Alexander County, Illinois Deaths

The services over the remains of C. D. Arter, deceased, at the residence, were conducted by the Rev B. Y. George, the house being inadequate to the accommodation of the large number present. The body was buried according to the beautiful and impressive forms of the A. F A. Masonic Fraternity. (Note: For more on this death, see news.)
(Note: Charles D. Arter: Tombstone Inscription--Charles D. Arter, born-Sept. 13, 1829; murdered-July 30, 1879;
Job 16-18-- "O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.)

1. Place of Death
District No.
Local Registered No. 10749
County:
City or Town: Los Angeles
2629 1/2 S Hoover
2. Full Name: Eliza M Arter
3. Sex: Female
4. Color or Race: White
5. Single, Married, Widowed, or Divorced: Widowed
Wife of Charles D
6. DOB: May 28, 1834
7. Age: 90 years 5 months 30 days
8. Occupation: at home
9. Birthplace: [North Bend] Ohio
10. Name of Father: Bailey S Harrell
11. Birthplace of Father: Pa
12. Maiden name of Mother: Abigal [Abigail]}Wood
13: Birthplace of Mother: Pa
14. Informant: Mrs Grace E Magge [Magee, Eliza's daughter. Maiden name: ARTER].
Address: Los Angeles Cal.
15. Filed Nov 28 1924 by H Sitz, Deputy
16. Date of Death: Nov. 26, 1924
Attended by doctor from Nov 25, 1924, to Nov 26, 1924
Last saw her alive on Nov 25, 1924
Death occurred at that date at 1 pm
17. Cause of death: myocarditis
Duration Contributory: Old age
Did an operation precede death? Was there an autopsy? What test confirmed diagnosis: Physical findings
Signed: Bl?T?, M.D., 11/26/1924, 2400 Hoover St
18. Length of Residence: At place of death: 5 years In California: 5 years, 0 months, 0 days
19. Place of Burial or Removal: Cairo Ill
Date of Burial: December 4, 1924
20. Undertaker: Bresee Brothers
Embalmer's License No. 666

Note: Corrections are in brackets by the researcher. Eliza Martha Harrell Arter was the wife of Charles D. Arter, who died in 1879 and the daughter of Bailey S. Harrell. Eliza is buried in the Cairo City Cemetery at Villa Ridge near her daughter and son-in-law, Grace and Bruce Magee and her grand-daughter, Dr. Grace Magee.

L.D. ATHERTON of Goose Island, Alexander County, died Tuesday (25 Apr 1899) in Cairo, aged 75 years. --Jonesboro Gazette, 29 Apr 1899.

FORMER CAIROITE DIES--William H. Bankston, age 44 years, formerly a business man of this city, died at Anna this morning. He is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Nell Williams of Thebes, Mrs. Elizabeth Thomson of Metropolis, one niece and seven nephews. Mr. Bankston operated a ready-to-wear store on Eighth street here a number of years ago, later moving to St. Louis where he operated a shop. Funeral services will be held from the McCarty Funeral home at Anna, Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Marchildon Funeral Service in charge. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Thursday, May 21, 1936, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Avis M. Miller Beasley was born at home near Elco, Alexander County, Illinois on June 26, 1902, the daughter of Milford "Major" Green Miller and Willie Anne Parrott Miller. She married Harry Lee Beasley in Alexander County, Illinois on August 27, 1918. She died on October 19, 1926 in childbirth at her home near Elco. The infant also died and was interred at the breast of its mother. Both are buried in the Delta Cemetery. --Contributed by Frank Beasley.

Harry Lee "Taller Hill" Beasley was born at home near Elco, Alexander County, Illinois on June 1, 1897, son of William "Will" Beasley and Dora "Dorrie" Jane Thompson Beasley. He first married Avis M. Miller in Alexander County on August 27, 1918. She died during childbirth on October 19, 1926. He then married Mattie Belle Cantrell of McClure on February 4, 1929 at the Clinton County Courthouse in Carlyle, Illinois. He died on April 5, 1942 at St. Mary's Hospital, Centralia, Marion County, Illinois, as a result of an automobile accident on Illinois Route 161 about six miles east of Centralia. His daughter, Mary Louise, also died as a result of this accident. His home at the time of death was 717 North Elm Street, Centralia. Interment was in the Delta Cemetery, Alexander County, IL. --Contributed by Frank Beasley.

Jackie Lee Beasley, son of Lee and Mattie Belle Cantrell Beasley, January 2, 1930 stillborn at home at 614 Rasback, Centralia, Ill. Prolapsed Cord-cause of stillbirth per Dr. H. E. Wilson. Date and Place of Burial: January 3, 1930, Elco, Ill. (Note: While no known factual documentation exists, the researcher's mother, Mattie Belle Beasley and her sister, Roberta Coleman have stated many times that Jackie Lee Beasley weighed 18 lbs. at birth. That would make him the largest baby ever born in the State of Illinois. The bill from Baldridge Funeral Home, Centralia, Illinois, where Lee Beasley took Jackie Lee's body, shows that the embalming cost was $15.00. Lee Beasley then transported Jackie Lee's body in his automobile to the residence of Roberta Coleman in Elco, Illinois. There Lee and Roberta cleaned Jackie Lee's body and dressed him in clothing for a three or four month old baby because his body was so large. After wrapping Jackie Lee in a blanket, Lee Beasley placed his body in a small wooden box constructed by his favorite uncle, Bill Thompson. They then took his small burial box to Hazelwood Cemetery, south of Elco, where they buried Jackie Lee on January 3, 1930, in an unmarked grave near the grave of Lee Beasley's grandfather, John T. Thompson.) --Contributed by Frank Beasley.

Mary Louise Beasley, daughter of Harry Lee and Mattie Belle Cantrell Beasley, died April 5, 1941 at the scene of an automobile accident on Illinois Route 161 about six miles east of Centralia, Marion County, Illinois. She was born at home on Rasback Street in Centralia on December 28, 1930. Her father, Harry Lee, also died as a result of the accident. She was buried in Delta Cemetery, Alexander County, Illinois. Her home at the time of her death was 717 North Elm Street, Centralia, Illinois. --Contributed by Frank Beasley.

1. Place of Death: Union County; Registration Dist. No. 881; Road District #5; Primary Dist. No. 7860; Registered No. 25; Anna Hospital; Length of Time at Place where Death Occurred? 3 mos. 23 da.
2. Place of Residence: State: Illinois; County: Alexander
3. Full Name: Etna Benefiel; Veteran: No; Social Security: no data
4. Sex: Female
5. Race: White
6. Widowed; Husband's name: Theodore-deceased.
7. Birth date of deceased: July 4, 1868
8. Age: 78 Years, 6 Months, 27 Days.
9. Birthplace: Union Co., Illinois
10. Usual Occupation: none
11. Industry or business: (blank)
12. Father's Name: William Ferrell;
13. Birthplace: Illinois
14. Mother's Maiden name: Emily
15. Birthplace: Illinois
16. From Hospital records: Informant: Gretta R. Brasel, Anna, Illinois.

17. Place of Burial: Simms Cemetery; Date: Feb. 3, 1943; Location: Tamms, Alexander, Illinois

21. I hereby certify that I attended the deceased from Oct. 8, 1942 to Feb. 1st, 1943; that I last saw her alive on Jan. 31, 1943 and that death occurred on the date and hour stated above.

Immediate cause of death: General Arteriosclerosis; Duration: no data.
22. Was an operation performed? No; Was there an autopsy? No
23. If a communicable disease; where contracted? Not a communicable disease; Was disease in any way related to occupation of deceased? no

24. Signed: P. M. Nation, M. D., Anna Hospital, Anna, Ill.; Date: Feb. 1st, 1943.

1. Place of Death: State: Illinois; County: Union; Length of Stay: 4 days; Name of Hospital: Union County Hospital.
2. Usual Residence: State: Illinois; County: Alexander; Inside village: Tamms; Length of Residence: 60 Years; Residence Address: Tamms.
3. Name of Deceased: James Benefield
4. Date of Death: November 3, 1967.
5. Sex: Male
6. Race: White
7. Married.
8. Date of Birth: August 1, 1882
9. Age: 85
10. Usual Occupation: Car Inspector; Kind of Business: GMO RR
11. Birthplace: Union County, Illinois
12. Citizen of what Country: USA
13. Father's Full Name: Theodore Benefield
14. Mother's Full Maiden Name: Edna Farrell
15. (Can't read: Answer was NO
16. Social Security Number: 703-07-2285
17. Informant Signature: Amanda Benefield; Tamms, Illinois; Wife.

I hereby certify that I attended the deceased from 1966 to Nov. 3, 1967 that I last saw the deceased alive on Nov. 3, 1967 and death occurred at 9:25 A. M. from the causes and on the date stated above.

Signature: Burton E. Bagby, Tamms, Illinois
Date Signed: Nov. 4, 1967; No. 32536; Phone: 747-2823.

James BERRY, father of Julia A. HARRELL, died July 10th 1849 at Cairo. --Source: Sue Mullins, taken from Bailey S. Harrell Family Bible.

Mrs. Joe Bigler died 16 Nov 1893 in Cairo, during surgery. --Jonesboro Gazette, 02 Dec 1893.

Moses Brown of Elco, Alexander County, died several weeks ago, aged 76 years, and was buried in Frick Cemetery. --Jonesboro Gazette, 11 June 1898.

On Friday, the 11th instant, Mrs. Sarah S. Campbell, wife of Robert B. Campbell, of this city. The deceased had troops of friends in Cairo, and on yesterday the special train engaged to convey her remains to Villa Ridge was crowded by those who in life loved her, and revered her memory when in the cold embrace of death. --Source: THE CAIRO TIMES, May 14, 1866, contributed by Jennifer Reddig.

Cairo, IL--Frankel A. Carney Jr., 73, of Lake Alfred, FL., formerly of Cairo, IL, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 1994 at the Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven, FL. The Barkett Funeral Home of Cairo is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete at this time.

John Wesley Castleman, died 26 March 1946 in Alexander County; born 03 May 1860 in Pope County; married to Elmina Catherine Lauderdale. --Contributed by Jim Davis.

HOUSTON--Ben. W. Claflin, formerly of Cairo, died at 4 a.m. today in Houston. He was associated for 30 years with the Illinois Mineral Co., Cairo and after retirement in 1965 he and his wife moved to 400 Clarewood Drive, Apt. 1116, Houston, Tex. Survivors are his widow, Olive; one son, Donald; and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Houston with Lewis Funeral directors in charge of arrangements.
--From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Thursday, September 5, 1968, contributed by Anna Shelton.

1. Place of Death: #6 Road Dist.
2. Full name: Josephine Victoria Dailey; Residence: Elco, Ill.
PERSONAL AND STATISTICAL PARTICULARS
3. Sex: Female
4. Color or Race: White
5. Married; Wife of Wm. Dailey.
6. Date of Birth: Mar. 16, 1884
7. Age: 47 years 6 months, 25 days.
8. Occupation of Deceased: Housework at home.
9. Birthplace: Jonesboro, Ill.
10. Name of Father: Martin Luther Rendleman
11. Birthplace of Father: Jonesboro, Ill.
12. Maiden name of Mother: Malinda Lilley
13. Birthplace of Mother: Alto Pass, Ill.
14. Informant: Lilley Bass, Elco, Ill.
15. Filed: Oct. 12, 1931. J. E. Kee, Registrar; Elco, Ill.

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF DEATH
16. Date of Death: Oct. 11, 1931.
17. (hard to read) Accidental car wreck--Fractured Skull & Broken Neck--Suddenly.
18. Rec'd in #6 Road Dist.
Signed: James K. Rosson, Tamms, Ill. Date: Oct. 12, 1931.
19. Place of Burial: Hazlewood; Date: Oct. 13, 1931.

1. Full Name: Sarah Dailey
2. Address: Tamms
PERSONAL AND STATISTICAL PARTICULARS:
3. Sex: F
4. Color or Race: W
5. Widowed
6. Date of Birth: Dec. 13, 1846
7. Age: 77 Years 4 Months
8. Occupation: Housewife
9. Birthplace: Ill.
10. Name of Father: J. Hurston
11. Birthplace of Father: Ill.
12. Maiden Name of Mother: M. McCraven
13. Birthplace of Mother: Ill.
14. Informant: H. Thomas; Address: Tamms, Ill
15. ? Apr 8, 1923; Registrar: D. L. Bowman

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF DEATH
16. Date of Death: April 8, 1923
17. I Hereby Certify, That I attended deceased from March 20th, 1923 to April 8, 1923 that I last saw her alive on April 3, 1923 and that death occurred on the date stated above at 3:50 a.m. The Cause of Death was as follows: ?Laber Pneumonia; Secondary: Arteriosclorosis
18. (Signed) M. J. Chasion, M. D.; Address: Tamms, Ill.; Date: April 8, 1923.

19. Place of Burial: Hazlewood; Date of Burial: Apr 9, 1923.
20. Undertaker: None

1. Place of Death-County: Alexander; City, Village or Town: Tamms; Length: 65 yrs.
2. Usual Residence: State: Illinois; County: Alexander; City, Village or Town: Tamms; Length: 65 Yrs.
3. Name of Deceased: William Dailey.
4. Date of Death: Nov. 16, 1958.
5. Sex: M
6. Race: W
7. Widowed.
8. Date of Birth: Oct. 7, 1878.
9. Age: 80
10. Usual Occupation: Carpenter
11. Kind of Business or Industry: House
12. Birthplace: Elco, Illinois
13. Father's Full Name: William Dailey
14. Mother's Full Maiden Name: Minerva Hurston
15. Informant signature: Lillie Smith; Address: Tamms, Ill. Relationship: Dtr.

MEDICAL CERTIFICATION
16. Cause of Death: Part I. Immediate Cause: Cerebral Thrombosis; Interval Between Onset and Death: Sept. 58.
Part II. Other Significant Conditions Contributing to Death...: Arterio-sclerosis.
17. Autopsy: No

21. I hereby certify that I attended the deceased from Sept. 10, 1958 to Nov. 16, 1958, that I last saw the deceased alive on Nov. 15, 1958 and death occurred at 11:20 P.M. from the causes and on the date stated above.
Signed: J. K. Rosson, M. D., Tamms, Ill.
22. Disposition Burial Date: 11/19/58; Cemetery: Hazelwood, Tamms, RFD, Ill.

23. Funeral Director: Farnsworth Funeral Home, Tamms, Illinois; Signed: J. E. Farnsworth; --------Number: 31-4965.

Elsie Ann (Castleman) Davis died 8 Jan 1954, in Alexander County, buried 10 Jan 1954 in the Jonesboro Cemetery. --Contributed by Jim Davis

Mrs. Frank Dunning shot herself in the head last Saturday, 21 Sept. 1895 near Hodges Park, Alexander County, after she was slapped by a jealous husband. --Jonesboro Gazette, 28 Sept. 1895.

Capt. Orasamus Greenlee died at Commercial Point, Alexander County, last Wednesday (17 Oct. 1894). He was one of the county's oldest citizens. --Jonesboro Gazette, 20 Oct. 1894.

DEATH NOTICE OF VIRGINIA LEE GREENLEY

VIRGINIA LEE GREENLEY, 70, owner of a southern Illinois goose-hunting lodge popular with many Chicagoans, died Monday in her home. Mrs. Greenley and her late husband, Jack, owned and operated the Greenley Hunting Club in Miller City (IL) for about 40 years. Survivors include two sisters. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Jones Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill
--Chicago Tribune (IL) - June 27, 1990.

Henry L. Halliday died Monday (02 September 1895). He moved to Cairo, Alexander County in 1861. He left a widow, two married daughters and two sons. --Jonesboro Gazette, 07 Sept. 1895.

DEATH NOTICE OF MRS. M. E. HARRELL

Mrs. M. E. Harrell, widow of the late Isaac L. Harrell, died suddenly last Saturday and was buried Sunday at Charleston, Mo. She had been in feeble health for a long time, but her speedy death was not looked for. --Source: From The Cairo Citizen, Dec. 2, 1886, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Pauline, the little five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Hebsacker, died Monday of diptheria. The little one had been sick but a day. (Pauline Hebsacker is buried in the Beech Grove Cemetery at Mounds, Illinois) --From The Cairo Citizen, Thursday, June 9, 1892, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Place of Death: County of Alexander, #6 Road District
Primary Dist. No.: 6031, Registration No. 5
Frank S. Heilig, white, male, married, husband of Gurty Heilig.
Born: February 12, 1885, 47 years, l month, 19days. (Research indicates he may have been born in 1876.)
Occupation: Farmer
Birthplace: Illinois.
Name of Father and Mother: Unknown (Researcher Brenda Talley says his parents were: George Crawford Heilig and Caroline Jane Miller.)
Informant: Gurty Heilig of Elco, Illinois.
Filed: 4/1/1932.
Date of Death: March 31, 1932.
Time of Death: 4:00 p.m.
The cause of death: Influenza, 3/7/32; Broncho Pneumonia 3/25/1932.
Attending Physician: O. M. Heilig, M. D. of Mill Creek, Illinois.
Place of Burial: Sims Cemetery 4/1/1932, Location #6, Alexander County, Illinois.
Undertaker: E. J. Ford, Dongola, Illinois.

Name: Gustey Heilig
Birth: Jan 22, 1909
Age: 9 years, 6 months.
Death: July 13, 1918; 12 p.m.
Cause: Typhoid Fever Duration: 7 days.
Signed by: O. M. Heilig, M. D.
Date of burial: 14 Jul 1918.
Source: Standard Certificate of Death, Registration Dist. No. 7861, Mill Creek, Union County, Illinois.

Place of Death: Alexander County, Road District #6.
Name: Oliver Heilig, male, white, single
Age: about 16
Occupation: Farm hand.
Birthplace: Illinois
Father: Frank Heilig, born: Illinois
Mother: Icy Sheffer, born: Illinois
Cause of Death: By a shot gun in the hands of A_____ Crumbly which discharged by accident.
Place of Burial: Sims Cemetery
Date of Burial: 12/24/1922
Undertaker: I. M. Cauble of Elco, Illinois.

Place of Death: Alexander County, Road District #6, Registration District No. 6031, Registered No. 1324.

Name: ______________Heilig-male, white, single (Brenda's research show that this child's name was Paul.)

DEATH CLAIMS MAJOR HINKLE
DIED IN CALIFORNIA AFTER LONG ILLNESS--AT ONE TIME PROPRIETOR OF A BIG
TOBACCO BUSINESS IN CAIRO

Word was received yesterday that Maj. Jesse Hinkle had died in Portville, California, where he had resided a number of years. Maj. Hinkle was the father of Mrs. P. C. Barclay and Robert Hinkle of this city. He was well advanced in years and had been ailing all winter. His widow and one child survive him in California. He came to Cairo in the seventies, from Ballard County, Kentucky, and established a large tobacco warehouse on Commercial Avenue below Eighth Street, which he conducted successfully several years doing a large business. He was an unassuming man and of a most pleasant disposition.
--From The Cairo Bulletin, Wednesday, May 29, 1907, contributed by Anna Shelton.

From the Cairo Weekly Citizen, Thursday, February 9, 1893

James Hopson, one of the colored mail carriers, died at his home on Walnut street early this morning. He went home sick on Wednesday evening of last week, and pneumonia took hold of him and carried him off. The deceased was 38 years old and leaves a wife and several children. He was commissioned as mail carrier in November, 1889, and since then has proved to be one of the most faithful and efficient mail carriers on the force. He mastered the work of distributing the mail, which is one of the most difficult tasks connected with the post office. He was prominent in lodge circles, and the colored secret organizations will probably conduct the funeral, which may be held Sunday. The deceased was held in high regard by everyone who knew him.

The Weekly Cairo Citizen, February 16, 1893

The funeral of James Hopson, the colored mail carrier who died last Thursday morning, was held Saturday afternoon and was very largely attended. --Contributed by Anna Shelton

G. B. Isler passed away at his home in Thebes this morning following a heart attack. Surviving him is his wife, the former Mrs. Fanny Schumacher. Three daughters, Mrs. Maude Youart and Mrs. Maisie Creech of Thebes and Mrs. Lawrence McNutt of Verna, Mo.; one brother, C. A. Isler of Thebes and one sister, Miss Blanche Isler of Thebes, and several grandchildren also survive him. Mr. Isler, a retired railroad man, was well known in this county. Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed. J. T. Ryan Funeral Service of Mounds will be in charge of arrangements. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Monday, Dec. 16, 1940, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Elco, IL.--Funeral services and burial for Mrs. Carolyn Jones, a former resident of the Elco area, have been held in Long Beach, CA, where she died Wednesday. She is survived by a son, Daniel Jones, at the home in Long Beach; her parents, Mr and Mrs. E. E. McCraven, Long Beach; and her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Nellie Casper, Elco. --Southeast Missourian, 24 Oct. 1972.

LARGEST MAN IN STATE--June 1, (c1911)--Thos. J. Jordan Who Died in Thebes Weighed 560 Pounds-54 years old.
The largest man in Illinois was said to be Thomas J. Jordan who died Wednesday night at his home four miles east of Thebes, this county. He weighed 560 pounds, was 54 years of age and was six feet in height. No coffin could be found large enough and a special one had to be made for his remains. He was buried Thursday afternoon at the Mt. Olive Cemetery. He had lived on the R. B. Bledsoe farm for some time. He left a wife and children. Source: Cairo Bulletin, contributed by Anna Shelton.

DEATH NOTICE OF C. E. KEISER

C. E. Keiser, of Union City, Tenn., died at his home Tuesday night. Funeral services are to be held Friday morning in Union City followed by burial in the cemetery there. Mr. Keiser was a brother of Mrs. J. W. Arnn of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Cairo. He was a brother-in-law of J. W. Bransford of this city. He is survived by his widow and two sons, his brother and other relatives. --Contributed by Anna Shelton.

Chicago, IL.--Kimball, Henry R., died Cairo. Ill., November 4, 1854, aged 45.
--Source: Was listed in the 1843 Chicago City Directory " "Directory of the City of Chicago, Illinois for 1843" Chicago: Fergus Print. Co., 1896, contributed by Kim Torp.

Jacob Klein, Sr. died 31 August 1895 of burns at the brick yard at 21st Street near the Mississippi River levee in Cairo, Alexander County, after being caught in the kiln. --Jonesboro Gazette, 07 September 1895.

From the Cairo Weekly Citizen, February 9, 1893

Mortuary: Little Otto Lohr, the three year old son of Mr. Andrew Lohr, died early yesterday morning of diphtheria. Little Otto was his parents only boy, and was the pride of his father. He was a sweet lovable child. This bereavement will fall heavily upon the household where afflictions have been such frequent visitors and the sympathy of the community will be theirs. Funeral services were held today. --Contributed by Anna Shelton.

Charles Lane of Cairo died recently. He was the oldest member of the I.O.O.F., being initiated at Philadelphia over 50 years ago.
--Jonesboro Gazette, 30 June 1894.

DIED--In Thebes, Ill., on Tuesday, March 14th, at 8:30 o'clock, a.m. of heart failure, Marinda Marchildon, wife of the late Judge Severe Marchildon, aged 66 years, 1 month and 18 days. Funeral from residence, Thursday, March 16, 1893, at 10 o'clock a.m.
--From the Cairo Weekly Citizen March 16, 1893, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Grace Arter MAGEE, Daughter of Charles D. Arter and Eliza M. Harrell
Granddaughter of Daniel D. Arter and Mary Jarrett

County of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles
Full Name: Grace Everett Magee
Female, Caucasian, Widowed
Husband: Late James Bruce Magee
Date of Birth: Feb. 22, 1860
Age: 71 years, 3 months, 9 days
Occupation: At home
Birthplace: Penn [may be a mistake]
Name of father: Charles D. Arter
Birthplace of father: Penn
Maiden Name of mother: Ohio
Length of residence at Place of death: 1 year
In California: 1 year
Informant: Grace M. Magee
Address: 2700 San Marino
Filed: June 2, 1931
Registrar: George Parrish, M.D. by F.W. Peterson
Date of death: June 1, 1931 Time: 2:45 AM
Doctor attendance: April 22, 1931 to May 31, 1931
Cause of death: Chronic Myocarditis
Contributory: Aortic Regurgitation
Signed: P[?] W. Cook
Place of burial: Cairo, Illinois
Date of Burial: June 3, 1931
Undertaker: Pierce Bros. & Co, 720 W. Washington St., Los Angeles Cal.
[Note: Both the death certificate and the obituary for Eliza Arter, Grace's mother, in The Cairo Evening Citizen,Thursday, Nov. 27, 1924, state that Eliza passed away at the home of her daughter, Grace E. Magee, in Los Angeles, where they had lived continuously for five years. This would mean that Eliza and Grace E. came to live Los Angeles in 1919. The listing of Grace's residence in California as 1 year on her death certificate , therefore, is a puzzle, unless Grace E. returned to Cairo to live and, then, came back to Los Angeles before her death.]

Grace Miriam MAGEE, Daughter of J. Bruce Magee and Grace Everett Arter
Granddaughter of Charles D. Arter and Eliza M. Harrell
Great-granddaughter of Daniel D. Arter and Mary Jarrett

Name: Grace Miriam Magee
DOD: Died August 27, 1992, 03:04 hours
Female Caucasian
Born: March 21, 1904, Illinois
Age: 88 years
Father: J. Bruce Magee
Born: Ohio
Mother: Grace Arter
Born: Illinois
Death Place/Residence: 7016 Macapa Dr., Hollywood, CA 90068
Residence: 6923 Oak Park Ave., Van Nuys
SS#: 567-66-6186
Education: 25 years
Occupation: Teacher, Education industry, Los Angeles City College, 42 years
Never Married
Informant: Gertrude Reith, Executrix, 1015 Diane Ave., Placentia, CA 92760
Cremation/Burial/TR: September 1, 1992.
Cemetery: Villa Ridge Cemetery, Cairo, IL
Funeral Director: Pierce Bros., Daley & Bartel Spencer
Cause: Cerebral Thrombosis 24 hr. Diffuse Arteriosclerosis
--AFFIDAVIT-- Los Angeles County, California Death Certificate Affidavit Transcription: #9214858
Grace Miriam Magee, D. August 27, 1992, Female, Father: J. Bruce Magee, Mother: Grace Arter, Death place: Hollywood, Burial: September 1, 1992. To clarify record by funeral director.

Certificate and Record of Death 3007, 01025 Registered No. 19
Death occurred in Alexander County
Full Name: J. Bruce Magee
Date of birth: Jan. 9, 1868
Age: 48 years
Date of death: 24 day of Jan, 1916, at about 1:30 PM
Place of death: 438 1 or 10 st, Cairo, Ill, Alexander County
How long in state: 26 years
Name of father: A. Magee
Birthplace of father: Ohio
Maiden name of mother: S. King[?]
Birthplace of mother: Ireland
Informant: Mrs. Grace Magee
Address: Cairo, Ill.
Place of burial: Villa Ridge, Ill
Date of burial: Jan. 27, 3 PM
Undertaker: E.A. Burke-- License No. 3367
Address: Cairo, Ill
Physician attended from April 1, 1914, to Jan. 25, 1916.
Last seen on 25 day of January. \
Cause of death: Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Physician Signature: G. ? McNemer
Address: Opera House ?, Cairo \
Date: Jan 26, 1916
Witness: Robt. A. Hatcher
Note: The death certificate gives the date of death as January 24, but the physician stated that he attended Mr. Magee to January 25, the same date given as the last date that the physician saw him. The medical part of the certificate, signed by the doctor, is in a different handwriting from the handwriting on the rest of the certificate. Therefore, I believe the true date of death was January 25, according to the information completed in the physician's handwriting.

DIED--Fay, daughter of J. R. and S. R. McClure, November 27, 1886, at 7 a.m., aged 8 years, 7 months and 20 days.
A little 9 year old daughter of Mr. J. R. McClure died of diphtheria last Saturday, and was buried Tuesday. The attending physician ordered at once that the other children of the family be excluded entirely from the room of the afflicted one, and though many days have elapsed since she was attacked, they seem perfectly well and will probably escape unharmed. --Cairo Citizen, Dec. 2, 1886, contributed by Anna Shelton.

STATE OF ILLINOIS
DWIGHT H. GREEN, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
COUNTY CLERK'S RECORD

1. Place of death: Alexander County Registration Dist. No. 18
No-4 Primary Dist. No. 6029 Registered No. 2

2. Place of Residence: State: Illinois County: Alexander Road Dist. No-4
City or Village: Gale

3.(a) Full Name: THOMAS J. MC NELLY 19. List No. -- 3.(b) If veteran name war: -- 3. (c) Social Security No. --

4. Sex: Male 5. Color or race: White 6. (a) Single, widowed, married, divorced: Married
6. (b) Name of husband or wife: Elva Mc Nelly 6.(c) Age of husband or wife if alive: 44 years.

9. Birthplace: Marion, Illinois 21. I hereby certify that I attended the deceased from: Sept. 4, 1945 to
Feb.10, 1946; that I last was him alive on Feb. 10, 1946 and that death occurred on the date and hour stated above.

10. Usual occupation: Laborer. Immediate cause of death: Pernicious anemia
11. Industry or business: -- 22. --

FATHER (12. Name: Isaac M. McNelly 23. Was disease in any way related to occupation of deceased? No
(13. Birthplace: Ireland

MOTHER (14. Maiden name: Lucinda Bowling 24. (Signed) W. A. Lattman, M. D.
(15. Birthplace: Tenn. Address: Olive Branch, Ill.

17. Place of Burial: (a) Cemetery: Hutchinson    (b) Date: 2-12-1946               25. Filed: Feb 12-1946    Kenneth ?Patell, Registrar
        Location: Gale                                                                                                        P. O. Address: Thebes, Ill.
        County: Alexander    State: Ill.

18. Funeral Director: F. A. Karcher Address: Cairo, IL 4356
Firm name: Karcher Bros.

MRS. SARAH MCNULTY, whose death was announced in the Argus yesterday, came to Cairo from Caledonia, now Olmstead, Pulaski county, where she was raised. Her maiden name was Bagby. She located in this city when quite a young woman, in 1857 or '58. She married about three years later. Her daughter is Mrs. Lee Harrison. Her sons are Oliver, John, Charles and William McNulty. She had had several grandchildren, six of whom are the children of John McNulty, Jr. (Note: Sarah McNulty died 23 Feb 1899, contributed by Gail Wilkie.)

EVELYN MILES, 78, Unity, IL, Service at Our Lady of the Holy Cross, 11 a.m. on June 23, 2007. --St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) - June 17, 2007.

John W. Nance, died at his home in Cairo, Ill., February 27, 19__, of blood poisoning. He was a native of Ray County, Mo., aged 55 years, a brother of Mrs.
Joseph Gossage, now residing in East Richmond, Mo. He left Ray County about 35 years ago, and for the past 20 years had been employed as an engineer on the Cotton Belt Railroad. He is survived by wife and several children. (NOTE: If you know the year Mr. Nance died or any more about him, please email.)

THE DEATH CERTIFICATE OF BERTHA ALICE NANNEY
Donated by Darlene Jestus
Reg. No. 2.0 Reg. # 169

1. Place of Death: Alexander County, Il
2. Usual Residence: Cairo, Illinois Alexander Co., Il (length of res. 34 years)
3. Name of Deceased: BERTHA ALICE NANNEY
4. Date of Death: Aug. 2, 1956
5. Sex: Female
6. Race: White
7. Marital: Widowed
8. Date of Birth April 30, 1888
9. Age: 68
10. Usual Occupation: Housewife
11.Birth Place: Union Co.,
12. Citizen of what country: USA
13. Fathers Full Name: Frank Shavnore
14. Mothers Full Maiden Name: Unknown
15. Was deceased ever in Armed Forces: no
16. SS#: none
17. Informant: Mrs. Kathrine Ashbrook, daughter, LaCenter, KY
18. Medical Cause of Death: Natural Causes, Mitral Insufficiency, found dead in bed

Cemetery: Spencer Heights, Mounds, Illinois
Karchers Funeral Home Lic.# 4356
325 9th St.
Cairo, Illinois

Peter Neff died Thursday (28 Dec. 1893) in Cairo. He left relatives in Jonesboro. --Jonesboro Gazette, 30 Dec 1893.

Rachel Neff, wife of Peter Neff of Cairo, died Tuesday (14 Feb 1893) aged 52 years. She left a husband, a daughter, Effie Neff and two stepsons. --Jonesboro Gazette, 25 Feb 1893.

Mrs. Rachel Neff, wife of Peter Neff, died early Tuesday morning after a lingering illness. She was 52 years of age. Funeral services were held this afternoon. She left a husband and daughter, Miss Effie, and two step-sons to mourn her loss. --From The Cairo Weekly Citizen, Thursday, February 16, 1893

DEATH NOTICE OF MINNIE PAPE

Miss Minnie Pape died this morning at 11:45 at St. Mary's Infirmary after an illness of about two weeks. She had been living with her sister, Mrs. C. J. McCarthy of 216 Fifteenth street for the past two years and leaves besides Mrs. McCarthy, another sister, Mrs. Dora Horning of St. Louis and two brothers, Herman Pape of St. Louis and August Pape of Ardmore, Okla.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later, but internment will be made at Cape Girardeau, Mo. E. A. Burke has charge.
--Source: From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Thursday, July 8, 1920, contributed by Anna Shelton.

DEATH NOTICE OF EDWIN PARSONS

Edwin Parsons, one of the trustees of the Cairo Trust Property, died at New York on August 21st.
--From The Cairo Weekly Citizen, Thursday, Sept. 5, 1895.

Thebes, IL.--Died, Dec. 11, Joel A. Perry, age 55, with pneumonia. He leaves four children to mourn the loss of a father, the youngest 14 years of age. Mr. Perry served as a soldier in the late war. He was a republican in politics.
--From The Cairo Weekly Citizen, Thursday, Dec. 15, 1892, contributed by Anna Shelton.

DEATH NOTICE OF WILLIAM P. PETTIS

A little five year old son of Mr. W. B. Pettis died Monday of a disease closely resembling diptheria. The people generally believe the disease to be diptheria. Two other children of Mr. Pettis occupied the same room with the one who has died and are sick with the same disease. The families thus afflicted have the deep sympathy of our community. Source: From The Cairo Citizen, Dec. 2, 1886, contributed by Anna Shelton.

John T. Rennie of Cairo died last Saturday (02 June 1894). He was born in Ayr, Scotland and had lived in Cairo since 1862.
--Jonesboro Gazette, 09 June 1894.

Dr. Henry N. Sams died 31 March 1894 in Wheatland, Alexander County. He left a young wife.
--Jonesboro Gazette, 28 Apr 1894. (Note: Wheatland is now McClure.)

1. PLACE OF DEATH: Alton, Madison Co., Illinois
2. USUAL RESIDENCE: Cairo, Alexander County, Illinois (35 years)
3. NAME OF DECEASED: WILLIAM JESTUS
4. DATE OF DEATH: MARCH 18, 1967
5. SEX: MALE
6. RACE: WHITE
7. MARITAL: DIVORCED
8. DATE OF BIRTH: AUGUST 22, 1909
9. AGE: 57
10. USUAL OCC: DECKHAND, RIVER BOAT
11. BIRTH PLACE: CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO.
12. CITIZEN: BLANK
13. FATHER'S FULL NAME: HARRY JESTUS
14. MOTHER'S FULL MAIDEN NAME: BERTHA SHAVNORE
15. WAS DEC. EVER IN U.S. ARMED FORCES: NO
16. SS#: 488--07--0545
17. INFORMANT: MRS. KATHERINE ASHBROOK, SISTER, LACENTER, KY
18. MEDICAL CAUSE OF DEATH: BRONCHIAL PNEUMONIA, MYOCARDITIS, ARTERIOSCLEROSIS
19. DATE OF OPERATION: 2-15-67, GASTROTOMY FOR TUBE FEEDINGS

I hereby certify I attended the deceased from March 15, 1967 to March 18, 1967 that I last saw the dec. on March 17, 1967 and death occurred at 5:10a.m. from the causes and on the date stated above.

D.M. Roberts . M.D., 615 E. 3rd St., Alton, Illinois
Cemetery: Spencer Heights, Mounds, Illinois
Funeral Dir: Lester Bowles #F6830 2409 State St., Alton, Illinois

1. DECEASED NAME: CHARLES LEWIS JESTUS
2. SEX: MALE
3. DATE OF DEATH: AUGUST 27, 1975
4. RACE: WHITE
5. AGE: 67 YRS.
6. DATE OF BIRTH: MARCH 2, 1908
7. PLACE OF DEATH: CAIRO, ALEXANDER CO., ILLINOIS
8. BIRTHPLACE: MISSOURI
9. CITIZEN OF WHAT COUNTRY: USA
10. MARITAL: MARRIED
11. NAME OF SURVIVING SPOUSE: MARY ELLA MOORE
12. USUAL OCC: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
13. U.S. WAR VETERAN: NO
14. USUAL PLACE OF RESIDENCE: CAIRO, ALEXANDER CO. IL.
15. FATHER'S NAME: HARRY JESTUS
16. MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME: BERTHA ALICE SHAVNORE
17. INFORMANT: MARY E. JESTUS, WIFE, CAIRO, ILLINOIS
18. CAUSE OF DEATH: MASSIVE HEMEPTYSIS, CARCINOMA OF LUNG, TERMINAL

I certify that to the best of my knowlege this death occurred on the date, at the time and place and from the causes stated...

Cemetery: Spencer Heights, Mounds, Illinois
Funeral Dir: Crain Funeral Homes, 1800 Poplar, Cairo, Illinois
Martha A. Smith, Local Registrar & Cairo City Clerk 8/28/1975

Place of death: Cairo, Illinois.
Residence: 418 Union St.
Length of Residence in city where death occurred: 16 years.
Name: Clara Rutledge. Female, white, single.
Date of birth: February, 1903. Age 24 years 7 months and 26 days.
Occupation: Telephone Operator. Name of employer: Ills. Bell Tel.Co.
Birthplace: Miller City, Illinois.
Name of Father: J. L. Rutledge, Birthplace: Dover, Missouri
Maiden name of mother: Katie Campbell. Birthplace: Fell Cape, North Carolina.
Informant: James Rutledge, Cairo, Illinois.
Date of Death: Oct. 14, 1927, 12 a.m. Cause: Intestinal Obstruction. Secondary: Adhesions.
Was an operation performed?: Yes. For what disease or injury: Intestinal obstruction. Was there an autopsy?: No.
Signed: Flint Bondurant, M.D., Cairo, Illinois.
Place of burial: Baumgard Cem., Road Dist #7.
Date of burial: Oct. 16, 1927. Undertaker: E. A. Burke, Cairo, IL.

DEATH RECORD OF JAMES RUTLEDGE

Contributed by Carolyn Garmon

Source: The Alexander County Courthouse, Cairo, IL.
Death Record Book 7, Page 184, Record #250

Place of Death: Cairo, Illinois. Death occured at 1206 Walnut. St.
Place of residence: Alexander County, Illinois, 1206 Walnut Street.
Full Name: James Rutledge, male, white, married.
Husband of Rose: 61 yrs.
Date of Birth: July 2, 1852. Age 88 years 5 mos 12 days.
Occupation: Pilot and Engineer. Industry: River Work.
Birthplace: Dorena, Missouri.
Fathers name: Don't know.
Mothers Maiden Name: Don't know.
Informant: Rose Lee Rutledge, 1206 Walnut St.
Place of burial: Baumgard Cem., Miller City, Illinois on
12-16-1940.
Undertaker: J. F. Berbling, Cairo, Illinois.
Date of Death: Dec. 14, 1940 at 9 a.m.
Cause: Cerebral Hemorrhage; due to senility. Was an operation performed: No.
Was an autopsy done: No.
Signed: J. J. Rendleman, M. D., Cairo, Illinois.

FUNERAL OF CLAUDE SHAUNNESSY--Sunday afternoon the funeral of Claude Shaunnessy, who died at Fort Staunton, N. Mex. was held at St. Patrick's Catholic church conducted by Rev. J. J. Downey, the pastor. Interment was made in Calvary cemetery at Villa Ridge. The K. M. K. C. Order of Eagles and Bartenders' Union members attended in a body and the pall bearers were selected from these lodges. They were: Joseph Raeth, August Bode, Henry Levy, Frank E. Davis, Thomas Gardner and Joseph Creighton.
--From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Monday, January 9, 1911, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Sept. 3rd, 1906, Viola Shavnore, born in Illinois, white, female, married, housewife, age 30 yrs., 3 months, 9 days, died August 26, 1906 at 4:00 p.m in McClure, Illinois of injury to foot by nail which pentrated nail (tetanus, duration of 3 days. Buried Lindg(z)a Aug. 7, 1906, no undertaker, J.W. Sain(Sann), M.D. McClure,Illinois.

Cairo, Ill. March 9, 1899 - Captain Thomas W Shields, age 65, a prominent citizen of Cairo, died this forenoon of heart disease. Captain Shields was a Virginian by birth and served in the Confederate army during the war and since then has followed the river. He was known all up and down the Mississippi Valley, as he has owned several steamboats and was for years connected with the A_______ Line.
--Source: Cincinnati Enquirer, Mar 10, 1899, contributed by Kabuki.

St. Peters, MO--Leslie L. Skiles, 72; Founded Ad Firm-- A graveside service for Leslie L. Skiles, a retired businessman, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Lindsay Cemetery in McClure, Ill.
Mr. Skiles, 72, died Friday at Barnes Hospital in St. Peters after a heart attack. He had lived in Hazelwood for 32 years before moving to St. Peters in March.
In 1966, Mr. Skiles founded Skiles Advertising Signs Inc., an outdoor advertising company in Berkeley. He was chairman of the board of the company until he retired in 1981.
He played bagpipes for the John Ford Highland Pipe Band and for the Pipes and Drums Band of the Moolah Shriners.
Surviving are a son, Richard Skiles of St. Peters; two daughters, Judy McCarty of St. Peters and Cindy Skiles of Florissant; two sisters, Velma Riston of Granite City and Freda Vredenburgh of Arnold; and six grandchildren. --St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) - May 21, 1989

Full Name: Charles Smith
Residence: Tamms, Illinois
Sex: Male
Color: White
Married
Husband of: Lillie Dailey Smith
Date of Birth: April 17, 1895
Age: 37 years, 5 months, 9 days
Occupation of deceased: Com. Labor
Birthplace: Anna, Illinois
Name of Father: W. G. Smith (William George)
Birthplace: Texas (Note: Actual birthplace is Georgia)
Maiden name of Mother: Lucinda Maul (Mull)
Birthplace of Mother: Cobden, Illinois
Informant: Lillie Smith, Tamms, Illinois
Filed: 9/26/32 by J. E. Kee of Elco

I hereby certify that I took charge of the remains of the deceased herein described, held an inquest thereon, and from the evidence obtained that deceased came to his death on the date stated and the cause of death was as follows: cerebral hemorrhage.

Place of Burial: Hazelwood Cemetery, Road Dist. #6
Undertaker: W. H. Aldred, Tamms, Illinois.

1. A. Place of death: Alexander County; B. Death took place inside city limits; C. City: Cairo; D. Length of stay: 10 days; E. Name of Institution: St. Mary's Hospital.
2. A. Usual Residence: Illinois; B. County: Alexander; C. Rural: Road Dist. #2; D. City: Tamms; E. Length of residence: 30 years; F. Street: RFD; G. Lived on farm.
3. Name of Deceased: James Smith
4. Date of Death: Feb. 1, 1957
5. Sex: Male
6. Race: White
7. Widowed
8. Date of Birth: Feb. 10, 1883
9. Age: 73
10. Usual Occupation: Farmer; Type of Business or industry: Farm.
11. Birth Place: Cobden, Illinois
12. Citizen of What Country: U. S.
13. Father's Full Name: William Smith
14. Mother's Full Maiden Name: Lucendella Mull
15. Was deceased in U. S. Armed Forces: No
16. Social Security: Unknown
17. A. Informant Signature: James Smith; B. Address: Alton, Illinois; C. Relationship to deceased: Son.
18. Cause of Death: Gastric Cancer; Interval between onset and death: 7 months.

I hereby certify that I attended the deceased from October 1, 1956 to February 1, 1957 that I last saw the deceased alive on January 31, 1957 and death occurred at 6 a.m. from the causes and on the date stated above.

Disposition: Date: Feb. 3, 1957; Cemetery: Casper Cemetery; Location: Union County, IL.

Funeral Director: Crain Funeral Home, 114 N. Blanche, Mounds, Illinois; Signature: C. Robert Crain; License Number: 31-6233