Cemeteries of Jo Daviess Co IL
Thompson Township
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This cemetery is located on a ridge top near the Apple River. The cemetery was at one time accesible via a roadway that ran from the present county road to the northwest corner of the cemetery. That road is now grown over, and completely unusable. Access is now gained by either parking on the county road, crossing a large ditch, and then climbing the hill. The only other way in is by passing through several farm fields to arrive at the southern edge of the cemetery. The cemetery itself is overgrown with briars and small trees. The cemetieiy is easy to identify although due to the large number of headstones present Several large pine trees are also growing in the cemetezy. A few of these have fallen over in the last couple of years. Some of the headstones have been toppled by the falling trees. Nine of the headstones and foorstones are completely blank It is unusual to find a stone that has eroded to the point of losing all of it’s writing. Several other headstones were partially illegible due to erosion of the stone surface. A majority of the stones have been toppled, some by trees, some due to the nearby bill slope, and some possibly by vandals. The people interred here are just as representative of the life in the area as any other cemetery. As would be expected a majority of the people buried here are farmer& The The Westaby and Vaughn families had come from England shortly before moving toJo Davies county. The Miller and Hamilton families moved from New York State to illinois when young. The Thompson family caine from Massacbussetts. The Thompson family is the most interesting of those represented at the Thompson Cemetery. Not only is the cemetery named for them, but also a township in Jo Davies County. The stone of Emily M. Thompson represents the oldest death date at the cemetery, 1839. Emily died in the same year that the family decide to pack up and head west~ Christopher C. Thompson, who is also buried here, is the man for whom the township is named. The reason given in the county history was, “In honor of public spirit of enterprise and in assisting in making the township what it is.” Thompson helped in the township by building the first frame school in Rush township, the first stone school in Thompson township, the second sawmill in the county, and the first gristmill in the county in 1840. The grist mill that Thompson built reportedly supplied Galena with neariy all of it’s flour at one time. Thompson also adopted a son named Winfleld S. Thompson, also buried here. Winfield was killed while fighting in the army. Another relative of Christopher Thompson, Robert P. Thompson, also fought with the army. Robert P. was killed in Danville Kentucky on December 18, 1862, he is also buried here. The Westaby family also contributed much to the growth of the county. George Westaby’s parents came from Barron, Lincolnshire, England. George later married Ann Wilson whose parents bad come from Alton Le Moor, Lincoinshirn, England. Ann, and the four children she had are all buried as well. A grand nephew, Thomas Wilson, was also raised by the Westabys. Thomas was brought to America by Ann after she went to England to visit relatives. George was very active around the county, he owned 584 acres, was the road commissioner~ overseer of highways, school director, assessor, and a collector. Westahy also donated an acre of land for the construction of the Salem ME. Church. Westaby’ then served as a member of the building committee. Even today the Westaby family holds political offices in the county. The other families who are buried he show similar stories. Each faced the joy of children, and the inevitable sadness of death. Many tried to build their township through politics and religion. Others did more, and died for the freedom of their country. The Thompson cemetery represents a small slice of Jo Davies counties history, and the people who lived, worked, and died there. |
ORIGINAL READING
1. Soule, Mary, wife of Elijah, age 43y, 7m, DOD 3/6/1884. Granite
obelisk, "What to us is life with thee. Darkness and despair along, when
with such ---seek to find thee. This tomb proclaims thou art gone"
2. Soules, Francis, son of E and M, 3 y, 21d, DOD 6/11/1876,
inscription illeg.
3. Vaughn, Eleanor (s. side) 61y, May 21, 1874, Marble obelisk, "Our
Father and Mother" (west side)
Vaughn, Edward, (N side) 61 Y, Apr 14, 1872
Vaughn, Thomas, (E side), 9Yr, Sept, 1848
Vaughn, James, (E side) 17y, 6mo, May 9, 1864
4. J. C. S. Marble Footstone
5. S. F. Marble Footstone
6. Vaughn, Elizabeth, wife of W. E. age 34 Y, Nov 21, 1880 Marble
Obelisk"Farewell my husband and children dear. I am not dead but
sleeping here. My life you know my death you see. Prepare yourself to
follow me" Flower basket motif.
7. Berryman, John b. Feb 15, 1827, age 52y. 11m, 20 d, DOD Feb 4,
1880. Marble obelisk "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for
they do rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. The
last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Though worms destroy this
body yet in my flesh shall I see God"
Berryman, Mary A, wife of J, b. Dec 27, 1825, age 757yr. 6 mo. 11
da, DOD May 11, 1900, (same stone and inscription as John.)
8. Blank Obelisk, inscription can not be read.
9. Simpson, Rebecca, Dau of John C. and Anna, 13y,7m,7d, DOD Nov 10,
1878, Marble stone, "In Memory of" with Dove and Flower motif.
10. Simpson, John C. 52y,3m,6d, DOD Oct 10, 1873, Marble, with scrolling
11. R. J. S. Marble footstone
12. Walter, John W. Son of J. B. and S. A. 1y, 3m, DOD Oct 9, 1871,
Marble obelisk
13. Francome, Stephen, 54y,5m,28d DOD Aug 5, 1870, Marble obelisk,
"Erected by his wife" Ornate carving and scrolling, fenced in.
14. Base (stone gone?)
15. Westaby, William H. , children of W. and M 11m, 27d DOD Jan 24,
1877, Double headstone. "Suffer little children and forbid them not to
come into me for such is the kingdom of Heaven" Lily Motif
Westaby, Charles 2m, 27d, Aug 11, 1878 "A Little flower of love that
blossomed but to die, transplanted now above to bloom with God in
Heaven. Lily motif
16. Blank, marble footstone
17. Westaby, Charles b. Apr 27, 1825, age 71y11m19d, DOD Apr 16, 1897
Granite :God give his beloved rest. Lord receive my Spirit. Acts,
7ch.50v. She hath done what she could. Mark, 11ch, 8v After he had
served his own generation by the will of God fell on Sleep. Acts,
13Ch,36V, Open bible motif and Oak Leaves.
Westaby, Mary, wife, b. June 11, 1828, 88y,12d, DOD June 23, 1916,
see inscription for Charles.
18. Pelly, Herrice, sone of Wm. and Clarissa, 4y,7m,12d, DOD May 4,
1851, Inscrip illeg, Willow motif (Chris, this appears on the RootsWeb
JD County cemetery site as Petty, Herrich)
19. ----iller, 3y, 1862, broken piece
20. base
21. base
22. Westaby, Rabecca Ann, Dau of Char and Mary --19, 1879, shaking
hands motif, broken
23. Drane, Rhoda, 93y,10m.22 d DOD Dec 2, 1894, Inscrip. Illeg
24. Drane, John, B. Jan 1, 1800, age 74y,1m6d, DOD Dec 6, 1874,
Incript. Illeg.
25. Scofield, Peter S. B. Jan 15, 1811, D. Mar 29, 1891 Granite, "Our
precious ones from us have gone. The we loved are still. Their places
are vacant in our home which can never be filled. Scrolling.
Scofield, Elizabeth M. Wife, B. Dec 11, 1827, DOD Feb 1, 1899
(shared stone with Peter S. )
26. Sole, Anna A. Dau of G. H. and S. Broken, lamb motif
27. Blank, marble footstone
28. Blank Headstone
29. H. P. , Marble footstone
30. G. R. W., marble footstone
31. Beacock, William age 11y, DOD Apr 15, 1883. Willow motif, Inscrip.
Illeg.
32. Thompson, Cristopher, (E Side) b. June 5, 1807, DOD Jan 14, 1891
Marble Obelisk "The pains of death are past, labor and sorrow cease.
And life's long warfare closed at last. His soul is found in peace"
Stone, Mary A. (S. Side) wife, b. Jun 21, 1821, DOD, Feb 4, 1907
"She hath done what she could"
Thompson, Elmira (histories list her as Almira) (W Side) wife 23y4m DOD
Oct 13, 1846 "I sought a city far on high, built by the eternal hand.
And grace assures that though we die, that heavenly building stands."
Oak leaves
33. Blank, marble Footstone
34. Blank Headstone
35. Elm---David S. sone of P. I. and S. 6 m, DOD Feb 8, 1852. Rose
Motif, :Also to the north was an infant brother, died Dec 2, 1852"
36. ? Broken/illeg.
37. R. A. W. Marble Footstone
38. J. D., marble footstone
39. N. J. C. Marble Footstone
40. Base
41. Hamilton, Thomas, 72y, 28d, DOD Oct 18, 1887, Granite, camel back
42. Charles, Clarissa, Dau of H. S. and E. P. 8y, DOD Oct 4, 1851,
Inscrip illeg
43. Charles, Henry, 30y, 2m, 8d, DOD Oct 2, 1851, inscrip illeg.
Willow over urn with oak leaves.
44. H. T., marble footstone
45. C. T. T., Marble footstone
46. Thompson, Robert P, Son of C. C. and M. A. 18y,7m, DOD Dec 18,
1862. "Member of the 96th Regt, Ill Vol. Died at Danville KY, Dec 18,
1862" Flag motif
47. Blank, marble footstone
48. H. T. marble Footstone
49. Thompson, Clodelta T. Dau of --- and Ann T., 11m20d, DOD March 6, 1845
50. Thompson, Winfield S. Son of C. C. and M. A. 20y, 9m, 10d, DOD Mar
25, 1875, marble obelisk, rose motif
51. blank, marble footstone
52. Hamilton, W. A. "Co F 96th Ill Inf" Shield Motif
53. Breed, Samuel S. Son of S. S. and M. J 4y5m26d, DOD Feb 2, 1855
:God in his wisdom has..." "The Gem is Shining now in heaven"
54. Thomp(son) Hosea 37y,4m17d DOD Jan 9 1845 "Sacred to the Memory
of" "Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end belittle
his"
55. Sampson, Mary T., wife of Ichabod, 56y,2m, DOD July 8, 1869 "God
called on me, I must attend, death takes me from my bosom friends, my
children dear, I leave behind, unearthly joys are like the wind"
Sampson, Ichabod 61 Y. DOD May 6 1880 "A light from our household is
gone. A Voice we loved is still. A place is vacant in our home that
never can be filled" "Swan and Bubsy, Monroe"
57. Hamilton, Elisha, 51y,5m, DOD Jan 10, 1859, Willow motif
58. Base
59. Miller, Richard R. 66y,9m,27d, DOD June 6, 19895, Marble obelisk,
Inscrip Illeg.
60. Hamilton, Belinda (histories list her as Melinda) wife of Thomas,
35y. DOD Mar. 23, 1853, Willow and Ferns motif, incript. illeg.
Hamilton, Alma, dau of T. and B 9 mo DOD Oct 11, 1853
61. Blank headstone
62. Blank, marble footstone
63. Vaughn, George W. son and E. and E. 11y4m, DOD Sept 19, 1834, Rose
motif, Inscrip, illeg
64. G. W. Marble footstone
65. Westaby, James, son of C. A. 6mo 10 d DOD mar 8, 1867 "Gone but not
forgotten"
Lame on pedistal motif
66. J. W. Mable footstone
67. Westaby, Goerge R. (S. Side) Son of Tom and Martha b. May 8, 1881
DOD Aug 25, 1881 "Our darlling one has gone before to greet us on the
blissful shore" Marble obelisk
Westaby, George (E side) b. Nov 19, 1882, DOD May 9, 1884, Inscrip
illeg.
Westaby, Ann (N side) wife of G. B Oct 22, 1882, DOD Mar 10, 1902
"For me to live is....and to die is gain." (Chris, this is probably
'for me to live is Christ,' if you want to put that in)
Westaby, Steven (W. side) sons of G and A, 70y,8m,.25d, DOD Mary 7,
1822 Inscription illeg.
Westaby, George R (W. Side) sons of G and A 59 y10m9d DOD FEb 18, 1927
68. ? buried
69. Darnill, Richard 31y5m11d DOD Sept 29. 1874, shaking hands motif
70. Roberts, Joseph, son of J and S 10y10m28d
71. blank, marble footstone
72. Westaby, John J. Son of WM and M J 9m18d DOD Fef 13 1864 "There is
rest in heaven" Unicorn ? motif
73. Thompson, Emily M. Children of Hosea and Susan M 1 y, 21 d DOD Mar
9 1839 "Died in Boston, Mass"
Thompson, Emily Marie children of Hosea and Susan M, 7y6m, DOD Aug
8, 1847 "Died in Galena, IL" Inscrip. illeg.
74. D.A.P. Marble footstone
75. blank, marble footstone
