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Macoupin County, Illinois

Mary Francis Botkin Wells
Litchfield News Herald, Sat 25 Apr 1925 Page 1 Col 6
Mrs Wells Died This Afternoon
Mrs. Mary Francis Wells, age 80 yrs, 8 mos, 2 days, widow of Daniel W Wells, resident of Litchfield for over 20 years died at St Francis Hospital (25 Apr 1925). She was the daughter of James and Mary Botkin and born 25 Aug 1844 near Carlinville. She is survived by Mrs. Mary Martin, Neodosha Kan; Mrs Myra Bruce, Litchfield; Mrs Drusa Seymour, Bloomington; Daniel Wells, Calloway, Neb; and 14 grand children. She was preceded in death by a son, Jesse A Wells who died in Bisbee, Arz , in 1907 and a dau who died in infancy. Mrs Wells, a member of the Free Methodist Church of Litchfield, lived with her granddaughter, Mrs. Jessie Best.

Obituary - Mrs. Wells, widow of Daniel Wells and d/o James and Mary Botkin b. 23 Aug "184" in Jersey Co IL d. 25 Apr 1925 in St Francis Hospital. She m. Daniel Wells 6 Apr 1859 and they had 6 children. Mrs. Wells was the last of 8 children. She was buried at Harts Cemetery. Litchfield News Herald, Tues 28 Apr 1925 Page 4 Cols 5 & 6 - Submitted by Lynn Boyd Reener


Harold Leroy Westerfield
Herald & Review, Decatur, IL, June 25, 2008
DECATUR - Harold L. Westerfield, 88 of Sun City, Arizona, formally of Decatur Ill, passed away on June 20th 2008.
He is survived by JoAnn, his loving wife of 45 yrs, His Stepson, Van Reincke and Daughter-In-Law, Marsha Reincke. A Grandson & Great Grandson and Niece, Charlotte Lindstrom. He was preceded in death by son, Leigh Westerfield and Stepson, Kevin Reincke.
Harold was a WW II Vereran-and served on LST 325 during the Normandy invasion, He worked for Caterpillar Tractor Co. for 37 years, retiring in 1979. Interment will be at the National Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ.

Mrs. Basil Wright

Died on Tuesday afternoon, in this city. Mrs. Basil Wright, aged sixty four years. She was born in Tennessee, but has lived for many years in this section, and was beloved by all who knew her. Her remains were taken to Carlinville this morning for burial. The bereaved husband and children have the sympathy of this entire community in this hour of sorrow. (Girard Gazette June 1, 1882). - Donated by src #8

Basil L. Wright

Died at the Age of Ninety-Three. Basil L. Wright, of Girard, Passed Away Friday Afternoon. Funeral Services Sunday. On Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, at his home in Girard, an old citizen and pioneer of Macoupin county was called to the great beyond, in the person of Basil L. Wright, 93 years, 1 month and 6 days. His health had been gradually failing for the past year and the vital powers had slowly weakened until he was claimed by death. Mr. Wright was one of the early settlers of this county and was a well known figure both in Carlinville and Girard, for many years. Deceased formerly resided in the vicinity, but for the past twenty eight years had lived in Girard. Basil Wright was born in Kentucky on Nov. 3, 1817. He was one of a family of eight children, consisting of four brothers and five sisters. When a very young man he came to Illinois and had ever since been a resident of the state. Mr. Wright was married three times. He is survived by his widow and the following children namely: Mrs. James Sells, of Smith Center, Kansas; Mrs. Wm. Beasley, of Virden; Rev. Wm. Wright of Ocean Park, Cal., Mrs. E.H. Stebbin, of Jacksonville; and Mrs. Wm. Retherford, of Pawnee. Also surviving him are a number of grandchildren. He had always been an active, energetic citizen and was that type of man who by upright and conscious conduct had made a name as an honored and respected neighbor and friend. Coming to Illinois as he had at an early day he took part in and experienced the trials and also the joys incident to the growth of this country from a wilderness to what it is today. Mr. Wright was a man who believed in and practiced in his daily life those sterling qualities which make for better manhood and womanhood. He lived a long active and useful life and left as a heritage, an honored and respected name, more to be prized than great wealth. The funeral services were held in Girard at the Baptist church on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. A.H. Rhodes, of Carlinville, officiating assisted by the local pastor. The funeral was very largely attended. Interment was made in the Girard cemetery. Those from this city who were in attendance at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Elsworth Chiles; Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Denby; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Boring; Judge J.B. Vaughn; P.C. Davenport and daughter; Miss Marguerite, and Rev. and Mrs. A.H. Rhodes. (Carlinville Democrat Dec. 14, 1910). - Donated by src #8

Thomas Wright

Died. of scarlet fever, on Bear Creek, Feb. 10th, 1858, Thomas Wright, son of Basil Wright, aged 19 years and 4 months. He was a young man highly esteemed, a member of the Baptist church and died in full prospect of a happy immortality. He leaves a large family of relatives and numberous friends to mourn his loss. Hes is not lost, but gone before, For he has found the heavenly shore. (Carlinville Free Democrat, Feb. 11, 1858). - Donated by src #8

Noah Wright,

Died. At Mound City, Illinois, on the 7th last, Noah Wright, aged 20 years, 1 month and 8 days. The subject of the above enlisted in Capt. Rowett's Company July 19th, 1861, for three years' service. When urged by some of his friends to remain at home, his reply was "I would rather go than see my father go," thus showing not only a love of country, but a final regard for his parent scarecely equaled by one so young. He was born in Morgan co., Ill., and removed with his father to this co. eight years since. At an early age he wisely sought his God, and set for his young companions an example of piety by uniting with the church at this place, and ever after sustaining a character in unison with his profession. During his last illness, which lasted but a few days, he expressed to his companions a hope in Christ and a willingness to die, requesting that his brother might be permitted to return his body to his friends at home for interment. And although his brother was not informed of the death until 3 days after the burial, he sought and obtained permission, through the kindness of his Captain, Geo. Hunter, to disinter the body and bring it home, where it was a second time committed to the earth, followed by his numerous friends and acquaintances. P. C. W. Charity Church, Nov. 25, 1861 (Carlinville Free Democrat, Nov. 28, 1861) note: Noah was the son of Basil and Rachel Wright and served in the 7th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Co. K. - Donated by src #8

Susan Waters

Death of Mrs. Susan Waters. Saturday morning at 11 o'clock Mrs. Susan Waters, widow of the late Peyton Waters, died in a hospital in Jacksonville, after a three years' illness of nervous prostration. The deceased was a former resident of Bird township and a well known citizen, having removed to Jacksonville some ten years ago. She was the mother of Samuel, George and William Waters and Mrs. (Lula) Kenney Baines, of Davenport, Iowa. She was about 65 years of age, and had been in a private hospital in Jacksonville for some time. The funeral occurred Monday morning at 11 o'clock from Charity church, Rev. Hart, of Franklin, officiating. Interment in Charity cemetery. (October 13, 1902 Carlinville Democrat). - Donated by src #8

P.C. Waters

P.C. Water. Jacksonville, Ill., March 22. - PC Waters, of Waverly, died today at the Catholic hospital, where he had been ill a number of weeks. Deceased is the father of William, Sam and George W, of this city. Mr. Waters was for many years a resident of Bird township, but removed from here to a farm a few miles south of Waverly a number of years ago. He was a brother of James C. Waters of this city. The funeral services will be held at Charity church Monday. Rev. Hart, of Franklin, will preach the funeral service at Charity church Monday at 11 a.m. Remains were laid to rest in Charity church. (Carlinville Democrat March 27, 1901) note: Peyton C. Waters. - Donated by src #8 .

Mary Wooldridge

Mrs. Mary Wooldridge, a lifelong resident of the vicinity of Staunton passed her 83rd birthday celebration. She has been ill for the past 3 weeks and the event was not celebrated. Mrs. Wooldridge was born in West Prairie, 4 miles west of Staunton, March 1, 1848 and was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sawyer. Valentine Sawyer who donated the Tine-Sawyer Cemetery, one of the oldest landmarks in this part of the country, was her Grandfather. With the execption of 3 years spent in Harvel, after her marriage to Harrison Wooldridge of West Prairie in 1868, she has always resided in this vicinity. After the death of her husband in 1924 she spends Winters in Staunton and the Summers at one of her houses located on a part of 200 acres which she still owns. At present time she has rooms with Mrs. Minnie Blase, who cares for her during her illness. Mrs. Wooldridge recalls the changes in the City of Staunton since her girlhood. The family traded at the store of the late Charles Fischer, father of the Fischer brothers of Staunton, and at the Hosea Snell store in early days. "We used to have to help the men folk shell corn around the fireplace of an evening, which they brough to Staunton to be made into meal at the mill, but we did not think our task hard at that time". She has 3 sons: Alonzo Wooldridge of near Staunton, Hampton Wooldridge of Staunton, and John Wooldridge of Gillespie, ILL. Mrs. William Best of Worden, Ill is a sister and Mrs. Sabra Sawyer, who celebrated her 83rd birthday on Feb 14th, was reared by Mrs. Wooldridge's parents and the two have always been like sisters, so nearly are they of the same age.

Note: Mary was married to Harrison Wooldridge, son of Larkin and Catherine Ellen Truitt Wooldridge. Harrison died 17 July 1924.