Parker Marshall, John Stackley, Oscar Phelps and William Smith.--From The Cairo Evening Citizen & Bulletin, Wed., Nov. 15, 1933--(Dates on Mr. Arter's stone are 1888-1933, buried in the Cairo City Cemetery in Villa Ridge, contributed by Anna Shelton.)

Cairo, IL.--MRS. MARY W. AXLEY, wife of Leander Axley, died Sunday morning of pneumonia, and was buried Monday.  Her age was 50 years.  The deceased was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she resided until the year 1861.  She was thoroughly educated, and had spent many years in the school room as a teacher.  She was married to Mr. Axley in the year 1862 and has been a resident of the city of Cairo for twenty-five years.  For the past eight years she has been blind.  In all her affliction she has exhibited the greatest patience and was ready to go when the summons came.  --From The Cairo Citizen, Feb. 2, 1888, Thursday, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Return To The Obituary Index

Return To The Main Page

©2005-2008 Anna Newell, Illinois Genealogy Trails
../alexander/